LaConfora: "Vikings looking to trade big salaries"

@"kmillard" said: Hopefully they study it a little better than Atlanta did last year. No reset for them, but an Albatross of Matt Ryan contract that is not going to get better, along with some others.

On Tuesday at Purple Insider I summarized how new coaching staffs have handled their first offseasons and provided a particular emphasis on the Falcons as an example of what not to do. I wanted to dig into that further. Following three straight losing seasons, Atlanta hired a new coach in Arthur Smith but didn’t hit the reset button. They pushed Matt Ryan’s cap hit down the road, signed a bevy of one-year free agents to patch together their defense and pushed forward without drafting a quarterback. They traded a star in Julio Jones, but only got a future second and future fourth in return — far from a franchise-altering deal. “They hired the wrong guys if they thought we were going to lower expectations, take our time, and rebuild,” Arthur Smith went on record saying last spring. Atlanta went 7-10 but probably should’ve been worse. Their offense ranked 26th and defense ranked 29th, and Pro Football Reference lists their expected win-loss record at 4.9-12.1. Other than Cordarrelle Patterson’s resurgence as a running back, there wasn’t much to write home about for Atlanta. The Falcons were a less competitive version of the Vikings. Their new head coach was trying to make a strong first impression by dodging the “rebuild” stigma, while Mike Zimmer and Co. were trying to save their jobs. Both teams took a similar approach by hiring stopgaps around their expensive quarterback, fell out of the hunt in the NFC and now face a salary cap deficit because of those aforementioned quarterbacks.

@"JustinTime18™" said: https://twitter.com/i/status/1501978756524744713

I'll take Pete over Jason 10 out of 10 times.

Will you take me 5 out of 10 times over LaCanfora? I'll say it again - the Vikings have no interest in moving Kirk. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said: https://twitter.com/i/status/1501978756524744713

I'll take Pete over Jason 10 out of 10 times.

Will you take me 5 out of 10 times over LaCanfora? I'll say it again - the Vikings have no interest in moving Kirk. 

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

If they do not trade them this offseason they will get less next year or just flat out release some players.

If they want to run it back one more season then next year there will be blood.

I suppose they could try to run it back a few more years but that is really rolling the dice when you consider this same bunch did not make the expanded playoffs two years straight.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said: https://twitter.com/i/status/1501978756524744713

I'll take Pete over Jason 10 out of 10 times.

Will you take me 5 out of 10 times over LaCanfora? I'll say it again - the Vikings have no interest in moving Kirk. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said: https://twitter.com/i/status/1501978756524744713

I'll take Pete over Jason 10 out of 10 times.

Will you take me 5 out of 10 times over LaCanfora? I'll say it again - the Vikings have no interest in moving Kirk. 

@"AGRforever" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said: https://twitter.com/i/status/1501978756524744713

I'll take Pete over Jason 10 out of 10 times.

Will you take me 5 out of 10 times over LaCanfora? I'll say it again - the Vikings have no interest in moving Kirk. 

I’ll take it Geoff. Whats the odds he plays out ‘22 vs gets extended. 

@"minny65" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

Yea and I think that is the reason we also disagree on Kirk.  

I notice when folks post about a rebuild (me/group 2) you indicate that it would be best to move on from Kirk as well, correct?? (don't want to put words in your mouth)  

That is the crux around the new regime, current roster and Kirk.  Group 1 thinks we have enough of a core to build off of and Group 2 does not. 

We disagree but we have the same goal in mind :)

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

Yea and I think that is the reason we also disagree on Kirk.  

I notice when folks post about a rebuild (me/group 2) you indicate that it would be best to move on from Kirk as well, correct?? (don't want to put words in your mouth)  

That is the crux around the new regime, current roster and Kirk.  Group 1 thinks we have enough of a core to build off of and Group 2 does not. 

We disagree but we have the same goal in mind :)

I think there's a tipping point. I think you could maybe lose Dalvin, maybe one of the DTs. But when you start including Hunter and Kendricks, et al, still very young and very good players, then yeah, the outlook isn't so hot. At that point, I can see an argument for including Cousins too. 

So it's not as simple as group one and two. There's some gray. 

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

Outside of having Tom Brady, there is no recipe for winning a title. There are some things that I do know with them being you cannot have the level of injuries the Vikes had the last two years. You cannot have the OL the Vikes have had the last two years. You cannot have the quality of defense the Vikes had the last two years. Lastly, officially put me on the list of folks who say you cannot have a high priced RB on your team and be super successful. 

Another team won the Super Bowl this year with their leading rusher making less than $2.5MM per year. That makes 13 straight. Sounds like Kirk isn't going anywhere so trade Dalvin, negotiate for that team to take on the dead cap, and use those savings to improve the defense or OL. Draft a running back mid-round this year.

That’s 2 prominent posters potentially going full “Scanners” on us now, stop the madness Kwesi …!  ;) B)  

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

Outside of having Tom Brady, there is no recipe for winning a title. There are some things that I do know with them being you cannot have the level of injuries the Vikes had the last two years. You cannot have the OL the Vikes have had the last two years. You cannot have the quality of defense the Vikes had the last two years. Lastly, officially put me on the list of folks who say you cannot have a high priced RB on your team and be super successful. 

