It’s finally Friday 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, it’s literally the only rule.
VIKINGS NEWS
Nothing but mocks.
NFL NEWS
More mocks.
Question of the Day
The Vikings appear to be using cap space to fill starting needs and depth on the defensive side of the ball. Outside of QB, what other offensive need do you think they fill via the draft?
Media Selection
Thread Guidelines
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https://skoloholics.com/minnesota-vikings-discussion-skolasylum-march-25-2024/
Nothing new to talk about anyway…
Apparently, it’s still Friday… SKOL!
Good, I need to start the weekend all over again…
Texas DT Byron Murphy has official 30 visits set up with the Vikings and the Raiders.
I was sure it was Sunday.
LOL. no weekend thread. Just looked, think maybe 20 comments yesterday and a few today.
I checked a few times over the weekend. Nothing happening here. Haven’t seen anything from JR, hope he’s OK.
New threads tend to generate more comments.
Yes they do.
Had an interesting start to my round today. Hit a solid drive, but drew it a bit too much into the trees that guard the dogleg. Had a little window to punch the ball out, so I took a 5 iron and hit a low running shot that rolled all the way onto the green. Unfortunately the group in front of us were still putting out. I drove up and apologized to them. “I hit the ball too good”… They were good sports about it though, and laughed. Made par from the trees on the first hole to start the day.
I am always a good sport the 1st time someone hits into my group, we all hit a lucky shot once in a while….The 2nd time though I am likely to return fire….I have done it before.
Absolutely. They did say they looked back and didn’t see anyone, so were wondering if I had driven the green from 365 yards away… shoulda lied and said “oh yeah, I’m a big hitter!”.
Justin Thomas shot an 8 over par 79 today. Don’t know if he was hurt, or lost his mind, or what.
New Job for Skol Kid. Post threads.
I second this.
Be safe everyone!
Wind:
E-S-W-N
5-50 MPh, gusting from 50 to 90
Wouldn’t kick her out of bed for eating crackers.
Easy there, your old enough to be her grandfather there Hefner Jr.
Preview?
Did you see the reported “cart girl”?
Yes… hottie
Isn’t it Saturday?
Admins….
MwC rec.
Saw this… thought it might interest some folks…
Most expensive offenses in 2024:
1. $188.8M – Browns
2. $178.1M – Rams
3. $158.3M – Cowboys
4. $152.8M – Chiefs
5. $151.1M – Broncos
6. $148.5M – Giants
7. $146.5M – Cardinals
8. $141.6M – Falcons
9. $138.5M – 49ers
10. $135.9M – Colts
11. $135.2M – Panthers
12. $133.0M – Saints
13. $132.4M – Texans
14. $132.2M – Jaguars
15. $124.3M – Bengals
16. $121.0M – Lions
17. $119.7M – Dolphins
18. $118.9M – Raiders
19. $117.8M – Vikings
20. $116.5M – Bills
21. $116.1M – Seahawks
22. $115.0M – Eagles
23. $112.6M – Ravens
24. $110.1M – Bears
25. $105.9M – Jets
26. $93.3M – Buccaneers
27. $89.2M – Patriots
28. $82.8M – Commanders
29. $78.1M – Titans
30. $68.4M – Chargers
31. $67.1M – Packers
32. $64.8M – Steelers
And that probably includes the 30+ million we are paying for 2 QBs but only get one lol.
New JJ deal could affect this as well
Not sure how they are factoring this. Is it cap hit or actual costs?
Hey Brad, I’m not sure you are going to check in again tonight, but I have your employee situation figured out. MT has a lot of experience now with building his shouse and he doesn’t make enough money. You could hire him on the side.
Who else besides me likes French toast? What is the best bread? I’ll wait.
Texas Toast make the best french toast
A thicker bread?
Yeah
Agreed
Sourdough works well.
What i use tends to get thicker, soft in middle.
French duh! It’s in the name. Dummy! 🤣 😜
Do we get to 420 today?
3:15 CST.
Well, I might have been a tad too optimistic there…
Past 11, go to bed.
10:44 actually. I’m a night person, you know me Chief.
Hope you have weekend off. Enjoy.
I do. Have a great weekend as well.
