*** OFFICIAL*** Minnesota Vikings offseason thread (1 Viewer)

[snogger]

Monday is it.. either a lot of us will or :(And right now it is truley 50/50 :(

So if this thing goes sideways Monday and doesn't pass, what are the odds that the team actually leaves? I mean, will that really be the end or will this thing get resolved next year when these don't have to worry about re-election?

My feelings from what I've read and listened to is if they don't vote to build the Stadium, the phone calls the Wilfs have been ignoring will start getting answered.Be it either to sell the team to someone who wants to move it, or move it themselves.If they don't vote to build it I fully expect that the team will at least file the paperwork in February 2013 to relocate. It may end up being a situation just like Houston.. NO,No,NO!! to a stadium until the team actually files the paperwork and then please stay.. we passed the bill! Which will be too little to late. I hope they pass the bill, or that I am wrong about what will happen.. No Vikings to cheer for will be a :( time for quite some time.

 

[griff321]

Monday is it.. either a lot of us will or :(And right now it is truley 50/50 :(

So if this thing goes sideways Monday and doesn't pass, what are the odds that the team actually leaves? I mean, will that really be the end or will this thing get resolved next year when these don't have to worry about re-election?

My feelings from what I've read and listened to is if they don't vote to build the Stadium, the phone calls the Wilfs have been ignoring will start getting answered.Be it either to sell the team to someone who wants to move it, or move it themselves.If they don't vote to build it I fully expect that the team will at least file the paperwork in February 2013 to relocate. It may end up being a situation just like Houston.. NO,No,NO!! to a stadium until the team actually files the paperwork and then please stay.. we passed the bill! Which will be too little to late. I hope they pass the bill, or that I am wrong about what will happen.. No Vikings to cheer for will be a :( time for quite some time.

I don't know if I'd ever watch football again, who the hell do you cheer for? The Packers!? I feel dirty for even thinking about it.

 

[datonn]

I don't know if I'd ever watch football again, who the hell do you cheer for? The Packers!? I feel dirty for even thinking about it.

Steelers, for me. Always been my "mistress" in comparison to my NFL "wife." I think if a deal does get done, the State should place some gi-normous conditions on what is passed:

1. The Vikings agree that for the next fifty (50) years, there will be zero talk of a new stadium, and no threat of relocation. And if the team pulls a "Cleveland Browns" and packs the trucks for Baltimore (LA), whomever owns the team at that time owes the State 100% of all of the public money associated with the new stadium's construction, plus interest, plus some type of hefty penalty on top of it all. Basically, make it a poison bill that the NFL as a whole could not comfortably swallow. Much less any single owner.

2. The Vikings also agree that for the next fifty (50) years, the team's Training Camp will continue to be held in the State of Minnesota. Doesn't need to be Mankato! Just that Camp needs to take place inside our State boundaries. Might sound trite, but Camp also generates quite a bit of revenue for our State as well.

3. The NFL guarantees that Minnesota will host at least two (2) Super Bowls in the new facility during that same 50 year period.

4. For the next fifty (50) years, the State of Minnesota and/or its citizens have first right to purchase the franchise over any other potential suitor. Think Obama and Big-Auto in Detroit. As if the NFL is such a great, profitable business, why not give the State the opportunity to own an asset that will make Joe Six-pack's tax burden a bit less?

#4 is probably not feasible (or maybe even legal?). But I'd stick to my guns on #s 1 and 2. No handshake agreement either. Get Pope Goodell to sign the agreement as well, acknowledging how deep of a cut it would leave for the next owner(s) of the team to be crying about not enough luxury suites or VIP lounges come 2030-2035. And they will...since as long as professional sports franchises can extort "protection money" out of the cities/counties/States they are located in, they'd be crazy not to.

