SKOR North – Irv Smith is exactly what the Viking offense needed

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EAGAN – In 2018, Kyle Rudolph of the Minnesota Vikings captured a total of 10 passes for 113 yards. In Sunday's win over the Oakland Raiders, second-round pick, Irv Smith, alone tallied more than half of the shots last year, scoring three passes for 60 yards, a rookie record for a team match. He quickly became the player the Vikings dreamed of in the repechage.

Smith made his presence known in the first victory of Sunday's 34-14 win, catching a 20-yard pass on a sewing road in the middle of the field. The Vikings scored on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen at the next game.

"It was nice because the offensive was working very hard to be fast and play fast. It feels good to be rewarded by playing," Smith said Monday.

At the beginning of the third quarter, the former Alabama star defeated a Raiders linebacker on a 26-yard crossing. Three games later, the Vikings were in the end zone for an easy win.

Smith later grabbed a pass under the line of scrimmage during a match-off started by quarterback Kirk Cousins. He sprinted on the sideline and dodged the tacklers before being shot with an extra 26 yards. If the game had not been taken over by an illegal block, it would have totaled 72 yards on that day.

After two weeks with only one reception, Smith showed that his opponents will have to plan their match for him.

"Every day, every game becomes more comfortable, we get used to it, knowing what to expect and how to play," Smith said. "Coaches, they learn [about] me and what I can do to help this team. The more they see me, the more I am on the ground, the more I can help this team. "

During training camp, it was unclear how Smith would be on the field. Offensive assistant Gary Kubiak said in early August that he was "swimming," but then praised Smith's progress.

"At the beginning of the camp, I was thrown a lot into the water," Smith said. "The more I felt comfortable getting representatives … I could go and play fast. Once you can play fast and be sure the sky is the limit. "

Smith's Sunday receptions were simply part of his impressive effort. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith scored 71.4 (out of 100) as a race blocker, marking the third consecutive week in which he scored 70. To put this in context Last year, Philadelphia Eagles second-round rookie Dallas Goedert was just five weeks off with more than 70 ratings and Miami rookie rookie Mike Gesicki was the worst blocker in the NFL.

"I learn that all the pieces that people watch are watching, so you want to go out there and put the right things on tape, you do not want to play a piece or anything, you go out and you're physical "Smith said.

In the first three games, the Vikings used the Smith games 26, 26 and 31. His presence was often associated with Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph, which caused imbalances among the staff. The Raiders regularly used an extra linebacker when several tight games were in the game. The strategy is particularly effective with a tight end that can go down to the field. Last season, the Vikings routinely used three wide receivers but Laquon Treadwell struggled to provide them with an effective game, gaining only 8.3 yards per shot.

"I think we have three good tight ends and the more we can use them, you get in there, you get big bands there and then, you know they're spread and we throw the balloon or we use them in different ways, "said head coach Mike Zimmer.

Smith's role in the offense is particularly valuable given that they do not have a wide range of receivers. Josh Doctson signed with the Vikings before the start of the season, but he stayed in the injured reserve and will be absent at least until the eighth week. Chad Beebe, who had 61 yards against the Packers, was fired Sunday. not clear.

The Vikings' abilities as a tight energetic start and run beginner will be particularly challenged next week against the Chicago Bears.

"It will be harder to run the ball this week, these guys are a burden ahead," Zimmer said. "It could be a different ball game this week."

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