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Vikings Discussion & Random Thoughts
Scrooge arrived early this season by giving the Vikings a huge lump of coal this year. Between injuries, bad play, incompetence and pissing off Jobu, it has been rough in 2025 for the Vikings. I am looking forward to 2026, I think. Two more games to evaluate Brosmer unless he is awful. If he is terrible, we will see Rypien. Not good.
I have no idea what needs to happen to fix this. Hey, at least they will have a last place schedule next year, right?
QB? Well, JJ looked much less awful in two games vs really terrible defenses. So that is something. I am actually looking forward to seeing if Brosmer can get the ball to Jefferson enough to get him his yards. Other than that, the QB room needs some upgrades.
What are the other weaknesses on this team? I know the interior lines on both sides of the ball need some serious help. I hate that the Draft is already more exciting than these last two games.
I do have a holiday themed question. Two, actually.
1. What is your favorite Holiday treat? Since I live in MN and it is probably against the law to offend someone with different beliefs, I will not ask about Christmas treats, but that is what I mean.
2. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
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Vikings @ Lions: A Game Day Celebration – Skoloholics
I have it up.
Will have the Christmas thread up soon.
Feliz Navidad
Laughing…
I am proud to live in a Sanctuary State, county and city.
2A Sanctuary that is.
Federal Guns Laws are not enforced here.
Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
The air conditioner was running
Because you live in the south
Kelly to IR…
Final injury report…
Mason out is ‘not good’. Hobbled Jones and Chandler will not be sufficient. Hope we get a break out game from Scott.
Greatest commercial ever made…
Love the 8 track tape with John Denver.
Whoever came up with this was special.
I have read that music is the best for bringing back memories for those with Dementia/Alzheimers.
Oh it for sure is, my non-profit company promoted a music and memory curriculum to be used in Nursing Homes. We should all be compiling our playlist from the best years of our lives for our caregivers to play if we end up in that situation….no joke.
I believe the ‘cassette tape’ of my playlist will be even less of viable option by the time I get to that stage.
I’ll tell my wife…
I’m not crying, you’re crying!!
John Wayne never taught me to cry. Lump in my throat and ‘cold like symptoms’ are as far as I go. Allegedly.
Amen, Brother. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas!
This is insidious… poisoning the minds of children in schools…
‘Almost’ as bad as Commifornia.
This is disgusting and downright pitiful. Kids can’t spell cat if you spot them the c and the a, but you’ve got time to teach this crap.
The Teacher worked in a School that was rated as ‘failing’ in reading/writing/math. The school, district, county, and state all piled on woke requirements that limited her to less than 3 hours of actual teaching a day, often closer to two hours. She ignored those woke requirements as best she could but risked her job to so.
I like your wife… I mean… you know.
I do know. I like your wife the same way.
Of course we are only getting biased information of the ladies.
#grin
You guys are way too old for that crap!
Laughing…
I resemble that comment.
Is it too soon?
This 3 round mock has a couple of decent choices but nothing for the IOL.
Maybe KAM is going to sign another oft injured free agent this offseason.
https://nflmocks.com/minnesota-vikings-3-round-nfl-mock-draft-clemson-standout-revitalizes-secondary-01kd639sjtda
First. No, it is not too soon.
Second. This is the second mock draft I have seen with the Vikes taking a RB in round 3. I would be o.k. with that.
We need a stud IOL/OC to open holes for the RB more then we do the RB to run thru those holes. FA and draft are our options for getting both and FAs are more expensive. I would guess that there are more running backs available to exploit the holes then there are OL-men to make them. And if you make the holes you don’t have to try to find RBs who can make their own or find their way around them.
TLDR version Trenches first.
True, I would hope we take an o-line in round 2. Fine with a CB in round 1.
CB, DE, FS, OL all our biggest needs IMHO.
And since we have 2 3rd picks getting all 4 early is a smart option.
Depending on who is available when prioritize them any way you want.
In the end, the GM has to have a viable plan to support a viable vision.
First order of business is to define the type of offense and defense you intend to field. Then determine if there is sufficient talent to execute those schemes. You have to look at the contracts, age, and performance of every player to assess their contributions vs what they are being paid. The coaches must be brutally honest with themselves regarding the players. That’s a very difficult thing to do sometimes. That specific trait though is fundamental to improvement.
