All Things 2021 Minnesota Vikings In-Season Thread

[stocker08]

He only can't be cut because of the cap hit. His mentality is cut worthy.

He's the most important player and supposedly a leader on the team, and he's putting the team in a bad spot by his own selfishness.

Winners like Brady would never do that. Brady would get in guys' faces in the locker room and tell unvaccinated players that they're letting the team down. So get it done or get out. That's a team first, winning mentality.

Brady is a competitor. He wouldn't even consider sitting out the season. Cousins is a selfish loser.

 

[Plausible Deniability]

Brady is a competitor. He wouldn't even consider sitting out the season. Cousins is a selfish loser.

Is Lamar Jackson a selfish loser too? He's already tested positive twice, almost certainly not vaxed. DeAndre Hopkins and Leonard Fournette? Selfish losers all across the board?

 

[stocker08]

Is Lamar Jackson a selfish loser too? He's already tested positive twice, almost certainly not vaxed. DeAndre Hopkins and Leonard Fournette? Selfish losers all across the board?

If those guys choose to sit out the season rather than get the vaccine.....yes.....selfish losers.

 

[tmvander]

I'm too lazy to read anything but are rules different for guys who test positive who are vax'd than guys who test positive and aren't? Do they have to sit out the same amount of time?

If not then I get all the arguing but if they sit out the same amount of time what is the argument?

 

[howeda7]

I'm too lazy to read anything but are rules different for guys who test positive who are vax'd than guys who test positive and aren't? Do they have to sit out the same amount of time?

If not then I get all the arguing but if they sit out the same amount of time what is the argument?

Yes. If you are vaxed, you only have to sit out until you test negative twice. If you are not vaxed, you have to quarantine 10 days.

So Mond could be back as early as today or tomorrow. Cousins is out until like the 9th at a minimum. During the regular season it could easily mean missing 2 games.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Well, now the media is correcting itself. Apparently Mond was NOT vaccinated, despite earlier reports that he was. Apparently the only vaccinated QB on the Roster was Browning, who told the media that he was indeed vaccinated.

Check out the Strib for some great comments from Zimmer on the anti-vaxxers. It sounds like something the "liberals" on Gopher Hole might post on the off-topic board.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Well, now the media is correcting itself. Apparently Mond was NOT vaccinated, despite earlier reports that he was. Apparently the only vaccinated QB on the Roster was Browning, who told the media that he was indeed vaccinated.

Check out the Strib for some great comments from Zimmer on the anti-vaxxers. It sounds like something the "liberals" COMMON SENSE CROWD on Gopher Hole might post on the off-topic board.

FIXED IT

 

[tmvander]

Yes. If you are vaxed, you only have to sit out until you test negative twice. If you are not vaxed, you have to quarantine 10 days.

So Mond could be back as early as today or tomorrow. Cousins is out until like the 9th at a minimum. During the regular season it could easily mean missing 2 games.

Got it, makes sense. Thanks for the info.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Some tidbits on practice finally starting to trickle in a little bit, who looks good, etc

- J. Jefferson appears to look incredible, poised to take yet another step forward
- KJ Osborn looking really good, could challenge Dede Westbrook for WR3
- Pretty clear that Westbrook will be the guy returning punts this season, barring injury
- Irv Smith looking really good and ready to more than fill the void left by Rudolph

OL will probably be unsettled for a few more weeks; still think Rashod Hill starts at LT in Week One. It's anyone's guess at the Week One starter at RG whether it's Oli Udoh, Dozier or Wyatt Davis. Not worth getting too excited about this at all in the next several weeks

 

[stocker08]

Some tidbits on practice finally starting to trickle in a little bit, who looks good, etc

- J. Jefferson appears to look incredible, poised to take yet another step forward
- KJ Osborn looking really good, could challenge Dede Westbrook for WR3
- Pretty clear that Westbrook will be the guy returning punts this season, barring injury
- Irv Smith looking really good and ready to more than fill the void left by Rudolph

OL will probably be unsettled for a few more weeks; still think Rashod Hill starts at LT in Week One. It's anyone's guess at the Week One starter at RG whether it's Oli Udoh, Dozier or Wyatt Davis. Not worth getting too excited about this at all in the next several weeks

That's surprising....considering Osborn was brought in as a punt returner.....who ended up sucking at returning punts.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Well, shit....

