Don’t think the 2 candidates interviewed in LA on Monday got the 8 hr interviews that Graham & Khaki went through, less question marks perhaps…?
Quote: @Vanguard83 said:
Believe me, I PRAY I was wrong.
Your prayers were answered. Now don't listen to Boone anymore and this comes straight from God 
Quote: @Purpleblooded said:
Here is how I view it: (1) Harbaugh was not on Vikings radar; (2) Vikes stick to plan of hiring GM first, recognizing the importance of the GM/head coach connection: (3) Vikes hire Kwesi; (4) Kwesi, who has a connection to Harbaugh, convinces Harbaugh to consider coming to Minnesota; (5) Harbaugh, unlike any other coach on the Vikings radar, has a proven record of success as an NFL head coach (5th best winning percentage ALL TIME); (6) Harbaugh has discussions with Vikings, convincing him to fly in for a day of interviews; (7) Vikes say no thanks to Harbaugh and (supposedly) decide to go with a young first-time head coach over the proven Harbaugh; (8) allegedly Kwesi/Harbaugh had to convince the Wilfs (and some minority owner with ties to Michigan) and they obviously failed.
I have no idea if O'Connell will be a good head coach. I will get behind him like I have every coach going back to Les Steckel. although a "proven commodity" Harbaugh's past success was no guarantee (see Jon Gruden). But reading between the lines, I hate this. Kwesi went to the well to lure Harbaugh and ownership decided to go in a different direction. Can't prove that, of course, and I am sure Kwesi will be all excited outwardly and talk about the collaborative process that led to the selection of KOC. But I don't think you lure someone of Harbaugh's caliber, in Harbaugh's situation, into a very public interview process, without there being an expectation that he will be your guy. Logic tells me the fact that it did not work out has two possible explanations: (1) Harbaugh botched the interview and Kwesi couldn't save him; or (2) Ownership overruled Kwesi (for whatever reason -- could be flags on Harbaugh or cost). I suspect it was the latter, and that is a bad thing.
I read from a "source" and I can't even remember where now. That GM candidates were asked for 3 coaching recommendations during the interviews. The Vikings used those to do coaching interviews while they were interviewing GMs. Harbaugh was one of the recommendations on Kwesi's list. That is why he had a phone consultation and eventual interview.
Quote: @VikingOracle said:
I really think it came down to what each candidate thought was best to do with the current roster for next year. I think Harbaugh was the outlier as he thought the roster was still in a win now mode and KOC's vision best meshed with Kwesi. I think all 4 candidates probably met the Wilfs' (and Kwesi's) criteria and it really came down to the vision for next year and beyond. 8 hour interviews would really allow everyone to truly vet a vision. I don't think you get a second interview unless you checked off all the required boxes -- I am sure Kwesi vouched for Harbaugh checking off the boxes.
Nyaah....I don't think that's true. I don't think any candidate would see this roster as a rebuild. Good God I would hope not. Dalvin, JJ, ISJ, Thielen, a completely rebuilt OL (the youngest in the NFL), Hunter, DT, Pierce (if we want him), Kendricks, Harry. This IS a win now roster and I suspect that KAM and KOC will treat it as such.
The only thing that could change that is the QB. You either extend him short-term and go for it again, trade him for a downgrade but still playoff-capable QB (Mayfield, Jimmy G) or you trade him for picks, which means you saddle Dalvin and JJ with Kellen Mond. Yikes. I guess you could sign a bridge (Teddy).
From what I have read, O'Connell greatly impressed in his interview by coming in with forethought about the roster and a detailed plan for the immediate and long-term future of the team. I am guessing, also from what I have read, that Harbaugh's interview was more about him and a 'you should hire me, because I am great' type of attitude. Team-focused, versus self-focused. Obviously I am projecting here based on small samples of information, but seems to fit the personalities as well. We shall see, but I am excited to see what the future holds for the team with new blood in charge!
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ VikingOracle said:
I really think it came down to what each candidate thought was best to do with the current roster for next year. I think Harbaugh was the outlier as he thought the roster was still in a win now mode and KOC's vision best meshed with Kwesi. I think all 4 candidates probably met the Wilfs' (and Kwesi's) criteria and it really came down to the vision for next year and beyond. 8 hour interviews would really allow everyone to truly vet a vision. I don't think you get a second interview unless you checked off all the required boxes -- I am sure Kwesi vouched for Harbaugh checking off the boxes.
Nyaah....I don't think that's true. I don't think any candidate would see this roster as a rebuild. Good God I would hope not. Dalvin, JJ, ISJ, Thielen, a completely rebuilt OL (the youngest in the NFL), Hunter, DT, Pierce (if we want him), Kendricks, Harry. This IS a win now roster and I suspect that KAM and KOC will treat it as such.
The only thing that could change that is the QB. You either extend him short-term and go for it again, trade him for a downgrade but still playoff-capable QB (Mayfield, Jimmy G) or you trade him for picks, which means you saddle Dalvin and JJ with Kellen Mond. Yikes. I guess you could sign a bridge (Teddy).
And this is why the NFL offseason is fun. We will see in short order where the Vikings are going in the near future.
BTW, I am guessing Dalvin does not fit Kwesi's vision of salary cap position allocation.
