Throwback Thursday: Alphabet Soup

Dan Daly's book, The National Forgotten League, is loaded with fun, informative facts, notes, and stories. This little nugget about the 1929 Orange Tornadoes caught my attention. The Tornadoes were a professional football team that competed in some manifestation from 1887-1941 and 1958-70. From 1929-30 the Tornadoes were an NFL team. From the time that someone first decided to put personal identifiers on an athletic uniform that identifier has been a number. For some reason, the Tornadoes went a different route in 1929.

Here's their lineup for the first of two games against the Frankford Yellow Jackets:

A - Phil Scott, E, No College
B - Felix McCormick, B, Bucknell
C - Heinie Benkert, B, Rutgers
D - Leon Johnson, E, Colombia
E - George Pease, QB, Columbia
F - Ernie Cuneo, G, Penn State/Columbia

G - Frank Kirkleski, B, Lafayette

H - Ted Mitchell, C, Bucknell
 J - Ernie Hambacker, B, Bucknell
L - Ralph Barkman, B, Schuylkill
M - Bob Beattie, T, Princeton
M - Steve Hamas, FB, Penn State
N - Paul Longua, E, Villanova
O - Jack McArthur, G, St. Mary's (California)
P - Bill Feaster, T, Fordham
Q - Bill Clarkin, T, No College
R - Andy Salata, G, Pittsburgh
S - Carl Waite, B, Rutgers/Georgetown
T - Jack Depler, C/T/Coach, Illinois
X - Johnny Tomaini, E, Georgetown

Letters! The 1929 Orange Tornadoes used letters to identify the members of their football team. Teams were often trying gimmicks in the early days of professional football to try and catch the attention of the public. I'm not sure how this would do it. The Tornadoes had a longer professional existence than the other teams that came and went during the NFL's first decade. Their two-year time with the Bears, Cardinals, Packers, and Giants will be best remembered by their unique use of the alphabet.

The double M's are a curiosity. Daly thought that it could just be a typo.

Salata? I wonder if there’s a family relation between Andy Salata and “Mr. Irrelevant” creator Paul Salata. 

There's no "I" in team.

If you haven't read Dan Daly's book, I highly recommend doing so.

Vikings Injuries

Injuries will always be a part of football. While not hit as hard as some other teams, the Minnesota have navigated several injuries on their way to a perfect 5-0 start. The interesting thing about the Vikings injuries is that they have been almost exclusively on the offensive side of the ball. The following players have missed at least one of the five games.

Kyler Murray, QB

Jordan Mason, RB

Justin Jefferson, WR

Jordan Addison, WR

T.J. Hockenson, TE

Josh Oliver, TE

Christian Darrisaw, OT

Donovan Jackson, G

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis noted that Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, and T.J. Hockenson were on the field together for only nine snaps. With those Vikings playmakers available for so few snaps, is there really any surprise that the offense struggled to find any rhythm early in the season. Toss in starting quarterback Kyler Murray essentially missing the first two games with a concussion and it’s a thrown-together offense on the field to start the season. Murray returned in Week 3 but it took about a bit more than a game for him to find some comfort while surrounded with jumbled personnel. Over the final game-and-a-half before the bye, the Vikings offense finally looked lively. It’s always nice to have Jefferson on the field but they we’re still missing Addison, Mason, Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Christian Darrisaw, and Donovan Jackson. Week 6 is early for a bye. This year, it may have come at a good time. It gives a few of the above injured offensive players extra time to get healthy. Fortunately, Mason, Addison, Hockenson, and Darrisaw should all be healthy as the Vikings return to the field in Week 7. Unfortunately, Oliver and Jackson are out for the regular season. They will be missed. 

The Vikings are 5-0 because of the stellar performance of the defense and special teams. A reason for that stellar performance, especially on defense, has been the consistent availability of players. Defensively, through five games, only rookie corner Chuck Demmings has missed games. A Week 3 hamstring injury kept him out of the Week 4 and Week 5 games. As a rookie, he contributed on special teams and had scattered defensive snaps. The closest the Vikings came to not having a defensive regular was Week 3. Ivan Pace Jr. missed the team’s flight to Tampa due to the birth of his son. While his game availability was initially questioned, he was present for his son’s birth, caught a flight, and made it to the game on time. Then he got a sack and a finger on a punt. 

