Tuesday Open Thread: March 30, 2021

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

You know it’s a windy day when the basketball hoop blows over. You know it’s an even windier day when the wind snaps the metal pole that’s anchored into the ground. My wife came home and asked me to come look outside, I walked out, and the backboard and pole were laying flat in the yard, snapped off clean with the ground. The concrete held, but the pole....notsomuch. I’m glad the wind was blowing from the west, my boat would have been a casualty had the thing fell in the opposite direction.. That settled a discussion we were having. The hoop was here when we moved in, and it was getting older and a bit ugly. We’ve been discussing whether to replace it or sand it & re-paint it. I thought the rust looked to be a little too deep in spots, and doubted it would last very long if I did do the work to sand it all down and repaint it. I guess it was a bit rusty.

Around the DN since our last open thread:

wludford gauges whether this revamped Vikings defense will be back to the defense we’re used to seeing from Coach Zimmer. I think he’s spot-on. Last year was the imperfect fecal storm for the Vikings defense, and I seriously doubt that we’ll see that happen again under Zimmer. After a horrific start (aided by an impotent offense that specialized in 3-and-outs and minimum TOP), the defense started to turn it around and become somewhat respectable just before the midpoint of the season, but then injuries continued to pile up and pile up, and when Kendricks went out, the wheels fell off. I’m excited to watch this year’s defense, I think they could do a worst-to-first (like the Braves almost did in 1991 until Gant was assaulted on first base. KIDDING! Twins fans)

Here’s a link to the Daily Norseman Vikings offseason activity tracker.

Other Vikings/NFL news and random oddities and annoyances:

From Sports Illustrated, the NFL is close to approving the 17-game regular-season, and the Vikings will face the Chargers in 2021.

From CBS Sports, Alvin Kamara tore into the NFL’s plan to increase the regular season to 17 games. It isn’t often that you’ll hear me agree with a player from that team, but I agree completely. I think it showcases the NFL’s hypocrisy and gives you an answer if you’re wondering whether they’re more concerned about player safety or more revenue.

FoxSports wonders which QBs the 49ers might have their eye on in the upcoming draft.

We come to today’s media selection:

This song was stuck in my head, so I’ll play it for you, and now it can be stuck in your head. Enjoy!

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

-No discussion of politics or religion-
-No feeding of the trolls
-Take the gender hatred elsewhere, it won’t be tolerated
-Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
-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 the cows, and settle in, it’s starting to get exciting.