I have always believed that you build from the trenches out. Build a great O-line and D-line as the core of your team. Obviously a competent, capable QB is a must have. Skill position players and DB’s are usually the highlight reel players people fawn over. Achieving a well rounded team and balancing the budget at the same time is a challenge that every GM faces. It takes horse sense, and a somewhat innate ability to blend players who can work as a unit. Simply holding meetings with scouts and coaches, all telling you which guys they like, isn’t enough. Putting 53 guys on the field with enough talent and commitment to achieve the objectives of the offensive and defensive schemes is what the GM is required to do. They have to have the knowledge, understanding, and actual plan to make a team a contender.
Here’s a thought I got from a guy today.
He’s a huge Steeler fan and said he believes the Steelers have maybe learned a hard lesson – no matter how good your roster, you aren’t doing squat with the fourth best QB in the division.
Thus, no matter who you draft or pick up, you have to address and fix the QB position.
Yep. That’s why I said “Obviously a competent, capable QB is a must have.”
Laughing…
About what she deserved, maybe a little hash.
Maybe tow the SUV away once she is locked inside.
“When you’re 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you’re 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you’re 60 you realize no one was ever thinking about you in the first place.”
Winston Churchill
I learned at an early age that ‘No one cares how you feel they care what you do’.
They may say that they care but it is in a abstract/nebulous way.
For years we played 4 on 4 football game. 6 kids 2 parents. When we started yrs ago I was always the first one picked for a team. Yrs later I was the second to last picked, my wife was last. Nobody beats father time. We couldn’t get up much speed because the snow was usually too deep.
Re: tobogganing, about 25 yrs ago on Christmas 2 of my daughters were careening down a hill and smacked a tree. One was knocked cold and had a T spine compression Fx, the other broke her talus (an ankle/foot bone).
Favorite snack, smoked mallard thinly sliced on a cracker, a piece of cheese, small dollop of dijon mustard.
R. Lee Ermey, RIP.
My favorite tradition was the day after Thanksgiving setting up the tree and decorations. Then Christmas morning was all presents. We never got to open any until Christmas morning (unlike my cousins). Also loved the tradition of Christmas Eve kids’ service and then a party at our house or an aunt/uncle’s house. We have a big family.
Best treat: pie. Lots of pie. The cream cheese pie thing (forget what it’s called) that my mom would make was/is always the best. My wife makes that for me now in memory of my mom.
This Christmas will be a tough one for our family too. First ever for me without Dad.
Mom had Christmas’s without him before they met, but this will be a bad one for her. Hopefully we can keep her mind occupied and she feels loved.
He’s watching over us and keeps showing up in many different ways – Mom sees him in the cardinals on her feeder. My sister sees him in the eagles that keep landing outrageously close her. I saw him in the owl that landed within arm’s reach on my deer stand railing last month, and I know he guided home the bullet that my son took his first deer with, gun stock stuck under his armpit instead of against his shoulder and Dad cushioned it enough so the scope only glanced off his cheek rather than slice him.
Merry Christmas to everyone, you crazy, wacky people I’ve never met (except GF – we got to fish together couple years back). Enjoy your time with family, forgive that person that might not be worthy of forgiving yet. Life’s short.
Our traditions include opening gifts to one another tonight, then tomorrow morning seeing what Santa brought. After gift opening tonight we kidnap the kids and go driving through neighborhoods to see the lights.
I don’t really have a favorite snack any more, but I get cranky if I don’t get one of those plastic candy canes full of generic M&Ms in my stocking every year, so I guess that qualifies.
Skol.
Same here, Northwoods. My Father passed away back in April. It’s going to be an empty Christmas for us, especially my Mother.
SKOL.
My mom has been gone for 19 Christmases now. The first one is the worst sure, but you will always miss them greatly at the holidays. Especially Christmas for our family.
Remembering/sharing memories of your dad is a tough but good thing to do. Blessings on you and your fam.
Same here my father past this pass July. He lived in Minnesota and me in Montana so the feeling isn’t so acute. I’ve spent Christmas in MT for decades. Weird thing, my dad was a big silver buyer as a hobby, I saw silver went up to >$70/ ounce yesterday and thought I gotta text pops, then I remembered.
Last week I actually sent Dad a text message.
You never know…….
I have unopened e-mails from both my brother and my Nana.
We would share funny stories/jokes frequently.
I figured as long as I don’t open/delete them then a part of them will always be with me.
That is truly special.
I know I’m a day early, but tomorrow will probably be a bit busy so I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas in case I can not do so tomorrow.
love you buddy, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks Phillip!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas, VP!
Merry Christmas!
As for a favorite Christmas treat, I guess I don’t have a favorite, but I enjoy most Christmas cookies.