Had a cousin ask ’98 Vikes vs ’09… who wins? Of course my response was, “Not Vikings fans.” lol, but it’s a good question. All sorts of questions though. Would it be in todays game? Could you imagine if Daunte was running some read option shit with Moss and Carter to throw to and Robert Smith to hand it off to?
I’d go ’98 with no question.
Yep, that was our year to win it all. Damn it!
Did you forget 2024? C’mon now!
2024 team has nothing on the 2025 team though.
Both had 4 first team all pros… Oddly closer than I thought. I think AP could keep the ball out of the offenses hands though.
Oops I forgot that wasn’t even Daunte’s time was it? My bad.
Working on a project today repairing holes where the HVAC people had to cut in order to put a new system in this house. The boiler froze, so they put in forced air heat.
I subbed it out, but the subcontractor decided not to show up. Luckily, I bid it high enough so that it would be worthwhile if I had to do it. Actually enjoy doing this work once in a while.
Davenport wants to stepup game with kitties. Is there another direction?
Up is the only direction you can go off the couch…
Read Wreck is a big fan of JJ, shouldn’t we be looking somewhere else?
He’s due lol. What this really makes me worry about more is that the Vikings won’t get him now and now that Wreck it Wryck is finally right he ends up not a Viking!
Yeah a blind squirrel nuts on a broken clock twice a day
Kiddo is excelling at writing in school. He’s also a huge Vikings fan.
Figured I might as well nurture both interests and make him a writer on here, give him a place to have fun & write about something he loves.
Perfect. He will also learn website control stuff and make him better at computers. Even thought they will be controlled by chips in our brains by the time he is our age.
Good dadding there! Awesome!
Nice, looking forward to his input!
You all know how much I hate cancer, but I’m not sure they needed to interrupt the basketball game with the breaking news that Princess Kate has cancer.
At first, I thought you meant the princess from super Mario brothers.
Maybe she is both.
Her official title is Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Of course since she married into royalty, she has been given a bunch of other titles also such as Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall.
I did not marry royalty, so my official title is
VP, lowly Peon.
Where is Wales?
It somewhere by the Fishes.
Not to be confused with the Princess of Whales
+1
That’s a Whale of a Princess…
True enough 😂
She looks like she ate a whale
I prefer this Kate.
Better
Winner!
Sad news, but Kate Beckinsale also has cancer.
Her family also owns the Giants and the Steelers. That would be quite the catch.
I can’t even imagine how much of a psychopath she is. Seriously, those looks and money. Yikes.
Only one way to know which side of the Vicky Mendoza diagonal she’s on. I’ll volunteer to find out.
Yeah, it would be a fun experiment
You might wake up without a wiener
Caddyshack 2 was a pretty good movie.
HAWT TAEK!!!!
Gone
fishin’Leave us for months and you come back with “Caddyshack 2 was a pretty good movie”? At least come back with a good take. Oh and you are required to state your QB preference in the draft.
Penix, mainly for the pun potential
Well you don’t fit in then. MT hates them all but the rest of us have decided JJ is the only option. Not really but he is the #1 option.
It’s simple
You draft a smart and talented quarterback, and match him with Kevin O’Connell‘s brilliance, then prosper.
also, re-sign JJ
Extending JJ is a must but there are still a couple here that think we should trade him. My kids would be devastated. When I tried explaining to them the start of free agency and that the Vikings will have a new QB this year, all they asked was, “is JJ still on the team?”
I don’t understand the logic behind trading him. The odds of finding a player of his caliber, or anywhere near it are very slim.
The first round draft pick has a 50% chance of becoming a starter.
I don’t understand why the team would want to trade an elite talent in exchange for a couple of 50-50 shots.
Tell is about all the fish you caught while you were gone fishin…..
There’s not actually water in North Dakota so all he catches are fish sticks.
I’ve been gone workin’. Gone growing a business.
i’m actually having a blast, but I am hoping to be able to spend more time on recreational activities, like chatting about the Vikings.
Growing a business is fun. It sounds like you need to get hiring some help.
Yes, we probably should have hired someone already.
I am managing about 60 properties at the moment. 30 of them are vacant, and anytime there is 3 inches of snow or more, they need to be shoveled. I’ve been lucky that this year has been such a mild winter.
Racecar drivers are athletes too.
Border czar, i mean abortion czar.
