There’s no scarcity of enthusiasm for what Brian Asamoah will have the ability to do in 2023. The current phrases from center linebacker coach Mike Siravo will do little to undercut the hype.

The sophomore linebacker has the within monitor for a beginning place alongside Jordan Hicks. Eric Kendricks – one of many franchise’s all-time nice center linebackers – is now monitoring down ball carriers for the Chargers. In his stead will probably be Mr. Asamoah, who performed his faculty ball at Oklahoma.

Throughout at this time’s spherical of coaching press conferences, center linebackers coach Mike Siravo had good issues to say about Asamoah. The charming, affable coach praised his younger LB’s athleticism and velocity, noting that he’s “a gifted athlete” who “brings unreal vitality.”

Shortly thereafter, the coach unpacked what we are able to count on from Brian Asamoah:

He’s a kind of chess items that you simply’re going to see him everywhere in the subject. He might rush, he might drop, he can do a bunch of various issues. He’s athletic sufficient to play man.

Notable reward from the place coach, particularly since he pivots out of his reply by merely declaring, “he’s been superior.” Primarily based on Siravo’s feedback, Vikings followers can anticipate seeing Asamoah doing all types of injury in 12 months 2 within the NFL. Loads of blitzes and troublesome protection assignments (man protection, probably, with gifted operating backs and tight ends) await Asamoah.

In a league the place actions really do communicate louder than phrases, the Vikings’ inaction at linebacker says an terrible lot. Positive, Troy Reeder could also be a diamond in the rough, however one wonders if the previous Ram & Charger is right here to complement Hicks rather than steal away snaps from Asamoah. Sure, there’s nonetheless a full offseason of competing that should occur, however it might be a serious disappointment if Asamoah doesn’t snag a beginning job.

As a rookie, Brian Asamoah principally obtained onto the sphere as a particular groups participant. He piled up 285 snaps for Matt Daniels’ crew, greater than double the 119 snaps he obtained for Ed Donatell’s group. The expectation is that he’ll far, far surpass the snap complete for protection in 2023.

Vikings followers grew supremely annoyed by watching final season’s protection, a bunch that didn’t seem significantly involved in making life troublesome for the opponent. On a weekly foundation, we witnessed totally common offenses put collectively efforts that belong alongside the ’07 Patriots. Irritating, discouraging, and exasperating all wrapped up into one defensive catastrophe.

With Brian Flores now calling the pictures, there’s definitely appreciable optimism for a a lot completely different method. Generally known as a blitzing wizard who makes a speciality of extremely aggression, Flores is tasked with serving to to awaken a protection that’s been hibernating for 3 seasons.

Fortunately, the early phrase from Mike Siravo is that the Vikings will get a lift from their sophomore linebacker, the versatile “chess piece” who has humongous potential.

A third-round choice in 2022, Brian Asamoah had 17 tackles, a pressured fumble, and a fumble restoration as a rookie. He’s coming into the 12 months with a $1,247,010 cap cost.

Editor’s Be aware: Info from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.