Our traditions have changed through the years as family grew and then shrunk. Now we seem to always travel on Christmas. Some years we go to my nephew’s place in St Louis and then other years, like this year, we fly to where ever the grandkids are. This year it is Washington state. So now I look fondly back on the memories of when my parents were still alive and we would all gather at the church dining hall (my dad was pastor) and there would be 20 to 40 of us all gathered together eating and talking and watching the kids play with all of their new presents.
Life marches on VP, although sometimes we wish it wouldn’t
Our old traditions growing up were going to my Mom’s parents on Christmas Eve, and having Swedish meatballs and ham and a lot of different homemade cookies that we had helped bake.
Christmas day was with my Dad’s side of the family(they drink a lot) so it started with Tom & Jerry’s with brandy and rum. Even for a 10 year old. After the big meal (usually just like Thanksgiving with some different desserts and lefse included) the kids would be sent off to a movie to the adults would get a break.
Still salty about going to see Robin Hood at Southdale Cinema that they advertised as the cartoon Disney one, but it was the old live Disney movie from the 50s.
that 50s one kind of sucked.
My Christmas memory was my older brother and I going down to the basement at 2am to see what Santa brought. Then acting surprised with the family in the morning.
You learned the art of deceit as a young boy! (I think we all did).
When I was 14 I still had a paper route, and that year we got an Atari 2600. So of course I get up at 4:30 am to deliver papers, but I see the Atari already hooked up since Dad wanted to test it the night before.
Space Invaders was the game that came with. I pretty much ran delivering papers so I could get home and fire that up. I played for over an hour before my angry father came dowstairs “Turn that damned thing off and go back to sleep!”.
I asked if I could just play with no sound.
By the time the family was awake, I was ready for a different game since I had the pattern memorized.
Since the military had different ideas for our family growing up rather than a stable location close to family, and I made the decision as a young adult to move to another country, I don’t have real solid family traditions.
My favorite memories were as a young kid (6 or so) and staying at my mom’s parents farm, lots of tobogganing and outdoor activities with my cousins, getting wicked frostbite, opening presents together, etc. I think grandpa yanked us around behind a pickup on an old car hood doing cookies on a slough.
My wife and I have a tradition of driving around Christmas Eve and looking at lights.
I don’t really have any favorite treats. I enjoy almost any food.
“tobogganing” is not a term you hear much anymore.
Sounds like fun!
I think growing up in a military family would kind of suck for the reasons you highlighted.
There was a hill on Whitemud drive in Edmonton. They have fenced it off since but you used to be able to toboggan all the way from the top. For a six year old it was like a mountain, but I would guesstimate it is about a 1/3 mile run with about 600 foot elevation drop. You would scream down that hill like no one’s business, many times wiping out and getting plowed over by other kids, good times. However, that was also a great memory, if no one else was around my dad would say, “boy I am tired from pulling the toboggan up the hill, I’m just going to lie down and rest for awhile”, whereby he would lie down supine in the toboggan perched at the top of the hill, of course I would push him down the hill and he would wipe out somewhere about halfway down, man I laughed and laughed.
This is that hill now, didn’t have that partition or stairs back in my youth.
looks like it is still being used and enjoyed.
I bet you walked uphill both ways back in the day……
Great memory! Good dad too.
We had a hill with a curvey isolated road a few miles out of town we would go down once a year or so. It was long, dad would load the kids and sleds in a station wagon and drive to the top. Of course steering a sled or toboggan is nearly impossible so very few made it all the way to the bottom.
Definitely a Canadian. Or at the very least, a “Northerner”.
We had one of those that held all 5 of us.
Toboggans are indestructible. Sleds always break.
This^^^, although you could kind of steer a sled, not a Toboggan.
I don’t know if you can claim to be an old northerner without having at least on toboggan smash up.
We are in a battle with Detroit for the fourth place schedule next year. C’mon Vikings, don’t screw this up!
I read an article that said historically the Vikings do better the year after finishing 3rd place then they do after finishing 4th place. Losing is for losers. Go VIKES! Beat Detroit! (ain’t no way in hell that is happening).
Favorite Family Tradition:
In years gone past we used to drive 45 minutes to my parent’s house on Christmas Eve morning and commence with Lefse making – it was a team effort, my wife and my mother are expert Lefse makers, my son is pretty good too. I would bring a box of white wine we would set out on the steps and help ourselves to all morning/early afternoon. Good times, making lefse and getting slightly tipsy off of white wine. That ended when Dad died and mom moved out of state to be closer to my sisters.
Many, many years of fond memories.
