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Zimmer privately told DeFilippo to run the ball more, repeatedly
Posted by Mike Florio on December 22, 2018, 12:39 PM EST

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Some have criticized Vikings coach Mike Zimmer for publicly calling out former Minnesota offensive coordinator John DeFilippo for failing to run the ball more and then abruptly firing him. But anyone who knows Zimmer knows that he didn’t and wouldn’t take a concern public if he hadn’t already raised the concern privately, on multiple occasions.

That’s precisely what happened with DeFilippo. Per a league source, Zimmer gave the run-the-ball order directly to DeFilippo on multiple occasions, and he failed to comply. It’s unclear whether DeFilippo did so deliberately or inadvertently, given that the flow of a game can cause the best laid plans to change abruptly and dramatically. Regardless, he failed to comply.

And now he’s gone. Which means that, if/when DeFilippo gets back in, he’ll need to show that he can take orders and execute them faithfully. Everyone associated with a football team other than the owner has a boss, and if a guy has a reputation for not listening to the boss, it becomes harder to get hired.

That’s the challenge for DeFilippo, and that’s the advice that those in the media who were propping him up for head-coaching jobs should provide to him, solicited or otherwise. In your next job, do your job without thinking about that next job. And do what your current boss says, or you’ll soon be looking for a new one.
 

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Remmers and Sendejo are definitely looking shaky to stay with the team in 2019 and zI wouldn’t be surprised if Rudolph and Griffen got contracts reworked.

It should be added that the $179 million is for only 43 players, so there’s a bunch of players that need to be signed or re-signed
 
The Vikings have made the following coaching changes:

Kevin Stefanski - Offensive Co-ordinator
Gary Kubiak - offensive advisor and assistant head coach
Klint Kubiak - quarterbacks coach
Brian Pariani - tight ends coach
Rick Dennison - offensive line coach

Stefanski (35) is well known to Vikings fans and has been with the team since 2006.

It looks like the Vikings have endeavoured to bring in a bunch of senior coaches to support Zimmer and Stefanski, much like the situation with Tony Sparano in 2017. Here's the resumes of the staff that Kubiak brought with him.....

Gary Kubiak

Texas A&M - Running backs coach (1992–1993)
San Francisco 49ers - Quarterbacks coach (1994)
Denver Broncos - Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach (1995–2002), Offensive coordinator (2003–2005)
Houston Texans - Head coach (2006–2013)
Baltimore Ravens - Offensive coordinator (2014)
Denver Broncos - Head coach (2015–2016), Senior personnel advisor (administration role) (2017–2018)
Minnesota Vikings - Offensive advisor (2019-present)

Klint Kubiak

Texas A&M University (2010–11) - Quality Control/Offense
Texas A&M University (2012) - Graduate Asst./Inside Receivers
Minnesota Vikings (2013–14) - Assistant WRs/Quality Control
University of Kansas (2015) - Wide Receivers
Denver Broncos (2016–2018) - Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks
Minnesota Vikings (2019-present) - Quarterbacks

David Pariani

UCLA - Graduate assistant (1989)
San Francisco 49ers Scout (1990), Offensive assistant (1991–1994)
Denver Broncos - Tight ends (1995–2004)
Syracuse - Offensive coordinator (2005)
Houston Texans - Tight ends (2006–2013)
Baltimore Ravens - Tight ends (2014)
Denver Broncos - Tight ends (2015–2016)


Rick Dennison

Denver Broncos - Offensive assistant (1995–1996), Special teams coordinator (1997–2000), Offensive line (2001–2005), Offensive coordinator (2006–2008), Offensive line (2009)
Houston Texans - Offensive coordinator (2010–2013)
Baltimore Ravens - Quarterbacks (2014)
Denver Broncos - Offensive coordinator (2015–2016)
Buffalo Bills - Offensive coordinator (2017)
New York Jets - Offensive line/run game coordinator (2018-present)
 
The Vikings took their time, but it looks like they got who they wanted....



