2019 Season General Thread (News, Notes, Interviews, etc)

[J. Kapp 11]

And while we're at it ...

The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a one-year contract with safety Andrew Sendejo on Monday, the team announced.

He was a good Viking, so I wish him luck. Just not when they play us.

[halfgiz]

The Vikings re-signed Ameer Abdullah. Can't find any details on the terms of the deal, but he's back for 2019.

I suppose he's a good kick returner, and he'll be OK as the 3rd running back.

Ameer 1 year deal.

Darn the Jets stole Compton from us.

[YikesVikes]

It does seem pretty repetitive. Moving O Lineman to different position, bring back guys that have been in the system before. If I didn't know better I could swear I was watching Bill Murray's Groundhogs Day instead of an actual NFL team.

The closest the team has gone to returning to the Superbowl was re using old man Favre, and bringing in the escape artist Case Keenum. Those were bold moves, everything else this team has done is just conservative, by the book, team assembly.

Looks like the 2019 team will be another will they make the playoffs or not year.

What I find most interesting is most of the significant moves have been made on the defensive side of the ball so far. The offensive moves that have been made seem to confirm the fact that the team didn't feel the players who could help address those weaknesses were either available in free agency or already on the team. That actually makes some sense as when I look at the offense overall, especially at the skill positions, it looks pretty solid. The only really poor unit was the offensive line, and it doesn't shock me that Zimmer and Spielman feel it is necessary to solve that problem with outside solutions. And then, with the relative weakness of the FA crop along the offensive line, plus Spielman's experience with FA OL to this point, it doesn't shock me that they didn't go heavy in to grab any OL. I thought maybe the cap situation would constrain their moves there, but they've spent on the defensive side, so that can't be it.

At this point I'd say Spielman and Zimmer are going to see what the draft brings them, and then watch for preseason cut-down opportunities along with internal development of OL still on the roster. If the draft is not kind, and it may not be, at least along the OL, then I could see Spielman look to make a few moves using players. But it would have to be a very unkind draft.

This is a little surprising given the investment in Cousins. It's almost like they went and splurged on a fancy new car, but forgot to get gas. The OL is the gas the entire offense needs in order to do anything, and without it, the car is going to sit there until they get it. If I'm Cousins looking at this right now, I'm very worried. And very glad my money is guaranteed.

The simpler answer is that they have continued their neglecting of the offensive side of the ball. Don't give them too much credit. At some point, additions to this defense stop helping us win more games. Yet, we keep investing. I am not excited about this upcoming season at all. Hopefully, the draft changes that.

[VikingLord]

The simpler answer is that they have continued their neglecting of the offensive side of the ball. Don't give them too much credit. At some point, additions to this defense stop helping us win more games. Yet, we keep investing. I am not excited about this upcoming season at all. Hopefully, the draft changes that.

I hear you. It's a legit concern and while I keep telling myself Spielman and Zimmer have a workable plan on the offensive side of the ball, there is little evidence so far it's realistic or workable.

The really frustrating part is, the skill positions are in pretty good shape. Usually, it's a struggle to load up with difference-makers on offense, but the offensive line can compensate for it. Heck, looking at the 2018 Patriots, other than Brady they were pretty light at all of the skill positions. But that offensive line went into beast mode late in the season and in the playoffs. They opened holes for the running game. They protected one of the more immobile QBs in the league and let him work his magic throwing to guys that probably wouldn't edge out their counterparts on the Vikings. That line looked very average going into the season.

So if the 2018 Patriots can find a way to turn a group that looked average on paper into an effective and consistent OL, I'm hoping the 2019 Vikings can do the same somehow.

It would be nice to be surprised to the upside ala the OL equivalent of Case Keenum in 2017.

[YikesVikes]

The simpler answer is that they have continued their neglecting of the offensive side of the ball. Don't give them too much credit. At some point, additions to this defense stop helping us win more games. Yet, we keep investing. I am not excited about this upcoming season at all. Hopefully, the draft changes that.

I hear you. It's a legit concern and while I keep telling myself Spielman and Zimmer have a workable plan on the offensive side of the ball, there is little evidence so far it's realistic or workable.

The really frustrating part is, the skill positions are in pretty good shape. Usually, it's a struggle to load up with difference-makers on offense, but the offensive line can compensate for it. Heck, looking at the 2018 Patriots, other than Brady they were pretty light at all of the skill positions. But that offensive line went into beast mode late in the season and in the playoffs. They opened holes for the running game. They protected one of the more immobile QBs in the league and let him work his magic throwing to guys that probably wouldn't edge out their counterparts on the Vikings. That line looked very average going into the season.

