96 says "I'm back!" for 2018

Jamie Harmer
Published 5/14/18
Photo: Vikings.com


Vikings current longest tenured player Brian Robison says he will be returning for the '18 season.
Robison has been with the Vikes since he was selected in the 4th round of the '07 draft. Entering his 12th season, Robison has seen his snaps diminish, but his role expand. Normally a defensive end, Robison has moved inside to play defensive tackle, and even dropped back in coverage.

Over his 11 seasons in the purple, Robison has amassed 60 sacks(placing him in the Vikings top 10 All Time) to go with 13 forced fumbles.
Robison has become a fan favorite over the years, a vocal leader, a team captain, and host of the best 10 minute show around with 96 Questions on Vikings.com.

Although Robison isn't a lock to make the 53 man roster, I'd say he's got a pretty good chance of wearing the horns in '18.
Glad you're back BRob, now let's get to work!
SKOL!

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Terence Newman returns for his 16th Season

By: Tanishka Mhaskar

April 30th, 2018

image: gettyimages

The Veteran CB Can Still Play Like He's 20

On Monday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings announced that another former first round CB was returning. This re-signing came with the name of 40 year old defensive back, Terence Newman. He returns to the NFL for his 16th season, and his 4th in purple and gold.

Newman's relationship with HC Mike Zimmer goes all the way back to the 2003 NFL draft when he was drafted fifth overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Zimmer was the defensive cordinator in Dallas at the time and when Zimmer took the DC job with the Cincinnati Bengals, Newman followed in his footsteps. That continued when Coach Zimmer was hired as the Vikings' head coach.Newman has been fairly effective with a lesser role. He registered 5 interceptions all years with the Vikings.

Terence Newman knows that he is coming back with a decreased role, and with more help coaching the younger players such as Hughes and Alexander develop into the best they can be. With Newman's extension, the Vikings currently have six corner backs on the roster. At this point the most assumable depth chart for the 2018 Vikings is:

LCB: 

1. Xavier Rhodes

2. Mackensie Alexander/ Mike Hughes

RCB: 

1. Trae Waynes

2. Terence Newman

3. Marcus Sherels

Without clarity of who our slot corner is going to be (keep an eye on that in training camp) the Vikings CB depth looks mostly the same, although Mike Hughes has the potential to completely shut down the opposing slot receiver. 

VKNT is glad to have you back for another year Terence! Let's get it done this year.

SKOL

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2018 NFL Draft: R1, Vikings take a CB

By: Tanishka Mhaskar

April 27th, 2018

"With the 30th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida."

CB was a priority for the Vikings. They needed more competition at nickel corner after Mackensie Alexander, drafted in the 2nd round in 2016, has not fully lived up to expectations. The Vikings had a couple of choices at CB and They did not disappoint. When they were on the clock, the Vikings pulled the trigger quickly by grabbing CB Mike Hughes, who was the highest rated player on the draft board at the time. 

According to HC Mike Zimmer, "He [Hughes] has all of the traits we are looking for." Not only can Hughes play as a pro CB, but he is also a very impressive punt returner. This was one of the other reasons that the Vikings chose him. It's not just offensive or defensive grades but also comes down to what the player can contribute to special teams. 

During the 2017 season at UCF, Hughes had 4 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Hughes' outstanding defensive play definitely contributed to the UCF Knights going undefeated. 

Hughes comes with many strengths. He can keep up with almost every single receiver in the league, he’s very physical, and doesn’t just stall routes. He can completely stop them. Also, Hughes can catch just like a wide receiver. We all know that’s he a great punt returner and can can elude the first tackle very well. 

With coaching like Mike Zimmer’s defensive staff it is easy to see Hughes as a potential starter as soon as this season.

Most people wanted the Vikings to draft an offensive lineman the first sound to protect the guy the team just gave 84 million dollars. In an interview from GM Rick Spielman earlier this week, he mentioned there being 6 different positions the Vikings could draft and Number 1.There is a reason that there are 6 more rounds in the draft. 

Welcome to Minnesota, Mike Hughes! We hope that you find a home here. SKOL

Some think that the drafting of Hughes slims the chances of resigning veteran CB Terence Newman. Mike Zimmer denied those claims and said, "There's a possibility, yeah." Zimmer mentioned that because of the amount of passing going on the league right now, it is possible that the Vikings have 4 corners on the field. 

