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NFL
Jul 28, 2020 11:57:46 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 28, 2020 11:57:46 GMT
The Vikings' head trainer has tested positive and is in quarantine. Four rookies--including highly regarded wide receiver Justin Jefferson--either tested positive or were in proximity to someone who did and are also in quarantine.
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NFL
Jul 28, 2020 18:20:38 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 28, 2020 18:20:38 GMT
And now the Vikings' biggest offseason free agent signing, DT Michael Pierce, has opted out of the coming season because he has asthma and (rightly) fears that would make exposure to coronavirus more dangerous for him.
He signed a 3-year, $27 million contract this offseason. Under league rules, asthma is a qualifying medical condition to opt out of playing this season; he can still be paid $350k.
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NFL
Aug 5, 2020 12:05:29 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 5, 2020 12:05:29 GMT
The Vikings' defensive line took another hit (kind of). Monday we traded for 2018 2nd-round DT PJ Hall, whom the Raiders were apparently otherwise going to cut. (Admittedly this doesn't speak well of Mr. Hall...) It happened without me noticing, which is apparently for the best, as he failed his physical and the trade won't go through.
Of course this is all an issue because Linval Joseph left in the offseason, his replacement Michael Pierce is sitting out because of the pandemic, and even reserve DT Armon Watts is on the inactive list for COVID. I guess if the season ever gets underway, I advise the opposition to run it up the gut.
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NFL
Aug 7, 2020 17:03:41 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 7, 2020 17:03:41 GMT
Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson is buying the XFL.
I can't really imagine why. The only way I can imagine it being remotely successful is as a full-on, acknowledged minor league intended to be a showcase for non-NFL talent. And that kind of league is just not going to be big-time in terms of, well, anything: stadiums, marketing, salaries, TV, fan interest, etc.
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NFL
Aug 8, 2020 3:38:16 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 8, 2020 3:38:16 GMT
More problems for the Washington Football Team. RB Derrius Guice was released after being arrested for domestic violence:
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NFL
Aug 8, 2020 11:13:51 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 8, 2020 11:13:51 GMT
The subhead of that story is hilarious and perfect. It reads in its entirety:
"Not good"
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NFL
Aug 17, 2020 17:12:38 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 17, 2020 17:12:38 GMT
Jackson to Bryant...touchdown!!!!!!!
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NFL
Aug 17, 2020 17:43:10 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 17, 2020 17:43:10 GMT
The Star Tribune had a story today about the best preseason players in franchise history: you know, those unknown players who step up in those games to secure roster spots (or not). The article listed QB Sage Rosenfels, WR Adam Thielen, LB Audie Cole.
Another running back occurred to me: Terry Allen. He came to the Vikings as a late draft pick, possibly 9th round?, out of Clemson. We still had Herschel Walker, Alfred Anderson, and Darrin Nelson at the tailback position. However, he looked really good in preseason, as I recall. I remember being super excited about him. My brother (who knew much more about football than I did) assured me he wasn't about to beat out those established players, especially Walker, for whom we'd given up so much.
Well, ended up getting some time at fullback that season, and rushed for 563 yards and 2 TDs. The next season, Walker (and head coach Jerry Burns) was gone, and Allen started at tailback. He got 1201 yards and 13 TDs, plus another 478 yards and 2 TD receiving.
Do you have any preseason stars who stand out in your mind (whether they ended up contributing to the real team or not)?
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NFL
Aug 18, 2020 11:57:33 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 18, 2020 11:57:33 GMT
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NFL
Aug 18, 2020 12:29:31 GMT
Post by kds on Aug 18, 2020 12:29:31 GMT
I was struggling to think of any preseason stars the Ravens have had in their 25 years. Partly because, well, since they didn't make an impact in real games I've forgotten about them. That, and I've barely watched any preseason football in the last ten years. I usually just read the Cliff's Notes later.
But, one could be QB Derek Anderson. He was a third stringer, who lead the Ravens to a thrilling (?) come from behind win in the 2005 preseason. And, he was probably a better QB than our #1, 2003 draft bust Kyle Boller, or our #2, Anthony Wright. He eventually went to Cleveland and had a Pro Bowl season there, and wound up sticking around the league a while.
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NFL
Aug 18, 2020 12:49:15 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 18, 2020 12:49:15 GMT
I forgot about Kyle Boller!
Sometimes I think drafting QBs in the first round or two is a mistake unless you're REALLY sure he's a star. The percentage who flame out is so high, and the pressure/visibility is also really high on quarterbacks. It just seems like you're better off taking the same kinds of solid prospects who go in the late second, third, even fourth rounds but have very little spotlight.
These are the QBs drafted in the Top 15 from 2000-2009, for reference. I think you could easily argue that at least eight of those 16 were misses at that point in the draft.
2001 - Michael Vick, ATL, 1 2002 - David Carr, HOU, 1; Joey Harrington, DET, 3;
2003 - Carson Palmer, CIN, 1; Byron Leftwich, JAX, 7 2004 - Eli Manning, SDC, 1; Phillip Rivers, NYG, 4; Ben Roethlisberger, PIT, 11 2005 - Alex Smith, SF, 1 2006 - Vince Young, TEN, 3; Matt Leinart, AZ, 10; Jay Cutler, DEN, 11 2007 - JaMarcus Russell, OAK, 1 2008 - Matt Ryan, ATL, 3 2009 - Matthew Stafford, DET, 1; Mark Sanchez, NYJ, 5
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NFL
Aug 18, 2020 12:53:01 GMT
Post by kds on Aug 18, 2020 12:53:01 GMT
And, Boller was far from a sure thing. He had one good season at Cal, and the Ravens probably could've waited until the second round to draft him. It's a shame. With the defense the Ravens had in the mid 00s, if Boller were even a competent QB, the Ravens might have won another Super Bowl or two.
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NFL
Aug 19, 2020 17:39:02 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 19, 2020 17:39:02 GMT
I can't imagine Cam Newton being cool with this for more than about 25 seconds: Bill Belichick is currently splitting reps evenly between Newton, Brian Hoyer, and Jarrett Stidham, and might use multiple QBs in a platoon system in the regular season. (He also just might be saying that in a "well, you never rule anything out" kind of way.)
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NFL
Aug 27, 2020 12:55:24 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 27, 2020 12:55:24 GMT
It was strange reading the training camp recap in the Star Tribune this morning... Frankly it doesn't feel like football season is beginning. NBA playoffs are--er, were--going on. No preseason games. Much less coverage than usual. But albeit in relative obscurity, camp did go on.
The most exciting notes from Vikings camp are that rookie WR Justin Jefferson apparently looks like a star and our rookie cornerbacks are reportedly looking good.
On the other hand, we're REALLY thin in the secondary (with almost literally no backup safeties), free agent WR Tajae Sharpe seems likely to be cut, and the OL seems questionable, which is a VERY bad sign for a team that intends to depend on its running game.
I'm still not convinced we're going to get a season. Not a full one.
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NFL
Aug 27, 2020 16:24:02 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 27, 2020 16:24:02 GMT
In the reports from the various training camps, I'm seeing a trend or a practice, new but not entirely new, of selected players, mostly older veterans and players coming off injuries, getting entire "days off" of practice. They basically...just stand around for a day!
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