So if the 2018 Patriots can find a way to turn a group that looked average on paper into an effective and consistent OL, I'm hoping the 2019 Vikings can do the same somehow.

It would be nice to be surprised to the upside ala the OL equivalent of Case Keenum in 2017.

If you look at what resources have been devoted to the offense, it is very scary.
1st rounders: QB (I am counting a big contract FA as a 1st round pick), WR, Treadwell
2nd rounders: Dalvin, Reiff (big contract but not top 5 in money) Oniel
3rd: Pat
4th:
5th Diggs
Undrafted: Theilan

7 players with draft worthy grades and the rest just a collection of UDFA.
Left off Rudolph because that was 2011.

[YikesVikes]

Now compare that to our defense
Hunter, Kendricks, Barr, Jaleel, Waynes, Hughes, Rhodes, Smith, Gedeon.

[S197]

While I'm happy we'll have two new guards next year, having only Isidora on the roster is worrying. They'll likely sign a middle road FA on the decline and work the draft, which means our OL could actually be worse to start next year. It's a better long term strategy but short term it's downright scary.

[StumpHunter]

I hear you. It's a legit concern and while I keep telling myself Spielman and Zimmer have a workable plan on the offensive side of the ball, there is little evidence so far it's realistic or workable.

The really frustrating part is, the skill positions are in pretty good shape. Usually, it's a struggle to load up with difference-makers on offense, but the offensive line can compensate for it. Heck, looking at the 2018 Patriots, other than Brady they were pretty light at all of the skill positions. But that offensive line went into beast mode late in the season and in the playoffs. They opened holes for the running game. They protected one of the more immobile QBs in the league and let him work his magic throwing to guys that probably wouldn't edge out their counterparts on the Vikings. That line looked very average going into the season.

So if the 2018 Patriots can find a way to turn a group that looked average on paper into an effective and consistent OL, I'm hoping the 2019 Vikings can do the same somehow.

It would be nice to be surprised to the upside ala the OL equivalent of Case Keenum in 2017.

If you look at what resources have been devoted to the offense, it is very scary.
1st rounders: QB (I am counting a big contract FA as a 1st round pick), WR, Treadwell
2nd rounders: Dalvin, Reiff (big contract but not top 5 in money) Oniel
3rd: Pat
4th:
5th Diggs
Undrafted: Theilan

7 players with draft worthy grades and the rest just a collection of UDFA.
Left off Rudolph because that was 2011.

You are forgetting all the misses in this.
A 4th overall at LT.
A 1st for Patterson.
A 1st for TB.
A 1st for Bradford.

Spielman has attempted to better the offense, he just sucks at it. Even his two best finds, Diggs and Theilen, were the result of Scott Turner's scouting (Diggs) and being lucky enough to have Adam play college ball at Mankato and being from MN. He is from anywhere else and he is probably on another team right now.

[PurpleMustReign]

While I'm happy we'll have two new guards next year, having only Isidora on the roster is worrying. They'll likely sign a middle road FA on the decline and work the draft, which means our OL could actually be worse to start next year. It's a better long term strategy but short term it's downright scary.

It makes no sense. They have no one. None. It's the same #### every year. How can a GM consciously go into an off-season where the most glaring issue is OL, and then do nothing but sign defense for the first 2 weeks of FA? How? How is that OK? What can he possibly be thinking?

[J. Kapp 11]

What I find most interesting is most of the significant moves have been made on the defensive side of the ball so far. The offensive moves that have been made seem to confirm the fact that the team didn't feel the players who could help address those weaknesses were either available in free agency or already on the team. That actually makes some sense as when I look at the offense overall, especially at the skill positions, it looks pretty solid. The only really poor unit was the offensive line, and it doesn't shock me that Zimmer and Spielman feel it is necessary to solve that problem with outside solutions. And then, with the relative weakness of the FA crop along the offensive line, plus Spielman's experience with FA OL to this point, it doesn't shock me that they didn't go heavy in to grab any OL. I thought maybe the cap situation would constrain their moves there, but they've spent on the defensive side, so that can't be it.

At this point I'd say Spielman and Zimmer are going to see what the draft brings them, and then watch for preseason cut-down opportunities along with internal development of OL still on the roster. If the draft is not kind, and it may not be, at least along the OL, then I could see Spielman look to make a few moves using players. But it would have to be a very unkind draft.

This is a little surprising given the investment in Cousins. It's almost like they went and splurged on a fancy new car, but forgot to get gas. The OL is the gas the entire offense needs in order to do anything, and without it, the car is going to sit there until they get it. If I'm Cousins looking at this right now, I'm very worried. And very glad my money is guaranteed.