Vikings release Jeff Gladney after he gets indicted. F'ng awesome....

>>
The Minnesota Vikings released cornerback Jeff Gladney on Tuesday following an indictment by a Dallas grand jury on a charge of felony assault connected to an April incident involving a 22-year-old woman.

"As we have previously said, we take these matters very seriously and condemn all forms of domestic violence," the Vikings said in a statement. "Due to the ongoing legal nature of this matter, we are unable to provide further comment."

Gladney, 24, turned himself in to Dallas police on April 5 on a warrant for family violence assault, a third-degree felony. He was charged by a grand jury on Thursday with family violence by impeding breath.

A woman identified as Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against Gladney on July 26, saying that Gladney physically assaulted, beat and held her against her will "for several hours" on April 1, then attempted to "bribe, threaten, blackmail and manipulate" her not to speak about the incident.

"Obviously, allegations like these are very disturbing and something that’s concerning to us as ownership and to our organization," team president Mark Wilf told reporters earlier Tuesday.

A native of New Boston, Texas, Gladney went to college at TCU in Fort Worth. He was drafted No. 31 by Minnesota in 2020.

 

[boofbonser]

Well, shit....

Vikings release Jeff Gladney after he gets indicted. F'ng awesome....

>>
The Minnesota Vikings released cornerback Jeff Gladney on Tuesday following an indictment by a Dallas grand jury on a charge of felony assault connected to an April incident involving a 22-year-old woman.

"As we have previously said, we take these matters very seriously and condemn all forms of domestic violence," the Vikings said in a statement. "Due to the ongoing legal nature of this matter, we are unable to provide further comment."

Gladney, 24, turned himself in to Dallas police on April 5 on a warrant for family violence assault, a third-degree felony. He was charged by a grand jury on Thursday with family violence by impeding breath.

A woman identified as Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against Gladney on July 26, saying that Gladney physically assaulted, beat and held her against her will "for several hours" on April 1, then attempted to "bribe, threaten, blackmail and manipulate" her not to speak about the incident.

"Obviously, allegations like these are very disturbing and something that’s concerning to us as ownership and to our organization," team president Mark Wilf told reporters earlier Tuesday.

A native of New Boston, Texas, Gladney went to college at TCU in Fort Worth. He was drafted No. 31 by Minnesota in 2020.

Figured that was coming, probably why they signed 3 corners in the offseason.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Is Deshaun Watson still with Houston?

 

[GopherVotary]

NFL players love to beat up women.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Figured that was coming, probably why they signed 3 corners in the offseason.

At least he wasn’t the best CB on the team from that draft. Dantzler is better. Still sucks though.

 

[forever a gopher]

NFL players love to beat up women.

Sure hope taking out that anger on somebody was worth losing millions of dollars. Dumbass. Depending on when his case is resolved, somebody will definitely pick him up. But it’ll probably be a one-year “show me” deal, and depending on the charges/case, might not be until next year.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Vikes have whiffed on several 1st-round draft picks in recent years. Gladney, Hughes at CB, Treadwell at WR, and the jury is still out on Bradbury at C.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

On the Plus side FWIW -

The Athletic ranks the Vikes as the #1 D entering the season - take that Mr. Divergent!!

Ranking every NFL defense from 1 to 32 going into the 2021 season

The Broncos and Bucs figure to thrive again this season, but a talent influx could mean good things for Cleveland, Carolina and others.

theathletic.com

1. Minnesota Vikings​

Last season: 18th

It’s pretty simple to explain away the Vikings’ struggles last season. They had the third-worst injury luck of any defense, according to Football Outsiders’ Adjusted Games Lost metric, and they had the most injured defensive line. The Vikings didn’t get a single snap from edge defender Danielle Hunter or defensive tackle Michael Pierce.

This year, not only are both players back, but Minnesota added Dalvin Tomlinson and Sheldon Richardson. With Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr still in the mix at linebacker, the Vikings project to have one of the league’s top front sevens. There are some questions on the back end, but the Vikings added veterans Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland and Mackensie Alexander to give themselves options at cornerback. Cameron Dantzler figures to improve in his second season.