Been on hold now for an hour trying to give somebody money. I hate companies with bad customer service and I hate even more companies with bad customer service that I am forced to work with.
Good news, bow, carbon taxes work to reduce emissions, according to an “independent climate group partially funded by the federal government.” Also, Justin looks a little more lively in the House of Parliament than Joe on the White House lawn.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1.7151929
Nice. I totally believe it. I am going to start an algae farm though and sell the carbon credits I get from it.
Independent and funded by the government… Might be the biggest oxymoron ever lol.
No kidding
Any of you IT people interested in moving to Billings?
I said IT, not gouger.
That’s a pretty dangerous place
Been pretty good lately. There was a stretch they thought about officially changing the name to Killings. Also, good to see you again. Thought for sure you’d be around at the start of free agency. You missed all the fun “He Who Shall Not Be Named” conversations.
Oh. @I’m really bummed that I missed those conversations. I’m sure they were very enlightening, and everybody reconsidered their stance on the subject.@
And no one name called at all, ever. Seriously.
Indeed. We had civilized and well-mannered discussions about the topic.
…and we peacefully discussed all kinds of political topics…
… and everybody was very accepting about the other side’s opinions…
…and we all had a kumbaya moment…
… until someone mentioned the name that shall only be named on Tuesdays…
Not even Tuesdays anymore. He is dead other than to blame for everything that ilks the Vikings.
LOL, I really must’ve missed something
Should probably stop in once in awhile. Also, are bans permanent?
Asking for a
5friend?More a bear of one but I don’t in general like perma bans and like giving people a second chance in life. Plus, I went to a pretty inspirational speaker last night and am feeling all giving and friendly.
It was nice having hunting pals around though.
That’s fair, I miss that old fart tbh.
You did, mate. Good to see that you find some time be on here again.
And then we had drinks…
… and then we had a few more…
Then we had a few more “hugs”.
I don’t remember what happed, after that…
… samesies…
… and then everybody went offline, and Norseman 1 wondered why it was so quiet on the blog…
LOL! Well played!
Thanks! 😊
We should do a yearly meet up. Pick a Vikings related event a year, if you can make it cool. If not no worries.
Montana camping trip?
That’s a cool idea. I’ve met/befriended several people from the daily Norseman & here.
The first forum I was ever apart of was MMAMania and they would do a Mania Meet up every year. They’d pick an event, rent a huge ass Air BnB and have a crazy ass fun weekend together. I never got to make it but it looked to be epic times.
What’s the guy in the back fighting?
How long have you lived in Billings?
I moved here in 2005 for college then left for a couple years in 2011 for a job and have been back here for a little over 10 years.
Wonderful media selection today – fond memory.
Song we selected for father/bride dance at my youngest daughter’s wedding.
And, nobody like Sinatra.
Great song for that dance.
My wife and I chose ‘Love you ‘till the end’ by The Pogues.
Started with her and I slow dancing and it gets to the instrumental and then we went into the crowd and pulled people and paired them off – had the dance floor full by the end of the song. Smile on my wife’s face as she was surrounded by all the people she loved was awesome.
Pretty neat stuff. I’m betting you are probably a better ‘fast’ dancer than I am. Takes me several drinks to get into it.
I also need chemical motivation….. I stayed on the dance floor for a few Prince songs and spent most of the fast songs talking to guests or chatting up the staff.
Is that Hunter?
Ha! I think you’d have to be 1/2 crazy or have a death wish to touch cocaine nowadays with all the fentanyl everywhere. No thank you. I’ll stick to grass and a few beers in the summer time
It’s getting scary.
A person who came to a few of my SMART Recovery meetings ended up relapsing. He died of an overdose a month ago. Sad. Late 20s, entire life ahead of him.
Thanks, Sinatra of course would not exist if not for the influence of the Beatles
If you are into Metal Core at all, check these kids out from Germany. They are super young and releasing their debut Album and every track has been fire so far. Super impressive. Also, sexy sax solo in the bridge after a metal break down…cant say iv heard that done in a metal song before.
Sick! I’m gonna check this out for sure! The only time I can think of horns in a metal song is by this band Revocation. Love these guys. Their main guy/main guitarist and front man went to one of the best music colleges in the world Berklee School of music. He studied jazz and ploy rhythms but is a metal head. Kind of thrashy, techy, but awesome. Check out how they bring in the horn section at about 3 minutes. So cool!