 

[RandyDB]

I think if a deal does get done, the State should place some gi-normous conditions on what is passed:

1. The Vikings agree that for the next fifty (50) years, there will be zero talk of a new stadium, and no threat of relocation. And if the team pulls a "Cleveland Browns" and packs the trucks for Baltimore (LA), whomever owns the team at that time owes the State 100% of all of the public money associated with the new stadium's construction, plus interest, plus some type of hefty penalty on top of it all. Basically, make it a poison bill that the NFL as a whole could not comfortably swallow. Much less any single owner.

2. The Vikings also agree that for the next fifty (50) years, the team's Training Camp will continue to be held in the State of Minnesota. Doesn't need to be Mankato! Just that Camp needs to take place inside our State boundaries. Might sound trite, but Camp also generates quite a bit of revenue for our State as well.

3. The NFL guarantees that Minnesota will host at least two (2) Super Bowls in the new facility during that same 50 year period.

4. For the next fifty (50) years, the State of Minnesota and/or its citizens have first right to purchase the franchise over any other potential suitor. Think Obama and Big-Auto in Detroit. As if the NFL is such a great, profitable business, why not give the State the opportunity to own an asset that will make Joe Six-pack's tax burden a bit less?

#4 is probably not feasible (or maybe even legal?). But I'd stick to my guns on #s 1 and 2. No handshake agreement either. Get Pope Goodell to sign the agreement as well, acknowledging how deep of a cut it would leave for the next owner(s) of the team to be crying about not enough luxury suites or VIP lounges come 2030-2035. And they will...since as long as professional sports franchises can extort "protection money" out of the cities/counties/States they are located in, they'd be crazy not to.

If there is anything the Vikings can take from this process, it is that they will NEED to start making noises about a new stadium in 2030-2035 if they want one by 2065.I think if a deal does get done, the Vikings should still notify the NFL of their intent to relocate unless the state will

agree to assure the Vikings that a new facility will remain in the top 50% of NFL facilities for the next 50 years

in terms of seating capacity, luxury suite/VIP lounge income, locker room amenities etc.

 

[griff321]

I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NERVOUS!

 

[SWC]

even though i egg folks on in this thread and wish that minny would actually be turned into a giant bass fishin lake i hope that you guys win the vote and get the new stadium because otherwise i will only have the bears thread to post in and those guys are too busy eating sausages and drniking crappy beer to ever really post much so keep it real today and good luck and i wish you best even though i cannot believ i am saying htat

 

[Red Forman]

Ask Norm Green what happend to him when the North Stars left.. He's one sorry ### clown.

 

[jason12vb]

Monday is it.. either a lot of us will or :(And right now it is truley 50/50 :(

So if this thing goes sideways Monday and doesn't pass, what are the odds that the team actually leaves? I mean, will that really be the end or will this thing get resolved next year when these don't have to worry about re-election?

If the Vikings leave it will be a sad day and a hard first few seasons...but I'll still be a Vikings fan. To me, Wilf has shown both the desire to stay and willingness pay what's necessary to build a contender. The politicians of this state are to blame in my mind. There may not be solid proof that a positive economical impact would be had by helping a team build a new stadium, but I refuse to believe that the effects of losing an NFL team will benefit the state more helping them build.

 

[Herb]

I don't know if I'd ever watch football again, who the hell do you cheer for? The Packers!? I feel dirty for even thinking about it.

Absolutely not. I've been on the west coast long enough that it's the 49ers and Chargers, but they aren't me real loves. And even if the Vikes move out to LA, I'll be done with them. The rotten thing is, they'll probably win or at least go to a SB within the first 5-7 years of the move. Houston, Cleveland, and the 2 LA teams all did...So when does this vote happen anyway?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

So when does this vote happen anyway?

Last I heard it was going to be around 2:00.If it goes the way of "No", I'll revert to being a Broncos fan. Elway was my favorite player when I was growing up.

 

[Jobber]

So when does this vote happen anyway?

Last I heard it was going to be around 2:00.If it goes the way of "No", I'll revert to being a Broncos fan. Elway was my favorite player when I was growing up.

It the Vikings end up moving, I'll revert to a college only fan. F the NFL.

