Merry Monday Tuesday everyone and welcome to Skoloholics, your home for Minnesota Vikings Discussion. Everyday you can join us for Minnesota Vikings news, Minnesota Vikings talk, NFL news and updates, and all of those other things that you have on your mind. At Skoloholics, the real action is in the comments, so if you haven’t checked out the comments section yet, sign up and join the conversation. As always, remember to be cool to one another, and a word to the wise, don’t feed the trolls. SKOL!!!!!!
The Skoloholics fantasy draft was last night, and I’m 99% sure that team John Lee Pettimore III will go undefeated (nah, our team will likely suck again because I don’t know anything about fantasy football and don’t really plan to learn). Oh well, we’ll have fun regardless.
I’m watching a docudrama on NetTricks called Painkiller, a show that focuses on OxyContin and how it ignited the current opioid epidemic. A great illustration of how broken our system can be. Yikes. Eye opening and hearbreaking.
Minnesota Vikings Discussion Topic of the Day
Below you’ll find a story from CBS Sports and aonther from ESPN. Discuss some of their predictions. Which are spot-on and which are bat s*** crazy?
Minnesota Vikings News:
According to SI.com, it’s a last dance for one for Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
The Inforum thinks that the Vikings have plenty of work to do as they move forward with their ‘competitive rebuild’. I dunno, every team has plenty of work to do as they move forward. It’s either that or get worse. They also say that Jordan Addison knows his role on the team this year. Well, that’s a relief. He’d be sorely disappointed if he thought he was going to be the starting QB on opening day or something like that. Maybe he really had his heart set on safety or cornerback.
Some psychopath at CBS Sports did a friggijn 2024 mock draft already. They also predicted every team’s record, along with playoff and Super Bowl winners.
ESPN has their own set of bold predictions for the upcoming season.
Video of the Day:
Thinking of Tuesday songs, this is a great one from the immortal Lynyrd Skynyrd. Enjoy!
Thread Guidelines
- Keep politics out. We are adults, news happens, and we can talk about it. What we don’t want is to go down the rabbit holes and turn a productive conversation into name calling and personal attacks.
- Be cool to one another. Like it says above, just be civil. You don’t need to agree with everyone and that’s fine, you also don’t need to make it personal. Attack the argument not the poster.
- Keep the NSFW to a minimum. We don’t need anyone getting in trouble at work for hanging out here.
- All in all, be adults. Treat each other with respect and things will be fine. Mods will take out content they feel is pushing the boundary. If you want to reach out about something feel free to ask. We want to have robust discussions, that’s why we’re here. Just be civil and cool to one another.
Ok so I believe i got this all figured out with the Pick Em and Survival leagues.
Pick Em ID is …. 34934
Survival ID is ….. 23716
Both passwords are
Let me know if there are any issues.
links have been added.
Thanks for all the set up on this and the skoloholics league. Everyone appreciates it!
Did those codes and stuff work out?
Thanks Mick!
So this means they worked?
Yep, I am in both.
Still see no way to pay for the Fantasy League. Thought we used LeagueSafe last season. Are we not gambling this year?
We are.
Im slow and working on an alternative to not have to pay the tx fees and BS or wait forever for a paper check.
Venmo?
Either way, thanks for putting up with all the drama and whining.
I’m in both Mick.
They work.
Thanks for getting this all set up and deal with us idiots!
I’ll send for donations for the college fund.
I’m in.
Where is the linky for survival?
Yahoo sports?
I’ll try in a bit
Thanks
Lol…what happened to Courtney Cronin? I thought she left to cover the Bears but now she’s getting her ass kicked on Around the Horn.
BTW…Courtney hates horns.
Have to give her credit, she’s navigated her way in her career and though the ranks of that shit network and stayed relevant.
Boy was I cranky this morning. It was probably good that I didn’t have time to post much.
Lol…I’m cranky now and have the time, so see below.
😄
Rip some one a new one.
Lol…not really your MO but good to see you my friend.
Yeah, it was a long weekend. Too much travel and not enough sitting on my butt.
Fewer
Less more.
Colorado now ranked in the top 25.
Love it!!
So when I looked at how much Cousins is hit, I looked at Sacks, Knockdowns, and Pressures.
Last year Cousins totals for those three areas was 167. Wilsons was 162. Over the last three years, Cousins has totaled 489 sacks, knockdowns and pressures, and Wilson has suffered 458. Wilson has had a lot of sacks, but that doesn’t tell the whole story in my opinion.
I clearly got your earlier points. I mean, whether he was first or third as someone suggested, it’s still a hell of a lot – way to much.
Some folks here simply won’t accept that this is a big deal.
It has nothing to do with big deal. I prefer facts to BS in a debate. You and NVF can live in your world. I’m happy in mine.
Did I misstate a stat?