Another team won the Super Bowl this year with their leading rusher making less than $2.5MM per year. That makes 13 straight. Sounds like Kirk isn't going anywhere so trade Dalvin, negotiate for that team to take on the dead cap, and use those savings to improve the defense or OL. Draft a running back mid-round this year.

If the Vikings trade a top 5 (3?) RB in Dalvin and then maybe also cut Thielen to allow them to pay Kirk Cousins a bunch of money my head is going to explode. As will a lot of the fanbase’s. The narrative around Kirk is already so polarizing, I’d be very surprised if the new gang throws gas on the fire by trading Dalvin. 

Hold onto your hats, the next week or two is going to be a bumpy ride.  My predictions based upon absolutely nothing:

• Cousins -- traded
• Thielen -- restructured
• Cook -- nothing
• Pierce -- traded or cut
• Kendricks -- traded or restructured
• Hunter -- traded
• Smith -- restructured

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

Outside of having Tom Brady, there is no recipe for winning a title. There are some things that I do know with them being you cannot have the level of injuries the Vikes had the last two years. You cannot have the OL the Vikes have had the last two years. You cannot have the quality of defense the Vikes had the last two years. Lastly, officially put me on the list of folks who say you cannot have a high priced RB on your team and be super successful. 

Another team won the Super Bowl this year with their leading rusher making less than $2.5MM per year. That makes 13 straight. Sounds like Kirk isn't going anywhere so trade Dalvin, negotiate for that team to take on the dead cap, and use those savings to improve the defense or OL. Draft a running back mid-round this year.

If the Vikings trade a top 5 (3?) RB in Dalvin and then maybe also cut Thielen to allow them to pay Kirk Cousins a bunch of money my head is going to explode. As will a lot of the fanbase’s. The narrative around Kirk is already so polarizing, I’d be very surprised if the new gang throws gas on the fire by trading Dalvin. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

Yea and I think that is the reason we also disagree on Kirk.  

I notice when folks post about a rebuild (me/group 2) you indicate that it would be best to move on from Kirk as well, correct?? (don't want to put words in your mouth)  

That is the crux around the new regime, current roster and Kirk.  Group 1 thinks we have enough of a core to build off of and Group 2 does not. 

We disagree but we have the same goal in mind :)

I think there's a tipping point. I think you could maybe lose Dalvin, maybe one of the DTs. But when you start including Hunter and Kendricks, et al, still very young and very good players, then yeah, the outlook isn't so hot. At that point, I can see an argument for including Cousins too. 

So it's not as simple as group one and two. There's some gray. 

Kirt to the Colts seems to be the flavor of the day…!  B) Baldy suggested it & now Kaaron’s lap dog McAfee as well… 

https://thespun.com/nfl/afc-south/indianapolis-colts/pat-mcafee-reveals-who-he-wants-for-colts-quarterback

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"minny65" said:

@"Still Hurtn" said: Rip the damn band-aid off already. New GM, Coaches and players. Get the cap under control. Bring in guys who fit your scheme. Start fresh. Think 3-6 years down the road not 1-3 years of more mediocrity. Keep Adam cuz he is a home town hero. Unless he wants to chase a ring.

Obviously I agree.

Does anyone think if we resigned Hunter, Theilan, extend Kirk and a few FA's/draft hits we are a deep playoff caliber team?  I know some do but I don't.  We are more than a few good players away.  Our core built by the old regime is all on the downside and we have a ton of holes to fill all across the defense and especially if we are going 3-4.  I expect at least 6 new starters on defense alone this year and probably around 2 on Offense.  

Yeah, I do. I don't believe in this idea that we're "more than a few good players away." But I don't believe that as much because I overrate the Vikings roster; I believe that because I think, with the exception of maybe 6 or 7 teams, EVERYONE is only a few players away. In other words, I think a lot of fans overrate what it takes to win a championship. 

It's not the 70s or 80s where you had dynasties who were always on top and everyone else sucked. In today's NFL, 7-9 teams (Tampa) and 4-12 teams (Cinci) go to the Super Bowl the following year. 

I believe that teams who win championships are the teams who get hot and healthy at the end of the year. Take a look at the starting offensive lines in the 49ers/Chiefs Super Bowl. They were crap. Low round draft picks and UDFAs scattered in with a couple of solid players. I think the PERCEPTION is that you need stars at every position, but the reality is that league average players litter ALL rosters. 

Yea and I think that is the reason we also disagree on Kirk.  

I notice when folks post about a rebuild (me/group 2) you indicate that it would be best to move on from Kirk as well, correct?? (don't want to put words in your mouth)  

That is the crux around the new regime, current roster and Kirk.  Group 1 thinks we have enough of a core to build off of and Group 2 does not. 

We disagree but we have the same goal in mind :)

I think there's a tipping point. I think you could maybe lose Dalvin, maybe one of the DTs. But when you start including Hunter and Kendricks, et al, still very young and very good players, then yeah, the outlook isn't so hot. At that point, I can see an argument for including Cousins too. 

So it's not as simple as group one and two. There's some gray. 

i like to refer to that grey as "group 3"