Flea Flicker All-Time Super Bowl Team

Here's a Flea Flicker look at the best football players to play in the Super Bowl.

Quarterback
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Super Bowls: XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII

Running Backs
Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowls: IX, X, XIII, XIV

Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowls: XXVII, XXVIII, XXX

Wide Receivers
Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowls: IX, X, XIII, XIV

Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers/Oakland Raiders
Super Bowls: XXIII, XXIV, XXIX, XXXVII

Tight End 
Jay Novacek, Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowls: XXVII, XXVIII, XXX

Tackles
Forrest Gregg, Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowls: I, II, VI

Art Shell, Oakland Raiders
Super Bowls: XI, XV

Guards
Jerry Kramer. Green Bay Packers
Super Bowls: I, II

Gene Upshaw, Oakland Raiders
Super Bowls: XI, XV

Center
Mike Webster, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowls: IX, X, XIII, XIV

Defensive End
Reggie White, Green Bay Packers
Super Bowls: XXXI, XXXII

Justin Tuck, New York Giants
Super Bowls: XLII, XLVI

Defensive Tackle
Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowls: IX, X, XIII, XIV

Randy White, Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowls: X, XII, XIII

Linebackers
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants
Super Bowls: XXI, XXV

Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowls: IX, X, XIII, XIV

Jack Ham, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowls: IX, X, XIII, XIV

Cornerbacks
Mel Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowls: IX, X, XIII, XIV

Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowls: XXIX, XXX

Safeties
Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowls: XVI, XIX, XXII, XXIV

Jake Scott, Miami Dolphins
Super Bowls: VI, VII, VIII

Kicker
Adam Vinatieri, New England Patriots/Indianapolis Colts
Super Bowls: XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLI

Punter
Ray Guy, Oakland/LA Raiders
Super Bowls: XI, XV, XVIII

Returner
Desmond Howard, Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl: XXXI

Coach
Bill Belichick, New England Patiots
Super Bowls: XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII

Vikings Offensive Coordinator Search

The Minnesota Vikings 2017 offensive coordinator was Pat Shurmur. He did such a fine job that he's now the head coach of the New York Giants. So the Vikings have to find a new offensive coordinator. Head coach Mike Zimmer has been inviting potential candidates to his Kentucky ranch for interviews. To date, the interviews reportedly number four.

Vikings quarterback coach Kevin Stefanski
Former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell
Texans quarterback coach Sean Ryan
Saints assistant head coach/tight end coach Dan Campbell

Campbell will be the last to interview and he's scheduled to meet with Zimmer today. CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported over the weekend that the Vikings expect to make decision early this week. That would mean that the decision could come today or  possibly tomorrow and that those four are the candidates.

Stefanski has been with the Vikings since 2006 and is surprisingly the most tenured coach on the staff. He came in with Brad Childress and has survived two head coach changes. He's moved up through the Vikings offensive coaching ranks with stints coaching tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks. He's earned a shot and he's ready. Rumor has it that he might move on to the Giants as Shurmur's OC if he doesn't get the Vikings job.

Bevell is the only one of the four candidates that has experience calling plays. He was the Vikings OC under Childress before he moved on to the Seahawks. It might a little bit of "been there, done that" but Bevell being the Vikings next OC doesn't really sit well with me.

Ryan is at a similar point in his coaching career as Stefanski even though he's been working at it eight years longer. He coached at the college level from 1998-2006. He coached receivers and quarterbacks with the Giants from 2007-15. He coached the receivers on the 2011 Super Bowl team. He coached the Texans receivers in 2016 and quarterbacks last year. Like Stefanski, he's earned a shot to run an offense.

Campbell played for the Cowboys while Zimmer was the defensive coordinator from 2003-05. While it might feel like he's more experienced than relative youngsters Stefanski and Ryan he really isn't. Campbell is actually the least experienced of the candidates. He's only been coaching since 2010. He spent some time as the Miami Dolphins interim head coach in 2015 so he's better known than the anonymous position coaches. He was considered for the Dolphins permanent head coaching job that went to Adam Gase in 2016.

My guess is that Stefanski gets the job. I think that he's ready to lead the offense and I really like that he's worked his way up with the Vikings. By all accounts he's established solid connections with the players that he's coached and that he's considered a rising offensive coach in league circles. No one knows how adept a coach will be at calling plays until he actually does it in game conditions. It's up to Zimmer to decide whether Stefanski is ready to make that leap.

Pro Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl has it's critics but those people simply take the game too seriously. It was never meant to be a real game. It's an exhibition game. The players are there to have fun. There was a time when there was greater effort, especially on tackles, but those times are long gone. The running game is basically a wash as the ball carrier is essentially held up enough to trigger a quick whistle. Having fun and coming out of the game healthy are the priority. It's a glorified scrimmage, a passing contest, an exhibition game. It's a fun exhibition game. It's fun to see the best players in the game, even though many skip it due to injury and Super Bowl obligations, having fun on a football field. It's fun to see these football players one more time without the tension of a game that matters.

Yesterday's Pro Bowl was even more fun than most. The AFC edged the NFC 24-23 on a Derek Carr to Delanie Walker touchdown toss with less than two minutes to play. The NFC led throughout and the AFC had to chip away at the lead in the second half. Walker took home the Offensive Player of the Game award for scoring two touchdowns. Von Miller spent most of the second half in the NFC backfield and took home the Defensive Player of the Game award. It often didn't look like the NFC pass protectors were prepared for Miller's effort late in the game. Receivers TY Hilton (98 yards) and Jarvis Landry (78 yards) would also have been fine choices for Offensive hardware.

The Minnesota Vikings had five players in the game.

Adam Thielen, WR
Kyle Rudolph, TE
Linval Joseph, DT
Xavier Rhodes, CB
Harrison Smith, S

Thielen opened the scoring when he caught an eight-yard throw from Drew Brees. Rudolph was moving the chains all game with seven catches for 70 yards. Smith had the game's splashiest play when he intercepted Ben Roesthlisberger and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown. That put the NFC up 17-3 halfway through the second quarter. Rhodes had a nice deflection of a pass intended for Antonio Brown. Joseph simply clogged up the middle on the few runs that the AFC attempted (12 for 17 yards).

