A look at the Vikes schedule and 2019 Free Agency

This upcoming 2019 season will be the NFL’s 100^th year and it will be my 20^th year of season tickets and I for one could not be more excited. It is my intent all season to write more articles with so much excitement and all 32 teams are 0-0 so just who will win the Super Bowl?

Yes, New England Patriots are Las Vegas best odds to win the Super Bowl and along with one major shock and that is the Cleveland Browns after shocking the world when they traded for Odell Beckham Jr and after this earth shaking news the Browns now have the 5^th best odds in the NFL to win the Super Bowl.

I am a huge Vikings fan and say in 19 years of season tickets I have missed 2 games in this span and 2019 plan on keeping this streak intact going 10-10 this year making the trek to US Bank Stadium.

This week has been so exciting with the official day of NFL Free Agency as we no longer have to read or hear about speculation rather we can see and read who signed when and where. It is like my Christmas in hopes Santa gives us a great gift.

Two years ago the Vikes make it to the NFC Championship game but fall badly to the Philadelphia Eagles and then last year I came in so excited knowing we had the pieces but obviously it did not pan out. I truly believe the embarrassing home loss to the Buffalo Bills was a season back breaker along with the tie at Lambeau after seeing 3 missed field goals.

This year is a clean slate and once again I am fired up to see the Purple not only at home but on TV for all the road games.

Yes, the opponents for this year were made known just not the dates and times so I want to look at the home schedule and see what the teams that are coming to US Bank have done in Free Agency thus far.

The Green Bay Packers now have a new coach so that right there is a big story line but as far as free agency goes I see Za’Darius Smith (LB) left the Baltimore Ravens to sign with the Packers.

The Detroit Lions signed Trey Flowers a member of the Super Bowl winning, New England Patriots to a massive deal leaving me curious again about the Vikes offensive line.

The Chicago Bears coming off a season winning the NFC North signed one of my former Vikes favorites in Cordarelle Patterson to a 2 year deal and like new Lion, Trey Flowers comes from the Patriots. The Bears also added former Packer and Redskin safety, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

Oakland Raiders pulled off a huge trade earlier with the Pittsburgh Steelers and got Antonio Brown so I can’t wait for a Xavier Rhodes one on one match up vs Brown all game. The Raiders also signed from the San Diego Chargers (WR) Tyrell Wiliams so the Vikes secondary will be fully challenged. The teams also signed left tackle from the Patriots, Trent Brown. I know I am reading teams are calling the Vikes to inquire about Trae Waynes so this will be a story to follow.

Philadelphia Eagles will be interesting as the question of keeping both Nick Foles and Carson Wentz was answered as Foles signs the big contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars so can Wentz stay healthy will be the big question. Wentz is extremely athletic and big so will be a great test for the Purple’s defense.

Denver Broncos traded Case Keenum to the Washington Redskins and now have former Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco in charge of the offense along with a always strong defense will make for a great challenge for the good guys.

Atlanta Falcons were a major disappointment last year as they were the host city for last Super Bowl but failed miserably at being the first team in the NFL to play in their own stadium in the big game. Atlanta’s quarterback Matt Ryan is an incredible talent along with WR, Julio Jones so as a Vikes fas anytime we play Atlanta at home makes me think back to 1998-99 season watching the Falcons doing the Dirty Bird on the stage beating the Vikes to go to the Super Bowl.

Washington Redskins come to town with 2 former Vikes which may be the best home game on the schedule as Case Keenum and Adrian Peterson come back to Minnesota. How much booing or cheering will we hear for either player?

What a great but extremely tough home schedule I along with 65,000 other Vikes fans will see in 2019.

The road schedule will see the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, New York (OBJ less) Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.

This in my opinion will be one of the toughest road schedules in many years seeing the AFC West teams with the Chargers and Chiefs both with outstanding teams and with the Chiefs we will get to see the most exciting quarterback in the league, Patrick Mahomes.

NFL Free Agency truly is fun for me to watch and signings of note to see long time players leave their teams were Terrell Suggs leaving Baltimore to sign with the Arizona Cardinals and Earl Thomas leaving Seattle to sign with the Baltimore Ravens and longtime Lion, Golden Tate who was traded to the Eagles last year now signs with the New York Giants, The NFL in my opinion along with so many more see it as NOT FOR LONG so it is hard to keep building winning programs watching their players leave for more money,

In finishing up the Minnesota Vikes I knew had not much cap room so I did not know what to expect so to see Sheldon Richardson leave for the Browns hurts but also had a feeling we may not be able to keep him.

