Welcome to the weekend, everyone, and welcome to Skoloholics! Join us for Minnesota Vikings talk, Vikings news, news from around the NFL, and virtually any other topic. On this site, the real action is in the comments, so if you haven’t checked out the comments section yet, you should join us! This is the daily back page, which is wide open. Therefore, you will see discussion of nearly ANY topic here. Our one rule here is: “Remember, be cool to one another”. Also, a word to the wise, don’t feed the trolls. SKOL!!!!!!
The big news yesterday was that the Vikings traded Za’Darius Smith to the Browns. The Browns didn’t have to give up much, as they fork over a couple of fifth-round picks over the next couple years, and the Vikings give up a 6th and 7th round pick next year in addition to sending Smith to Cleveland.
This move was a foregone conclusion, as Smith had already made it known that he wanted to move on. I like Smith and think he’s a great player when he’s healthy. The main problem has been that he is often injured, and then is either out or ineffective. I’m sure we’ll hear more details in the coming days.
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Minnesota Vikings News:
As discussed, the Vikings traded Za’Darius Smith to the Browns, according to the USA Today.
CBS Sports grades the Za’Darius Smith trade.
Video of the Day:
Here’s one of the best of all time, Mr. Merle Haggard with Sing Me Back Home. Enjoy!
Alright….I’ll have to admit this is pretty badass for a rookie class pic.
Posers
That is what you do for photo’s yes….
They look ridiculous
Day’s putter is a TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Spider Black mallet, a model Day has favored for several years (he used a red-colored one for some time as well) with no sightline, per Day’s request. It is clearly a model Day—one of the game’s best putters—feels comfortable with.
“I feel like I’ve always putted pretty well, and I’m starting to find the roll again, which is nice,” Day said on Saturday after his round. “Fingers crossed everything can kind of align this week, or next week would be great.” -Day
Fortunately for Day, it was sooner rather than later.
The clubs Jason Day used to win the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X
Driver: Ping G430 LST (TPT prototype), 9 degrees
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Max, 15 degrees
7-wood: TaylorMade Stealth, 21 degrees
Irons (4): TaylorMade P770; (5-PW): TaylorMade P7MC
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (52, 56 degrees); Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (60 degrees)
Putter: TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Spider Black
WT………………?
Meh….
Riveting golf stuff. How’d Nicklaus finish?
Just ahead of Arnold Palmer.
Riiiiiight?
Unfortunately Tiger Woods isn’t playing in the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York next week.
Tiger underwent “successful” ankle surgery in April after an early withdrawal from The Masters, however no timeline has been specified for a return to competitive action.
Sadly, I don’t think Tiger will contend again unless it’s on the Senior tour.
Meanwhile Phil looks like he could contend for another 5 yrs. Taking great care of himself with an elite diet and exercise program and looks absolutely fantastic. Is playing at a very high level.
Wow.. leanest I’ve ever seen him.
there’s a reason he almost won the masters last month.
Heard he’s out for the US Open also.
Jason Day gets it done. Fantastic, love the guy. 5 yrs since his last in. Rooting for him next week at the PGA Championship.
Yep… 5 kids though… what was he thinking? Grin.
annnnnnnd Sheffler is officially eliminated with that 2nd shot in the bunker at 18.
Twinkies up 16-3 on the Cubbies?
All of a sudden their bats are working?
31 hits in 2 games. Think league should check into substance abuse.
I will go with corked bats due to 8 HRs.
They’re building ya’ll up to crush your dreams yet again.
That is a given with Minn sports.
Nice birdie by Jason Day on the 15th hole. Two shot lead with three to play.
The spider putter he uses and has used for years I bought one 12 yrs ago, it’s that old, white version. Tried it for a bit back then but went back to my Scotty Newport pretty quick. I re-gripped the spider last week with a 2.0 super stroke pistol and my goodness does it feel good. Tried it at the balloon factory and just stroked in about 10 in a row. Day makes it look automatic with it. I might have to put it in play again.
Rooting for Jason Day in a very competitive Byron Nelson tournament. About 9 guys with a shot to win it. As long as sausage nose Sheffler doesn’t win.
My wife loves Jason Day… she’s rooting for him too.
Fingers crossed.
You don’t like Sheffler? Love Day’s swing
I mean he’s a fantastic player, #2 in the world and has proven his talent. I just can’t stand his demeanor or anything about him.
Carson Wentz says he’s been working out in L.A. in preparation for the season. He’s received interest from teams and he might wait longer into the offseason to see what develops, but he’s open to starter or backup roles. When he was drafted by the Eagles I thought he was going places in the NFL. Big, strong kid, with a competitive nature. Never quite got there.
Mentally broken after Foles took his soul.
Yup, never was the same after that injury and Foles winning the SB with the poop eaters. Wentz is pretty much done.
Griner gets a loud ovation for standing up for anthem. Thanks Britt, you are a special American.
Well Happy Mothers day to all you Mother… out there
You too and your mother
Just an odd thought. KOC and Flores’ styles seem like oil and water. Be interesting to see how that plays out.
Really?
Seems like Flores’ D will get KOC the ball back fairly quickly (either with a stop, a turnover, or a score by getting burned) so the O will have more chances to score.
Not sure how that translates to ‘oil and water’.
Meant personality wise. KOC seems more calm sort of laid back. I thought flores, at Miami, was pretty intense.Clearly, KOC will be thrilled if Flores’ defense keeps getting stops and the ball back for the offense.
Different personnalistes/styles are needed I have learned.
Back when I was playing Army the Cdr/XO/1SG all had different roles. Usually the Co was the ‘Politician’, Top was the ‘hard ass’ and the XO was the brainy/numbers guy. In some units the roles were switched (not the AD type either).
Agree – many very happy marriages of people that are completely different – and works really well in business. I just think it will be interesting to watch.
The Vikings traded Za’Darius Smith because he didn’t want to play for the team any longer. He said so personally on Twitter nine weeks ago. What was never reported though was WHY he didn’t want to play in Minnesota anymore. I don’t think anyone ever asked him that question.
I was hoping that the Flores hire would bring him around and Flores could use him more effectively and aggressively.
I was thinking it might have been a pre-emptive strike by Smith. He might have seen the writing on the wall that the Vikings were going to release him, or trade him due to salary cap issues. He might have decided to say he wanted out, before he was booted out.