The appointment of Kubiak to the coaching staff means the Vikings will be running an outside zone scheme and at least with Kline they've got someone who is used to playing in that scheme.

As a side note, it's interesting that Green Bay will also be employing an outside zone scheme because that is what LaFluer ran at the Titans.
 
Vikings extend Rick Spielman’s contract
Posted by Charean Williams on March 26, 2019, 6:28 PM EDT
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The Vikings have extended the contract of General Manager Rick Spielman through the 2020 season, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.
The one-year extension through the 2020 season keeps him “synched up” with coach Mike Zimmer, Vikings president and co-owner Mark Wilf told Goessling.
The Vikings picked up the option on Zimmer’s contract last month, extending him through 2020.
It still remains a pivotal year for Spielman and Zimmer, per Goessling, with changes possible after the season if the Vikings don’t win.
Minnesota missed the postseason with an 8-7-1 record last season.
Spielman has served as the team’s General Manager for seven seasons after five as the vice president of player personnel.
 
2019 Minnesota Vikings Schedule

Preseason

Preseason Week 1, Friday, Aug. 9, 7:00 PM CT, at New Orleans Saints
Preseason Week 2, Sunday, Aug. 18, 7:00 PM CT, vs. Seattle Seahawks
Preseason Week 3, Saturday, Aug. 24, NOON CT, vs. Arizona Cardinals
Preseason Week 4, Thursday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 PM CT, at Buffalo Bills

Regular Season

Week 1, Sunday, Sept. 8, NOON, vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 2, Sunday, Sept. 15, NOON, at Green Bay Packers
Week 3, Sunday, Sept. 22, NOON, vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 4, Sunday, Sept. 29, 3:25 PM, at Chicago Bears
Week 5, Sunday, Oct. 6, NOON, at New York Giants
Week 6, Sunday, Oct. 13, NOON, vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 7, Sunday, Oct. 20, NOON*, at Detroit Lions
Week 8, Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:20 PM, vs. Washington Redskins
Week 9, Sunday, Nov. 3, NOON*, at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 10, Sunday, Nov. 10, 7:20 PM*, at Dallas Cowboys
Week 11, Sunday, Nov. 17, NOON*, vs. Denver Broncos
Week 12, Sunday, Nov. 24, Bye
Week 13, Monday, Dec. 2, 7:15 PM, at Seattle Seahawks
Week 14, Sunday, Dec. 8, NOON*, vs. Detroit Lions
Week 15, Sunday, Dec. 15, 7:20 PM*, at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 16, Monday, Dec. 23, 7:15 PM, vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 17, Sunday, Dec. 29, NOON*, vs. Chicago Bears
 
Vikings draft summary.

First-round pick (No. 18): North Carolina State C Garrett Bradbury

The Vikings faithful were all hoping of an OL in the 1st round and they got what they wanted without the team reaching for a developmental player. Bradbury should be an instant starter for the Vikings. The only question surrounding the pick of Bradbury at 18 is whether or not he'll play Centre or Guard. The consensus is that he'll stay at Centre and Elflein will move to RG.

Second-round pick (No. 50): Alabama TE Irv Smith Jr.

In the 2nd round the Vikings took Irv Smith, who is instantly tagged as the successor to Kyle Rudpolph. Personally I'd like to see a full season with both on the team with multiple two TE sets featuring in the offensive gameplan.

The Vikings made multiple moves with four teams in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft:

Minnesota traded its 81st overall pick to Detroit in exchange for the Lions 88th overall pick and the 204th overall pick, which will fall in the sixth round. Detroit selected Boston College safety Will Harris at No. 81.
The Vikings then sent the 88th overall pick and the 209th (sixth round) to Seattle in exchange for the 92nd and 159th overall selections. The 159th will fall in the fifth round. Seattle selected Utah LB Cody Barton at 88th.
The Vikings then agreed to send the 92nd selection to the New York Jets to acquire the 93rd and 217th overall picks. The Jets selected Southern Cal T Chuma Edoga 92nd.
Finally, they dealt the 93rd pick to Baltimore for the 102nd (third round), 191st and 193rd (both in the sixth round). The Ravens tabbed Notre Dame WR Miles Boykin.