And I was not referring to you with big deal. Read thread below.
And what in the hell is this world thing you are talking about?
Oh and you prefer facts, and us mere mortals who try to take facts and extrapolate into something further. are somehow below your world. OK
I don’t worry about any naysayers… although Skolifer has been attacking me very virulently on data. He is stuck on me.
DE claims being hit is every QB’s lot… KFEY says I’m a liar… Skolifer wants to argue datapoints… yada, yada, yada. It’s a blog. Say what you want.
I don’t know this guy – never talked with him before today. But who in the hell does he think he is. He wants to bring it. let’s go. I’m not the gentleman you are.
lmao…ok, Tom Brady. At this point I’ll take Mark Twains advice and stop arguing with idiots because they’ll only bring you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Better to be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt…
Loving the historical quotes!!
Big shot huh. Thought you like to argue facts not BS. See nothing but BS from you.
Oh fact man – you like calling names too.
Who are you?
I had no argument with you. I merely supported NLV’s broad point?
You said you like debate, With facts. Actually appears otherwise.
He is unimportant JR… to me anyway. And yes, I’m civil and don’t disrespect anyone. I provide my viewpoint, and some folks want to take me to task. It’s the internet though and folks will just be OCD about “beating” you. I have better things to do with my time than argue on a blog. Although I admit, sometimes I just decide to take folks on and push the argument. I am a dog of war, and so combat is actually in my blood.
My ass – your a remf!
*you’re
Julius Caesar: “Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war.”
You have countered the opposition effectively.
You know better than that… grin.
As a guy who thrives on his data…political and otherwise, I’d think you’d have more respect for its accuracy. Guess not.
You made an excellent counter point earlier and I am amiss for not acknowledging it. You were also correct in pointing out stats are conveniently used by both sides of the debate to leverage their opinions, sometimes with the argument position being misplaced, until further clarification can be provided as above.
Here’s the funny thing Lifer. You and I have intersected on blogs for about 10 years. I’ve stayed out of the political foray over time because it doesn’t interest me. Both sides are so fucked up, I fear for our country.
But I’ve periodically acknowledged you when I agree with you, and I respect, to some extent, you are fact based in your football analysis.
This NVF (who I think had been around for awhile) and JRoberts (who’s a “rookie” tool), or whatever the fuck his name is, thrive on made up BS to make a point. You, more than anyone, I would think, would be against that.
Here’s the crazy part. I’m more Cousins “crusader” than “hater”. I’m neither actually, but folks who make shit up or misuse/misunderstand stats to defend Kirk don’t help matters (likewise on the hater side).
Several weeks ago, I offered NVF an out by defining hits, sacks, pressures, sacks (because he doesn’t know the difference, apparently) and clarifying the actual numbers. He chose to ignore reality, continue his inaccurate representation and now JRoberts is his acolyte.
They need to get a room…just not this one, IMO.
Nothing I point out is made up. Stop lying on me.
If it’s wrong, it’s made up. Period.
You live in la la land…
Name one point I made wrong.
You merely stuck up for NLV. And it ws on the broader point he was making not the minuta. You say you like facts, yet call me names for that.
Who’s the bull shitter? You don’t care about facts or debate, you just want your way the way you want it.
So who is really making up stuff?
Let me know when you want to talk football. Hope you know more than name calling.
I am perhaps a rookie tool.
But you know what I know NLV is a decorated veteran and I respect that. And on the margin, I’ll always support someone like that. Especilly if someone is calling him an idiot, a liar and dumb as AF.
Man, I guess the internet is your teacher’s dress.
FWIW…it’s NVF. He just recently added the “no longer” part. I’m a decorated vet too…I just don’t tout it. As far as the other labels, he’s earned them, IMO.
You know what Lifer I am absolutley stunned you didn’t stick up for NLV on this, Boy. was I wrong.
Well said, but not about Lifer. Just in general. Lifer can fend for himself.
I was actually, I thought NVF made an excellent counter clarification as stats and what is being communicated can sometimes be misleading. He is right in the fact Cousins has absolutely taken a beating and ranks near the top or at the top depending on how you define the stats. I have said the same and it is clear to me given better protection and when given protection he’s shown what he can do.
I also thought Skolifer had a valid point if looking at a specific set of stat data. I think honestly as he stated we’re all seeing and saying the same thing here to a degree but we all bring, me especially, biases to our positions here and they don’t always jive with others opinions.
I have argued with everyone on here one time or another as I seem to typically always be in the fray but on the outside looking in at this one for a change I can see everyones viewpoint and I think it’s understandable you defending NVF he brings a lot of good info here as does Skolifer and yourself. I like all you guys even though I have a poor way of showing it at times.
did something change here the last couple of days? How come new post aren’t t the top? I’ve seen so many of Mick’s id numbers I have them memorized.