Horns in metal songs? Check out Sear Bliss (from Hungary, btw), they’ve been doing it for ages.
Will also give a listen
Do it, you won’t be disappointed!
Oh sure, symphonic black metal and folk metal too. Sorry my post was short sighted. I was saying more of like, here’s a horn section out of the blue that isn’t really apart of their style.
Well deff give it a listen!
Roads okay around Bismarck today, kfey? We are heading that way at noon.
For today yes, Sat afternoon through Monday morning is going to be sketchy though. Hope you plan on heading back before then.
Fly out at noon. The current weather map shows snow arriving shortly after we leave – like 1 or 2 pm.
We are coming today because the doggos have to get checked into their spa hotel before six.
“They” are saying Glendive could get 18″ of snow Sunday, which means we’ll get six.
Sunny and beautiful here, ua balmy 22° according to my pickup
I listened over my lunch break, really dug it man! I’ll listen to more! Only thing… I wouldn’t consider this Metal core. Maybe I’m too old school to me Metal core is more Killswitch engage. Has the Djent 8 string guitar riffing so Melodic Progressive metal? Haha, so many sub-genres!
I could agree. They experiment with a lot in their songs. Some are more in line with traditional metal core, this one is more progressive for sure. I just love the tone and message on Canvas. Lotus and Overdose are my faves off the album.
Good Morning Skolbros!
QotD: With Jones being on a 1 year deal, I’d like to see Minny draft another RB.
A few RB’s I like:
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Will Shipley, Clemson
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
(All 3 could be gone in the 100+ picks that pass between the 1st round and 4th round)
Also wouldn’t mind another WR as I think WR3 is up for grabs and the current roster (outside of JJ & JA) is uninspiring. I like Powell, but I think he’s better suited at PR/WR4.
A few WR’s I like:
Devontez Walker, UNC
Luke McCaffrey, Rice
Jacob Cowing, Arizona
Walker will likely be gone early (kid will be a stud at the next level imo) but McCaffrey and Cowing should last into the 4th round.
Skol!
At WR I like Ladd McConkey, mainly so I can post these gifs if the Vikings draft heem!
Lol…. He’ll likely be gone by the 2nd round.
TPB Rec!
At the RB position I like Bucky Irving, 3 down back and a really good receiver.
I like him too. Shifty. Quicker than his 4.55 40 time would suggest. A bit undersized, but so was Warrick Dunn and he was a fantastic between-the-tackles runner.
I was really impressed with him as a freshman filling in for Ibrahim after he tore his achilles, was disappointed he transferred, but I understood, NIL money and he would have gotten sparse carries with Mo coming back the next year.
LOVE CONKEY… Ricky not so much lol.
I had a perfect bracket going until Kentucky fucked it up!
Ha! Got me too. Although I had them stopped in the elite 8 so it’s not terrible. So many people had them going to the Final Four.
Elite 8 is where I had them out as well, so yes, could be worse. I got a half day today, gonna hit the gym at 11:30, eat, then go into town and bar hop with some friends and watch the madness!
Pretty much the same for me. A few errands and bills to pay, take the dogs to see grandma and then settle in and watch games.
Got a houseful coming over tonight to play cards and watch games. Wife made a shitload of sangria and I spent last night turning a 1/2 ounce of WW into 30 mini-joints.
I took Houston to win it all.
Who you got?
Sounds like a party! I have SC winning it all over Creighton. Ill probably be disappointed come Sunday but, so will A LOT of others ha.
SC? South Carolina?
Oh sorry, UNC! my bad, Tar heals baby!
Gotcha. I’m actually a Creighton fan. Started following as a kid. Living in rural Nebraska as a kid we didn’t have anything but an antenna for TV. Would get KCAU out of Sioux City and they’d air the ‘Tony Barone Show’ on Sunday nights late and I became a fan (Barone went on to coach in the NBA) I follow NU basketball too but when they play each other I’m all Bluejay. It’s not popular down here to root for Creighton Basketball & Nebraska Football, which is stupid.
Meh, college rivalry’s are dumb, I dont get why people stay committed to their schools after they graduate, like, you spent most of your time there getting shit faced anyway why get pissy over one of their sports teams. But interesting! Well heres to them making it to the SHIP!
