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It’s too early to say all in or all out. I like KOC, but he definitely has flaws. The Vikings, outside of QB, are less talented than they were last year and less talented than in 2024, but you are hoping that we are less injured so it evens out. We basically punted on free agency this year, so all the talent we lost hasn’t been replaced. We’re going into the season having lost 3 starters on defense and haven’t replaced any of them. Can we expect them to be filled through the draft? Are we going bargain bin hunting post draft?
In general, I’m bullish on the Vikings and I think KOC/Flores is pretty good at converting talent to wins if the talent level is above a certain threshold. I think Flores has been carrying the team with subpar talent, while KOC has been up or down, depending on whether or not his side of the roster is fully stocked with expensive veteran talent and high draft picks. I think if Flores moves on, this team is about 3 wins a season worse, and I’d really like to see KOC take an offense and elevate them beyond their talent level, which I don’t think he has to date. This is an offense that most OC’s should thrive with.
Things I need to see to feel truly confident in this season:
• KOC changing his scheme to match the QBs he has
• Filling the roster holes with legit starters, not backups you hope can grow into the role. At minimum, I think we need 1 high quality starter and one competent starter added to the defense.
• Everyone on the Oline being healthy through camp, and in particular Darrisaw and O’Neill
• JJM showing another year of growth. I know Kyler is the presumed starter, but will he stay healthy? JJM is probably starting some number of games.
To be honest, I don’t think the Vikings will be able to do much to make me feel all-in. I’ll be cautiously hopeful, but almost all the issues the Vikings have are things you kind of have to see how it plays out on the field. My gut feeling is that if the offense stays healthy, we should be ok. If we have another season of OT injuries, I think we need to see KOC coaching a whole tier better than what he has before.
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The Lions the last 2 seasons are a reality check on why I can never be all in on a team.
I actually have some empathy for that fan base lol!
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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(Yesterday, 11:00 AM)purplefaithful Wrote: The Lions the last 2 seasons are a reality check on why I can never be all in on a team.
I actually have some empathy for that fan base lol!
Well they choked away 2 amazing seasons and shit their diapers late in the playoffs both years. They were ripe for a letdown season and it happened last year.
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(Yesterday, 11:00 AM)purplefaithful Wrote: The Lions the last 2 seasons are a reality check on why I can never be all in on a team.
I actually have some empathy for that fan base lol!
I used to, their actions though seem to mirror that of their coach.... a little success went immediately to their heads, I think most fan bases need to find humility... hell even our own seems to ignore the 5 decades of futility that linger over our heads.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
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Nothing's changed for me since the Murray thing became real. A good draft might but you never really know how guys are gonna turn out.
Flores is the key and he's still here. Without him this team would struggle big time. If Murray stays healthy they should win 11+ games. If not all bets are off.
And like someone else said, it's an up year on the perpetual purple roller coaster cycle. 
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(Yesterday, 07:20 AM)MAD GAINZ Wrote: I'm in. People like to dog on KOC, but he has two 13+ win seasons and has managed 7 and 9 wins in the other two when his starting QB has missed significant time. He knows how to find ways to win and motivate guys.
I fully expect the Kyler Murray signing to light a fire under JJ McCarthy. Expecting big things from our QB room. Plus we don't have Addison suspended and the OL should be a hell of a lot healthier now that Darrisaw is another off-season removed from his major knee injury.
Fries is also another off-season removed from his leg injury.
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(Yesterday, 11:41 AM)Knucklehead Wrote: Fries is also another off-season removed from his leg injury.
Yup!
I really hope he fulfills the promise I had when we signed him...
He was the only OL who played every game last year, but I set the bar higher than that.
Probably shouldn't have one year after such a serious break...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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I'm out on O'Connell. Of course, I always hope for the best, but to me there were numerous problems that were revealed last season and the whole Kyler Murray signing reeks of desperation and hoping the little fella can run around and win O'Connell enough games to save his job because in no way, shape, or form is Murray a scheme fit in the O'Connell chuck and duck. I am also convinced the chuck and duck isn't condusive to winning in the postseason unless O'Connell makes substantial philosophical changes with the run game and how he approaches the run game as a play caller. Judging by his postseason presser, he has no intention of that happening. I think we are back in that 8 to 9 win range in a very tough division with the draft still pending.
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(Yesterday, 12:12 PM)supafreak84 Wrote: I'm out on O'Connell. Of course, I always hope for the best, but to me there were numerous problems that were revealed last season and the whole Kyler Murray signing reeks of desperation and hoping the little fella can run around and win O'Connell enough games to save his job because in no way, shape, or form is Murray a scheme fit in the O'Connell chuck and duck. I am also convinced the chuck and duck isn't condusive to winning in the postseason unless O'Connell makes substantial philosophical changes with the run game and how he approaches the run game as a play caller. Judging by his postseason presser, he has no intention of that happening. I think we are back in that 8 to 9 win range in a very tough division with the draft still pending.
Hey, its all fair game right now as we sit. You could be right. Obviously, none of us hope that.
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I should add that Hock in year 2 off his ACL and Darrisaw as well should both be back to form. Hock is playing for a contract and to me he looked better late last year. Some guys need more time off that injury. Jefferson should be motivated after his worst year as a pro. Addison wants to earn an extension, aka let's get paid.
And KOC could well be motivated by a need to not just make the playoffs but actually win there. One of the current, not-agreed-upon mysteries here in fanville is, does Kevin need to perform to keep his job or are the Wilfs just like, "We love you man, you can go lose in the Wild Card or not even make it and still come back for more next year!"
So I think there will be plenty of motivated people in the building this year, I didn't even name them all. No one's coming off 14 wins and feeling smug like last year.
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