I am excited to see the Vikes resign Anthony Barr although I thought for sure we lost him to the New York Jets but thankfully he had a change of heart. I am thankful to see Everson restructured his contract so we could keep him and finally resigning Shamar Stephen a great add for depth on the DLine. I believe the New York Jets will want nothing to do with potential Vikes or former Vikes as just last year they thought they had Kirk Cousins signed and now this year Anthony Barr changing his mind.

That’s all for now as I will keep watching the Free Agency tracker and I look soooooo forward to the draft where I hear with the Vikes pick e choose an Offensive Lineman.

Thank you for reading

Purplestick #VIKESFANFOREVER

Firsts at TCO Perfomance Center over the weekend

This past weekend was one of first with one not so fun and the second was a memory made never to forget.
Let’s get the not so fun over first and it was bound to happen because weather is out of all our control. Friday I headed up to TCO Performance Center for another day of camp. As I was heading north I noticed lightning yet nothing in Eagan until I got near camp and the rain began. I got to the parking lot and the guys running the lot said camp was closed until further notice so we were offered the chance to turn around. If camp does get cancelled your 10.00 fee will be refunded. I opted to stay and did if ever rain and even hailed. I sat for 45 minutes and saw clearing coming so sure enough we were allowed to come in the lot but not before our phone was scanned.
I finally parked and was eager to get into camp. I got out of my car and saw a line already formed I would guess 3-4 blocks long and growing. I waited almost an hour in line but before I finally got to the gate where you go through security and get your ticket scanned.
I was so excited until I looked up and saw massive amounts of people waiting again. I have never seen this much confusion and of course heard a few choice words. We were brought through so they could fit more people in. We waited there almost 30 minutes before getting in Training Camp.
It’s funny because as much bad talk I heard of unorganization and Mankato would never be like this I saw a ton of smiling faces as I walked around camp waiting for practice.
The autograph line has been run the same as Mankato except on Friday fans that got in before the storm stated were cleared out of camp as they closed for a while. Fans that were in line were given wrist bands so when camp would re-open these fans would be guaranteed their spot.
My question to myself was yes fans were given wrist bands but would they be the same number when they re-entered? I never could find an answer.
I came upon another difference from Mankato on Friday and that was if rain occurs and the team opts to practice inside no fans would be allowed to come in and watch unless you had a pass from the Vikes. In years past in Mankato fans were allowed to come in the building where the indoor track and other track use used to watch. The one thing though was no flash photography or talking had to be held to a minimal as the team had the right to ask fans to leave who were not following the rules.
The afternoon practice was in better weather with a little on the hot side but I did get to watch practice.
It seems the same report about Kirk Cousins and his arm strength along with the connection with the recievers.
I am concerned about the Offensive line still especially with the injury bug hitting as Nick Easton, Mike Remmers and Pat Elflein all on the sideline with various issues so O Line will be hard to be judged with so many different combos.
The defense is unbelievable to watch as I have loved watching Linval Joseph and Sheldon Richardson work the middle.
The big story in camp is Anthony Barr and will he or won’t he be part of the 3 man roster. No one knows so I will leave that one alone.
The man who every day thus far who has shown me the most is Marcus Sherels. It is a true pleasure to watch his hustle and determination.
Saturday night I was so eagerly awaiting as it was the inaugural night pasing scrimmage starting at 7.
Last year in Mankato was about 12,000 the crowd was decent size but looking around a lot of empty seasts. I read later that night they felt crowd size was down a little with the weather threat of rain.
It was so exciting to be there and one of my first questions was where would the players enter the field? Answer came quickly as in the northwest corner of the steps was players coming into the stadium by way of the steps. This field is lower so all camp seems to be the same height except for this stadium. My concern as a fan was what if they fell down the steps.
The srimmage really is a lot of position group work and special teams as well as each kicker, Kai Forbath and Daniel Carlson were perfect from 23,35,45 and 53. My gut and only feeling as it is tough watching practice from kickers is Carlson seemingly to have the stronger leg of the 2 and of cousrse I could be wrong in my feeling.
Kirk Cousins continues to impress me with his arm strength and hitting the receivers. One of my favorite batttles in Xavier Rhodes vs Stefon Diggs in one on ones. Sefton has won quite a few but Rhodes is making his share of plays.
My stand out defensive players of the night was Eric Wilson jumping a pass at the line of scrimmage and taking it for 6. The other one is a repeat of all week and that is Marcus Sherels. Ths guy is playing beast mode every practice I have seen abd I pray he makes the 53 man squad because he earns everything he gets by his work ethic.
The scriammge ended at 9 and with that came the Voice of The Vikings and introduced each player in camp. These player each thew up 2-3 autographed balls into the frenzied crowd. Itr is quiet a site to see this in person.
The player intros ended and with ttan came an announcemrnt that a fireworks show wouls start soon and so it did with 20-25 minutes of an awesome display.
It was a historial weekend and one I will never forget.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick

Early thoughts on TCO Performance along and Vikes practices

2018 Training Camp has begun and I have made it the last 3 days feeling like I lived m Eagan. It was Saturday night when I didn’t sleep well with so much anticipation of a new experience in a new city.

I have gone to Mankato the last 24 years so I as anxious to compare which may not be fair and I understand that but I am human with maybe too many emotions.

I got to Eagan TCO facility and my first thought was how impressed I am with the parking of cars organization as I took a left to the parking lot I was met by many workers who had directing sticks pointing where I should park. The first thing I should say is everything at the new facility s on my Vikes app. I had to make sure the bar code was ready for the parking lot so I as scanned and proceeded.

I parked and made my way to camp but first I was greeted by a few employees who were willing to take pictures of people before they entered camp. I then walked downhill to the entrance where I had to put my valuables in a bowl then walk through the metal detector and once through I had to make sure my phone had the Vikes app open to my ticket bar code where once I got scanned I was free to walk farther into camp.

I made my way and I was simply in awe as it was so open and not congested I felt no pressure trying to get through people. As you walk you see a Viking Locker Room which was packed and I understand that. This pace even does customized jerseys. I found going out the back of the Vikes Locker Room and hall way with bathroom and then the Vikings Museum which was 20.00 and worth every penny. I did not do that until Day 2 but so worth it.

I could sit and write trying to describe everything at camp but feel I would miss telling you things. I feel the pricing of food is very reasonable as example bottle of water was 1.00 just as an example.

I also feel there are plenty of bathrooms all over camp. I also thought the idea of bringing your own water bottle in was awesome. The bag policy is this, there is no size not allowed however the bag is subject to search.

When you first walk in there is a stadium to the right which has bleachers that I believe are not as steep as Blakeslee Field which is good.

This stadium for the time being is set up for kids to do things such as football toss, flag football, kicking field goals and obstacle course to name a few. I was there 3 days and will say it did not seem over crowded for the kids. It is early so maybe as time goes on it will be busier. I know Saturday night is the night scrimmage and that will be played in the stadium with player introduction and fireworks after the night session.

We keep walking west and go up steps and you encounter 3 more fields with 2 going North and south and one going East and west.

There are bleachers for general admission as well as grass you can sit on and watch practice. The first practice is 10:30-11:30 which is the walk through and then 2:45-5:15 with the players starting to wear pads on Monday and Tuesday and I will assume the rest of camp.

If you then look west you will see blue bleachers which are the Kwik Trip seats and they are 20.00 which you must purchase ahead. The parking, general admission and the Kwik Trip seats all must be pre purchased which is one disadvantage from MSU days for Training Camp which you could decide to last minute go and you could buy parking passes same day. It is a difference but I will say again the Eagan facility is extremely organized.

The autograph lines each day are still intact with different position players each day. Tuesday was Running Back day and was that ever packed.

It has been a tremendous experience in Eagan and perhaps better than I expected. The one thing I truly miss is the interaction with players after practice against the old fence lines in Mankato. Maybe one day that will change in Eagan. I have not heard many people complaining about that which is good but for 24 years of my life I miss it. In the same breath I offer up it’s just great to watch football.

As for players in 3 days I have really seen an improved Laquon Treadwell catching all thrown his way which truly will be needed. Kirk Cousins throws the football maybe harder than I have ever seen but also throw out it doesn’t seem to bother the receivers as they seem to have worked with Cousins there whole career. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen just continue to impress.

Dalvin Cook looks as he was never hurt watching him run without a brace and yet I must caution myself because yes I understand its practice vs game days with the speed increasing.

The defensive side of the ball is filled with so many defenders of name but the one guy making a name for himself again is Marcus Sherels with 2 interceptions in 2 days. I have also enjoyed watching first round pick, Mike Hughes step up not looking like a rookie at least so far.

That’s all for now from Eagan’s TCO Center at Vikes Training Camp

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

SKOL!!!!

