Forum › The Longship › Can we start to believe?

Can we start to believe?

StickierBuns
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"This mix of in-rhythm play and out-of-structure creativity creates fascinating post-bye possibilities for a 5-0 team that will only get healthier.

How dangerous will Minnesota become when Addison rejoins the mix? How much more can the offense control the ball when Mason returns with his efficient running style? What could further synergy between Murray and Jefferson do for the confidence of the entire team?

“I’m excited about where we’re going,” Murray said. And for the first time, that excitement really felt warranted."

edited Oct 12, 2026 4:10 AM
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#1 · Oct 12, 4:05 AM
StickierBuns
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#2 · Oct 12, 5:35 AM CT
JustInTime
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Reaction GIF by MOODMANThis is Kyler returning to the mean. With 5.5 starters out.

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

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#3 · Oct 12, 6:06 AM CT
StickierBuns
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Good lord.

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#4 · Oct 12, 6:51 AM CT
StickierBuns
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Not sure what's better: the Joe F-ing Huber assist or the K1 scramble. 🤔

edited Oct 12, 2026 6:54 AM CT
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#5 · Oct 12, 6:54 AM CT
IceRatz16
Joined Dec 2016
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StickierBuns wrote:

Not sure what's better: the Joe F-ing Huber assist or the K1 scramble. 🤔
https://x.com/SeanBormanNFL/status/2109472635788910806?s=20

I was a big fan of Huber and pumped that we got him. I was excited for him to get some playing time. At this point, when Jackson comes back, there could be a real question of whether Huber goes back to the bench or takes over for Fries, if he doesn't start stepping up.

edited Oct 12, 2026 7:12 AM CT
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#6 · Oct 12, 7:10 AM CT
StickierBuns
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#7 · Oct 12, 7:11 AM CT
MA
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StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/SleeperVikings/status/2109614591554539639?s=20

Thing is... this isn't KOC's offense. We've shifted to more shotgun and a quick passing offense and running the football. This is much different than the under center, play-action passing game we ran with Cousins and Darnold.

I'm glad that KOC is tailoring the offense to his QB. That was the biggest complaint I (and others) had when we decided to make Murray the starter. He isn't a fit for the type of passing concepts KOC loves to run with JJ and Addison. We've seen a shift in KOC's game plans and he's running the ball more and altering the offensive game plan for his QB. Nice to see him maturing as a playcaller and HC there.

This could be a very fun season if Kyler can keep improving and we get Mason back. Defense is so fun to watch right now. Offense is getting better.

BOOM

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#8 · Oct 12, 8:20 AM CT
StickierBuns
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MAD GAINZ wrote:


This could be a very fun season if Kyler can keep improving and we get Mason back. Defense is so fun to watch right now. Offense is getting better.
BOOM

More than one way to skin a cat, KOC is learning. This is what coaches envisioned with Mason and AJ: Thunder and Lightning. Its why they waited until round 6 to take a RB. Jones has more juice than any fan gave him credit for. That will help Murray. 5-0 is almost stunning honestly. 💜

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#9 · Oct 12, 8:27 AM CT
SurfnRide
Joined Oct 2024
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MAD GAINZ wrote:

Thing is... this isn't KOC's offense. We've shifted to more shotgun and a quick passing offense and running the football. This is much different than the under center, play-action passing game we ran with Cousins and Darnold.
I'm glad that KOC is tailoring the offense to his QB. That was the biggest complaint I (and others) had when we decided to make Murray the starter. He isn't a fit for the type of passing concepts KOC loves to run with JJ and Addison. We've seen a shift in KOC's game plans and he's running the ball more and altering the offensive game plan for his QB. Nice to see him maturing as a playcaller and HC there.
This could be a very fun season if Kyler can keep improving and we get Mason back. Defense is so fun to watch right now. Offense is getting better.
BOOM

This x 1000. KOC is realizing Murray is not an under center QB and is finally adjusting. Being in shotgun lets him see the field better and also scrambling lanes. He cant see s**t under center behind a bunch of 6-4 to 6-6 300+ lb monsters. Im glad KOC is realizing this early. Call plays to your QBs strengths. Dont shove a round peg in a square hole.

