“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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He rode in on a horse or something?
Happy to see he still has the mullet.
I just saw him at the bar a couple weeks ago and I swear he had no mullet. Maybe it’s a clip on…..like a merkin, but for the back of his neck.
Not that all horses don’t cost money, but that is a VERY expensive breed of horse he’s riding, a Friesan.
They are a pretty rare breed and a great show horse. They have those feathery hooves. Love it!
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
This is maybe the worst officiated game I have ever seen. Both teams should be upset these clowns don't even know what down it is half the time it seems.
Even the TV guys are making jokes about it.
NFL is getting worse and worse every year. I could write a lengthy post about the stripes and the rules.
I don’t know if it’s worse but there’s some crews that aren’t great
Today's crew was flag happy all around. They were not good. Inconsistent (my biggest peeve). They just threw flags to throw flags. I would say NOT biased against either team, they were just bad.
The flags I can deal with...but at least 3 times the down was changed (twice from first downs) with no correction announced so even the TV people didn't know what was going on.
I hate the Vikings because they don't win!
*Vikings keep winning*
I hate the Vikings because they don't win pretty/by a lot/in convincing fashion!
😉
Substitute any Minnesota team not named the Twins and you have perfectly nailed the average Minnesota Sports fan.
I hate the Vikings because they don't win!
*Vikings keep winning*
I hate the Vikings because they don't win pretty/by a lot/in convincing fashion!
😉
Substitute any Minnesota team not named the Twins and you have perfectly nailed the average Minnesota Sports fan.
I don’t hate the Vikings but I don’t see them in the Superbowl vs the Bills. The 6-1 record right now feels like Penn State hockey’s 8-0 record. It’s a bit of a mirage.
I agree the Vikings have many flaws for a team with their record. Sadly the NFC is sorely lacking at the moment for having more than a few teams that are scary. As of now the Vikings are looking at a first round home game which could then lead to a divisional road embarrassment.
The Vikings are winning with grit. To harken back, when The Greatest Show On Turf played the Patriots, the Pats just punched them in the face (and to go even FURTHER back, when Bill B was part of the Giants' staff), the Giants did the same to the Bills in the 1990 SB. Those Rams/Bills teams didn't really know how to respond.
The Vikings have flaws (and no depth, at least on paper; very healthy team so far), they are just finding ways to adjust and win however they can. I think that might HELP them in the long run, not hinder them.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I would much rather be winning while not putting it all together than losing. Sometimes teams can get lulled into thinking they are flawless when they are winning like this. That doesn't seem to be the case here. There is always room for improvement and this team is no different.
I would much rather be winning while not putting it all together than losing. Sometimes teams can get lulled into thinking they are flawless when they are winning like this. That doesn't seem to be the case here. There is always room for improvement and this team is no different.
Exactly. True winning teams can deal with adversity.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
"Adam Zimmer, son of Minnesota Vikings ex-head coach Mike Zimmer and a former defensive coach for the team, has died at the age of 38."
Vikings trade a 2023 second round pick and 2024 fourth round pick to Detroit for tight end TJ Hockenson, a 2023 fourth round pick and conditional 2024 fourth round pick.
Irv Smith Jr. suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss some time so they needed help at the tight end spot. This will certainly help. Hockenson, a former #8 overall pick, is a very good pass catching tight end.
Well...think Chad Greenway but on the other side of the ball. Besides catching the ball he will pass block and run block very well. He played during the same time as Noah "I only want to catch balls" Fant so T.J. started getting more time than Noah because he would do the extra things for the team to be successful. Go Hawks!
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
TJ Hockenson is a clear upgrade from Irv Smith. They both were drafted in 2019 so this is their 4th year in the league (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Hockenson 47 games, 186 catches, 2068 yards, 15 TDs
Irv Smith 36 games, 88 catches, 844 yards, 9 TDs
Yes Irv missed all of last season so he has played less games but yards per game in still 44 vs. 23.4 so almost twice as much per game for TJ. This year it is 56.4 vs. 24
It appears the Lions made the trade because they don't want to pay TJ a large contract since he is towards the end of his rookie deal and prefer moving up in the draft to rebuilt that way.
If TJ turns out to be a good fit for the Vikings I think this definitely makes the Vikings offense more diverse and tougher to defend. Irv hasn't produced a lot which IMO has capped the Vikings offense's potential ceiling.
Love the trade!
Hopefully he can step in and gel with Kirk quickly. Could be a fun year!
