Tag: NFL

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No Need to Fear, Dalvin Cook is Staying Right Here

With the recent news that Dalvin Cook is holding out until he receives a new contract, Vikings fans are in a flurry. Many analysts are acting as though this is a shocking revelation, but this is not at all the case, nor should anyone get too riled up by the reports. Read on to understand why.

It is almost no surprise Cook is not planning to participate in team activities until he sees a new contract. Players at the NFL level have the right to do so, and although the new collective bargaining agreement brings players the possibility of fines or voided contracts, holdouts still are happening. Now, that doesn’t mean fans, coaches, and general managers have to like them, but they are hardly the boldest move a player can make. Want to see bold and controversial? Try not participating in team activities because you don’t like the model of your helmet (cough cough, Antonio Brown). Sheesh.

Not to mention, expecting Cook to play on what’s left of his rookie deal (roughly 2 million this year) is really a stretch of the imagination. Running back is an extremely high risk position where players tend to have shorter careers anyways. Cook is right to be looking for his “big payday” now that he has established himself.

Hearing that Cook’s camp was initially asking for top dollar ($16 million per year) was actually very predictable, assuming the reports were even true. Although he has missed many games over his first three seasons because of injuries, it is obvious that Cook is a very special running back, and he will be on the top of stat sheets for years to come. Expecting Rick Spielman and the Vikings to shell out 16 mil was/is unrealistic, but of course his agent was going to start high. That’s his job.

The latest reports say both sides are being flexible, and Cook’s camp has already lowered their asking price to 13 mil. Although this number is likely still a bit too high for Spielman’s liking, fans need not worry about getting a deal done this week, or even this month. With Coronavirus still prevalent, players literally cannot even show up to the practice field. The team should survive if Cook misses a couple Zoom meetings.

But, what if the two sides can’t reach an agreement by opening kickoff? This scenario is highly unlikely given Cook’s humble nature and the presence of salary cap wizard Rob Brzezinski on the Vikings staff, but let’s tool around with the idea. A prolonged Cook holdout would leave Minnesota with Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah, and C.J. Ham to tote the ball. Not the worst group of runners you’ve ever seen, eh? If you’re not convinced, these stats/notes should do you in:

  • Mattison boasted 4.6 yards per attempt his rookie year… Cook performed only marginally better at 4.8
  • Boone is absolutely on the rise. After going undrafted in 2018, the Vikings felt so strongly for Cook in 2019 that they turned down a fifth-round draft pick from the Eagles. He tallied almost 300 yards rushing in 2019 as the third-string back.
  • Abdullah may not light up the stat sheet, but he is a do-it-all running back still in his prime at 26 years old.
  • Ham is a silent gamechanger who can be loud when needed. Another player on the upswing, Ham earned his first Pro Bowl invitation last year, and he without a doubt was a significant factor in Cook’s big year. The stout, burly blocker can also catch passes… just check out his 36 yard catch and run against the Seahawks last season! – (https://www.vikings.com/video/ham-rumbles-for-36-yard-gain-on-pass-from-cousins)
  • Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has a track record of turning average running backs into dependable playmakers in his system

Again, don’t be fearful… as Voice of the Vikings Paul Allen would say, be FAITHFUL. With Spielman’s leadership, Zimmer’s interest in the running back position, and Brzezinski being in Minnesota, Cook is all but guaranteed to wear purple for years to come. Mark my words, the Vikings will find a way to conjure up some cash for their lead back.

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One Thing is Holding Back the 6-2 Vikings

Over the past four weeks, one could argue that the Minnesota Vikings have been the hottest team in pro football. Kirk Cousins and the offense has been having a heck of a year, while the Vikings defense has had plenty of highs. The turnaround has been great, but there is one thing holding back both units.

