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VIKINGS NEWS –
Kwesi gone. That is really the biggest news. From all accounts we are hearing the narrative that KOC wanted to keep either Darnold, the super bowl QB, or Daniel Jones. Kwesi did not want to spend the money. JJ was not ready. Team failed. End of story. There is probably a lot more that went into the decision, like the poor drafts and preponderance of contracts given to often injured free agents that sometime panned out but usually did not.
Where does the team go from here? No idea. KOC wanted Maye as his QB, so for that reason alone I am very glad coach is still here. At least for a few more years. JJ needs to improve a lot, or KOC will be looking for work in the next two years unless he creates another solid player from someone else’s cast off again.
NFL News – FTP!
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Car dealers are pretty insidious, creating fees out of thin air that people pay without really thinking.
Here’s a few you need to watch for:
Market adjustment – $1,995
Dealer prep fee – $495
Advertising fee – $695
Paint protection – $899
Nitrogen tire fill – $199
$4,283 added after you already negotiated a deal. They put all this on the paperwork and folks just usually sign on the dotted line as they say.
I always push back. I say remove the fees or I’m leaving. They remove them. They’re not losing a 3 hour sale over charges they made up.
Here’s when dealers are most desperate:
December 31st. End of month, quarter, and year. Quotas and bonuses on the line. They’ll take deals they’d reject any other day.
Here’s the best method to use when buying a car:
email 5 dealers before going:
“I’m buying [exact car] this week. Looking for the best out-the-door price including all taxes and fees. Comparing offers.”
This forces the dealers to compete with each other, and locks everything in.
No room for ghost fees.
I have told The Teacher before that dealerships see customers that come in like cows that need to be milked.
She doesn’t like that as she likes to go back to the dealership for all of her maintenance and checkups.
Another thing… never start your negotiation from the MSRP. That’s the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. It’s the “sticker price” of the car that most folks pay. Demand to see the dealers invoice cost which is allegedly what the dealer paid for the car. Dealerships get a lot of “kickbacks” from manufacturer’s on car sales that people know nothing about though so even that invoice cost isn’t exactly the cost to the dealership. Why? Because there are hidden car dealership rebates, or “dealer cash,” that are unadvertised, manufacturer-to-dealer incentives (often $1,000s) used to boost sales on specific, usually slower-selling or older, models. These incentives increase dealer profit margins. So even paying BELOW the invoice price allows for a dealer to make a profit on a sale. Key strategies to uncover them include asking, comparing multiple dealer offers via email, checking independent research sites for incentives, and shopping at month-end. Again, always pit dealerships against each other. Always show them what other dealer’s offers are, so they can offer you a better deal. Then allow the other dealers to counter that deal. Whittle them down, little by little.
So don’t be afraid to say “I’ll offer you $250 under the invoice price, and no more for this car”. Of course tax, tag, and title fees will be added. Even those are bloated, and add to the dealer’s profit, so added to the “dealer cash” they’re getting from the manufacturer, they’re making a good profit. Also, only finance a car through your own bank or credit union. Dealerships make money off the “financing” scam too.
In case you were unaware, Roc Nation (headed by Jay-Z) has acted as the strategic entertainment advisor for the halftime show since 2020, helping to curate performers.
The U.N. has spent the better part of the last 25 years passing anti America and anti Israel resolutions. They hate the U.S. and they hate Israel openly. Too bad that without the U.S. money they’ve been taking in, they’re insolvent. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
Thats fine, we have the Board Of Peace now instead.
Trump is replacing the U.N. for sure. I just love seeing these losers crying because they’re out of money without the U.S.
The US should be paying them exactly what they are worth, which is about $0.00.
Sad, sad, sad. How do things that start out as very well conceived and well intended get so fucked up. The UN is a total joke, worthless, and a total opponent of the US. That we give them any money at all is beyond foolish.
‘ How do things that start out as very well conceived and well intended get so fucked up’
Greed, Corruption, Power, or in other words Human Nature.
Trump ended all U.S. funding to the U.N. He saw the corrupt, anti-America institution for what it had become. Time to end it. As you said, started as a good idea, that became a terrible, corrupt organization, sucking up our tax dollars while condemning us every single day.
I guess that at least we do not have this issue in MN….
“‘Frozen’ iguanas everywhere: Florida roads, sidewalks, yards”
Laughing
Big deal down in the Palm beach and further south areas. Damn things just fall out of trees on you, your car or whatever. Nasty things but can’t move when it’s cold.