Mick’s ID post was pinned so it, and all of it’s replies, stay at the top and new posts fall under it.
Why?
They evidently felt the post was important enough to stay at the top of the page and remain visible.
Thanks. But I must say, even at my age I get it after reading it a couple of times.
Our #1 draft pick, star HoF receiver, is the back up to JJ and KJ who are the starters on the depth chart.
I never thought for a second he beat KJ out for #2. KJ is a dog man, he has had some big time clutch catches. He is ready for a Irv BREAKOUT but will actually breakout.
KOC’s offense requires the receivers to read the defense as they are running their routes, and adjust them on the fly. Addison could run basic routes though, where there’s a one read or zero read throw. He can get folded in to the more complex route combinations later. Put him in the slot and let him run a crosser, or a sluggo. He can do that.
I agree completely, you don’t give the apprentice the job of a journeyman until he is ready.
JJ was 3rd on the depth chart behind AT and Bisi Johnson as well.
Some pics of a little home project I’ve been working on. Hopefully a few of you like the end project so I’m not just dumping photos on here.
Started with an old 1932 hydrant, cut off the 4′ nipple/riser and epoxied a flange on the base to hold it upright and give me something to bolt it down with:
Dropped it upside down in a pail and started hooking up wires to the cathode (metal pipe) and anode, used washing soda as electrolyte:
Pretty soon it started bubbling away:
Post electrolysis:
Sprayed it with primer:
Mixed red and blue paint in a container, and started slowly applying that and a tin of yellow paint:
Looks good
As a fellow project guy I am throughly impressed!
Looks good!
Now what??
You said nipple.
And so it begins….
Damn…with both Chris Jones and, potentially, Kelce out of that game, it significantly improves the Lions chances of an upset.
He was my number one draft pick in the Skoloholics fantasy draft.
I have him in a stack in another league with Mahomes, what a cluster. Is it just me or shouldn’t practices be a bit more safe 3 days out of the 1st game. Christ
I mean he could have done it just jogging
Yep.
Freak accident.
my guess he’s tweaked his knee in games before, if there is not ACL injury pump the anti inflammatories ice that bitch up and LFG. He’ll be fine -Zim.
uh oh
Bow this is for you!
He’ll get paid by somebody and his ankle will miraculously be healed.
Money heals. Fact.
I’m beginning to think none of you like Hanson, and the inclusion of them as the song of the day this weekend was done in ironic jest.
Not one of you has posted effusive praise for the “Where’s The Love?” Hanson video below. “Where’s The Love?” indeed…
Jerry Burns is my illegitimate father.
This was on my 11th birthday…..
I don’t post much at this sight, but I feel compelled to share my recent experience. My lab-mix (14+ years old) had a stroke this past week. He wasn’t able to stand or eat for about 3 days. He appears to be doing better – eating soft food, walking outside to do his business, etc. (Apparently dogs have built-in redundancy.) The hardest part of all of this is getting my adult daughter to recognize that it may be time to consider his quality of life. She got him as a puppy, and still sees him as a puppy even though he has a grey muzzle and bowed legs. I just didn’t expect having to deal with her and the dog.
Back to lurker mode.
Ouch. So sorry. Never an easy decision to make.
Sorry 42. That is rough. We have had to deal with that with 3 pets. My adult daughter wanted to be there for all three, and could not for 1. it is not a fun thing to go through.
Sorry to hear. I had to put my lab down last winter. I finally came to the realization that she was not the dog I was trying to hold on to anymore and the pain she was dealing with was not fair. It was a really crummy day but the memories I have with her will live forever. Only time she ever willingly laid on my lap was when the vet showed up. I sat on the floor, she came over and laid her head on my lap and went to sleep.
Man this smoke really got to my eyes all of a sudden.
Yeah, I cried more for all three dogs we have put down than I do for most people I have known that died. Dogs rely fully on us. Most dogs are really kind, and even my angry/violent mini pin mix is just being a dog when he bites my ankles for going in what he considers the wrong way.
I have two current dogs, and it will be very hard when it is their time.
You wanna really cry, watch A Dogs Purpose and A Dogs Journey.
Yeah, my wife watched A Dogs Purpose and I heard enough about it that I will probably not be watching that one.
So sorry to hear that. It is indeed a very hard decision. You’ll know when it’s time. God Bless.
Thats rough, another tough story for today.
Death is the same for animals as it is for people, when its your time its your time. The measures we take to keep people alive for “our” benefit is sometimes to the detriment of theirs.
same goes for the animals.
best of luck to you and the family in this difficult time.
Oh man, I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like that awful day is coming. It’s going to suck bad bad bad when the time comes for my 7 year old choco. I was off this past week and he and the two year old spent uber time with me, when I was getting dressed for work this morning they were both laying their heads on my lap and putting their paws up to touch my hand when I petted them. “Say it ain’t so dad”.