Here's a look at the players taken from pick 81 (the Vikings original 3rd round pick to pick 102 (the Vikings actual 3rd round pick):

81 Detroit Lions Will Harris S Boston College ACC
82 Tennessee Titans Nate Davis G Charlotte C-USA
83 Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Layne CB Michigan State Big Ten
84 Kansas City Chiefs Khalen Saunders DT Western Illinois MVFC
85 Baltimore Ravens Jaylon Ferguson DE Louisiana Tech C-USA
86 Houston Texans Kahale Warring TE San Diego State MW
87 New England Patriots Damien Harris RB Alabama SEC
88 Seattle Seahawks Cody Barton LB Utah Pac-12
89 Indianapolis Colts Bobby Okereke LB Stanford Pac-12
90 Dallas Cowboys Connor McGovern G Penn State Big Ten
91 Los Angeles Chargers Trey Pipkins OT Sioux Falls NSIC
92 New York Jets Chuma Edoga OT USC Pac-12
93 Baltimore Ravens Miles Boykin WR Notre Dame Ind. (FBS)
94 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamel Dean CB Auburn SEC
95 New York Giants Oshane Ximines DE Old Dominion C-USA
96 Buffalo Bills Dawson Knox TE Ole Miss SEC
97 Los Angeles Rams Bobby Evans OT Oklahoma Big 12
98 Jacksonville Jaguars Quincy Williams LB Murray State OVC
99 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Edwards S Kentucky SEC
100 Carolina Panthers Will Grier QB West Virginia Big 12
101 New England Patriots Yodny Cajuste OT West Virginia Big 12
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Of the players taken between 81 and 101, the one that jumps out to me is Miles Boykin, who would have been a great addition to the receiving corps of the Vikings. That being said the Vikings took Irv Smith in the 2nd round and Boykin was probably viewed as a luxury not worth taking. So, instead of a WR, the Vikings took a running back who can catch the ball at 102.

Third-round pick (No. 102): Boise State RB Alexander Mattison

You could argue that if the Vikings were targeting a running back with their 3rd round pick that they probably got their guy, because there was only one other RB (Damien Harris at pick took between picks 81 and 101...

The result of Spielman's trade frenzy in the 3rd round is that he now had the ammunition to move up in round 4.

The Vikings traded up to draft Oklahoma G Dru Samia with the 114th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Minnesota traded the 120th overall pick in the fourth round and the 204th overall pick in the sixth round to the Seattle Seahawks for the 114th overall pick in the fourth round.

Fourth-round pick (No. 114): Oklahoma G Dru Samia

I like the pick of Samia in the 4th. He was on my list of potential guards for the Vikings in the draft and he has a nasty streak to his game. He'll probably start as a backup, but I would be surprised if he gets quite a few snaps in 2019.

The Vikings traded back in the fifth round with the New England Patriots. Minnesota traded the 159th overall pick in the fifth round for the 162nd overall pick in the fifth round and the 239th overall pick in the seventh round.

Picks 159-161 were all DL:

159 New England Patriots Byron Cowart DT Maryland Big Ten
160 Baltimore Ravens Daylon Mack DT Texas A&M SEC
161 Houston Texans Charles Omenihu DE Texas Big 12
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The Vikings ended up taking a linebacker at 162...