Lol
Also, wow the font there with your link. How did you do that?
Mike LeFluer headed to AZ.
That leaves the Raiders and Klint K Kubiak.
Is his middle initial really K?
That was my thought
I have no idea how this guy keeps getting hired…
DEI??
Although there are worse examples of that.
Same could be said of Saleh, he was absolute trash as a HC and got another HC job just one year after getting fired.
Well to be honest he was the HC of the Jets, so more of a NFL Junior Varsity HC.
They are a bad franchise, not as bad as Cleveland, but not good and honestly, only marginally better than Tennessee since their new owner took over and fired Vrabel.
He’s a good defensive coach, terrible HC, some guys are just like that.
Djokvick loses the Australian open in 4 sets.
Spainard is the youngest ever to win a ‘Career Grand Slam’ at 23.
Out with the Old and in with the New??
Looks like. Djokvick has been good for a long time.
Pretty much, Alcaraz and Sinner are both in their early 20’s and there’s basically nobody else near their talent outside of Djoker, who at this point just can’t physically hold up for an entire major victory, he had the luxury of a walkover and a two set match where his opponent got injured and he still looked completely worn out the last two sets of the finals. He kind of shot his wad against Sinner in the semis and looked like he didn’t have anything left after the first set in the finals. It would be nice if an American could actually do something, its been over 20 years since Andy Roddick won the US open. Before that it was arguably the most successful era of American tennis between Agassi and Sampras.
He’s been great.
As you note he’s gotten old and he almost always has to beat either Alcaraz or Sinner to get to a final, and if he does he then has to beat the other to win. Those guys are the next generation of tennis greatness.
In the last 34 years, the Packers have had basically three continuous starting QB’s. Favre, Rodgers, and Love.
This is pretty amazing. FTP but damn…
Reason #54 to hate that team.
But yeah, good GMs and scouting really has an impact.
They’re like the steelers, except instead of HCs its QBs. Love is nowhere near Favre or Rodgers yet though.
Agreed, but in 15 games he threw 23 TD’s against just 6 interceptions with a 101.2 passer rating. He’s a competent QB who at times will put up some big plays, while being generally very consistent the rest of the time.
Yeah, he’d good not great at this point, but they’ll end up with like 45 straight years of good to elite QB play while the Vikings keep cycling through retreads and scrubs with the occasional few seasons of competence sprinkled in.
Yep… here’s what I’d do if I was a GM with a QB problem. I’d find a solid vet, and bring him in to run the offense for at least three years. Then I would look for a guy in the draft who shows two things. A fast brain, and an accurate arm. These days teams are enamored with the dual threat, super athlete at QB. I want a guy who can execute an offense. A guy who can play from the pocket effectively. I’d draft a guy I think meets those criteria, and work with him every day on understanding the offensive scheme, and how it works against the many coverage schemes he’ll face. Cover 0 to Cover 6, and all the zone/man hybrid schemes. Make sure he knows all the offensive variations for every play like the back of his hand. make sure knows the plan for pressure. Make sure he can adjust his protection at the line. Make sure he can get to a hot read immediately. Work his brain and ensure he’s got it. Then when he’s ready, let him go out and show you what he’s got.
I’d say the odds are better than 50/50, that JJ is gone in 2026.
My trick knee is acting up.
Could happen… would be better for us if he made a big leap this year and started living up to his billing, but your knee could be right.
I think you are on to something, but I would expect JJ to be gone in 2027.
I think they draft a QB again this season OR pick up an established vet or both. Have an open competition, and JJ will get hurt putting on his shoulder pads or something.
Next year (2027) JJ is either gone or the starter. They may want to give him one more season.
At least we have exciting off-seasons here.
I think a play for a vet will happen.
Burrow
Kirko
Douche
KOC is on the hot.
He needs a QB to keep his job
If they can get Burrow, that would be like falling into a gold mine.
But if you fall into a gold mine, chances are you are dead or severely injured….I would rather “stumble upon” a gold mine.
But for us ‘old guys’ a ‘stumble’ is just the first part of a ‘fall”.
true enough.
Unlikely
No
Fuck no
McCarthy or JJets?
McFragile
I doubt it but never know, his draft stock is about as low as possible right now. He is still very young and has only started what, 10 games? Biggest issue is he can’t stay on the field.
It is.