I think this offseason will remind people of Bette Davis: Hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Quote: @VikingOracle said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ VikingOracle said:
I really think it came down to what each candidate thought was best to do with the current roster for next year. I think Harbaugh was the outlier as he thought the roster was still in a win now mode and KOC's vision best meshed with Kwesi. I think all 4 candidates probably met the Wilfs' (and Kwesi's) criteria and it really came down to the vision for next year and beyond. 8 hour interviews would really allow everyone to truly vet a vision. I don't think you get a second interview unless you checked off all the required boxes -- I am sure Kwesi vouched for Harbaugh checking off the boxes.
Nyaah....I don't think that's true. I don't think any candidate would see this roster as a rebuild. Good God I would hope not. Dalvin, JJ, ISJ, Thielen, a completely rebuilt OL (the youngest in the NFL), Hunter, DT, Pierce (if we want him), Kendricks, Harry. This IS a win now roster and I suspect that KAM and KOC will treat it as such.
The only thing that could change that is the QB. You either extend him short-term and go for it again, trade him for a downgrade but still playoff-capable QB (Mayfield, Jimmy G) or you trade him for picks, which means you saddle Dalvin and JJ with Kellen Mond. Yikes. I guess you could sign a bridge (Teddy).
And this is why the NFL offseason is fun. We will see in short order where the Vikings are going in the near future.
BTW, I am guessing Dalvin does not fit Kwesi's vision of salary cap position allocation.
I think this offseason will remind people of Bette Davis: Hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Dalvin's contract is 4th among running backs and he outproduced all three ahead of him. Btw, Dalvin ranks about 120th to 130th among all players in terms of salary. 4th among RBs is about 125th among all players. Those who think diminishing RB value in the NFL isn't already baked into their salaries should make a note of that.
But you're right. KAM may indeed decide it's too much for his offense, given that this team may pass more. But keep in mind the Rams had their own Dalvin in Cam Akers (until he was hurt this year). They took him in the 2nd round year before last. Another 2nd rounder from FSU who is nearly identical in terms size, speed and wide zone experience. I have a hunch KOC will want Dalvin on his team.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ VikingOracle said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ VikingOracle said:
I really think it came down to what each candidate thought was best to do with the current roster for next year. I think Harbaugh was the outlier as he thought the roster was still in a win now mode and KOC's vision best meshed with Kwesi. I think all 4 candidates probably met the Wilfs' (and Kwesi's) criteria and it really came down to the vision for next year and beyond. 8 hour interviews would really allow everyone to truly vet a vision. I don't think you get a second interview unless you checked off all the required boxes -- I am sure Kwesi vouched for Harbaugh checking off the boxes.
Nyaah....I don't think that's true. I don't think any candidate would see this roster as a rebuild. Good God I would hope not. Dalvin, JJ, ISJ, Thielen, a completely rebuilt OL (the youngest in the NFL), Hunter, DT, Pierce (if we want him), Kendricks, Harry. This IS a win now roster and I suspect that KAM and KOC will treat it as such.
The only thing that could change that is the QB. You either extend him short-term and go for it again, trade him for a downgrade but still playoff-capable QB (Mayfield, Jimmy G) or you trade him for picks, which means you saddle Dalvin and JJ with Kellen Mond. Yikes. I guess you could sign a bridge (Teddy).
And this is why the NFL offseason is fun. We will see in short order where the Vikings are going in the near future.
BTW, I am guessing Dalvin does not fit Kwesi's vision of salary cap position allocation.
I think this offseason will remind people of Bette Davis: Hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Dalvin's contract is 4th among running backs and he outproduced all three ahead of him. Btw, Dalvin ranks about 120th to 130th among all players in terms of salary. 4th among RBs is about 125th among all players. Those who think diminishing RB value in the NFL isn't already baked into their salaries should make a note of that.
But you're right. KAM may indeed decide it's too much for his offense, given that this team may pass more. But keep in mind the Rams had their own Dalvin in Cam Akers (until he was hurt this year). They took him in the 2nd round year before last. Another 2nd rounder from FSU who is nearly identical in terms size, speed and wide zone experience. I have a hunch KOC will want Dalvin on his team.
Exactly... I mean anything is possible, but I'd lean towards Kevin O'Connell wanting to retain all our skill players and Kirk Cousins. We're 3 deep at WR like the Rams have been over the past 5 years... they've relied heavily on a balanced attack with motion to confuse defenses. They are multiple on offense.
I guess I have a hard time seeing Kevin O'Connell doing his research into our personnel and walking into the interview saying let's trade Dalvin and Kirk and blow this up. My guess is he laid out a plan on how each of our current offensive players could fit into the offense he wants to run.
Here is my take. Unless the Vikings get a top QB they have zero chance of great success. The exception would be super bowl defenses of the Bears, Bucs and Ravens. Look at all superbowl winners (except Nick Foles) and they are all house hold names. Any decent coordinator or head coach can look like a genius with a great QB. QB is key. Change my mind
Quote: @Still Hurtn said:
Here is my take. Unless the Vikings get a top QB they have zero chance of great success. The exception would be super bowl defenses of the Bears, Bucs and Ravens. Look at all superbowl winners (except Nick Foles) and they are all house hold names. Any decent coordinator or head coach can look like a genius with a great QB. QB is key. Change my mind
Eli Manning both times. Only the 25th best defense in 2011 and 17th best in 2007 (Scoring Defense). 2015 Denver Broncos had a QB that could barely throw a football and they won a title.
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