42 so sorry to hear about your lab, watching your companion who has unwavering loyalty and loving dependency and devotion age out is probably one of the hardest thing to go through. I watched my parents age out and pass but they lived a full crazy life and it was not the same or as hard for me losing them knowing they had lived a good life than it was my two beloved old English bulldogs my wife and I raised from newborns.
I will admit, we kept them too long and I did not manage their final days well and I will forever regret being so selfish trying to keep them going or believing this is just a bad stretch she’ll get better. It is probably one of the biggest regrets in my life and I’ve had dogs all my life until now after their passing. Both had cardiomyopathy which was never really properly diagnosed but I wish I knew now what I should have known then and if I had it to do over as bow said very well below I wished I would have let them go to sleep peacefully and pass.
Thank you for sharing it has brought back some great memories of how much I loved my two girls even though the end was difficult and I hope you find a way through this so as not to carry any regret but to only cherish the fond memories. We are so lucky to have such faithful companions even if for a short period in our lives.
Please stop in a comment more often, even though a tough subject you brought something good here today.
You know Lifer, you amaze sometimes. You remind me that I too was selfish and held on too long not wanting to lose one of my girls Some things are just hard, but it is true that time does indeed heal..
My condolences. My dogs are my life – can’t imagine that pain. I will someday and it’ll be brutal.
So is Kirk’s week 1 injury going to be a season ender or just a couple of weeks?
Kirko Chainz is bulletproof.
Are you going to play him?
Only QB on my roster.
Awesome!!!!
Gah!
You should have played again and you could have protected him. I have changed my team name to “QB Killer”.
You guys draft on Sunday? I was out on the Yellowstone getting scalded.
I swear FWP has a GPS tracker on my boat. The same gal (she’s actually quite cute) has stopped and inspected my boat three times this year and twice last year. @It’s exhausting being such a hotty@ I told her she didn’t really need to see my lifejackets and toss in life preserver as I never take them out, I only remove the doggy life jackets when they don’t come with me (ie when I am fishing and don’t need help retrieving a hooked fish).
He should do well bye week.
I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I never draft more than one QB.
Yeah, you don’t want to hurt any other possible QB before you need one.
Played 18 this morning. Had a really good round going, shot a 46 on the front, two doubles no triples and all 1 or 2 putts the entire side. Back side was sitting 4 over for the side going in to 18, still had all 1 or 2 putts for the round, had no three putts or triples on the back was sitting a 40 for the back side going in to 18 (had no idea just wrote strokes) but I knew with 4 straight pars on a stretch of holes I was hot. Got on 18 tee box second hardest hole, 3 wood to keep it in play and stay safe, stroked that motherfucker right in to the shit. Dropped got on in two shots, long 40’ bogey putt, left it 15’ short, missed the double putt for my only 3 putt and triple on the day. Shot a 89. Goddamn it. Still played and putted well until the last hole.
89 is still better than bogey golf – congratulations.
I’m guessing, as you suggested after four pars, mentally you knew where you were at on 18 and that sort of messed with you some.
Still, a good round.
Yeah but I was confident at the time. Only thing right by the tee box were a bunch of lawn care workers in the house on the fairway in the back yard 10’ away with fucking gas powered leaf blowers going wide open. JFC I couldn’t hear myself think. I believe they were doing it on purpose but still I should be able to overcome that. Excuses are like bellybuttons.
I have terrible rabbit ears when I golf…if there is any bullshit going on around me when I am teeing off I will almost always screw it up. I especially hate it when the group behind drives their carts up to the tee box just I am hitting. Learn some decorum you idot.
This is true. Basic decorum. If there is a group teeing off on the box, you always park well back of them and wait till they are done. Just very basic golf course etiquette.
I think most of us get distracted with unexpected movements or sounds in our backswings. I certainly do.
I’d say, you had a decent day. You played very well and pulled a tee shot into the shit on the last hole. Drink a beer and celebrate!
Thanks NVF…if I could have pulled of a 40 of the back I would have skipped all the way home. Instead I was cussing myself for blowing it at the end but took solace that I played really really well. Putted my ass off, made half a dozen 10’+ putts.
I am just reporting some news…
Really interesting read, demonstrates that lockdowns did no good and much harm.
Both parties to blame.
The numbers are in, and we can say it with certainty: Lockdowns were worse than useless (msn.com)
The political activities globally were about subjugating the people to will of their rulers and little else. Placing people under “house arrest” for the “good of all” was the mantra that almost every country followed. Our local liberals screamed at us for not wanting to inject ourselves with a substance we knew nothing about, and chastised anyone who dared defy the “science” of it all. Trump was vilified when he started to tell people that getting back to a normal state was necessary. Remember this whole thing started with the Fauci lie that we just needed to quarantine for two weeks.