This year's Pro Bowl was a fun game. A fun exhibition. It was also more fun to watch five Viking players play well in a game that didn't mean anything than watch the entire team not play well in a game that meant something.

Super Bowl Dining

Super Bowl LII is one week from today. The menu for the food that will be served at US Bank Stadium was unveiled last week. It isn't typical game fare. It's something else.

AFC-NFC TRIBUTE SANDWICHES

New England Clam Roll* | Kettle chip-crusted fried clams, house tartar sauce, shredded lettuce, griddled roll | House Divided – Section 118

South Philly Roast Pork Sandwich* | Italian roast park, sautéed broccoli rabe, sharp provolone, hoagie roll | House Divided – Section 118

GENERAL CONCESSIONS

Compostable bag of peanuts*

612 Burger | Brisket-chuck blend, sriracha mayo, sharp American cheese, peppadew and gherkin pickle | 612 Burger Kitchen – Sections 143, 339

Smoked Turkey Leg | State Fair Favorites – Section 114

Pork Chop on a Stick | State Fair Favorites – Section 114

BBQ Loaded Potato | Brisket, cheddar, bacon and scallions | State Fair Favorites – Section 114

Cookie Dough Cone | Chocolate chip and double chocolate lava, whipped cream | State Fair Favorites – Section 114

Espresso Ala Mode* | French vanilla ice cream, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, espresso sauce | Bubble Waffle – Section 111

Blue Unicorn* | Blue Moon ice cream, Fruity Pebbles, strawberries, sprinkles, bubble gum sauce, whipped cream | Bubble Waffle – Section 111

Mac N Cheese* | Chipotle chicken, Three cheeses (goat, boursin with herb, white American), Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Cool Ranch Doritos | Sections 116, 310, 337

CULINARY PARTNERS

Andrew Zimmern

Northwoods Porketta Sandwich | Fennel marinated pork shoulder, arugula, lemon, aged provolone, broccoli rabe | Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen | Section 121/Suites

Creamy Frozen Hot Chocolate | Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen | Section 121/Suites

Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone

Smoked Pork Belly Sandwich* | Mustard BBQ sauce, pickles, slaw and Texas Toast | Revival – Section 111

Hush Puppies* | Roasted jalapeño and cheddar, Revival house hot sauce | Revival – Section 111

Matt Bickford

Sloppy Chicken Nachos | Nacho chicken, fried corn tortillas, smoked cheddar fondue, pickled jalapeños, cilantro | Twin Cities Foodie – Section 101 

Shawn Smalley

Jerk Bacon Sammie | Horseradish coleslaw, Hawaiian Sweet Bun | Twin Cities Foodie – Section 101

Tammy Wong

Lemongrass Chicken Meatball | Tempura-battered chicken, hoisin sauce, onion-red pepper mint relish | Twin Cities Foodie – Section 101

LOCAL RESTAURANTS & BUSINESSES

The Stackwich | Lettuce, tomato, onion, roasted turkey, cranberry wild rice bread, garlic aioli, bacon jam, house chips | Be Graceful Bakery & Catering – Section 328

Blue Moon Bacon Cheese Curds | Curds N Cakes – Section 114

Ike’s Roadhouse Sloppy Joe* | All-beef Sloppy Joe, onions, peppers, spices, Kaiser roll and house chips | Ike’s Foods & Cocktails – Sections 119, 329

Dry-Rubbed Smoked Pork Tips w/BBQ Sauce | Lola’s Café – Section 334

Sota Dog* | Vienna all-beef hot dog, tater tots, chive sour cream, paprika, poppy seed bun | Prairie Dogs – Section 122

2-Minute Drill Dog* | Bacon, buffalo ketchup, blue cheese, diced celery, ranch | Prairie Dogs – Section 122

Fried Chicken Taco Trio | Crispy chicken, jalapeno ranch cabbage slaw, cilantro | R Taco – Section 310

Rusty Taco | Anchiote pork, pineapple relish, onion, cilantro | R Taco – Section 310

Assorted T-Rex Cookies | T-Rex Cookies | Hyundai, Medtronic and FMP Clubs

Candy-Coated Nuts | A Peace of Cake | Hyundai, Medtronic and FMP Clubs

Assorted Truffles | Just Truffles | Hyundai, Medtronic and FMP Clubs

Cashew Brittle | Thomasina’s Cashew Brittle | Hyundai, Medtronic and FMP Clubs

Assorted Fine Candies | Chocolat Celeste | Suites

CLUBS

Walleye Chowder* | Potatoes, wild rice, vermouth, dill, sourdough roll | Hyundai and FMP Clubs

Kramarczuk’s Wild Rice Bratwurst* | caramelized onions, lingonberry chutney | Hyundai, Medtronic and FMP Clubs

Braised Short-Rib Sandwich* | Pancetta, arugula, smoked tomatoes, pickled red onions, roasted garlic and cheddar, griddled potato roll, house chips | Hyundai, Medtronic and FMP Clubs

HEAD-TO-HEAD SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

The Wicked Red (AFC)* | Cranberry juice, rum, blueberry | House Divided – Section 118

Midnight Green Punch (NFC)* | Vodka, sour apple, lemon-lime soda | House Divided – Section 118

The only thing missing is the Minnesota Vikings playing in the game. 

Where do you start? I'd have to start with the Walleye Chowder. Then I'd crush one of those Braised Short-Rib Sandwich. From there, who knows? Gotta try it all. The food is reason enough to spend thousands to go to the game. 

NFL Jersey Sales

To pass the time until tomorrow's Pro Bowl and next week's Super Bowl here are the Top-30 Jersey Sales of 2017.

30. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
29. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
28. Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
27. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
26. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
25. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
24. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
23. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
22. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
21. Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
20. DeShaun Watson, Houston Texans
19. Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
18. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
17. Von Miller, Denver Broncos
16. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
15. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
14. Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders
13. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
12. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
11. Odell Beckhman, Jr., New York Giants
10. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
9. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
8. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
7. Alejandro Villanueva, Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
5. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
4. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
1. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

One of the amazing things about these lists is that Tom Brady is always near the top of them. Doesn't every New England Patriots fan already have at least one? They must have at least one for damn near every occasion.

It's remarkable that Pittsburgh Steelers players make up 20% of the Top-30 and that an offensive lineman is one of them.

I expect that Jimmy Garoppolo is going to sore to the top of this list in the offseason. Fans are going to love this kid in the Bay Area. Actually, they already do. I can't immediately recall a fan base coming off a six-win season more thrilled about a quarterback with a fistful of starts.

Adam Thielen. I just wanted to end this little pre-Pro Bowl, pre-Super Bowl break with Adam Thielen. He sure had a fun season. Except for that last game, so did the Vikings.

Final Pro Bowl Rosters

In an effort to possibly boost interest in the Pro Bowl the NFL has been going with a schedule that calls for the game to be played the week before the Super Bowl. With that schedule several players can't play in the Pro Bowl because they're playing in the Super Bowl. Those players have to be replaced. Add those replacements to the usual injury replacements and the league has to rifle through a bunch of players to come up with two 44-man all-star rosters. Here are those rosters.

AFC

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Oakland

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh

Alex Smith, Kansas City

Running Backs

Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City

LeSean McCoy, Buffalo

Receivers

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis

Jarvis Landry, Miami

Fullback

Roosevelt Nix, Pittsburgh

Tight Ends

Jack Doyle, Indianapolis

Delanie Walker, Tennessee

Tackles

Taylor Lewan, Tennessee

Russell Okung, Los Angeles Chargers

Alejandro Villanueva, Pittsburgh

Guards

David DeCastro, Pittsburgh

Richie Incognito, Buffalo

Kelechi Osemele, Oakland

Centers

Rodney Hudson, Oakland

Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh

Defensive Ends

Cameron Hayward, Pittsburgh

Melvin Ingram, Los Angeles Chargers

Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville

Defensive Tackles

Geno Atkins, Cincinnati

Jurrell Casey, Tennessee

Malik Jackson, Jacksonville

Outside Linebackers

Von Miller, Denver

Telvin Smith, Jacksonville

Terrell Suggs, Baltimore

Inside Linebackers

C.J. Mosley, Baltimore

Joe Schobert, Cleveland

Cornerbacks

A.J. Bouye, Jacksonville

Casey Hayward, Los Angeles Chargers

Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville

Aqib Talib, Denver

Free Safety

Eric Weddle, Baltimore

Strong Safety

Kevin Byard, Tennessee

Reshad Jones, Miami

Punter

Brett Kern, Tennessee

Kicker

Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh

Long Snapper

Clark Harris, Cincinnati

Returner

Tyreek Hill, Kansas City

Special Teamer

Brynden Trawick, Tennessee

NFC

Quarterbacks
Drew Brees, New Orleans
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Russell Wilson, Seattle

Running Backs
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
Mark Ingram, New Orleans
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans

Receivers
Davante Adams, Green Bay
Doug Baldwin, Seattle
Adam Thielen, Minnesota
Michael Thomas, New Orleans

Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco

Tight Ends
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota
Jason Witten, Dallas

Tackles
Duane Brown, Seattle
Joe Staley, San Francisco
Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams

Guards
T.J. Lang, Detroit
Trai Turner, Carolina
Larry Warford, New Orleans

Centers
Travis Frederick, Dallas
Alex Mack, Atlanta

Defensive Ends
Michael Bennett, Seattle
Cameron Jordan, New Orleans
Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas

Defensive Tackles
Mike Daniels, Green Bay
Linval Joseph, Minnesota
Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay

Outside Linebackers
Thomas Davis, Carolina
Chandler Jones, Arizona
Ryan Kerrigan, Washington

Inside Linebackers
Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay
Deion Jones, Atlanta

Cornerbacks
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans
Patrick Peterson, Arizona
Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota
Darius Slay, Detroit

Free Safety
Earl Thomas, Seattle

Strong Safety
Keanu Neal, Atlanta
Harrison Smith, Minnesota

Punter
Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams

Kicker
Graham Gano, Carolina

Long Snapper
Jake McQuaide, Los Angeles Rams

Returner
Pharoh Cooper, Los Angeles Rams

Special Teamer
Budda Baker, Arizona

***

I've always been puzzled by the presence of a single free safety on the Pro Bowl roster. It's been the case for a few years and it's always struck me as stupid. Fullback is the only other position with no backup and that position has become less prominent with each passing season. 

There were 35 changes to the original Pro Bowl rosters

1. Doug Baldwin-Larry Fitzgerald

2. Melvin Ingram-Joe Bosa

3. Jarvis Landry-DeAndre Hopkins

4. Mike Daniels-Aaron Donald

5. Andrew Whitworth-Trent Williams

6. T.Y. Hilton-A.J. Green

7. Graham Gano-Greg Zuerlein

8. Trai Turner-Zack Martin

9. Alex Smith-Philip Rivers

10. Joe Schobert-Ryan Shazier

11. Davante Adams-Julio Jones

12. Deion Jones-Luke Kuechley

13. Kwon Alexander-Bobby Wagner

14. Cameron Hayward-Khalil Mack

15. Delanie Walker-Travis Kelce

16. T.J. Lang-Brandon Scherff

17. Jack Doyle-Rob Gronkowski

18. Kevin Byard-Micah Hyde

19. Brynden Trawick-Matthew Slater

20. Roosevelt Nix-James Develin

21. Russell Okung-Donald Penn

22. Jared Goff-Carson Wentz

23. Derek Carr-Tom Brady

24. Jason Whitten-Zach Ertz

25. Kyle Rudloph-Jimmy Graham

26. Joe Staley-Tyron Smith

27. Larry Warford-Brandon Brooks

28. Yannick Ngakoue-Calais Campbell

29. Keanu Neal-Malcolm Jenkins

30. Thomas Davis-Anthony Barr

31. Telvin Smith-Jadeveon Clowney

32. Michael Bennett-Everson Griffen

33. Harrison Smith-Landon Collins

34. Linval Jospeh-Fletcher Cox

35. Duane Brown-Lane Johnson

With all the changes 123 players received Pro Bowl recognition this year. 

