Tuesday Open Thread: January 2, 2018

Happy Tuesday, Vikings fans!

.......and guests and whoever else is stopping by, everyone is welcome here. Preferential treatment is accorded to those who bring crock pot and/or smoker recipes.

Around the DN since our last open thread:

CCNorseman has an in-depth review of the Vikings regular season.

Stefon Diggs becomes the fastest in Vikings history to reach 200 receptions. That’s no small feat, considering some of the names on that list.

Chris shared the news that the Cardinals and Lions have requested permission to interview Pat Shurmur for their vacant head coaching positions. Honestly, I wish the NFL would change the rules to postpone any of these discussions until after the season is over. Let the coaches finish what they’re doing, and keep their minds on the task at hand, then when it’s all over, let the free-for-all begin.

The natural assumption is that Shurmur would jump at a head coaching gig, it’s the pinnacle of his chosen profession, and it’s natural to want to get to the top. I wouldn’t blame him if he decided to go that route, and I wish him well if he does. He’s done a magnificent job with the offense, especially since fully implementing his design this year and (finally) ridding the team of Norv Turner’s..........offense, (which was an offensive offense, TBH. I hold out hope that the memory of his last HC gig in Cleveland reminds him that being at the top isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be, and also seeing what he’s begun here, and the potential long-term success this team has, could be enough to make him decide to stay. I doubt that will happen if he gets an offer from a team he thinks has some potential, but we’ll see.

Vikings news from other sources:

Over at Vikings.com, they analyze how each NFC team can win the Super Bowl (I assumed they just had to win the rest of their games), watch Coach Zimmer’s Monday media address, and lots more to sift through in the media vault.

From ESPN, the Vikings will take things slow once Sam Bradford returns to practice this week. I really don’t see how that’s possible, the playoffs are sorta......here. I mean, I suppose they could take a few months to decide, but that would be fairly pointless, IMO.

News from around the rest of the league:

Well, this stinks. Ted Thompson is out as GM of the Packers, per NFL.com, also out is defensive coordinator Dom Capers. I was hoping they’d hang on to both of them a while. Where’s the loyalty?

Here is a head coaching tracker from SB Nation where you can follow the latest head coaching announcements from Black Monday and today.

ESPN has a 2017 NFL Playoff Primer with schedules, matchups, and opinions from their remaining staff.

We come to today’s media selection.

Alright, the playoffs are here, and the Vikings are a strong, legit, contender. It’s a great time to be a fan. Are you ready?

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

-No discussion of politics or religion
-No feeding of the trolls
-This isn't a male version of The View, so leave the gender hatred at the door
-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 get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer
-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 head cheese