Climbing The Pocket

In this episode: Happy Birthday Yinka Vikings Talk Bears Game Recap Grading Kirk Cousins in Week 17 and the full season Fixing the Offensive LineMyles' Article Part 1 Myles' Article Part 2 Offensive Line Coaches Joe Philbin James Campen Bill Callahan Frank Pollack Rick Dennison Eli's Article on GB OL Coaches   Kevin Stefanski Offense Moving Forward Recent/Upcoming Projects Catch up on all the latest from CTP here.    

In this episode: @Flipmazzi reviews the 8-7-1 Minnesota Vikings season-ending loss to the Chicago Bears. Another listless performance by the Vikings offense and slow start from the Vikings defense doomed the team and left the Vikings on the outside looking in at the playoffs.

In this episode: Question of the Day:  How was your Christmas? Bonus Question: Who wins in the College Playoff Semi-Final Matchups? Clemson vs Notre Dame Alabama vs Oklahoma Vikings Talk Detroit Game Recap Thoughts on the Slow Start from Stefanski? Vikings vs Bear Preview Is the season a complete failure if the Vikings lose? Will the Bears play to win or to stay healthy? How Kirk will play under the pressure of this playoff atmosphere? Judd on Kirk Cousins Keys to victory Score Prediction/Bold Prediction Yinka: 34 - 24 Vikings; all skill position players score a TD (4 TDs) JR: 17 - 13 Vikings; Kirk Cousins 2 TDs Jayson: 24 - 14 Vikings; Anthony Barr scoop and score TD Move The Sticks Game Preview Recent/Upcoming Projects Catch up on all the latest from CTP here.    

In this episode: Around the League Playoff Update Vikings defense Vikings Slow Start Hail Rudy Clean Pocket DB trade Rudy Stefanski Part 2

Good morning Horners! Ted, Drew, and I got together after the game with our immediate reactions. We are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, and we want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and happy holidays. We all hope that you are happy with the people you love, safe and warm, enjoying the fellowship, and talking about the Vikings win. Video Recap The Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Detroit Lions in a 27-9 victory. Even though the first half, or at least most of it, they look to be asleep. They did wake up with about four minutes left in the half and scored 14 points with the crowning jewel being a Hail Mary as time was running out where Kirk Cousins dropped back, rolled to the right, then stepped up in the pocket and heaved it about 55 yards in the air. Kyle Rudolph was amongst the group of receivers in the end zone, and he jumped and convincingly snagged the football. Any sort of hope that the Lions had was gone. Speaking of hope, in this pre-Christmas game, the Vikings set themselves up for a, "win and you are in" scenario for when the Chicago Bears come to town this Sunday. The offense had a slow start, and even the defense gave up some uncharacteristic penalties in a game where the officiating was called in question more than once, but the team did end up dominating. That will have to continue not only this Sunday at 3:25 PM central against the Bears, but against whoever the Vikings will match up against in the playoffs. The Vikings will get into the playoffs with either a win, which is under their own control or lost by the Philadelphia Eagles. GMG prefers that they win. This game, however, will not be meaningless obviously for the Vikings, but also for the Bears who with a win and a loss by the Rams can move into the second seed. So, motivation will abound and it should be a good game. Kyle Rudolph had one of the best games of his career with 122 yards and two touchdowns including that Hail Mary. Kirk Cousins went over 4,000 yards passing on the season, and the running game got going in the second half. Now if the offense can put it together along with the defense and special teams, for a full 60 minutes, this team can be unbeatable. At least, that is the hope. Go Vikings! We are interested to hear what you think. Like, subscribe, and ring that damn bell! Then shout SKOL! As always, enjoy the watch!

In this episode: @Flipmazzi reviews the 8-6-1 Minnesota Vikings easy win over the 5-10 Detroit Lions. They avoid a bad loss and maintain control over their own playoff destiny. Time to finish the regular season fight.  