Throwback Thursday: John Wooten

This Flea Flicker was originally posted on 3/29/12


One of the most intriguing yet least known football players over the last sixty years has to be John Wooten. I first saw his name popping up while reading about Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown. Fitting, as they've been teammates and life long friends. Some have referred to John Wooten as the "Godfather of the NFL." All of his adult life has been spent in the league and his impact has been remarkable.

Wooten was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1959 NFL Draft out of the University of Colorado. As a guard he helped pave the way for Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly. He spent his final season with the Washington Redskins in 1968. His Browns won the 1964 NFL Championship. Wooten was a talented football player often overshadowed by teammates on terrific Browns teams. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 1965 and 1966 seasons. Jim Brown called him "one of the brightest football players the game has seen." In 2010, Wooten was inducted into the Browns Legends.

While Wooten enjoyed a solid football playing career, his greatest impact on football has been off the playing field. Jim Brown has always carried a strong voice in the treatment and progress of blacks. He has never been afraid to speak his mind. It's in this arena that I really started taking notice of John Wooten's impact on the game and more importantly, society. He was often the action behind Brown's voice. Wooten knew everyone. When you see the iconic photos of Jim Brown meeting with black athletes like Muhamad Ali, Lew Alcindor, Bill Russell, etc. it was often Wooten that got them all together. His voice may not have been as intimidating and as loud as Brown's but it was often as effective, perhaps more so. Wooten got people together and got things moving in the right direction.

After his playing career, Wooten worked in the front offices of the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens. He credits much of his football knowledge to his coach in Cleveland, Paul Brown. That's a good place to start on the field as well as in building a team. Few have ever done it better. Wooten worked for the Cowboys from 1975-91. His best known act is one that's quite painful to a Minnesota Vikings fan like myself. As the Cowboys Director of Pro Scouting he helped put together the Herschel Walker trade. A trade that built a Champion in Dallas and did not in Minnesota. From 1992-98 he worked for the Eagles. He was later part of another championship team in Baltimore. The Ravens are a team with a direct tie to the Cleveland Browns team for which he played.

In 2003, Wooten made a different and greater impact on the game. With Johnnie Cochran, labor attorney Cyrus Mehri and Kellen Winslow, Wooten was instrumental in the formation of the Fritz Pollard Alliance. Named for the pioneering Hall of Fame football player and coach of the 1920s. Their objective was promoting diversity and equality in the NFL's hiring practices. As chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, Wooten worked closely with the NFL decision makers. His work with Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney resulted in the Rooney Rule. NFL teams now have to interview at least one minority for any head coaching vacancy. NFL Executive Vice President for Football Operations Ray Anderson acknowledged Wooten and Rooney as "two gentleman who have made more of a difference for the cause of equal opportunity and diversity in the NFL than anyone that has graced our business." John Wooten's contributions to the NFL are incredible and lasting. He should be better known for the fine football player that he was and tremendous activist that he's always been.

Top 50 Draft Prospects

The removal of the Minnesota Vikings from the postseason fun has forced me to turn to the 2018 NFL Draft a little sooner than I had dreamed. The draft is fun. The Super Bowl would be more fun.
Anyway, NFL.com/NFL Network/Move the Sticks draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his Top 50 Draft Prospects in advance of the Senior Bowl practices and game.

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
2. Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
3. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
4. Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
5. Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
6. Sam Darnold, QB, USC
7. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
8. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
9. Vita Vea, DT, Washington
10. Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
11. Derwin James, S, Florida State
12. Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
13. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
14. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
15. Derrius Guice, RB, Auburn
16. Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
17. Connor Williams, T, Texas
18. Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
19. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
20. Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
21. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
22. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
23. Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
24. Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
25. James Daniels, C, Iowa
26. Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
27. Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
28. Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
29. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
30. Billy Price, C, Ohio State
31. Orlando Brown, T, Oklahoma
32. Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
33. Arden Key, DE, LSU
34. Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
35. Mike McGlinchey, T, Notre Dame
36. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Iowa
37. Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia
38. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
39. Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College
40. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
41. Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
42. Tyrell Crosby, T, Oregon
43. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
44. Brian O'Neill, T, Pittsburgh
45. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
46. Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
47. Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
48. Martinas Rankin, T, Mississippi State
49. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
50. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn

***

A knee-jerk Minnesota Vikings wish-list would start with the unrealistic.

Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Derwin James, S, Florida State

Seeing as the Vikings have the 30th pick of the first round it would take a serious trade to get either player.

A more realistic Vikings wish-list looks like this.

Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
Arden Key, DE, LSU
Connor Williams, T, Texas
James Daniels, C, Iowa
Billy Price, C, Ohio State
Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia
Mike McGlinchey, T, Notre Dame
Brian O'Neill, T, Pittsburgh
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Iowa

A couple players not among Jeremiah's Top-50 now but probably will be on the next one:

Alex Cappa, T, Humboldt State
Will Hernandez, G, UTEP

Cappa might be the player that intrigues me most right now. His domination of Humboldt State-level opponents is fun offensive line tape-viewing. If he handles the players at the Senior Bowl, and he had a fine start, he could bull his way into the early rounds of the draft. Hernandez is already there.

Minnesota Vikings Roster Moving Forward

This was supposed to be a post about how the Minnesota Vikings roster was put together in advance of their appearance in Super Bowl LII. The Philadelphia Eagles emphatically changed those plans with that 38-7 win in the NFC Championship. The Vikings now enter the 2018 offseason earlier than planned/hoped.

The following are all of the players that ended the season on the Vikings active roster, practice squad, the various injured reserved lists, and signed to futures contracts.