On paper, it’s probably not the most talented group, but coach Mike Zimmer is one of the smartest defensive minds in the NFL. The Vikings finished first, third and fourth in defensive efficiency from 2017 to 2019. Barring another bout of terrible injury luck, they’re talented enough to get back into that range this season.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

On the Negative side FWIW -

Vikings have league's lowest vaccination rate; owner Mark Wilf 'very concerned'

Minnesota is one of five teams with a roster less than 85 percent vaccinated. Elsewhere, the team cut ties with CB Jeff Gladney.

theathletic.com

Vikings have league’s lowest vaccination rate; owner Mark Wilf ‘very concerned’​

Mark Wilf’s annual training camp summit with reporters could have been a celebration of all the organization has accomplished in building out the area around the new practice facility, including the mega ballroom at the immaculate hotel across the street where Wilf spoke. It could have also been a look ahead at the impressive feats the Wilfs are hoping to pull off, including attempts at hosting both the NFL’s scouting combine and draft later this decade.

Instead, Wilf was stuck talking about the Vikings’ low vaccination rate, the growing rift between the head coach and starting quarterback, and the 2020 first-round pick who was indicted on felony domestic violence charges Tuesday.

Suffice to say, the first few days of training camp haven’t gone exactly as envisioned. So as the Vikings deal with the above issues, let’s recap all that was shared by Wilf, the team’s president and co-owner.

The team’s vaccine issue​

The Vikings have the lowest vaccination rate of any team in the NFL, according to a team source, and they’re one of just five with a roster that’s less than 85 percent vaccinated. Quarterback Kellen Mond tested positive for the virus and is showing symptoms, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said Tuesday, and two other quarterbacks, as well as a wide receiver, are on the COVID-19/reserve list.

Further, as we detailed Tuesday morning, a few of the Vikings’ best players are not only unvaccinated but have proclaimed they’ll never receive the vaccine, prompting frustration from the head coach.

The severity of the issue has now reached the top of the organization as Wilf is dismayed at how his franchise has become the worst in the NFL with regard to vaccination rate.

“We’re very concerned,” Wilf said. “I think it’s safe to say that our number one priority is the health and safety of our players, our coaches, our staff and, ultimately, the entire community. From that standpoint, we really are encouraging people to get vaccinated. We’re proud of the fact that we’ve partnered with the state of Minnesota to have our facility here used as a vaccination center in the offseason. We just want everybody to follow the protocols. We’re trying to educate everyone in the organization, the team, to make sure and get the vaccination.”

But Wilf also knows that the league’s protocols and rules regarding COVID-19 provide a competitive advantage to teams with a high rate of vaccinations. Less than a week into training camp, the Vikings already have had to practice without three of their quarterbacks. If a similar situation arose in the season, they’d have to play without multiple players.

“The competitive side is of course concerning, but again, our focus is on health and safety,” Wilf said. “We care about the players and the team, and from that standpoint, they happen to be aligned. But the fact is, we’re encouraging vaccinations. We’re talking about a serious health pandemic, and it’s something we want to make sure that our players, our staff, our coaches, that they’re fully informed of what’s involved here. From that standpoint, I think the way Coach (Mike) Zimmer and (general manager) Rick Spielman and the entire football team has handled this is the right way in terms of making sure … that everyone is educated and has the opportunity to understand all the facts.”

Gladney released​

The Vikings released Jeff Gladney, a first-round pick in 2020, following his indictment by a grand jury in Texas on domestic violence charges. Wilf spoke before the team released Gladney.

“Obviously, allegations like these are very disturbing, and something that’s concerning to us as ownership and to our organization,” Wilf said.”The news you’re talking about just apparently hit a couple of minutes ago, so right now, our GM and our coach, we’re talking to the league and really working through to understand this better. And as we get more information here in the coming hours, we’ll let you know where we go on this. But obviously, the allegations are very disturbing.”

Expectations​

Rumors have swirled about the potential job security (or lack thereof) surrounding Zimmer and Spielman if the Vikings missed the playoffs for a second straight season. But when asked about his expectations for the 2021 season, Wilf didn’t get into anything too specific, other than noting he’s confident in the roster.

“Personally and as our ownership, and I think coach Zimmer has laid it out, we’re really excited,” Wilf said. “The offense, of course, where it was last year was at a really strong spot, and we brought back (a lot of players), and we’ve made some really notable improvements, particularly on the offensive line. And on the defense, last year we had a lot of young players new to our system, they got a lot of playing time, and now all the additions in the offseason as well as the players who are coming back — just real excited about the roster. And we know how energized our fan base is. And having the fans back is going to be a huge competitive advantage for us. So from all those standpoints, we couldn’t be more excited.”

