1. The Minnesota Vikings have had remarkable run of player (and coaching) stability on defense. When Mike Zimmer was hired as head coach in 2014, he immediately went about fixing a sad sieve of a defense. In that first year, Zimmer inherited Everson Griffen, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, and Andrew Sendejo and added Linval Joseph and Anthony Barr. In 2015, the draft brought Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, and Trae Waynes. Fee agency brought player/coach Terence Newman as a bridge until Waynes was ready. Nickel corner Mackensie Alexander arrived in 2016. These players and a somewhat revolving door of players at three-technique were the Vikings defense for most of the past six years. That sort of player consistency simply doesn't happen in today's NFL. The defensive coaches have had similar stability. The Vikings defense has been one of the league's best since 2015. The defense has had the sort of on-field success that typically leads to other teams swooping in and plucking players and coaches. That didn't happened. The defensive consistency has come to an end. The following won't be back for the 2020 season:
Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Andrew Sendejo
Griffen and Rhodes have yet to sign with a new team. Griffen has publicly said his goodbyes to the team and fans. Until he signs elsewhere, there's always a chance that Rhodes could be brought back. I'm very skeptical of that happening. It's going to be tough to see a Vikings defense without half of the starters that made it great for so long. Griffen, Joseph, and Rhodes are three of my favorites. This sort of player turnover usually takes place over a few years. Seeing it in a single offseason is a rough thing.
2. From NFL Research:
Tom Brady has as many Super Bowl wins (6) as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise has playoff wins (6).
3. Imagine the disbelief if told in 2018 that Bruce Arians would be coaching Tom Brady in 2020. In Tampa Bay.
Ex-Patriots heading to Detroit or Miami:
Jamie Collins, LB
Duron Harmon, S
Danny Shelton, DT
Ted Karras, C
Elandon Roberts, LB
Kyle Van Noy, LB
4. It looks like the Atlanta Falcons' starting offense will boast 10 former first round draft picks:
| QB | Matt Ryan |
| RB | Todd Gurley II |
| WR | Julio Jones |
| WR | Calvin Ridley |
| TE | Hayden Hurst |
| LT | Jake Matthews |
| LG | James Carpenter |
| C | Alex Mack |
| RG | Chris Lindstrom |
| RT | Kaleb McGary |
When the Falcons replace their fullback with a third receiver, they can trot out former Vikings' first round pick Laquon Treadwell.
5. The Seattle Seahawks appear to be quite fond of the players selected at the top of the 2013 NFL Draft. They have employed three of the first five players selected in that draft.
Luke Joeckel (#2)
Dion Jordan (#3)
Ezekiel Ansah (#5)
With the recent signing of Chance Warmack, the Seahawks have now employed half of the top 10 of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Luke Joeckel (#2)
Dion Jordan (#3)
Ezekiel Ansah (#5)
Barkevious Mingo (#6)
Chance Warmack (#10)
and seven of the top 15:
Luke Joeckel (#2)
Dion Jordan (#3)
Ezekiel Ansah (#5)
Barkevious Mingo (#6)
Chance Warmack (#10)
D.J. Fluker (#11)
Sheldon Richardson (#13)
It's surprising that a team would favor the 2013 NFL Draft. Other than Lane Johnson the players selected at the top of that draft failed to provide a sustained impact for any team that employed them. That's why so many of them have been available for the Seahawks to sign. And hope.
6. Stay safe.
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