Kevin Seifert
EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel produced one of many group's most spectacular performs of the season Sunday in a 27-24 upset of the Detroit Lions, tackling operating again Jahmyr Gibbs for a 1-yard loss after a crushing block he by no means noticed coming.
On Wednesday, Van Ginkel was one in every of a number of gamers within the Vikings' locker room to name out the block from receiver Kalif Raymond. Van Ginkel referred to as it “a unclean play,” and linebacker Eric Wilson mentioned it was “absolute bulls—” and a “low-cost shot.”
On the play, Raymond lined up as an out of doors receiver earlier than stepping into movement. On the snap, he sprinted instantly towards Van Ginkel — who was dealing with the opposite manner as he was taking his first steps as a go rusher — and shoved him to the bottom with a block to the left shoulder. Van Ginkel slid throughout the substitute turf at Ford Discipline, however when he stopped, he was at Gibbs' toes.
“Clearly, getting hit on the facet, I am simply going to go rush,” Van Ginkel mentioned. “And unexpectedly I get whiplash as a result of the man blindsides me. I am not going to enter an excessive amount of element about it, however I wasn't too happy with it.”
The block was not penalized and doesn't seem to suit the NFL's definition of both a crackback or blindside block. However Van Ginkel made clear he didn't suppose it was secure.
“I feel that it is one thing that the league ought to take a look at if it is one thing that they should take out of the sport,” he mentioned. “As a result of we won't be doing that. … While you're go dashing like that, you aren't anticipating somebody blindsiding from the facet. I am making an attempt to get off the ball, get a great go rush. I had no clue he was there. How are we supposed to guard ourselves in these instances?”
Van Ginkel was a second-team All-Professional final season however had missed 5 of the Vikings' earlier six video games getting into Sunday due to a neck damage and a concussion. Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed a clip of the play to your complete group throughout a gathering this week to emphasise Van Ginkel's resourcefulness after the block.
“He offers so many layers of issues to our protection,” O'Connell mentioned. “That permits [defensive coordinator Brian Flores] to be who he desires to be as a playcaller. After which Gink helps everyone else round him, not solely himself, play at a excessive stage.”