Combine/NFL Draft​

After the Vikings hosted the Super Bowl and then opened their new practice facility, Wilf set his sights on hosting the combine or the draft.

The NFL announced that the combine will no longer be anchored in Indianapolis and could rotate to different cities. Wilf said the Vikings have made a formal expression of interest to the league to host the combine in one of the years between 2023 and 2027. As for the draft, the Vikings are hoping to persuade the league to come to Minnesota sometime between 2025 and 2029.

“I think we’ve proved in Super Bowl LII that this community knows how to handle big events and really embraces it,” Wilf said. “There’s a culture here that really embraces the big events, so we feel both the combine and the NFL Draft, we’ve put our hat in the ring, if you will, to compete for those because the corporate community, the fans, everybody is super passionate here and would be great partners to make this happen. We’re encouraging the league to think seriously about this, and hopefully they’ll consider us as a great venue for that.”

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

On the Negative side FWIW -

Vikings have league's lowest vaccination rate; owner Mark Wilf 'very concerned'

Minnesota is one of five teams with a roster less than 85 percent vaccinated. Elsewhere, the team cut ties with CB Jeff Gladney.

theathletic.com

Vikings have league’s lowest vaccination rate; owner Mark Wilf ‘very concerned’​

Mark Wilf’s annual training camp summit with reporters could have been a celebration of all the organization has accomplished in building out the area around the new practice facility, including the mega ballroom at the immaculate hotel across the street where Wilf spoke. It could have also been a look ahead at the impressive feats the Wilfs are hoping to pull off, including attempts at hosting both the NFL’s scouting combine and draft later this decade.

Instead, Wilf was stuck talking about the Vikings’ low vaccination rate, the growing rift between the head coach and starting quarterback, and the 2020 first-round pick who was indicted on felony domestic violence charges Tuesday.

Suffice to say, the first few days of training camp haven’t gone exactly as envisioned. So as the Vikings deal with the above issues, let’s recap all that was shared by Wilf, the team’s president and co-owner.

The team’s vaccine issue​

The Vikings have the lowest vaccination rate of any team in the NFL, according to a team source, and they’re one of just five with a roster that’s less than 85 percent vaccinated. Quarterback Kellen Mond tested positive for the virus and is showing symptoms, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said Tuesday, and two other quarterbacks, as well as a wide receiver, are on the COVID-19/reserve list.

Further, as we detailed Tuesday morning, a few of the Vikings’ best players are not only unvaccinated but have proclaimed they’ll never receive the vaccine, prompting frustration from the head coach.

The severity of the issue has now reached the top of the organization as Wilf is dismayed at how his franchise has become the worst in the NFL with regard to vaccination rate.

“We’re very concerned,” Wilf said. “I think it’s safe to say that our number one priority is the health and safety of our players, our coaches, our staff and, ultimately, the entire community. From that standpoint, we really are encouraging people to get vaccinated. We’re proud of the fact that we’ve partnered with the state of Minnesota to have our facility here used as a vaccination center in the offseason. We just want everybody to follow the protocols. We’re trying to educate everyone in the organization, the team, to make sure and get the vaccination.”

But Wilf also knows that the league’s protocols and rules regarding COVID-19 provide a competitive advantage to teams with a high rate of vaccinations. Less than a week into training camp, the Vikings already have had to practice without three of their quarterbacks. If a similar situation arose in the season, they’d have to play without multiple players.

“The competitive side is of course concerning, but again, our focus is on health and safety,” Wilf said. “We care about the players and the team, and from that standpoint, they happen to be aligned. But the fact is, we’re encouraging vaccinations. We’re talking about a serious health pandemic, and it’s something we want to make sure that our players, our staff, our coaches, that they’re fully informed of what’s involved here. From that standpoint, I think the way Coach (Mike) Zimmer and (general manager) Rick Spielman and the entire football team has handled this is the right way in terms of making sure … that everyone is educated and has the opportunity to understand all the facts.”

Gladney released​

The Vikings released Jeff Gladney, a first-round pick in 2020, following his indictment by a grand jury in Texas on domestic violence charges. Wilf spoke before the team released Gladney.