Good question. I am not really connected to any of the schools that I attended, however, I still follow and root for Minnesota sports teams even though I haven’t lived in MN since 1986. It’s probably a disease.
It’s definitely
probablya disease. FIFYI get it. Born in Minny but haven’t lived there for many, many years. I root for the Gophers (when not playing NU) and was a big T-Wolves fan during Garnett’s heyday. And the Twins, I love the Twins.
Well, South Carolina lost to Oregon.
I meant UNC, im hung over leave me alone!
Yup. And I picked Oregon. Got that upset right.
my upset for today is JMU over Wisconsin.
That’s a good pick. I got the Duquesne and Oregon upsets right. Feel good so far.
I got Duquesne as well.
As did I
Haven’t gotten a single one wrong yet.
But you probably haven’t gotten a single one right either…..
Didn’t say anything about that. I couldn’t tell you any of the teams even playing.
Thats because you didnt even make a bracket….
NCAA march madness wrestling day 2 about to start. Penn St. dominating as usual, Gophers kind of disappointing, only 2 in the quarters, #2 seed Salazar expected to be there, but out of nowhere #26 VomBaur scored a big time upset in the first round in sudden victory, then dominated in the second round. Bunch of other Gophers in wrestlebacks.
men in leotards?
That’s gross
I think this is how girls feel about scantily clad women posters and posts and such.
Yeah, probably
It is.
Actually, my cousin won the State championship in 1975.
So I get the wrestling thing.
Nope, nothing wrong with that. Complete normal and healthy. Has no past trauma or family issues growing up.
He was born that way
How’s Iowa doing? There’s a couple Billings kids wrestling there.
2nd, I think 10 points behind PSU
This looks uncomfortable.
Depth Chart as of now
It would be interesting to actually be able to read that.
I don’t want to give up my info to open the magic door.
They already have your info.
I bet Slush watches and listens to his stuff every day!
You don’t have to subscribe, that article if free
I have to create a “free account” login with an email.
Which means I will have to agree to spam.
Yup, I said what I said but also refused lol.
IDK, when I clicked on it it just took me to the article, here it is
Quarterback
Starter: Sam Darnold
Depth: Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
It’s a whole new world. Kirk Cousins moved on, and the Vikings replaced him with an experienced if unspectacular option. Darnold, 26, has started 56 NFL games and thrown 63 career touchdown passes against 56 interceptions. Minnesota’s staff believes a better developmental environment, featuring a familiar quarterbacks coach and a handful of elite skill players, can raise Darnold’s ceiling. Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s rhythm and timing-based system mirrors what Darnold has played in the last few seasons.
The elephant in the room here is the potential draftee addition. Minnesota is putting time into exploring the 2024 quarterback class. The Vikings have the draft capital to climb aggressively if they choose to. Mullens could provide insurance if the Vikings want a youngster to sit, learn and develop, but that would likely mean cutting the recently drafted Hall.
Running back
Starter: Aaron Jones
Depth: Ty Chandler, Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride
Thus far, Jones is the biggest positional upgrade of the offseason for the Vikings. He may be 29, but his production is marginally better than what the Vikings have had the last two years. In 2022, Dalvin Cook averaged 4.4 yards per carry and amassed a 34.5 percent rushing success rate, according to TruMedia. Last year, Alexander Mattison averaged 3.9 yards per carry and tallied a 37.2 percent rushing success rate. Jones bested those numbers in both seasons. His combined statistics over the last two years? Five yards per carry with a 44.2 percent rushing success rate.
Expect Chandler to work in tandem with Jones, too. Both are explosive. Both can catch. If healthy, the duo has the potential to be dynamic.
Fullback
Starter: C.J. Ham
Last year, O’Connell implemented a third-down strategy Kyle Shanahan had used in San Francisco. Like Kyle Juszczyk, Ham was a primary pass blocker on third down in the backfield. Ham played more snaps on third down (84) than any other and blocked effectively. He’ll fill a similar role in 2024.
Receiver
Starters: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell
Depth: Jalen Nailor, Trent Sherfield, Daylen Baldwin, N’Keal Harry, Lucky Jackson, Trishton Jackson, Malik Knowles, Thayer Thomas
Introductions aren’t necessary for Minnesota’s No. 1 and 2 receivers. Jefferson is as dynamic a playmaker as there is, and Addison is a budding go-to option.