Fifth-round pick (No. 162): LB Cameron Smith USC
Sixth-round pick (No. 190): DT Armon Watts Arkansas
Sixth-round pick (No. 191): DB Marcus Epps Wyoming
Sixth-round pick (No. 193): T Olisaemeka Udoh Elon
Seventh-round pick (No. 217): CB Kris Boyd Texas
Seventh-round pick (No. 239): WR Dillon Mitchell Oregon
Seventh-round pick (No. 247): WR Olabisi Johnson Colorado State
Seventh-round pick (No. 250): LS Austin Cutting Air Force

The picks in the 5th - 7th rounds are all developmental players with CB Kris Boyd the standout. Boyd is one on those high SPARQ players that always seem to excel within the Vikings defensive coaching system. I'm sure Boyd will be taken under Zimmer's wings, and, as a result, will feature at some stage during the season.

As a note, there are quite a few questions about when Austin Cutting will be able to play for the Vikings. Most defence force players have Service commitments, and he may not be available for a couple of years.
 

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I like that we finish the season with 2 home games in a row.
I also like that we don't travel to LA for Thursday night football...
 
The Vikings have announced they have signed 1st rounder Garrett Bradbury



That means the Vikings have signed 11 of the 12 players taken during the draft. Seventh-round long snapper Austin Cutting is the only one without a contract and his availability is complicated by his Air Force service commitment.

To free up cap space to sign Bradbury, the Vikings restructured Eric Kendricks contract



Pushing more money down the road doesn't help the Vikings 2020 cap situation, with the team currently more than $18 million over next year's cap.
 
GG.exe said:
how did you guys get so cap-strapped??
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The "problem" is that the Vikings keep re-signing players and, as a result, have become very top heavy when it comes to salaries - the top 11 players account for $134 million of the cap this year and a horrendous $159 million next year.

2019 Cap Numbers
Kirk Cousins $29,000,000
Danielle Hunter $13,500,000
Xavier Rhodes $13,337,500
Stefon Diggs $12,468,750
Riley Reiff $11,700,000
Harrison Smith $10,750,000
Linval Joseph $10,668,750
Trae Waynes $9,069,000
Adam Thielen $8,105,000
Everson Griffen $8,087,500
Kyle Rudolph $7,625,000
Top 11 total = $134,311,500

2020 Cap Numbers
Kirk Cousins $31,000,000
Stefon Diggs $14,500,000
Danielle Hunter $14,000,000
Everson Griffen $13,900,000
Riley Reiff $13,200,000
Linval Joseph $12,950,000
Xavier Rhodes $12,900,000
Adam Thielen $12,800,000
Anthony Barr $12,700,000
Harrison Smith $10,750,000
Eric Kendricks $10,030,000
Top 11 total = $158,730,000

Everson Griffen is likely to be let go next year, but the team will still be over the cap with nearly $14 million coming off due to Griffen.

I have no idea what next year's cap number is going to be, but the team will definitely have to trim players at some stage to allow flexibility during free agency next year.

There's been talk of trading Kyle Rudolph, but he doesn't even contribute to next year's cap, so moving him is only a 2018 solution.
 
Sven said:
The "problem" is that the Vikings keep re-signing players and, as a result, have become very top heavy when it comes to salaries - the top 11 players account for $134 million of the cap this year and a horrendous $159 million next year.

2019 Cap Numbers
Kirk Cousins $29,000,000
Danielle Hunter $13,500,000
Xavier Rhodes $13,337,500
Stefon Diggs $12,468,750
Riley Reiff $11,700,000
Harrison Smith $10,750,000
Linval Joseph $10,668,750
Trae Waynes $9,069,000
Adam Thielen $8,105,000
Everson Griffen $8,087,500
Kyle Rudolph $7,625,000
Top 11 total = $134,311,500

2020 Cap Numbers
Kirk Cousins $31,000,000
Stefon Diggs $14,500,000
Danielle Hunter $14,000,000
Everson Griffen $13,900,000
Riley Reiff $13,200,000
Linval Joseph $12,950,000
Xavier Rhodes $12,900,000
Adam Thielen $12,800,000
Anthony Barr $12,700,000
Harrison Smith $10,750,000
Eric Kendricks $10,030,000
Top 11 total = $158,730,000

Everson Griffen is likely to be let go next year, but the team will still be over the cap with nearly $14 million coming off due to Griffen.