“Obviously, allegations like these are very disturbing, and something that’s concerning to us as ownership and to our organization,” Wilf said.”The news you’re talking about just apparently hit a couple of minutes ago, so right now, our GM and our coach, we’re talking to the league and really working through to understand this better. And as we get more information here in the coming hours, we’ll let you know where we go on this. But obviously, the allegations are very disturbing.”

Expectations​

Rumors have swirled about the potential job security (or lack thereof) surrounding Zimmer and Spielman if the Vikings missed the playoffs for a second straight season. But when asked about his expectations for the 2021 season, Wilf didn’t get into anything too specific, other than noting he’s confident in the roster.

“Personally and as our ownership, and I think coach Zimmer has laid it out, we’re really excited,” Wilf said. “The offense, of course, where it was last year was at a really strong spot, and we brought back (a lot of players), and we’ve made some really notable improvements, particularly on the offensive line. And on the defense, last year we had a lot of young players new to our system, they got a lot of playing time, and now all the additions in the offseason as well as the players who are coming back — just real excited about the roster. And we know how energized our fan base is. And having the fans back is going to be a huge competitive advantage for us. So from all those standpoints, we couldn’t be more excited.”

Combine/NFL Draft​

After the Vikings hosted the Super Bowl and then opened their new practice facility, Wilf set his sights on hosting the combine or the draft.

The NFL announced that the combine will no longer be anchored in Indianapolis and could rotate to different cities. Wilf said the Vikings have made a formal expression of interest to the league to host the combine in one of the years between 2023 and 2027. As for the draft, the Vikings are hoping to persuade the league to come to Minnesota sometime between 2025 and 2029.

“I think we’ve proved in Super Bowl LII that this community knows how to handle big events and really embraces it,” Wilf said. “There’s a culture here that really embraces the big events, so we feel both the combine and the NFL Draft, we’ve put our hat in the ring, if you will, to compete for those because the corporate community, the fans, everybody is super passionate here and would be great partners to make this happen. We’re encouraging the league to think seriously about this, and hopefully they’ll consider us as a great venue for that.”

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Talk about a stark contrast in opinions with regards to the Vikings, both found in The Athletic.

One article, I believe it was their preseason Power Rankings, lists the Vikings well into the bottom half of the league, 19th overall in the Power Rankings.

The Athletic: 2021 NFL Power Rankings

A week or so later, there was a Defensive ranking and almost inexplicably, that article had the Vikings ranked #1 for 2021. Huh?

Ranking the NFL Defenses for 2021

I'm as optimistic as they come about the Defense rebounding but damn, that's a big jump for a defense that was terrible. And if the defense is that much improved, and the offense should be pretty damn good, one would think they are more than middle of the pack for overall power ranking?

At the end of the day, if the defense takes a considerable step forward, which most people expect, the Vikings should be a pretty decent team this year

 

[Spaulding!No!]

This is all the Curse of Ragnar! Pay Ragnar his 150k/season if the Vikes wanna see the playoffs.

 

[howeda7]

 

[howeda7]

 

[short ornery norwegian]

So, Cousins had a press availability today (Thurs). Sounds like he is still a big "No" on vaccine.

A couple of things I saw on Twitter:

QB Kirk Cousins said the key issue is to avoid close contact and said he might even put plexiglass around where he is in the facility.

Kirk Cousins said he wasn’t in close contact with Mond after all, said there’s a new bigger QB room and doesn’t think he will have any more issues.

 

[Nax5]

He also considered building a plexiglass box to sit in during QB meetings. Zimmer must want to shoot himself at this point.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

The real question is - has he been in touch with our own beloved QUACK, Dr. JimmyJamzMD?

 

[spermophilus]

Team still spelled without any “i’s” . . . . two in Kirk Cousins, however. Just sayin’ . . .

 

[mnvballdad]

Is Lamar Jackson a selfish loser too? He's already tested positive twice, almost certainly not vaxed. DeAndre Hopkins and Leonard Fournette? Selfish losers all across the board?

Yes. Thank you for playing.

 

[howeda7]

The real question is - has he been in touch with our own beloved QUACK, Dr. JimmyJamzMD?

God help us. They probably trade "research" on Signal or 4Chan.