The major question at receiver revolves around the No. 3 option. K.J. Osborn signed with the New England Patriots, leaving a void for a smart player who can assist the run-blocking unit. O’Connell likes Powell and prioritized bringing him back. Health is the issue with Nailor, while Sherfield is a big-bodied slot option. The Vikings could also draft a receiver late to add to the mix.
Tight end
Starter: T.J. Hockenson
Depth: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
The Vikings will likely provide an update on Hockenson’s ACL rehab next week in Orlando at the NFL league meetings. His health will be a popular talking point as training camp dawns.
Behind him is a trio of reliability. Oliver displayed his versatility last year, Mundt is one of O’Connell’s favorites and the Vikings trust Muse’s progression. If you were to rank the team’s confidence level at each position, tight end might take the top spot.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Blake Brandel, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Ed Ingram, RT Brian O’Neill
Depth: David Quessenberry, Dan Feeney, Coy Cronk, Tyrese Robinson
Brandel is the obvious option at left guard until the Vikings sign Dalton Risner or another guard — or use a draft pick on a potential starter. Vikings coaches have raved about Brandel dating to last year’s training camp.
Depth might be another issue here. Quessenberry is a capable swing tackle. He was thrust into the Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons and held his own. Feeney is likely a replacement for Austin Schlottmann. It still feels like the Vikings need more.
Interior defensive line
Starters: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery
Depth: Jonah Williams, Jaquelin Roy
If defensive coordinator Brian Flores is OK with relying on his scheme to create pressure, this slate of defensive tackles is serviceable. Phillips and Bullard are reliable run stoppers. Tillery is a long-shot bet with potential upside as a former first-round pick.
Williams is more of a run defender than a pass rusher, and Roy, who played 95 snaps last year, is a candidate to take a step forward. The Vikings haven’t spent much money here, so it would be misguided to expect premium production.
Edge rusher
Starters: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel
Depth: Jihad Ward, Patrick Jones II, Andre Carter II
Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum played well last year, but the Vikings have more upside with these two starters — if Greenard and Van Ginkel stay healthy. Greenard is like Hunter in that he can move around on the front and he rarely drops into coverage. Van Ginkel, on the other hand, dropped into coverage on 147 snaps last season and has the size and range to thrive in that role. This should foster flexibility for Flores.
Ward arrives after playing for former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. His familiarity with a blitz-heavy approach should give him an edge in a multiple role like the one the Vikings had planned for Wonnum last season before Marcus Davenport was injured.
Linebacker
Starters: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr.
Depth: Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah, Abraham Beauplan
The Vikings relied heavily on their off-ball linebacker spot last season. Jordan Hicks coordinated all communication on the field. He also occupied large swaths of grass between the hashes. Cashman excelled in these facets last season in Houston. But can he duplicate that from a performance standpoint and remain on the field? If so, the Vikings defense should feel more athletic. Cashman’s presence should also allow Flores to weaponize Pace as a pass rusher.
Slot defender
Starter: Josh Metellus
Metellus played 94.1 percent of the Vikings’ defensive snaps last season. He managed safety tasks, aligned in the slot and occasionally blitzed from the edge. To call him a safety, off-ball linebacker or nickel corner would be wrong. Next Gen Stats categorized Metellus as a “slot defender,” and we’ll do the same. Metellus will figure prominently in Flores’ creative exploits in 2024.
Safety
Starters: Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum
Depth: Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Lewis Cine
Minnesota made it clear after the season that it wanted Smith back. Part of what made the old New England Patriots defenses so consistent was their safety continuity. The Vikings have it, and they trust Smith and Bynum. Coaches love Jackson (and Metellus). Ward and Cine have a lot to prove entering the season as there’s likely to be fierce competition for the 53-man.
Cornerback
Starters: Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin
Depth: Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., NaJee Thompson, Jaylin Williams, Joejuan Williams, A.J. Green III
More often than not in 2023, Flores opted for nickel personnel, meaning five defensive backs. Most of the time, three of those five defensive backs were safeties. That left two corners: Murphy and Evans. Neither starred, though Murphy was more consistent. Griffin isn’t a high-end answer on the outside, but his inclusion should fortify the secondary. Thompson should continue in his gunner role, but the rest of the group will compete for some of the team’s final roster spots.