The simpler answer is that they have continued their neglecting of the offensive side of the ball. Don't give them too much credit. At some point, additions to this defense stop helping us win more games. Yet, we keep investing. I am not excited about this upcoming season at all. Hopefully, the draft changes that.

Disagree.

This is a weak free-agent class. The Vikings didn't have the cap space to go after anybody of quality. They're going to address needs during the draft.

[Pondering Her Percy]

If you look at what resources have been devoted to the offense, it is very scary.
1st rounders: QB (I am counting a big contract FA as a 1st round pick), WR, Treadwell
2nd rounders: Dalvin, Reiff (big contract but not top 5 in money) Oniel
3rd: Pat
4th:
5th Diggs
Undrafted: Theilan

7 players with draft worthy grades and the rest just a collection of UDFA.
Left off Rudolph because that was 2011.

You are forgetting all the misses in this.
A 4th overall at LT.
A 1st for Patterson.
A 1st for TB.
A 1st for Bradford.

Spielman has attempted to better the offense, he just sucks at it. Even his two best finds, Diggs and Theilen, were the result of Scott Turner's scouting (Diggs) and being lucky enough to have Adam play college ball at Mankato and being from MN. He is from anywhere else and he is probably on another team right now.

I mean does missing on Kalil and TB really mean Spielman sucks at building an offense? Teddy had a freak injury and Kalil was a pro bowler that was his own enemy. He was the right pick. Blackmon and Claiborne were flops. You’d be pulling the trigger on Kalil too. And probably teddy. They are misses when they actually suck from the start and never see the field. That wasn’t the case

[PurpleKoolaid]

The Vikings re-signed Ameer Abdullah. Can't find any details on the terms of the deal, but he's back for 2019.

I suppose he's a good kick returner, and he'll be OK as the 3rd running back.

Hes a St guy at BEST. Just a low life player that was cheap enough for Rick to sign. I doubt he touches the ball as a RB more then 20 times all year. We still only have 1 RB when this team is going to need at least 2 solid ones. I guess Kubiak can draft one though lol.

[PurpleKoolaid]

The simpler answer is that they have continued their neglecting of the offensive side of the ball. Don't give them too much credit. At some point, additions to this defense stop helping us win more games. Yet, we keep investing. I am not excited about this upcoming season at all. Hopefully, the draft changes that.

Disagree.

This is a weak free-agent class. The Vikings didn't have the cap space to go after anybody of quality. They're going to address needs during the draft.

Thats what they said last year. And the year before that. And people think Rick has a plan...his only plan is, he hopes Kubiak will save his job.

[PurpleKoolaid]

You are forgetting all the misses in this.
A 4th overall at LT.
A 1st for Patterson.
A 1st for TB.
A 1st for Bradford.

Spielman has attempted to better the offense, he just sucks at it. Even his two best finds, Diggs and Theilen, were the result of Scott Turner's scouting (Diggs) and being lucky enough to have Adam play college ball at Mankato and being from MN. He is from anywhere else and he is probably on another team right now.

I mean does missing on Kalil and TB really mean Spielman sucks at building an offense? Teddy had a freak injury and Kalil was a pro bowler that was his own enemy. He was the right pick. Blackmon and Claiborne were flops. You’d be pulling the trigger on Kalil too. And probably teddy. They are misses when they actually suck from the start and never see the field. That wasn’t the case

Wow, its best not to question Rick or they feel your wrath hah.

[YikesVikes]

The simpler answer is that they have continued their neglecting of the offensive side of the ball. Don't give them too much credit. At some point, additions to this defense stop helping us win more games. Yet, we keep investing. I am not excited about this upcoming season at all. Hopefully, the draft changes that.

Disagree.

This is a weak free-agent class. The Vikings didn't have the cap space to go after anybody of quality. They're going to address needs during the draft.

I agree that this class was a weak free agent class. I also did not expect them to sign anyone. However you have to admit that some of their dealings have been very peculiar. For instance, not extending or reducing Rudolph salary. I don't believe we will resolve the offensive line in the draft. If it was a defense that whole I would be very confident it will get filled but the way we have been addressing holes the last 2 years leaves me with doubt. Shamar Stephens at 4 million a year is laughable when we have almost nothing at the offensive line. We tagged Anthony Harris for the same amount of money that haha Clinton-Dix signed for. I am thinking it's time that spielman be fired. No plans for grooming a DT in last seasons draft. A surplus of DEs and we keep drafting each season.