Quarterbacks
Case Keenum
Teddy Bridgewater
Sam Bradford
Kyle Sloter

Running backs
Dalvin Cook
Jerick McKinnon
Latavius Murray
Mack Brown
C.J. Ham-fullback
Bishop Sankey

Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Michael Floyd
Jarius Wright
Stacy Coley

Rodney Adams

Cayleb Jones

Brandon Zylstra

Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Blake Bell
Nick Truesdell

Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Nick Easton
Pat Elflein
Joe Berger
Mike Remmers
Rashod Hill
Jeremiah Sirles
Danny Isidora
Aviante Collins
Cornelius Edison

Dieugot Joseph
Cedrick Lang

Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Tom Johnson
Linval Joseph
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Shamar Stephen
Jaleel Johnson
Stephen Weatherly
Tashawn Bower
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Caushaud Lyons
Dylan Bradley
Sharrif Floyd

Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Ben Gedeon
Emmanuel Lamur
Kentrell Brothers
Eric Wilson
Shaan Washington
Antwione Williams

Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
Tramaine Brock
Horace Richardson

Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Anthony Harris
Jayron Kearse
Jack Tocho

Kicker
Kai Forbath

Punter
Ryan Quigley

Long snapper
Kevin McDermott

Jeff Overbaugh

The Vikings have 14 players that are scheduled to become free agents at the start of 2018 league year:

Case Keenum
Teddy Bridgewater
Sam Bradford
Jerick McKinnon
Joe Berger
Terence Newman
Tom Johnson
Emmauel Lamur
Marcus Sherels
Shamar Stephen
Michael Floyd
Tramaine Brock
Kai Forbath
Bishop Sankey

The Vikings clearly have to make a decision at quarterback. At least one of the above will be on the roster next season. The hope here is that the Vikings can somehow swing keeping Keenum and Bridgewater and let them compete in training camp. Unless Bridgewater's 2017 contract "tolls" over to 2018 (which it seems like it should but sounds like it won't) keeping both quarterbacks isn't a very realistic hope.

Joe Berger is probably going to retire and Terence Newman might consider it. Tom Johnson is 33 and still playing well. Perhaps with fewer snaps he'll continue to play well. Jerick McKinnon will back up Dalvin Cook if he stays in Minnesota. He'll at least look for a more prominent role with another team through free agency. The remaining free agents-to-be should be fairly easy to retain if there's a mutual interest in doing so. 

The Vikings roster is in good shape. The quarterback question is the biggest one of the offseason. Beyond answering that question they need to continue improving the offensive line. They need to improve the depth and strengthen the rotation of the defensive line. The career-threatening/wrecking surgery mishap on defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd's knee was so unfortunate. It would be a huge boost if he could return but that's grows less likely by the day. If they don't get a miraculous return from Floyd the Vikings could use an explosive, penetrating defensive tackle. Perhaps he's on the roster (Jaleel Johnson, Dylan Bradley) or perhaps he comes from the draft. With the possible retirement retirement of Newman the Vikings could use another corner. They could probably use another one even if he returns. A team can never have enough corners.

There's no resting in football. 

What Was That?

It wasn't supposed to end like that.

Who knows if the Minnesota Vikings were still in a daze from their thrilling win last week when they took the field in Philadelphia to face the Eagles this week for the NFC Championship? All of the things that the Vikings did really well this season were absent. They won 14 of 17 games with excellent defense and steady, mistake-free offense. The Vikings defense was absent for nearly all of the 34 minutes that the Eagles offense held the ball. The Vikings offense made three trips to the red zone and didn't score a point. They turned the ball over three times. One of which was returned 50 yards for a score. That was the play that got the Eagles chugging and the Vikings reeling. 38-7! Other than scoring on their opening drive the Vikings really did nothing right. Four football teams played on Championship Sunday. Three of them looked like they really wanted to get to the Super Bowl.

Who knows if the Vikings were looking past the Eagles and toward a Super Bowl that was going to be played in their own stadium? Anything can happen in an NFL playoff game. A win can be assured one moment and it can suddenly become a loss the next. No playoff game is a win before it's played. Despite knowing that more that a little part of me felt that this Vikings team was destined to play in that "home" Super Bowl. I wasn't alone. The entire state of Minnesota was jacked for their team to play in that game. Destiny? Everyone associated with this Vikings team seemed to feel that something would guide them to the big game. So much so that many viewed the Eagles as a mere nuisance. Perhaps the team did as well. I didn't recognize that Vikings defense yesterday.

This game will be tossed into the Viking rubbish bin that holds soul-crushing NFC Championship blowouts. A bin that holds the 23-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in 1977 and the 41-0 no-show to the New York Giants in 2000. This loss might be the toughest because this Vikings team was the most talented. It was the most deserving to be playing for a shot at the Super Bowl. The Vikings have another rubbish bin that holds soul-crushing NFC Championship games of the other sort. The games that they coulda, shoulda, woulda won. 1987, 1998, and 2009. The last six times the Vikings made it this far they didn't get any closer. That has to change.

They have the team that can change it.

The 2017 Minnesota Vikings were a really fun team. A wonderful, entertaining, talented team of fighters. This was a fun season. 13 wins. The thrilling win over the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional round made it 14 wins. That's a strong showing. It's terribly unfortunate that their last game was their worst game.

I can't wait for the 2018 version of the Minnesota Vikings.

Flea Flicker Conference Predictions

And then there were four. The Conference Championships are today.

AFC Championship

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots
Pick: Patriots
It's tough to pick against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in any postseason games. It's even tougher to pick against them against a team with so little experience in big games. The Jaguars defense is loaded with talent but they've been torched by the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers in the past month.

NFC Championship

Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Vikings
Case Keenum and Nick Foles. Who would've thought that these two quarterbacks would be leading their respective teams to the Conference Championship? And one of them leading their team to the Super Bowl. I like the chances of Keenum getting something going against the Eagles excellent defense more than Foles getting something going against the Vikings excellent defense. The Vikings can't repeat the second half mistakes that allowed the New Orleans Saints to get back in last week's Division round game. My poor heart can't take another finish like that one.

