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OL: except for C, this is the strongest OL in recent years. I will be watching the bull rush up the middle, closely.
WR: Top three truly produced last year. Hard to say anything more exemplary than the JJ/Adam duo.
TE: I'm nervous about just Irv.
RB: I like the change of pace options with the guys behind Cook and Mattison. Nice depth.
QB: Thank God they made the changes at QB2/3 that everyone here with a pulse agreed to be made. Waste of everyone's time. Love or hate Cousins, we are all hoping that the D isn't the sieve it was last year in a record-setting last two minutes of Q2 & Q4, so that it doesn't fall on his back to win games. Gotta admit, his offensive stats don't lie. We could do worse, and by God, he is shockingly durable.
DL: I like Harrison Phillips' motor. Dalvin Tomlinson solid, not much about the other guys. Hello Suh?
OL: Stud bookends.
IL: Starters rank third and tenth respectively, in total NFL tackles since their respective rookie seasons (2015)
DB: A nice mix of current and former Pro-Bowlers, with some youngsters. I am particularly keen on this year's new backs...Booth and Cine.
We really haven't seen any of "this" team. The combined weaknesses are far fewer (on paper) than any time in recent memory.
We had some really poor luck the last two years, between injuries, COVID, and a horrific defense melt down in the last two minutes of each half.
We also witnessed some really horrible clock management.
I applaud KOC's decision to not play the starters for our entertainment. I feel badly for Bisi and T.Y.
I know the roster will change, and the PS will rotate all season. I really like the expanded Practice Squad numbers.
My random thoughts...what are yours?
Some random thoughts:
- One of the success of training camp was no drama and keeping a tight lid on everything. I can't recall an offseason where I know less about a team than this one. It is hard for me to opine on the roster as I know so little about scheme fit. I m not sure whether this is exciting or frightening.
- I am amazed by the # of Olineman that can play tackle. Seems a little overkill and I would expect the Vikes to pick up a developmental center and drop one of the OTs to the practice squad.
- Special teams should be exceptional from the kicking to the coverage. All the new speed should kill.
- I think Osborn made a lot of money this offseason with the coaching change.
- Who re the team leaders -- the one's who will get in the players' faces and demand excellence. On defense, I think tht might be PP and ZSmith. Offense -- maybe Adam and JJ?
- I am not a big college football fan, but when two unanimous first team All American Olinemen are cut after one year in the NFL (Leatherwood and Wyatt), you have to start seriously questioning the voters.
I don't think the roster is actually "set". I think there's going to be a couple more subtle changes before the season opener...Spielman and Zimmer were never this quick about bouncing people around with the roster.
Quote: @ArizonaViking said:
I don't think the roster is actually "set". I think there's going to be a couple more subtle changes before the season opener...Spielman and Zimmer were never this quick about bouncing people around with the roster.
Agreed. It is never "set". Injuries and such. Plus I suspect that after his 4 week stint on IR, that TY McGill might be back. He shined in preseason.
Quote: @Montana Tom said:
@ ArizonaViking said:
I don't think the roster is actually "set". I think there's going to be a couple more subtle changes before the season opener...Spielman and Zimmer were never this quick about bouncing people around with the roster.
Agreed. It is never "set". Injuries and such. Plus I suspect that after his 4 week stint on IR, that TY McGill might be back. He shined in preseason.
TY can't come back to the Vikings as he was placed on IR and not the 53 -- to come back the Vikings needed to place him on the 53 and then moved him to IR. He can be released with an injury settlement but he can't play for the Vikings this year.
One additional thing, I have to admit that Kwesi is bold. I haven't agreed with everything he has done (such as the first round trade back), but his moves from his draft maneuvers to cutting his punter/holder to his recent trades and cuts have showed that he has a vision and is willing to make bold (maybe unpopular) decisions. As I am a long time Viking sufferer, maybe it is time for bold and I will embrace it (for now).
Its a solid roster, one that can compete for a playoff spot. No doubt. If the Vikings D can provide a pass rush, even better. I'm not saying they will make the playoffs, its a new system on both sides of the ball, but they can.
Roster is good. It was good last year, but it's even better this year. The difference will have to come from fewer injuries, better culture and better coaching. But there's a lot of wins in that.
Here are a few other reasons for optimism...
1. Timing. Remember 2 or 3 years ago? About 6 of the top 7 teams in the NFL were NFC teams. Even if we made the playoffs, there was little hope. That's no longer the case. 49ers starting 2nd year QB. Dallas got worse. Green Bay's best receiver is Alan Lazard. Saints QB is Jameis Winston. Seahawks are garbage. On the flip side, Rams will be good again. The Eagles look very good. And the Lions look much better.
2. Timing II. Landing on what should finally be a good punter, a good kicker, a good KR and a good PR. Highly drafted OL going into seasons 2, 3, 4, 1, 5 respectively. That investment should eventually pay off big. This year? We'll see. JJ and KJO going into magical 3rd season before Thielen ages out. I give them 1 great year together--this year. Is there a better edge tandem in the NFL? Not if they stay healthy. Speaking of which....
3. Injuries. Is a player who was hurt last year more or less likely to get hurt this year? All Viking fans will tell you he's more likely. Analytics say he's less likely. If Irv and Hunter get hurt again, it would be pretty ridiculous. We'll have our share of injuries like every team, but it's time we get through a season without one of our top players going down.
4. Schedule. After two BRUTAL schedules last year and year before, 22's schedule is probably the easiest we've seen in years.
Like I said when they were hired Kwesi has a longer window before any real judgement because of the GM position. You can't judge on one pick, FA pickup, coach hired or one trade. I think Kwesi is doing as I expected and has had a few hiccups to date.
KOC - is going to be under the spotlight starting next week and I also expect a decent number of hiccups/mistakes from all the new changes in schemes, coaches and starting players. If you look at our starting lineup from last year and look at what we expect to start this year we have 8+ new starters, a first time HC and a new defensive scheme.
I expect a fairly slow start to the season with a good amount of learning and gelling that will build up to a nice run of wins (week 10-15) that can get us into the 9,10-playoff push. Last year's roster was not good even without the injuries and the coaching was a dead man walking. Even if we squeezed out a playoff spot what did anyone expect - a one and done debacle. This was not a team that played with any consistency and as you can see with the number of changes across the board at all levels..change was necessary. Our Zimmer window closed (slammed in Philly) the season after the philly massacre.
Then there's this:
Hurricane Danielle set to form as NHC tracks 2 other systems
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