Well, as you know the elites really know what’s best for us. Who needs an education – you sure aren’t going to get one at school anyway.
I have a friend who reminds me – that’s why they call it the “practice of medicine.” I’m still into the bleeding of the patient, really good stuff.
I think one thing left out of the article, a good one by the way, was Scandinavians are a healthier lot by percentage than Americans, lower obesity and disease rates. I think even though Sweden didn’t overwhelm their hospital system, it likely would have been a different story in the US. Our hospitals DID get over run with the lockdowns. Not that the lockdowns were perfect but imo it was a sound strategy to protect our healthcare workers who were burned completely out, many having major health issues as a result of the stress and volume. I fear our healthcare system would have crashed in major metropolitans had we not tried to throttle down the infection rates.
You may well be right about the health care system.
I just have a problem using “science” as a cover. I view science as more concrete – like rules of gravity.
Something like maybe …. to the best of our available knowledge at this time etc.
Unfortunately, science is not concrete. Even the rules of gravity had to be amended by Einstein in 1915. Without his changes (overhaul) our current GPS satellite systems would be impossible due to the locations of the satellites in the gravitational well. Science is a method by which natural phenomena are investigated/described. It is not absolute. With that in mind, it makes sense to separate people from each other when there is a disease that is spread by contact. However, contact appears not to have been the only alpha variable in the disease-transmission model. In short, anything involving people is hard to model in an absolute way.
Except all that happened was businesses were closed, people stayed home and then congregated at the local hardware and grocery stores. I’ve never seen Lowes and Home Depot busier.
They were allowed to stay open though. Smaller businesses were not, if you recall.
Yep. I found it funny how some stores started selling dog food just so they could stay open. Having a couple of bags of dog food made them “essential”.
It was a boon for the those home improvement businesses that’s for sure. Gym’s / restaurants, sorry you’re shit out of luck.
Yeah, a relative of mine opened a gym like 2 months before all the lockdowns started. Brutal.
Fair enough. But is it too much to ask that since this is a very new disease and we don’t have a lot of knowledge with it, our best estimate (belief) is to ……
I believe when you use the word “science” , it commands a certain higher respect that people view as more concrete. My opinion.
Sorry, but there was no science at work at all.
Only guessing and taking advantage of power.
Yep
I think the guessing had to edge on the side of caution and not knowing. There is a responsibility to protect the public when all the data early on is not available. What was irresponsible and reprehensible was “playing it down” for ones own self benefit when lives were at risk and subsequently lost as a result of doing so.
That’s the beauty of science. It isn’t concrete. It can change with evidence.
That was the problem. As more data was collected, the “science” was not allowed to change because it went contrary to what the oligarchs wanted.
Same issue with religion.
And the fallacy of science…
Fautiacy of science?
There’s no fallacy if it actually stays true to science and the scientific method.
They aren’t true to the science.
They are mostly true to their religion of lockdowns and energy control.
I agree, but that doesn’t condemn science that condemns people who only use science as a weapon to further their own narrative they want.
The same with religion.
This is for Hun!!
I didn’t hear of any hospitals being overrun. I have a number of friends who are both doctors and nurses, and none of them ever said they were overflowing at the hospitals they work at. This is of course not a data driven argument. Just my view from being around medical friends.
Can’t be.
How dare you question the
Both parties to blame you say? Gee, that’s only true about pretty much literally everything wrong in this country. If only someone had been pounding that drum loudly…
I think we can all agree on one thing.
FTP
I’m currently looking at buying my first and only Packers jersey haha. Getting a throw back green and gold one, it doesn’t have the G on it, hurts less.
Haha, what can I say. Is what it is. I wish he didn’t drafted to the Packers but he did. I have connections with CJ Ham (he friended me on Facebook years ago, aren’t I cool?), I know Tucker Kraft so when they play I am cheering for offense, both sides. Kraft Jersey with a Vikings hat haha. I can’t lose!
Ha Ha! That is pretty cool.
Way back when my son was young, he won a Packers jacket at a local raffle. He would always wear it, just to piss me off. LOL!
A couple years later, that jacket mysteriously disappeared during a move to a new house…
Haha, what did you do with it? Just tossed it or did it go in a bon fire that you later pissed on? lol
Trash can…
everyone, i joined the pick em and survival league so might as well not join since i will be wining it all
All signed up and ready to win again.
yes i am ready to win again
I won last year (pickem) but failed in the playoffs just like the Vikings
I was still promised a t shirt.
define *wining
I think that is when you drink a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white wine at the same time, after getting yelled at by an auto parts store employee and then make your picks.
But don’t finalize your picks until two days after starting to make your picks
For sure. Don’t forget that this plan only works if your wife looks at you with extreme disappointment in her eyes as well.