I won’t be shocked if a trade for a big name QB happens.
JJ isn’t worth much, so yeah it’s likely a third round or later.
Just for context JJ (QB) did finish the year on a ‘relatively’ high note leading the Vikings to a 4-0 record over that stretch with a passer rating of 100.4.
Oh and FTP as always.
We played the four worst defenses in the entire NFL in those four games, and they were playing mostly backup’s so if he couldn’t do well against that, he shouldn’t be out there. Also, his second to last game against the Giants, he only completed 9 passes, and had a passer rating of 58, so he was far from the reason we won. So, things are relative when it comes to his play. I remain unconvinced that he has what it takes to be a really good, consistent QB in the NFL. We’ll see in about 90 days what KOC thinks of McCarthy when OTA’s start and after the draft.
The 2027 draft class for QB’s is shaping up to have some guys with potential.
Yes, we get you don’t think much of McFragile. He is the Anti KC in your view, he does nothing right and everything is his fault.
Since KC is long gone, maybe the ‘Anti Sam’ is more appropriate.
I call them the way I see them, and the proof of the pudding is in the eating. He’s ranked 45th in the league in passer rating and also completion percentage. He has 11 TD’s and 12 interceptions in 10 games. He missed wide open receivers by a wide margin repeatedly.
No, I do not have a high opinion of all that.
and he can’t “layer” the ball….at least I haven’t seen it…
Kurt Warner said he isn’t a natural passer of the ball, and inaccurate. He said inaccurate passers don’t get that much better over time. This has been my position on McCarthy as well, since before the draft. All I’ve ever heard about McCarthy is he has the “it” factor, and all the intangibles in the world. Unfortunately, in the NFL you actually need the tangibles to be any good.
Can McCarthy be the exception to the rule? There’s always that chance. It would be great for the Vikings if he were.
I generally agree with you…but we kind of heard the same stuff about Josh Allen, and apparently he worked diligently on his mechanics his first 2 years and improved himself tremendously….so not quite ready to say JJ can’t do it, but I am skeptical.
I mean his 1st two years with the bills he was a 76 qb rating quarterback….he has been rock solid ever since.
He’s been decent as a passer, since his first 2 seasons. He’s had 2 years out of 8 where he had a strong completion percentage. His career completion rate is 64% which is decent. Not exceptional, decent. Note how Allen has never been to a Super Bowl either. Finally, I’ll say this overtly. McCarthy is about half the athlete Allen is in the NFL.
The Cowboys and Lions were playoff contenders when we played them. Yes their defenses were not great due to injuries and some weird thing going on with Diggs, but they were contenders and needed to beat us to keep their playoff chances alive.
The Giants game was the game where JJ fractured his hand right before the half. Maybe that had something to do with his ranking, also our running game was on point that day.
Needing to beat us, does not make them a viable team. That’s what one calls rationalization. They were bad teams, with bad defenses, and they got beat by a bad team with a good defense.
I agree JJ looked much more comfortable his last few starts vs the first few. Still has a long ways to go.
He could be very good. He is not there yet, at all. If we had a viable backup/competition, and JJ was the floor vs Brosmer and dead wentz, I would feel better going into next season..
I am more worried about his injuries than I am his development. Sucking his first year was pretty much expected. Was just hoping for some signs of improvement and development. By the end of the year he wasn’t soaked in ‘Suckatude’ so I count that as a win.
Physically can he hold up the NFL level beatings he will need to take? Was his ‘injuries’ played up as he wasn’t ready to be the starting QB? These questions have me concerned.
His injuries, and his wussyness.
Allen plays with a broken foot.
Herbert plays with a broken arm.
Darnold playing through pain.
McFragile walks to the sidelines.
I can understand the broken hand injury if he couldn’t grip the ball with his throwing hand, Herbert’s was in his non throwing hand so not exactly the same
Concussions are not really an injury a player can choose to play through, they have to pass protocol
The ankle is the one that is kind of confusing, one would think he could have been back sooner, especially since Wentz also was playing through injury. Maybe KOC was holding him back because even an injured Wentz gave them a better chance to win, IDK.
The meniscus, just a freak injury or does he also have skinny knees?
What I find strange is that all of these injuries were revealed or he reported symptoms a while after they occurred, the hand was several plays later, the concussion after the game on the way home, the ankle and knee were the next day.