Right now, the Minnesota Vikings are the most penalized team in football, as they’ve given up 604 yards to the yellow flag. Considering Mike Zimmer’s usual attention to detail, it is quite surprising that the issue has yet to be resolved in 2019. What’s even more surprising is how far the pendulum has swung from last year. In 2018, the Vikings were the third-least penalized team in the NFL.

The sheer volume of penalties being called across the league, however, is no surprise and continues to rise. Penalties have probably been the biggest knock on the NFL over the past decade, as they delay the game and are often controversial. Barring a few rare instances (i.e. Saints no-call in the 2018 playoffs), fans would prefer referees to hold their flags and let the players play. That said, there’s no reason to believe we’ll see a decline in penalties, and the only thing Zim can control is his own team.

To this point, the Vikings have gotten away with some errors against less successful teams like the Redskins. In that game, they were penalized seven times but still managed to win. Giving up so many yards isn’t going to fly against teams like the Cowboys and Chiefs. It hasn’t been talked about much, but it is absolutely critical that the Vikings break this bad habit as they fight to make the playoffs. 

So, where are these penalties coming from? Is it one player, one unit on the team, or maybe just bad reffing? Well, talking about that last one is a moot point. Whether or not refs favor NFL stars like Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady will always be debated, and I’d like to avoid that mess. Let’s stay focused and take a look at Minnesota’s infractions:

Lead Vikings Penalty Categories – 2019

Offensive Holding – 15

Defensive Holding – 7

Defensive Pass Interference – 6

False Starts – 6

Generally, you can put these penalties into two categories – offensive line, and defensive backs. In my opinion, the sheer volume of Vikings penalties is surprising, but their causes are not. 

Minnesota has been aggressive in running the ball this year behind a zone-blocking scheme, and when they opt to pass, the line is aggressive in trying to protect Kirk Cousins. With these two goals, the front five are susceptible to getting flagged more often while they improve their technique. They’ve come a long way since last season, but clearly there’s a lot that has to be cleaned up. 

As for the pass interference and defensive holding penalties, most of them fall on the defensive backs. Corner Xavier Rhodes leads the league in penalties by a DB, as he’s been flagged seven times in 2019. He has definitely struggled this year, and it’s hard to say whether that’s due to his age or the scheme Zimmer is attempting to put him in. I have always loved watching Rhodes and the rest of the secondary succeed, but I hope Zimmer has a plan for cutting back on penalties.

No one likes seeing the Vikings penalized, especially with how great they’ve played as of late. With an experienced coaching staff and extremely talented players, I’m confident the team can clean things up on both sides of the ball.

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Vikings Are Backed Into A Corner

Up and coming cornerback Holton Hill is suspended for half the regular season, and first round pick Mike Hughes is still recovering from a torn ACL. It’s not ideal, but the Vikings are built to weather this storm.

Hill and Hughes are both talented players, but they’re still backups at this point in their careers. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackenzie Alexander are Minnesota’s starting corners, and they can definitely hold down the fort with the young guns out. But this is the NFL, and injuries are bound to happen. No one wants to jinx it, but it’s important to have a plan B. Fortunately, the Vikings have several options if the injury bug strikes.

There are three backup corners that come to mind beyond Hill and Hughes. Ironically, two of the three were teammates with Hill back in Texas:

  • Kris Boyd (University of Texas)

A seventh-round pick who reportedly played well during OTAs, Boyd is the frontrunner for a roster spot as training camp begins. Don’t be fooled by how late he was drafted… Boyd’s college teammate Holton Hill went undrafted and still performed well. Coach Zimmer has an affinity for corners, and he’ll aim for a smooth transition with the 22 year-old Boyd. 

  • Duke Thomas (University of Texas)

Minnesota’s third Texas product is rookie Duke Thomas. Having not been drafted, Thomas has a lot to prove, but a little time at training camp can go a long way. His relationships with both Hill and Boyd should help him transition to the NFL. Having come from the same school as Hill, Vikings fans can only hope he’s as talented.

