Yahbut - the clock is ticking...

This is a great feel good story. I will take it by your thread title though you feel alot like I do. The fact that this team is bonded and has genuine love for one another is like the consolation prize. I want the real one at some point. It makes it easier to deal with not having that prize when you got guys like this saying things like that. Guys like Thielan who defy the odds and become stars in the league and on the team he and I grew up loving. It feels really good to feel good about our guys. However now I want to feel really, really good. Not to much to ask for a lifetime of waiting. Is it???

I think some fans don't understand this is a job to these guys. Yes, its a game, but this game takes a toll on their bodies and they have to basically train year round. They'll get hurt. They'll play injured. And its a short lived career. So just like other jobs, when you have great co-workers, its fun to go to work. And they want to win, but its not the end all, be all for them. They'd love to be champions, but sometimes that doesn't happen. So let's have some fun, work and prepare as hard as we can and let the chips fall where they may.

Fans want wins, but players understand sometimes that is out of their control. Barr stayed in Minnesota because he loves the aspects of the organization and its all he knows as a professional NFL player. It's comfortable. The grass isn't always greener. And honestly, yeah he took less but he's still getting a shitload of money. Its a business and these guys know this. And although this is cool and a feel-good type story, I have no idea what this means for wins and losses, which is all I care about as a fan. 

Yeah $33 million guaranteed is not a bad prize either. I will have to settle for the championship one.

Maybe this is the motivation that Barr needs to be an all around consistent linebacker for the Vikings.  He always had the potential and talent, but sometimes he slack off during the season. 

Anyone like the Fleetwood Mac album, "Rumours"? Members of that group HATED each other while they created their best work ever, and one of the best albums in history. Tension can be productive.

Wonderful that these players all love each other and their coach and where they work. Hey, know who else loved playing here? The guys Leslie Frazier coached, because he was reportedly a wonderful guy who cared about all his players and made them feel good, even after losses. Numerous losses. There is a long list of winning teams with nasty coaches and tough circumstances and a very short list of "players coaches" who won it all.

When people are getting minimum wage to scrub toilets, "feel good workplace and coworkers feel like family" stories are nice compensation. The Vikings currently have 8 defensive players accounting for $80 Million in salary each year. These guys should F--KING LOVE their jobs even if everyone treats them like crap every day they come to practice. 

If they can have a team lovefest and win, that's fine. But this is an underachieving group that's aging. If this season is another disappointment, they need to be made uncomfortable and see a few of their buddies - and coaches - moved out of the club.

@"StickyBun" said: I think some fans don't understand this is a job to these guys. Yes, its a game, but this game takes a toll on their bodies and they have to basically train year round. They'll get hurt. They'll play injured. And its a short lived career. So just like other jobs, when you have great co-workers, its fun to go to work. And they want to win, but its not the end all, be all for them. They'd love to be champions, but sometimes that doesn't happen. So let's have some fun, work and prepare as hard as we can and let the chips fall where they may.

Fans want wins, but players understand sometimes that is out of their control. Barr stayed in Minnesota because he loves the aspects of the organization and its all he knows as a professional NFL player. It's comfortable. The grass isn't always greener. And honestly, yeah he took less but he's still getting a shitload of money. Its a business and these guys know this. And although this is cool and a feel-good type story, I have no idea what this means for wins and losses, which is all I care about as a fan. 

And that doesn't even take into account the quality of life later on.  Dave Casper (OAK-TE) retired to live in my hometown... and came to speak to our team one day.  He was- maybe- 40 or 45.  He looked about 80.  He could barely move... and told us that he took alot of pain-killers, just to be able to walk.  

@"Jor-El" said:

Anyone like the Fleetwood Mac album, "Rumours"? Members of that group HATED each other while they created their best work ever, and one of the best albums in history. Tension can be productive.

Wonderful that these players all love each other and their coach and where they work. Hey, know who else loved playing here? The guys Leslie Frazier coached, because he was reportedly a wonderful guy who cared about all his players and made them feel good, even after losses. Numerous losses. There is a long list of winning teams with nasty coaches and tough circumstances and a very short list of "players coaches" who won it all.

