quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

NT and IOL definitely will make or break our season. Sucks Pierce opted out - can't blame FO for that.

IOL -

I absolutely agree cant blame FO for Pierce. Dont think anybody has.

quote:

ORIGINAL: unome

The IOL is tricky because we DID put assets into the line, they just have not panned out.

First round pick at Center. Traded up in the Third to get the starting Right Guard. Traded up in the Fourth for another Guard (Samia). Had the latest Second Rounder playing there this camp.

And IOL are the kinds of players that you should be able to get in the third and fourth rounds. Or even later.

We have spent assets on the IOL, but we have failed to get solid results, at least so far, from almost all of the players. Something seems broken RE how we either assess or coach the O-line. Maybe both.

quote:

ORIGINAL: unome

The IOL is tricky because we DID put assets into the line, they just have not panned out.

First round pick at Center. Traded up in the Third to get the starting Right Guard. Traded up in the Fourth for another Guard (Samia). Had the latest Second Rounder playing there this camp.

And IOL are the kinds of players that you should be able to get in the third and fourth rounds. Or even later.

We have spent assets on the IOL, but we have failed to get solid results, at least so far, from almost all of the players. Something seems broken RE how we either assess or coach the O-line. Maybe both.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: unome

The IOL is tricky because we DID put assets into the line, they just have not panned out.

First round pick at Center. Traded up in the Third to get the starting Right Guard. Traded up in the Fourth for another Guard (Samia). Had the latest Second Rounder playing there this camp.

And IOL are the kinds of players that you should be able to get in the third and fourth rounds. Or even later.

We have spent assets on the IOL, but we have failed to get solid results, at least so far, from almost all of the players. Something seems broken RE how we either assess or coach the O-line. Maybe both.

I hear what you’re saying, however the proof is kind of in the pudding at least for this off-season.

Any plan that included moving Elflein to starting RG, and his backup to take over his LG spot for the opening game vs GB is a massive failure.

Hopefully Oli Udoh, And Dru Samia (looking like a complete disaster at this point) somehow turn it on quickly.

Perhaps Cleveland matures this year and beats out Reiff who I’m sure is trending out of the FO’s plans, but right now I have huge questions going up against the Puckers pass rush.

Feels like we got worse duRing the off-season. Hell I would’ve kept Kline, and gone after another FA IOLineman if I felt our young guys weren’t improving.

Now Covid19 could’ve had something to do with our lack of movement at this grouping, but it’s a huge concern for me going forward..

Hope I’m wrong.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Yannick Ngakoue on taking a near $6 million pay cut to join the Vikings: “Money was never my drive coming into this business. It has never been my drive. I’ve always wanted to be a great-caliber guy, great-quality guy, on and off the field. I just needed a fresh start, and Minnesota was [the team] that gave me the opportunity to continue to live out my dream. I’m appreciative and excited.”

(Courtney Cronin on Twitter)

I'm going to say that Ngakoue has to be already one of my favorite Vikings right now.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

NT and IOL definitely will make or break our season. Sucks Pierce opted out - can't blame FO for that.

IOL -

I absolutely agree cant blame FO for Pierce. Dont think anybody has.

Stephen / Watt / etc are a big leap of faith to improve the group over last year which was b as barely okay by our standards (until the 49ers).

Johnson and Jefferson are imo are a big leap of faith to attack defenses play in and play out.

I really hope my low expectations are annihlated by good play early in the season.

quote:

ORIGINAL: thebigo

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Yannick Ngakoue on taking a near $6 million pay cut to join the Vikings: “Money was never my drive coming into this business. It has never been my drive. I’ve always wanted to be a great-caliber guy, great-quality guy, on and off the field. I just needed a fresh start, and Minnesota was [the team] that gave me the opportunity to continue to live out my dream. I’m appreciative and excited.”

(Courtney Cronin on Twitter)

I'm going to say that Ngakoue has to be already one of my favorite Vikings right now.

I heard ALSO that since a contract was worked out for this year, that IF we were to franchise him next year, he would not get the 20% franchise tagged 2 years in a row bump.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager



They might have a verbal agreement on a contract and/or not tagging but the restructure does not prevent/restrict it like Clowney's did. Vikes can tag him again and it would be 20% higher than 12M (14.4M).

quote:

ORIGINAL: ratoppenheimer

.
.

Chris Tomasson@christomasson
DE Yannick Ngakoue says "everybody can get sacks" and "it's easy" but says that he's able to force fumbles, which sets him aside he believes.


Sean Borman@SeanBormanNFL
#Vikings DE Yannick Ngakoue:

“I could tell this was a special place back when we had the joint practice [in ‘18]. Just the way everything was ran and Coach Zim does a great job of taking care of everybody... I just appreciate Minnesota so much for having faith in me.”


Chris Tomasson@christomasson
DE Yannick Ngakoue says there's "only one 91 who can do what I do.'' He wouldn't say how much he paid Jalyn Holmes for that number but said "not too much.''







.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Yannick Ngakoue on taking a near $6 million pay cut to join the Vikings: “Money was never my drive coming into this business. It has never been my drive. I’ve always wanted to be a great-caliber guy, great-quality guy, on and off the field. I just needed a fresh start, and Minnesota was [the team] that gave me the opportunity to continue to live out my dream. I’m appreciative and excited.”

(Courtney Cronin on Twitter)

I'm going to say that Ngakoue has to be already one of my favorite Vikings right now.

https://www.vikings.com/video/ngakoue-on-joining-the-vikings-this-is-a-special-place

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Yannick Ngakoue on playing with Danielle Hunter:

"We want to become the best of the best. We want to be elite. When they talk about edge rushers, you want them to talk about Danielle and Yannick."