He seemed like a piece that Flores could use like his twin brother Harrison.
But what do I know, must have been a pipe dream.
Yep… we may never know “the rest of the story” here. Personally I liked his zeal and leadership. Think we’ll miss that.
Think your take about “pre-emptive” was spot on. Liked him a lot first half of season, not so much the second. Didn’t seem to hustle – not sure that’s a Flores type..
Frustration at Donna’s Shell scheme could have caused that.
As frustrated as we were at that Donkey Screw Up it must have much worse for the players.
I agree with this take. I think the defensive players probably got tired of playing so defensively.
What you did there, I seen it.
I’m guessing he and Flores didn’t see eye to eye.
Possibly
Morning skolholes. Back to Chicago later today
Safe travels Skolly… flying or driving?
Flying
A story that’s little out of character for me – but it’s Mothers Day. My wife has been very sick and for a while we weren’t sure she would make it. So yesterday my daughter asked what am I getting Mom – didn’t know. So I’m watching TV and see a car commercial. On pure impulse, I went out and bought her a new car. I usually don’t even buy a necktie without a lot of thought.
She’s thrilled!
And my Mother died many years ago, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss her.
God bless all the Mothers!
That’s awesome and for sure no doubt money well spent! Happiness is the best medicine, I hope she continues to improve.
Thank You.
Wonderful story. Best wishes to you and your wife
Thank you.
Beautiful JR. I will be praying for your wife’s full recovery. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you.
Nice!
Glad she is better and hope she stays healthy.
Thank you – she’s doing much better.
Great story, thanks for sharing! Best wishes to you guys.
Thank you.
Happy Mother’s Day.
My mom passed back in 2015. I still miss you mom.
Great sentiment VP. Lost my mom in 2016 at age 92. I still miss her too.
yeah…lost my mom in 2011. Mom’s always have a unique perspective for you that when they’re gone you miss having that person in your life.
I win. Lost mine in ‘09. At 53. Lung cancer.
Close second…my mom was 68, leukemia.
My condolences, that’s a rough go of it. Mom did you well – clearly got a backbone and I’m guessing you come by it honestly and she’s at least partly responsible.
Thank you and sorry your mother also had a rough go of it. Watching a family member decline and pass from a terminal disease is difficult.
there’s a chart below ranking our position groups. How is that formulated – based on what? Curious
I believe it’s one guys opinion is all
Mick You seem pretty informed and balanced in your approach. This guy I don’t even know – so he may know far less than you.
Every ranking this time of year is a crapshoot.
That’s true. But, some guys know what they’re doing and others are just “spitballiing”
So it looks like (and I’m far from a cap expert) if the Vikings cut Cook post 1 June they will save $9M on the cap. If they trade him post 1 June they will save $11M on the cap. According to Spotrac, after trading Z. Smith, the Vikings are sitting on around $12,652,812. Adding another $9M to that would make them pretty “healthy” for 2023.
As a GM, I would keep money in reserve in case of injuries throughout the season. Be prepared as it were. Maybe some deal falls in our lap that is too good to resist, like the Hock deal. I wouldn’t go reaching for anyone though. By the way, Treadwell is still available and so is Bridgewater.
For the record, I don’t think the Davenport deal was a good one. Paying too much for too little IMO.
Yeah they should chew some of it up with extensions doe TJ, JJ, and Kirk. I believe they can carry some excess into ‘24 as well.
I don’t see any big splash signings… maybe taking a flyer on a vet is all.
Leonard Floyd could be a nice add for a vet DE
Honestly, I’d try and roll as much of it as is allowed into 2024 to offset Cousins $28.5M dead money. The Vikings need to clear the books and return to a much more stable fiscal position. 2024 looks to be a good opportunity to do that. The draft will have a lot of strong players (so I’m told). Need to to garner picks, and save up our pennies to bring in young, cheap, talent.
here is the link
If, and it’s a big IF again… they move on from Kirk I would imagine that’s the plan.
I just don’t see them moving on
Yeah, I don’t think it’s a big “if” though. My take is Cousins isn’t gonna budge on his position regarding guaranteed money and a no trade clause, and neither will KAM. In 2024 Cousins market value will be coming in around $45M a year. That’s just too much for the Vikings to pay (IMO). Even if the Vikings win the SB and Cousins is the MVP, I don’t think he stays. Just my opinion as usual. Honestly, KAM should have taken the deal Cousins offered. They would have had him for three years and way below market value.
Time will tell. Got 10 months between now and the next league year.
Yep, just how I see it, is all…
I absolutely believe 100% Cousins will remain a Viking, they’ll sign him to a 3-4 yr extension and that will be that. When they do it is the question.
They won’t rush, no need to, Cousins is comfortable stated he wants to stay in MN longterm, Vikings can work on retaining / signing the pieces around Kirk, and they can evaluate the 24 rookie class of QB’s and as the season plays out their drafting position to obtain one.
If the season is a disaster and they’re picking top 10 then yes there’s a chance they move on if they can draft their guy and get that coveted rookie qb on a 5 yr low cap deal to build the roster for a yr 3 or 4 run at a title. (Sam Hartman is my guy)
If another double digit win year I don’t believe via the draft or fa they’ll be a better option than signing Kirk to a longterm deal.
Pretty close to where I’m at.
waiting to see the offfense explode this year. They’ve been building up to it this off-season.
Not at all surprised at the developments thus far regarding Kirk and his contract… like you said, no rush.
Well, there is some rush in my opinion. Cousins becomes a free agent at the end of the season. After that last game the Vikings are sitting there with no QB in the stable as a viable starter (unless Mullens or the new kid show some promise). Cousins market value will skyrocket if he has a great year. Then what? Are you going to pay $50M a year for him? No. The Vikings were given the opportunity to sign Cousins in the off season and they sat on their hands. When 2024 comes, it will be too late (again in my opinion). To me the ship sailed when KAM decided not to accept Cousins offer.
As Mick says, it’s 10 months away, but I simply cannot see how this plays out where the Vikings pay Cousins $45M or more a year to stay after 2023.
You may well be right, who knows. But there is a downside to both sides if he walks. Kirk has said he wants to retire a Viking and has already made a lot of money – he;s secure for life. KAM needs to field a team with a viable option at QB. Neither will get what they want (need) if he walks. So, I think there will be some give and take on both sides. My 2 cents.