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Predicting the Minnesota Vikings 2018 Record

By: Tanishka Mhaskar

April 22nd,  2018

Photo: facebook.com

After a brutal loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship, it is safe to say that the Minnesota Vikings were one of the biggest winners in free agency

note: this is just a prediction

The Vikings signed the 'unicorn' of free agency in quarterback Kirk Cousins and made a splash on the defensive side of the ball with defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Due to the brilliant work of GM Rick Spielman, Minnesota has almost no excuses next year. VKNT will take you through a game by game analysis of what to expect for each game and a prediction of the Vikings record. 

Week 1:

• vs San Francisco 49ers 

• Sunday September 9th, 1 PM EST

Game 1 includes a battle between two of the highest paid quarterbacks, 2 shutdown corners, and the return of former Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon. It should be quite an interesting battle between Adam Thielen and Richard Sherman. But it all comes down to defense and the Vikings defense has only allowed 12.5 points per game at home. A stronger offense, the shutdown defense and the crowd noise will hand Jimmy Garoppolo his first loss as a NFL starter.

Score Prediction: 29-19

Record: 1-0

Week 2:

• at Green Bay Packers

• Sunday September 16th, 1 PM EST

The two games vs the Packers are highly anticipated and should set the stage for the division title. The Vikes travel to Green Bay early this season to take on a revengeful Aaron Rodgers in an interesting matchup. The Packers defense is quite an improvement from last year with the signing of DT Muhammad Wilkerson and TE Jimmy Graham on the offense. Although the game will be close, Green Bay pulls off the win. 

Score Prediction: 24-23

Record: 1-1

Week 3: 

• vs Buffalo Bills 

• Sunday September 23rd, 1 PM EST

The Vikings defense take on an offense that was ranked 29th in the league last season and have done almost no huge offensive signings to make themselves better. There is a chance they will face their first rookie QB of the season. Likewise, this should be a breeze at home, with the crowd helping them along. 

Score Prediction: 42- 10

Record: 2-1

Week 4:

• at Los Angeles Rams

• Thursday September 27th, 8:20 PM EST

The Vikings play their 1st primetime game with QB Kirk Cousins. This one of their first real tests of the season. I can see a win here if they execute and don't turn the ball over. This game is very important because it has a lot at stake when it comes to playoff seeding. Luckily the Vikings have 2 of the top 5 receivers last season in conquested catches. This should be important going against the Rams' newly acquired CBs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. The offensive line will also have to step up this game going against one of the best DLs in the league in Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald. The Vikings have signed OGs Tom Compton and re-signed OG Nick Easton. The draft is coming up early this week to solidify the positions even more but the Vikings fall to the Rams.

Score Prediction: 21-17

Record: 2-2

Week 5:y

• at Philadelphia Eagles

• Sunday October 7th, 4:20 PM EST

Playing on the road can be tough enough, but playing the Super Bowl champions is even harder. It can be a it easier if you are the Minnesota Vikings, hungry to get revenge on the team that ripped out their dreams of playing a home game in Super Bowl 52. Add on top of that Kirk Cousins, who was division rival of the Eagles. I'm expecting the Vikings to play with some kind of intensity never seen before. They get 10 days between the Rams and the Eagles so they will be well rested and the defense, hungrier. They will win a very hard fought game by a clutch field goal by Kai Forbath. 

Score Prediction: 27-24

Record: 3-2

Week 6:

• vs Arizona Cardinals

• Sunday October 14th, 1 PM EST

The Vikings head back home after 2 tough weeks on the road. The win and loss should really shape the playoff picture. This week they meet former friend, now foe, QB Sam Bradford. The Cardinals re much improved from last year with the return of RB David Johnson and the addition of S Tyrann Mathieu. After a pair of interceptions by Cousins, the exhausted offense can't get back on their feet and the Vikings defense is tired from the previous weeks. Bradford gets revenge on the Vikings in a tough loss. 

Score Prediction: 27-18

Record: 3-3

Week 7:

• at New York Jets

• Sunday October 21st, 1 PM EST

As of right now it is hard to say who the starting QB for the Jets will be but I feel like they will give Teddy Bridgewater a chance to get revenge on his old team. Bridgewater will play well but doesn't have the weapons or defense to even stand a chance against the Vikings top 10 offense and defense. 

Score Prediction: 33-14 

Record: 4-3

Week 8: 

• vs New Orleans Saints

• Sunday October 28th, 8:20 PM EST

This prime time game will be one on everyone's radar. Not only are these 2 teams Super Bowl contenders but the last time they met lead to a historical playoff walk off TD. The Saints certainly want revenge. I'm sure their DBs have worked on timing when it comes to tackling. This will be a hard fought game but the Saints just come in with more fire. Kirk Cousins lights up the offense but the lack of CB depth just burns the Vikings.

