Greg Jennings, Matt Cassel Developing Great Chemistry for Vikings Offense

When Matt Cassel re-signed with the Vikings in March, the happiest person in the building must have been receiver Greg Jennings.

Jennings signed with Minnesota before the 2013 season with the idea that he and Christian Ponder would strike up a bond on the field. As the season wore on, it became clear that wasn’t happening. Ponder had trouble finding Jennings with any consistency. The star receiver was going to waste.

In his first three games in the purple and gold, all with Ponder under center, Jennings caught only 11 balls for 160 yards. Once Matt Cassel took over the starting job in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jennings went off for 92 yards and two touchdowns.

The difference between the styles of Cassel and Ponder was stark. Jennings had much to say about it this past summer as well.

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Both quarterbacks had different ways they saw the game, which is why you saw Matt and I have success...Christian and I, not that we didn't have success, but his safety net was more of the checkdown. Matt, being in an offense where he's been able to move the ball and have success in New England and Kansas City, he understands that in order to win games, you've got to move the ball down the field.

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And have success they did. Cassel played in only nine games for Minnesota a season ago, but his connection with Jennings was prolific. Had they a whole season to work together, Cassel may have pushed Jennings over the 1,000 yard mark:

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If you prorate Greg Jennings 2013 tied to Matt Cassel, you get 88-1018-8 (h/t, @rotoviz app). A perfect Ibanez All-Star.

— scott pianowski (@scott_pianowski) September 2, 2014"

Eighty-eight receptions would have put Jennings No. 11 on the reception leaders of the 2013 season. Because of the circus act that was the Vikings quarterback situation last year, his totals didn’t come out anywhere near that. Jennings just looked like an average receiver without some statistical digging.

Not only did Jennings catch a lot of passes from Cassel, he also caught every one of his touchdowns from the veteran quarterback. Their scoring strike on Sunday added another to the tally.

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As usual, Matt Cassel hits Greg Jennings. All 5 of Jennings Vikings TDs have been on passes from Cassel.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 7, 2014"

But what is it that makes the Cassel-to-Jennings connection so effective? Of course both are experienced veterans who’ve seen and been a part of a top-notch passing attack in years past. There is something to be said for these intangibles qualities.

Beyond that though, it’s all about the utilization of space. If one thing stands out about Greg Jennings on game tape, it’s that he's very adept at finding pockets of space in defenses. He is almost always getting open. Cassel complements that by locating holes as he deciphers defenses and throwing into them with decisiveness.

The increased usage of Jennings in the slot is a product of his spatial awareness. The coaching staff in Minnesota recognizes the versatility Jennings brings to the table. A big play in the second quarter of the St. Louis game came as a result of Jennings’ slot work.

NFL Game Rewind

Jennings runs an aggressive route to the sticks on this crucial third down. As he comes off the line of scrimmage, it’s his job to identify the coverage and fine-tune his route to make himself available for Cassel.

NFL Game Rewind

He has of course found the hole right in the middle of the defense as the ball arrives. Cassel to Jennings helps keep the Vikings offense on schedule and keeps the chains moving.

The outlook on Minnesota’s decision to start Cassel over rookie Teddy Bridgewater looks like the right move through one week of the new season. Jennings predictably gave his approval of the decision a few weeks ago, saying the following in an interview with the Pioneer Press, "Matt, obviously he's worked hard...He does a lot of outstanding things. He understands the game, and obviously he puts us in the best position to win is...the conclusion coaches have come to."

Connecting with his favorite target is the best way for Cassel to keep his job and sustain this success for the Minnesota offense. The two veterans could be in for big seasons statistically. On one of the youngest teams in the league, their production is very much needed too.

What the long-term future holds in store for this duo in Minnesota takes a lot of guesswork. Cassel’s deal only runs through the end of next season. Bridgewater is just biding his time before he steps in as the quarterback of the future. That pressure could make Cassel fold or it could bring the best out of him. So far he's been better for it.

Jennings, like Cassel, is on the wrong side of 30. His salary balloons after this season and the dead money in his deal begins the dwindle. It’s only a matter of time, maybe a few years still, before Minnesota moves on.

But as the 1-0 Vikings prepare for Week 2, when to dump Cassel and Jennings is the farthest thing from their minds. Their chemistry is winning football games right now. Minnesota will burn through money if it keeps the victories coming.