  • Craig James (Southern Illinois University)

James played for the Vikings during the 2018 preseason as a rookie, and he’ll look for a bigger role in year two. It’s hard to predict how things will shake out, but James knows Zimmer’s system, and he’ll create good competition for the rookies. James could also really boost his stock if he finds a role on special teams.

When faced with a shortage of corners in the past, Zimmer hasn’t been afraid to shake things up a bit. Back in 2015, Zim shifted a safety to the corner position, and he may opt to do it again in a pinch. It wouldn’t be ideal, but Jayron Kearse or Marcus Epps could play corner as a last resort.

The other option is to bring in an outsider, whether that be through free agency or a trade. There aren’t many great prospects available right now, but GM Rick Spielman worked out three veterans in the past week: 

  • Dexter McDonald

The former Oakland Raider is perhaps the most intriguing of the free agent options. McDonald has had some injury issues throughout his three-year career, but he’s an athletic freak still trying to stick in the NFL. Before the 2015 draft, McDonald wowed scouts by vertical-jumping higher than the measuring device, and he’s now hoping to jump onto Minnesota’s roster.

  • Orlando Scandrick

At 32 years old, Scandrick has plenty of NFL experience. That said, he’s had several significant injuries during his career, including ACL and MCL tears. Scandrick was also suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs back in 2014. Since then, he’s spent time with the Cowboys, Redskins, and Chiefs. Perhaps the Vikings would consider him based on his experience, but it seems risky given his injury history and age.

  • Morris Claiborne

As a former first-round pick, Claiborne is another intriguing option. After being drafted by the Cowboys in 2012, Claiborne spent time competing against Orlando Scandrick in Dallas while battling the injury bug. One of the biggest knocks on him was his horrible score on the Wonderlic test, which is a cognitive ability test given to NFL prospects before the draft. Claiborne had the worst score in twelve years with a 4/50, so it will be interesting to see if Zimmer would consider bringing him to his complex system.

Lastly, Spielman could also try to get Captain Munnerlyn back from Carolina. Captain was excellent as a Minnesota Viking, but it could be costly to get him back in purple. Trades and free agents are always risky, but you never know what Slick Rick has up his sleeve.

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Let’s Play Some Teddy Trivia

This Fourth of July weekend, let’s stray from our typical Minnesota Vikings lore and play a little trivia. My favorite former Viking, Teddy Bridgewater, just put his vehicle up for sale. Can you guess what Teddy Two Gloves drives, when he’s not driving offenses down the field?

A – Audi

B – Corvette

C – Impala

D – Range Rover

Believe it or not, the answer is C. Yes, Teddy the Throwman’s ride is a maroon Impala with gold rims, and per his Instagram, he’s looking to sell. To me, the car seems much more fitting of a man with a big fur hat and a long velvet jacket. That’s not who Teddy is, but this car — like his locker room dance video — confirms he has flair. 

https://twitter.com/lasondralateish/status/1071881349869592576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1071881349869592576&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Fnfl%2F2019%2F1%2F18%2F18184169%2Fdrew-brees-teddy-bridgewater-dance-new-orleans-saints-motorcycle-bike-life

This isn’t the only flashy car Bridgewater has ever purchased. Shortly after being drafted by the Vikings, he delivered on a promise he made to his beloved mom and bought her a pink Cadillac. 

Skinny knees or not, I miss watching Teddy play. He’s as classic as his car, and I hope he’s cruising it in some Fourth of July parades.

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The Vikings’ Secret Weapon

The hunger to win a Super Bowl has left some Vikings fans feeling hangry. 58 years is a long time to wait for a Lombardi, but we’re unlikely to ever win the trophy if our fans don’t get in the game.

Fans have more of an impact on the game of football than they may realize. Take the Seattle Seahawks for example – their fanbase is so loud and loyal that they’ve been nicknamed the 12th-Man. Seattle has become one of the most energized environments to play in, and there’s no reason U.S. Bank Stadium can’t share that same home field advantage. 