I hope that it works out this way JR. I truly do. The Vikings have a very, very good QB. I was surprised they rejected his offer, because it made good sense to keep Cousins under contract (IMO). We’ll have to see how it plays out, but as I said, I don’t see any way the Vikings keep Cousins next year.
Problem is… we don’t know what the offer was. We can speculate but have no idea.
if Kirk values himself at 50m and offered to take a discount at 45m… then we’re in totally diffeent ballparks.
silly season is just that… silly
True, but the report was “below market value”. When you get an opportunity to re-sign the best QB the Vikings have had in decades at below market value, one would think it would be a good idea to do so. Since they didn’t, it says to me they are planning on eating Cousins dead cap in 2024, and moving on.
I believe the report also stated it was more Cousins wanting 2025 guaranteed and not an option year for the Vikings that was the sticking point. So I think it was less to do about the money terms and more about KAM and KOC’s “plan’ they keep referring too to build a championship caliber roster. They act like they have a “plan” that is set in stone to work which is laughable but honestly I think it’s BS arrogance and a sales pitch to ownership and the fans to make it look like they’re in control.
I’d rather hear them say we have an idea of the type of team we want to build but we’re open minded to changing course if needed because there is no way to predict how current players will play, what their demands will be, what other teams may do, how the draft plays out, on and on….so many unknown variables.
You just described a plan.
both guys have been around the league long enough to know nothing is concrete.
Well then way does KAM keep repeating “We’re following our plan”….like it’s some super secret sauce that’s guaranteed to build a contender?
I’d say take a look at what Howie Roseman is doing it and copy him for the most part and quit acting like you’ve got a better way.
Howie is a true horse trader Lifer. KAM has a masters degree in economics and he started out with several ventures as a portfolio manager and commodities trader on Wall Street before coming to the NFL. With that background, I’d think he’s mostly a dollar and cents guy. To me, he is likely the right guy to get the cap under control, but he’s in over his head when it comes to player selection and making deals.
Howie plays to strengths in a little unconventional IDGAF style. KAM’s definitely a numbers guy as you point out. He’ll play the numbers while Howie plays to win.
I think in describing the two one would think Howie is the arrogant one but it’s really KAM who thinks he’s the smartest person in the room.
Kinda like Mick.
Spot on – good take.
The Vikings paid some of ZSmiths salary on the trade, so there wont be $12 million in cap space.
Do we know how much the Vikes paid yet? Can’t really evaluate the deal without that info, IMHO.
Correct. Haven’t seen the number yet.
Although plenty here are 100% saying it was a terrible trade. So I guess for them it gets worser.
QB seems low.
RB will change with the departure of cook.
WR should be higher from JJ alone but will change as the season comes along.
TE looks good
OL damn. Big surprise. A lot of love fornthe tackles is my guess.
If… and it’s a big IF the back end of the D can catch up to the front they won’t be in terrible shape.
too many unknowns right now without anyone taking the field.
KJ Osborn is ranked as the #27 WR. He is way better than that and now with Thielen gone he’ll get the touches to prove it.
I think so too.
It’s going to be a dynamic room.
I also see a small chance KJ is moved for max value before the trade deadline.
I just don’t see him sticking around/Vikings giving a decent deal with the addition of Addison.
Kwesi may as well maximize the return for him rather than comp picks.
They can’t get any value for KJ with these poverty GM’s wanting something for nothing. You might get a 6th rd pick but I doubt he could even fetch that.
I think Kirk will have something to say about keeping KJ.
KJ, in my opinion, will garner a contract in the 10m+ AAV range. If not higher depending on the year he has.
Its not feasible to have him and JJ for 40m+ per year.
I have been wrong before but I don’t see it.
Likely correct.
Unless Addison is Treadwell 2.0, KJ likely gone to FA in 2024.
depends on what kind of year KJ has. He eclipses 90 rep, 1k yrds, 10 td’s they will be forced to resign him.
They can’t re-sign that many big contracts.
Kirk & JJ will likely take $60 million in cap space alone. That’s like 30% of total cap space.
If Kirk is gone in 2024, they could do it.
That is going to be the problem… too much money for a position.
I see Kirk here in ‘24
I do as well.
I’d love to see him have this kind of year, 3rd round comp pick coming I’d that’s the case
QB and TE are about right
WR is too low
OL too high
Defense sucks.
Mason Crosby gone in GB??
Wifey twitter post….
FTP
“Sad we will miss you, we just ended a 16 year run with the team…that being said…I’ve got some stuff I need to share with you. Little city with a big heart and some AMAZING stores and restaurants. We loved our time there and so will you! Let’s talk coats, boots, custom packer gear…”
Hmmmm
I’m thinking the same…..
We don’t hear stories like this very much about NFL players.
Stay humble Anthony, it will serve you well.
Didn’t the Vikings cut Cook already? Thought I read that here.
No..they (Vikings) did say talks for a restructure have broken off completely and they expect to cut him with a post June 1st designation.
aaaaaaaahhhhh sooooooo… thanks.
Yes
I’m looking forward to watching the Vikings coddiwomple this year.
OK, this guy is smoking something…
And must be drinking a fair amount too!
Yeah Cleveland and Turd alone make this unit below average.
Also related to the golf journey some of us are on the data below is true….just know par is likely never going to happen and if you didn’t know that or thought maybe you’d have a lucky day sorry to bring the bad news…it’s not going to for us and that’s ok. Enjoy the ride and do the best you can do and that’s good enough.
I’ve never come close to a par round. I’ve shot 78’s and 79’s a few times, but that’s it. I haven’t had a round in the 70’s since I turned 65 either.
Yeah once you eclipse 50 it’s a serious loss of distance and neuro reaction coordination. Although I believe I’m getting close to the best I’ve ever played 15 yrs ago when I lived in Fla and was playing 3 days a week. My goal is to break 80 semi routinely then I can die happy. Par ain’t happening for this player.
Me deciding to keep score by how many holes I par and how many balls I lose has made the game much more enjoyable this year.
I feel I am hitting the ball as well or better than the end of last season, and the slice has vanished. I am out there to be outside and doing something fun. Being angry about getting a 12 on one hole after a par on the previous just is not fun.
If I were as bad at my job as I am at golf, I would be unemployed.