Brosmer was supposed to just be the PS/emergency 3 guy, but JJ can’t stay healthy to save his life, Wentz played through broken shoulder until he couldn’t. They need to bring in a decent backup, Jimmy G, Minshew, or someone to actually challenge for the position like a Mac Jones. Should probably draft someone as well for development in the mid rounds so they aren’t left starting a UDFA rookie who really had no business being on the field.
I can’t imagine this was KOC’s plan.
We all better hope this was KAMs idea.
I do not believe KOCs plan was to go into the season with JJ the guaranteed starter and Wentz signing like 2 weeks before the start and scrub UDFA as the 3rd QB, KOC also reported did not want Howell. If Wentz had stayed healthy the Vikings probably squeeze out one more win and make the playoffs, likely one and done but at least Brosmer isn’t forced to play. Seems odd when KAM and KOC were hired all the talk was about consensus and collaboration, but from all the information recently, it seems as though the GM did what he wanted despite input from the HC to the contrary.
Saw this about KAM…
“Following the birth of his first child, the general manager left for paternity leave, missing about two weeks of training camp meetings and practices and working remotely during that stretch. Word of his time away from the team traveled quickly around the league. Among some rival executives and coaches, it was met with disbelief.
In an NFL culture where many players, coaches, and executives proudly acknowledge missing the births of their children, taking time away to care for a newborn and support a partner remains uncommon.”
Just think what would have happened to a player in that training camp, who did this same thing?
No need for two weeks paternity leave for a guy making that kind of money. I have coworkers taking advantage of the 6-12 week paternity leave and I see them going on vacations. Drives me nuts. If you are needed at home to help, that is one thing. Companies are leaving MN in droves thanks to Walz and his ministry of silly things….
Yeah, I certainly accept that having a life balance is a good thing, but as a man who worked 15 hour days and deployed for months and years at a time, I’m not the best example of that.
In the end, if that’s the lifestyle you want, pick a vocation where it’s practical.
My son, whose wife is expecting, told me an interesting story.
He is in the consulting business and his company has the same liberal lesve for fathers. Said two of his friends took the full 12 weeks.
Seems within a month of both coming back to work, both were laid off. Seems the company figured out a way to get by without them.
Told him don’t take more than a week.
Smart!
Both of the guys I know used the full 12 weeks, but took vacations and interviewed for other jobs. Went back to work, and within a week gave notice.
Ballsy. I would not do that, even though I know companies do not really care about people other than pretending to. Reputation matters and you never know when you will run into a former boss.
I took a week (had to use vacation pay as this was back in the stone age) for each of my children. By then, I was ready to go back to work.
12 weeks is the federal law.
Not paid, but 12 weeks without losing your job.
FMLA.
Yes, but for the company I work for it is fully paid for 12 weeks.
That seems excessive to me.
I put in for two weeks when both of my children were born, I worked from home some, but both times I ended up back in the office before the first week ended, basically I stayed home a few days before going back as my wife had c sections both times so I wanted to make sure she didn’t have any major issues before I left her alone. I would have gone nuts from boredom being home for 2 weeks.
KAM could easily afford to have hired a doula or some other kind of caretaker to be there during the day after having his child, most people would not be able to. I understand wanting to be there and around your new child, but in the NFL where you have pretty unlimited resources, taking two weeks off is not going to be well received, I think JJ took the day off that his wife gave birth and was back the next day. That is pretty standard unless the birth falls on gameday, I’m guessing JJ would have missed the birth in that event.
I don’t think KAM understands how football people actually think and how football culture is, and football people in MN never really accepted/respected him as a GM because of that, well and he also sucked at his job too.
This is the main reason he is gone. If he had been less sucky at either the draft or bringing in quality FE, he would probably still be here.
Family first. Always. A newborn is no joke, and also a very blessed experience. Nuts to any job over family. Who cares what the world says. Jobs come and go.
That said, KAM sucked at his high-paying job, so the paternity leave I’m sure just added to the frustration of his coworkers.
I think it is more of a look at how most in the organization would not be able to take two weeks off. For sure no player or coach would.
That is the issue. Different rules for different class or hierarchy does not play well.
True, by comparison changes things. A leader wants to be in the fox hole with the troops, so to speak
So some folks are good with this at this point…
Do we get Alberta as part of the deal??
https://www.ft.com/content/11dc2140-6a5d-4536-b766-52c920affcc7
Man that Alberta thing is real.
