2020 off-season thread

[DocBauer]

I learned that with the new CBA, players have little to no leverage to hold out anymore. So this is pretty much an empty threat. In order for the last season of his contract to accrue, he needs to attend training camp and play in a minimum of 6 games. If he skips training camp and plays in the minimum 6 games he will be an RFA instead of unrestricted. Which, honestly, would be ideal if he ended up as an RFA. Slap a 1st or 2nd round tender on him and get compensation back if he signs elsewhere. 

 

I subscribe to the belief that smart teams should continue to cycle through RBs on rookie contracts, and let them go when it's time to pay a lengthy extension. If Dalvin indeed sits out the first 10 games of the season, we have a capable committee to pick up the slack with Mattison and Boone. 

 

I hope Rick plays hard ball and doesn't make the mistake of giving him a lengthy extension. A stud RB is not needed in a Kubiak offense. Average RBs have produced monster seasons in his scheme for years.

 

Yeah, I hadn't realized the changes that had been made in regard to future FA status. Agreed he doesn't have a very strong position here. He's special, to be sure, but when you've missed as much time as he has and the whole expected change in the cap next season, his idea of an extension isn't probably what the Vikings are thinking.

 

I agree Mattison and Boone are fine RB but Abdullah is no slouch either. Unfortunately, he will lay the ball on the ground at times, and that and some early career injuries has him under the radar. But he is fast, tough and can catch the ball well. He was a stud at Nebraska and I've seen him perform well in the league when healthy.

[DocBauer]

Anyone want to talk Vikings at this point?

 

Sudden rumors the Vikings could be in on a trade for CB Desmond King from the Chargers. Nice young ballplayer. Could bring limited experience and some upside. But with a learning curve, does he really bring anything more than already present? Just rumors, but worth considering.

 

There was a recent post on a Vikings website that the Vikings MUST sign WR Martavis Bryant coming off drug suspension.

 

Despite a collection of top talent and Pro Bowl players on the roster, this team is still in a re-tool if not rebuild mode. The Vikings could be looking at 12 rookies legitimately making the 2020 roster. And while they are under the salary cap now by $8+ miĺlion, do they disrupt what they have in place? Other maybe Griffen comjng back for a lesser amount, is there any move they could make that actually helps today, as well as tomorrow?

 

I pass on the rumored trade for King. You don't draft 3 CB, sign a draft speculated UDFA, have a couple guys from the PS to re-build ànd then trade for another guy. I think they are being very deliberate here.

 

I could get on board with a cheap Bryant signing. But has he grown up? Even with relaxed testing, if your career isn't worth giving up a drug, do you fit? Are you worth It?

 

Again, I'm about to roll with young talent on hand and let Kubiak and the coaching staff work with it and see what happens. SO MANY questions with Diggs gone. And even with him, we needed depth and options. Just not sure Bryant is an answer.

 

OL still my greatest concern. Open competition at OG? Great! Run with Samia, Udoh, Collins and everyone else and run with it.

[Vanimal46]

 

This is excellent news to wake up to today! The Vikes now have 2 All Pro EDGE rushers, and both are 25 years old. Good luck, other QBs in the NFC North. The Vikes now have the most terrifying EDGE tandem in the NFL!

[gunnarthor]

 

This is excellent news to wake up to today! The Vikes now have 2 All Pro EDGE rushers, and both are 25 years old. Good luck, other QBs in the NFC North. The Vikes now have the most terrifying EDGE tandem in the NFL!

I liked this move. Little concerned with the ability of opposing offenses to run downhill like the 49ers did - I miss the Williams Wall - but pass rushing, especially if they finally scheme Barr to blitz, could be something this year.

[Vanimal46]

I liked this move. Little concerned with the ability of opposing offenses to run downhill like the 49ers did - I miss the Williams Wall - but pass rushing, especially if they finally scheme Barr to blitz, could be something this year.

Agreed the interior DL is a concern, especially with Pierce opting out for the season. It’s not ideal relying on Stephen to be the main guy in the middle and a rookie. Kendricks or Barr is gonna have to be the 3rd guy clogging up the middle of the field. In that scenario I’d prefer Barr because Kendricks is much better in pass coverage.

 

Also, I think this trade cements the thought that Dalvin Cook won’t be back next year. His money is going to Ngakoue now.

[DocBauer]

Fun to have something interesting to talk about Vikings wise.

 

The trade for Ngakoue is surprising to me, despite some speculation. He replaces Griffen, and puts Odenigbo in to the 3rd DE spot for now. Tremendous! And the trade cost is a borderline steal! I am worried about the financial implications going forward not only in regard to Cook, but the prosoects of losing Harris as well. Let's not forget that the salary cap is in serious question of actually lowering next season. And is Hunter going to need a re-worked deal soon also? But for now...WOW!

 

I'm really mixed about DT. For whatever reason, the coaches love and believe in Stephen at NG, even though some believe the younger Johnson played pretty well there as a reserve last season and may be starting to take a step forward. But at least Shamar isn't playing the 3 spot any longer. Really, really hoping Watts and Lynch push Johnson HARD at the 3 and maybe the younger and more athletic Johnson pushes Shamar out of the NG spot. Mata'afa shows rezl potential as a reserve, but was poorly used last season as a pass rush NG option. But with the sudden depth at DE, is there even room for Mata'afa on the roster?

 

I love this move and embrace it even though it concerns me financially for the salary cap next season. But the DL got better today!

[Vanimal46]

 

Even better. Ngakoue took the pay cut himself so the Vikes stay under the cap.

[DocBauer]

Want to take a moment to also reflect on a few more spots.

 

CB: IF what we are hearing is true, this spot will be young, inexperienced, and make mistakes. But it is LOADED with talent and potential! There are even a couple of guys who could, hopefully, slip though waivers and make the PS with potential.

 

S: I remain worried that $ will prevent us from keeping Harris beyond this year. And that would a shame as well as provide a huge hole going forward. The Parker signing could/should help with depth. I'm hearing Metellus looks OK. But I'm still a little worried here.

 

WR: A healthy Thielen is a stud. Most WR, even super talented ones usually need some time to develop and really fit in. Jefferson is uber talented and early reports are he looks good...never forget he had ZERO rookie camp or OTA's...and he should at least contribute and help. My greatest optimism has been Kubiak fully in charge now and utilizing all available talent to the best of their ability. I have no illusions that Johnson will become a stud. But he impressed me as a rookie. "Reports" are that he has really grown and developed nicely. I hope this is true. I still see his ceiling as a very good #3, but there is tremendous value in that!

 

Sharpe is big, long, has some experience, has talent, and could be OK, especially with a change of scenery. But unless I have missed something, I haven't heard any glowing reports. I HAVE heard what SEEM to be glowing reports about Beebe and Hollins. But we've heard good reports about Beebe before and then we see either injury or nothing. Third time is the charm? Hollins is interesting to me due to length and athleticism and a great career at a lower level. They thought enough of him to keep him and play him last year. And the Vikings have an interesting and amazing history of finding and developing WR talent that are late round picks or rookie FA. Witness Thielen and Diggs as just a couple examples.

 

I've heard little to nothing about Osborn or anyone else. That may mean nothing at all considering no camps, no preseason games and limited media access.

 

I remain scared and skeptical about the WR position, but guardedly optimistic they may be putting together a decent crew here.

 

OL: This concerns and borderline scares me, but fills me with confusing optimism. Reif is nothing but experienced and average. All of us know he's gone after this season unless he suddenly takes a step forward. But be should be servicable for one more year, especially with a 2nd year in this offense and with the OL coaching in the system. I have very high hopes for Bradbury. O'Neill is already a stud and should be a Pro Bowl player soon.

 

Elflein should NOT be counted on at this point. But I do get no camps to work with other options so you are going to trust in experience at this point. I DO LIKE the mkv3e to RG. His run blocking is at least decent. With O'Neill next to him, and on the right side, his pass blocking should be at least a little better. SHOULD be being the key word.

 

Left guard is a mess! Dozier is a decent fill in guy. Collins has talent and some potential, but has always been injured just as it looked like he might take a step forward. Where is Samia in this conversation? Is he suffering from no off-season camps? Or did we blow his selection? Udoh has so much potential the Vikings kept him on the active roster rather than losing him to someone else trying to sneak him to the PS. But like Samia, where is he?

 

I won't give up on Samia at this point. Absolutely won't give up on the potential of Udoh. The optimistic part of me goes beyond hope of Elflein suddenly being productive again and some miracle for LG. My optimism is the Vikings OL will at least survive 2020. I am very hopeful for Cleveland next season as Reif will be gone. (Still confused about him playing LG right now). Still hoping for Samia and Udoh to take a step forward sooner or later. But I think Hinton will end up being a late round steal after a year of development. Guy has amazing talent and potential. I have a hunch Lacina will become a quality depth piece and was a great rookie FA signing. Brandel could become a multi position backup with time.

 

It's really sad and scary to think the OL could be better next season after a year of development and progress from a large group of youngsters. But I'm hoping for the best for 2020 and have at least some optimism for 2021.

[Vanimal46]

 

The timing of this is odd... less than 2 weeks from opening weekend. Reiff is nothing more than an average OL and won’t be confused as anything more than that. Still, it’s better to know what you’re getting when your interior OL is suspect at best. And it wasn’t too long ago when we had to deal with below average to bad OTs like TJ Clemmings...

