2023 Vikings Regular Season Thread

[Danchat]

16 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

This could be the only thing that makes sense about the move. As much as everyone dumps on mullens, he earned the #2 spot for two seasons now. Dobbs doesn’t seem to be any better of a passer than he is. How did mullens get hurt anyway?

Mullens is an average backup, not close to as bad as Mannion. At one point when he started for San Fran their offense moved the ball pretty well but he threw a lot of dumb interceptions. Dobbs is more mobile and has been a sneakily great rusher, but is overmatched as a passer. So kind of a different flavor of backup QB. Maybe what Jaren Hall becomes in a couple years.

Mullens had a back injury (in practice?) and missed one game before they decided putting him on the IR was the right move, so at minimum he'll miss 5 games. 

[Aggies7]

And Texas wins the World Series. Just another team that “never won it all” wins one before the Vikings. Not many teams left in the 4 major sports to have zero titles

[nicksaviking]

Strange aura that's floated over me today, but have a feeling that either Hall or Dobbs is going to play well enough to make some fans (some, not all or most) have second thoughts about what direction to go with QB this off season. Neither will be top notch QBs, but I'm betting which ever one they settle on will play well enough to start the conversation. 

And really, for all his warts, had Dobbs been throwing to Jefferson, Addison and Hockenson in AZ, they'd probably be playing .500 football and he'd still be their starter.

[Aggies7]

On 11/3/2023 at 3:45 PM, nicksaviking said:

Strange aura that's floated over me today, but have a feeling that either Hall or Dobbs is going to play well enough to make some fans (some, not all or most) have second thoughts about what direction to go with QB this off season. Neither will be top notch QBs, but I'm betting which ever one they settle on will play well enough to start the conversation. 

And really, for all his warts, had Dobbs been throwing to Jefferson, Addison and Hockenson in AZ, they'd probably be playing .500 football and he'd still be their starter.

I would find it nearly impossible for fans to consider wanting Dobbs or Hall over cousins unless the Vikings are planning on a major rebuild starting next season. Kirk has been fantastic in his Vikings career. If they’re not tearing the whole thing down and not in the running for a top college QB, then Kirk would be the preferred choice. 

[Aggies7]

A win today for the gophers would put them in the driver’s seat to win the big10 west. And in classic gophers fashion, they’re struggling against a terrible Illinois team. I don’t know how anyone could be a fanatical gophers football fan. 

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

I would find it nearly impossible for fans to consider wanting Dobbs or Hall over cousins unless the Vikings are planning on a major rebuild starting next season. Kirk has been fantastic in his Vikings career. If they’re not tearing the whole thing down and not in the running for a top college QB, then Kirk would be the preferred choice. 

I don’t want Dobbs or Hall either (obviously barring a fabulous dream ascension), as good as Cousins has been, I’ve been asking for an even higher, elite caliber QB the whole time he’s been here.

I just have a feeling we’re going to see a Case Keemun situation, and there were plenty of fans who thought the Vikings should stick to that path instead of signing Cousins.

That year was a great case study though because this draft is gearing up to look similar. Lamar Jackson was a presumptive top pick at the beginning of the college season, than Mayfield, Darnold, Rosen and Allen grabbed the attention making Jackson old news pushing him to the bottom of the first round; the Vikings could have had him. There looks to be a lot of QBs in this draft that look NFL-promising.

[Vanimal46]

16 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

A win today for the gophers would put them in the driver’s seat to win the big10 west. And in classic gophers fashion, they’re struggling against a terrible Illinois team. I don’t know how anyone could be a fanatical gophers football fan. 

I have zero expectations of Gophers football, and they still find ways to collapse in embarrassing fashion in games. I would say fire the coach, but what’s the point? 

[nicksaviking]

Because the Falcons game thread is getting a bit sidetracked, I thought I'd list my favorite QBs in next year's draft, just for fun. I am 100% going to change my mind a dozen times before the draft. I'm obviously no expert, but have watched most of these guys play and have been reading up on them in my down time,.

Caleb Williams - Not much to say here. Still, I think I'm going to switch this out before all is said and done, his talent is awesome, but he holds on to the ball FOREVER. Can he make the quick reads needed in the NFL? Probably, the most creative arms in the NFL also tend to hold on to the ball and improvise in and out of the pocket.

Drake Maye - I bet by the end of the college season, he's #1 on half of the pundits' lists. Williams probably re-takes his spot after the combine though.

JJ McCarthy - Man, I want a mobile QB so dang bad. This guy is very slim, but a hell of an athlete and looks like he can make all the throws.

Bo Nix - Pretty much the same as McCarthy. His career path looks a lot like Joe Burrow

Quinn Ewers - Another athlete and even with him being super young, he seems to have about as quick of a release as you get in college. This one I think will shoot up my board and the pundits' board before the draft.

Jayden Daniels - I haven't watched him, but he sounds like another quick release master who can also make plays with his feet.

