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Ed Donatell: Vikings' last-placed defense needs tighter coverage

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The defensive coordinator said the Vikings need to "take some of the air out of the coverage" of a last-place defense after allowing 34 points and 464 yards in Detroit.

Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell talked to defensive end Danielle Hunter during practice Wednesday.

As coordinator Ed Donatell huddled with fellow Vikings defensive coaches this week for another autopsy of what is now the league's last-place defense, what is the primary concern for what's also the last-place pass defense?

Between the busted coverages and recently ineffective pass rush, Donatell — the 65-year-old veteran defensive backs coach — kept the focus Wednesday on his area of expertise and the porous performance that is the antithesis of a zone-heavy defense designed to take away the deep throw.