Quietly impressed with our new GM ...

Agreed.

I like the fact that there's a choice of potential upgrades at RG/C, that the defense has gotten some attention, the pass rush should be a special type of vicious now...and the comments about the new culture are very encouraging.

The coaches still have to make it all work together, and we have a slew of new kids being picked up in a couple of weeks...but I do love the approach thus far.

He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

@"StickyBun" said: He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"StickyBun" said: He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

I'm very excited to see his draft strategy as well. Could be a fun filled Thursday and Friday

I'm hopeful...

He certainly checks the progressive/thoughtful/well dressed/intelligent/articulate boxes. Hope it can translate to team success

As far as the Harbaugh situation goes, that was just weird to me. I have no idea if KAM was just kicking the tires to be certain, or if he was a strong advocate who was trumped by Wilfs and or others in the team leadership inner circle. 

Doesnt matter much now, I did and do like the KOC hire. Especially post Zimmer era. 

I do like the moves he's made in FA, biggest question in my mind is how will Kirk respond to new coaching after getting an additional year and indicating he wants to retire a Viking. 

Definitely looking forward the draft also. I'm sure it'll look different than Trader Rick's draft but I feel they will make some moves too.

I think the proof will be in the pudding.  I don’t think the roster is really going to
be that much different than the last couple years, it’s just whether or not
they can get more out of it, or whether we are luckier with injuries.  While the homer part of me is hopeful, I also
think going with a lot of young, inexperienced guys in the front office /coaching
staff probably means there will likely be a lot of growing pains.  I’m going into the season trying not to have
too much for expectations and just see what happens.  I think a lot of the fan base just jumped on
the Anti-Zimmer train and anyone that’s not Zimmer is amazing, just like people
jumped on the anti-Trump train, and that anyone wasn’t Trump was going to be
night and day different, but here we are a year later with Biden/Harris and we’ve
had some time to let things play out and the reality probably is a little less
glorious than peoples’ rage driven hopes.

@"SFVikeFan" said: Flew in Harbaugh.  Fanbase and sports world goes nuts.  Let's him walk out the door with no offer.  Hires Super Bowl winning OC McConnell.

He passed the first huge test IMO.  Harbaugh was the easy, sexy pick.  He's staying true to his word IMO and trusting the process.  I like the new RG FA signings.  Robbing the Packers of Zadarius is a huge get.  Really building some good foundation and plugging holes.  

Very curious to see how KAM's draft works compared to Rick moving back so often.  

But so far, I see him making really smart moves. 

Wait what?  Positivity out of SFVike???  The world must be ending.
I'm hopeful.  I don't really have expected high or unexpected low.  Completely new staff.  Kirk could injure himself in training camp and we would be picking in the top 5 next year.  If Hunter AND Smith got injured early on, I doubt our D could hold up any better then last years.
I DO think that adding positivity back to the locker room is going to make a big difference.  Especially if you can get players buying in.  We have to remember, we were a few plays away from being a playoff team and a few more away from being one of the top seeds.  It literally came down to a handful of plays last year. 

Honestly, I haven't seen him do much of anything to warrant any kind of evaluation.  Plus, the GM position gets a one-year honeymoon because it takes that long to see if the decisions he made (be it FA, signing our own or not, draft, hiring a HC etc..) have come to fruition.  To many moving parts to make a 3,6, 9 month evaluation.  

Kwesi was brought in with the "wall-street analytics whiz kid" hype so every decision he makes will be a smarter decision then most of us "regular" folks can comprehend...until they aren't deemed smart and the honeymoon is over :).
 
I am a skeptic first and foremost....I like people who have proven track records in the fields they are in but the Wilf's have decided to go progressive change with the hiring of Kwesi and in-turn our new HC.  Kwesi's NFL football experience is 'lite" and so is KOC HC/play-calling experience.  It will be more evident as a HC to see the bumps and bruises along the way and Kwesi will have a cushion.  I have been in the corporate world for a few decades and about 8 at an executive level - that was 15 years ago.  I have seen numerous "prodigies'" flip and flop like the rest of us commoners and I have seen a few excel.  I have seen way more examples of the Peter Principle then I have seen the cream rising to the top - again corporate world/politics.   