Break week then throw Mason, Addison, TJ in the mix and Darrisaw back on the edge and hot damn. I'm excited.

edited Oct 12, 2026 9:37 AM CT
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#10 · Oct 12, 9:25 AM CT
purplefaithful
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“It’s just great to see those plays get made,” O’Connell said. “Great to see Kyler running the offense, but also we’re seeing his own spin on it.”

“He’s gaining more comfort and more confidence,” O’Connell said. “I never thought this would start out in a way where we would just snap our fingers.”



Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger! 

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#11 · Oct 12, 9:33 AM CT
StickierBuns
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purplefaithful wrote:

“It’s just great to see those plays get made,” O’Connell said. “Great to see Kyler running the offense, but also we’re seeing his own spin on it.”
“He’s gaining more comfort and more confidence,” O’Connell said. “I never thought this would start out in a way where we would just snap our fingers.”

I actually did expect a little more out of Murray early, but I can see that it takes a bit. Need to keep that momentum moving in the right direction.

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#12 · Oct 12, 9:34 AM CT
purplefaithful
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StickierBuns wrote:

I actually did expect a little more out of Murray early, but I can see that it takes a bit. Need to keep that momentum moving in the right direction.

I did too, but not much..

Especially after not playing since 10/25 and then the concussion...Then throw in losing his blanket TJH yesterday.

There was still a lot of JJM toxicity out there so even fact-based explanations for the slower start were going to get met by boos and mud slinging.

Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger! 

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#13 · Oct 12, 9:40 AM CT
comet52
comet52
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IceRatz16 wrote:

I was a big fan of Huber and pumped that we got him. I was excited for him to get some playing time. At this point, when Jackson comes back, there could be a real question of whether Huber goes back to the bench or takes over for Fries, if he doesn't start stepping up.

Well Jackson is out for the year. I suspect a good season would see Huber moving to RG next year with Fries gone.

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#14 · Oct 12, 10:18 AM CT
medaille
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I still don’t think this is a SB caliber offense, but it’s still a work in progress and we have time and the runway to get there.  I thought that we were going to try and fit a square peg in a round hole and then have to learn why we were wrong and adjust midseason, which we unfortunately did, but to KOC’s credit, he’s adjusted much faster than I thought he would, so I’m assuming what we’ve seen has been in the playbook?

I think this looks about like the average historical Kyler Murray offense that was pretty divisive amongst people.  Good enough to win when the defense holds their team to 13 points, but probably not good enough against a championship caliber team.  It looked pretty first read or straight to broken play to me.  I think KOC did a good job of scheming open the players on plays Kyler has done a good job with.  I’m not an expert on these things, especially from just the broadcast footage, but that was my gut vibes.  It’s also being held back by mistakes all across the offense and sloppy play in general.  If the rest of the offense can clean up it’s mistakes, this will be an offense that can probably win a playoff game, but not go all the way.  I think the next steps I want to see are cleaning up procedural issues, and continuing to develop the passing game, such that we can hit the number 2 or 3 receivers in a progression.  If we start seeing more robustness in the passing game, that will be the moment I believe that we are capable with competing against several of the best teams in a row.

Also, we got so lucky with our schedule that we’re going against so many subpar teams to start the year, while we’re still figuring things out.

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#15 · Oct 12, 10:34 AM CT
JustInTime
Joined Feb 2025
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Trying to find the clip, but Fries was lost in space in this rep. Like phone a friend lost.

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

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#16 · Oct 12, 10:36 AM CT
FourCornersViking
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comet52 wrote:

Well Jackson is out for the year. I suspect a good season would see Huber moving to RG next year with Fries gone.

Huber is a madman out there...I agree move Huber to right guard next year. With another year under his belt, Huber will be something special.

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#17 · Oct 12, 10:41 AM CT
Kentis
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Watch Huber pull and go hunting on Jones’ go ahead touchdown, awesome…!:tu_purp:

edited Oct 12, 2026 11:37 AM CT
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#18 · Oct 12, 11:07 AM CT
JustInTime
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“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”

Shakespeare 

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#19 · Oct 12, 11:18 AM CT
MA
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Fries seems like a great dude, but his play isn't coming close to the contract we gave him. One of Kwesi's worst signings.

Thankfully Huber looks like a nice find. You can rarely go wrong picking up Wisconsin Badger OL guys.

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#20 · Oct 12, 11:51 AM CT
StickierBuns
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#21 · Oct 12, 1:00 PM CT
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