The Minnesota Vikings have found their new left tackle in T.J. Clemmings. Over the last three plus years, the phrase “our left tackle played well” would have received a great deal of scrutiny and been summarily dismissed by most of the Minnesota Vikings faithful. During that period, fans watched Matt Kalil wilt like a frost-bitten rose. Fan angst has ratcheted up to the point of disgust over Kalil’s play. The fourth overall pick in 2012 continually disappointed after a promising Pro Bowl rookie season.
Minnesota Vikings Spotlight: T.J. Clemmings Makes Matt Kalil Expendable
Clemmings, a fourth-round pick in 2015, replaced the injured Kalil last Sunday. The new face protecting Sam Bradford’s blind-side entered the Carolina Panthers game with very low expectations. In 2015, the Vikings threw the rookie to the wolves, asking him to fill in for veteran stalwart Phil Loadholt. The tenth offensive tackle selected in 2015 played all 16 games as the Vikings’ right tackle. By most accounts, he was completely over-matched. Given fourth-rounders are traditionally seen as projects, his poor performances were not a surprise to the Vikings’ coaches, but that didn’t stop thousands of Vikings fans from proclaiming Clemmings a bust. Fans feared the worst against the Panthers for good reason.
Asking a right tackle to shift to left tackle, a position regarded as more difficult to play, and expecting him to play well is a tall order. Asking an inexperienced NFL sophomore to do this against the one of the most feared defensive lines in the NFL in his first left tackle start seemed potentially disastrous.
After looking at all 53 offensive snaps, excluding field goals, extra points, punts or kneel downs, the impending doom never materialized. Clemmings didn’t play perfectly but did, in fact, play well. This article breaks down the new Viking left tackle’s overall performance, as well as his performance as a run blocker and pass protector.
Overall
Let’s start by establishing the sample size of plays taken into account. Of the 53 offensive plays evaluated, Clemmings performance neither positively nor negatively impacted the outcome on 23 occasions. These plays will go uncounted, as they were either runs to the right side or plays made by someone Clemmings was not assigned to block. It is worth noting that on most of these discounted plays, the second-year pro appeared to do his job.
Clemmings’ performance positively impacted 24 of 30 remaining plays (80 percent). Six plays were sub-par. Some will argue that 80 percent is a “C+” or “B-” at best and not commensurate with “playing well.” That would understate who his opponent was, as well as affording any credit for shifting positions from right tackle to left. Given the circumstances, Clemmings deserves a “B+” for his efforts against the “Black and Blue Cats.”
Run Blocking
The Vikings executed 21 running plays not including kneel downs. They rushed the ball 11 times to the right where the left tackle didn’t get involved in the point of attack. Clemmings’ play had no consequence on three additional plays. leaving a sample size of seven impacted running plays.
Of those seven plays, Clemmings performed well on six of them. Given the Vikings’ issues running the football in Carolina, this seems like an outrageous statement. Many of the six positive plays resulted in little or no gain. That does not mean Clemmings failed to do his job. Even where some of the six plays lacked productivity, his effort set the stage for what should have been a positive outcome. For example, on a first-and-ten play in the third quarter, Clemmings pushed his opponent into the middle of the field creating an opportunity for a huge edge run. Jerick McKinnon appeared to hesitate, was tackled from behind, and lost two yards on the play.
The one blemish was a first and ten run where Clemmings assignment was to get to the second level and block Luke Kuechly. Clemmings whiffed on the block taking a poor angle. Kuechly blew up the play causing a one-yard loss.
Pass Protection
Minnesota attempted to pass the ball 30 times. The Vikings offensive line allowed two sacks, an improvement from the previous week. T.J. Clemmings played a key role, but he was far from perfect.
The 6’5, 309 pound tackle directly impacted 23 pass plays in Carolina. During 18 of those plays, he did a great job of holding his blocks. He either re-routed pass rushers out of the play or allowed zero penetration towards the quarterback. The highlight for Clemmings came late in the fourth quarter on a third-and-14 play. The Panthers ran a stunt where Clemmings was initially engaged with the defensive end. Clemmings moved the end into position for another offensive lineman to pick up. He pivoted to the stunting defensive tackle, driving him well away from Bradford.
There are some things that need to improve. Statistics indicate that Clemmings gave up zero sacks. However, on a third-and-six pass play in the first quarter, his man had a free run on Bradford. Clemmings assignment fell on the Vikings’ quarterback just after another Panther teammate took Bradford down. The new left tackle must also take some credit for four quarterback hits. Clemmings must work on screen plays as well. The “Purple” ran three screens. On the first two, Clemmings was late getting in position to make a block. On the third attempt, however, his block sprung Rhett Ellison for an 18-yard gain.
Summary
T.J. Clemmings’ play against the Carolina Panthers was encouraging. His stock is clearly rising as Kalil’s continues to plummet. The performance of the 110th player selected in last year’s draft paves the way for the Vikings to let Kalil become a free agent next season. The Minnesota Vikings’ left tackle job now belongs T.J. Clemmings.
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