Also, I think the Wilf's and our experienced executive search team had a heavy hand in hiring Kwesi and also had a strong influence over Kwesi to hire KOC and extend Kirk.  They had a plan and Kwesi was the guy to implement that plan for now.  I think (and certainly hope) that our new GM will become much more autonomous over time but that has to be earned.  Obviously Spelly wielded a lot of power that I am sure the surrounding executives and Wilf's realized may have been over the top especially if you can't even talk to/communicate with your first HC hire.  In the end, Spelly's ship was tied to Zimmer (which I didn't think it was, I wanted Zimmer gone for several years with Spelly at 50/50) and it sunk in a small Titanic fashion but it did take years too long to make the change.  

Back to several months of Kwesi as our new GM executive:

initial splashes to me have been:

Spalsh 1) Cousins' decision - extension - I am not a fan of pushing the buck into next season which might end up being a Matt Ryan record dead cap hit for us next year.

Splash 2) what to do about Hunter?  We shifted money around and gave him an 18 million roster bonus to bring him happily back into the fold.  That is a decision I think makes sense, he is too young at a key premium position to not work with IMO.  

Splash 3) signing (FA) D Smith to help transition to a new 3-4.  Initially, I was surprised of this move but then when the contract details were revealed it really seemed like we got a potentially great deal/hometown discount (former coaches) for a guy who has huge potential when healthy.  

Splash 4) will be the draft.  I think, at 12, we are in a perfect position, to move down pick up picks for this/next year and still get a starter.  Spelly did an excellent job of that just last season when he moved down and still got the guy I wanted :) in Darrisaw plus get two more picks for the drop down.  Now those 2 more picks are W. Davis and Mond so jury is still out but it does look like we solidified our LT position with Darrisaw.  How many years has it been when no one is even talking about drafting a T for the Vikings????  

If Kwesi, were able to pull off a similar feet this draft he will knighted as boy genius:)  Let's say we all agree that our biggest need is a starting CB.  Sauce and Sting are gone at 12 and we are able to trade back to Pitt at 20 (QB) or even KC at 29 and 30 who want a WR.  We still get Booth or maybe even McDuffie who come in and start right away and we also get a couple of other picks.  So similar move Spelly pulled off last year.  But Spelly is gone now and that was just an OK move and Kwesi is our new shiny executive who can do no wrong............yet:)

Lastly, I do not like Jim Harbaugh as an NFL HC after his hiatus.  There is a reason he fled back to the college ranks years ago.  I think our executive team whittled down the HC list then when they decided on Kwesi as GM gave him there candidates and Kwesi added Harbaugh back to the interview list.  I think that was a little fiasco (not smart) but that is just my opinion based on the order of how things went down and no actual intel.

So Kwesi, to me, is in a very similar boat as our new HC which is -way too early to evaluate - like judging a first round pick in training camp.

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"StickyBun" said: He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

I'm very excited to see his draft strategy as well. Could be a fun filled Thursday and Friday

I'm sure he's going to do great, but I must admit a part of me will be yearning for Trader Rick tactics on draft day.  I like the trade down and piling up picks, and I think this year may be exactly the year to do so.  We want to build up some capital for the next couple of years as we move on from Cousins.  If we can grab an extra 1st next year and a few more later in this draft, I'd be happy.   Not going to be easy to do both, but I sincerely hope that a trade with KC for their two first rounders could work at the bottom of the first round, and then potentially trade that for a next year 1 and a 4 in this years draft.  Very long long shot, but kinda what I have in the back of my mind.  You find a team that's likely to be picking early next year and convince them they won't need a qb next year and they're not going to suck this year.  :)   Tall task.

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"StickyBun" said: He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

I'm very excited to see his draft strategy as well. Could be a fun filled Thursday and Friday

I'm sure he's going to do great, but I must admit a part of me will be yearning for Trader Rick tactics on draft day.  I like the trade down and piling up picks, and I think this year may be exactly the year to do so.  We want to build up some capital for the next couple of years as we move on from Cousins.  If we can grab an extra 1st next year and a few more later in this draft, I'd be happy.   Not going to be easy to do both, but I sincerely hope that a trade with KC for their two first rounders could work at the bottom of the first round, and then potentially trade that for a next year 1 and a 4 in this years draft.  Very long long shot, but kinda what I have in the back of my mind.  You find a team that's likely to be picking early next year and convince them they won't need a qb next year and they're not going to suck this year.  :)   Tall task.

I get why people want two 1st rounders next year, but this class is a deep at the positions we need the most. Get as many 1's, 2's and 3's this year as possible. Address everything on the defense and worry about next year when it's next year.

