KAM and KOC Dynamics

You've got it completely the opposite, IMO.

Let's follow the facts. Kevin gushed over Bradbury after he was hired. Talked about scouting him when he was at NC State. A Center known for his athleticism in the run game who everyone can see has short arms and lacks the sand in his pants to hold up in Pass Pro.

And to his credit, Bradbury improved in Pass Pro. And fell off a cliff in run blocking because he's exactly the opposite type of player than what O'Connell needs for his IZB and Gap heavy, interio-focused run scheme. Cleveland is also a terrible fit for that scheme.

Kwesi went and drafted a bigger RG who's biggest strength in college was being one of the best Pass Blockers in probably the best Conference in all of college football. Kwesi let Cook go, an Outside Zone specialist who just didn't have the legs to plow through poorly blocked interior runs, in favor of the more physical but less explosive Mattison, who profiles as a much better fit. Alexander also being better at picking up the blitz than Cook.

Both of those moves signal an intent to give Kevin what he wants to implement his preferred run blocking style while also acknowledging that O'Connell wants to throw the ball a ton. Oliver is the best blocking TE in the NFL. They brought Ham back, whom Kevin spent the offseason saying he would use way more.

Kevin wanted Bradbury back. Likely for that improved pass protection.

Kevin wanted another WR to replace Thielen even though the Defense, especially at Corner and on the Line, had far more pressing needs. If O'Connell is such a great passing game playcaller why not let him roll with the best WR of this generation, a Top 5 TE, adequate complimentary piece on KJ and the promising Nailor? And grab my guy Nacau, whom McVay is already turning into the real deal.

Shoot, spend another pick on a monster truck IOL like Torrence. Nope. Gotta have another shiny toy at WR.

After 2 games where the Vikings near historically bad rushing efforts O'Connell panics and asks Kwesi to bring in Risner and Aikers. Never mind the absolute fact that neither of them fit his running scheme whatsoever. They will undoubtedly help his passing attack when Kevin finally admits to the world that he simply hates running the ball.

Schlottman is Kuper's guy. Probably not in the League if he's not with the Vikings. O'Connell has to have been good with that. Mundt is Kevin's guy. As is Powell. McCardell pounded the table for Nailor.

Flores wanted 6 Safeties so Kwesi got him Ward. He loved Blackmon so they reached for him.

If anything, I see a young GM who is not a Scout that has been all too willing to let his HC tell him who to get on Offense and his DC tell him who to get on Defense. Did Donatell want Cine? That would make sense if he thought Harry was toast. You have to have 2 good Safeties for the Fangio scheme.

Look at the totality of these moves. It's the Coaches getting to bring their castoffs from their previous gigs while getting Draft picks and Free Agents for what they want to run while almost completely ignoring the Interior Trenches on both sides of the ball. Enabled by a GM that isn't capable of saying No.

Interesting take. I assume the organization now figures the g.m. doesn't need to be a scout, especially after watching some of Rick's spectacular fails like overruling his entire scouting department to force-pick Christian Ponder. They did overhaul the scouting staff after the 2022 draft as well. I don't know why they picked Grigson with his rep. I don't know why a baseball analytics guy (Miller) is the power behind the power.

I feel like we don't really know what's going on at TCO at this point because it's so hard to discern a cohesive plan for the future. It's like a bandaid and tape approach, which is sort of how Rick was running things the last few years as well. Maybe ownership is happy with this as long the illusion of competitiveness or the illusion of complexity or whatever illusion they are believing in is working for them. I don't get any sense of a strong direction or growth path, just sort of a jumble of this and that and hope it somehow works. Hope is not a strategy.

I'm not sure you are disagreeing with me entirely - but likely I didn't make my position clear. Mostly, I see a weird dynamic where the HC has more power than the GM. We both see instances where KAM is deferring to KOC on personnel decisions. I thought we were seeing a recent change, but you indicate it may have been happening since those two arrived. Probably so - you make a good point about Bradbury and you have some other examples as well.

It's not clear if you are concerned about this, but the idea of a non-scouting GM surprises and worries me. There should be a balance of power, and that requires the GM have some ability to evaluate talent. Shouldn't the GM be the partner who considers longer-term development of the team? A HC will always want to plug the gaps that are apparent in this season, always draft for the current year (at least until the HC has enough job security to possibly take the long view). The GM should look at salary cap implications next year and beyond, even if it means turning down a FA who fits this year. Maybe he should overrule the HC when he wants a plug-and-play WR and decide we need someone who can bolster one of our lines for several years in the future - even if that player needs a season to grow into the NFL.

Biggest risk in a GM who always takes direction from his current coaches is that we end up with players that are specialists for those coaches' needs. Did we pick Cine for Donatell? Did he also call Booth and Asamoah? That sure screwed us over, because it's more than injury that keeps them off the field now. Blackmon fits the Flores defense; is he out when Flores ultimately leaves? Someone has to say, "No, in this case I prefer a prospect whose skillset can translate to more than just one scheme".

Maybe KOC is so good that he can make all the personnel decisions. There have been coaches who held the GM role as well. But if KAM doesn't know anything about football players and can't evaluate what the coaches and scouts are telling him, what is he here for?

I just disagree here. I think many dont like the path we are going and are scared. Can you really fully rebuild with the talent on this offense? If you are willing to lose JJ then yes go ahead. Any full rebuild would mean trading JJ, which I honestly dont care I have never seen the Vikings go that route so why not try something new. But anyways I think the direction is clear, they are weeding out all the old guys and clearing the books for 24/25. Everything points to drafting a QB early next year or if they love Hall let him go.

I just dont get why everyone's all up in arms with this team. For me this is a win win season. We either compete, or this franchise is going in a new direction in the most important position finally (QB). For me its exciting times, my biggest concern is can KOC be a legit playcaller like McDaniel's or Shanahan. The creativity those guys have is unmatched and we have just as good if not better weapons.

www.youtube.com/live/gGwpdkKwJuc?feature=shared

Judd doesn't think they're necessarily on the same page. Take that for what it's worth.

it's nonsense, but we're bored and disappointed that the team didn't get out of the gates perfectly ,.... so we'll a create a story