If you doubt that the roar of a crowd can drive a team down the field, maybe this quote from Coach Zim will make you a believer. Before a big game against the New Orleans Saints, the no-nonsense coach said, “We need the fans to be loud and rowdy, and make this the loudest stadium that the Vikings have ever played in.” The result? The Minneapolis Miracle. 

Anyone in attendance that day surely saw Syd Davy in the crowd. He’s hard to miss with his purple face paint and horned “Helga Hat.” Davy is the founder of the Viking World Order fan group, and he’s definitely a diehard. Believe it or not, Syd isn’t even from Minnesota, but he makes the trek from Canada to catch every home game. He’s stuck with the team through thick and thin, and his passion for the purple never wanes.

People don’t need to paint their faces and wear Helga Hats to support the team. What really counts is showing up for home games, hitting the road for away games, and always being supportive of players on social media. There’s actually an annual study done by Emory University that ranks football fans based on these factors. Unfortunately, Vikings fans ranked 24th out of 32 when the results were released on Monday.

Minnesota is lucky to have a professional sports team like the Vikings. Remember, the North Stars and the Lakers were shockingly shipped out of state, and their fans were left devastated. The same thing almost happened to the Vikings a decade ago when the team was owned by Red McCombs. 

No one wants to lose the Vikings, and the team has a much better chance of winning with a great fan base. It’s like having a secret weapon. So show some purple pride like Syd, and Skol to the Bowl.

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“Expert” Says 5-11, I Say 11-5

Predicting the Vikings 2019 record

Recently, analyst Adam Rank of NFL.com gave his opinion on how the Minnesota Vikings would fare this season. Rank is an avid Bears fan, so some bias was expected. However, thousands of fans on social media (including myself) were appalled to see him pencil in only five wins for the purple. With that disgrace to our state still circulating, it was only appropriate that I combat it with a more realistic prediction of my own.

Week 1 (9/8) – vs. Atlanta Falcons, noon

Bird watchers beware – the Falcons won’t be flying high after the season opener. The Vikings have overcome Atlanta easily in their last three meetings, and this should make it four in a row.

Week 2 (9/15) – at Green Bay Packers, noon

It’s a tall order, but Dalvin “The Chef” Cook will be slicing and dicing the unproven Packers defense on this warm September day. No guarantees Aaron Rodgers and Matt Lafleur will work well together either.

Week 3 (9/22) – vs. Oakland Raiders, noon

The Raiders have some flashy new weapons, but our home field advantage in tandem with Mike Zimmer’s defense will be too tough for Oakland to pillage.

Week 4 (9/29) – at Chicago Bears, 3:25 p.m.

Weird things happen in the Windy City, and Minnesota’s confidence will take a blow with this week four loss.

Week 5 (10/6) – at New York Giants, noon

There’s no saying who the signal caller will be for the Giants in this matchup, but the Vikings should get a big win in the Big Apple. Pat Shurmur has yet to beat his former team, and his wait will continue.

Week 6 (10/13) – vs. Philadelphia Eagles, noon

Bagging some more birds would be sweet, but the Vikings might lay an egg in this klinker of a game. Carson Wentz usually puts on a good show when he’s healthy and playing indoors.

Week 7 (10/20) – at Detroit Lions, noon

Divisional games are no gimme, but the Vikings should be able to assemble a win at Ford Field. Might come down to a kick or two as games have in recent memory.

Week 8 (10/24) – vs. Washington Redskins, 7:20 p.m.

If Case Keenum starts this game, Cousins will be dueling his former team and the creator of the Minneapolis Miracle. This nationally-televised night game will be a thriller for sure, and I predict Kirk proves the Vikings right for spending big bucks.

Week 9 (11/3) – at Kansas City Chiefs, noon

The Chiefs are a powerhouse with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. David won’t be taking down Goliath on the road this November.

Week 10 (11/10) – at Dallas Cowboys, 7:20 p.m.