Michael Penix - This guy is super accurate and makes great reads. I'd like him more except for my desire for a guy who can scramble. He seems like a good athlete, but he still DOESN'T scramble so he could be similar to Bryce Young and Teddy Bridgewater. If the Vikings are looking to replicate what they have in Kirk Cousins, I wouldn't be surprised if this is who they have their sights on.

Cam Ward - Normally I'd have him higher since he will probably be the top of the class as far as running goes, but most of the guys ahead of him are somewhere between Josh Allen and Justin Herbert in terms of making those plays already, so the athletic gap isn't as big as normal. Though, he's probably going to test the best at the combine and could shoot up the board like Anthony Richardson and Trey Lance.

Sheduer Sanders - He should be higher, but I'm a bit skeptical. Everyone says he's an NFL ready QB with a high football IQ, which isn't a shock considering how and with whom he's grown up. I am concerned about there being a circus surrounding him and I don't think having dad promoting him on every TV and radio program every week is a great thing for team buidling.

Riley Leonard - I also haven't seen him play, but he sounds like another super athlete with a big arm. I could probably move him higher but his scouting report sounds pretty much the same as Duke's last elite QB, Daniel Jones, so I'm a bit (unfairly) biased.

I also see Tyler Van Dyke, Spencer Rattler, Michael Pratt and Jordan Travis with glowing reports and sitting on top ten lists, but they aren't on my radar at the moment.

Overall, it's crazy how seldom most of these guys turn the ball over. It wasn't long ago that the big-time college arms used to throw a fair number of picks, probably in an effort to show off their arms. That doesn't seem to be the case any longer. Or at least not with most of this class.

[Vanimal46]

My way too early QB draft rankings:

1. Drake Maye UNC - Excellent traits and works within the offensive system. 

2. Caleb Williams USC - Best improviser in the draft. Worried about his attitude. 

3. JJ McCarthy Michigan - The guy I’m zeroing in on for the Vikings since Maye and Williams are top 5 locks. We could make a modest trade to move up to 10-15 overall and pick him. Love his athleticism and love that he’s so efficient in a pro style offense. 

4. Michael Penix Jr Washington - that dude can sling it. And get the ball out in a hurry. I think he would fit right in with KOC. 

5. Carson Beck Georgia - For leading the #1 team in the country, he is so under the radar. 20 year old redshirt junior. He can sling it too. 

6. Shedeur Sanders Colorado - I think dad will talk him into staying one more year. If he declares, he’s put together some really good games. 

Others I would have no problem taking in the middle rounds:

Daniels LSU - Ewers Texas - Nix Oregon - Ward Washington State

[Mike Sixel]

Penix is one of the most accurate throwers I can recall in college. 

Bo Nix reminds me of Burrow, agreed. 

 

[nicksaviking]

5 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

My way too early QB draft rankings:

1. Drake Maye UNC - Excellent traits and works within the offensive system. 

2. Caleb Williams USC - Best improviser in the draft. Worried about his attitude. 

3. JJ McCarthy Michigan - The guy I’m zeroing in on for the Vikings since Maye and Williams are top 5 locks. We could make a modest trade to move up to 10-15 overall and pick him. Love his athleticism and love that he’s so efficient in a pro style offense. 

4. Michael Penix Jr Washington - that dude can sling it. And get the ball out in a hurry. I think he would fit right in with KOC. 

5. Carson Beck Georgia - For leading the #1 team in the country, he is so under the radar. 20 year old redshirt junior. He can sling it too. 

6. Shedeur Sanders Colorado - I think dad will talk him into staying one more year. If he declares, he’s put together some really good games. 

Others I would have no problem taking in the middle rounds:

Daniels LSU - Ewers Texas - Nix Oregon - Ward Washington State

It's just crazy how little consensus there is. Normally this time of year there's like three or four guys, maybe five, whom everyone is debating. This year there's two and after that, no one agrees, and not because these guys are sketchy, but because there are so many arms you can dream on.

[Vanimal46]

10 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

It's just crazy how little consensus there is. Normally this time of year there's like three or four guys, maybe five, whom everyone is debating. This year there's two and after that, no one agrees, and not because these guys are sketchy, but because there are so many arms you can dream on.

There’s still plenty of time to change our minds too! November in particular is a big month for McCarthy. IIRC he has Ohio State and Penn State on the schedule. 

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

There’s still plenty of time to change our minds too! November in particular is a big month for McCarthy. IIRC he has Ohio State and Penn State on the schedule. 

He looks great against some mediocre teams, but I expect he will against good ones also. He's number three for me right now, but not by much. 

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

He looks great against some mediocre teams, but I expect he will against good ones also. He's number three for me right now, but not by much. 

Once Harbaugh and Michigan get nailed, he could have some stink on him, to no fault of his own. "Was Michigan stealing defensive signs too?!?!?!?"

Which would only push him down the boards.