Hopefully, the Vikings offense gets, and stays, healthy and the defense continues their strong and healthy play. 

Trade Targets

The NFL trade deadline is November 10. That puts teams, media, and especially fans in the middle of a trading frenzy. With a 5-0 start to the season, Minnesota Vikings fans are simply mad for potential deals. I’ve always had a skeptical view of in-season football trades. Since everything done on the field is such a practiced coordination of 11 individuals, it’s difficult to drop a new player into a new team in the middle of the season. That being said, the right player can give a team a boost. So, I’ll play along with this trade deadline frenzy. Sports Illustated’s MMQB put together a list of 15 players that could be trade targets over the days leading up to the deadline and potential team fits. The list wasn’t put together for the Vikings but I’m looking at the players with the Vikings in mind. 

15. Chris Godwin Jr., WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Potential Fits: Packers, Giants

Vikings: Nope

14. Josh Uche, DE, Miami Dolphins

Potential Fits: Bears, 49ers

Vikings: Tempting, but no.

13. Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Potential Fits: Panthers, Cardinals

Vikings: Nope

12. Zach Sieler, DT, Miami Dolphins

Potential Fits: Lions, Cowboys

Vikings: Maybe. And Brian Flores knows him.

11. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Potential Fits: Panthers, Seahawks

Vikings: No. The Vikings have tight end concerns but I don’t see Goedert as the answer. 

10. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders

Potential Fits: Lions, 49ers

Vikings: Nope

9. Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Potential Fits: Jaguars, Seahawks

Vikings: Tempting, but no. The Vikings must be looking at all of the available running backs. Aaron Jones Sr. is 31, 32 in December and Jordan Mason is returning from a stay on injured reserve. I might be a fool but I’d rather see more of rookie Demond Claiborne than adding Pollard. 

8. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Potential Fits: Bills, Rams

Vikings: Nope

7. Stefon Diggs, WR, Washington Commanders

Potential Fits: Chiefs, Ravens

Vikings: Nope

6. Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals

Potential Fits: Bills, Bears

Vikings: Absolutely Maybe. It’s difficult to drop any new player into this Vikings defense but I’d listen to any trade talk for Baker.

5. Landon Dickerson, G, Philadelphia Eagles 

Potential Fits: Jaguars, Seahawks

Vikings: Nope

4. Riq Woolen, CB, Philadelphia Eagles 

Potential Fits: Bills, Panthers

Vikings: Nope

3. Josh Sweat, DE, Arizona Cardinals

Potential Fits: Bears, Lions

Vikings: Nope

2. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

Potential Fits: Chiefs, Rams

Vikings: Nope

1. Khalil Mack, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers 

Potential Fits: 49ers, Bears

Vikings: Nope

From the 15 players the MMQB produced, I don’t see the Vikings making a deadline splash. I do believe general manager Nolan Teasley will make a deal, or two. I just don’t see the deal(s) involving the above those players. The interesting thing about the players I do see the Vikings targeting is that several play for the Indianapolis Colts. The Vikings play the Colts on Sunday. Will a player, or two, be staying in Minnesota after the game?

Interesting Colts:

Jonathan Taylor, RB

Quenton Nelson, G

DeForest Buckner, DT

Camryn Bynum, S

If they do look to boost the run game, I see the Vikings making a fairly big swing. Jones and Mason are solid pair. It would take a fairly big swing to improve on them. Taylor’s age (27) and potential cost are the concerns. With left guard Donovan Jackson injured for at least the season, I wouldn’t mind Nelson as a one-year rental. Buckner would be a very intriguing addition to an emerging defensive front. As for Bynum, I wouldn’t mind a reunion. I’m skeptical of any new safety impacting the Vikings defense. Bynum has two years in the Flores defense. 

Some non-Colts

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets - if healthy

A Blocking TE

Now, I’m a little more frenzied than I was earlier. 