When people are getting minimum wage to scrub toilets, "feel good workplace and coworkers feel like family" stories are nice compensation. The Vikings currently have 8 defensive players accounting for $80 Million in salary each year. These guys should F--KING LOVE their jobs even if everyone treats them like crap every day they come to practice. 

If they can have a team lovefest and win, that's fine. But this is an underachieving group that's aging. If this season is another disappointment, they need to be made uncomfortable and see a few of their buddies - and coaches - moved out of the club.

@"pumpf" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I think some fans don't understand this is a job to these guys. Yes, its a game, but this game takes a toll on their bodies and they have to basically train year round. They'll get hurt. They'll play injured. And its a short lived career. So just like other jobs, when you have great co-workers, its fun to go to work. And they want to win, but its not the end all, be all for them. They'd love to be champions, but sometimes that doesn't happen. So let's have some fun, work and prepare as hard as we can and let the chips fall where they may.

Fans want wins, but players understand sometimes that is out of their control. Barr stayed in Minnesota because he loves the aspects of the organization and its all he knows as a professional NFL player. It's comfortable. The grass isn't always greener. And honestly, yeah he took less but he's still getting a shitload of money. Its a business and these guys know this. And although this is cool and a feel-good type story, I have no idea what this means for wins and losses, which is all I care about as a fan. 

Having coached guys that played in the NFL, you're right: most folks have no idea the amount of work that these guys put in (year round).  Now, granted, if you love what you do... that helps.  But it's still A LOT of work: running 100 100-yd sprints- in 90+ heat and humidity- for example.  There was no one else there to push him; he just did it because he knew he had to.  Then he went in and lifted weights for 2 hours.  I can barely get out of bed at 6am... just to go and WATCH others lift weights! 

And that doesn't even take into account the quality of life later on.  Dave Casper (OAK-TE) retired to live in my hometown... and came to speak to our team one day.  He was- maybe- 40 or 45.  He looked about 80.  He could barely move... and told us that he took alot of pain-killers, just to be able to walk.  

@"kmillard" said:

@"Jor-El" said:

Anyone like the Fleetwood Mac album, "Rumours"? Members of that group HATED each other while they created their best work ever, and one of the best albums in history. Tension can be productive.

Wonderful that these players all love each other and their coach and where they work. Hey, know who else loved playing here? The guys Leslie Frazier coached, because he was reportedly a wonderful guy who cared about all his players and made them feel good, even after losses. Numerous losses. There is a long list of winning teams with nasty coaches and tough circumstances and a very short list of "players coaches" who won it all.

When people are getting minimum wage to scrub toilets, "feel good workplace and coworkers feel like family" stories are nice compensation. The Vikings currently have 8 defensive players accounting for $80 Million in salary each year. These guys should F--KING LOVE their jobs even if everyone treats them like crap every day they come to practice. 

If they can have a team lovefest and win, that's fine. But this is an underachieving group that's aging. If this season is another disappointment, they need to be made uncomfortable and see a few of their buddies - and coaches - moved out of the club.

I always think of Scotty Bowman as an NHL reference. The players hated playing for him but he won numerous championships wherever he went.

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"pumpf" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I think some fans don't understand this is a job to these guys. Yes, its a game, but this game takes a toll on their bodies and they have to basically train year round. They'll get hurt. They'll play injured. And its a short lived career. So just like other jobs, when you have great co-workers, its fun to go to work. And they want to win, but its not the end all, be all for them. They'd love to be champions, but sometimes that doesn't happen. So let's have some fun, work and prepare as hard as we can and let the chips fall where they may.

Fans want wins, but players understand sometimes that is out of their control. Barr stayed in Minnesota because he loves the aspects of the organization and its all he knows as a professional NFL player. It's comfortable. The grass isn't always greener. And honestly, yeah he took less but he's still getting a shitload of money. Its a business and these guys know this. And although this is cool and a feel-good type story, I have no idea what this means for wins and losses, which is all I care about as a fan. 