A look at first round picks facing the Vikes in 2018

The schedule was released and the draft is over so let’s look at who will see from the first round face the Vikes

Preseason

Week 1 at Denver who drafted DE Brandon Chubbs at Pick 5

Week 2 home vs Jacksonville who drafted DT Tavon Bryan at pick 29

Week 3 home vs Seattle who drafted Rashaad Peny RB at pick 27

Week 4 at Tennessee who drafted Rashaan Evens LB at pick 2

Regular Season

Week 1 home vs San Francisco who drafted Mike McGlinchey OT at pick 9

Week 2 at Green Bay who drafted Jaire Alexander DB at pick 18

Week 3 home vs Buffalo who drafted both Josh Allen QB at pick 7 and Tremaine Edwards at pick 16

Week 4 at LA Rams who had no first round pick

Week 5 at Philadelphia who traded out of first round

Week 6 home vs Arizona who drafted Josh Rosen at pick 10

Week 7- home vs NY Jets who drafted Sam Darnold at pick 3

Week 8-home vs New Orleans who drafted Marcus Davenport DE at pick 14

Week 9- home vs Detroit who drafted Frank Ragnow C at pick 20

Week 10-Bye

Week 11- at Chicago who drafted Raquon Smith LB at pick 8

Week 12- home vs Green Bay who drafted Jaire Alexander at pick 18

Week 13- at New England who drafted Sony Michel RB at pick 31

Week 14- at Seattle who drafted Rashaad Penny RB at pick 27

Week 15- home vs Miami who drafted Minkah Fitzpatrick S at pick 11

Week 16- at Detroit who drafted Frank Ragnow at pick 20

Week 17- home vs Chicago who drafted Raquon Smoth LB at pick 8

Vikes see picks 3,8,9,10,11.14.16.18,20,31

What a great bchance to see how other teams first round picks fare and we get to see # 3 overall and 10 quarterbacks potentially depending on Tyron Taylor and Sam Bradford

Thanks for reading

Purpelstick

2018 NFL DRAFT- A one with incedible storylines and fun

The draft goes 3 days as well know and each pick is so highly anticipated by thousands of fans and with all the radio and TV coverage I think this year’s draft might go down as one of the best I have ever seen but all the storylines that developed.

The host city Dallas I think got blindsided by all the roasting of the players who announced their teams picks.

Let’s starts with Philadelphia Eagles, Davis Akers who I give an A + for his effort and I actually worried about his safety after he was done with his roasting. I am not nor will ever be an Eagle fan but I still must give props for his speech.

I loved 49er’s Merton Hanks announcing to the thousands of booing fans the fact as I held his hand up looking at his fingers stating the 49ers were the first ever team to win 5 rings.

Falcon Michael Vick telling the booing fans he never lost to the Dallas Cowboys, Giants’ Justin Tuck talking about his version of the best city, New York. I loved watching all of this and kudos to each speaker.

The story lines that went down seeing 2 brothers for the first time in the NFL draft history get drafted in the first round with the Edmund Brothers with one to Buffalo and one to Pittsburgh so 2 AFC teams. It will be fun for the family when Buffalo plays Pittsburgh.

The story of all stories and I will never forget as Seattle picked with the 141^st pick, Shaqueem Griffin so he is reunited with his brother on the Seahawks. It’s a story that is on one of so many reasons I love sports. It proves once again anyone can do anything any time they want as long as you put your mind to it.

As a Vikings fan I loved the way the 4^th round pick, Jayln Holmes was announced as the USA Gold Medal team curled the card all the way down to the center and when it center the card was taken off and was read. I give an A ++++ for the creativity for this way the pick was done.

The hours of watching mock drafts and the draft are over but that doesn’t go without saying I truly enjoyed the whole weekend.

Thank you NFL

Thank you for reading

Purplestick

Looking at the 2018 Viking draft

The 2018 NFL draft is complete and in the books and now we see how these players develop and see if they can make the 53 man roster later in August.

I have seen draft experts give the Vikes anywhere from an A to a C- and I have also seen plenty of fan speak again people who either like or love the picks and I have also heard people with their dislike. I read Sunday an article with Vikes GM, Rick Spielman say he had fellow GM’s congratulate the team on the picks.

Does anyone really know how these players will do? All the mock drafts and fan wants are finally done.

I know I wanted an Offensive lineman with the first pick and that did not happen and instead at pick 30 the team took a cornerback.

I will admit the entire first round players drafted in the NFL I have heard of and even some of the 2^nd but honestly the rest a very small percent I have ever heard of.

