EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The defense that was so dominant during Minnesotas 5-0 start has morphed into a rather ordinary unit.Opponents have since adjusted with quick passes and well-timed play calls to neutralize what has been a relentless rush, the turnovers havent come as often and the Vikings have been more susceptible to those confidence-sapping third-down conversions.Just as much of a factor in the recent rut, though, could be the seemingly illogical problem of players trying too hard to help stop the slide.When youre struggling and youve got a bunch of really good guys, guys that really care, guys tend to try to do a little too much, including myself, coach Mike Zimmer said.Instead of allowing guys to make plays, you try to make plays for them. We just need to settle down. We need to do what we do. Get back to being the Vikings defense again.Washingtons Kirk Cousins averaged around 2+ seconds to release the ball when he dropped back to pass last week, when the Vikings (5-4) lost their fourth straight game . Detroits Matthew Stafford and Chicagos Jay Cutler followed similar quick-throwing strategies in the games before that.Were going to have to adjust how we do some things with the pass rush, Zimmer said.The Vikings have only three sacks over the past four games. Not coincidentally, each of the past three opponents have converted exactly half of their third downs.If you look at the tape, theyre getting the ball out quick. Theyre running boots. Theyre running screens. Theyre doing all the things to slow us down in the rush, defensive end Everson Griffen said.We cant get frustrated. Weve just got to get out there and keep rushing. Sacks come in bunches. Do we want more sacks? Yeah, but Id rather have wins than sacks.Missed tackles have a problem, too, none more costly than in overtime against the Lions when cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safety Harrison Smith both whiffed during Golden Tates winning touchdown reception .The Arizona Cardinals (4-4-1) will bring plenty of challenges for the Vikings to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, with running back David Johnson chief among them.Still, its worth remembering that the Vikings defense, despite the lag of late, remains a daunting matchup for opponents, too. The Cardinals were raving this week about Zimmer and his scheme.Hes one of the best defensive play-callers in the game, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. Hes just got a wealth of knowledge. He does a great job of trying to break down opponents and trying to neutralize the things that they do well, and you couple that with an unbelievable amount of talent.After missing nickel cornerback Captain Munnerlyn against the Redskins because of an ankle injury, the Vikings should be back to full strength in the secondary.It definitely was a tough, tough situation for me to watch the game, Munnerlyn said. I kind of got mad here and there, probably kicked some boxes or something, punched a box here and there.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Alexandre Lacazette Arsenal Jersey .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Emiliano Martinez Jersey .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? 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In the wake of signing Spanish guard Alex Abrines on Monday, the Oklahoma City Thunder rescinded guard Dion Waiters qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent, the team confirmed to ESPN.The move was first reported by The Vertical.Waiters was tendered a $6.8 million qualifying offer before free agency opened July 1, but the Thunder have pulled that, removing their ability to match any offer sheet he receives. Waiters could have accepted the qualifying offer at any point, and it would have become a guaranteed one-year deal.The Thunder did not renounce Waiters, however, meaning they retain his Bird rights as well as his $12.8 million cap hold. The moment Waiters signs elsewhere -- which likely will happen sooner thaan later now that hes unrestricted -- that cap hold comes off the Thunders books.ddddddddddddThe Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have been interested in Waiters since free agency opened.As the Thunder recover from the departure of Kevin Durant, they are prioritizing flexibility. With Waiters no longer part of their long-term picture, the Thunder can use the forthcoming increase in cap space to work on a possible renegotiated extension for Russell Westbrook.Waiters, 24, was selected fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2012 and traded to the Thunder in a three-team deal in January 2015. ' ' '