Specialists
Starters: John Parker Romo, Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola
Romo kicked for the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL last year, going 17-of-19 on field goal tries. Replacing Greg Joseph will require one characteristic: dependability.
Wright, meanwhile, struggled in his second season and will enter 2024 needing to prove he can be more accurate in the red zone. DePaola is a team leader and All-Pro long snapper.
Returner
Starter: Kene Nwangwu
The kick returner had only 15 returns last year. The Vikings could opt for Chandler in this spot, but if they prefer to keep a difference-maker, Nwangwu makes sense.
Thanks Ben !
After reading this, I think we need another solid linebacker and an inside DL in the draft.
Pace was solid last year, Cashman is good, though he has had issues with injuries
Thanks!
I think the cure is to get all the best players in FA, then trade our worst players for other team’s best players, and draft all the best players.
I generally agree with filling the defensive holes with solid but not super high priced FAs, Cashman, Griffen, Greenard, Ginkel all solid yet unspectacular signings. I do wish they’d bring in someone better than Feeney on the interior oline and Tillery on the IDL.
Copy and paste it for us! lol
Ok,
7am here.
Heading out, should be in Boise in about 12hrs.
#nojinx
Safe travels.
Nice…I don’t think ID supposed to get snow until Saturday night.
Wonder if that Eli and his grumpy old man will show up today.
Didn’t know Archie was grumpy
In a perfect world the Vikings draft McCarthy at 11 and the great white hope at 23.
Who’s the great white hope?
Cooper DeJean
Another round 1 safety?
He’s a CB, and an elite PR, some “pundits” have suggested he move to safety, but that’s just because they’re racist
Ok.
Drafttek has him listed as a S.
I have seen him listed as both. Pick your site. Flores can choose.
I don’t know why, he played CB his entire career in college
Why are they saying he would move to safety? He’s fast enough to be a CB.
Because he’s not tan enough to play corner.
He’s fast enough for sure, he is a bigger CB though at 6’1 205 and of course there’s that being white part
Do you really think the being white is part of it? I honestly can’t tell if you are just being a smart ass or not lol.
Could be or not. I remember back in the day when there were no white running backs at all. I think the NFL can be racist at times, maybe not intentionally, but it seems to have happened.
I actually do think there is some stereotyping
Big time
I think the last regular starting white CB was Jason Sehorn, way back in the late 90’s or early 00’s
Yup. And even then he was more known for his then-wife Angie Harmon
Hawt!
I like Angie. Definitely one of my crushes back in the day.
Yeah.
Harry takes a lot of BS…..
Yes, like Adam Thielen was sneaky athletic.
Lunch pail guy
I was thinkin that’s who you were saying. I worked with a DeJean that had to be cousins with him. He would say he would be gone because he and his family were going to Iowa to watch his cousin play football. That kid moved, that was 3 years ago, but I have put 1 and 1 together lol.
I would rather do a short trade back into the 30s, get another decent pick and Take Sweat Massive DL from Texas.
Although I wouldn’t complain about DeJean.
Agreed. Get a big D Lineman.
Elite CB helps the pass rush, elite pass rusher helps the coverage, either way good
QOTD…
A few options……
If the Vikings sit and draft a QB at 11 or 23, I want Edge with the other pick.
Verse, Latu or Robinson should be available.
If the Vikings trade up to take a QB there are no picks until round 4.
My hope is that KAM trades up into the 2nd or 3rd rounds.
I would go with interior OL.
Round 2: Center – Barton out of Duke or Guard Beebe out of Kansas State.
Round 3: Center – Van Pran out of Georgia or either Guards….Puni from Kansas or Zinter from Michigan.
If we aren’t picking until the 4th round……
Center Limmer from Arkansas or McMahon from NC St.
Edge Isaac from Penn St.
Where is the Haynes kid projected to go these days?
Around 60 according to the mock draft database
Yep.
Late round 2 prospect.
Right around where Ingram got drafted, he needs to make a big leap next season.
He’s possible as well.
You want to draft Edgecrusher with a first round pick? 🙂
An Edgecrusher for sure.
