All Things 2022 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Vikings re-signing backup QB Sean Mannion, who apparently has a big ally in Cousins. Can't say I'm a fan of this move, but I think a lot of people have different ideas over just what role a backup QB serves. There's a reason some of these guys have made a career out of being backup QBs for many years. They are coaches, counselors, support system, sounding board, etc.

 

[Dano564]

Vikings re-signing backup QB Sean Mannion, who apparently has a big ally in Cousins. Can't say I'm a fan of this move, but I think a lot of people have different ideas over just what role a backup QB serves. There's a reason some of these guys have made a career out of being backup QBs for many years. They are coaches, counselors, support system, sounding board, etc.

Kellen Mond has left the chat.

 

[howeda7]

They're definitely going all-in on tanking for a QB next year.

They're taking their medicine now, and then they'll have a lot of room to add players via free agency and with high draft choices in each round of the 2023 draft.

It's what the Vikings should have done this year.

This. Plus they signed the bridge QB I wanted. Mariota. They will probably win 6-7 games this year while the Vikings win 8 and stay stuck in the mud.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Za'Darius Smith signed with the Vikes for 3/$42M with an extra $5M in incentives. Sign OG Tretter and draft CB "Sauce" Gardner or Derek Stingley Jr and I'll feel better about next season.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Za'Darius Smith signed with the Vikes for 3/$42M with an extra $5M in incentives. Sign OG Tretter and draft CB "Sauce" Gardner or Derek Stingley Jr and I'll feel better about next season.

Love Gardner but I don't see any way he's there at #12.

Great pickup of Smith by the Vikings. Huh, crazy shit... the people that were writing off the season in March before the roster is even set... Without multiple additions to the receiving corps for Green Bay, it would be hard to say the Packers are already a lock to win the division, as some folks are already writing off the 2022 season for MN...

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

Love Gardner but I don't see any way he's there at #12.

Great pickup of Smith by the Vikings. Huh, crazy shit... the people that were writing off the season in March before the roster is even set... Without multiple additions to the receiving corps for Green Bay, it would be hard to say the Packers are already a lock to win the division, as some folks are already writing off the 2022 season for MN...

Need some OL help for sure. Great draft to get a top CB.

Then fill in hopefully with some bargain bin. Would love to get Akeem Hicks on the team.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Need some OL help for sure. Great draft to get a top CB.

Then fill in hopefully with some bargain bin. Would love to get Akeem Hicks on the team.

I'm surprised Hicks hasn't signed with anyone yet, but I agree...he'd be tremendous for our 3-4 defense.

Love Gardner but I don't see any way he's there at #12.

Great pickup of Smith by the Vikings. Huh, crazy shit... the people that were writing off the season in March before the roster is even set... Without multiple additions to the receiving corps for Green Bay, it would be hard to say the Packers are already a lock to win the division, as some folks are already writing off the 2022 season for MN...

Agree on Sauce...I've seen him go as high as #4 in some Mack Drafts.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Smith is a great addition if he's healthy. The rush could be fierce if Hunter is healthy as well.

Now they need to get high quality players in the draft. No wasted picks like Wyatt Davis. Apparently the Vikings' scouts disliked Davis. They didn't even give him a backup caliber grade, but Spielman went rogue and drafted him anyway.

 

[howeda7]

Za'Darius Smith signed with the Vikes for 3/$42M with an extra $5M in incentives. Sign OG Tretter and draft CB "Sauce" Gardner or Derek Stingley Jr and I'll feel better about next season.

They have ~$6 million in cap space after the Smith signing, but they need that for draft picks. So if they want to add an C/G and a CB, which they both need IMO, they will need Bryzinski to work a bit more magic.

 

[howeda7]

Smith is a great addition if he's healthy. The rush could be fierce if Hunter is healthy as well.

Now they need to get high quality players in the draft. No wasted picks like Wyatt Davis. Apparently the Vikings' scouts disliked Davis. They didn't even give him a backup caliber grade, but Spielman went rogue and drafted him anyway.

Zim also refused to play him, so I don't think we can declare him a bust yet.

 

[Bayfield Gopher]

Who let the dogs out!!!! Time to unleash.

Now let’s trade Cook for some solid interior OL

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

Zim also refused to play him, so I don't think we can declare him a bust yet.

these guys need run. I dont understand not playing them if a game is out of hand or missing the playoffs

 

[Spaulding!No!]

He’s a mondiac mondiac I know. Does that make me Kwesi? Does that make me Kwesi? Oh how you brighten every day turdo.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Zim also refused to play him, so I don't think we can declare him a bust yet.

The version I heard was, especially for a heavier guy like an OL, Davis was injured early in camp and just never, ever quite caught up. I guess that is fairly common for some players, trying to "catch up" to everyone else as the season goes on is just impossible, you're just always going to be behind everyone else.

Way too early to consider Davis a bust. He could very well start, depending on the rest of free agency and the draft

 

[GophersInIowa]

Perfect

 

[kg21]

The version I heard was, especially for a heavier guy like an OL, Davis was injured early in camp and just never, ever quite caught up. I guess that is fairly common for some players, trying to "catch up" to everyone else as the season goes on is just impossible, you're just always going to be behind everyone else.

Way too early to consider Davis a bust. He could very well start, depending on the rest of free agency and the draft

I can't remember if it was posted here or somewhere else, but apparently many of the viking scouting staff wanted nothing to do with Davis, but Spielman did it anyway.

Also, Davis is working out. He was fat and out of shape last year. He has lost weight and is looking good. He knows it's on the line this year.

 

[kg21]

Shots have been fired, and I love it. ZaDarius today:

Seeing Kirk there today working with KJ and Adam really reassured me. He's not sitting on some Youtube channel creating drama. He's putting in the work, because he sees a weak NFC north, and so do I.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Shots have been fired, and I love it. ZaDarius today:

Seeing Kirk there today working with KJ and Adam really reassured me. He's not sitting on some Youtube channel creating drama. He's putting in the work, because he sees a weak NFC north, and so do I.

Barring something just plain unusual as hell, I would venture to make the bold prediction that if Z. Smith and D. Hunter both play virtually the entire season, the Vikings will make the playoffs and very possibly win the NFC North.

What can I say, I'm optimistic about the new regime and a fresh start.

 

[Gophers_4life]

They're definitely going all-in on tanking for a QB next year.

They're taking their medicine now, and then they'll have a lot of room to add players via free agency and with high draft choices in each round of the 2023 draft.

It's what the Vikings should have done this year.

I was going to say, is @howeda7 their GM?? They even signed Mariota for this year.

Obviously you can't compare the rosters or the schedules, so it's not apples-to-apples ... but still tempting to see which team "does better" with the two opposing strategies.

 

[Gophers_4life]

This. Plus they signed the bridge QB I wanted. Mariota. They will probably win 6-7 games this year while the Vikings win 8 and stay stuck in the mud.

Agreed. I was with you all the way.

They (Wilfs + brain trust) really, really think and/or want 2022 to be the "make up" year that 2021 was "supposed to be" and that coaching was entirely the issue.

I don't think there's a chance in hell. But I'd be happy to be wrong and will admit it if so.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Za'Darius Smith signed with the Vikes for 3/$42M with an extra $5M in incentives. Sign OG Tretter and draft CB "Sauce" Gardner or Derek Stingley Jr and I'll feel better about next season.

They won't be signing a new starting OL.

They're rolling with Cleveland, Bradbury, and Davis on the cheap.


If I was our opponents, I'd put my biggest, most powerful DT's on them and tell them to bull-rush into Kirk's lap all game, plus A gap blitzers.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Love Gardner but I don't see any way he's there at #12.

Great pickup of Smith by the Vikings. Huh, crazy shit... the people that were writing off the season in March before the roster is even set... Without multiple additions to the receiving corps for Green Bay, it would be hard to say the Packers are already a lock to win the division, as some folks are already writing off the 2022 season for MN...

If you turn out to be correct, I will eat a giant plate of crow dinner in whatever way you want to cook it!

Al dente!

 

[Gophers_4life]

Smith is a great addition if he's healthy. The rush could be fierce if Hunter is healthy as well.

Now they need to get high quality players in the draft. No wasted picks like Wyatt Davis. Apparently the Vikings' scouts disliked Davis. They didn't even give him a backup caliber grade, but Spielman went rogue and drafted him anyway.

Well he's going to be the starter ...

We can't honestly roll out there with Brandel converted to G???? Jebus ...

 

[Gophers_4life]

Who let the dogs out!!!! Time to unleash.

Now let’s trade Cook for some solid interior OL

Cook ain't going nowhere.

Wilfs see him as key to a championship season.

You know, just like Derrick Henry

 

[Gophers_4life]

The version I heard was, especially for a heavier guy like an OL, Davis was injured early in camp and just never, ever quite caught up. I guess that is fairly common for some players, trying to "catch up" to everyone else as the season goes on is just impossible, you're just always going to be behind everyone else.

Way too early to consider Davis a bust. He could very well start, depending on the rest of free agency and the draft

He was hurt before camp and came in way too heavy and out of shape while rehabbing, I thought is what has been reported?

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

They won't be signing a new starting OL.

They're rolling with Cleveland, Bradbury, and Davis on the cheap.

I don't believe this, because it's a long ways until August.

HOWEVER, do we know for certain that this would be terrible? They will arguably be fairly strong at both Tackles, Davis could be a significant upgrade in his second year, Cleveland will be another year into the Guard position, and it's possible Bradbury is a decent fit for whatever KOC wants to run for an offense. Bradbury has a place in the league but it's for a pretty specific offense. The revolving door at OC for the Vikings under Zim wasn't healthy for anyone.

But I still think there are more additions coming on the OL, either in FA or the draft. There's a long time yet to go and a lot of free agents still waiting for the music to stop. The market is quieting down, unrealistic expectations for some players are being realized, numbers are coming down. And more players yet will still be cut

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

I don't believe this, because it's a long ways until August.

HOWEVER, do we know for certain that this would be terrible? They will arguably be fairly strong at both Tackles, Davis could be a significant upgrade in his second year, Cleveland will be another year into the Guard position, and it's possible Bradbury is a decent fit for whatever KOC wants to run for an offense. Bradbury has a place in the league but it's for a pretty specific offense. The revolving door at OC for the Vikings under Zim wasn't healthy for anyone.

But I still think there are more additions coming on the OL, either in FA or the draft. There's a long time yet to go and a lot of free agents still waiting for the music to stop. The market is quieting down, unrealistic expectations for some players are being realized, numbers are coming down. And more players yet will still be cut

I think the OL will be fine. Cleveland was good last season, and I think Udoh has done some good things too despite his penalties. Bradbury hasn't been great, but he was also beat up last season. They signed Schlottman as a backup, and Davis has a ton of talent. They'll likely draft another OL in the middle rounds.

Right now DB and another 3-4 DE are their two biggest weaknesses, not OL. They can look at those positions in the first two rounds of the draft.

 

[howeda7]

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

I think the OL will be fine. Cleveland was good last season, and I think Udoh has done some good things too despite his penalties. Bradbury hasn't been great, but he was also beat up last season. They signed Schlottman as a backup, and Davis has a ton of talent. They'll likely draft another OL in the middle rounds.

Right now DB and another 3-4 DE are their two biggest weaknesses, not OL. They can look at those positions in the first two rounds of the draft.

Part of me winces when talking drafting OL. But then i remember new regime, maybe they'll be better at drafting OL

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

Cant go wrong with their LB crew though

Hunter-Kendricks-Hicks-Smith