While admittedly, if I duffed the ball around like I see some folks do I wouldn’t play the game at all, I still basically see the game as a social event. When I was up in D.C. I played with three guys who were around my age, and around my skill level. One guy was clearly better than all of us though and that was fine. We admired his shots and fist bumped him when he hit a particularly good one. We smoked cigars, drank a little, and laughed a lot. It was fun every time we played. I miss those guys so much. Yesterday I played with a group of guys for the second time. They’re pretty much in the same mold, except they like to play for money. That can make the game a little too serious for some folks. I didn’t feel that yesterday though and it was fun playing with these guys.
I guess what I mean is, golf is a game we play. “Play time” should be “fun time”.
Got a couple nice additions to the collection. 2023 newly released Jordan 11’s and 4’s.These baby’s are sweet….
Can you dunkit with the 11’s?
You can’t play ball in either of these…well anyway. They’re collectible style shoes now.
well I guess you’ll just have to save your Converse All Stars for the dunking contest.
@Think i’ll watch golf channel, see if some football talk breaks out@
A final thought today on the drafts, losing players,etc.
Several times over the last couple of years I’ve heard Mark Schlereth say – physicality is always important, but plays especially well in December and January.
Last year when Lincoln Riley (great offensive mind) was asked what he would bring to USC. His reply – I will bring physicality, the game is won in the trenches.
Personally. I watch us, and see very little of this on either side of the ball. Perhaps, we can get by some on offense, but when we play the tough fronts (SF, Dallas), we have a problem.
On defense, we have to be last in league. And to me, there is a difference between aggressiveness and physicality. Sticking someone is sticking someone.The big guys in our conference bring it.
So, to me, there may have been ll kind of logical reasons to select a small WR and DB, but not sure it did much to improve our physicality factor.
I don’t usually prognosticate on the season outcome at this time of year, but IF the offense finds its sea legs in the second year of KOC’s scheme (and I honestly think that scheme is not very good) and they can score 27 or 28 points a game, I think 11 wins is realistically achievable. I don’t see the O-line being better. I don’t see the running game being better. I don’t see the defense suddenly being better. I expect our kicker to lead the league in missed extra points again. JJ and Cousins can still carry the team to many victories though.
OL could absolutely be better. Darrisaw is still young and developing as good as he already is. Ingram is going to be in his 2nd year. Is this the first year for Ezra to be playing the same position 2 years in a row? I’m not saying they will be a ton better BUT there is evidence to suggest they could be.
The O-line is a weakness and we kept a center who somewhat routinely ends up in Cousins lap. I think Ingram was one of the worst guards in the league last year. Would it be great to see the interior O-line suddenly be good? Yes, of course. Fingers crossed that is the case. At the moment I have little confidence that will happen. IF they actually do improve, we will score more points this year than last year.
I’ll consider it an improvement if Ingram stops stepping on Kirks foot.
Laughing… indeed.
God I forgot about that lol….one more thing to worry about.
Just give him a pair of your Jordon’s so he won’t hurt Kirk’s foot so much.
I’d assume he has more than me already.
I believe the Rams won a SB averaging 27 points a game. So, there is hope, but given all the talk today won’t even mention the other side of the ball.
Start with dumping 3-4. What a crapfest. Rather Flores sends 7 guys every play.
Heck yes, go down swinging. Maybe start feeding our guys some raw red meat.
Last year only two teams allowed more points per game on defense than the Vikings, and we went 13-4. The Vikings offense averaged 24.9 points a game (8th best in the league). We had a few games where the offense was pretty badly stifled too. The defense needs to hold opposing teams to under 23 points. If they can do that, then I think the offense can put up enough points to win a lot of games. Big “if” though. The other thing about the offense was after the opening drive where we usually scored, we seemed to get bogged down. I want KOC to keep the pedal to the metal. He needs to go into every game with a plan to score 35 points. The prevent offense was on display a number of times last year, trying to force the opposition to burn their timeouts rather than attacking them and getting first downs. Hate that shit.
That bogging down was happening bad Zims last year too.
I can’t explain what it is. They didn’t win near as many one score games thst year.
Seems to happen after the scripted plays run out. With the scripted set, they appear to play fast, get out of the huddle fast and go. Things seem to slow down some after that and,they start getting dogged down. I do think they play better when they play fast and are very aggressive.
And – this just my opinion from eyeballing – I think Cousins is more decisive and accurate when playing fast and even our receivers seem to have more pop in their routes when we are going fast and playing quickly..
OTA’s in 9 days. Hope we can get some idea what Flores wants to do.
OTA’s
Our D?
In general.
How much info can we get from glorified exercises?
Secretive stuff. More secure than our borders.
LOL.
That’s true.
Have a feeling this season is going challenge Flores and might not be a great resume builder for him. If he pulls it off and they’re mid tier defensively he deserves a bust in front of the stadium.
It’s not going to be a cakewalk.
”realistic” best case scenario is to field a defense that is top 16.
thats a big if.
He is definitely taking over a terrible unit. I think most of these moves are his. As Mick has said, 6 to 7 starters from last year are gone. That’s a good thing. It will be a challenge, but it really can’t get worse. Same old same old doesn’t cut it.
Yeah I think it’s him saying get rid of these old guys, give me last yrs draft guys, Blackmon, Roy, Ward and Davenport / Murphy and we’ll make things better.
I sincerely hope you are right. I said the same thing last year and well ……….
Last year, they didn’t have the turnover on personnel. Competitive rebuild was the PR.
Well, for me, I’d be more confident if we had one, just one, stud who would bring it consistently every play
Amen
Back from a 5 hour round in the hot sun. Very slow on the course. I started off with a nice par then bogeyed the #1 handicap hole. It was a long par 4 that dog legged to the right. Hit a nice 3 wood, a nice seven wood just short of the big bunker that guarded the green. Pitched the ball beautifully but it landed and just stopped about 15 feet short. Missed the par putt but tapped in for bogey. We were playing $2 a hole skins and with 3 skins on the line, I birdied the third hole with another very solid 3 wood and a very hard hit pitching wedge to 3 feet. Then the passenger side rear tire went flat on our cart. Took about 15 minutes to get a new cart out to us, and we let the foursome playing behind us through. I bogeyed the next 5 holes, but was still hitting the ball well. With 3 skins on the line again I parred the 365 yard ninth hole with a 3 wood tee shot and a nice 7 wood onto the green. The other three guys were all on in three, so I two putted to pick up the skins. Shot 41 on the front. On the back I shot 42 and picked up 4 more skins. The 18th hole was a 385 yard par four with a big pond in front of the green. I hit a driver but still had 180 yards to the green. Everyone else laid up, but I hit a very solid 5 wood that landed in a greenside bunker. I am maybe the world’s worst bunker player so I chipped the ball out and lo and behold it stopped a foot from the hole. Tapped in and picked up the last two skins of the day. Won $44. Shot 41-42 on a course I’d never seen before. The course was in very poor condition. Tee boxes were bad, fairways were terrible, bunkers were bad, and the greens were slow and apparently aerated recently. All in all one of the worst courses I ever played.
what a round though and it paid for lunch!