 

[RustyFA4]

If it is no it will be a very sad day. My wife is a huge Denver fan so I will cheer for them until innesota gets a team back. And they will. Minnesota is a cash cow rotor the league. We will get a team within 5years but it won't be the same. The politians know voting no will make them lose their jobs. I cannot see a no vote.

 

[sports_fan]

Vikings stadium up for House vote (live video)

 

[snogger]

So when does this vote happen anyway?

Last I heard it was going to be around 2:00.If it goes the way of "No", I'll revert to being a Broncos fan. Elway was my favorite player when I was growing up.

The Minnesota House of Representatives is debating the Vikings stadium bill. The House vote may not come until after midnight, and a Senate vote would come after on a separate version of the bill. Watch live video of the debate here.

Guess most of us won't know until we wake up tomorrow..

 

[snogger]

It took every ounce of energy I had not to go off on a on someone just now... Walking down the hallway at work I hear this statement:Lady to co-worker

Voting yes to build the stadium is telling kids that watching Football is more important then education

You ignorant..... bleep.. bleep. bleep. bleep.. bleeppppppppppI shall now take 3 deep breaths before I get a time out.. Thank you for listening /end

 

[Phil Elliott]

Watching the live debate. I moved to Texas from Minnesohta about 12 year ago. Enjoy listening to the accent, hey? I do hope they build a new stadium. A story being told about gambling addiction being tied to a home foreclosure....I wonder how many people will be out of work if they move the team? They seem to be trying to get a prerfect funding mechanism....at some point they need to move on if they think the stadium should be built.

 

[griff321]

It took every ounce of energy I had not to go off on a on someone just now... Walking down the hallway at work I hear this statement:Lady to co-worker

Voting yes to build the stadium is telling kids that watching Football is more important then education

You ignorant..... bleep.. bleep. bleep. bleep.. bleeppppppppppI shall now take 3 deep breaths before I get a time out.. Thank you for listening /end

Right, because before we had stadium problems we never had problems finding a solution to education funding. The sad part is a lot follow the same stupid, "we can just take the stadium money and give it to the schools then the schools will be set..because children are our future" bull#### logic.

 

[Herb]

Been listening to PA, Reusse and Barreiro online most of the day to keep up. WTF with the amendment changing the funding structure? Approx $100MM less public contribution, $100MM more team contri? More power to the people of MN if this flies, but will the Vikes be OK with it? Sounds like some political shenanigans going on, where the Vikes get a raw deal and leave but the politicos can say "well we passed the funding and those gosh darn greedy Vikes wanted more" to save their own sorry behinds.

Am I way off base on this? I hope so...

 

[Phil Elliott]

Been listening to PA, Reusse and Barreiro online most of the day to keep up. WTF with the amendment changing the funding structure? Approx $100MM less public contribution, $100MM more team contri? More power to the people of MN if this flies, but will the Vikes be OK with it? Sounds like some political shenanigans going on, where the Vikes get a raw deal and leave but the politicos can say "well we passed the funding and those gosh darn greedy Vikes wanted more" to save their own sorry behinds.

Am I way off base on this? I hope so...

This question was just just brought up in the debate....

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with the changing in funding. I used to work with Pat Garafolo, the guy that introduced the amendment to cut the State's contribution.

 

[datonn]

If there is anything the Vikings can take from this process, it is that they will NEED to start making noises about a new stadium in 2030-2035 if they want one by 2065.I think if a deal does get done, the Vikings should still notify the NFL of their intent to relocate unless the state willagree to assure the Vikings that a new facility will remain in the top 50% of NFL facilities for the next 50 yearsin terms of seating capacity, luxury suite/VIP lounge income, locker room amenities etc.