I am off to take my mom to get hearing aids today, which will actually make my life easier. When I watch the Vikings with her, she cranks all of the C-level announcers to 11. Plus, I won’t have to repeat everything I say to her.’
The only drawback is she will maybe finally hear the music I play when I drive her places. Bang your head, mom!
After she puts them in, start mime talking, just moving your lips and say nothing. Act like you are trying to talk louder and louder… See how she reacts.
FYI….hearing aids make everything louder.
She still may not hear you when there is a lot of other noise.
You also won’t be able to sass back anymore.
Ok, not such a big deal
Makes me wonder why more GMs don’t go this route, especially for QBs.
It’s all smokescreens. I think they are in Michigan and had a private workout scheduled for last night or tonight. They have to take the same approach with Maye and Daniels now or it’s just an obvious ploy. Unless that’s what Kwesi wants us to think and it’s a double screen? Maybe somebody can watch his interviews and decipher and interpret them like they used to do with the Rick Speak articles on the DN.
I remember the Rickspeak articles Ted did, they were pretty good. I also remember Teddy sucked at the combine so Norv did a private workout with him. Maybe this will be similar.
Wasn’t it Teddy’s Pro Day where he decided to throw without gloves where he looked really bad?
Pro day or combine, can’t remember but yeah he threw without gloves
I think we draft IOL and RB to solidify the offense.
I agree and would like to see them get a WR too. Brenden Rice would make a nice #3.
Most likely late round IOL and mid round RB IMO. Probably another late round WR too.
late round IOL as in late in the first round? Or late in the 2nd round?
Vikings have no 2nd round or 3rd round picks, currently.
I’m aware, thought it was obvious I was just being a smart arse.
Late round as in 6th, they gave Brandel a contract that would indicate he is more than just a depth guy.
I know what you meant, I was being a hopeful wise ass.
noted.
Agree to both of those, might add a project TE to handle some rebs while Hock recovers.
I sometimes take Span-Ford (if he is still there) or a high RAS, small school guy like Heins from S.D. State the 7th.
Spann-Ford has decent athleticism, he’s 6’6 260 and if he put on 10 more lbs he could be a monster blocker as well as a decent pass catcher.
It’s Friday, finally! On the train back home from Vienna, should get there in about an hour. Will be celebrating my niece’s birthday tomorrow, looking forward to that.
Hope Queasy and KOC can get us that elusive QBOTF but not really optimistic that they’ll get a good one, because Vikings.
SKOL, FTP and FT*!
Also, FIRST!
1st Auto rec
I’m way more optimistic that KOC can identify said QB and KAM can figure out how to navigate the draft to get him than I ever was in Rick, who made a horrible reach for Ponder, and later Zim with Teddy, who I really liked but even his knee explosion aside did not look like a top ten QB.
NEVER besmirch the name of the great Theodore Bridgewater!
I do have some hope that KOC especially is able to identity a valid prospect, that nagging feeling that they’ll somehow fuck it up (because Vikings, we are not allowed to have nice things) just won’t go away. We’ll find out.
Skol!
I saw a rumor about France sending a couple thousand troops into Russia. Haven’t seen anymore of that and all it said was it was news in Europe but not the US so that when Russia retaliates our government can make Russia the bad guy. Any credence to that?
French are a bunch of pansies
I only know the most basic of French words like, “I surrender”
If it wasn’t for the French we’d care what’s happening to Kate Middleton right now and be discussing it with our morning tea.
True, plus they gave us the Statue Of Liberty
And Louisiana….
But they kept Canada.
US should have bought Cuba too
Cheese-eating surrender monkeys…..
Macron had one of his crazier moments when he mentioned that in a speech, MSM of course ran with it.
Wouldn’t put it past the lunatics that lead the EUSSR to get directly involved in that war, though. Lot of french and German politicians are clamoring for more and more direct involvement.
Skol!
I for one think it would be great for those lazy buggers to do some of the heavy lifting. Better than building a Maginot Line.
I’d agree 100% if that wouldn’t mean that the whole continent could (or rather would) go up in flames if the cheese eating head surrender monkey gets his wish.
Yup, this unfortunately if they get their wish. The war mongering, esepcially from the “green” party in Germany is sickening. They’ve been campaigning with anti-war slogans, of course, and did a 180 when they found themselves in power.
Good morning, SKOL!
FTP!