Be grateful for what you have all.
Friend of ours passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 50.
No health issues at all. Family is rocked.
Get all of your stuff in order so that your family isn’t scrambling after a shocking event.
Sorry to hear that.
that’s tough, real young.
dang dude, sorry to hear that.
you are right. we aren’t guaranteed the next minute in life nor do we deserve the next second.
Yikes….my condolences,
Yes, every day is indeed a gift.
Sorry to hear that DE.
Holy shit…50, I mean that is so very very young. Still 30 years left if not more. Sorry to hear that. Yes having a living will, beneficiaries designated for your assets is really important.
Just got back from Kentucky – had never been there before. My son got married and everyone had a great time.
Seems when you get older the only times entire family can get together is weddings and funerals. Much prefer the former.
Back to football and golf now.
Accurate about Weddings and Funerals. Most of my family is scattered across the country.
Just the times I guess. Seemed when I was a kid everyone loved within 50 or 60 miles of each other and we could have a family reunion every summer. No more.
Welcome back. Ky is a beautiful state, lived there for a few years with my dad in 9th grade. Enjoyed it. Mrs and I are gearing up for a trip up north to MI in two weeks. Gonna hit some really pristine golf courses there and should have some cool fall weather rolling in hopefully.
KY is indeed beautiful. MI has some great courses and should be in pristine condition this time of year.
@How many years did you, and your dad spend in the ninth grade? @
2 years in the 9 grade, best two years of our life!
I was hoping you were going to take it for the joke it was intended.
Why did the KY father take his son to Kindergarten?
What part of MI?
I lived in MI for 14 years.
Traverse City.
I used to live in Cadillac, 35 miles south.
Worked in Television there.
Which course?
I took Jalen Hurts in my fantasy league last night. I feel dirty and ashamed.
I screwed up trying to do 2 drafts at once and ended up with Kirk, JJ, TJ, and Mattison on one team. At least its only for 100 bucks and we get 3 keepers. I did get Kirk in the Skoloholics league though so prepare for a week 1 injury.
While Tampa Bay certainly has enough talent to present a tough game, it’s still not game where the Vikings would be looking to get crushed, like a game in Kansas City to start the season. The game is winnable. Let’s get that done.
I think last year, we poured our heart and soul into beating Green Bay week 1 and then went to Philly with not enough energy left in the tank 4 days later. I’m hoping we learned from that experience, and get it done Sunday, then get our act together for the following Thursday.
Yep – seemed Kirk and JJ both had bad games and the game plan centered around every defense in the league was going to just let JJ run wide. Let’s hope we don’t ;look past the Bucs but also learn from last year going to Philly.
I trust our offense only worry there is Vea on that soft underbelly IOL. Tackles should hold up well. We got Oliver so he can help so we can double team Vea if needed.
Defense its all about pressure and our corners holding up. Evans and Godwin are no joke. If we give Baker time they could cause problems. I feel Flores is going to put a lot of pressure on Baker this game.
Right on target.
Also pinning a comment to the top and then having a billion people respond to it pushed the new comments half way down the page.
Yes, I’m cranky today.
YUP.
Hide the replies…..
There’s no room for logic/reason here….
Let me be cranky.
Don’t tell me what to do.
Not that anyone reads the words on the front page as they just click through to get to comments so they can be overwhelmed by what I say, but a light colored picture makes those previously mentioned words unreadable.
YUP
Yuuuuup
agree
I think we have our Skoloholics sponsor…..
I think that is pretty damned funny
I see we had a Hanson music selection over the weekend. Finally! I no longer have to hide my love for Hanson because we all love Hanson, it turns out. Here is my favorite song by Hanson. Although, I admit that as soon as an artist does a “all the world needs is love” type of song, they have jumped the shark.
He doesn’t seem rattled at all. Poised. That’s good to see.
Good Mindset. Could have said the opposite I suppose.
He could have, but how would that sound???
“I suck, and feel like this season will be a struggle for me…..”
Lol yup.
that’s exactly what I thought.
‘I’m in waaaay over my head and just trying not to shit myself on live tv…’
The guys he can block are all on third string however.
He has got to improve.
I think he’ll take a big step forward this year. Which is much delight to Kirk’s right foot.
“blocking”
Keep in mind, we’ve been told here that the bad O-line play is just an excuse for Cousins, and all NFL QB’s get hit. Cousins and our RB’s are no worse off behind our line than anyone else in the league.
Well, when the offense has been top 7ish with a terrible OL, is it really a valid excuse?
When your QB is the most hit in the league on a routine basis, it’s a miracle the offense has been able to generate sufficient yards and points to be top 7ish. The line gets beat badly on third downs especially.
You act like Cousins should naturally be able to put up 4500 yards and 30 TD’s every year regardless of how bad the line is. The fact is, it’s an absolute miracle that he does.