Having coached guys that played in the NFL, you're right: most folks have no idea the amount of work that these guys put in (year round).  Now, granted, if you love what you do... that helps.  But it's still A LOT of work: running 100 100-yd sprints- in 90+ heat and humidity- for example.  There was no one else there to push him; he just did it because he knew he had to.  Then he went in and lifted weights for 2 hours.  I can barely get out of bed at 6am... just to go and WATCH others lift weights! 

And that doesn't even take into account the quality of life later on.  Dave Casper (OAK-TE) retired to live in my hometown... and came to speak to our team one day.  He was- maybe- 40 or 45.  He looked about 80.  He could barely move... and told us that he took alot of pain-killers, just to be able to walk.  

I understand what you're saying. These guys do work very hard to get to where they are at. Not without also having some god given athletic ability as well. I don't wish to belittle their suffering, however. In my life I been and known a good many blue collar guys who got hurt badly on construction and manufacturing jobs. One guy got exposed to a substance that gave him neurological damage permanently. Died age 52 from seizures. I got a bother in-law who fell backwards off the stilts doing drywall. Crushed several discs. Permanent pain as well. These guys never made millions or even got near that. Men and women of all income ranges get hurt daily. These guys at least understand the risks and can get the hazard duty pay. 
Just saying.

This hasn't gotten enough talk...  this is COMPLETELY unheard of in today's NFL.  Yeah, he's still getting paid good money, but he had an offer for more money and left millions on the table to come back here. 

I guess if some want to spin that as a negative, go for it...  but IMO it speaks to the culture that Zimmer has built here.  This isn't a low-level free agent that has one or two low ball offers, this is a 4-time Pro Bowler in the prime of his career that was pretty heavily sought after by other teams.

I certainly have a ton of respect for Barr after this.  Not many guys would have made that decision.

@"Wetlander" said: This hasn't gotten enough talk...  this is COMPLETELY unheard of in today's NFL.  Yeah, he's still getting paid good money, but he had an offer for more money and left millions on the table to come back here. 

I guess if some want to spin that as a negative, go for it...  but IMO it speaks to the culture that Zimmer has built here.  This isn't a low-level free agent that has one or two low ball offers, this is a 4-time Pro Bowler in the prime of his career that was pretty heavily sought after by other teams.

I certainly have a ton of respect for Barr after this.  Not many guys would have made that decision.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Wetlander" said: This hasn't gotten enough talk...  this is COMPLETELY unheard of in today's NFL.  Yeah, he's still getting paid good money, but he had an offer for more money and left millions on the table to come back here. 

I guess if some want to spin that as a negative, go for it...  but IMO it speaks to the culture that Zimmer has built here.  This isn't a low-level free agent that has one or two low ball offers, this is a 4-time Pro Bowler in the prime of his career that was pretty heavily sought after by other teams.

I certainly have a ton of respect for Barr after this.  Not many guys would have made that decision.

didnt Cousins do exactly that last year to the same team?

@"Wetlander" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Wetlander" said: This hasn't gotten enough talk...  this is COMPLETELY unheard of in today's NFL.  Yeah, he's still getting paid good money, but he had an offer for more money and left millions on the table to come back here. 

I guess if some want to spin that as a negative, go for it...  but IMO it speaks to the culture that Zimmer has built here.  This isn't a low-level free agent that has one or two low ball offers, this is a 4-time Pro Bowler in the prime of his career that was pretty heavily sought after by other teams.

I certainly have a ton of respect for Barr after this.  Not many guys would have made that decision.

didnt Cousins do exactly that last year to the same team?

I don't think so...  the Jets were reportedly offering 90 million (IIRC), but I don't think they were guaranteeing 84 million dollars like the Vikings ended up doing.

@"Wetlander" said: This hasn't gotten enough talk...  this is COMPLETELY unheard of in today's NFL.  Yeah, he's still getting paid good money, but he had an offer for more money and left millions on the table to come back here. 

I guess if some want to spin that as a negative, go for it...  but IMO it speaks to the culture that Zimmer has built here.  This isn't a low-level free agent that has one or two low ball offers, this is a 4-time Pro Bowler in the prime of his career that was pretty heavily sought after by other teams.

I certainly have a ton of respect for Barr after this.  Not many guys would have made that decision.