I have no idea what next year's cap number is going to be, but the team will definitely have to trim players at some stage to allow flexibility during free agency next year.

There's been talk of trading Kyle Rudolph, but he doesn't even contribute to next year's cap, so moving him is only a 2018 solution.
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Holy shit that's horrendous.
You can't win as an organization -- if you let go of studly players looking for massive new contracts (eg, Raiders) you're bemoaned and ridiculed for doing so, but the flip-side is what happens if you re-sign them all (eg, Vikings) who are now in cap hell.

Each new salary cap figure tends to be about $20-25m more than the previous one. I imagine if that's the case, the Vikings will squeeze in.

The big problem there imo is Kirk Cousins. If they drafted a QB that year, or packaged a deal to move up and take a QB, it would've been so much better.
 
GG.exe said:
Holy **** that's horrendous.
You can't win as an organization -- if you let go of studly players looking for massive new contracts (eg, Raiders) you're bemoaned and ridiculed for doing so, but the flip-side is what happens if you re-sign them all (eg, Vikings) who are now in cap hell.

Each new salary cap figure tends to be about $20-25m more than the previous one. I imagine if that's the case, the Vikings will squeeze in.

The big problem there imo is Kirk Cousins. If they drafted a QB that year, or packaged a deal to move up and take a QB, it would've been so much better.
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The Cousins deal ends after 2020, and the only option will be to replace him with a rookie. The Vikings are all in over the next two years to see if they can cash in while the defence is in the top 5
 
drd23 said:
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Not sure what's going to happen next year (the 2020 cap numbers for the Vikings read like a horror story) but the Rudolph extension will likely ease the pain of setting the roster and practice squad once training camp is over.

I'll wait to see the actual Contract details before offering any other comment.

BTW: the cap numbers for 2020 are: currently $21.844 million over the cap with the 2019 cap number of $188.2 million used. Everson Griffen's contract can be voided saving $13.1 million, but there are a few big dollar free agents that will need to be signed (notably: Everson Griffen DE, Trae Waynes CB, Mackensie Alexander CB, Stephen Weatherly DE, David Morgan TE, Dan Bailey K, Matt Wile P, Anthony Harris SS).

There are big changes coming to the Vikings in 2020 IMO.
 
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Sven said:
Not sure what's going to happen next year (the 2020 cap numbers for the Vikings read like a horror story) but the Rudolph extension will likely ease the pain of setting the roster and practice squad once training camp is over.

I'll wait to see the actual Contract details before offering any other comment.

BTW: the cap numbers for 2020 are: currently $21.844 million over the cap with the 2019 cap number of $188.2 million used. Everson Griffen's contract can be voided saving $13.1 million, but there are a few big dollar free agents that will need to be signed (notably: Everson Griffen DE, Trae Waynes CB, Mackensie Alexander CB, Stephen Weatherly DE, David Morgan TE, Dan Bailey K, Matt Wile P, Anthony Harris SS).

There are big changes coming to the Vikings in 2020 IMO.
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It would seem that way.
Its like we are putting it on the table for a tilt this year.
With a revamped O-line, Cousin's second year with our offence and hopefully a half decent injury run we are definitely good enough.

Can't wait for September to see how we fair.
 
The Vikings are certainly all in on 2019. With the Rudolph contract extension now on the books the Vikings cap position for 2019 is under control ($5.2 million under).

The 2019 cap space will enable them to sign the full 53 man roster and the practice squad as well as having some wriggle room in the event of injuries.

2020 is looking dire, with the team now $30.6 million over the cap. The are a bunch of contracts that could be restructured to alleviate the situation, but my guess remains that there will be some big changes in personnel for 2020.
 

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