Leaving Early

The NFL announced on Friday the list of players that have been granted special eligibility for the 2018 NFL Draft. These are the players that have yet to graduate but are giving the NFL a shot. The announced list also includes the players that have college eligibility remaining but have graduated and are now eligible for the draft.

A record 106 players were granted special early eligibility. The previous record was 98 in 2014.

The players granted special eligibility for the 2018 NFL Draft:

» Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
» Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, DE, Toledo
» Jaire Alexander, DB, Louisville
» Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
» Dorance Armstrong, DE, Kansas
» Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
» Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
» Jessie Bates, DB, Wake Forest
» Orlando Brown, T, Oklahoma
» Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
» Deontay Burnett, WR, USC
» Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
» Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida
» Geron Christian, T, Louisville
» Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana
» Keke Coutee, WR, Texas Tech
» Vosean Crumbie, DB, Nevada
» J.J. Dallas, DB, Louisiana-Monroe
» James Daniels, C, Iowa
» Sam Darnold, QB, USC
» Carlton Davis, DB, Auburn
» Michael Dickson, P, Texas
» Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
» DeShon Elliott, DB, Texas
» Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
» Matt Fleming, WR, Benedictine
» Nick Gates, T, Nebraska
» Rashaan Gaulden, DB, Tennessee
» Frank Ginda, LB, San Jose State
» Rasheem Green, DT, USC
» Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
» Ronnie Harrison, DB, Alabama
» Quadree Henderson, WR, Pittsburgh
» Holton Hill, DB, Texas
» Nyheim Hines, RB, NC State
» Jeff Holland, LB, Auburn
» Mike Hughes, DB UCF
» Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
» Joel Iyiegbuniwe, LB, Western Kentucky
» Ryan Izzo, TE, FSU
» Donte Jackson, DB, LSU
» J.C. Jackson, DB, Maryland
» Josh Jackson, DB, Iowa
» Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
» Derwin James, DB, FSU
» Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee
» Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
» Courtel Jenkins, DT, Miami
» Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
» Ronald Jones, RB, USC
» John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
» Arden Key, LB, LSU
» Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
» Du'Vonta Lampkin, DT, Oklahoma
» Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA
» Chase Litton, QB, Marshall
» Tavares Martin, WR, Washington State
» Hercules Mata'afa, DE, Washington State
» Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Clemson
» Tarvarus McFadden, DB, Florida State
» R.J. McIntosh, DT, Miami
» Reginald McKenzie, DT, Tennessee
» Quenton Meeks, DB, Stanford
» Kolton Miller, T, UCLA
» D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
» Ryan Nall, RB, Oregon State
» Nick Nelson, DB, Wisconsin
» Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami
» Isaiah Oliver, DB, Colorado
» Dwayne Orso-Bacchus, T, Oklahoma
» Da'Ron Payne, NT, Alabama
» Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn
» Eddy Pineiro, K, Florida
» Trey Quinn, WR, SMU
» D.J. Reed, DB, Kansas State
» Justin Reid, DB, Stanford
» Will Richardson, T, NC State
» Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
» Austin Roberts, TE, UCLA
» Korey Robertson, WR, Southern Miss
» Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
» Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
» Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford
» Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech
» Andre Smith, LB, UNC
» Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
» Van Smith, DB, Clemson
» Breeland Speaks, DE, Ole Miss
» Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
» Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State
» Auden Tate, WR, Florida State
» Maea Teuhema, T, Southeastern Louisiana
» Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia
» Kevin Toliver, DB, LSU
» Travonte Valentine, NT, LSU
» Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
» Vita Vea, NT, Washington
» Mark Walton, RB, Miami
» Denzel Ward, DB, Ohio State
» Chris Warren, RB, Texas
» Toby Weathersby, T, LSU
» Jordan Whitehead, DB, Pittsburgh
» JoJo Wicker, DT, Arizona State
» Jalen Wilkerson, DE, Florida State
» Connor Williams, T, Texas
» Eddy Wilson, DT, Purdue

The following 13 players have in timely fashion under NFL rules officially notified the league office that they have fulfilled their degree requirements. Consequently, they are eligible for selection:

» Jordan Akins, TE, UCF
» Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
» Kyle Allen, QB, Houston
» Will Clapp, C, LSU
» Terrell Edmunds, DB, Virginia Tech
» Taylor Hearn, G, Clemson
» Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
» Sam Jones, G, Arizona State
» Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
» Brian O'Neill, T, Pittsburgh
» Christian Sam, LB, Arizona State
» Tre'Quan Smith, WR, UCF
» Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

The following players inquired about their draft status and are eligible for selection without the need for special eligibility:

» Juante Baldwin, DB, Pittsburg State
» Tanner Lee, QB, Nebraska
» Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
» Byron Pringle, WR, Kansas State

***

Best of luck to all of the players looking to continue their football-playing dream. Very long-time draft analyst Gil Brandt noted that at least 50 of the above players won't be drafted in April. The odds of making it in the NFL are always long. They are even more so for many of the players that leave college with eligibility remaining.

Larry Catches Footballs

Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been one of the my favorite football players to watch. From Pitt to Arizona, he's been a blast. I dread the day that he's not catching footballs.

The fine folks at Pro Football Journal put together this pass-catching capsule of Larry Fitzgerald.



With Fitzgerald, the viewing of his play is always better than the numbers. When he was paired with Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals were a weekly tutorial on how to catch a football. It was truly beautiful to watch.

To hit the other side of spectrum:
Terrell Owens dropped 17 passes in 2006. He dropped 13 in 2000. In two years, of his 15-year career, Owens dropped more passes than Fitzgerald has dropped in his entire career. Owens dropped 130 passes in his career. When people question Terrell Owens' Pro Football Hall absence I think of the many footballs that he left on the ground as well as the footballs that barely stayed in his hands. His career highlight film is riddled with bobbles, double- and triple-catches. It's actually quite hilarious if you can get away from the tragedy of it all. Catching footballs is the one thing that every receiver has to do. For Owens, it was an every down challenge. For Fitzgerald, it's been beautiful to watch.