I’d love to unnerve “America’s Team” in primetime fashion, and I think the Vikings have the talent to do it. The trouble is, this won’t be the night that it happens. Likely a gunfight between two mid-tier quarterbacks, but Dallas thrives under the bright lights.

Week 11 (11/17) – vs. Denver Broncos, noon

Too much instability in Denver for the Broncos to run away with this one. A confidence boost before the bye week.

Week 12 BYE

Week 13 (12/2) – at the Seattle Seahawks, 7:15 p.m.

The Vikings haven’t taken down the Seahawks in almost 10 years, and the 12th Man advantage will prove to be too much yet again.

Week 14 (12/8) – vs. Detroit Lions, noon

If the Vikings are reasonably healthy, this should be a painless takedown. Minnesota’s defense sacked Mathew Stafford 10 times at home last year, and they should steam roll him once more.

Week 15 (12/15) – at Los Angeles Chargers, 7:20 p.m.

The Chargers are a solid team, but they can never seem to put it together when it counts. The fair weather out west will be a relief for the Vikings, and they’ll show they are true contenders in this primetime barn burner.

Week 16 (12/23) – vs. Green Bay Packers, 7:15 p.m.

Both teams will be hunting for a win with the playoffs near. I say Mike Zimmer’s defense holds down the fort, preventing the Packers from leaving Minneapolis with a victory.

Week 17 (12/29) – vs Chicago Bears, noon

At this point in the season, the Vikings may need this win to punch their ticket to the postseason. Revenge is sweet, and Kirk Cousins will steal the crown from the former kings of the north.

Am I being too optimistic about Cousins and the crew? Comment below, or shoot me a message on social media to continue the conversation.

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Barr and Carr Believe this will be a Bounce-Back Year

Based on past trends and the present roster, the Minnesota Vikings are poised to bounce back from the disappointing 2018 season. Several insiders including Anthony Barr and David Carr believe the Vikings are primed for a stellar year, but is it too early to be drinking the purple Koolaid?

It’s that time of year — when football fans are busy making bold predictions about the upcoming season. While I don’t give much credibility to armchair quarterbacks, I do put stock in actual NFL analysts like David Carr. The former quarterback and number-one overall pick predicts Zimmer, with the help of Gary Kubiak, will win his first ring this year. “This offense will undoubtedly be better with Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski running the show,” Carr said on NFL.com. “Cousins played some of his best football in Washington under Kyle Shanahan, whose offense is a clone of Kubiak’s. Kubiak won a ring as Denver’s head coach in 2015, and now he helps Zim get his.”

Carr isn’t the only one who expects big things from the Vikings, as team captain Anthony Barr recently raved about Minnesota’s budding offense and agreed that the team is on the brink of a successful season. “Every year that we’ve had a down year, we’ve always bounced back,” Barr said on Good Morning Football. “The masterminds they have on the offensive side are going to pay dividends.” As a player, Anthony is closer to the team than a reporter could ever be, and I trust him when he says this will be a better year. It’s also worth noting that during the offseason, Barr turned down more money from the New York Jets to stay with the Vikings. He obviously sees more potential in his coaches and teammates here in Minnesota, or he would have left for greener pastures.

Endorsements from respected players aside, past performance also indicates the Vikings will bounce back in 2019. From a historical perspective, the team performs better during odd years. Here’s a brief rundown of the past few seasons under Zimmer’s leadership:

2014: 7 wins, 9 losses, missed playoffs

2015: 11 wins, 5 losses, made playoffs

2016: 8 wins, 8 losses, missed playoffs

2017: 13 wins, 3 losses, made playoffs

2018: 8 wins, 7 losses, 1 tie, missed playoffs

Let’s hope history repeats itself. I think Spielman’s draft picks, along with Kubiak’s coaching, will propel us into the postseason. So grab a glass folks, it’s time to drink some purple propaganda.

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