NFL
By: Steve Rogers
Well, it was a Minnesota Vikings off-season full of changes but not the usual roster, ebbs and flows, reboot, or rebuild. Rebuild not precisely from a roster perspective but a leadership management perspective as they jettisoned the GM Rick Spielman and chose to be off with his head for head coach Mike Zimmer. In their places, they went with at General Manager, former Cleveland Browns vice president of football operations. At Head Coach, they hired Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell from the L.A. Rams. So far, it seems the fan base and players are pleased and or excited with the new energy in the building. With new schemes to learn on both sides of the ball as the defense turns from a four-three front to a three-four with these returning pieces along with newly acquired LB ZaDarius Smith swooped from cross-state rival Green Bay Packers this off-season in free agency.
DEFENSE:
Patrick Peterson was happy to return to MN for his second year in purple and take on being the All-Pro veteran leader to help teach the game to a whole draft class of new CBS coming to the club. With everyone healthy and rejuvenated by the new coaching/ scheme changes, I’m looking forward to a sort of bounce back of the defense into the top ten overall. With All-Pros like Harrison Smith at safety, All-Pro Eric Kendricks at Middle Linebacker, 3x All-Pro Patrick Peterson at Cornerback, and All-Pro Danielle Hunter at Defensive End. Who, in my opinion, will be out to show the world he’s still elite. First-round pick Safety Lewis Cine should find a home alongside H. Smith rather quickly. Yes, the CB room is still the most significant question mark with lots of unproven talent after Peterson. 
OFFENSE:
Flipping over to the offensive side of the ball and the changes happening. Firstly, the hiring of an offensive coordinator as Head Coach signaled a changing of the guard from the previous defense-first HC. Just how different will it be transforming the “Old School,” run-first style offense to the modern pass-heavy style being run by most NFL teams nowadays. Now that might upset most “Lead Backs,” but not All-Pro Dalvin Cook. During a recent interview, Cook said, “Wherever they want me to fit in,” also he sees himself as a “Bell-cow” back who can carry the rock 30 times a week. He went on to say he wants to be known as a “Rise to the occasion” back. Glimpses as to what those changes are for him include him lining up at wideout. (Side note I’ve been doing that in Madden for years and dominating.)
The new Head Coach Kevin O’Connell expressed a lot of confidence in the offense as a whole’s ability to quickly absorb the new schemes early in spring and during the OTA period. I want to take a moment and recognize just how different the Coach himself looks and sounds during interviews. He’s not afraid of sharing his thoughts and feelings and has no problem standing at the podium in the hot seat, looking calm and cool as ice while giving real five-minute answers instead of five-word answers. With all the changes happening on offense, it’s reassuring to know as many things are changing, many of the key positions will remain the same as Cook will be the lead back again. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is set to lead this team now in his 5th year in purple. This is a new HC to Minnesota but not the first time O’Connell will coach Cousins; he was Cousins QB’s coach back in Washington. Having chemistry between a Head Coach and the starting QB is paramount. Ask Bill Belichick, Tom Brady or their six Super Bowl rings if it matters! Having continuity between a QB and his Wide Receiver is as vital as the offensive line being able to build cohesion, gel, and be able to “move as one.” Thankfully, Cousins has that in spades, as his top four receiving targets are also set to return this year. Starting with All-Pro Veteran Red Zone Threat Adam Thielen. Of course, the third-year breakout superstar Justin Jefferson is back again and only looking to continue to improve on his already impressive resume. The guy who seemed to lock up the third receiver spot last year, K.J. Osborn, also looks ready to break out with a more pass-friendly offense. 
Now the slight unknown yet returning this year is the hopeful, healthy emergence of TE Irv Smith Jr. there’s been a lot of buzz around training camp about what Smith Jr. can or will look like once fully recovered and back on the field, both from coaches and fellow players like QB Cousins who’s excited to have Smith Jr. back in the TE room this year. Superstar Justin Jefferson is excited to get to work on his third season and is further excited for this new pass-heavy and even pass-first offense. Having already set a super high standard for himself throughout his first two seasons with unprecedented success at the wide receiver position. He isn’t satisfied yet and is looking to continue furthering his meteoric rise. In fact, he is intent on reaching all the way to Hall of Fame status, according to a recent interview he did.
This may have been a significant off-season overhaul but actually changed very little as far as the roster is concerned. It is possibly making for a perfect storm of circumstances to reignite a potential championship team’s window at making a run. I see no reason not to believe that the Minnesota Vikings can leapfrog the giant green nemesis known as the Green Bay Packers. Like any good hunter or animal of prey, the time is now to pounce on the wounded animal that is the reigning two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, who is without his top two options, and one possibly is one of the top five wideouts in all of the NFL in DeVante Adams. They should be able to take the NFC North back where it belongs. As always, Skol Vikings!
Now for the gamblers out there, they are putting the MN Viking’s over-under win total at 8.5. I am no expert, but I see and agree with the idea of taking the over here. The odds for the Vikings to win their first-ever Super Bowl are at +4000. So, your $100.00 bet will, IF they get it done, net you $4,000.00. For more Vikings talk and general sports follow me on Twitter.