Throwback Thursday: African-American Pioneers In Professional Football

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a few days ago but every day is a good day to recognize those that had to fight for the opportunities that should've been freely available to them.

From the Pro Football Hall of Fame website:

African-American Pioneers, Milestones and Firsts

Pre-NFL Years

Charles W. Follis, Halfback, Wooster
Played 1902-06 with the Shelby Athletic Club.
First documented evidence of his playing for pay is for the season of 1904, although recent evidence suggests that the Shelby Athletic Club was professional as early as 1902.

Charles (Doc) Baker, Halfback, no college
Played 1906-08 and 1911 for the Akron Indians

Henry McDonald, Halfback, Canandaigua Academy
Played 1911-17 for the Rochester Jeffersons

Gideon (Charlie) Smith, Tackle, Michigan Agricultural
Played one game (November 28, 1915) for the Canton Bulldogs

1920-1933

Frederick (Fritz) Pollard, Back, Brown |  [HOF Bio>>>]

Played 1919-1921, 1925-26 Akron, 1922 Milwaukee, 1923, 1925 Hammond, 1925 Providence

Robert (Rube) Marshall, End, Minnesota
Played 1919-1921 Rock Island, 1925 Duluth

Paul Robeson, End, Rutgers
Played 1921 Akron, 1922 Milwaukee

Jay (Inky) Williams, End, Brown
Played 1921 Canton, 1921-26 Hammond, 1924 Dayton, 1925 Cleveland

John Shelbourne, Back, Dartmouth
Played 1922 Hammond

Fred (Duke) Slater, Tackle, Iowa
Played 1922 Milwaukee, 1922-25 Rock Island, 1926 Rock Island (AFL), 1926-1931 Chicago Cardinals

James Turner, Back, Northwestern
Played 1923 Milwaukee

Sol Butler, Back, Dubuque
Played 1923 Rock Island, 1923-24, 1926 Hammond, 1924 Akron, 1926 Canton

Dick Hudson, Back, no college
Played 1923 Minneapolis, 1925-26 Hammond

Harold Bradley, Guard, Iowa
Played 1928 Chicago Cardinals

David Myers, Guard/Back, New York University
Played 1930 Staten Island, 1931 Brooklyn

Joe Lillard, Back, Oregon
Played 1932-1933 Chicago Cardinals

Ray Kemp, Tackle, Duquesne
Played 1933 Pittsburgh

1946

Kenny Washington, Halfback, UCLA
Played with San Francisco Clippers (PCPFL) 1944-45. Signed a contract with the Los Angeles Rams on March 21, 1946; played 1946-48 with the Rams

Woody Strode, End, UCLA
Signed a contract with the Los Angeles Rams May 7, 1946. Played with the Rams 1946 only. Played with Calgary Stampeders (WIFU) 1948

Bill Willis, Guard, Ohio State | [HOF Bio>>>]
Signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference on August 6, 1946. Played 1946-1953 with the Browns

Marion Motley, Fullback, South Carolina State; Nevada | [HOF Bio>>>]
Signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference on August 9, 1946. Played 1946-1953 Cleveland Browns, 1955 Pittsburgh Steelers

Firsts by African-Americans in the Modern Era (Post-World War II)

First African-American drafted by an NFL club: George Taliaferro, halfback (Indiana). Picked by the Chicago Bears in the thirteenth round of the 1949 draft but elected to sign with the Los Angeles Dons of the AAFC. Played with the Dons 1949; New York Yanks 1950-51; Dallas 1952; Baltimore 1953-54; Philadelphia 1955

First African-American draftee to play in the NFL: Wally Triplett, halfback (Penn State). Picked by the Detroit Lions in the nineteenth round of the 1949 draft. Played with Detroit 1949-1950; Chicago Cardinals 1952-53

First name star from a predominantly African-American college: Paul (Tank) Younger, fullback-linebacker (Grambling). Los Angeles Rams 1949-1957; Pittsburgh 1958

First African-American quarterback in the NFL: Willie Thrower (Michigan State), Chicago Bears 1953

First African-American official: Burl Toler (San Francisco University), field judge/head linesman, 1965 to 1989

First African-American referree: Johnny Grier (University of D.C.), 1988

First pros from predominantly African-American schools: Ezzret Anderson, end (Kentucky State), Los Angeles Dons (AAFC), 1947; John Brown, center (North Carolina College), Los Angeles Dons (AAFC), 1947; Elmore Harris, halfback (Morgan State), Brooklyn, 1947

First African-American lineman to win all-league honors: AAFC-Bill Willis, guard (Ohio State), Cleveland, 1946; NFL-Bill Willis, guard, Cleveland, 1950

First African-American back to win all-league honors: AAFC-Marion Motley, fullback (South Carolina State; Nevada), Cleveland, 1946; NFL-Marion Motley, fullback, Cleveland, 1950

First African-American to win individual league statistical championship: AAFC-Marion Motley, fullback. Cleveland, 1946 (rushing); NFL-Marion Motley, fullback, Cleveland, 1950 (rushing)

First African-American elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: Emlen Tunnell, defensive back (Iowa), New York Giants 1949-1958, Green Bay 1959-1961: elected 1967

First African-American starting quarterback in a Super Bowl: Doug Williams, Washington Redskins, Super Bowl XXII (following the 1987 season)

First African-American general manager: Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens, 2002

First African-American referree in a Super Bowl: Mike Carey, Super Bowl XLII

Coaching Firsts by African-Americans

First African-American head coach: Fritz Pollard, 1921 Akron, 1925 Hammond

First African-American head coach, modern era: Art Shell, 1989 Los Angeles Raiders

First African-American assistant coach: Lowell Perry, 1957 Pittsburgh Steelers

First African-American head coach to take team to Super Bowl: Lovie Smith, 2006 Chicago Bears; Tony Dungy, 2006 Indianapolis Colts

Inside "Seven Heaven"

ESPN's Kevin Seifert posted a terrific breakdown of the play that saved the Minnesota Vikings season. Buffalo Right Seven Heaven. 

