PRE-BAG PRIMER
First and foremost I want to thank everyone who submitted their thoughts for the first Zone Coverage mailbag. This is a ton of fun for me, and I would encourage everyone to use the #VGTweet hashtag on Twitter so I have the capacity to respond to more questions, thoughts and jokes each and every Thursday for as long as my professional superiors allow me to.
We have an excellent group of questions to get through this week, so without further ado, let’s get after it.
ONE
THE ANSWER
This is absolutely ridiculous, Mr Amazin, and I’m sorry you were subjected to this madness. Look, has there been a ton of injuries in the NFL this season? Absolutely. Does that mean the Vikings haven’t earned everything they have received thus far? No.
Minnesota has had injuries too, obviously. Case Keenum is the Vikings’ starting quarterback … by way of significant injuries to both Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford. Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon are sharing the running back role … by way of Dalvin Cook’s injury. And, after reviewing this week’s injury report, it appears entirely possible that players such as Jeremiah Sirles and Trae Waynes could be forced into greater roles this week.
Point being, injuries happen. That’s simply how the NFL works in 2017. It’s more about what you do next, folks. Just ask Michael Floyd.
TWO
THE ANSWER
Interesting question Don. Thank you for submitting your thoughts; they are always a treat sir.
I really don’t think it matters, to be quite honest with you. I think the Vikings can beat any team in the NFL, so long as they continue to work hard and follow their leader, Mike Zimmer. If they earn the No. 1 seed, great. If they don’t, well, so be it — they will still have a chance to compete for a Super Bowl win.
My point here is that the Vikings do not need the No. 1 seed to get to the promised land. Would it help? Absolutely. But Minnesota is well-coached and has plenty of talent on its roster. This team can win it all even if they are forced to play, for example, the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in the NFC Championship.
THREE
THE ANSWER
Mike Zimmer. Need I say more?
BONUS
THE ANSWER
Personally, I think Xavier Rhodes has earned the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Now, do I believe that a cornerback is going to actually bring home the trophy, not really, unfortunately. In my opinion, voters don’t always give awards to the player who deserves it most. It’s unfortunate, really, but that is the sports world we live in.
Could Tom Brady have 94 MVP awards by now? Sure. Should Mark Ingram have won the Heisman? Maybe not. But there are some occasions when players are credited for all they do for their teams … like Adrian Peterson in 2012.
So, if I had a vote for Defensive Player of the Year, I’d give it to Rhodes because the man has done anything and everything to get to where he and the Minnesota Vikings both are today.
Additionally, I’d also like to see Stefon Diggs surpass 1,000 receiving yards and have Keenum earn a Pro Bowl nod. Both men have earned these superlatives, but, to be clear, these awards are more about fun than anything else.
I don’t believe Rhodes, Diggs or Keenum need these things, but I wholeheartedly believe they have earned them. What is most important to each of these men is that they, as a team, win the greatest prize in professional sports — everything else will fall into place.
Follow BJ @RobertReidell on Twitter Dot Com for more Minnesota Vikings news, analysis and jokes. Check out his Minnesota Vikings Podcast About the Labor with Drew Mahowald available on iTunes, Stitcher and YouTube. New episodes post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