The adult in me hopes the State of Minnesota can be the first State in a long time to tell a professional sports franchise "F### you!" when it comes to building palaces for billionaires so that millionaires can blow all their coin and declare bankruptcy within 15-20 years of their playing careers ending. And not only issue the "F### you," but also immediately file an anti-trust lawsuit that challenges the monopoly/monopolistic competition that the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, et al seem to enjoy.The fan in me hopes the State of Minnesota passes legislation and builds them a stadium. Period.Ask me every 30 minutes whether the adult in me or the fan in me is in charge of ruling my brain...and you'll get about 15-20 different answers each day. I'm just sick and tired of there always being a professional sports franchise (Twins, Wolves, North Stars from year ago, Vikings, et al) saying they'll move if they don't get a nine-figure check from the State. It's just sports...yo! I'll be as sad as the next guy if the Vikings leave. But I'll be even more sad every time I'm losing fillings driving over highways in dire need of repair, and hearing about the hundreds of crumbling bridges around the State, because we were too busy building the next cathedral for us to watch our "gladiators" doing battle. Give the $400-$500 million to the MnSCU system to grow our next generation of scientists/engineers vs. spending hundreds of millions so people can watch millionaires suck ### on the field (also see: Target Field and the Minnesota Twins). Heck, give them a few billion after ceasing the funding of all the U of M's athletic programs too...for similar reasons.

 

[Herb]

Now Longwell is gone

 

[griff321]

Now Longwell is gone

Horrible move.

 

[sports_fan]

Now Longwell is gone

Horrible move.

I didn't see it coming at all. I got the impression Walsh would be primarily a kickoff specialist with the occasional long FG attempt. Looking at his college stats, I have a hard time getting excited about his prospects as the primary kicker. They better at least bring in someone to compete with him.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Anyone watching the vote today on a live stream have a feel for the way it is going to go? Been nervous all day. I live in Jacksonville, FL now so please dont make me have to be a Jaguars fan!

 

[Phil Elliott]

Anyone watching the vote today on a live stream have a feel for the way it is going to go? Been nervous all day. I live in Jacksonville, FL now so please dont make me have to be a Jaguars fan!

I have been a listening a little bit. Bascially sounds like most of them are for the stadium, but p*ssing at each other on how to fund/or not fund it. A few minutes ago there was discussion around being "architecturally significant". I mean, the "moderately priced" Metrodome was architecturally significant - depending on your perspective.

 

[Phil Elliott]

Now Longwell is gone

Horrible move.

I didn't see it coming at all. I got the impression Walsh would be primarily a kickoff specialist with the occasional long FG attempt. Looking at his college stats, I have a hard time getting excited about his prospects as the primary kicker. They better at least bring in someone to compete with him.

The Vikings will now likely give the job to Blair Walsh, the rookie from Georgia that they took in the sixth round of the draft. Walsh connected on just over 50 percent of his field goal attempts as a senior.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Anyone watching the vote today on a live stream have a feel for the way it is going to go? Been nervous all day. I live in Jacksonville, FL now so please dont make me have to be a Jaguars fan!

I have been a listening a little bit. Bascially sounds like most of them are for the stadium, but p*ssing at each other on how to fund/or not fund it. A few minutes ago there was discussion around being "architecturally significant". I mean, the "moderately priced" Metrodome was arthitecurally significant - depending on your perspective.

Thanks for the update Bubba. One of my earliest memories is me playing with my dad in a #28 Ahmad Rashad jersey and a little Vikings helmet with a "Fran Tarkenton" style facemask that I wore everywhere....lol. I would be so upset if they left but my dad would be crushed being a Minnesota native and fan since they were created.

 

[Phil Elliott]

Anyone watching the vote today on a live stream have a feel for the way it is going to go? Been nervous all day. I live in Jacksonville, FL now so please dont make me have to be a Jaguars fan!

I have been a listening a little bit. Bascially sounds like most of them are for the stadium, but p*ssing at each other on how to fund/or not fund it. A few minutes ago there was discussion around being "architecturally significant". I mean, the "moderately priced" Metrodome was arthitecurally significant - depending on your perspective.

Thanks for the update Bubba. One of my earliest memories is me playing with my dad in a #28 Ahmad Rashad jersey and a little Vikings helmet with a "Fran Tarkenton" style facemask that I wore everywhere....lol. I would be so upset if they left but my dad would be crushed being a Minnesota native and fan since they were created.