So using my fingers and wrists more at the bottom is working for me. I am hitting my 3 wood off the tee around 195 to 200 yards. That was my driver distance before. If I’m a long way from the hole I used to just hit a 6 or 7 iron to lay up and hit a 70 or 80 yard shot to the green. Hitting my 7 wood as much as 180 yards at times with good control is helping me to reach greens and leave me with simpler chips and pitches.
Although the course was shitty I struck the ball solidly today. It’s raining now, so although it took 5 hours, we still beat the bad weather.
Congrats – great playing! And picked up some coin too.
I have a pretty simple and repeatable swing. I keep the ball in play and my wedge game is pretty decent. I’m a decent putter too. I just play my game. I’m never going to be a low handicapper, but playing a round and not losing a dozen balls is satisfying. The guys I played with today are hilarious, and they all hit the ball pretty well. I shot 83 but I wasn’t the low score. One guy shot 81 with three birdies. We laughed and did our best to keep laughing the whole day. We were on the tee boxes and having chipping contests to amuse ourselves. Playing with guys who don’t lose their cool and enjoy the game as much as a social event as anything, is something I very much prefer.
Sounds lovely all around. And an 83 is never something to sneeze about.
I absolutely stroked my 7 wood a few times today. I used the club below which is similar but 15 yrds less in distance to my 7 wood but lofted more and soooo easy to hit. I had a difficult second shot on 18, going up a steep hill in the middle of the fairway, 170 yrds slight dogleg left big overhanging tree on the left to hit around. So my stance is big lean weight on right leg hitting up the hill but ball is not above of below my feet pretty even. I put the weight on my back leg lean a little to the right and strike a high 165 yard draw around the tree to the edge of the green. These 7 &9 woods are so easy to hit and a must have. This Epic Star line of clubs are amazing. Probably their best line honestly and super expensive.
Nice. I agree that a 7 wood is very easy to hit, and indeed I have a lot of confidence in mine.
I tried the fingers (I do that pretty much already) wrist thing on the simulator.. didn’t really add any distance consistently, may an odd ball that went a little further. I might be doing it a little already didn’t feel vastly different.
Man, nice round! I had a one hour short game lesson today, and have another lesson tomorrow. I will get to play next weekend.
NLNVF after that round…
Thank you Surly. Hope your short game lessons work out for you. Having confidence in your wedge play makes a huge difference.
Just home from the golf course. Shot my best round on the tough course ever. 88 (42/46).
In complete control of my game for a change. No triples or worse, Only 3 doubles, 5 pars the rest bogeys. Focused hard on chipping and putting, took my time 2x pre-read everything before committing to what I wanted to do. Putted ok had one 3 putt.
Proud of you for not sucking.
Well done, Lifer!!
Regarding your 3 putt…its an oldie but a goodie….
How are 3 putts and masturbation the same?
You feel kind of bad once you have done it but you know you are going to do it again.
Thanks! Lol…so true.
Big improvement in just one week. Well done.
Yeah…105 last week, 88 this week. 17 shot improvement is massive. Kept the same ball for 17 holes…lost my first drive left on the first hole which is the hardest hole on the course. Doubled it but the ball I dropped I kept the rest of the way and this course eats balls. Such a fun round.
You’re on your way. Pretty soon the doubles will go and you’ll be really close.
That’s right and the next thing to reduce/eliminate. I felt what it was like today eliminating them, all 3 were absolutely makable putts I missed with an easy tap in for double.
Nice round Lifer.
Nice!
Guess i don’t care much about Z trade. Cap issues, other player contracts to think about. Z will prob find a way to hurt himself.
Being a Viking fan and all I expect Z to have an All Pro year now that he is not a Vikings.
If he had stayed then your prediction would have undoubtably come true.
Personally I find the trade ‘underwhelming’ as has been most of KAMs moves (Hock aside) have been Underwhelming. But given 13 wins last year and the Flores hire it seems as he gets some benefit of the doubt until proven he is not ‘the smartest person in the room’.
He doesn’t need to be but there are some equivalent players who are free agents right now that can be picked up for no picks.
I pretty much expect the savings from this and the upcoming Cook move to be used to extend JJ/Hunter/Kirk/Hock?
So won’t help us much this year but put us on more solid ground moving forward.
Think Darrisaw too. Think Mick is right, bring in some fa’s and see what happens.
Yup.
Yes
Denver airport is horrible
Did you tell 5
youre coming to town???
Anyone see 5, Kodiak and LFA resurface somewhere?
Kodiak is dooming and glooming on the DN
LFA hasn’t been seen since November… and 5er is doing 5er things.
Used to look at their home page once in awhile. I haven’t looked for months.
I hear ya.
I go through articles and read from all the sites.
DN included
Wonnum had 8 sacks in ‘21 as the starter.
Z had 10 in ‘22 as the starter.
Wonnum is making 12m less than Z was due this year, and they added Davenport.
@stop making valid points, and let us be mad at this trade@
Completely different scheme lol. Woonum sucked in the 3-4
Got half the sacks with half the snaps of the year prior.
seemed consistent.
FYI the defense has sucked for 3/4 years.
Davenport for 1 year deal, The LB from Army (Carter??) to lazy to look. Anyway he should have time to bulk up some and be ready to go IMHO
Yup. He’s gotta add some mass.
I don’t think the straits are as dire as made out to be.
Robert Quinn got traded for a 4th at the deadline and the bears retained his whole salary.
Vikings got 2 5ths for Z a 6&7
Seriously… KAM is no horse trader. He’s a wimp. Z Smith? Should have gotten MUCH more for him. We got a couple of 5ths and gave up a premium player AND two picks. Very bad work here. Very bad.
