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Vikings Discussion & Random Thoughts
Vikings and NFL News
From MSN, there is mutual interest between Carson Wentz and the Vikings on Wentz remaining a Viking in 2026. Wentz would be a solid addition to the QB room, we just mentioned this yesterday.
On Lunchbreak over at Vikings.com, ESPN evaluates Kyler Murray’s signing with the Vikings. Also, a Vikings 2026 free agency tracker.
Vikings DT Jalen Redmond earned $1,184,087 in performance pay in for his 2025 season, per MSN. The performance pay is part of an NFL program that compensates players who out-perform their contract, Redmond’s performance pay was the seventh-highest in the entire league.
From Sports Illustrated, all 10 players from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s 2022 draft class are off the Vikings roster only four years later.
Free agency updates and the latest team news from around the league in a Tuesday recap from Yahoo Sports.
The Broncos gave up a first and third round pick to acquire Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins, the teams also swapped fourth round picks, story from ESPN. I guess it’s now official that the Dolphins are tearing it all the way down.
CBS Sports points out that the Dolphins may be putting themselves in position to draft Arch Manning in 2027.
Media Selection
If you want something funny and don’t mind lots of cussing, you’ll enjoy this. WARNING: AS MENTIONED, NSFW LANGUAGE
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I’m pretty sure it’s Thursday.
Sometimes I fell like a dementia patient around here.
The United States produces nearly 22 million barrels of oil per day. More than Saudi Arabia and Russia combined. 22% of the total world production.
America consumes 20 million and produces 22 million… a net exporter. China consumes 15 million and produces 5. A 10 million barrel per day deficit that has to come from somewhere.
Now add Venezuela… 303 billion barrels of proved reserves, the largest on earth, and Trump took operational control.
China is rationing. America is exporting.
Trump… always winning.
Let’s hope he is “always winning” come midterm tiime.
We have really shady politicians in the GOP we need to get rid of. We need to defeat as many Dem Congressional Representatives and Senators as we can too. We have Dems on record going against every common sense 80/20 issue out there. We need to focus on the fact that Dems aren’t good at Governing. To Govern, is to make policies and decisions for the country. The Dem’s have shown no ability at all to Govern prudently, practically, or pragmatically for the last 20 years. Rather they fear monger the hell out of the population, and lie, cheat and steal their way to elected office.
Trump’s core tenets are to make us safer, more secure, and more prosperous, while eliminating the insane woke practices and policies of the left.
I would hope the GOP could promote those core tenets in campaigns across the country and have folks see the reality we live in. That is, emotionally charged, irrational activists want to run the country, but everywhere they are in charge, they are grotesquely failing their constituents.
It’s about their (the voters) pocketbook.
It’s odd that the consumers forget how badly their pocketbooks were destroyed by Biden and the Dem’s after Trump had the economy roaring in his first term. It’s also odd that they don’t see how the economy is roaring again, and costs are coming down. Remember the great egg crisis Biden created by ordering millions of chickens be slaughtered due to bird flu? Trump brought them down in less than 60 days. It seems like the media has a hand in painting a dire economic picture that folks buy into though, and that propaganda machine is working overtime.
Trump wields power like no other President I have ever seen. He always gets what he wants in the end.
I’ve heard all the commentary about McCarthy “only” having 10 games in his second season with the Vikings, and it’s too early to judge him. I beg to differ.
Joe Burrow played 10 games his rookie year and no one had any doubt that he could handle the job. He showed poise in the pocket, command, and accuracy. He showed he could run the offense. He consistently made top shelf throws. The next year he played 16 games, completed 70.4% of his passes for 4,611 yards with 8.9 yards per attempt average, 34 TD’s and 14 interceptions, and garnered a 108.3 passer rating.
Brett Favre was traded to GB after his rookie season because he was so bad.
Brett Favre threw more interceptions in his career than any QB in NFL history too… he also admitted he had no idea what he was doing early in his career, and just ran around till he saw someone open.
Also, Favre had an elite arm. He could throw a ball 75 yards. Oh yeah, he could actually hit his targets too.
Andy Dalton to the Eagles…
Since we let Hargrave and Allen go, I think Peter Woods (Clemson, DT) could be in play for our first draft pick.
He is a very good player but very inconsistent and not really a NT.
Well, you may know more than me here, but from what I’ve seen he does a pretty good job inside. Seems to be strong enough and agile enough to shed blocks and make tackles. JMO.
As is true of lots of possible early round draft choices, he is a great player but the question remains is he (or any other player) the best choice for us at that pick?