Good morning Horners! The possibility of the Minnesota Vikings throwing a 50 burger against the Detroit Lions this Sunday may seem ridiculous, but that is exactly what Dave is calling for. The old men, Ted Glover, Drew Bunting, and Dave Stefano discussed the possibility in this episode of GMG. Ted rejoins us after taking time out for a little champagne tasting to discuss the beautiful victory over the Miami Dolphins last week. The awesome defensive play there resulted in 9 sacks and shutting down the Fins after a giveaway touchdown and a fluky explosive run. Comments were made on the differences seen in playcalling by Kevin Stefanski versus John DeFilippo and how the offense was more productive than it had been in a while. There was still the angst over Kirk Cousins and his seemingly one or two bad plays a game that results in points for the other team. If the Vikings are getting hot this time of the season, not only on the defense but on the offense, if those mistakes are eliminated going into the playoffs, the possibilities can actually be super. Consistency in the maximizing of assets in playcalling will have any opponent not wanting to play the Vikings. The depth on the defense has shown it’s worth so far this season with outstanding play by not only Anthony Harris but with Mackensie Alexander really starting to step up his game, along with Holton Hill proving to be the best undrafted rookie free agent signing probably since Adam Thielen. Drew runs Dave and Ted through another round of Way or No Way. There are some interesting questions about the dynamic duo of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph’s performance, and another that leads to that 50 burger prediction. From our lips to Odin’s ears let’s all hope it is so! How would you have answered those questions? Please post below. We are interested to hear what you think. Like, subscribe, and ring that damn bell! Then shout SKOL! As always, enjoy the watch!   Subscribe to us here! – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMYdeuZvSDVK55JAGV5sNJw // Want More Content From Us? Check out and bookmark our web sites below! Climbing The Pocket – https://climbingthepocket.com The Daily Norseman – https://www.dailynorseman.com // On Facebook check out Climbing The Pocket at – https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/

In this episode: Question of the Day:  What are your Christmas Traditions? Vikings Territory on Anthony Barr Matthew Coller on Anthony Barr Vikings Talk Anthony Barr Contract Extension One Gotta Go: Barr, Richardson, or Waynes Miami Game Recap Opening game grades on Kevin Stefanski? Playoff Odds and Scenarios Detroit Lions Game Preview Is this a trap game? Keys to victory Score Prediction/Bold Prediction Yinka: 33 - 10 Vikings; Sherels 2 ST scores Myles: 28 - 13 Vikings; Tyler Conklin scores 2 TD JR: 27 - 10 Vikings; David Morgan scores Jayson: 24 - 14 Vikings; Anthony Barr scoop and score TD Vikings vs Lions Video Preview Recent/Upcoming Projects Catch up on all the latest from CTP here. JR Team Needs Draft Series Matt Anderson on Mackensie Alexander  

Good morning Horners! The Vikings needed a victory over the Dolphins, and that is what they did. The team from Miami traveled north with a 7-6 record to take on the Vikes with their 6-6-1 record. The Purple failed to beat a team with better than a .500 record until Sunday. Daily Norseman's own leader and Grand Poobah, Christopher Gates, joined Drew Bunting and David Stefano for the immediate, after the game recording of Good Morning Gjallarhorn. Did that victory feel good or what?! We all had just witnessed the Minnesota Vikings soundly defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-17. In a game where the home team took an early 21 point lead in the first quarter under new offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, everything seemed to be right in the world. It was looking like Mike Zimmer's decision to fire John DeFilippo was correct and didn't come soon enough. The offense was moving with ease, play calls made sense and yet weren't predictable, and even the offensive line was having its way. It was a glorious feeling. And then… Things returned to normal. Kirk Cousins turned the ball over with a horrible pick 6. The offense seemed to go into its defeatist funk after making a major mistake followed by a series of 3 and outs to cap off the half. Drew asked Chris what his opinion of the Vikings $84 million man was. Then came the second half. Miami, on its first play from scrimmage, had a second string running back, Kalen Ballage, take it 75 yards to the house. The game that was a runaway after the first quarter was now 21-17 and you could hear a collective, "here it goes again" out of Vikings fans. The difference this time, however, was that the team did overcome that psychological letdown and went on to dominate. Outstanding defensive performances from virtually the entire defense were put in. The team came away with nine sacks almost tying the team record of 10. Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter both had 2 each, and the squad shut down the Fins holding them to 10 yards total on the next 26 plays. Not to be outdone, the offense started to pour on the coals scoring an additional 20 unanswered points. Dan Bailey was perfect on the day with seven kicks. There were 5 touchdowns scored spread around 4 players. Two by Dalvin Cook, one from the Latavius Murray, one Cousins pass to Stefon Diggs, and the other the prettiest pass from Kirk this season to Aldrick Robinson. The run game was emphasized and worked (220 yards) to open up passing options. It was a good day! The Daily Norseman and the Climbing The Pocket Network have worked together well, and part of that is due to the fact that Christopher Gates runs such a fantastic site for Vikings fans everywhere. Enjoy the show as he makes his GMG premier. We are interested to hear what you think. Like, subscribe, and ring that damn bell! Then shout SKOL! As always, enjoy the watch!