[TheLeviathan]

 

The timing of this is odd... less than 2 weeks from opening weekend. Reiff is nothing more than an average OL and won’t be confused as anything more than that. Still, it’s better to know what you’re getting when your interior OL is suspect at best. And it wasn’t too long ago when we had to deal with below average to bad OTs like TJ Clemmings...

 

Reiff is underrated and even average OL play is an asset in football today.  I'd be curious what their tackle plan would be if they do cut him.

 

They better feel really good about Cleveland or Udoh.

[DocBauer]

Well, I guess it's settled. Reiff is back. That might be a good thing? At least it provides continuity for a team with ZERO proven at G.

 

Apparently, if Reiff declined, O'Neill would be the LT and Udoh and Hill would fight at RT. Presumably, Ckeveland would be developed and see what happens next year.

 

I think it's a forgone conclusion Reiff will be gone in 2021 and there will be more changes. Nothing against Reiff, and I hate to shake things up so close to the beginning of the season, but part of me wishes they would/could have begun the transition now.

[Vanimal46]

Well, I guess it's settled. Reiff is back. That might be a good thing? At least it provides continuity for a team with ZERO proven at G.

 

Apparently, if Reiff declined, O'Neill would be the LT and Udoh and Hill would fight at RT. Presumably, Ckeveland would be developed and see what happens next year.

 

I think it's a forgone conclusion Reiff will be gone in 2021 and there will be more changes. Nothing against Reiff, and I hate to shake things up so close to the beginning of the season, but part of me wishes they would/could have begun the transition now.

I’m happy to see Reiff back. Average OL talent is still valuable in today’s NFL, and shaking things up this close to the season starting isn’t ideal.

 

I don’t think it’s a secret he was going to be a cut candidate after the 2020 season. The good thing now is another unproven OL doesn’t need to be starting out of necessity.

[shortround81]

Why do we even need an O-Line? Kirk Cousins is going to defeat Covid-19 and go 16-0.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Figured i'd check in here, as i ain't been payin' attention to the NFL of late.

 

No preseason, i see? Have there been practices at least?

 

But we'll be diving into the season next week?

 

Any weird Covid containment strategies that will affect the game?

 

Oh well. Undoubtedly i'll follow stuff, but i may not pay too much attention, sad to say.

[DocBauer]

Interesting roster. Not a single backup S. So we know that will change in the next day or two. Someone will be cut, almost certainly from the WR group who will hopefully/probably be added to the PS.

 

I am surprisingly opptomistic about CB.

 

Kinda opptomistic about WR but not sold.

 

Feel better about the DL, of course.

 

I don't care what coach speak Dennison states. I'm worried about the OL and actually, no matter weird it sounds, more opptomistic about 2021 when Cleveland, Udo, Samia and others have more experience and step forward.

[gunnarthor]

Vikes extend Cook. I didn't think they had the payroll to make this happen. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29868643/sources-vikings-reach-deal-dalvin-cook-five-year-63-million-deal

[DocBauer]

Vikes extend Cook. I didn't think they had the payroll to make this happen. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29868643/sources-vikings-reach-deal-dalvin-cook-five-year-63-million-deal

They do for NOW. The problem is next season when the cap will probably not rise for the first time in years and might even lower.

 

There will be some cuts, Reiff for sure, possibly Rudolph, and savings from a small few others. Cousins could be re-worked yet again. The good part about the Cook contract is the bonus money, as I understand it, helps offset the yearly somewhat. But we are going to be up against a cap wall again, potentially, in 2021 and will probably lose Harris at S which could be huge.

[Mike Sixel]

Any optimistic view looks naive at this point. Somehow they are worse than I expected.....

 

Zimmer is proving he's no genius. He succeeded because they drafted CB early, and kept doing it. Somehow they thought they could get away with losing way too many veteran DBs.... And the oline stinks, probably because they can't draft OGs to save their lives, well, they refuse to....

[TheLeviathan]

Zimmer should be able to take the talent on this defense and put forth a competent effort.  Not amazing, not top 10, but competent.

 

He can't.  That should be enough to end his tenure here. I once had high hopes for him, but it's time to move on.

[Danchat]

I couldn't get on board with most the moves made this offseason, and the season is turning out to be a disaster. Cousins doesn't look like he can be the guy yet he was extended, Spielman and Zimmer haven't been able to get the team over the top yet got extended... with the salary cap dropping in 2021, the Vikings need to blow things up and rebuild and hopefully get a QB with a high 1st round pick, but we've just committed to the Zimmer-Spielman-Cousins trio for several years. 

[gunnarthor]

I guess I'm not quite as down on the offense. We have yet another OC and the front office has continued to ignore the interior OL but they've managed to top 30 points twice already while still trying to figure out the receiving core and a complete inability to use Irv Smith. They need to stay healthy but Cook and Jefferson look pretty good.

 

But this defense, for many reasons, is much worse than I thought they'd be.