Me expressing some possible reasons he might not be the best fit for us at #18 does not equal ‘he is not a good/great player’.
I get that. Which is why I highlighted that losing Hargrave and Allen might signal he is our pick.
This is simply amazing…
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah is a top 15-20 rater player this draft, it is thought he would be better off if moved inside as many college OTs are.
He even took snaps as an OC at the combine. He would be an interesting pick if he fell to #18. A highly rated OL that can play any of the positions, a great get if he can be the full time OC.
I would guess a DB at 18 is more likely…..
Or a DT/NT but but good ones are still available in the 2 or 3rd rounds.
Just looking at all of the different ways the draft could play out, thought Fano was an intriguing option at #18.
I am thinking a trade back to later in the 1st is a good option, depending on who is there at #18 and what we get in compensation of course.
I just got back from Pizza Ranch. It was a moment of weakness. Their food does not agree with me, but I wanted some pizza that wasn’t from a gas station.
You’re welcome, Kirk…
So it’s overrated?
That tracks……
Except their cactus bread (dessert Pizza) That slaps and is worth the hype.
I always say “you don’t buy pizza ranch, you rent it”.
KOC loves a punter who can throw…
A great wrinkle/threat if he can be used effectively.
Do we still have the same ST Coach? If so I have my doubts we could make those plays without a penalties.
Heck, he throws the ball better than our regular QB’s.
I think our current special teams coach (Matt Daniels) played CB for the Rams with Hekker many years ago.
Indeed…
So KC might be a better fit in Vegas than in Pittsburg??
One ‘so called expert thinks so.
‘Las Vegas Raiders would be better fit for former Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins than Pittsburgh Steelers’
https://thevikingage.com/minnesota-vikings-kirk-cousins-next-opportunity-could-hinge-aaron-rodgers
Cousins isn’t going anywhere that he has no chance to win. He’s already been there and done that. He will only join a team that is a true contender. That means, he’s not signing anywhere until the season is underway. He’ll wait till a team with a real chance to win needs him. Or, he’ll just spend the season with Julie and the kids, and live his best life.
You wouldn’t happen to be “Julie and the kids” would you?
Stay on the porch son…
He will only join a team that is
a true contenderwilling to over pay. FIFYPractical, pragmatic, and prudent seem to be the best words to describe Brez’s approach here. I like it! I’d trade Addison rather than extending him though, if possible.
I’d say yes to extending O’Neill, I’d tell Addison he’ll get an extension when he stops his bullshit or I’m trading you to the browns
That’s a brilliant plan.
So this seems to be what Brez and the team were looking to accomplish first and foremost in 2026. That $43M cap hole had to be put in order, practically and prudently.
Winnebago man is ALL time classic. The first time that video above was shown to me I almost vomited because I couldn’t breathe from laughing too hard. I showed it to some friends visiting last summer when we were out in the garage having some drinks and they were also crying. The documentary on the real life guy Jack Rebney is also fascinating. Highly recommend. He passed away a few years ago, made it to his 90s.
Who says no to this??????
Anybody with a pulse who realizes that Aaron Jones was signed on a reduced contract.
No…
No, RB is not where we need the help
No, he’s not worth a first and gets injured as often as Jones.
Yeah, hell no
This always make me laugh…
You all are lame.
It’s Wednesday, don’t you know.
Vikings have signed him to an offer sheet.
Bills have 5 days to match the offer I believe.
Yes, he’s an ERFA so the Bills can match the offer. He hasn’t been a big-time starter though. Played 4 games last season I think. Good depth guy. Better than Skule I’d imagine.
Bills will probably match and keep him IMO.
He might be ‘Massive’ for an average person but not an NFL OT. 300-330lbs seem to be about average.
Heck the #5 rated OT this draft is quite a bit larger, Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama, Height: 6 – 7, Weight: 352 lbs, RAS: 9.25. Now I would call him massive.
Yeah, Daniel Faalele is 6’8” and 370, now that’s huge
Yep.
It’s not massive by OL standards, that’s for sure.
Funny video up top today!
The Vikings got a new holder
I assume he is a decent holder as punters traditionally assume that role in the kicking game.
A little concerned about him being past his prime and that his avg last year was about 4 yards per punt less than ‘The Fat Punter’ who left.
His average yards per punt was affected by the desire to place the ball inside the 20. Have to factor in that 38% of his punts achieved that. So, he wasn’t punting the ball as far as he could.
Hekker has become well-known around the league for his execution of fake punts — but also for the “banana punt,” which is a trick kick that’s been adapted from Australian rules football.