Now, my wife and I carry on the tradition with my son and his soon to be wife. We do it the day after Christmas when they get to our place.
That sounds amazing, except the wine part.
I love lefse. I have not found any store bought that is close to what grandma and aunts made.
Generally speaking, store bought lefse is good for wiping your ass if you are out of TP, and that is about it.
Merry Xmas Skoloholics.
My favorite tradition growing up was Christmas evening with my dads side of the family, usually 30-35 people there. It was a musically and athletically gifted family. A few professional athletes and of the 20 in my generation, 10 played D1sports.
Anyway, xmas night, everyone brought their instruments and it was hours of singing, capped off by the finale of We Three Kings. Each male who was 13 or older had to sing one solo verse of the song. As a 13 year old, who had no musical talent, it was a scary proposition, but after each verse all the women would be cheering and joining in the chorus. Fun memories
Sounds awesome!
Favorite Christmas Treat:
Magic Bars. Coconut, chocolate, graham crackers, sweetened condensed milk. My mom made then growing up and The Teacher has continued the tradition. She is planning to bake some today.
Favorite Tradition?
Gag Gifts. Best is when we went to a middle eastern restaurant and they had nuts and a nut cracker on the table. My young nephew picked up the nutcracker and asked what it was. I told him ‘A nutcracker, don’t drop it onto your lap’. He thought about if for a few seconds and then started laughing. He laughed so hard that he rolled off his pillow seat and onto the floor. Since he was a ‘Star Wars Kid I found a Darth Vader Nutcracker for him for Christmas a few weeks later. That started a whole thing as everyone found themed nutcrackers for everyones interests over the years. My sister in law would line them up around the front entrance every Christmas, dozens of them. Then the nephews and nieces got together and got me a six foot tall nutcracker that lights up and plays music when it senses anyone close by. It is on my front porch right now.
that is awesome!
That is really cool.
Merry Christmas to all of my Vikes loving friends!
May the hope of Christ bring you Peace and Joy….
Merry Christmas, NoDak!
Some very touching stories below.
Moji that story with the roses and you Mother is quite moving.
And DE, pray you can find peace ‘knowing your Mother is in a better place.’ And it being here birthday is kind of a double whammy. God Bless.
Will have to think some more about traditions. But for food, love my wife’s chocolate peanut butter pie we have every Christmas. Still, we also have chicken parm evert Christmas Eve and cook out Porterhouses on Christmas Day, Love those also.
Favorite Holiday Treat:
Just a simple peanut butter cookie with the chocolate star in the middle….
2nd: Pizza Bread – brown Italian sausage and ground beef, add spices and some cheese. Spread on the cocktail bread. Freeze. Pop in the oven @ 350 for 5-8 minutes. Amazing.
Favorite holiday tradition: the pile of roses at the door.
My parents place has always been the gathering place on Christmas Eve. My father was in farm equipment sales and my mother was a VP for a pet food company – both made many, many acquaintances, contacts and friends over the years. Around 2pm folks will come streaming in for food, drink, talk, laughs and backslaps.
My mother’s favorite flower was a simple red rose. Not a bouquet. One rose. So when this all started 35+ years ago my father, when inviting everyone to the house whilst buying rounds at the York Eagles Club, told everyone that admission to the party was one red rose for my mother. He was joking – or claims he was.
Folks didn’t take it as a joke. They showed up. Roses in hand. Couldn’t wipe the smile of my mommas face with a brick. We had great fun finding places to put all of them that first day. A tradition was born.
Then my momma passed away in July of 2008. The next Christmas was hard. We weren’t expecting much. Sad time.
But they remembered. And they showed up. This time they dropped their roses one by one outside the door as they walked in. A pile of roses. And they’ve done it every year since. They will again today. My sister gathers the flowers in a box and takes them to my dad’s garage. She gets nicely stoned, cries a little, and then carefully removes and collects the petals – drying and pressing them in a large ‘rose book’ my father made for the process.
It’s a bittersweet tradition but still one of my favorites. They remember her. That matters.
I need to go see about some dust that just showed up here.
Skol!
what a beautiful story. that made me tear up.
thank you for sharing that…..sounds like great friends, family and a great tradition.
Thanks ff….
my momma was a peach. Incredible human
Awesome story, your mother was well loved!
That is a great story Mjolnir. Thanks for sharing.
Very cool story.!
This will be my first Christmas without mom.
She passed on Dec 3rd.
Also her birthday is Christmas Day.
But, she is in a far better place!
