Minnesota News Network

  • Home
  • MNN Reporter Team
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Crime & Court
    • Health
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Weather & Natural Disaster
  • Sports
    • Gophers
    • Twins
    • Wild
    • Timberwolves & Lynx
    • Vikings
  • Minnesota Matters
  • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support
You are here: Home / Vikings / Vikings’ Hunter is a force

Vikings’ Hunter is a force

December 12, 2019 By Minnesota News Network

After the Minnesota Vikings knocked down passes on Detroit’s first two plays, Danielle Hunter crouched down in his three-point stance on third-and-10 with a tight end lined up to try to block him.

The Lions could hardly have found a faster track to punt. Jesse James had little hope of fending off Hunter long enough for quarterback David Blough to escape harm, and Hunter brought down the rookie for a 6-yard loss. On the next one of his three sacks in the first half on Sunday, tight end Logan Thomas was the initial blocker before right tackle Rick Wagner took a turn futilely attempting to prevent the takedown.

”It’s been happening a lot this year, but if you get that, you’ve got to win,” the fifth-year defensive end said after Minnesota’s 20-7 victory over Detroit that was fueled by a resurgence by the defense.

Opponents are often concerned about the Vikings blitzing extra pass rushers, coach Mike Zimmer surmised, so they’ve been trying take their chances with a favorable matchup for Hunter with the goal of delivering the ball quickly enough that he can’t wreak havoc with the play. That’s usually picking between poisons, considering Hunter leads the league in quarterback pressures.

With 12 1/2 sacks this season, Hunter is tied for fourth in the league. Hunter, at 25 years and 40 days old, became on Sunday the youngest player in NFL history to reach 50 sacks, doing so 127 days ahead of Robert Quinn’s arrival at that milestone in 2015 for the Rams. Hunter has 52 1/2 sacks, already halfway to third place on the franchise’s career list. Carl Eller (130), Jim Marshall (127) and John Randle (114) have the first three spots. Hunter is already 24th among active players in the league, with Terrell Suggs (138) leading the list.

A native of Jamaica who was raised near Houston and drafted by the Vikings in 2015 in the third round out of LSU after an unremarkable college career, Hunter has more than affirmed the team’s projections that an ideal frame, proven work ethic and humble attitude would translate to NFL success for the 6-foot-5, 252-pound physical marvel.

”Did we know he was going to have 50 sacks at 25 or something? No, but we felt like we could improve him as a pass rusher,” Zimmer said. ”He had a tendency to run straight up the field and turn left as opposed to taking the proper angle, getting on the offensive tackle, using his hands and using his athletic ability.”

The only glimpses of flamboyance from Hunter are the karate-kick celebrations he performs after sacks, a tribute to actor Bruce Lee from the martial arts movies he watched often as a youth. Otherwise, Hunter is as unassuming as they come in the NFL. When asked about his record-setting performance against the Lions, he smiled at all the questions about accolades but never indulged.

”I definitely didn’t do it by myself. Teammates, coaches and all that, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I’m at,” Hunter said.

Not many players are blessed with his combination of size, speed and strength, but the preparation and dedication are what has set Hunter apart in the eyes of his appreciative teammates.

”That guy’s a workhorse. I’m out here complaining like, `Oh, man, my shoulder kind of hurts, guys, my hands,’ and Danielle looks at me like, ‘Bro, I played 80, 90 snaps. I’m not complaining,”’ backup defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo said, adding: ”He’s truly a professional. The team would be a lot better if there was more Danielle Hunters around.”

###

Copyright © 2019
TTWN Media Networks LLC

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Sports, Vikings



compeer financial celebrates beef month

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Minnesota News Network Follow 12,806 1,273

Long time legendary statewide network providing relevant award-winning news/sports/ag information & compelling audio content to 100+ radio stations in Minnesota

MinnesotaRadio
Retweet on Twitter Minnesota News Network Retweeted
TalkNorthPod avatar; Talk North @TalkNorthPod ·
22 Nov 1727429280211390757

The Go Gopher Podcast with Mike Grimm - Episode #97

With Gopher WR @chrisautmanbell, who will be playing the final home game this Saturday!

BTYB:

@sunbeltmidwest
From Aquarius Home Services Studio
True North M&A
@InsureChamplin
@Affinity_Plus
@cubfoods

Reply on Twitter 1727429280211390757 Retweet on Twitter 1727429280211390757 2 Like on Twitter 1727429280211390757 3 Twitter 1727429280211390757
Retweet on Twitter Minnesota News Network Retweeted
TalkNorthPod avatar; Talk North @TalkNorthPod ·
15 Nov 1724908422313963873

The Go Gopher Podcast with Mike Grimm - Episode #96

Gopher TE @brevyn_ talks about this season and the final two weeks of the regular season

BTYB:
@sunbeltmidwest
From Aquarius Home Services Studio
True North M&A
@InsureChamplin
@Affinity_Plus
@cubfoods

Reply on Twitter 1724908422313963873 Retweet on Twitter 1724908422313963873 1 Like on Twitter 1724908422313963873 1 Twitter 1724908422313963873
Retweet on Twitter Minnesota News Network Retweeted
Learfield avatar; LEARFIELD @Learfield ·
14 Nov 1724420677506060390

Today is LEARFIELD's companywide Share the Care day.

Employees in all our offices are spending the day serving & impacting their communities.

Check back throughout the day for updates from our teams all over the country.

Image for the Tweet beginning: Today is LEARFIELD's companywide Share Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1724420677506060390 Retweet on Twitter 1724420677506060390 7 Like on Twitter 1724420677506060390 25 Twitter 1724420677506060390
MinnesotaRadio avatar; Minnesota News Network @MinnesotaRadio ·
15 Nov 1724639648918429922

Fun night as part of @learfield Share The Care Day...Members of @minnesotaradio staff helped pack more than 23k nutritious meals for those in need in Guatemala through the great @fmsc_org program. #learfield #sharethecare

Image for the Tweet beginning: Fun night as part of Twitter feed video.
Reply on Twitter 1724639648918429922 Retweet on Twitter 1724639648918429922 0 Like on Twitter 1724639648918429922 2 Twitter 1724639648918429922
Load More

Jefferson Unlikely For Sunday

(Eagan, MN)  –  As Joshua Dobbs prepares for his first start with the Vikings on Sunday against the Saints, one of the leagues best targets probably won’t be available.  Justin Jefferson, who returned to practice on Wednesday and spoke to the media yesterday for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury against the Chiefs […]

T-Wolves Hand Celtics First Loss

(Minneapolis, MN)  —  Anthony Edwards lead the way with 38 points as the Timberwolves handed the Celtics their first loss of the season 114-109 in overtime on Monday night at Target Center.  Edwards not only had 38 points but also nine rebounds and seven assists as his team improved to 4-0 on their home court […]

Wild Start Trip East

(Elmont, NY)  —  The Wild are ready to being another three game trip east tonight as they start against the New York Islanders.  Minnesota is coming off a 5-4 shootout win on Saturday over the Rangers to stop a four game skid.  Marcus Johnasson was banged up in that victory but is making the trip […]

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Facebook

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC