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ORIGINAL: BisonFan

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ORIGINAL: Ricky J

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ORIGINAL: BisonFan

Football season is here and couldn't be happier. So many questions to be answered for the Vikings. Can Murray lead us to the promise land? Will Juice and Banks make a "big" difference in our D-line? Will we actually have a decent run game or will KOC abandon it after two weeks? Will the Hitman be able to perform when on the field (I have my doubts). So many more.

I am turning 65 this week and have followed the Purple and Gold my entire life. Please, please, I am begging our team to win the Super Bowl once.

Let's cheer on our team. SKOL!!!!

Only two more years and you can collect full ss benefits ;) For me it's draining thinking about how much energy Ive put into being a Viking fan over the years

I am starting to run out of energy and thinking of Einstein's quote about insansity.

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ORIGINAL: stfrank

One final year of Smith as the on-field coach before he becomes a coach for real is how I see it.....

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ORIGINAL: marty

Anyone else feel that this will be a season where we don't really get answers, a mediocre season of ups and downs ?

The change in run blocking scheme, along with firing the OL coach, gives me hope the run game will be better.

Seems like a 9-8 season.

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

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ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen
Seems Smith hit the proverbial wall 2-3 years ago, but when Flores calls a play that is a branch of a sequel to a root or whatever while going way off script, Smith plays on-field translator very well and that allows Metellus to focus on his 11 different positions on defense.

No fascination, more of a shrug and we suddenly have a new starter at safety in Sept.

Yes. That Smith would ultimately come back was a poorly kept secret. The reaction to his signing was just acknowledging that it happened and speculation on the timing. I wasn't overjoyed, but I also don't agree with **** him.

How it impacts the Vikings? He certainly isn't the player he was, but last year he was still effective. As Bill alluded to, Smith is the proverbial coach on the field. He is arguably the smartest defensive player in the NFL.

Smith keeps in shape for all his pre-snap sprinting … forward, backward, etc. He has the highest pre-snap production (QBs thinking wtf is is this dude up to, etc) than any other defender in the game.

Once the ball snaps … meh, he’s just okay. But pre-snap … he is the perfect complement to all of Flores’ chicanery and skulduggery. Thus, the diabolical chuckle from the sideline before the ball is snapped and the 12m+ contract.

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

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ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen
Seems Smith hit the proverbial wall 2-3 years ago, but when Flores calls a play that is a branch of a sequel to a root or whatever while going way off script, Smith plays on-field translator very well and that allows Metellus to focus on his 11 different positions on defense.

No fascination, more of a shrug and we suddenly have a new starter at safety in Sept.

Yes. That Smith would ultimately come back was a poorly kept secret. The reaction to his signing was just acknowledging that it happened and speculation on the timing. I wasn't overjoyed, but I also don't agree with **** him.

How it impacts the Vikings? He certainly isn't the player he was, but last year he was still effective. As Bill alluded to, Smith is the proverbial coach on the field. He is arguably the smartest defensive player in the NFL.

Smith keeps in shape for all his pre-snap sprinting … forward, backward, etc. He has the highest pre-snap production (QBs thinking wtf is is this dude up to, etc) than any other defender in the game.

Once the ball snaps … meh, he’s just okay. But pre-snap … he is the perfect complement to all of Flores’ chicanery and skulduggery. Thus, the diabolical chuckle from the sideline before the ball is snapped and the 12m+ contract.

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ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

Not trying to be an ass but being honest. Does Smith coming back move the needle? I'm sure it's an emotional lift but he was pretty 'blah' for most of the season. He had some really cool moments when it didn't really matter but overall it was kinda [>:]

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ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

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ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen
Seems Smith hit the proverbial wall 2-3 years ago, but when Flores calls a play that is a branch of a sequel to a root or whatever while going way off script, Smith plays on-field translator very well and that allows Metellus to focus on his 11 different positions on defense.

No fascination, more of a shrug and we suddenly have a new starter at safety in Sept.

Yes. That Smith would ultimately come back was a poorly kept secret. The reaction to his signing was just acknowledging that it happened and speculation on the timing. I wasn't overjoyed, but I also don't agree with **** him.

How it impacts the Vikings? He certainly isn't the player he was, but last year he was still effective. As Bill alluded to, Smith is the proverbial coach on the field. He is arguably the smartest defensive player in the NFL.

Smith keeps in shape for all his pre-snap sprinting … forward, backward, etc. He has the highest pre-snap production (QBs thinking wtf is is this dude up to, etc) than any other defender in the game.

Once the ball snaps … meh, he’s just okay. But pre-snap … he is the perfect complement to all of Flores’ chicanery and skulduggery. Thus, the diabolical chuckle from the sideline before the ball is snapped and the 12m+ contract.

I do remember Smith taking wrong angles but the guy always seems to be in the right spot.

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ORIGINAL: dontplaymista

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ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

Not trying to be an ass but being honest. Does Smith coming back move the needle? I'm sure it's an emotional lift but he was pretty 'blah' for most of the season. He had some really cool moments when it didn't really matter but overall it was kinda [>:]

Agreed, he's taken a dive big time and last year barely made the top 3rd of all eligible safetys. Not sure why he's getting 12 mil either, kind of dumb.

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ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

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ORIGINAL: dontplaymista

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ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

Not trying to be an ass but being honest. Does Smith coming back move the needle? I'm sure it's an emotional lift but he was pretty 'blah' for most of the season. He had some really cool moments when it didn't really matter but overall it was kinda [>:]

Agreed, he's taken a dive big time and last year barely made the top 3rd of all eligible safetys. Not sure why he's getting 12 mil either, kind of dumb.

I know Bill mentioned Void $$$ but he had 3 million voided on the previous contract into 2026.....so that most likely is part of 12 million? The confusing part is what actual money he is getting paid.

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ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

I'm glad he's back, don't get me wrong. He will help with the mental side of the game. The "coach on the field" cliche crap. That said, I don't see him impacting the game much when the ball is snapped. That's what I meant. It's really not a big deal but people (not here, but in general) are all geeked up because "the hitman is back" ~~~~ meh.

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ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

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ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

I'm glad he's back, don't get me wrong. He will help with the mental side of the game. The "coach on the field" cliche crap. That said, I don't see him impacting the game much when the ball is snapped. That's what I meant. It's really not a big deal but people (not here, but in general) are all geeked up because "the hitman is back" ~~~~ meh.

Totally agree. This is not the 2017 Harrison Smith. He'll be 38 before the season is over. Good QBs are going to target him and it will get ugly.

But there is KOC yapping about how he is dunking basketballs [&o]

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ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser

I'm glad he's back, don't get me wrong. He will help with the mental side of the game. The "coach on the field" cliche crap. That said, I don't see him impacting the game much when the ball is snapped. That's what I meant. It's really not a big deal but people (not here, but in general) are all geeked up because "the hitman is back" ~~~~ meh.

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ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

KOC has named Wentz as the backup behind Murray.

In other news, the sun rose in the east.

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ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

Have to wonder about Carson Wentz. Last year he played with half a torso and had a better QBR than JJM.