How?
Robert Quinn at the trade deadline last year got a 4th. And chicago took on almost his entire salary for the year.
Quinn is much better than Z.
Mack went for a 2&6. Z is nowhere near the level of Mack.
what precedent do you use to justify these claims? I’d like to understand where your thinking is coming from.
Eyes on Leonard Floyd if they’re looking at replacing him with another edge.
dude hasn’t missed a game in 5 years and is literally the exact same age as Z. They share a birthday.
All deals are not equal Mick. Just because Quinn didn’t bring in a lot in a trade, doesn’t mean you can’t get a lot for Z. Smith. This was a wimp effort by KAM IMO.
You’re basing it on feelings?
You feel he could’ve got more and that’s it?
Mick, I have been wheeling and dealing all my life. I’m sure Z Smith is worth more than what KAM got for him. Just because one deal for another player doesn’t garner much, doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze more out of another team for another player.
You and me both.
Value is derived from comparable deals before… that’s why some trades are labeled unprecedented, this one was not.
it was a good deal for both sides, now we wait to see what money they paid to Z.
They paid him $11.75, we ate the rest which was the $3.3 deadhit and about $750 k.
Lololions
Headed to the golf course in a few minutes. As I sit here and look at the Vikings off-season I am concerned that many of the teams strongest leaders are gone now. Thielen, Cook, Kendricks, Peterson, and Z. Smith were key leaders. That leaves a big hole in the team in my opinion.
Reminds me in business you can listen to the comptroller (analytics) guys or the operators for the proper course of action. Guess which one usually F’s it up.?
How do you know the “operators”, ie…..the coaches, weren’t the driving force of these decisions?
Im the CFO where I work. I always let the managers make their calls on personnel.
I assume Kwesi is doing the same.
agreed.
you don’t bring In a guy like Flores and hamstring him.
he was the pick of the litter for DC’s and pulled from an HC job to come here.
he’s got a lot of pull.
If they are good. I was the COO and the CFO , IA and CoO all worked for me. Took input from all, but at the end of the day the Operators had to live with the decisions. FRom my experience, both had very good intentions, but saw the world differently.
But you didn’t address the point.
How do you know Flores isn’t the main force behind the defensive decisions?
And given two straight years of a bad defense with the same personnel, isn’t an overhaul of personnel the proper response?
If he is great! Now, I want to see him generate a pass rush. Now I do find it hard to believe , although not impossibe, that Flores was thrilled with drafting a WR first.
So are you claiming Flores has NO say on the defensive personnel??
What are you, a friggin lawyer – I never said that or claimed that.
You are the lawyer being vague about your points.
Please explain what you mean.
Thanks for the -1. You said I said “flores had NO…” I did not say that. You conveniently chose to misrepresent that.
I didn’t vote you down.
But I will now. -2
I never said you said that. I was asking if that’s what you meant and you conveniently ignored my question and took it personally.
Here was my question that you didn’t answer. If you want answer it, fine. If not. That’s fine too.
No, I am not saying that. I believe he has a lot of say, but perhaps not final.
Now, this is me personally, if I were in his shoes, I would have wanted the best pass rusher I could get with an early pick.
Flores is also the DC not the HC.
I imagine KO was thrilled to add another dynamic weapon to an already powerful offense.
you know what really helps a struggling D? A powerful O
Well that’s a BFO. And I might add, being able to run the ball on 3rd and 1 and atually make it.
I would love to see them convert on 3&short. Would be huge.
whats BFO?
Blinding Flash of the Obvious.
That’s a new one for me
3 of those leaders led the 2nd worst defense in the NFL.
what did they do that justified them keeping their jobs on their current deals?
PP – contract ran out was not renewed.
EK – not a scheme fit and struggled last year. Probably should stick to 4-3
Z – signed what was a 1 year deal and wanted more money… had he not disappeared after week 10 maybe he would’ve got it.
AT and Cook.., those are just guys who weren’t worth the 20m&14m cap hits they were due.
leaders or not… someone will step up to fill the void. For too long the Vikings hold onto guys and get NOTHING back for them. Z they finally got something for. Cook remains to be seen.. but I’d guess he gets cut rather than traded.
You can’t have it both ways.
You complain about the team, except Kirk, then complain when change is made to the team.
Exactly.
Since the Hire of KAM/KO i haven’t seen a positive thing from NVF about either.
and that’s fine.
but to absolve Kirk and blame everyone else is no different than blaming Kirk for everything.
Correct.
You guys really have issues with Cousins… grin. He’s the one guy on the team that has been solid for the last 5 years.
Leadership is important. Cousins (IMO) is a good leader. I liked Z, I liked Peterson, I liked Thielen, and I liked Cook and Kendricks as leaders. I don’t see guys on the team who can fill that void.
I have no issues with Kirk.
i don’t blindly support single players though. I’m here for the team.
any perceived issue you think I have wkth Kirk has been concocted I’m your own mind.
Regarding what Kirk is “worth”
Contractwise is not me having an issue with Kirk.
Since becoming a Viking, Cousins has been the best QB in Vikings history from a pure production perspective. Also since he joined the Vikings, only three other QB’s in the league have thrown more TD passes than him. He’s never missed a game for injury and last year the offense had 8 game winning, come from behind victories in the 4th qtr. Cousins has one of the fastest minds in the NFL and one of the most accurate arms. What is he worth? Whatever the market will bear. That said he is too expensive for the Vikings, and KAM won’t acquiesce to the no trade clause and guaranteed money Cousins wants. Thus he will be a free agent in 2024 and no longer a Viking.
What?
I don’t know what this has to do with anything I said.
You asked what Cousins was worth. I answered.
This wasn’t a question.
Yeah roster turnover is a natural part of the process. Sure some of these vets are leaders but also they all have reached a point where their age/cost/drop in production outweighs their leadership contributions.
Kirk on the other hand is really coming in to his own as a leader. Everyone on the team knows he’s the man along with JJ. There is no doubt. I think he’s in for a massive career year and will make the vikings beg to extend him.
I think so too
these leaders have been leading a bottom 5 D for 3 years. Cook and AT cost too much and don’t want to take a paycut.
