Daily Norseman: for Minnesota Vikings fans

Tonight, we introduce The Real Forno Show. This is the evolution of CTP Mondays and Mock Draft Mondays all rolled into one show featuring Tyler Forness. Tyler is a contributor to NBC Sports Edge, USA Today’s Vikings Wire, and a regular guest on SKOR North, along with being a Climbing The Pocket rising star. He will always turn your Mondays purple and bring you everything you need to know about the Minnesota Vikings and making them better! On the show, Tyler will be exploring cornerback prospects in the draft that would fit well in the Ed Donatell defense. There are a few that are no-brainers, but what about the rest? Then look at potential wide receivers that could complement what Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips want to do. After that, we conducted a SKOL search and mock draft.  Talking points for tonight’s show:  — Vikings’ news of the day: the signing of OL Jesse Davis, CB Nate Hairston, and the re-signing of CB Tye Smith. — Cornerbacks: addressing the need compared to the system Ed Donatell runs and t

Your Minnesota Vikings have made it through the opening weeks of NFL Free Agency doing what Kwesi called a “competitive rebuild.” What is that? What does it mean? This includes navigating the legal tampering period, getting under the cap, to signing a few free agents. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell and their staffs have been busy. It took an extension of Kirk Cousins, some restructured contracts, the releasing of Michael Pierce, and a few other moves to get to the point where they sit today. The latest move, or non-move, was the decision to keep Danielle Hunter and pay him his $18 million bonus. That led to the biggest signing of the offseason, Za’Darius Smith to pair with Hunter to immediately improve the pass rush. Let’s review what all happened and where the Vikings now sit. Did they get better, stay the same, or get worse? Darren and Dave will also look back at the Stefan Diggs trade and what has come from it. It doesn’t only include Justin Jefferson, but also all the ramification

Flip and Eric are back for Viking Hot Takes. Optimistic fans are viewing moves by the Minnesota Vikings to be in a positive light. The team is getting better, right? Signing another defensive tackle and linebacker like last year is different because it is Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell doing it. Extensions and pushing out cap money on players via accounting tricks is different this year because they are “more deliberate and thought out”. Is it? There are players lost every year, a turnover on rosters is natural. How to deal with those turnovers will determine your long term potential, and it has yet to be determined if the new general manager and head coach can make this approach work. The Vikings have been around over 60 years and yet to achieve the goal of being a Super Bowl winner so fans have the right to be skeptical, especially seeing some of these moves before. But, hey! All things will come up unicorns and rainbows, right? It is the offseason, and the offseason is all about building hope and g

Climbing The Pocket’s Vikings Happy Hour will be doing their first live on-site broadcast from Lake Monster Brewery. This is preparation for the live draft show on Day 2 of the draft, and because it will be fun to do and interact with everyone there. We’ll be discussing Za'Darius Smith's signing along with his pairing with Danielle Hunter. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s press conference and the bits of reading between the lines from all that corporate speak. Plus any other Vikings talk. Then we’ll get to everyone’s second favorite topic… BEER! Co-founder of Lake Monster Brewing, Matt Lange will join Matt Anderson and Ryan Ortega to talk Vikings and BEER! Join the conversation! Discussion topics tonight: - Intro - Live test at Lake Monster Brewing - What are you drinking? - The signing of Za’Darius Smith - Wide receiver market becoming a thing - Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s press conference - Beer talk with Matt Lange of Lake Monster Brewing - Plug draft show Fan with us!!! Guest is Matt Lange, co-founder of Lake Monster Bre

BJ Reidell and Drew Mahowald discuss the signing of pass-rushing beast Za'Darius Smith and how the move impacts the Minnesota Vikings. Spoiler: Optimism is building. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your Minnesota Vikings had a splash NFL Free Agency signing and now we are entering the age of Za’Darius. Edge rusher from the Green Bay Packers, Za’Darius Smith has signed a 3-year deal to play opposite Danielle Hunter on the Purple’s defensive line. The hint came yesterday when he put out the cryptic tweet stating, “Meet at the quarterback." With both edge rushers now healthy, Smith and Hunter promise to terrify opposing quarterbacks at an extremely high rate. That is a great thing! Plus, they are both under 30 and in their prime. This is a huge step in improving a defense that desperately needs it. So what’s next? Do they sign a mid-tier cornerback? They need at least one. Eric Eager from Pro Football Focus will join Jayson and Myles to discuss these moves and more, so join the conversation! Agenda: — Vikings sign Za’Darius Smith — Conversion of Danielle Hunter’s roster bonus into signing bonus — Trades!!! — The state of the NFC  — Where do the Vikings stand? — Why does this offseason feel like 2020? — W