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
Vikings trade a 2023 second round pick and 2024 fourth round pick to Detroit for tight end TJ Hockenson, a 2023 fourth round pick and conditional 2024 fourth round pick.
Irv Smith Jr. suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss some time so they needed help at the tight end spot. This will certainly help. Hockenson, a former #8 overall pick, is a very good pass catching tight end.
Just to clarify it appears the 2024 pick the Vikings are giving up is a 3rd round pick.
TJ Hockenson is a clear upgrade from Irv Smith. They both were drafted in 2019 so this is their 4th year in the league (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Hockenson 47 games, 186 catches, 2068 yards, 15 TDs
Irv Smith 36 games, 88 catches, 844 yards, 9 TDs
Yes Irv missed all of last season so he has played less games but yards per game in still 44 vs. 23.4 so almost twice as much per game for TJ. This year it is 56.4 vs. 24
It appears the Lions made the trade because they don't want to pay TJ a large contract since he is towards the end of his rookie deal and prefer moving up in the draft to rebuilt that way.
If TJ turns out to be a good fit for the Vikings I think this definitely makes the Vikings offense more diverse and tougher to defend. Irv hasn't produced a lot which IMO has capped the Vikings offense's potential ceiling.
In fairness, Hockenson stepped in and was immediately their #1 tight end (and arguably their #1 pass catcher overall) basically immediately. Smith stepped in behind Rudolph while the team had Diggs and Thielen, and still has JJ and Thielen to compete for passes with.
I do agree that Hockenson will be an upgrade but Irv is not a slouch.
I was hoping he would somehow fall to the Vikings back in the 2019 draft, so I definitely like the acquisition.
TJ Hockenson is a clear upgrade from Irv Smith. They both were drafted in 2019 so this is their 4th year in the league (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Hockenson 47 games, 186 catches, 2068 yards, 15 TDs
Irv Smith 36 games, 88 catches, 844 yards, 9 TDs
Yes Irv missed all of last season so he has played less games but yards per game in still 44 vs. 23.4 so almost twice as much per game for TJ. This year it is 56.4 vs. 24
It appears the Lions made the trade because they don't want to pay TJ a large contract since he is towards the end of his rookie deal and prefer moving up in the draft to rebuilt that way.
If TJ turns out to be a good fit for the Vikings I think this definitely makes the Vikings offense more diverse and tougher to defend. Irv hasn't produced a lot which IMO has capped the Vikings offense's potential ceiling.
In fairness, Hockenson stepped in and was immediately their #1 tight end (and arguably their #1 pass catcher overall) basically immediately. Smith stepped in behind Rudolph while the team had Diggs and Thielen, and still has JJ and Thielen to compete for passes with.
I do agree that Hockenson will be an upgrade but Irv is not a slouch.
I am not saying Irv is trash but we keep waiting for him to break out and it hasn't happened.
Half way through the season he has 168 yards (24.0 per game) which is similar to 2019 (19.4 per game) and 2020 (28.1 per game). Hurt all of 2021.
Thielen's production is trending downward which is to be expected he is 32 years old so having a top TE or another solid WR in the coming years is important.
The fact that the Vikings made this trade I think tell us that they felt upgrading at TE was important. Irv was drafted to replace Rudolph but it hasn't happened like we were hoping for and now new leadership is going in a difference direction in acquiring one of the better starting TEs.
I hope Irv comes back from his high ankle sprain in a few weeks and helps the team down the stretch and in the playoffs but if Irv doesn't produce much down the stretch it's not because JJ, TJ, and Adam's production is holding him back it was because they felt they needed TJ because they weren't getting enough TE production.
I believe since TJ was a 1st round pick his rookie contract has a 5th year team option while since Irv was a 2nd round pick his rookie contract does not have a 5th year team option. Does this trade result in the Vikings not resigning Irv after this season? I guess that is a question for the off season.
BTW, TE Tyler Conklin production for the Vikings last year was 17 games/593 yards (34.8 per game) better than any season Irv has had.
2019 - 16 games - 311 yards (19.4 per game)
2020 - 13 games - 365 yards (28.1 per game)
2021 - Hurt all season
2022 - 7 games - 168 yards (24.0 per game)
Maybe the Vikings should have kept Tyler? ? But instead (which I am fine with) they gave Irv the chance to take control of the #1 TE position.