Now NVF, if Kirk goes for 5500+ yards and 50+ TDs with 3 1k yard receivers this year are you going to credit KAM/KO for the roster construction/scheme or will Kirk be the guy who did I it all?
I will say it’s simply Kirkumstances.
Don’t quit the balloon factory job.
No way Kirk achieves those numbers so your question is based on a faulty premise. If you go back and watch the games from last year, you will see the passing offense succeeded in spite of the scheme, not because of it. Spectacular throws and spectacular catches repeatedly saved the day and once again Cousins was amongst the most hit, knocked down, sacked and pressured QB in the league. Now KOC says he wants Cousins to take off running when he sends a bad play call in which would mean even more miraculous play is needed. Cousins is not natural born scrambler.
So here’s my take. IF Cousins protection dramatically improves, and the receivers aren’t being heavily blanketed most the time, I will say KOC started getting the offense to work. If like last year Cousins is getting blasted again and again while making throws to heavily covered receivers, it will indeed be Cousins toughness and talent vice KOC’s brilliantly designed scheme that determines how effective the offense is.
It was a hypothetical question, I can base it on whatever I want.
the question was real simple and didn’t need to be danced around with 1000 word answer.
Mick It was a bit hypothetical, but don’t you thin k also a bit leading. Even if Cousins throws for 5000 yard and 45 TD.s, how many games we will win if we don’t fix our Defense?
Last year maybe 1 more win… the 3 blowouts the offense didn’t show up at all. Don’t know about this year.
it was meant to be, because if he puts up numbers like that it means what KAM/KO did is working.
give the credit where credit is due, not a bunch of mumbo jumbo qualifiers.
Cousins threw fewer TD’s and more interceptions under KOC’s scheme while routinely getting blasted. He and JJ hooked up on miraculous play after miraculous play, but the offense was worse under KOC than it was the previous year. So what credit are we supposed to give KOC? He made the offense worse.
I don’t care about mombo jumbos either. But if we have to score 35 points a game to win or whatever number you chose, that is ridiculous.
Well that’s just a SCTBSOF….
Skinned Cat That’s Been Set On Fire….
You guys are worried about leadership while we still have Cousins!!!????
Now…
whatnif the Vikings go after Frank Clark to fill the void left by Z?
Yep. There are now options.
Flores can get his guy.
Keeping players from the 2nd worst defense in the NFL is probably a worse plan than getting new ones.
That is logical, but I have been reading on here for about 2 months now it was the defensive scheme and coaching.
Absolutely. They go together.
now they have a new coach and a different scheme and they are going for the guys who he’d like to compliment that.
same goes for Duke Shelley. They just drafted a smaller CB so it wasn’t Shelley’s size that he wasnt re-signed.
Some guys just don’t fit in the puzzle.
Well, I don’t buy the scheme and coaching excuse. The defense was bad before Donatell arrived. It’s the personnel, which is why Flores is likely making the changes.
They were for multiple years.
the last time the d gave up less than 400 points and 6k yards was 2019.
they gave up 303 points. 2020 they gave up 475.
I never bought it either – just noting what was said. Players get paid to play whether iit is a 3-4 or 4-3 or a 2-11.
Yep. I don’t get the hate.
People complain and make excuses about the defense for their fanboy, but when those terrible players are gone, the same people now complain about that as well.
right.
would I have liked day 2 picks? Sure.
do I want a disgruntled “leader” being a locker room cancer? No.
that’s why guys like AT, Cook, Kendricks…. They gotta go.
What hate – I want a pass rush. And what in the hell does that have to do with this “fanboy.” crap. Must you always take every issue and in some fashion or other turn it into a disparage of the QB. Good grief!
If you complain about everything but the QB, don’t complain about making changes. If that’s not you, it doesn’t apply to you.
I do not complain about every issue, but probably far to much so on KAM’s drafts. And I note you pop in on a variety of isuues that may not be addressed to you.
But in a general sense, that advise is not bad.
You would think(hope) that a team that is short of defensive talent, and then gets rid of some of the existing talent, has a really good plan for replacing it.
They might!
but look at Z’s career as a whole…
8 seasons and only was a full time starter for 3 of em.
he also made the probowl in all 3 of those seasons.
last year was a “prove it” year for him and he somewhat did. His first 10 weeks were dang good but he disappeared the last 8 weeks.
I don’t mind losing Z all that much. there’s a saying – when you’re ass deep in alligators don’t worry about draining the swamp. We have many holes to fill, but two of the biggest “alligators” are lack of pass rush and a weakness at IOL. So we draft a little WR and DB.
Would have preferred a stud guard and a pass rusher. After that, we can fill all the holes and drain the swamp.
sure But BPA wasn’t either of those positions.
Wonnum and PJII both played well
iknthe limited snaps they got last year.
2nd year of the same OL and same coaching should … and I say this lightly SHOULD be better. Remains to be seen.
BPA – great! Analytics I guess. I’ll remember that when we play the 49ers and Eagles.
Who do you take?
Murphy? Mazi Smith? Felix Anudike-Uzomah?
Well, let’s watch the games and see how this plays out – doen’t really matter what’s said here.
Seriously… at pick 23… who are you taking?
who contributes instantly?
if they draft an edge do they even get 2 5ths for Z?
Well, maybe they could trade up? Have noticed teams that are strong in the trenches – Dallas, 49ers, Eagles keep adding lineman. Seems to be working pretty well for them.
I seriously don’t know who to take, but that’s why KAM gets paid the big bucks.
Lol right.
limited capital to trade up and looking at the comp they got for Z I can see why a draft day deal never happened.
Spotrac and OTC are showing that Z Smith’s 2023 cap hit to the Vikings is $3.3 million. It will be interesting how much the Vikings take on in the trade.
I can’t believe it would be much since this was a cap move.
Correct, nothing updated.
the 5ish milly guaranteed ok 3/17 isn’t a hit the Vikings take on.
just paying out his prorated signing bonus from last year.
Yes, and we haven’t seen those numbers yet.
We’ll know soon enough how much they’re paying,
At ohare this morning. Headed to Denver for a 36 hour bachelor party trip of one of my HS buddies getting married in June.
At least it’ll distract me from the horrible decisions KAM has done so far
Skolly I don’t know why you hate this so much.
you’re really gonna be upset if they trade Dalvin instead of just cutting him
Don’t care for Cook. That’s expected. I hate this bc these players sign these contracts. Make their asses play. He was a cheap pass rusher for his skill sets. He signed the deal
not someone else.
