Minnesota Vikings News and Links, January 19th and 20th, 2018

Good Morning!

I’m using the hotel wifi today to get this posted and it sucks so far, here that Motel 6? My wife is running a 50k today while I sit here and talk Vikings with my fellow Norseman and Norsewomen. As it’s championship weekend, I’ll be posting game threads for each of the games on Sunday, they will probably be very similar to last week’s threads...complete with poll and derision thrown at one team in particular. Meanwhile, it’s the off-season for our favorite team, we’ll continue with our news and links open thread full of beer recommendations, nap strategies, crock pot and smoker recipes. Fire up the mock drafts and drop by for some fan wisdom, snark and crack open a Jai-Alai.

Around the DN since our last thread:

Ted ponders 2019 NFL Draft: Quantity or quality for the Vikings?

A potential hire as the WR coach: Coach Moss? Really? from Chris.

Vikings news from other sources:

From Vikings.com 2018 Vikings Position Recap: Special Teams.

From their Lunchbreak series: Vikings safeties Harrison Smith and Ant Harris highlighted by PFF.

Highlights from Minnesota Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes’ 2018 season.

From SkorNorth Matthew Coller writes which of ESPN’s top-50 free agents could the Vikings pursue?

Courtney Cronin at the ESPN NFC North blog writes how Gary Kubiak’s influence could affect the Vikings’ offense.

NFC North Roundup:

At Windy City Gridiron Bears hire Deshea Townsend as defensive backs coach.

Bears HC Matt Nagy was named Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

At Pride of Detroit Five edge rushers the Detroit Lions should look at in free agency.

Lions hire Darrell Bevell as offensive coordinator.

14 East-West Shrine Game prospects to watch for the Lions.

Over at Acme Packing Company Packers hire Adam Stenavich to be offensive line coach, per report.

Players for Packers fans to watch at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game.

League news:

Consistent with the weekend news and links I’ll post league news in the comments.

We come to today’s media selection: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Won’t Back Down.

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 pork rinds and as always, Welcome Aboard and Skol Vikings!