I remember watching the Vikes at the old Met stadium in December wearing a snowmobile suit and drinking schnapps and hot chocolate. I had two buddies play for the Vikes. The minutia they are talking about with all these amendments should be hammered out in conference committee. One amendment was going to "outlaw" tv blackouts, but only in Minnesota, so the average person paying taxes for this could always watch the game, if they wanted. Then they went into the "real remote areas that don't get tv reception and have to have cable or sat tv. Lets just get'r done! I mean really, they have been debating this for 20 years. That's why McCombs sold the team.

 

[Donnybrook]

Now Longwell is gone

Horrible move.

I didn't see it coming at all. I got the impression Walsh would be primarily a kickoff specialist with the occasional long FG attempt. Looking at his college stats, I have a hard time getting excited about his prospects as the primary kicker. They better at least bring in someone to compete with him.

Too bad. I like Ryan Longwell and I hope he signs with another team outside of the NFC North. It might be an advantage for him to be cut now (rather than later) since it may increase his chance of finding another team.That said, I don't think it would have been wise for the team to use two roster spots on place kickers. Vikings tried adding a kickoff specialist before and found out the extra roster spot was more valuable.

 

[Herb]

Per Paul Charchian from the capitol:

There are 2 additional amendments that have been passed. The first extends the lease on the new stadium from 30 to 40 years. The second states that if the team is sold while there is still debt remaining on the stadium, then a portion of the proceeds of the sale would go toward paying down the remaining debt.

This is an utter joke, right? Are they serious? How in the hell would any team or the NFL itself be OK with this? This legislature will not stop until they destroy all hope of a deal getting done. I'm glad I'm not responsible for voting any of these f---sticks into office, but bummed I won't be a part of canning any of them.

Pathetic.

If anyone belives this still has a chance, will you please just tell me to relax and that I'm being an alarmist?

 

[The Kuhn]

What are the odds that whoever the Jets don't keep between Folk or Brown could come to the Vikings? Both have decent indoor stats.

Incidentally, who was the last rookie kicker that made an impact- or even held the starting job for all his rookie year? I recall Nugent being a big deal out of college but he wasn't great his rookie year...

 

[Donnybrook]

What are the odds that whoever the Jets don't keep between Folk or Brown could come to the Vikings? Both have decent indoor stats.

Incidentally, who was the last rookie kicker that made an impact- or even held the starting job for all his rookie year? I recall Nugent being a big deal out of college but he wasn't great his rookie year...

Mason Crosby and before that Stephen Gostkowski

 

[datonn]

Per Paul Charchian from the capitol:

There are 2 additional amendments that have been passed. The first extends the lease on the new stadium from 30 to 40 years. The second states that if the team is sold while there is still debt remaining on the stadium, then a portion of the proceeds of the sale would go toward paying down the remaining debt.

This is an utter joke, right? Are they serious? How in the hell would any team or the NFL itself be OK with this? This legislature will not stop until they destroy all hope of a deal getting done. I'm glad I'm not responsible for voting any of these f---sticks into office, but bummed I won't be a part of canning any of them.

Pathetic.

If anyone belives this still has a chance, will you please just tell me to relax and that I'm being an alarmist?

FWIW, this is essentially the same provision that the Minnesota Twins signed on to when they got the approval to build Target Field on the NW end of downtown Minneapolis.

 

[Jobber]

Per Paul Charchian from the capitol:

There are 2 additional amendments that have been passed. The first extends the lease on the new stadium from 30 to 40 years. The second states that if the team is sold while there is still debt remaining on the stadium, then a portion of the proceeds of the sale would go toward paying down the remaining debt.

This is an utter joke, right? Are they serious? How in the hell would any team or the NFL itself be OK with this? This legislature will not stop until they destroy all hope of a deal getting done. I'm glad I'm not responsible for voting any of these f---sticks into office, but bummed I won't be a part of canning any of them.

Pathetic.