KAM needs to grow a pair and be the boss. Not let players walk all over him and control their outcome
Where are there examples of this?
Z Hunter too. Make him play on 5 mil deal. He signed it. There’s more I’ll think of
Hahaha ok skolly
Fly safe fella and have fun!
Gracias
Have a good trip.
Flight 420?
Lol
Have fun!
Never been to Denver. I hear it is a bit safer than Minneapolis though.
Nice, have fun.
I´m afraid KAM sucks, we´ll find out.
KAM the pansy
😂
Terrible defense. They have to make changes.
I’m not thrilled at next two nothing KAM has done in 2 years. Could be dark days ahead for Vikings fans. Similar to 2010-2014
Only way KAM somewhat redeems himself is if resigns Kirk
Yeah. I agree. It’s the exact opposite.
nah.
he made out alright in this one.
They paid most of his salary I saw too
Have numbers been released? I saw a portion but no numbers.
I’ll find it. It was late last night
Pelissero and Rapoport report that Smith has reworked his contract which guarantees him $11.75 million in 2023 and will leave him eligible to test the waters in free agency following the season.
But what do the Vikings pay?
they had 3.3m dead for a pre 6/1 trade creating 12m+ in space and 45m in 2024
So they got Z and his 10 sacks on the 31st defense for what? 6-7m last year?
Interesting way to look at it Mick.
like I said… with drafr simulators giving up a 3+ for Z people get upset.
look at the whole picture.
phillips, hunter, hicks, and smith…. 4/11 starters coming back from that horrible defense last year sounds a lot better than trying again with the majority of those 11
Didn’t Blacklock and Bynum start as well?
Forgot about Bynum.
I didn’t think Blacklock did I’ll have to look.
Also, I’m not sure Bynum starts again.
Oh. I don’t know. I would guess $0 since it wasn’t mentioned. 🤷♂️
Thanks for finding that.
Can’t find how much yet but still… that shouldn’t have been the case
It doesn’t say what they’re picking up though.
Yep.
Maybe he and Flores were at odds?
Maybe Flores wanted this?
An underwhelming trade for the Vikings, but I guess something had to be done since Z.Smith wanted out. Nothing left from last year´s enthusiasm, it seems. Still, very little value for the Vikes, saved some cap space at least, even if the cap is a myth.
What is he worth?
he disappeared after week 10 last year…
Yup, second part of the season Z was nowhere to be found. I would have still liked to get better compensation, Queasy got played a bit by his former team is how I see it.
Like what?
for a 30-31 y/o OLB
Like, better than 2 fifth round picks and giving up 2 Vikings picks.
I would’ve been ok with more picks or better picks. Who wouldnt.
would you rather he have been cut and got 0 picks and kept the 6&7 rounders?
It´s a good thing that we got something for him, Queasy managed to turn a 6th and a 7th into 2 fifth round picks and save some cap. Yay.
He’s a cheap pass rusher that’s decent. Even if he plays only half the games or disappears. Traded him for a box of chocolates if that
How’s that worth the 14m?
wonnum/PJ II are cheap decent pass rushers too in their limited snaps they played.
What I question on this, is why they didn’t draft a beast on the D line in Rd#1, knowing they were going to make this move.
Should have addressed the position in the draft, if Davenport goes down Vikes could be in trouble.
True.
How much more trouble could they be in, after being the 31st defense? I guess 32nd. 😂
This is where I’m at.
the Vikings had the 31st ranked D last year… and we’re replacing those guys on that defense and people are upset.
was Kwesi/KO supposed to keep all those guys and “run it back” again?
Yep.
Is Flores pissed about all of this, or is Flores making the calls on players?
I can only imagine that Flores signed off on it.
why would he kneecap himself when his goal is to move on to a HC job?
you don’t “run it back” with the same 11 starters from one of the worst defenses in the league.
Exactly.
When Flores was hired, I think most here were thrilled. I guess those same people are now raging at Flores?
Let him do his thing.
I like to think I know a thing or two…
but compared to people with actual NFL jobs I know nothing.
Same.
Let´s be careful what we wish for, Jobu is always lurking 😂
Serious trouble. Woonum 2.0
#analytics
Couple thoughts on the Precarious Zadarius trade. With the salary dump and pending Cook release the Somalian pirate can now legitimately sign Hunter who’s younger, plays the run better and is a better player.
i don’t hate the move. @too bad Kwesi didn’t get two 1’s instead.@
it was pretty evident it was coming at some point and he turned a guy who didn’t want to be here into 2 5’s.
Looking at Z’s stats from last year… which when you add in Donatell weren’t crazy.
He had 1 sack after week 10. Where did he go?
It was also pretty well known that this was a really team friendly deal when Z signed, and that he wouldn’t be seeing year two.
Yeah. I don’t understand the rage from some folks on this.
Because draft simulators let you get a 3rd for him. Lol
LOL….
But there are some folks who think ZSmith was worth keeping even though he wanted out.
Like you, I wasn’t overly impressed with him last year either.
That’s two faced comment from you. I said JJ would hold out and you said he wouldn’t bc of the money.
KAM could easily call Z bluff and he doesn’t show up… fine his ass. According to you these players all show up eventually
You don’t understand.
Is Smith a franchise player?
No. He is not even in the same ball park in value as JJ.
Why get in a pissing match with someone who isn’t that great?
You have to pick a player to make that stand. For me it’s JJ.
Sure, make him hold out.
and have him get on the field and do nothing or sit on the bench for 14m.
makes sense.
I do not hate the trade. Z can eff off.
I am just normally angry about the Vikings. It is my emotional set point.
Or they move an oft injured Hunter as well?
I think the first year hunter was hurt was Covid right?
that surgery was more of a business deal I believe.
then he tore his pec
He didn’t play his first two years. I think he had some injury then as well?
No he didn’t. Didn’t play much bc he was raw. Didn’t suffer any injuries until 2020
And he chose to have the back surgery because he was mad about his deal then too.
then he got hurt the following year and lost a ton of leverage.
now… here we sit
Yeah, I cannot judge any moves by Kwesi until the team plays a game and sucks. Or when he extends Kirk for 3 years.
Then I will say “Phyre Everyone”
Gm.
FTP
Good morning