(Vikings Corner on Twitter)

quote:

ORIGINAL: unome

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: unome

The IOL is tricky because we DID put assets into the line, they just have not panned out.

First round pick at Center. Traded up in the Third to get the starting Right Guard. Traded up in the Fourth for another Guard (Samia). Had the latest Second Rounder playing there this camp.

And IOL are the kinds of players that you should be able to get in the third and fourth rounds. Or even later.

We have spent assets on the IOL, but we have failed to get solid results, at least so far, from almost all of the players. Something seems broken RE how we either assess or coach the O-line. Maybe both.

I hear what you’re saying, however the proof is kind of in the pudding at least for this off-season.

Any plan that included moving Elflein to starting RG, and his backup to take over his LG spot for the opening game vs GB is a massive failure.

Hopefully Oli Udoh, And Dru Samia (looking like a complete disaster at this point) somehow turn it on quickly.

Perhaps Cleveland matures this year and beats out Reiff who I’m sure is trending out of the FO’s plans, but right now I have huge questions going up against the Puckers pass rush.

Feels like we got worse duRing the off-season. Hell I would’ve kept Kline, and gone after another FA IOLineman if I felt our young guys weren’t improving.

Now Covid19 could’ve had something to do with our lack of movement at this grouping, but it’s a huge concern for me going forward..

Hope I’m wrong.

It seems that they had a big belief in some of the youngsters progressing. Samia, Udoh, maybe Collins.

And, like pretty much everyone, cutting Kline seemed crazy at the time. Full disclosure: now that he has not found another team, it looks less unwise.

But defending the Kline cut may be easier now, but why not pick up another FA Guard of a starter level? Were there really no one good enough available that fit our scheme? That seems unlikely.

If we were using this as a rebuilding year, I guess their choices would be defensible, but we made the playoffs last year and the Yannick moves says that we are trying to win this year.

I don't know. I don't get it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

WR. One can question whether they should have traded Diggs, but drafting Jefferson, signing an improving Sharpe, expecting more from Smith Jr, and emphasizing rushing combine to help alleviate losing Diggs.

IDL. After they signed Pierce, I was ok with the rotating mass of humanity that would start next to Pierce. His opting out put us in a bind. They traded for a fatty, but he failed his physical. The IDT is more about Pierce opting out than not having a plan, for this offseason at least.

IOL. I wonder if they seriously miscalculated thinking one or more players would step up in year two, which Zimmer referenced. As cheap Red McCombs said "Sometimes you gotta coach 'em up!". I'd say half the 'blame' is poor planning, a quarter potentially being less than stellar coaching, and a quarter being the virus which shortened coaching and practices.

Of the three positions, IOL is the one I would point fingers at being the most mismanaged. But we are also talking about LG, C, and RG. If Bradbury shows improvement, that's still both G spots whereas with WR and DT (with Pierce) we are talking one spot.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

I thought there were also concussion issues with Kline. Almost like the team wanted to back away because he was getting more of them, or they were closer together or something like that.

Edit: He was ruled out of games 4, 10, and 11 in 2019 due to concussion protocol.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

I thought there were also concussion issues with Kline. Almost like the team wanted to back away because he was getting more of them, or they were closer together or something like that.

Edit: He was ruled out of games 4, 10, and 11 in 2019 due to concussion protocol.

They cut him in March. I'm not saying it was the wrong move - just the timing of it. Concussion symptoms can improve over time. If was health - isn't there usually a settlement option?

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: ratoppenheimer

.
.

Chris Tomasson@christomasson
DE Yannick Ngakoue says "everybody can get sacks" and "it's easy" but says that he's able to force fumbles, which sets him aside he believes.


Sean Borman@SeanBormanNFL
#Vikings DE Yannick Ngakoue:

“I could tell this was a special place back when we had the joint practice [in ‘18]. Just the way everything was ran and Coach Zim does a great job of taking care of everybody... I just appreciate Minnesota so much for having faith in me.”


Chris Tomasson@christomasson
DE Yannick Ngakoue says there's "only one 91 who can do what I do.'' He wouldn't say how much he paid Jalyn Holmes for that number but said "not too much.''







.

This gives me the warm fuzzies for both Yannick and Jalyn.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes


Our strategy has been, as Childress or more importantly Immortan Joe would say, "Mediocre"! Draft one player in the first 4 rds, make some wild stabs in the later rounds, pick up a middling vet or two, and allow Cousins start another prayer group.

Beavers Elflein Isidora O'Neill Gossett Bradbury Samia Udoh Cleveland Brandel Hinton 'has' (not the plural 'have' because that is one big amorphous blob of OL talent) produced one good starter (so far) in O'Neill and below average overall OL play. Our last game was freakin' abysmal how could we not be panicking and selling out for OL help?

Sure, hopefully Bradbury makes a big leap this year and is average or better, and Cleveland / one of the late round stabs will end up being more than just depth – but only a true homer thinks that's a given.

After the volcanic free agency eruption of Reiff and Remmers in 2017, we have augmented our draft strategy with Josh Andrews, Tom Compton, Bryan Witzmann, Josh Kline, Brett Jones, Dakota Dozier.

I wonder if Hall had passed his physical, if we still would have signed Ngakoue ... probably. Our 'dire' cap situation seems only to be dire in relation to helping the OL, not the rest of the team and especially not the defense.