Not sure there are enough gigabytes here to handle that question . . .
Time of possession should be a huge concern after struggling to (1) run the ball and (2) stop Cutler on third downs on Sunday. If they give 39 minutes to Aaron Rodgers, don't show up to TCF Bank Stadium because you're going to lose.
Vikings need to establish a running game to keep Bridgewater on the field and create manageable 3rd downs. If you notice in the second half of Sunday's loss, Turner only ran the ball on first downs and those were bottled up, leaving Teddy with two passing downs (that Chicago knew were going to be throws) to get the other 10 yards. Not a good formula.
Depends a lot on draft position, obviously, but with how Ha Ha has worked out for Green Bay -- I'd take Collins. Vikings need a good safety next to Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton isn't that guy.
They should strongly consider reworking Greg Jennings deal (or cut him), so they'll likely look receiver. But Charles Johnson has come along nice and could be a solid option down the road as well.
Home Alone. Great movie. Have to go with Harry -- the sticky glove for change? Classic.
Don't hold your breath on Tate. That's a 'let's see what we got' deal. Vikings take on the contract he had with Cleveland, but nothing is guaranteed after this year. If he sucks, they can just cut him after this season.
McKinnon's 4.9 average is nothing to turn your nose up at. He's been good. Was given a 'C' by coaches from Sunday's game, left some yards out there. But he's been surprisingly good in pass protection. McKinnon is defintely part of the long term plan. However, how many good backs have come from early rounds? Toby was a 2nd, so was Ben Tate. Trent Richardson was a flop. I think that sticks with GMs when looking in the draft. Carlos Hyde has been good for San Fran, so there's a possibility they go 2nd - 3rd round. But hey, Arian Foster was an undrafted free agent. You can get backs anywhere it seems.
There is reason for optimism. The checkdown-fest has been more of a product of coaches encouraging him to just get rid of the ball. The line has been less than stellar, so I think Sunday was a product of overcompensation on his part to just get the ball out.
We need to see him take more shots; can't grow and develop unless you're taking those chances. Only chance he took Sun. was on his last pass that got picked off. It's fine to make those mistakes, just don't be afraid to make them.
I like his read progression so far, he's just not pulling the trigger when he needs to. Left some guys open on Sunday that could've been game changers. He can't wait until the final 2 minutes to take risks.
I wouldn't call it 'outshining' re: Rhodes over Munnerlyn. They're different guys. Rhodes is big, physical, will be aggressive at the point of the ball.
Munnerlyn is what Josh Robinson's ceiling should be. A smaller, quick guy that has shortened his reaction time to be a ball hawk, of sorts. We haven't seen that as much in Minnesota, in part because I think everyone is still adapting to Zimmer's scheme. Munnerlyn got beat for touchdowns a few times early in the year, by Brady, Rodgers and Ryan. Some of those were good throws, some were situations where Zimmer was comfortable leaving him 1-on-1 with no safety help.
I think he's under performed a bit, even Munnerlyn will admit that. But he's come along in recent weeks. Got some interceptions before the bye week by being in the right places -- that will pay off over time. Remember, the Panthers defense (secondary specifically) was all around better than the one he's in now.
Very farfetched. Dallas has reportedly already planned to franchise tag him if they can't negotiate. They'll lose DeMarco Murray before losing Dez. I highly doubt Dez will leave.
Here's a couple reasons for struggling line play:
(1) Matt Kalil's regression. Wasn't in OTAs to learn blocking scheme, didn't join until training camp really. Still struggling with pass pro sets, trust in knee. Their hope is he'll level out.
(2) Losing your best run blocker in Brandon Fusco
(3) All guys have had bad spots -- Loadholt hasn't been immune, and Johnson was your weakest link coming in. John Sullivan's injury set them back a game as well.
Norv Turner: "We're excited about [McKinnon], he's our running back"
Vikings really like McKinnon, Ben Tate will take more of the Asiata role -- provide the 10-15 carries (the upside) and potentially break some tackles Asiata couldn't. Again, if Tate sucks, they can cut him after this year and owe him nothing.
Carolina and New York are very winnable games. Ceiling is 7-9, IMO. Could be as low as 5-11, likely 6-10 though.
1:00, that's the bell. Have to head over to watch practice in the 'doors open' field house. Same time next week, bookmark it!
Not sure there are enough gigabytes here to handle that question . . .
