2018 Vikings Off-Season Thread

[Mr. Brooks]

While that's all fine and good, this is essentially the NFL's version of the "targeting" rule.

 

I don't think anyone in their right mind would call that rule effective, useful, or game-changing. It's been pretty much a disaster in enforcement.

Well I'm willing to wait to judge this rule on it's own.

 

And this rule isn't vague at all, so I'm not sure why people think enforcement will be difficult.

Having to call it a lot, while players adjust, is not the same as difficult to enforce.

It seems very clearly defined, to me.

If players can't adjust, that's on them, and they will find themselves out of work.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Well I'm willing to wait to judge this rule on it's own.

And this rule isn't vague at all, so I'm not sure why people think enforcement will be difficult.
Having to call it a lot, while players adjust, is not the same as difficult to enforce.
It seems very clearly defined, to me.
If players can't adjust, that's on them, and they will find themselves out of work.

 

It's vague on ejections.  And because of that, will likely lead to a whole lot of problems with enforcement.  Ex-officials are saying enforcement will be nearly impossible.

 

And will it shock anyone when it's called predominantly on defensive players?

 

To be frank, I don't know why you'd have any confidence that a rule change like this will be enforced effectively or consistently in the NFL given the track record.

[Mr. Brooks]

It's vague on ejections. And because of that, will likely lead to a whole lot of problems with enforcement. Ex-officials are saying enforcement will be nearly impossible.

 

And will it shock anyone when it's called predominantly on defensive players?

 

To be frank, I don't know why you'd have any confidence that a rule change like this will be enforced effectively or consistently in the NFL given the track record.

I don't have a problem with that part of it.

It appears it will be at the officials discretion, but don't commit a penalty that carries a potential ejection if you don't want to risk getting ejected.

I'd compare it to arguing balls and strikes in baseball. Players aren't always ejected when they do so, but I don't feel bad for the ones that do, or find it controversial, because the players know that is the risk they are taking.

 

And I'm not necessarily confident in anything. I'm just not willing to preemptively rip them when I haven't seen it enforced yet.

I'll reserve judgement until we see it called.

[TheLeviathan]

 

It appears it will be at the officials discretion

 

I'm sure that will go swimmingly.

 

Maybe it'll work out, but if I were in Vegas I would bet heavily the other way.  And I wish the league would take more meaningful steps in the meantime for the long-term health of the game.

[nicksaviking]

 

It's not an automatic ejection, it just allows for an ejection.
I imagine that will be reserved for repeat offenders.

And you can still lower your helmet, just not to initiate contact with it. Can still go low and initiate contact with the shoulder.

If guys can't adjust to the new rule, that's on them, there are plenty of other careers.

Seems like the NFL can't win in this regard. If they give lip service to player safety, they get ripped for being disingenuous, but when they implement a rule with actual teeth, that will actually improve safety, they get ripped.

And this actually encourages proper tackling, so IMO it doesn't lessen the game. Forming a habit of improper tackling (head down), shouldn't be an excuse for not being able to adjust.

 

I think the defenders will be able to adjust in time. My original assumption was that this was going to crush running backs. 

 

Running backs tend to make themselves small upon contact to better absorb the hit, this tends to bring the head down into a somewhat erect fetal position.

 

However they don't tend drop right to the ground, they're taught to fall forward and keep their feet moving. If they're moving forward I don't know how the officials can't say they aren't initiating contact.

 

AP would have been flagged every game assuming a half back dive right into the middle of the defensive line was somewhere in the game plan.

[Mike Sixel]

Vikings lock up Kendriks for the next 5 years! Lots of money for an ILB, but he's really a legit 3 down LB.....I approve.

[TheLeviathan]

Great deal, he and Hunter are my extension priorities.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'd add Diggs to that.

Glad to see Kendricks will be around for a while.

[Vanimal46]

I assume that means Barr will be the pending FA they'll lose next season.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd put Diggs and Hunter ahead of Barr right now, priority wise. Unless they find a DE this draft, they are going to need some......though I guess that is true of OLB also!

 

IMO, for the coming year, they need an OL and DB as "starters", and a DE/DT and OLB as depth/starters in 2019.

 

But, I think DT is more plug and play in FA, so I'd lower the priority of finding one (not having looked at next year's FA class.....).

[Mike Sixel]

Just read there is no "ILB" specific tag. So, if they franchised him, they'd have to pay 18MM per year! That's one reason they signed him this year.

 

No way I pay Barr that either, by the way.

[Vanimal46]

Just read there is no "ILB" specific tag. So, if they franchised him, they'd have to pay 18MM per year! That's one reason they signed him this year.

 

No way I pay Barr that either, by the way.

Without any knowledge my guess is Barr's salary number is significantly higher than Kendricks. With his past "effort" issues that's a deal that could haunt a team in the future.

[TheLeviathan]

I worry what it will cost to keep Diggs and he has had durability issues.

[Vanimal46]

I worry what it will cost to keep Diggs and he has had durability issues.

Me too. I hope his camp doesn't look at the Jarvis Landry deal and ask for that...

 

It's a good problem to have for the Vikes. We're talking about good to very good starting players in Barr, Hunter, Diggs, and hopefully Sheldon Richardson earning long term contracts.

 

All are good up to a certain price.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I worry what it will cost to keep Diggs and he has had durability issues.

 

Concur....but I worry about Hunter not actually doing much last year also.....but Griffen isn't getting younger.

[TheLeviathan]

Yeah Hunter was disappointing last year and that is very concerning. It may also mean you could get him for a decent price now rather than in a year if he has a big sack total.