From time to time, you ask why? Why won’t the Vikings draft a wide receiver in round one? Since your Minnesota Vikings seem to be in run-it-back mode, and hiring a promising offensive-minded coach in Kevin O’Connell, could building the offense up to be a powerhouse be the strategy? Kirk Cousins was extended, maybe a tad bit too early, and more tools for him to succeed make sense. If so, do you choose Chris Olave after trading down in round one? Tyler will make that argument. He is the only one talking about that approach, especially when it is difficult to find immediate starters on defense. Rolling into week 2 of NFL Free Agency, your team is still active, but who are they looking at?  Then, it will be onto Mock Draft Mondays’ mock version 7, where you the commenters can help decide who the Purple should draft. Talking points for tonight’s show:  - Tyler Forness’ quick video asking if the Vikings made a smart move extending Kirk Cousins when they did? - Tyler Forness wrote a piece over at USA Today’s Vikin

Flip and Eric are back for Viking Hot Takes. They are wondering if your Minnesota Vikings are making sound moves to start off the NFL’s brand-new league year. You hear that you can’t win the Super Bowl in March. That may be true, but you start to build a team that can in March. The moves to date feel familiar, i.e. like extending Kirk Cousins and signing a new linebacker [Jordan Hicks] and defensive tackle [Harrison Phillips] like last season. Kevin O’Connell said today they got better. But did they? All of us expected the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to be different. Is he? Is he being handcuffed by the COO or ownership that was embarrassed last season when they found out that Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer hadn’t talked for 3 months? Have the Vikings improved because of the moves made so far? Tonight, Flip will battle Eric for the 30th episode of Viking Hot Takes on the Climbing The Pocket channel on Thursday night. Following the usual format of the show, we put the usual 20 minutes on the clock and asked each other

Happy New League Year everyone! Climbing the Pocket is celebrating Vikings Happy Hour with special guest Darren “Doogie” Wolfson bringing the scoops. Enjoying your favorite beverage [and we suggest a fine beer from Lake Monster Brewing], as we talk about all the extensions, cuts, signings, re-signings, and rumors for your Minnesota Vikings. Make sure you get the latest player moves and transactions. This is because the Vikes get under the cap and can legally sign free agents in this time of NFL Free Agency. Listen for the discussion on the possible Danielle Hunter trade, Mac Alexander denial, and the actions that seem to be happening at the Vikings headquarters. Tonight, we are proud to bring you the second CTP and Lake Monster Brewing Giveaway, their March Madness™ bracket giveaway with a chance to win an LMB gift certificate. Test your knowledge and luck and win. It is like free beer that is really awesome! What an opportunity if you nail your bracket. Skol! Discussion topics tonight: - Intro - March Madne

BJ Reidell and Drew Mahowald discuss Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins's 1-year extension, what it means for the team as well as the signings of free agent Harrison Phillips and Jordan Hicks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight on In The Huddle, Jason Brown and Nick Olson will discuss what feels like the “Same Old Same Old” in the land of the Minnesota Vikings. NFL Free Agency is upon us and the new league starts Wednesday. The only transactions from the new Vikings front office look like the old Vikings front office. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was billed as the forward-thinking analytics guy that would apply a new direction and way of thinking, but that hasn’t happened yet. They sign a perennial practice squad guy, extend Kirk Cousins even though teams were interested, let their best guard walk, talk about bringing back Kirk’s security blanket to back him up, agree to deal with the third interior defensive lineman in three years, cut another one, and agreed to add a 30 linebacker. Where’s the new forward-thinking? The reset? Anything? Could Andrew Miller, the Vikings COO in conjunction with Mark Wilf be sabotaging any potential progress before it even starts? Inquiring minds want to know. Join the conversation! Agenda: - Moves Re

The decision has been made! The first domino fell. Your Minnesota Viking and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had made has inked his first big contract signing Kirk Cousins to a one year contract extension keeping him on the team through 2023. Was that a smart deal? How does it impact the salary cap? Does the Vikings plan change over the next few months in building a team? Join Tyler, Deshawn, and Dave as they break it all down in-depth, including a fired up rant from Tyler after his piece from earlier today eviscerating the move. Talking points for tonight’s show:  - Tyler Forness wrote a piece over at USA Today’s Vikings Wire - Changing the narrative? - Arif Hasan’s premonition - What is Kirk’s percentage of the cap? - Why the no trade clause - How will this effect the 2022 draft strategy? - Mock draft version 6… The results: Rd 1-27 Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida, Rd 2-46 Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA, Rd 2-55 George Pickens, WR, Georgia, Rd 2-60 Josh Paschal, Edge, Kentucky Fan with us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno, and