Hekker turns the ball sideways upon dropping it, which allows it to curve right despite initially appearing that it will go left.
‘His average yards per punt was affected by the desire to place the ball inside the 20. Have to factor in that 38% of his punts achieved that. So, he wasn’t punting the ball as far as he could’
I assumes this applies to all punters. And Wright managed 38.46% of all his punts inside the 20 in 2025 and yet still managed 4 more yards a punt.
It does, but they aren’t always in a position to do that. Hekker did it on 38% of his punts though, which is a BIG percentage. So this “stat” isn’t really something that reveals how strong a leg a kicker has. Just so you know, the longest punt in Super Bowl history is 65 yards. This record was set by Hekker when he was with the Rams during Super Bowl LIII on February 3, 2019, against the New England Patriots.
So he got A good roll on a punt once 7 years ago means he still has a strong leg??
Wrights longest punt last year was 77 yards.
Hekker is known for his strong leg. In college he had 17 punts over 60 yards. He has continued this in his long NFL career, including a 65 yard punt last year. So he owns a Super Bowl record, and has kicked the ball over 60 yards in games many dozens of times in his career. He is one of the most consistent punters in league history.
In fact he is considered the 3rd best punter of all time in the NFL.
Throughout his career, Hekker has been known for his consistency, power, and precision. He has punted 1,041 times for 48,705 yards, maintaining an impressive career average of 46.8 yards per punt. His ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory has been singularly impressive, as he has recorded 400 punts inside the 20-yard line, with a career total of 38.43%. Remarkably strong over his 229 game career.
Hekker’s exceptional hang time, accuracy, and ability to execute trick plays have made him a valuable weapon for his teams. His ability to consistently perform at an elite level and his role in the Rams’ success, including their Super Bowl LVI victory, have solidified his status as one of the best punters in the game.
Wright has started off his career punting mostly indoors, and his career stats are a shade better than Hekker’s at this point. Hekker has punted predominantly outdoors his whole career, and I think that makes a huge difference statistically.
So… I think with all that said, he’s going to be a solid replacement for Wright.
‘I think with all that said, he’s going to be a solid replacement for Wright’
He might very well be, and I hope he is.
My expressed concern was/is with his current leg strength. You extolling what the 36 year old did 15 years ago in collage or 5-10 years ago as a pro is not addressing those concerns.
But you keep being you.
I gave you a litany that shows he’s one of the best, most consistent punters in NFL history, so yeah… I will always back my position with real data. That’s how I roll.
‘ he
’swas one of the best, most consistent punters in NFL history’ FIFYYup, Ray Guy was pretty good too but even if he was currently on the team that wouldn’t do much for us now.
That isn’t really applicable to the fact that Hekker is still a very good punter.
‘Hekker is still a very good punter’
Hope you are right.
I am. He continues to be excellent at dropping the ball inside the 20, while averaging over 46 yards a punt. That’s very, very solid.
Why does the picture up top refer to Tuesday?
Had to check the date/day to make sure it was the right thread.
Three Italian nuns die and go to heaven.
At the Pearly Gates, they are met by St. Peter.
He says:
“Sisters, you all led such wonderful lives that I’m granting you six months to go back to Earth and be anyone you want to be.”
The first nun says:
“I want to be Sophia Loren!”
And poof—she’s gone.
The second says:
“I want to be Madonna!”
And poof—she’s gone.
The third says:
“I want to be Sara Pipilini.”
St. Peter looks perplexed.
“Who?”
“Sara Pipilini,” replies the nun.
St. Peter shakes his head.
“I’m sorry, but that name doesn’t ring a bell.”
The nun takes a newspaper out of her habit and hands it to St. Peter.
He reads it and starts laughing. He hands it back and says:
“No, Sister—the paper says it was the Sahara Pipeline that was laid by 1,400 men in 6 months!”
I hope there are no Bigfoot fans here.
The upcoming documentary “Capturing Bigfoot” proves the Patteron-Grimlin footage is 100 percent a hoax. Full stop. It’s over. They faked it all for the money. The documentary even has footage of them practicing a dry run.
Be strong.
This film started decades of people chasing this creature around the world…
That video sucked a lot of people in. I watched one big Bigfoot buff give a reaction to the documentary. He seemed kind of stunned it was fake, but he did a good job rolling with the gut punch.
I guess the son of the guys wanted to come out for years, but the mom didn’t want to give up the money coming in.
Next you’re going to tell me the Earth is flat and we’ve never been to outer space much less the moon.
You ever review Harry and the Hendersons?
No. I honestly have never even seen it!
FIRST, Skol to all and FTP
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