How's everyone feeling with TC swiftly approaching?

[StickierBuns]

I dont think he will fail either,  I just am tempering my expectations for year 1 as a starter. 

Me as well. My OP really is speaking to the longer term, but maybe as soon as next year but this year with this schedule is going to be too much to ask of anyone. Hell, I don't see Minnesota winning in Week 1 on the road on MNF. Everyone needs to keep in mind this is his first NFL real live action. So I'm with you on this season....have to be realistic. But who knows.

[JimmyinSD]

Me as well. My OP really is speaking to the longer term, but maybe as soon as next year but this year with this schedule is going to be too much to ask of anyone. Hell, I don't see Minnesota winning in Week 1 on the road on MNF. Everyone needs to keep in mind this is his first NFL real live action. So I'm with you on this season....have to be realistic. But who knows.

I am taking this year like last year... sure some great things could happen, but I certainly dont expect them too,  but if I am wrong I am still going to be having a lot of fun.  Last year was some of the most enjoyable Vikings games I have had in a while.

[MaroonBells]

Me as well. My OP really is speaking to the longer term, but maybe as soon as next year but this year with this schedule is going to be too much to ask of anyone. Hell, I don't see Minnesota winning in Week 1 on the road on MNF. Everyone needs to keep in mind this is his first NFL real live action. So I'm with you on this season....have to be realistic. But who knows.

I think most Viking fans are significantly left of where true realism lies on the pessimism <-------> optimism scale. But considering our soul-crushing history it's not hard to understand why. Many on this board—including you if I remember right—picked the Giants to win last year's opener. And we obliterated them. But I agree Chicago will not be an easy out. I don't think they quite match up in terms of roster, especially on defense, but opening day, prime time, their house, new coach, some new pieces...they are going to sell the hell out to start off the year with a W against a division rival.

[StickierBuns]

I think most Viking fans are significantly left of where true realism lies on the pessimism <-------> optimism scale. But considering our soul-crushing history it's not hard to understand why. Many on this board—including you if I remember right—picked the Giants to win last year's opener. And we obliterated them. But I agree Chicago will not be an easy out. I don't think they quite match up in terms of roster, especially on defense, but opening day, prime time, their house, new coach, some new pieces...they are going to sell the hell out to start off the year with a W against a division rival.

Yeah, you're right, I did think they'd lose Game 1 against the Giants. Didn't think Uncle Sammy/offense would be ready to rock yet...but also who knew the Giants would be that bad...winning 3 games all year bad? Nobody. Minnesota beat a shit team in that first game. But I can't disagree with what you say here, maybe Minnesota does possibly come out and win and exploit a Chicago D that is probably going to try and throw the sink at JJ. But I think Chicago is going to be a much better team this year than the Giants were last year....and as you mention, boy will Johnson want to show Chicagoland that he's The Man. And conversely, if JJ plays well on the road his first game being on MNF, Minneapolis is going to call in sick to work Tuesday morning....all of Minneapolis.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

Last year people here were giving up the season before it even began. Not me. I saw a team that had weapons on offense and a very good coach to call plays as well as a gifted defensive coordinator. I knew they had a shot to be good if Darnold could just play average or above average ball.
This year the team appears to be even better with the same coaches, which leads me to believe they could be very good if JJ plays average or above average ball.
The schedule is much tougher this year and JJ will inevitably have a learning curve.
After last years preseason pessimism, this year has been the opposite, with more optimism than this long time Vikings fan can feel comfortable with.
My expectations are a bit lower than some, tempered by years of despair and old ugly purple scars on my psyche.
I have a positive belief in JJ and the long term future of the Vikings but feel like it will be a challenge to make the playoffs this year!

[Kentis]

   
Looking forward to the season opener…! 

[Daniel McRandall]

As a guy that was born the year the Vikings joined the NFL, I am, as always, absolutely sure that this is our year. What I like about our chances this year is that everything seems to be in sync. It's like if all three branches of government were on the same page. In this case our three branches consist of unbelievable ownership with the Wilf family, a coaching staff that from the top down just provides confidence and a team of players that in my opinion will be better than last year. I can't wait to see JJM and the rest in action even though I am watching from AZ! SKOL to a great season and no matter what happens, I believe it's still going to be our year.

[Mattyman]

It's on paper , but a 13-5 team has significantly improved it's roster.

LFG!!!

[StickierBuns]

Adam Thielen praises J.J. McCarthy
Local ABC affiliate KSTP-5 was at the field where they were practicing and spoke with Thielen, who had some glowing words about McCarthy.

"He's got all the things it takes to be a successful player in this league, and kind of the things that we talked about about how I've gotten to year thirteen, he's already got it. He's got consistency, he's got that mindset. He's got all the skills to be able to play at a high level. So I'm really excited now, my second summer working with him, to see him get an opportunity, and to see what he does with the opportunity, because I see it. Now, on the field, just his mindset, and all the things that it takes to be to be a great core mechanism League, and I've been around a lot of great ones. He has everything you need, so I'm excited to see."