Mike Zimmer ‘really impressed’ with Sheldon Richardson this season

Six games into his first season with the Minnesota Vikings, the defensive tackle has been impressing his head coach with his performance so far.

Second to Kirk Cousins, Sheldon Richardson was the biggest addition for the Minnesota Vikings this past offseason. Some would even argue that adding Richardson this year has even made a bigger impact for the Vikings than what Cousins has done so far.

Six games into the 2018 season, the veteran defensive tackle’s 22 quarterback pressures are the second-most of any Minnesota defender. Richardson’s pressure total is also the fifth-most among all interior defensive lineman in the NFL this season.

Despite only having one sack to his name so far, his presence on the field has been vital to other members of the Vikings’ defensive line experiencing success this year. Minnesota defensive end Danielle Hunter already has seven sacks this season and this might have not been possible if not for Richardson drawing a bunch of attention from opposing blockers.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was asked about his talented defensive tackle on Wednesday and he didn’t hold back on the praise.

"“I’ve been really impressed with Sheldon. And not just his play, but the way he’s come in here and tried to learn the techniques we’re trying to teach him, his professionalism, (and) how he handles himself in the meetings.He’s been really good with everything. There’s been some plays that a lot of people don’t recognize that I see on tape and I’m like, ‘that’s a heck of a play.’ Everybody sees the sacks and the hits on the quarterback. But they don’t see sometimes when you split the double team and you make a tackle or you run 20 yards down the field and make a tackle. Those things are impressive to me.”"

Zimmer really couldn’t ask for a better addition to his defensive line this year than Richardson. The guy does what is asked of him in meetings and practice and then goes out on the field and produces.

Richardson being a part of the roster has not only improved Minnesota’s pass rush this season, but the team’s run defense has also made great strides with their new defensive tackle on the field.

The Vikings have been able to hold four of their opponents to under 100 rushing yards this season and the defense ranks seventh in the NFL in yards allowed per carry.

When holding the opposing offense to less than 100 rushing yards, Minnesota is 14-1-1 since 2017. So maintaining a sold rushing defense has definitely been a big key to the Vikings’ recent success.

With his help against the run and the pass, Minnesota has to be satisfied with the production they have got from Richardson so far this season. At the very least, Zimmer is impressed with the defensive tackle’s performance and that is really what matters the most.

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