Score Prediction: 38-30

Record: 4-4

Week 9: 

• vs Detroit Lions

• Sunday November 4th, 1 PM EST

The Vikings offense faces a revamped Lions defense at home. The offense has been on fire the last few games and the defense plays up to their usual caliber. The Vikings have their most efficient game of the season and play with no error.

Score Prediction: 24-16

Record: 5-4

Week 10: BYE week

Week 11:

• at Chicago Bears

• Sunday November 18th, 1 PM EST

The Vikings always have trouble playing at Soldier Field. Maybe it is the wind, or maybe it is the loud fans. Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has a lot more weapons than last season with the additions of TE Trey Burton and WRs Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. The Bears offense should stand much more of a chance against the best defense in the league but it still wont be enough to pull an upset. 

Score Prediction: 29-24

Record: 6-4

Week 12:

• vs Green Bay Packers

• Sunday November 25th, 8:20 PM EST

The biggest rivals of the Minnesota Vikings come to town as Rodgers probably still wants more revenge but the Vikes do too now. If they lose this game against the Packers, they will lose the division. This home game is a must win for the Minnesota Vikings. With the crowd backing them up and Kirk Cousins playing better every week the Vikings are able to take the dub on Sunday Night Football. 

Score Prediction: 38-24

Record: 7-4

Week 13:

• at New England Patriots

• Sunday December 2nd, 4:25 PM EST

This is one of the most anticipated games of the season for Vikings fans. The Patriots have lost quite a few key players this offseason in WRs Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola, OT Nate Solder, CB Malcolm Butler, and the unsure return of TE Rob Gronkowski. The Pats should still be a very dominant team but Tom Brady is aging, and it is unclear if Belichick can manage drafting players to cover up for all of the starters that left. The Vikings get a last minute punt return TD by Marcus Sherels to win the game. 

Score Prediction: 27-20

Record: 8-4

Week 14:

• at Seattle Seahawks

• Monday December 10th, 8:15 PM EST

The Vikings final prime time game comes in one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The Vikings will be able to handle the noise, but not play their best game of the season. The Seahawks have lost most of their key offensive and defensive players this offseason and haven't done much to bolster their roster. They do have the draft but replacing a surplus of players less than 10 draft picks is tough. The Vikings dominate in Seattle on Monday night. 

Score Prediction: 23-14

Record: 9-4

Week 15:

• vs Miami Dolphins

• Sunday December 16th, 1 PM EST

The Vikings head home to play the Miami Dolphins. This was a tough one for me to predict because it is still not clear who the Dolphins QB will be next season. Regardless, the Dolphins have lost their WR1 Jarvis Landry and star DT Ndamukong Suh. They will be an easy match up for the Vikings and they will take the clear win. 

Score Prediction: 45-17

Record: 10-4

Week 16:

• at Detroit Lions

• Sunday December 23rd, 1 PM EST

The Vikes will travel to Ford Field for their last road game of the regular season. This divisional match-up is key to making sure that the Vikings become Kings of the North. This game ends up being a low scoring battle of both defenses and it's extremely tough to beat Mike Zimmer's prized defense and the Vikings take yet another win. 

Score Prediction: 17-9

Record: 11-4

Week 17:

• vs Chicago Bears

• Sunday December 30th, 1 PM EST

Another week, another division battle. The final week of the regular season is always a surplus of divisional battles. The Vikings get to close it out at home, similar to last season. Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears have been one of the most improved teams this season and Trubisky has showed tons of improvement. The Bears defense has lost most of their games for them this season and the same thing occurs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kirk Cousins plays impressively throwing 5 touchdowns and the defense closes out the regular season with a win. 

Score Prediction: 26-20

Record: 12-4

This whole article is simply one fans prediction and there is no guarantee that a single one of these things happen but this was a very fun project for me. Regardless, it is safe to say that the Minnesota Vikings make the playoffs in 2019. This will be a fun season with new QB Kirk Cousins at helm. 

SKOL

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Nick Easton signs tender

By: Jamie Harmer
Published 4/17/18
Photo: Vikings.com 

Vikings guard Nick Easton signed his tender Monday, worth $2.914 million dollars. The Vikings may look at Easton as the future guard going forward. Easton started 12 games in '17 before suffering an ankle injury. At just 26 years old, Easton could be looking at receiving a long term deal from the Vikings passed the 2018 season. The team will definitely look for offensive line help in this year's draft after starter Joe Berger called it a career, and the departure of Jerimiah Sirles.