In this episode, we discuss: John DeFillipo Kevin Stefanski Dalvin Cook Offense Giving Up Points Defense Quietly Elite Ask a Skoldier Playoff Scenarios Kirk Cousins

In this episode: @Flipmazzi reviews the 7-6-1 Minnesota Vikings beatdown of the 7-7 Miami Dolphins. A much needed win to get back on the right track and hopefully prepare for a run that could stretch into the playoffs.

In this episode: Question of the Day:  Only 2 of the 10 highest paid QBs in the league are in playoff position.  Why? Top 10 QB Tweet https://twitter.com/JuMosq/status/1071133654380769280 Vikings Talk JR Film Breakdown - Seattle vs Minnesota JDF Firing What should we expect from a Stefanski offense? Poll Who is more important to the Vikings: Zim or Rick or Bryz? Miami Game Preview Odds on the Vikings going on a Flacco Run? Score Prediction Myles: 28 - 16 Vikings; Dalvin has 150 all-purpose 2 TDs JR: 27-13 Vikings; Tannehill with 3 turnovers Jayson: 30 - 17 Vikings; pick 6 off both Miami QBs Video Preview Recent/Upcoming Projects Catch up on all the latest from CTP here.  

Good morning Horners! Within 24 hours after the Minnesota Vikings getting soundly defeated by the Seattle Seahawks, 21-7, there has been a big repercussion. Fans everywhere started discussing who was to blame, or how the blame should be shared for what is so far turning out to be a disappointing season because none of us suspected that we'd be 6-6-1 at this point in the season. Many have talked about the flaws in Kirk Cousins’ play, offensive coordinator John DeFilippo’s very predictable, almost Brad Childress like playcalling reminiscent of the Kick @$$ Offense, head coach Mike Zimmer's ability to manage more than just the defense, and/or what seems like the inability of Rick Spielman to address the offensive line in any sort of real effective manner. Your favorite three old guys on GMG after the game questioned it like everyone else. Video of the Episode Ted Glover, Drew Bunting, and me, David Stefano shared our initial reactions following the Vikings performance at CenturyLink Field. Needless to say, frustration levels were a little high. We all knew that even though Kirk Cousins isn't playing up towards what we feel his contract demands, that he is and will be the Vikings quarterback through 2020. Any changes in status would not affect him in a way that would take him off the field, less of future injury, Odin forbid. That left the logical choice being OC John DeFilippo because it was very unlikely that Mike Zimmer nor Rick Spielman were in any sort of danger of losing their jobs at this point in the season. Playcalling was very inefficient and uncreative, to the point where after the game Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner stated that they had watched everything on tape, and the offense did exactly what it did before. He also stated they were not ready to play. That gets put directly on JDF’s lap, and Zimmer made the decision to salvage the season and fire him. After arriving back in Minneapolis at, 4:30 in the morning DeFilippo was officially notified 11 AM of his termination. Kevin Stefanski was promoted from quarterbacks coach to interim offensive coordinator. He basically has a three-game working interview to secure the job for next year. This change in December is very reminiscent of what happened in 2012 with the Baltimore Ravens when they did the exact same thing firing their offensive coordinator almost on the same day. The Ravens went on to win the Super Bowl that year, hopefully, history will repeat itself this time as well. Either way, it seemed to lift the spirits of many fans and instill a hope that seemed to be waning. What are your thoughts on the game and what has transpired since? We are interested to hear what you think. Like, subscribe, and ring that damn bell! Then shout SKOL! As always, enjoy the watch!

In this episode: Myles and Yinka join Jayson to discuss the Minnesota Vikings horrendous offensive display vs Seattle, the firing of John deFilippo, and the direction the Vikings offense might take under newly-hired OC Kevin Stefanski.  Dr. Eric Eager also joins to add some analytic flare to the discussion. Enjoy. Recent/Upcoming Projects Catch up on all the latest from CTP here.  

In this episode: @Flipmazzi previews the 6-5-1 Minnesota Vikings conference clash with the 7-5 Seattle Seahawks, and reviews where our team stands 12 games into the 2018 season. They Vikings need a win, but they need to prove they can contend too.