 

I might prefer we resign Waynes over Sighs or Barr.

[Mike Sixel]

Heh, still not a Waynes fan, I guess we'll see....

[caninatl04]

 

Vikings lock up Kendriks for the next 5 years! Lots of money for an ILB, but he's really a legit 3 down LB.....I approve.

Its a five year extension, so don't they have him for the next SIX years (including 2018)?

[caninatl04]

 

Just read there is no "ILB" specific tag. So, if they franchised him, they'd have to pay 18MM per year! That's one reason they signed him this year.

 

No way I pay Barr that either, by the way.

Just curious, what WOULD you offer Barr?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Its a five year extension, so don't they have him for the next SIX years (including 2018)?

 

ah yes, probably more accurate!

[Mike Sixel]

 

Just curious, what WOULD you offer Barr?

 

I would have to look at a lot more information (roster, salary, upcoming FA, draft boards, etc) answer that, but not 18MM! 

[Mr. Brooks]

Knowing that they can't keep everyone, I'd probably just let Barr walk when he hits free agency.

Reading between the lines, the sense is that Barr is a guy who constantly has to be motivated, and he's not consistent, and he has his own durability issues, so I'm not sure I want to give a huge multiyear contract a player like that.

[Vanimal46]

Knowing that they can't keep everyone, I'd probably just let Barr walk when he hits free agency.

Reading between the lines, the sense is that Barr is a guy who constantly has to be motivated, and he's not consistent, and he has his own durability issues, so I'm not sure I want to give a huge multiyear contract a player like that.

Agreed. All things being equal I think he's better than Kendricks. But if Kendricks signed for $10 MM, I assume his number is $15+ MM.

 

He's done well in Zimmer's defense, but he could be dominant in a 3-4 defense as a pass rushing LB. He hasn't been in that role here since his rookie season.

[TheLeviathan]

I'm hoping the Vikings invest another mid-round pick in a LB and send Barr on his way.  He's a great player, but he's going to be seriously overpaid.

 

The reason I'd suggest a Waynes extension is I think it would be fairly affordable (6-7M) and he's a solid player.  Finding solid corners is not an easy task and allows you to spend draft capital other places going forward.  

 

The WR money going around is going to force us to let Diggs go.  I love him as a player, but I have no interest in giving him 12+ a year.

[TheLeviathan]

Draft is coming up, here is a quick wishlist for me at each pick:

 

1st Round: G Will Hernandez (A gigantic mauler, instant starter at RG), LB Rashaan Evans (I think he would do well as a SAM backer and Barr's eventual replacement in the nickle) , S Justin Reid (Reminds me a lot of Harrison Smith.  Imagine having two of them!)

 

2nd Round: C/G Billy Price (Love the way he plays, would have natural chemistry with Elflein, 1st round talent slipping because of an injury), DT Harrison Phillips (lunch pail DT who will be a force and free up LBs to roam), CB Kevin Tolliver (if you think you can coach him, you're getting a high end talent)

 

3rd Round: Anyone of these guys who slips or C/G Frank Raganow (lunch pail guy with versatility), Michael Gallup (Diggs-like player, tough, fast, smart), Dalton Schultz (sooner we replace Rudolph the better)

 

After that I hope we walk away with at least one WR, TE, CB, LB, and OL by the end.

[Mr. Brooks]

I would have no problem giving Diggs that kind of money.

He's a special talent, IMO, underrated.

He hasn't put up gaudy numbers, but I think that changes this year, with Cousins under center.

PFF had him as the best WR (at one point, not sure where he finished) in the NFL at catching contested passes.

[Vanimal46]

I'm relieved the Vikes took care of their QB issue through free agency. I just have a bad feeling about a lot of these QBs in the draft. They're going to cost a lot of GMs and HCs their jobs.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I would have no problem giving Diggs that kind of money.
He's a special talent, IMO, underrated.
He hasn't put up gaudy numbers, but I think that changes this year, with Cousins under center.
PFF had him as the best WR (at one point, not sure where he finished) in the NFL at catching contested passes.

 

You may well be right, but we're going to have to sacrifice at some position. 

 

IMO, WR and LB are the spots to do that.

[Vanimal46]

Draft is coming up, here is a quick wishlist for me at each pick:

 

1st Round: G Will Hernandez (A gigantic mauler, instant starter at RG), LB Rashaan Evans (I think he would do well as a SAM backer and Barr's eventual replacement in the nickle) , S Justin Reid (Reminds me a lot of Harrison Smith. Imagine having two of them!)

 

2nd Round: C/G Billy Price (Love the way he plays, would have natural chemistry with Elflein, 1st round talent slipping because of an injury), DT Harrison Phillips (lunch pail DT who will be a force and free up LBs to roam), CB Kevin Tolliver (if you think you can coach him, you're getting a high end talent)

 

3rd Round: Anyone of these guys who slips or C/G Frank Raganow (lunch pail guy with versatility), Michael Gallup (Diggs-like player, tough, fast, smart), Dalton Schultz (sooner we replace Rudolph the better)

 

After that I hope we walk away with at least one WR, TE, CB, LB, and OL by the end.

Ideally a QB slides to 30 and they trade out of that slot to a QB needy team.

 

Other than that, OL OL OL is the focus. Gotta protect the new gunslinger...

[TheLeviathan]

I don't think a high end guy will, but perhaps Rudolph or Jackson does and someone moves up.  

 

I'd be good with a trade down too.