I love football so much and IU honestly don’t read book but when it comes to drafts I enjoy reading bios from different sources and after reading I am excited as I am every year to see the now 2018 Vikings draft class.

Let’s start with Mike Hughes, first round pick 30 comes out of Central Florida and I found he went to school there in 2017 after transferring from another school. Central Florida ended last year undefeated and Hughes was a big part of it. Mike had 44 tackles and 4 interceptions in 2017 and he also is a talented kick returner with 20 returns for 635 yards and 2 TD’s and punt return he had 13 for 233 and 1 TD. His big thing here is versatility and  I look for him to compete for the Nickelback and compete with Mackenzie Alexander and Terrance Newman who is 39 still is awesome but how many more years does he have in him?

2^nd round the team took Brian O’Neil with the 62^nd pick out of Pittsburgh University. Brian came to Pitt as a tight end and was converted to Offensive tackle and played there the last 3 yards. O’’Neil is 6’7” and 297 and with that comes the statement that Brian is extremely quick and athletic. O’Neil ran the 40 in 4.82 in the combine which was the fastest amongst all O-Linemen. Brian only allowed 1 sack in his last 2 years and can play right or left tackle.

4th round the team drafted out of Ohio State at pick 102, Jalyn Holmes who is 6’5” and 283 pounds. Holmes had 84 tackles of which 40 were solo, also had 5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Jalyn is the 12^th Buckeye drafted by the Vikes in their history. I was really hoping for additional depth on both lines and with O’Neil and now Holmes we have 2 more to compete.

5^th round Tyler Conklin was taken at pick 157 coming out of Central Michigan and is 6’7” and weighs 240. I loved the highlights I saw on him and his big asset id his athleticism. The Vikes have added another tight end weapon to join Kyle Rudolph and Davis Morgan. Conklin had 83 catches, 1159 yards and 11 TD’s in his career. Tyler is his senior year came up huge with 35 catches, 504 yards and 5 TD’s.

5^th round saw the team trade up and take at pick 167, Kicker, Daniel Carlson who is 6’5 “ and 213. The last tall kicker I remember in purple was Steven Hauschka who was in camp when Ryan Longwell was here.  Daniel is the highest drafted kicker by the Vikes in their history. Carlson kicked for Auburn University had 480 career points, was 92-114 in FG and 198-198 in extra points. Carlson was a 3 time Lou Groza award finalist,2 time SEC scoring champ, 2 time SEC first team All-conference. He was also Special team’s player of the year in the SEC both 2016 and 2017.

The 6^th round saw Colby Gossett and was the 213 pick out of Appalachian State. Once again the team got some more offensive line help. Gossett was called by Mel Kuiper Jr an “under the radar gem.” He played right guard in college but played left guard in the Senior Bowl. This man is incredibly strong as at the combine he did 32 reps of 225 pounds.

The 6^th round saw Ade Aruna at pick 218 out of Tulane University stands 6’5 and weighs 262. This man is extremely talented as he played basketball for many years including AAU where he guarded Timberwolve, Andrew Wiggins and held him to 11 points. Ade started playing football his senior year in high school and the off to college. Ade has 12 sacks in his 4 years at Tulane. The combine saw him with a 38.5 vertical jump and broad jump 10’8” which is the best amongst all best defensive linemen at the combine. Ade trained with former Vike, the great Keith Millard.

The last draft pick came in the 7^th round was Devante Downs with pick 225 out of the University of California. Downs is 6’3”and weighs 245. He played linebacker for the Golden Bears. Downs was hurt his Senior year but before that had 84 tackles in his Junior year.

The Philadelphia Eagles had depth at lines sending wave after wave of defensive lineman and with the Vikes draft I was happy to see the team address this.

I said to start no one truly knows the future but after reading the bios I am happy at least on paper so only time will tell.

Thank you for reading

Purplestick

Credit- Vikings PR for some of the info.

2018 Vikings Draft Party and more

The 2018 NFL draft was finally here and all my waiting to go to US Bank Stadium for the Vikings draft party was finally over we just had to wait to 6:00 when the gates opened and when they did the sight to see hundreds of people wearing their Viking jerseys was a sight I just will never stop smiling. The only negative of the crowd was a fan that had his Eagles Carson Wentz jersey on but I thought Minnesota fans did a nice job of being Minnesota nice.

The draft as you know did not actually start to 7:00 so it was a great time to go down to the ground of US Bank Stadium and walk around and see all they had to offer. The turf was not down so instead was a plastic like flooring and my night turned out electric not literally but everything I touched I got a shock. It was good for a laugh and finally the shock went away.