This trade IMO seems to indicate they are now going in a different direction. They have a large lead in the division so if they thought Irv was the answer at TE they would ride out his injury for the next month resign him this off season and not have made this trade IMO. This trade seemingly indicates that they no longer see Irv as a #1 TE.
Irv Smith's ankle sprain apparently is really bad. Possible out for the rest of the regular season. Hopefully he can help the team in the playoffs but does this mean he basically is only a bite piece even if he gets healthy since he was out for so long?
TJ Hockenson is a clear upgrade from Irv Smith. They both were drafted in 2019 so this is their 4th year in the league (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Hockenson 47 games, 186 catches, 2068 yards, 15 TDs
Irv Smith 36 games, 88 catches, 844 yards, 9 TDs
Yes Irv missed all of last season so he has played less games but yards per game in still 44 vs. 23.4 so almost twice as much per game for TJ. This year it is 56.4 vs. 24
It appears the Lions made the trade because they don't want to pay TJ a large contract since he is towards the end of his rookie deal and prefer moving up in the draft to rebuilt that way.
If TJ turns out to be a good fit for the Vikings I think this definitely makes the Vikings offense more diverse and tougher to defend. Irv hasn't produced a lot which IMO has capped the Vikings offense's potential ceiling.
In fairness, Hockenson stepped in and was immediately their #1 tight end (and arguably their #1 pass catcher overall) basically immediately. Smith stepped in behind Rudolph while the team had Diggs and Thielen, and still has JJ and Thielen to compete for passes with.
I do agree that Hockenson will be an upgrade but Irv is not a slouch.
I am not saying Irv is trash but we keep waiting for him to break out and it hasn't happened.
Half way through the season he has 168 yards (24.0 per game) which is similar to 2019 (19.4 per game) and 2020 (28.1 per game). Hurt all of 2021.
Thielen's production is trending downward which is to be expected he is 32 years old so having a top TE or another solid WR in the coming years is important.
The fact that the Vikings made this trade I think tell us that they felt upgrading at TE was important. Irv was drafted to replace Rudolph but it hasn't happened like we were hoping for and now new leadership is going in a difference direction in acquiring one of the better starting TEs.
I hope Irv comes back from his high ankle sprain in a few weeks and helps the team down the stretch and in the playoffs but if Irv doesn't produce much down the stretch it's not because JJ, TJ, and Adam's production is holding him back it was because they felt they needed TJ because they weren't getting enough TE production.
Reports I saw this morning were that Irv will likely be out 8+ weeks with the high ankle sprain.
So while this does seem to indicate that maybe they're going to move on from Irv after the season (unless they decide to run more two TE sets as Thielen ages out where maybe they split Irv or TJ out wide, like the old Patriots teams) it is also very much a "Win now" move.
TJ Hockenson is a clear upgrade from Irv Smith. They both were drafted in 2019 so this is their 4th year in the league (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).
Hockenson 47 games, 186 catches, 2068 yards, 15 TDs
Irv Smith 36 games, 88 catches, 844 yards, 9 TDs
Yes Irv missed all of last season so he has played less games but yards per game in still 44 vs. 23.4 so almost twice as much per game for TJ. This year it is 56.4 vs. 24
It appears the Lions made the trade because they don't want to pay TJ a large contract since he is towards the end of his rookie deal and prefer moving up in the draft to rebuilt that way.
If TJ turns out to be a good fit for the Vikings I think this definitely makes the Vikings offense more diverse and tougher to defend. Irv hasn't produced a lot which IMO has capped the Vikings offense's potential ceiling.
In fairness, Hockenson stepped in and was immediately their #1 tight end (and arguably their #1 pass catcher overall) basically immediately. Smith stepped in behind Rudolph while the team had Diggs and Thielen, and still has JJ and Thielen to compete for passes with.
I do agree that Hockenson will be an upgrade but Irv is not a slouch.
No…not a slouch, Irv is more accurately described as
It’s easy to say that this is a sign the Vikings are moving on from Irv Smith but they really had no choice. 2 months without Smith basically means they’re looking at him being questionable for a 1st round playoff game. Mundt is a perfect #2 TE and if you look at the Rams offense last year, Hockenson fits perfectly into the role Higbee filled. Adding a top 5 TE into an offense that likes to run with a static 1 TE and 3 WR formation to keep defenses guessing and having a TE in that spot that can block AND catch could be key for the offense. Irv Smith is talented and could probably come back very affordably next year as at this point he has to be labeled as injury prone.