They met with Trump Admins just few days ago, 3rd time that they have met.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/americas/alberta-independence-trump-canada-intl-hnk
Oh please God let it happen!!!
And while you’re at it take California too.
There’s some others, but those two are a good day’s work.
If we give up Commifornia do we have to take Quebec??
Those ‘Almost French’ types are stinky and entitled, I vote no.
Nope, give them both up for nothing.
And, getting rid of a liability is a net plus.
I would be thrilled with that. Wife would finally be willing to move to FL.
Although once Klobuchar wins and our taxes go up yet again, my wife may finally realize we do not need to continue to subsidize massive fraud and burdens on society that refuse to work…..
Even worse, ‘once Klobuchar wins’ she will appoint Tampon Tim to replace her in the Senate to complete that deal.
That is what I see happening as well.
I really hate this place….
I certainly hope your wife reconsiders her position, and you come on down to the Sunshine State Surly.
On Zillow right now scoping out 55+ areas within 20 minutes of the beach. I lean gulf side vs ocean, but I have only visited the Atlantic side. Lived in Sarasota for 6 months and love it.
It was a bit humid from May onward. Still way better than snow.
Florida has no state income tax and DeSantis is pushing for no real estate taxes.
Gulf or Atlantic, both are good.
Do think the 55 plus communities are more expensive and have much higher association fees. Of course, there is a lot of planned activities.
If you can entertain yourself, you can save fair amount of money going non 55 community.
I can entertain myself, but I want to drive around in a golf cart and annoy the young people….
Almost all non 55 communities ( regular ones) have tons of people with golf carts.
You just need a community with a golf course and fairly close to the beach.
Golf is a social event, wrapped in an athletic endeavor. It matters not how good you are. It’s a game, and you’re at play on a great big playground. The sunshine is good for your soul too.
It’s a great way to spend the later stages of your life.
What are the odds the “No property tax” happens in Florida? It is already one of the best retirement states due to low taxes, but if that happens It goes to an entire new level.
Lots of folks want it and I think DeSantis can make it happen. Florida’s economy is booming.
I sure hope he can make this happen.
Delaware.
No sales tax.
$1,500 property taxes on a 2021 home. 2,100 sq ft.
Income tax is about 6%, but the first $12,000 for people over 60 is non taxable.
And, retirement income is NOT taxable if over 60.
That includes SS, pensions, 401k, investments, interest, dividends.
Yeah but I once had a dead rat in a can of Delaware Punch more than 45 years ago.
So it is a hard NO for me.
Ventura is a moron, he should just become a Canadian citizen. I think he might be the last politician elected as an independent, not sure, I know there have been a few that switched after elected, like the bisexual lady from AZ and Manchin but not sure anyone has won as ind.
Speaking of which, I’ve read that there is a fair amount of support for Pete Najarian to run for Governor of MN based on his financial acumen, business connections, and lack of party affiliation. I doubt he will, his current lifestyle is chilling on the beach down in Florida during the winter doing interviews with the media about the stock market while wearing board shorts , then coming back to MN spending summers on a boat out on the lake while also doing interviews in board shorts,
He was pretty good in Predator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL7mC2X-hXc
Great, now I want to watch predator.
Whenever I catch Predator on TV I have to stop and watch it.
It is the quintessential 80s, guy, action movie.
Peter Keyes, Predator 2
played by this nutbag
Mr Joshua?
Please do
RIP Lou Holtz.
Good morning all.
31 degrees here in Tampa. Cold! Gonna stay cold for a while.
It’s my wife’s birthday. 55 years young.
Gonna be a great day so let’s get going! SKOL and FTP!!!
First!
Happy Birthday to your wife!
Cool 25 here in Orlando with a big cold wind from the North. No golf today.
Thanks JR. Yeah, it’s not good golf weather today for sure. I think Wednesday we’re going to warm up a bit to around a high of 68, but then Thursday we’re back down to a high in the 40’s.
This may be a heartless for a Sunday morning, but I’m having a hard time feeling bad for you guys.
Wait till you’re in your 70’s… you’ll understand… grin.
To a Floridian, 25 degrees is like minus 15 where you’re at.
My mom in Santa Barbara would complain about weather in the 30s. She believed she was dying once the weather reached the 90s though. This was while we were having temps in the 115+ range.
I guess all things are relative to expectations/experiences.
Yep
We just went through the real -15 last week. I still don’t feel bad for ya’ll.