My thoughts on the Vikings schedule with the additions of NFL Free agent signings

The sports world has shut down and events coming have either been postponed or cancelled including of my top five events I love and that is the NFL Vikings draft party. I absolutely understand but I can be honest and admit disappointment.


The Minnesota Vikings continue to mystify me with all the players that have left via free agency although know with the salary cap is an issue it is still sad to see guys leave. I see the last two to sign elsewhere were Xavier Rhodes signing a one year deal with the Indianapolis Colts as what has been deemed a prove it contract. 
I then saw Friday morning that Andrew Sendejo signed with the Cleveland Browns. Yes I knew neither player was coming back but still to know its official is strange.


I was relieved to see the Vikings sign some guys as I watch NFL Network every day and see team after team seemingly sign so many yet I see no Vikings activities.


I like the addition of Michael Pierce from the Baltimore Ravens as I know the Ravens defense typically is very good so this should be a potentially nice replacement for Linval Joseph. The team also signed WR Tejae’ Sharpe and Anthony Zettel (DE) from Tennessee and San Francisco respectively. 
I have seen so far the Vikings resigning Dan Bailey, Rashod Hill, and Friday they resigned Ameer Abdullah and Brett Jones. In my opinion none of the names I have listed as free agent signings or resigning is earth shattering news but at least it’s something to read about and study the new guys.


I read on twitter Commissioner Goodell announced the NFL draft will go on as plan but obviously a way different format. I can’t wait to watch how this goes down. I have heard theories make it a seven night draft which I would be in heaven. I don’t think it would go to that but will be strange to see the picks coming from different facilities or wherever they draft from. It will be strange not to see the player in the backstage room come out and hug the commissioner in getting his jersey with the number one on it and having hit team hat on. 


My thought on the draft does not waiver as I know the team has two first round draft choices so I can see a package deal to trade both first round picks to move up and get a very good defensive back. I would not be upset if they don’t trade so take an offensive tackle and a defensive back.


I saw the schedule like most of you have and yes we don’t know the dates or times only know the home and away opponents. This will be my 20^th year of tickets as I was thinking last year was. It must be my old age but know this the schedule is as tough as I have seen and after the Free agent signings I am even more concerned. I think even if none of the players had left it would be tough but since they are gone my stress level just got a little higher thinking what are we going to do?


The home schedule includes: Detroit, Green Bay, Chicago. Jacksonville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Carolina and Dallas.


Green Bay will always be tough as long as Aaron Rodgers in quarterback although I saw left tackle Bryan Bulaga left via free agency. Detroit signed former Viking, Jayron Kearse and appear to be the New England Patriots dumping ground as Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton both signed. The Chicago Bears acquiring quarterback, Nick Foles will be a real interesting story to see him compete with Mitch Trubiskey.


Jacksonville will be my least worry on the home schedule although this is the time I should worry. The Tennessee Titans come in with Derrick Henry and his tough running style and with the loss of some of our starters gone will be a more worrisome problem.


Atlanta Falcons come in with new running back, Todd Gurley. Yes he has been injured the last couple of years but you know he will come in with a chip on his shoulder. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones must be relieved with no more Xavier Rhodes as Jones always seemed to struggle vs Rhodes. The Carolina Panthers come with new quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. I am so happy for Teddy but the day the Vikes play him will be my only day not cheering for him. 


The Dallas Cowboys come to town and with that their fans will flock US Bank Stadium. They signed Amari Cooper to the 100 million contract and see Tight End, Jason Witten leave for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cowboys did add Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy.


The road schedule sees the Vikings travel to Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Seattle.


I start with looking at the quarterbacks will face highlighted by Deshaun Watson (Houston), Phillip Rivers (Indianapolis), Drew Brees (New Orleans), Tom Brady (Tampa Bay) and of course Russell Wilson (Seattle). Wow what a challenge for the Vikings defense and yes I can’t forget Aaron Rodgers although I would like to one day.


The Texans will be a challenge with the likes of JJ Watt and Watson but the subtraction of all world receiver, Andre Hopkins which might be the strangest trade all off season.


The Indianapolis Colts as I said earlier Rivers will be the quarterback but now add former Viking, Xavier Rhodes. How will he play? Will he be his former Pro Bowl self? My luck he will be very noticeable and not in a bad way.


The New Orleans Saints oh where do I begin? The playoff losses suffered to the Vikings and in New Orleans sets up for potential ugliness. Their offense is already wow but now add Super Bowl champ wide receiver, Emmanuel Sanders. I say the rich get richer!!!!!


Tampa Bay I mean Tampa Tom will be the story of the year as Brady signed the two year 50 million guaranteed contract. Yes, the next Super Bowl is in Tama and Brady there will be a nonstop talker. The weapons he has are not like he had in New England. The NFC South will be the most watched Division in football. I love the Vikings division I will watch honestly a lot more. Brees, Ryan, Brady and Bridgewater what a powerhouse of quarterbacks although I know Teddy is not necessarily proven.