Blessings to you and the fam!
oh wow, i had no idea.
so sorry to hear that, DE…
also so thankful we have a hope after our life and i’m thankful your mother had that hope. you will be re-united one day with a perfect body in a perfect place
Condolences.
My mom is in her mid 90s and in an Assisted Living facility. We dread when we will get the phone call about her.
Yep.
Mom wasn’t in assisted living but we were trying to get her there.
She fell on head on Oct 29.
Two weeks in the hospital.
10 days in transitional care.
10 days in memory care and passed.
Still a bit stunned. 91 and was on her own 6 weeks ago.
My mom fell and broke her hip then she came up with a plan and moved herself into the facility.
She volunteer there for years, booked a room more than a year out. Spent that year cleaning out her house to lease it and downsized a lifetime of ‘stuff’. The lease on her house pays for the facility, and when she becomes bed ridden they have a section in the facility for that. They also have Hospice there when she needs that.
Mother in Law fell, broke her leg and was never the same although she hung on for years non-moble and with dementia. It was a rough time for everyone. Quick is hard but sometimes slow is equally bad.
I think slow is often worse from my observations. Of course we want our loved ones around as long as possible, but when the quality of life is gone it isn’t good for anyone.
Agreed.
I am glad she went quick.
The last two years we’re ok but had some rough patches.
It was a burden on the family members that stepped up to care for her when the insurance money ran out. The Teacher would spend 3 evenings a week and Sundays taking care of her after a full week of teaching 1st graders. She spent money she couldn’t afford to pay for part time caregivers.
She cried when her mom died, in part because she felt guilty that she felt relieved because the burden was wearing her down.
Yes, I understand how she felt.
My mom turns 81 on Jan 1. She fell and hit her head in the bathroom and laid on the floor overnight in assisted living end of November. Since then she has gone through the process of bedding in the ER waiting for a bed, then acute care bed, then isolation (influenza A) and now placed in a memory care portion of the hospital. Doctors are weaning her off antidepressants and antipsychotics, they know she is depressed but the antidepressants don’t do much and they finally acknowledge that she has at least moderate dementia. She doesn’t like to eat and fights having to get out of bed. Basically they are completing evaluation for placement in a skilled nursing facility/NH.
She may make 81, but I don’t see 82.
Tough times MT, tough times.
Actually got a call from my sister right after I posted that. The care coordinator and geriatric team determined this morning she is not capable of self care to be able to return to assisted living so they will have a transition team discuss transferring her to a suitable nursing home in a meeting on Tuesday. Not sure how long that placement will take or if there is a waiting list but she will be in hospital until an appropriate place is found.
One blessing is that between her pension and my dad’s military pension and RRSP payments (IRA’s in Canadian parlance) and annuity the extra cost of a NH will still be less than her monthly income.
That is a blessing.
Sorry to hear.
We called my mom fiercely independent.
She fought everything.
The Teacher went thru similar things with her mom. The horror stories she can tell.
I will keep you and your family in our prayers along with anyone else dealing with those issues for a loving family member.
Sad times, MT. Prayers for your Mom.
I can’t say it gets easier DE…. It doesn’t.
It does get more palatable.
I’m done grieving my mother. Now I celebrate her. You’ll get there too – it’s different for everyone.
thoughts are with you.
Merry Christmas!
The kids are bouncing off the walls this morning. Excited for presents of course but also their Christmas Eve program tonight at church. Magical time and magical years.
i hope you guys have a great time and enjoy celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior
Amen! Thanks. You too!
What is your favorite Holiday treat? my mom makes brownies and then a layer of green dyed mint flavored frosting and then a chocolate layer on top of that. that’s one of my favorite christmas treats….i also love my wifes pumpkin crumble bars, which she still makes at christmas even though it’s more thanksgiving….
What is your favorite family holiday tradition? One of my tops is going to the christmas tree farm and HOPEFULLY there is enough snow to trudge through and find the “perfect” christmas tree to cut down. having the kids help me saw it down, and placing them in the perfect spot to have it fall on them, it’s one of my favorite and most longstanding traditions in my life (ever since i could walk, we did this every year growing up)
that sounds amazing
find the “perfect” christmas tree to cut down. having the kids help me saw it down, and placing them in the perfect spot to have it fall on them
Child protection services should be at your door in a few minutes…
LOL thank youuuu
placing them in the perfect spot to have it GENTLY and GRACEFULLY fall on them
Good morning, SKOL!
FTP!
Merry Christmas!!
FTP Auto Rec.
Merry Christmas Eve, and Happy Hump Day!