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Eric Kendricks earns extension

By: Jamie Harmer
Published 4/16/18
Photo: Alex Dorner



You can check Eric Kendricks off the list of 2015 draft class extensions. Kendricks and the Vikings agreed to terms on a five year, 50 million dollar deal with 25 million of it guaranteed. 22.5 million of the guaranteed money will pay out in the first two years.

The second round pick out of UCLA has been a constant contributor since his rookie year. Leading the team in tackles, always being around the ball, Kendricks has earned his payday no doubt. He has shown steady progression over the years, and I think his best are still to come.

The Vikings have expressed multiple times about keeping their core players, and this extension backs up their words. You can almost guarantee there will be another former UCLA Linebacker receiving an extension before week 1.
SKOL!

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Beyond the starting four

By: Jamie Harmer

Published: 4/15/18

Photo: Alex Dorner 

The Vikings head into the '18 season facing depth issues on the defensive line. In '17, the team started out strong up front, but faded towards the end of the season. This led to a complete collapse in the playoffs. I took a closer look at what lead to the d-line fading down the stretch. The numbers below represent the snap count by individual players in '17.
Griffen: 790
Hunter: 772
T. Johnson: 673
Joseph: 663
Robison: 562
Stephen: 384
Weatherly: 90
J.Johnson: 41
Bower: 10
As you can clearly see, the starting defensive ends had very little rotation. Robison was used as a hybrid between DE/DT. (Note: Griffen did play with plantar fasciitis from the mid way point of the season.)
When your scheme calls for the teams front four to rush the QB on every down, it's imperative that you're able to rotate.  The old saying "keeping fresh legs in the fourth" is 100 percent accurate. Basically, the team ran out of gas up front around week 15, and were cashed come playoff time. The main reason I feel this happened was do to coach Zimmer not trusting his depth or lack of at the position.
Let's step back into the now, and see what the current roster looks like.

The team has eleven players at the d-line positions. Of course not all these players will be on the active 53 or even the practice squad by the start of the season, but as of right now this is what they have. The Vikings lost two contributors from last year's team. Tom Johnson(starter) and Shamar Stephen. The addition of Sheldon Richardson gives Zimmer his coveted three tech he's been missing. Richardson can and will change how teams protect their QB when facing the Vikes in '18. The combination of Richardson and Joseph all wrapped up in a Zimmer 4-3 is lethal. I, myself think that Joseph is the best pure Nose tackle in the game.(feel free to fight me on it.) With Joseph's ability to gobble up blocks, and his use of gap control, it will give Richardson one on one looks.(R.I.P. QB)
Let's bounce outside, and talk defensive end now. Griffen and Hunter will be the main guys again this year. Griffen ended up with a team high 13 sacks last year.(most of which came before week 10) Fans say Hunter's numbers dropped off, but what I seen was a more complete player. Hunter was much more effective against the run in '17. He sealed off the edge well, and wasn't as quick to over run a play. So basically the starting front four will be a nasty group, but what about depth? As much as I hate to say it, the Eagles were able to dominate teams by keeping their guys fresh. In '18, the Vikes will need to do the same to keep from having a gassed d-line.
It all comes back to having quality depth, so you can keep fresh legs using effective rotation. The key word here is effective. Looking at who the Vikes have now, I'd like to see Bower and Johnson take a step forward in '18. Bower is raw, he's a rush end through and through. Under the guidance of DL coach Patterson, I think Bower could become a solid go to, spelling Griffen when needed. I'm still a big fan of Brian Robison, and think he can still get to the QB if used in limited rotation with Hunter.
Now it's time to see how the Vikes can keep the middle of the d-line fresh. As I mentioned earlier, the Vikes lost two defensive tackles. Jaleel Johnson has potential to be a very disruptive player, and maybe used to spell Richardson at the three tech spot in '18. Who will give big Linval a rest though? Glad you asked. For depth help, I think the Vikings look toward the draft. One player that I would love to see the Vikes pick is NC State's DT B.J. Hill. Hill's playing style is a bit like Joseph's. He shows great gap control, and has pop at the point of attack. Like all rookies coming into a complex defense, he will have hiccups, but I feel Hill could see the field as a rookie. If he's there in the 3rd, I think the Vikes need to pull the trigger.
Building a dominant defensive line is more than four players, it's a combination of depth by using effective rotation. Being able to keep the legs fresh without a drop off in on field production is the end goal.  Can the Vikings keep the pressure coming for 16 plus? Only time will tell.


Images courtesy of Vikings.com

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