The Seattle Seahawks and the 12^th man is always a challenge for the Vikings and like the Packers until Russell Wilson retires the Seahawks will always be in contention for the playoffs. Seattle signed Tight End, Greg Olsen who always been a top tier tight end and just another challenge for the Vkings defense.


The Vikings have very good skill players with Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph and I look Bisi Johnson. The offensive line to make an obvious statement is truly concerning, 


The defense is concerning so with Coach Zimmer and the defensive staff we will see just what they get for production.


I am a fan so I want to and have to believe in my favorite team, the Minnesota Vikings.


Thank you for reading

Stay safe everyone please 

Purplestick

Rebuilding mode needs to start quicky for the Vikings

It was not that long ago I was jumping off my couch when I watched Kyle Rudolph catch the game winning touchdown in overtime to upset the New Orleans Saints. It was then the next week I wanted to roll off my couch feeling sick after watching the Vikes get destroyed by the 49ers and I did want to get up.


I look at the my favorite team and love them for many reasons but I knew watching the game in San Francisco we were not even on the same level as the 49ers beat us and I don’t mean the scoreboard. We were beat in all three phases by a superior team.


I got asked by many as they know my passion and the question was, “what do we need in the draft?” I responded and no joke “we need one of everything.”


I know the salary cap is a huge issue and so players will be leaving but who I thought. I have loved Xavier Rhodes play up to a year ago where it seemed this last season something was terribly wrong. I heard like many of you the likes of Trae Waynes, Linval Joseph, Everson Griffen were the three I heard most often and add Xavier Rhodes.


I absolutely love NFL Free Agency Frenzy every year as it is like Christmas for me as I see what kind of toys we will get to add to the roster I mean players.


This first two days have been crazy and I know it was not official until 4:00pm on Tuesday but all these deals were announced Monday although not official
.

Stefon Diggs has been a very popular talking point anywhere from last season to this offseason. I know I read many people felt the Vikings would deal him but I did not see it coming. Yes, I was wrong as I see Diggs to the Buffalo Bills. I was stunned no only by the announcement but even more so seeing all we got back for him. I read someone called it a Herschel Walker deal except this time the Vikings got the best of the deal. I loved Diggs as a receiver but his attitude seen on TV and read about was very concerning to me. I wish Diggs the best in Buffalo and thank him for his years and will never forget the Minneapolis Miracle.


I read earlier the Vikings terminated the contracts of Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph ending the speculation of whether they would stay or not. It’s the NFL and stands for not for long but also the salary cap needs relief. I believe the loss of Joseph is way more painful as I loved his stuffing the middle on the run. I saw Tuesday night the Los Angeles Chargers signed Linval to a two year deal. I have not seen anything on Rhodes as of yet.


The name Trae Waynes was a talking point after the season on would he return and I saw Cincinnati Bengals gave him a three year contract for 42 million so I got my answer on would he be on the 2020 roster.


Everson Griffen’s contract was voided but I feel he will be back but for a much lesser amount so we will see what goes down.


I do really love the new contract for CJ Ham and feel he is worth every penny. A young man out of Augustana College making the squad as a rookie free agent back a few years ago is doing alright proving his worth.


The loss of Waynes and Rhodes is shocking only because we lost both cornerbacks so I am real curious how the team will handle filling these huge openings. I have seen more than my share of mock drafts but what I see universally is a defensive back with the first round pick.


I was shocked Tuesday when I saw the Vikings announce they terminated the contract of Josh Kline. I am by no means an offensive lineman expert but I thought Kline might have been the 2^nd best behind tackle, Brian O’Neil.


The Vikings have always stressed in my mind the defensive side of the ball but this offseason might be one of the most important in years addressing and trying to figure out how to replace these veterans.


The Tom Brady saga is by far the biggest story line thus far as I watched two hours on NFL Network watching the NFL experts giving their opinions.  I am of the mind that did not see Brady leaving. This story of Tampa Tom will be beat to the ground. Yes the Super Bowl is in Tampa so will Brady be able to take his team to be the first team ever to play in their home for the Super Bowl?

I love the division he is now in as he will face Drew Brees twice, Matt Ryan twice and now Teddy Bridgewater twice. I can’t wait to watch these matchups. I add in the Vikings get to play in Tampa Bay this year. The Bridgewater signing in Carolina I could not be happier for Teddy and wish him so much success.


It’s been a great TV watch the first two days seeing Phillip Rivers signing with the Indianapolis Colts and Marcus Mariota signing with the Las Vegas Raiders as quarterback headliners.


How about former Cowboy, Jason Witten signing with the Raiders? Who will sign Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Jameis Winston? Who will be the New England Patriots starting QB?


The question did Bill Belichick need Tom Brady or Brady need Bill? The question that has been out there for years will now get answered. I love the Buffalo Bills are now getting the love that they are favored to win the AFC East.


I love football for so many reasons and this week of Free agency is one of many reasons I do. The draft coming in April in Ls Vegas will it go down with the virus seemingly everywhere? I hope so because I can’t wait to see what Vegas looks like with their main street closed.


I close by saying if the draft goes down I believe the Vikings will take a defensive back. I can’t wait for draft night because it’s like for me a kid waiting to open a present.


Thank you for reading

Purplestick