Your Minnesota Vikings have announced an extension for Kirk Cousins. It happened last night and amounts to a “Reload” to the team in an effort to be competitive. Mark Wilf spelled it out weeks ago at his presser so when when he tells you that, believe him. Jonas has views on the subject from CTP Europe and joins Producer Dave to hash them out. Is it a reload? What about the defense? What about a long term plan? Watch and find out. Fan with us!!! Jonas Stärk @JonasStaerk and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s production.  _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/1xYxLCj6JVQ At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There it is… Kirk Cousins has been extended and the details are confusing, but we’ll try to break it all down for Minnesota Vikings fans. Fan with us!!! Jayson Brown @brownjayson, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s along with @LakeMonsterBrew’s production. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/-hPSn9usZR0 At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is guest Ben Goessling from the Star Tribune hearing? The quarterback moves continued today and there were reports of other teams inquiring or making offers for Kirk Cousins, but was the price right? With the QB carousel moving, does it change the approach from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell toward the direction they want to move? Are there any other players on the trade market from the Vikes?  Tonight is the first Lake Monster Giveaway to a lucky viewer that liked @LakeMonsterBrew and @Climb_ThePocket and RT’d the giveaway tweet. Who will get the LMB hat and the cool mini-sign for the man or woman cave? Grab your favorite Lake Monster Brewing beverage and join the conversation! Skol! Discussion topics tonight: - Intro - Lake Monster Brewing Giveaway - QB moves in the NFL Aaron Rodger extension Russell Wilson was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos Carson Wentz traded from the Indianapolis Colts to the Washington Commanders Kirk Cousins inquiries  - Does this shift Kevin

BJ Reidell and Drew Mahowald discuss the Minnesota Vikings' decision to move on from head trainer Eric Sugarman in favor of former Los Angeles Rams assistant Tyler Williams as well as the swelling trade market for the quarterback position and, of course, Kirk Cousins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The QB carousel has begun to spin at full speed. First, there was the announcement of Aaron Rodgers signing a 4-year extension for $200M with the Green Bay Packers. Then, a blockbuster trade for Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos. Is Kirk Cousins next? Your Minnesota Vikings have a decision to make. Fresh from the NFL Combine and seeing some of the quarterbacks there having a good week, say like Malik Willis, do these moves imply that the pressure is off to win the division with Rodgers returning? This may even mean that they may actually trade Kirk Cousins? What do the moves today mean for Kirk’s value and tradability? Jason, Myles, and Flip joining in will look at all of it. What do you think? Join the conversation! Agenda: - Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay - Russell Wilson is now in Denver - Is Kirk next? - With the Wilson trade, does that dial-in Cousin’s trade value? Then other topics if the guys get that far: - Vikings rumors, what are we hearing coming out of the combine

Your Minnesota Vikings staff returns home from Indy for the NFL Combine. This show will cover the big combine recap. Who starred and who didn’t? Who will the Vikings target? Tyler has also been gathering industry mock drafts each week and tracking who they pick. Is there a consensus? Is there someone you like? Do the Vikings select a quarterback, cornerback, or edge player? Then hopefully, Deshawn and Tyler will finally get to Mock Draft Mondays’ version 5.0 mock draft draft. Talking points for tonight’s show:  - The BIG NFL Scouting Combine recap - Which players have selected in industry mock drafts EDGE, Jermaine Johnson OC, Tyler Linderbaum CB, Derek Stingley Jr DE, George Karlaftis CB, Trent McDuffie CB, Andrew Booth Jr CB, Sauce Gardner QB, Malik Willis EDGE, Travon Walker - Firing up the mock draft machine for version 5. Rd1 - CB, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner Rd2 - S, Jalen Pitre Rd3 - QB, Carson Strong Fan with us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno, and Deshawn Vaughan @vikingsfans16. In the truck

Your Minnesota Vikings are at the NFL Combine taking in all the action. They are looking at the numbers and performances of players that will be on their draft board. The NFL Draft is coming at the end of April, however, NFL Free Agency will come about at the start of the league year on 16 March. Legal tampering starts on the 14th, and illegal tampering is already underway [wink, wink] offsite at the many fine establishments in Indianapolis. Darren and Dave today will be looking at all 3, from highlighted players at the Combine, the interior offensive line prospects in free agency, and our Deep Thoughts/Deep Dive segment on the Vikings’ running back group. Are there players in all three of these groups that can contribute to the Purple’s quest to be the best? Absolutely! Will the Vikings’ brass select, acquire, or scheme them to get there? That is unknown at this time, but it will be fun discussing until we find out, yes? Two Old Bloggers are comprised of Dave and Darren, who both started blogging on the Pu

The NFL Combine is well under way and your Minnesota Vikings are there. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell have given their press conferences and there were clues as to where the Vikings hope to go. There is a new staff, the lack of available cap money issue, evaluations of current players, free agents, and all the guys at the underwear olympics in Indy. Free agency is about to happen and rumors are starting to fly, including exceptional guard, Brandon Scherff, wanting to play close to home, and that would be with the Vikings. Flip Mazzi from Climbing The Pocket and Eric Thompson from the Daily Norseman get together for 6 questions in 20 minutes in Viking Hot Takes. Join in the heat of those takes. What are yours? Tonight, Flip will battle Eric for the 29th episode of Viking Hot Takes on the Climbing The Pocket channel on Thursday night. Following the usual format of the show, we put the usual 20 minutes on the clock and asked each other three questions: Flip asks: 1. How many years will KOC coach the V