Image courtesy of Brett Anderson
The writing you see at Vikings Territory often goes beyond the words on the website. We spend plenty of time arguing, debating, and discussing all things Vikings behind the scenes, but many of these conversations never escape our Slack channels.
Thanks to the collective ingenuity here at VT, we’ve found a way to bring those talks directly to you! Welcome to the first ever VT Roundtable, a video “podcast” of sorts with your favorite Vikings bloggers. Each week, we plan to come together and share our thoughts through a video hangout, whether after games, following the draft, or in the middle of a busy week.
Check out the first episode after the jump; we hope you enjoy!
With it being free agency, we felt it appropriate to cover the hot topic in today’s episode. That, and whether Rick Spielman deserves to be on the hot seat.
Today’s roundtable is just the start. Use this episode as a chance to put a name to a face and learn more about our team. We hope to expand the format by inviting guests, offering opportunities for “call in” questions, and hosting live “vent lines” during the regular season.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. We’re always open to feedback and constructive criticism and want to hear from you, the readers! Special props to Brett Anderson for the killer intro graphics, production, and music. Thanks to Adam, B.J., Drew, and Sam for joining the fun!
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Subscribe to VT on YouTube for updates when future videos are posted.
View Comments
Ok Austin, you sucked me in.
I need names paired up to the faces.
Judgement day has arrived.
Top: Brett, Drew, Myself
Bottom: BJ, Sam, Adam.
Brett wore a hat on purpose.
Rankings on a scale of 1-10, ten being best
Adam - 7
Austin - 8.35
Sam - 6.9
Drew - 9.22
BJ - 6.71
Brett Anderson - 2.2 ..... what kind of horror show are you hiding under that hat?
I thought we had something special, Ole
Blocked and reported.
Well, I knew Sam and Austin were good-looking, but it's nice to see that Drew is a cutie, too.
Hey, Austin, very cool Batman tatoo! Which Batman artist's work is it based on? At first I thought it was Neal Adams - dating myself! - but the chin is way too stylized for Adams.
Ole, I'd argue that I have the best head of hair of the group! I wore a hat specifically to spite you.
I just want you to really appreciate it when my beautiful, full mane is finally revealed.
....oh yea?!? "......full mane is finally revealed"
Last time I heard that line it cost me ten bucks in a bar outside Olangapo Phillipines
never did see the full mane btw
"outside Olangapo, Phillipines"? How'd you come up with that? LOL!! You kill me Ole. By the way, I just started on a communications degree at U of M, just so I can become a sportswriter and nominate Zach Line to the HOF.. the heck with being a chemist...
Bad news, Ole...Zach Line took a visit with the NYJ today...
Say it isn't so Joe.. say it isn't so!!
Enjoyed it, but I thought no one stressed the importance of linking free agency and the draft. The o-line, especially the tackles, are weak in this draft so you had to go get Reiff and Remmers. The CB, S and RB positions are deep so forget the free agents. Spielman should be held accountable for the final decisions, but he should be relying on input from coaches and scouts. Clearly we need better input on evaluating and coaching those line prospects. Spielman s error is not solely in who he drafts but on whom he relies on for the information on those prospects.
BJ, the number one contaminant found in a mans beard is fecal matter. True.
If you want to get sh*t faced, find another method bruddah
Enjoy it while it lasts Ole; we all know the Wild is going to get swept in the first round.
Not happening BJ!! Oh ye of little faith. They will last until they meet the Blackhawks, as usual.
Good job guys! Lots of good points made. i especially liked Adam's take on our neglect of our QB issue in the past costing us dearly on the Oline. Which makes me get onboard with Spielman being on the hotseat THIS year. If our online play doesn't improve dramatically, I'd say yes, we need to start thinking about replacing him. I didn't appreciate what appeared to be Brett getting up right in the middle of the show, going off camera and killing his dog. Did you notice that dog didn't bark again, for the rest of the show? Does anyone else think he probably killed that dog? Someone needs to call the Humane society and report this. And Sam with a selfie stick?? Geez, need attention much Sam? Other than that, it was great.
Gotta do what you gotta do, Fran. Couldn't have my dog ruining our first show, as much as I love her. She went down swiftly and easily.
I've commented on the offensive line and Spielman at length elsewhere. In short, I don't think there is some kind of over-arching problem with Spielman's take on offensive linemen in either the draft or free agency. The major mistakes he has made with the offensive line are (a) not replacing Charlie Johnson sooner than 2015, (b) not finding a replacement for Kalil before 2016, and (c) signing Andre Smith to compete with Phil Loadholt going into 2016. Going into 2014, the OL was looking good, with Loadholt, Fusco and Sullivan quality starters and Kalil, we hoped, ready to bounce back from a sophmore slump. Only Johnson needed to go. Unfortunately, injuries decimated us, destroying the careers, ultimately, of Sullivan, Fusco and Loadholt.
Jeff Davidson is a damned fine offensive line coach (I'm talking to you, B.J.!) who Zimmer threw under the bus. Davidson coached up Sullivan, Fusco, Harris and Loadholt, only one of whom was a high draft pick, into being solid starters, three of them to a near-Pro Bowl level. And B.J., a lot of great coaches have been fired, usually more than once.
I am not generally a fan of drafting potential over college production. Danielle Hunter shows that it can work, but Patterson shows that it can fail too, and I would have liked to see more polished guys drafted on the OL than Beavers, definitely, and Clemmings, maybe. In any case, we should all remember that most draft picks fail, in every round!
Aside from his comments about Davidson, I was particularly impressed by B.J.'s contributions, and was pretty impressed with Adam's thoughts, too, although I disagree with him about the back-up QB situation last year; if Heinicke hadn't injured himself, I don't think trading for Bradford was a given. Drew's point about the difference between the 2015 and 2016 offensive lines was particularly necessary and valid.
Did anyone mention the need for acquiring tight end depth? Are there any worthwhile free agent tight ends still out there? I'm thinking that Eddie Lacy, a TE, a linebacker (Zach Brown, hmmm?) and maybe a guard might all still be worthwhile targets in free agency. And a good back-up run-stuffing nose tackle is needed, either as a free agent or a draftee.
Good discussion, guys!
CKA - I appreciate the kind words.
As for Davidson, maybe I'm not as familiar with his coaching history as you are, but I was never impressed with him. I know good coaches get fired all the time, but I personally never found him to be anything better than mediocre. Given that I'm not at practice every day, my only true argument here is that he wasn't picked up anywhere until Denver hired him just recently after being let go by the Vikes. I don't have a whole lot more in my defense there, but I don't think I was too brutal haha.
For what it's worth, I'm particularly impressed with your comment, namely the Hunter vs. Patterson comparison with regard to drafting potential. Also I love Taylor Heinicke; dude's a beast.