Looking Ahead

In an ideal NFL world, the bye week comes around the middle of a season. The undefeated Minnesota Vikings didn’t get an ideal schedule as they were handed a Week 6 bye. At least it gave some players a little extra time to get healthy. How long can the Vikings remain undefeated? Here’s a look at the remaining 12 games in front of them.

Looking Ahead:

Week 7:  vs Indianapolis Colts 

Week 8:  @ Detroit Lions

Week 9:  vs Buffalo Bills (MNF)

Week 10: @ Green Bay Packers 

Week 11: @ San Francisco 49ers - Mexico City (SNF)

Week 12: vs Atlanta Falcons

Week 13: vs Carolina Panthers

Week 14: @ New England Patriots (TNF)

Week 15: vs Detroit Lions (SNF)

Week 16: vs Washington Commanders

Week 17: @ New York Jets

Week 18: vs Chicago Bears

It’s always tough to predict what each game might hold. Before the season, it looked like the Vikings had a difficult first five games. Starting with games against division foes Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, most “experts” had the Vikings stumbling to a 0-2 start. The same experts perhaps saw a third loss at Tampa Bay before a get-right win over the Miami Dolphins. Then a 50-50 game against the up-and-coming New Orleans Saints. 2-3 might’ve been the start that many had for the Vikings. Instead, it’s 5-0 and the “experts” are explaining it away by pointing at an easy opening schedule. I guess, the five teams were considered challenging until the Vikings destroyed them. 

One game at a time, teams have to deal with whatever schedule is put in front of them. On paper, it would seem that the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, and New York Jets are the easiest matchups among the remaining 12 games. They are the only teams on the Vikings opponents with a losing record through six weeks. Those losing records can be deceiving as each of the four could have a winning record if some breaks had gone their way. Isn’t it always that way? The difference between winning and losing is often a fine line. Every team in the league can throw a scare into any team in the league. They might even steal a win. No matter the opponent, every game is a challenge in the NFL. 

It’s a very optimistic outlook but I truly believe that this Vikings team is nowhere near the team they can be. Most of that is because the offense is still searching for themselves. An honest assessment of the season so far has the Vikings offense as poor through the first three games and trending upwards in the next two. They are 5-0 and just scratching the surface of the team they could be. With the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers up in four of the next five games, the Vikings will have to get to where they can be in a hurry. 

I can see the Vikings winning each of the remaining 12 games. That isn’t realistic. Four of the games are against very good division foes. At worst, they split those games. That would give the Vikings a solid 4-2 record against the division. I’m hoping for at least 5-1 with the one loss being a bullshit loss to the Packers on that shit Lambeau turf. Beyond the division games, it’s the Buffalo Bills at home on Monday night and the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico that draw the most attention. Wouldn’t it be great if the Vikings and 49ers are still undefeated for that game? 

As long as they can dodge the injury issues that wrecked two of the past three seasons, I can see the Vikings navigating the rest of the season in a fashion that results in a 13-4 or 14-3 record. Hopefully, that’s good enough to secure the NFC’s #1 seed. 

Flea Flicker Week 6 Predictions

Is it really an NFL Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings aren’t playing. Week 6 is a bit early for a bye but the Vikings have a few injured players that can use a week off to get healthy. Anyway, here are some guesses at the Week 6 games.

Byes: Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Texans

A battle between AFC South foes. The Jaguars have had a real nice start to the season. The Texans have not. The matchup is also part of the NFL’s idiotic international series as the game will be played at Wembley. The Jaguars have the added benefit of having been in London for a second consecutive week. All of these international games present jacked-up logistics and that’s an added disadvantage for the Texans. So, I’m more hoping that the Texans win rather than thinking that they win. 

Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons

The Falcons rebound from the disappointing Sunday Night loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Ravens

The battle between the “old” Browns vs the “new” Browns.

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

The Colts should handle the winless Titans.

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots

The Jets have caused problems for teams this season. The Patriots should handle the pesky team.

New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants

Pick: Saints

The Saints rebound from being stifled by the Vikings. The Giants move a step closer to J.J. McCarthy starting. 

Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Panthers

The Panthers handle the unpredictable Eagles.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

The Steelers have yet to win on the road. The Buccaneers have yet to win at home. I should pick a tie. 

Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

The Rams have “lost” two games the past three weeks they should’ve won. This feels like a “get right” game for them.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chargers

This Chargers team simply can’t keep losing. The Chiefs probably aren’t the best opponent for a team desperate for a win. 

Buffalo Bills @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Bills

Just a couple weeks ago, the Raiders were the darlings of the league. The Bills roll. 

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Packers

Rematch of the Ice Bowl. It shouldn’t be as cold this time. 

Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers should become the league’s first 6-0 team. 

Minnesota Vikings All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings have Week 6 off as they rest and recover after starting the season undefeated. 5-0 is a nice place to be at this early break in the season. It’s also a fine time to look back at some of the great players in franchise history. 

Other than winning the final, big game, the Minnesota Vikings have a strong history. Once they stepped away from their initial expansion team days, they have avoided having more than two consecutive losing seasons. That’s not a real high bar but it shows that they have avoided ever being woeful. Far more often than not, they are contenders. Their winning percentage since the NFL-AFL merger is among the best in the league. They have 16 Hall of Fame busts. A handful more deserve a spot. For a team with a history of 30-40 fewer years than many of their peers, that’s a very robust number. The Vikings just need a Super Bowl, preferably several. 

The Vikings have no shortage of players to populate the 27 positions on this Minnesota Vikings All - Time Team. Other than tight end, the offensive positions are mostly taken by Hall of Famers, soon-to-be Hall of Famers, or should-be Hall of Famers. Other than the line, the defensive positions are mostly wide open. Here’s a look at some of the best players in Vikings franchise history.

Minnesota Vikings All-Time Team

Offense

Quarterback 

Fran Tarkenton

Running Back

Adrian Peterson

Fullback

Chuck Foreman

Typically, I think of Bill Brown as the Vikings best fullback. Chuck Foreman lined up as a fullback his first couple years in the league. He had a career worthy of the Hall of Fame. At his peak, he was arguably the best back in the league. He was definitely the most versatile back in the league. It’s fun to think of Adrian Peterson and Chuck Foreman in the same backfield. Peterson will receive his Hall of Fame bust next summer. 

Wide Receivers

Cris Carter

Randy Moss

Justin Jefferson

Due to the supreme talent available, I must go with three receivers. The Vikings second-team would be the first-team for many franchises. 

Tight End

Steve Jordan

Steve Jordan vs Kyle Rudolph. Both had excellent Vikings careers. If T.J. Hockenson extends his contract with the Vikings and has several seasons like his first season-plus with the Vikings, he will join the Vikings All-Time tight end argument. That’s a few “ifs.” We’ll see if it happens. 

Tackles

Gary Zimmerman

Ron Yary

Guards

Randall McDaniel

Steve Hutchinson

In doing these teams, I try to keep the players in the position that they played on the field. Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson are the two best guards in Vikings franchise history. Both played left guard. I can’t leave either off this team. I just can’t. On this team, Hutchinson flips to the right side. The best right guard in Vikings franchise history? That would be Ed White. 

Center

Mick Tingelhoff

Defense

Defensive Ends

Carl Eller

Chris Doleman

Jared Allen

Just picking the team’s Hall of Famers is lazy. If I had to go with only two? Today, the choice is probably Carl Eller and Jared Allen.

Defensive Tackles

Alan Page

John Randle

Alan Page and John Randle are the best defensive tackles in franchise history. Kevin Williams was damn great as well. They all played essentially the same position. If I were to put a run-stuffing nose tackle-type player on this team, then there’s a difficult debate. Henry Thomas, Pat Williams, and Linval Joseph. I’d probably have them in that order. When Joseph was on a roll, he’s an easy choice. He had the highest ceiling. Unfortunately, injuries often kept him from sustaining that ceiling level of play. 

Linebackers

Matt Blair

Eric Kendricks

Anthony Barr

It’s tough to leave out Chad Greenway, Jeff Siemon, and any of the Vikings first great trio of Wally Hilgenberg, Lonnie Warwick and Roy Winston. 

