Monday Open Thread: February 22, 2016

Happy Monday, DN faithful. Another weekend out of the way so we can enjoy another glorious week of work and rampant off-season football speculation.

^This reminded me of Fil^

Here is the off-season schedule for the next month or so, from NFL.com:

Feb. 16: First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

Feb. 23-29: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

March 1: Deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players at 4 p.m. ET.

March 7-9: Clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2015 Player Contracts at 4 p.m., ET, on March 9. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4 p.m., ET, on March 9.

March 9: 2016 NFL League Year begins. Free agency opens at 4 p.m. ET.

Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must exercise options for 2016 on all players who have option clauses in their 2015 contracts.

Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.

Around the DN since our last open thread:

U.S.Bank Stadium has a leaky roof.

Chris reviewed the wide receiver position on our roster.

Chris also told us to forget about snagging Alshon Jeffery.

The Mock Draft Database will return tomorrow, per Chris. Right on cue, here it is!

Chris looks at potential draft targets at the wide receiver position.

Here is all your 2016 NFL Combine information; schedules, coverage, and more.

Vikings news from other sources:

From Vikings.com:

Chad Greenway is ready for one final season, and wants to finish in Minnesota. I hope it happens, Chad is one of my all-time favorite Vikings.

Jim Marshall is a grandson of a freed slave, Craig Peters shares his story.

At the Strib, they ask if the Vikings could be a 'bully' in the NFC over the next five years. I ask, "why only five years?".

Around the rest of the league:

From NFL.com:

The NFL is considering changes to the NFL combine.

Joique Bell chose to turn down a pay cut from the Lions, and was subsequently cut. Anyone think we should bring him in to compete with Asi? Personally, I'd rather either keep Asiata or bring in a youngen' to compete, but no one asked me.

It looks like the Falcons will cut 32 year old DL, Paul Soliai.

Reports say that Antonio Gates will remain a Charger.

Reports also say that there is 'virtually no chance' that WR Mohamed Sanu will re-sign with the Bengals.

Johnny Manziel is still under investigation for domestic violence assault, according to an announcement by the Dallas Police Department on Saturday.

Yahoo Sports reported that the Cowboys' Randy Gregory will be suspended for the first four games of 2016 for violating the league's policy on substance abuse. That's not good news for the Cowboys, and may tempt them to re-sign ticking time bomb defensive end, Greg Hardy. Really, they should just add Johnny Manziel to the roster in order to complete the circus. Instead of running out of the tunnel before a game, they could have them all pile in a VW Bug and bring them out to the field in that.

With that, we come to today's media selection. Southparkskolman had the excellent suggestion to play Widespread Panic (thank you for this suggestion, by the way). The suggestion was to play some of the many covers they've don, so here's our first installment of the week, as they perform Neil Young's "Walk On". Enjoy!  If you have any favorites/suggestions, let me know & I'll put them up.

Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:

-No discussion of politics or religion
-No feeding of the trolls
-Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
-Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags 
-No pictures that could potentially get someone fired or in serious trouble at their place of employment
-If you can't disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away
-While navigating the open thread, just assume it's sarcasm

With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up & tie one on. Don't forget to tip your waitress, & try the tiger meat.