I would rather just move on he is not extraordinary at any facet of the game where it should be a priority to bring him back. TJ is worth keeping, Irv is easily replaced.
Irv is glass right now. He can be replaced. I think it's time the Vikes just moved on.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I would rather just move on he is not extraordinary at any facet of the game where it should be a priority to bring him back. TJ is worth keeping, Irv is easily replaced.
I tend to agree. He's got a lot of athletic ability but hasn't really put it together yet. Mundt seems to be a quality TE2.
I would rather just move on he is not extraordinary at any facet of the game where it should be a priority to bring him back. TJ is worth keeping, Irv is easily replaced.
I tend to agree. He's got a lot of athletic ability but hasn't really put it together yet. Mundt seems to be a quality TE2.
What about Mundt is quality? Honest question. Other than the catch last game I haven’t noticed him. But I don’t pay attention like some more serious fans.
He runs decent routes and from what has been reported he blocks well. He is a solid TE2 behind a guy like TJ.
He will never be Gronk or anything but he is a nice outlet for Kirk.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
I would rather just move on he is not extraordinary at any facet of the game where it should be a priority to bring him back. TJ is worth keeping, Irv is easily replaced.
I tend to agree. He's got a lot of athletic ability but hasn't really put it together yet. Mundt seems to be a quality TE2.
What about Mundt is quality? Honest question. Other than the catch last game I haven’t noticed him. But I don’t pay attention like some more serious fans.
He doesn't seem to make a lot of mistakes and catches the balls he's capable of getting to. He's not a great route runner like Irv (by TE standards, obviously) but he's a capable pass catcher and safety outlet and from everything I have seen he is more than a capable blocker.
He seems like a guy who doesn't do anything exceptionally well but he's above average at everything and is well above average as a blocker IMO. For an offense that uses tight ends mostly as an afterthought, a second tight end like Mundt is just fine.
Vikings march down the field with ease on the first drive of the game and since then have done nothing.
The Vikings' defense has given up 65 yards so far...and the lead is only 7-0. The hibernation mode their offense goes into is just incredible. 40 yards gained since the opening TD drive. Unreal.
Vikings march down the field with ease on the first drive of the game and since then have done nothing.
Washington is doing nothing too. Both of these defensive lines are rolling.
Blatant uncalled pass interference on the ref
That back judge is a MORON…gets in the way & just turned an easy pick into a Washington TD…
An easy interception turns into a touchdown because the back judge sets a blindside block on Cam Bynum as he's floating back for the INT. Samuel catches it and rolls into the endzone.
That is absolutely ridiculous. IDK what that back judge is doing but holy hell that's terrible. Get out of the freaking way.
Vikings march down the field with ease on the first drive of the game and since then have done nothing.
Washington is doing nothing too. Both of these defensive lines are rolling.
Bercich is sooooooo annoyed that they aren't taking shots deep on first down. Washington is daring the Vikings to go deep. Playing 8 and 9 in the box with no safety over the top. And the Vikings just try to run right into it.
I mean this is just pathetically bad.
https://twitter.com/GopherHole/status/1589342844497854464?s=20&t=WmH25HivjthzyIRyMsrOUQ
I get that the refs are considered part of field but he turned and ran directly into Bynum like he was blocking. If he just stands still he wouldn’t have been in the way.
Vikings march down the field with ease on the first drive of the game and since then have done nothing.
Washington is doing nothing too. Both of these defensive lines are rolling.
Bercich is sooooooo annoyed that they aren't taking shots deep on first down. Washington is daring the Vikings to go deep. Playing 8 and 9 in the box with no safety over the top. And the Vikings just try to run right into it.
I don’t know if they can give Cousins enough time to go deep.
Excellent play by Evans on the 4th and 1
Absolutely terrible drop by Jefferson, come on dude
Absolutely terrible drop by Jefferson, come on dude
Yup. That was bad. Under thrown but he had plenty of time to adjust and come get it. Then he just let the ball go right through his arms.
I mean this is just pathetically bad.
https://twitter.com/GopherHole/status/1589342844497854464?s=20&t=WmH25HivjthzyIRyMsrOUQ
That’s pretty bad for the ref
Obvious offensive PI on Samuel not called and they convert for a first down.
Jfc Kendricks
Tackling optional today.
Jfc Kendricks
Therein lies the problem with the QB protection rules. Heinecke sunk into his hips like he's going to slide so the D pulls up. Then spins out and runs for 8.