Cornerbacks

Antoine Winfield

Bobby Bryant 

Antoine Winfield is easy. The second corner spot comes down to Bobby Bryant, Carl Lee, and Xavier Rhodes. Maybe Nate Wright as well. Today, the choice is Bobby Bryant. His long, underrated career finally earned him a spiffy purple jacket and a spot in the team’s Ring of Honor. If Rhodes had played his entire career like he played for his 2-3 peak years, he’d be the easy choice to line up opposite Winfield. 

Safeties

Paul Krause

Harrison Smith

Not having Joey Browner on this team is a crime. In terms of skill/ability/talent, Harrison Smith and Browner are probably the best safeties in franchise history. Paul Krause intercepted an NFL record 81 passes. On a list of league records least likely to be broken, that’s at the top. He has to be on this team. So does Smith. 

Special Teams

Kicker

Ryan Longwell

Punter

Chris Kluwe

Kick Returner

Cordarrelle Patterson

Punt Returner

Marcus Sherels

Special Teams

Joey Browner

Joey Browner first made his mark on special teams. At least, it gets him on this team. He’s one of the greatest players in franchise history. 

Minnesota Vikings Coaches

The Minnesota Vikings are enjoying their Week 6 bye. While it’s a little early for a bye, the Vikings do have some injured players that could use the time to get healthy for the run through the rest of the season. An NFL bye week is a fine time to look at a team’s roster. If one were to look at the Vikings coaches, they’d find that there’s been a change since the group was finalized early in the offseason. 

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Assistant Head Coach: Frank Smith

Offensive Coordinator: Wes Phillips

Defensive Coordinator: Brian Flores

Special Teams Coordinator: Matt Daniels

Offense:

QBs/Pass Game Coordinator: Josh McCown

Assistant QB/Pass Game Specialist: Jordan Traylor

Assistant Offensive Coordinator: Chris O’Hara

RBs/Run Game Coordinator: Curtis Modkins

Receivers: Keenan McCardell

Assistant Receivers: Derron Montgomery

TEs/Pass Game Management Coordinator: Ryan Cordell

Offensive Line: Keith Carter

Assistant Offensive Line: Derek Warehime

Offensive Quality Control: Kyle Caskey

Offensive Assistant: Ben Ellefson

Assistant to the Head Coach: Henry Schneider IV

Defense:

DL/Run Game Coordinator: Ryan Nielsen

Assistant Defensive Line: Patrick Hill

Outside LBs: Thad Bogardus

Inside LBs/Senior Defensive Assistant: Mike Siravo 

Assistant LBs: Dalmin Gibson

DBs/Pass Game Coordinator: Gerald Alexander

Assistant DBs: Chenzo Funari

Defensive Assistant: Charlie Frye

Defensive Assistant: Will Johnson

Defensive Assistant: Bobby McCain

Special Teams:

Assistant Special Teams: Chili Davis

***

My peculiar Vikings curiosity forces me to regularly check the coaches page on the team’s website through the season. Often it’s a quick look while I’m already on the site checking the player roster. During one of those recent checks, I discovered that Bobby McCain is listed among the Vikings coaches. The former defensive back last played for the Vikings in 2024. He hasn’t played since. After a 10-year NFL career, he’s apparently not done with the game. Along with former receiver Trishton Jackson, McCain joined the Vikings coaches during this past training camp as participants in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program. Kevin O’Connell has often expressed a passion for helping players transition from playing to after-playing. It appears the Vikings liked what they saw in the coaching potential of McCain. I’m not sure why McCain joining the Vikings coaches came without an announcement of some sort. Maybe, I just missed it. This reminds me of the coaching evolution of former tight end Ben Ellefson. He was a player in 2022 and a coach in 2023 with no mention of the move. The transition was actually somewhat mysterious. For months, maybe even a year, Ellefson had no picture on the website’s coaching roster. These player-to-coach transitions happen often but the lack of attention is a little surprising. These days, everything seems to get attention. I guess an NFL team’s new offensive or defensive assistant somehow isn’t attention-worthy. Anyway, welcome, again, to the Vikings, Bobby McCain.