Well he has done it.
The OL excuse is way over used.
laughing… you are really ignoring reality here.
No you are.
The offense was top 7 with a terrible OL.
How much better would the offense be if the OL was number 1?
Can you provide data?
It’s simple football science. Stop denying it.
Is Fauci your chief “football scientist”?
Might wonder where the offense might have been with a good offensive line?
Maybe even an average one?
How much better would it be in the W/L column?
If the offense was top 3 would the OL excuse be valid?
At what point do you stop making excuses?
What are you talking about? Excuses? I simply pointed out the offense might do better with improved offensive line play. I’d bet my house most all experts would agree with that statement – go back and watch the Dallas game. Total offense is great, but like most stats there’s a s.d. to that and that is just as important.
Can’t we comment about the offense as a whole without turning every post into a QB hate/praise event?
DE has some sort of weird issue with this. Our O-line is terrible, but he says it doesn’t matter, and is just an excuse of some sort. Can’t understand the rationale.
I mean WTF – this is Football 101
Yeah, irrational to me. We don’t need a good O-line.
How is it even possible that a terrible OL allowed the Vikings offense to even be ranked in the top 7?
Your assumption is completely ignoring data.
There is no assumption here. The Vikings QB (since he arrived here 5 years ago) is the most hit, sacked, knocked down, and pressured QB in the league. That’s the data DE. Obviously that has no bearing on what a QB can accomplish right? What a foolish stance you choose to promote.
You continue to misuse/misunderstand the data.
Cousins got abused last season, no doubt. But he didn’t lead each of those statistical categories.
And since 2018 (last 5 seasons) Russell Wilson is the most sacked QB…Cousins is 3rd.
https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-sacked-qb-last-5-years#:~:text=Between%20August%2012%2C%202018%20and,a%20quarterback%2C%20with%20234%20sacks.
I have a hard time giving your arguments any credence because you keep making shit up. That doesn’t mean you don’t have a point (Kirk has seen a lot of pressure over the years), but your lack of accuracy undermines your credibility.
I hear that 43% of statistics are made up on the spot.
In the case of NVF, 43% of the time, they’re made up every time.
That’s wrong 69% of the time though.
You’re being kind of hard here maybe?
He doesn’t seem like the first person here to misstate or mislead with stats.
All of that aside, don’t you think his broader point is on target?
I’m not being hard on him, he’s making it hard on himself.
Several weeks ago he started with this exact same argument, and I posted the actual data. But he continues to make the same false statements to support his position. If he’s going to ignore the actual stats and keep saying the same incorrect things, I’m going to push back more. Stop lying, I’ll stop commenting on it.
That said, I did acknowledge he has a point, which to me makes it even more frustrating he won’t base his argument on the facts.
Well, to each his own. Just appears, to me, you are holding him to a higher standard than anyone else here is being held to. But, your call.
As such it matters little to me worst hit or 3rd worst hit, both are terrible.
So, let me ask you. Say I was trying to make an argument that Kirk is a great QB and, as support I said, “since Kirk became a Viking 5 years ago, he has the most wins, most pass completions, highest completion %, most TDs, and fewest INTs in the league” to make my case, everyone should just ignore my data if they believe my broader point is correct?
Of course.
But if he was first in three of the categories and second in the other two, wouldn’t you get the point. Although it would be technically incorrect.
I spent too much time in Washington where everyone played gotcha and someone could make a great point and the other side would tear it up over some small trivial thing to gain points
People should be precise, but aren’t always.
To your broader question, I think people should evaluate the totality of the information and base their decision on that. If they choose to discredit the argument because some of the supporting material is slightly off, that is their choice.
But to me personally, I accept that people may at times not be precise, but hope I can get to the right conclusion. Most things in life are seldom black or white anyways.
So Skolifer, how about you read for comprehension a little here huh? I said Cousins is the most hit, sacked, knocked down, and pressured QB imn the NFL the last 5 years.
Then you attack me by saying Russell Wilson is the most sacked… nice. Try getting your data together a little more than that son.
Attack?
Lol…got it. You’re dumb AF.
Not the worst not the best. final rankings from 2022.
I don’t know who puts stats and rankings like this together.
I would say are tackles are really solid players. Our guards and center – not sure they could start for any other team. And just ONE missed block, screws up a play.
Doesn’t matter though, we’re off to this year.
This is from PFF.
They found that half the league had a worse OL and that’s not including O’Neill or Bradbury.
I’m not saying its right, just that our perspective is different than others.
I posed this question a few weeks ago that maybe the OL isn’t as bad as “we Vikings fans” think it is.
Most teams don’t have 1 top 10 tackle in the league let alone 2.
Do you think our guards could start for other teams?
They could probably start for the University of Montana.