If anyone belives this still has a chance, will you please just tell me to relax and that I'm being an alarmist?

FWIW, this is essentially the same provision that the Minnesota Twins signed on to when they got the approval to build Target Field on the NW end of downtown Minneapolis.

I'm on board with this piece. Assuming the team being sold thing means moving to another city and leaving MN on the hook to pay for an empty stadium.

 

[datonn]

Vikings amended stadium bill passes the MN State House, 73-58. Now on to the Senate... (ETA watching the hearings live)

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Vikings amended stadium bill passes the MN State House, 73-58. Now on to the Senate... (ETA watching the hearings live)

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

[sports_fan]

So the Senate vote is tomorrow?

 

[sports_fan]

Interesting article. This was posted about a week ago.

About that sixth-round kicker

 

[The Gatekeeper]

So is tomorrow going to be the same all day wait? What is the amount of votes they need tomorrow to pass?

 

[datonn]

So is tomorrow going to be the same all day wait? What is the amount of votes they need tomorrow to pass?

Not sure what the schedule looks like in the MN Senate, Gatekeeper. That, and if the Senate passes a stadium bill, then the House and Senate will need to meet (in committee) to iron-out the differences between the two bills, as-amended, then both the House and Senate will need to vote Aye one more time (on the blended bill) before it's a done deal. So...one important hurdle was cleared tonight, but there are at LEAST five more:1. Senate passing bill.2. House and Senate hammering-out common ground between the two passed bills.3. House passing "blended" bill.4. Senate passing "blended" bill.5. Governor Dayton signing said "blended" bill (which he will not veto).

 

[Herb]

I'm stoked about the passage, but still leery of those amendments and whatever amendments the Senate decides to put forth. Also awaiting a response from the Vikings and the NFL on that extra $100 mill.

 

[Donnybrook]

Bagley: "Regarding the [$105M] ammendment, that is problematic...it is not workable."

 

[Wadsworth]

I'm stoked about the passage, but still leery of those amendments and whatever amendments the Senate decides to put forth. Also awaiting a response from the Vikings and the NFL on that extra $100 mill.

I think you can guess the response from someone who thinks they have a deal negotiated only to have an extra $105m tacked onto their end.

 

[Herb]

Bagley: "Regarding the [$105M] ammendment, that is problematic...it is not workable."

That sounds about right. Keeping my fingers crossed that the Senate and committee can rectify this.

 

[SWC]

guys i heard yuor good news on am radio last night from some guy who is from minnesota and before thenews was talking about how fat people are going to push the surface of america down and make the yellowstone volcano explode and so how fat people were going to blow up america and he said that it would be 15000 times worse than mount saint helans when yellowstone blows up who is that guy that was pretty hilarious stuff and really made my night listening to it crazy stuff anyhow good news for you guys i hope it passes the other house now so take that to the bank brohans

 

[Andy Dufresne]

guys i heard yuor good news on am radio last night from some guy who is from minnesota and before thenews was talking about how fat people are going to push the surface of america down and make the yellowstone volcano explode and so how fat people were going to blow up america and he said that it would be 15000 times worse than mount saint helans when yellowstone blows up who is that guy that was pretty hilarious stuff and really made my night listening to it crazy stuff anyhow good news for you guys i hope it passes the other house now so take that to the bank brohans

Please....please stop.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Hey good morning guys. What's the feel on talk radio and in the papers this morning about the vote today in the Senate?

 

[snogger]

Hey good morning guys. What's the feel on talk radio and in the papers this morning about the vote today in the Senate?

Close call.. My hope/guess is it passes by the slimiest of margins.. Then the bills go to committee who combine the two and the "new" bill will pass without issue.The politicians who are "standing up against this" will use their first vote to tell the public "I tried to stop it". Just have to look at Zeller's comments.. "I will vote against the bill, but hope it passes" to see how they will play both sides.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The actions of both Zellers and Garafolo are seemingly bizzare.

I'll have to ask my state rep buddy what went on behind the scenes when this is all said and done.