MINNEAPOLIS -- The "Minnesota Miracle" happened on a play called "Seven Heaven." Why do the Minnesota Vikings use that name? Because if the quarterback hits the seven route, a deep corner in this case, well, something heavenly happens.

Stefon Diggs was running the seven route on Sunday night when he caught his miraculous 61-yard touchdown on a heave from Case Keenum that lifted the Vikings to a 29-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints and into the NFC Championship Game. It was third-and-10. The clock showed 10 seconds. The Vikings trailed by one point, had no timeouts remaining and just a 2.6 percent chance to win, according to ESPN's win-probability model.

Here's the story of what happened next -- the first fourth-quarter, walk-off touchdown in NFL playoff history -- as told by the people who lived it on the field:

---

Diggs, Vikings receiver: "Case said, as I was about to leave [the huddle], 'I'm going to give somebody a chance.' That somebody was me."

Adam Thielen, Vikings receiver: "We knew we had some time on the clock. And we knew that all we needed was a field goal. Obviously, we knew it was going to be tough. All they had to do was stay back and not give up the big play."

Sean Payton, Saints coach: "It was an outside zone [defense]. We were protecting the sidelines. Anything inside and you're in a pretty good position when the game is over. It's a situation we practice quite a bit."

Linval Joseph, Vikings defensive lineman: "I was thinking that at best we were going to have to kick the longest field goal in NFL history to win this game."

The Saints rushed four defensive linemen and had seven in coverage.

Cameron Jordan, Saints defensive end: "We had them exactly where we wanted them. As a defensive end and player of my caliber, I should have been able to eradicate that play all together. ... Had I been a half-step faster, I would have been able to get off the tight end and tackle and completely take over that play."

The first two reads were wide receiver Jarius Wright and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Wright: "We are the guys who can actually catch the ball and run out of bounds on that play. We're running more of an out route. Diggs was running a deep corner. He's the big shot on that. We're the catch-and-get-out-of-bounds guys."

Keenum, Vikings quarterback: "I'm not going to say I picked out [Diggs] beforehand. But we needed a big chunk. Thielen was on the backside covered. I had to give a guy a chance. I don't know what the percentage was. I was just trying to give a guy a chance."

Wright: "We practice that play all the time. But the high seven never gets the ball. It has never been thrown to that route, as far as I can remember."

Diggs: "I was thinking, 'Catch it, get out of bounds and maybe kick a field goal.' I took a picture before I turned around to catch the ball. There was only one guy there. If he slipped, then I was going to try to stay up and keep it going."

Joseph: "[Diggs] caught the ball and the safety whiffed -- he missed, whatever you want to call it. He didn't get to the ball."

That safety was Saints rookie Marcus Williams.

Williams: "It was just my play to make. The ball was in the air. I didn't go attack it. And he came down and made a great play, and that's just on me. I just got to be that guy and go up and get the ball. As a safety back there, you got to be the eraser. And that was my job."

Keenum: "I saw [Diggs] go up, and I was like, 'He's got a chance to catch it.' He caught it. Then, 'Oh, he's got a chance to get out of bounds. Get out of bounds!' But he fell kind of back in bounds, away from [Williams], and then he almost fell over. I couldn't believe what was happening. I really couldn't."

Mike Zimmer, Vikings coach: "That didn't look like a curse out there to me. That looked like a Hail Mary."

Diggs: "I was preparing for somebody to contact me so I could go out of bounds, but nobody contacted me. I kind of lost my footing a little bit. I just tried to gather myself with my hand. My hand never let me down. Just tried to gather myself, and the rest is history."

Thielen: "For him to put his hand down and stay up, it was unbelievable."

Payton: "Look, [Williams] jumped and went for the tackle. The call is what we wanted in that situation. The right call."

Marshon Lattimore, Saints cornerback: "All we had to do to end this game if they catch it is tackle them inbounds. They didn't have any timeout. I mean, things happen."

Wright: "I saw the safety miss the tackle. I kind of tripped over the corner [Ken Crawley], who was covering me. Then he was out of the play. He ran to the end zone. Then it was a party. My heart is still pounding."

Diggs: "They all laid on me, and I almost passed out. There were some heavy guys, and I don't weigh that much. I was just trying to catch my breath. But I didn't really think about what happened. I still don't. It's kind of like a storybook ending, and it never ends that way."

Joe Berger, Vikings guard: "I don't usually show a lot of emotion. This one got me crying a little bit. It's incredible. I've played football for a long time. I don't ever remember another one like this. To put so much time and work into something, and it comes down to one play at the end of the game, and for it to go your way, with a couple guys making a play, it's just a great feeling."

Diggs: "I didn't boo-hoo. Teary-eyed a little bit. I'll cry when I'm by myself."

Harrison Smith, Vikings safety: "My next thought was hoping that nobody was getting hurt in the tunnel, because everyone was on top of Stefon. It was kind of mayhem. He was buried for a while. I was hoping he was OK."

Wright: "I went and got the ball for him. He didn't think about it in the emotion. But that's a keepsake. He's going to want that."

Thielen: "I didn't even make it to the end zone, because I couldn't even move. I was just thanking the Lord. That's God's work, for sure. I couldn't move. I was in shock."

Wright: "I've been here six years. Things haven't always gone our way. Things went our way, and it feels so good. We haven't always had the best luck. This time it was us. You take them how you can get them."

Keenum: "Being a kid, growing up, that's what you want to do in the backyard. There's 30 seconds to go, you're down by two, fourth quarter, playoffs. Drew Brees is the quarterback for the other team. That's what you dream about."

NFL Nation reporter Mike Triplett contributed to this story.

***

Vikings fans will always have this play. That's a very good thing. It was a tremendous, franchise-changing, energizing event that miraculously washed away past playoff pain.  It's now Wednesday before the NFC Championship game. It's time to move on to the next big game.