But probably not Bama.
So the OL excuse is bogus.
The OL wasn’t even terrible.
It was in fact, above average.
Shocking to some.
It’s called how much change of input leads to an improved outcome.
If the OL improves say to top 10, would the offense overall improve to the number 1 offense?
How many wins would improving the OL lead to? More than 13?
What if the OL improved to top 20 but the offense is worse and leads to 9 wins?
It’s not a static outcome where a better OL automatically leads to better offensive production.
It’s not hard really.
Do you really want these questions answered or are you just being a contrarian?
All I am saying is that an improved OL doesn’t mean a better offense. It might, but it also might not.
It’s not hard really. I think the “OL sucks” is an excuse.
Take a look at ranked offenses in 2022 and their respective OL rankings.
Plenty of data to suggest improving the OL might not make any difference whatsoever.
Rams had the 8th rank OL but were dead last in offense.
Team OL Rank
Chiefs 2
Bills 13
Eagles 1
Lions 3
49ers 10
Dolphins 15
Vikings 19
Bengals 16
Chargers 9
Jags 18
Cowboys 12
Raiders 29
Seahawks 27
Browns 4
Bucs 6
Ravens 22
Packers 5
Giants 25
Saints 26
Redskins 17
Broncos 14
Cardinals 21
Steelers 23
Falcons 31
Jets 20
Patriots 7
Colts 11
Bears 32
Panthers 28
Titans 24
Texans 30
Rams 8
I think a better IOL would lead to more efficiency in the 3rd down and 4th and 8 situations. Not so much for the overall offensive ranking.
No way to prove it though.
There could have been other issues leading to those poorly executed plays.
I should say 3rd and long. If our OL can give Kirk more than the time it takes to drop back, it would more than likely lead to more success on these downs. Granted the OL could give Kirk time, but the D-backs could have everything covered and this would lead to a failed attempt.
I don’t really care about total offensive ranking (7th) or even Kirk’s or JJ’s individual stats. But we could be a better balanced offense with more consistent line blocking. Maybe not top line stats, but be able to control the game better which will also help the defense a lot.
And I’m sure you realize we can be a better team this year and not get 13 wins. That’s a bit of lying with stats.
If we can win the division and get into the playoffs with a better team – that’s the point.
LOL.
Got it.
You don’t want the data.
Just the excuse.
Why be so obtuse. Don’t you think it’s bigger than just the data?
Am I to say – I got it, you don’t care about the bigger picture?
Let’s try a little data. Chiefs were number one in total offense. Lost a SB because of blocking and went out and bolstered their line. Next year didn’t get to SB. Do you think Andy Reid doesn’t know what he is doing?
Let’s take Dalvin Cook? Year before last against Ravins. Had three 20 plus yard runs. And, had 20 others that gained minis two yards. You think on the 20 he just forgot how to run or was something else going on? And, maybe the average stat data you like so much, isn’t really a good indicator?
No, I think I’ve got it. I was trying to talk about the offense. But you, if anyone says anything that even remotely would put Cousins, or the team, in a more favorable light, you are going to all ends to put it down.
East coast huh?
Anyone who says an improved O-line would not improve the Vikings offense is nuts. We have some of the best skill position players in the whole league. Hmmmm… what is holding our running game back on 3rd and one?
Why does the pocket always collapse?
Good morning Skolos!
Found this tea for any FTP fans….
Also started watching Painkillers. Man, that is infuriating. Good show, and one very positive for me was they used Sabatoge by the Beastie Boys pretty well. That is a much better ear worm than the Hanson song some evil dick put in here :>
‘Hey Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind… Hey Mickey!…’
So the Vikings are Top 6 team in the NFL now?
6th best team until the playoffs, then they are the worst.
It’s also funny that if you rank franchises all time in most wins, the Vikings are #6 and the only team in the top 16 who has not won a SB.
That’s right, best of the lousiest, lousiest of the best.
I could see moving the 9ers above us, and you could flip-flop the Vikings and Cowboys (possibly). I am surprised to see the Ravens so low. Oh, and the Lions should be #3, according to all of the experts (Five).
When Bosa is out, Purdy is still relatively unknown, and Kittle hurt… ooof.
Kittle being out will definitely affect Purdy’s production. It’s like when the Vikes traded Moss, and all of a sudden Culpepper looked terrible. I think the Bosa deal gets done this week.
My list has the Vikings at #1. I’m sure my list is just as well thought out as this one. And just as valid.
Exactly VP….and I like your list better.
Its going to be a brutal schedule for the Vikings.
Dunno what to think of that. Im thinking he’ll want a fatter signing bonus and less “time” but looking at Hock’s deal 4 may be the length they settle on regardless if its “real” or not.
Gm.
FTP.
GM
FTP
SKOL!
Good morning, SKOL!
FTP!