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"StickyBun" said: He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

I'm very excited to see his draft strategy as well. Could be a fun filled Thursday and Friday

I'm sure he's going to do great, but I must admit a part of me will be yearning for Trader Rick tactics on draft day.  I like the trade down and piling up picks, and I think this year may be exactly the year to do so.  We want to build up some capital for the next couple of years as we move on from Cousins.  If we can grab an extra 1st next year and a few more later in this draft, I'd be happy.   Not going to be easy to do both, but I sincerely hope that a trade with KC for their two first rounders could work at the bottom of the first round, and then potentially trade that for a next year 1 and a 4 in this years draft.  Very long long shot, but kinda what I have in the back of my mind.  You find a team that's likely to be picking early next year and convince them they won't need a qb next year and they're not going to suck this year.  :)   Tall task.

I get why people want two 1st rounders next year, but this class is a deep at the positions we need the most. Get as many 1's, 2's and 3's this year as possible. Address everything on the defense and worry about next year when it's next year.

Bottom line, it's a move we've never made in my memory.  We've had two and even three first rounders, but loading up that ammo with the specific intent of getting that QB is something we've never really done before, and it may be time if Kirk doesn't bring his level of play up further and prove that he's a difference maker.  He's a decent QB, but there's a reason people question if he's the right guy.

@"AGRforever" said:

@"SFVikeFan" said: Flew in Harbaugh.  Fanbase and sports world goes nuts.  Let's him walk out the door with no offer.  Hires Super Bowl winning OC McConnell.

He passed the first huge test IMO.  Harbaugh was the easy, sexy pick.  He's staying true to his word IMO and trusting the process.  I like the new RG FA signings.  Robbing the Packers of Zadarius is a huge get.  Really building some good foundation and plugging holes.  

Very curious to see how KAM's draft works compared to Rick moving back so often.  

But so far, I see him making really smart moves. 

Wait what?  Positivity out of SFVike???  The world must be ending.
I'm hopeful.  I don't really have expected high or unexpected low.  Completely new staff.  Kirk could injure himself in training camp and we would be picking in the top 5 next year.  If Hunter AND Smith got injured early on, I doubt our D could hold up any better then last years.
I DO think that adding positivity back to the locker room is going to make a big difference.  Especially if you can get players buying in.  We have to remember, we were a few plays away from being a playoff team and a few more away from being one of the top seeds.  It literally came down to a handful of plays last year. 

@"Kentis" said:

@"AGRforever" said:

@"SFVikeFan" said: Flew in Harbaugh.  Fanbase and sports world goes nuts.  Let's him walk out the door with no offer.  Hires Super Bowl winning OC McConnell.

He passed the first huge test IMO.  Harbaugh was the easy, sexy pick.  He's staying true to his word IMO and trusting the process.  I like the new RG FA signings.  Robbing the Packers of Zadarius is a huge get.  Really building some good foundation and plugging holes.  

Very curious to see how KAM's draft works compared to Rick moving back so often.  

But so far, I see him making really smart moves. 

Wait what?  Positivity out of SFVike???  The world must be ending.
I'm hopeful.  I don't really have expected high or unexpected low.  Completely new staff.  Kirk could injure himself in training camp and we would be picking in the top 5 next year.  If Hunter AND Smith got injured early on, I doubt our D could hold up any better then last years.
I DO think that adding positivity back to the locker room is going to make a big difference.  Especially if you can get players buying in.  We have to remember, we were a few plays away from being a playoff team and a few more away from being one of the top seeds.  It literally came down to a handful of plays last year. 

Wrong one, there’s two, the other being SFVikingFan…  B)

@"Waterboy" said:

Bottom line, it's a move we've never made in my memory.  We've had two and even three first rounders, but loading up that ammo with the specific intent of getting that QB is something we've never really done before, 

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"StickyBun" said: He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

I'm very excited to see his draft strategy as well. Could be a fun filled Thursday and Friday

I'm sure he's going to do great, but I must admit a part of me will be yearning for Trader Rick tactics on draft day.  I like the trade down and piling up picks, and I think this year may be exactly the year to do so.  We want to build up some capital for the next couple of years as we move on from Cousins.  If we can grab an extra 1st next year and a few more later in this draft, I'd be happy.   Not going to be easy to do both, but I sincerely hope that a trade with KC for their two first rounders could work at the bottom of the first round, and then potentially trade that for a next year 1 and a 4 in this years draft.  Very long long shot, but kinda what I have in the back of my mind.  You find a team that's likely to be picking early next year and convince them they won't need a qb next year and they're not going to suck this year.  :)   Tall task.