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Once Harbaugh and Michigan get nailed, he could have some stink on him, to no fault of his own. "Was Michigan stealing defensive signs too?!?!?!?"

Which would only push him down the boards.

Then hope he falls to Minnesota..... Perfect

[nicksaviking]

17 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Then hope he falls to Minnesota..... Perfect

Normally I'd think he'd be the one to return to school to try to move up to #1 the following year, but if Harbaugh leaves and Michigan gets nailed, that would be a terrible decision. He'd have to transfer to a most likely less favorable situation.

[Vanimal46]

4 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Normally I'd think he'd be the one to return to school to try to move up to #1 the following year, but if Harbaugh leaves and Michigan gets nailed, that would be a terrible decision. He'd have to transfer to a most likely less favorable situation.

He’s better off leaving that situation behind. He will be a 1st round pick for sure. Harbaugh is already throwing lures for the Bears HC job to see if they bite. 

[gunnarthor]

That Bucs loss is really looking odd now. This is a good team, somehow. Really impressed with the attitude KOC has created after the Zimmer era. (I liked Zimmer). Flores is a great defensive coordinator. He absolutely should be a head coach but maybe we can get another season from him.

[Vanimal46]

2 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

. Flores is a great defensive coordinator. He absolutely should be a head coach but maybe we can get another season from him.

This might be his best work yet in his career. It can not be overstated how much of an upgrade he is over Donatell. Name him Co-Head Coach and pay him HC money for all I care. Do whatever it takes to keep him in the building. 

[wabene]

Mr Dobbs goes to Atlanta? 

[Mike Sixel]

24 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

That Bucs loss is really looking odd now. This is a good team, somehow. Really impressed with the attitude KOC has created after the Zimmer era. (I liked Zimmer). Flores is a great defensive coordinator. He absolutely should be a head coach but maybe we can get another season from him.

Maybe he should suck too doing what he's awesome at? No one does that....

KOC still has some issues, but he seems to be overall good to very good. 

[Mike Sixel]

21 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

This might be his best work yet in his career. It can not be overstated how much of an upgrade he is over Donatell. Name him Co-Head Coach and pay him HC money for all I care. Do whatever it takes to keep him in the building. 

It really is amazing, the difference. 

[nicksaviking]

My money is on Flores being here next year. He should be a head coach again, but teams just are not successfully hiring them from the defensive side of the ball any more. Is there anyone other than Sean McDermott recently? Recent being seven years ago. Ron Rivera seems to be the new Jeff Fisher and hasn't done much in about a decade. Mike Tomlin was hired almost two decades ago.

Pretty much all the successful new head coaches were hot-shots from the offensive side of the ball, and the NFL is about as trendy of a league as they come.

[Vanimal46]

New Orleans is the only dicey matchup coming up in the next month. After that, it’s Denver, Chicago then the bye. We’re already on a 4 game win streak. Even with a backup QB, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be 7-5 or 8-4 at the bye. 

[nicksaviking]

10 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

New Orleans is the only dicey matchup coming up in the next month. After that, it’s Denver, Chicago then the bye. We’re already on a 4 game win streak. Even with a backup QB, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be 7-5 or 8-4 at the bye. 

And calling NO dicey is generous. They're 5-4 with their wins being Chicago, Indianapolis, New England, Carolina and Tennessee.

They're basically just missing Arizona and the Giants to hit the barf-bag-win bingo.

Also, they lost to Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Houston and Jacksonville. Good lord, who did they blackmail to get that schedule? They've played one winning team.

[Vanimal46]

8 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

And calling NO dicey is generous. They're 5-4 with their wins being Chicago, Indianapolis, New England, Carolina and Tennessee.

They're basically just missing Arizona and the Giants to hit the barf-bag-win bingo.

Also, they lost to Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Houston and Jacksonville. Good lord, who did they blackmail to get that schedule? They've played one winning team.

Wow I didn't realize their schedule was that full of cupcakes. 

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Wow I didn't realize their schedule was that full of cupcakes. 

And they still have four more games against their horse crap division rivals!

[Cap'n Piranha]

18 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

My money is on Flores being here next year. He should be a head coach again, but teams just are not successfully hiring them from the defensive side of the ball any more. Is there anyone other than Sean McDermott recently? Recent being seven years ago. Ron Rivera seems to be the new Jeff Fisher and hasn't done much in about a decade. Mike Tomlin was hired almost two decades ago.

Pretty much all the successful new head coaches were hot-shots from the offensive side of the ball, and the NFL is about as trendy of a league as they come.

DeMecco Ryans is doing some interesting things in Houston.  I do agree that Flores is unlikely to just jump at any HC opportunity; in a league where coaches are getting fired after 1-2 years, you have to go to a place that is either mostly set up for success, or where ownership has a realistic understanding of their team.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I really hate the injuries but it's a fun time to be a Vikings fan right now.

[Mike Sixel]

I feel bad for Hall.