Minnesota Vikings News and Links: February 20th, 2020

Good Morning!

How’s everyone’s week going? Since today is my Monday, and it will be Monday for the next seven days I’ll likely be scarce or at best hit or miss here. Meanwhile, let’s carry on with our news and links open thread full of beer recommendations, nap strategies, crock pot and smoker recipes. Drop by for some fan wisdom, snark and have a long lunch, it’s Thorsday (I was informed this is cultural appropriation, but I’m not smart and don’t know what that means) because you deserve it.

Around the DN since our last open thread:

Unbelievable! - Diggs Trade Fallacies. BJ Reidell and Drew Mahowald poke holes in the rationale behind trading Stefon Diggs.

Ted ponders: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Looking at upcoming roster decisions on some key personnel: Trae Waynes in this edition.

Vikings news from other sources:

From Vikings.com Vikings Co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach Adam Zimmer sat down with Paul Allen to discuss taking over as Co-Defensive Coordinator, his desire to call plays on defense at some point in his career, Eric Kendricks’ improvement over the course of his career, the addition of Dom Capers to the staff, and more.

Watch a compilation of the best moments from Under Center with Kirk Cousins from the 2019 season.

5 Takeaways from Mel Kiper, Jr.’s Pre-Combine Conference Call.

Matthew Coller at SkorNorth.com notes NFL Insider calls Vikings’ winning window ‘slammed shut’ — is he right?

Mock Draft Time:

I’m going continue doing something different on the articles I post, we’re going to take a look at potential draftees. I’ll present the potential future Vikings and we’ll vote. I’ll be using thedraftnetwork.com simulator. Here’s what I was looking at with the most recent mock draft: link.

I selected Yetur Gross-Matas, Edge, Penn State. Link to draft profile.

Obviously the selection of an edge rusher in the first round is going to depend on what the Vikings do or don’t do with free agency. Everson Griffen has reached escalators in his contract such that he can opt out and become a free agent and likely get more money from another team. If I were the Vikings I’d let him go and/or either draft Gross-Matas or roll with Ifeadi Odenigbo at edge. I did consider Josh Jones, T, Houston and Neville Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma.

League News:

Jason Witten wants to play this season, may leave the Cowboys.

Baylor DL James Lynch dedicates combine bench press to charity.

Redskins pick up 2020 option on Adrian Peterson.

We come to today’s media selection: The Marshall Tucker Band - Can’t You See

Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:
-No discussion of politics or religion
-No feeding of the trolls
-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 waiter, and Welcome Aboard!