I get why people want two 1st rounders next year, but this class is a deep at the positions we need the most. Get as many 1's, 2's and 3's this year as possible. Address everything on the defense and worry about next year when it's next year.

Bottom line, it's a move we've never made in my memory.  We've had two and even three first rounders, but loading up that ammo with the specific intent of getting that QB is something we've never really done before, and it may be time if Kirk doesn't bring his level of play up further and prove that he's a difference maker.  He's a decent QB, but there's a reason people question if he's the right guy.

Yeah, I don't disagree on that. The big unknown is where do we finish and what would our two picks be...is it enough to potentially move up and get the QBOTF that we want? We won't know until a year from now which is why I'd rather just go get these guys this year and see how the year plays out. We can always trade a future 1st rounder and a player if we need to move up next year.

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Waterboy" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"StickyBun" said: He's an intelligent guy, that I know. And there's always optimism with a new regime. He's a little handcuffed right now with cap issues, but curious to see how he'll draft. KAM seems professional. I don't think the guy is afraid to operate outside of convention. We'll see, looking forward to seeing it unfold. 

I'm very excited to see his draft strategy as well. Could be a fun filled Thursday and Friday

I'm sure he's going to do great, but I must admit a part of me will be yearning for Trader Rick tactics on draft day.  I like the trade down and piling up picks, and I think this year may be exactly the year to do so.  We want to build up some capital for the next couple of years as we move on from Cousins.  If we can grab an extra 1st next year and a few more later in this draft, I'd be happy.   Not going to be easy to do both, but I sincerely hope that a trade with KC for their two first rounders could work at the bottom of the first round, and then potentially trade that for a next year 1 and a 4 in this years draft.  Very long long shot, but kinda what I have in the back of my mind.  You find a team that's likely to be picking early next year and convince them they won't need a qb next year and they're not going to suck this year.  :)   Tall task.

I get why people want two 1st rounders next year, but this class is a deep at the positions we need the most. Get as many 1's, 2's and 3's this year as possible. Address everything on the defense and worry about next year when it's next year.

Bottom line, it's a move we've never made in my memory.  We've had two and even three first rounders, but loading up that ammo with the specific intent of getting that QB is something we've never really done before, and it may be time if Kirk doesn't bring his level of play up further and prove that he's a difference maker.  He's a decent QB, but there's a reason people question if he's the right guy.

Yeah, I don't disagree on that. The big unknown is where do we finish and what would our two picks be...is it enough to potentially move up and get the QBOTF that we want? We won't know until a year from now which is why I'd rather just go get these guys this year and see how the year plays out. We can always trade a future 1st rounder and a player if we need to move up next year.

As I’m sure you know, the risk is baked in to the price. Trading for a 2023 1st rounder now is going to be waaaaay cheaper than it will be next year. Diggs was the best player on our team when we got a same-year first for him. Davante Adams and Khalil Mack were also elite when they netted same-year firsts. Who are we trading next year that would net a first round pick if we realize that, “oh crud, Kirk isn’t the answer”? I can think of one guy, and I’d really, really rather not trade him. If the Vikings don’t love what they see at 12 and have the options to move back, the goal should be netting a 2023 first versus say an extra 2022 late 2nd, IMO. The potential reward is too high to ignore. 

@"RS Express" said:

@"Waterboy" said:

Bottom line, it's a move we've never made in my memory.  We've had two and even three first rounders, but loading up that ammo with the specific intent of getting that QB is something we've never really done before, 

The Vikings have never taken a QB top 10 in their history. The highest was Culpepper at #11 in '99.  Given decent health, our pick won't be that high next year either.  The best we can hope for re: 2023 draft picks would be the NYG/Bears ripoff from last year. Bears gave up their 1st, get worse, and end up giving NYG the #7 this year.  Maybe we trade down with PIT and Trubisky goes haywire to give us a top-10 next year plus our own pick.

Has he found a all pro QB in the draft?  If not he hasnt done anything yet until he does.  Should have hired Poles.

@"Mighty mouse" said: Has he found a all pro QB in the draft?  If not he hasnt done anything yet until he does.  Should have hired Poles.

Ah yes, blast him for not drafting a pro QB....you know in a draft he hasn't even had a chance to make a selection in.  Then throw our GM to the wolves because you want a different love interest on a different team.  Time will tell who turns out better, but if I'm a betting man I'd take what we have in a heartbeat.