As we walked around and looked we found your overpriced food vendors but it is part of what we are used to. I did have a brat for 8.00 and my wife had a hot dog for 6 so this was the cheapest we could find as we found a cheeseburger for 11.00.

The experience I have had in the past draft parties is you will see an occasional player walking around and Thursday night we ran into Dalvin Cook who was very nice in taking pictures with fans including my wife and myself. We also ran into former Vike, Ben Leber and Vikes play by play guy, Paul Allen who were also very gracious in stopping.

We continued exploring and found an autograph zone so I asked how much and they said free as 200 wrist bands were to be had free and if you got a wrist band you were guaranteed to get in a line. There were 3 sessions so you pick which session which had 2 players each. You could only pick 1 session so we took the 7:00-8:00 session which had Latavius Murray and Randall McDaniel so we got in line at 7 and met the guys.

We then went over and got a seat to watch the NFL draft. This is one of the best features of going to the party because we have KFAN show with Paul Allen, Pete Bercich and Paul Charchian live and an occasional guest like Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray and Andrew Sendejo. The guys are live and talking to the crowd but behind them is a huge screen TV that is showing the draft so when the Pick is In shows up on TV the talk show stops and the TV is turned up so we can all hear Commissioner Roger Goodell and all his fans booing him announce the teams pick.

We were at the draft party and when your team is pick 30 you know its going to be a long wait unless they trade up so when pick 29 by Jacksonville was called we all saw whether you were at home or at the party you saw on TV the words Vikes on the clock you hope or at least I had hoped they do not trade. We have waited 4 hours with eager anticipation when the Skol chant breaks out and then silence and then the words I love to see appear on the screen, THE PICK IS IN!!!! I have been predicting offensive line and I saw a summary of 8 NFL experts who all had the Vikes take O Line so when the Goodell announced the Vikes take Central Florida’s Mike Hughes, defensive back I think the crowd was a little shocked including myself.

I honestly didn’t know much about Hughes but as the night went on I listened and read I really like this pick and with an already top ranked defense another guy in the fold makes them just that much better.

The draft itself as I look at it saw a lot of things I like and a few surprises. I would like to start with the way the draft started as Commissioner Goodell comes out and with that a huge chorus of booing as he was joined by Troy Aikman, Jason Witten and Roger Staubauch. I personally feel Roger enjoys the booing but this night I credit him with him starting out by saying I can’t believe you are booing these Cowboy players.

One of the greatest stories of the draft came with pick 28 by the Steelers and the man who announced it was Ryan Shazier. The scene of him walking slowly out with a cane and then seeing the people at the draft in tears was amazing and a true tribute to Ryan for staying strong.

I am a big fan of the first 2 picks seeing Baker Mayfield go to the Browns and Sequon Barkley going to the Giants.

It was an historic night with all 5 quarterbacks in Dallas going in the first round. I will say the players outfits were different as pick 32 Lamar Jackson and his green suit.

It was a great night to see 2 brothers go in the first round for a first ever with brothers ass Tremaine Edmunds went 16 to Buffalo and 28^th pick Terrell Edmunds going to the Steelers.

I really think some of these teams hit home runs as I love Brandon Chubbs going to Denver Broncos, the  Bears taking Raquon Smith and look how the Bears have had successful linebackers.

The pick by Atlanta Calvin Ridley out of Alabama now joins for Crimson Tide player Julio Jones as Atlanta made their wide outs scarier.

How about the Patriots taking Sony Michel running back out of Georgia as I feel this kid has a dream team to play on.

The surprises to me to name a few was: Cleveland Browns having a chance to take Chubbs take Denzel Ward out of Ohio State. The Saints trading up 12 picks to the Green Bay Packers and see the Saints take Marcus Davenport out of UTSA. The speculation I heard was the reason they went up this far was to take QB, Lamar Jackson. The Buffalo Bills make a trade which is fine but they gave up way too much and then they take Josh Allen when most felt Josh Rosen would be the Bills quarterback.

The storyline of 2 former Vikes quarterbacks, Sam Bradford goes to Arizona for massive money and the Cardinals pick QB, Josh Rosen. How about the New York Jets sign Teddy Bridgewater and the Jets take with the 3^rd pick QB, Sam Darnold. The Jets would not take a QB at 3 if they wanted Teddy to be the man. I guess I feel bad for both Bradford and Bridgewater but I guess time will tell.

It’s only the first day with so many storylines with Friday and Saturday to come. As a huge Vikings/NFL fan I can’t wait.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick