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Hey all! Vikings Happy Hour is back and we’re stoked that our first preseason game is just around the corner, but first… Craig Peters, the senior editor for Vikings dot com wrote and published the first unofficial depth chart of the 2022 season. Most of the depth chart isn’t surprising, but there was a word used in an odd and unusual way. There were two positions with a capitalized “OR”. The first one was at quarterback, “Kellen Mond OR Sean Mannion” and at wide receiver, “Trishton Jackson OR Jalen Nailor”. Is this a cut line? Has the team signaled that they are only keeping 2 quarterbacks? Is Jackson ahead of Nailor when Nailor was the draftee? Interesting isn’t it? The Minnesota Vikings will travel to play the Las Vegas Raiders. We don’t know how much the starters will play, or at least key ones like Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. We do know, however, that rookies such as Andrew Booth Jr. and Brian Asamoah will get a sizable chunk of reps. Are they and the other rookies ready for the spotlight? The boys are here and ready to break down everything leading up to the game this weekend. Plus, the hype around Christian Darrisaw and Greg Joseph. If you’re not fully in on Kevin O’Connell, Matt, Ryan, and Dave will explain why you should. So grab your Lake Monster beer and join us! Skol! Discussion topics tonight for episode 059: The first official unofficial depth chart was released by the Vikings. Are you all in on Kevin O Connell yet? You should be. Christian Darrisaw hype 👀 Are you worried we’re jinxing Greg Joseph? Rookie Roundup: any rookies catching your eye? Who/What to watch for in the first Vikings preseason game. Fan with us!!! The regulars: Matt Anderson @MattAnderson_8, Ryan Ortega @sportsguyry, Myles Gorham @MylesGorham85, and Producer Dave @Luft_Krigare enjoying another @LakeMonsterBrew. This is a @Climb_ThePocket & @DailyNorseman production. The show's Twitter handle is @VikingHappyHour. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/fXVub2fSIEk At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're now in week 3 of training camp, and the Minnesota Vikings are preparing to face the Las Vegas Raiders. Tyler has been riled up over fellow writer, Nate Davis of USA Today having the Vikes sitting at #17 on his preseason power rankings. Really?! Tyler and Dave think that ranking is way too low for an offense with such a capable group of weapons and an improved and healthy defense. Does #17 sound right to you? First though, there have been some pleasant surprises in camp so far, and disappointments. Kellen Mond is being given all sorts of opportunities to win the backup quarterback job from Sean Mannion. Kevin O’Connell wants that, but he is still demonstrating the lack of progress needed to secure the job. It is not due to physical abilities, it has to do with his processing and making correct decisions about who to throw to and where to place the ball. This is as the defense rushes and collapses the pocket to get to him for a touch sack. There is hope that with lots of reps in the preseason games, the speed and accuracy of processing will increase. Why, because he’s been sort of unreliable. Do you think he can take that developmental next step? Then this weekend Kevin O'Connell said in his press conference that there is competition at the center position. Why? Because we keep hearing and reading accounts of Garrett Bradbury being manhandled by Harrison Phillips. If Bradbury’s technique doesn’t improve quickly or Chris Reed can’t spin up fast enough to take his place at center, defensive coordinators will target Bradbury to disrupt the Vikings' offense. That is one thing this team can’t afford if it wants to live up to expectations and hype. Will Bradbury get better or lose his starting job for the second time in two years? Show discussion points: - Nate Davis from USA Today has the Vikings at 17th in his power rankings. - Kellen Mond being unreliable. - Garrett Bradbury trying to hold onto the job and O’Connell’s comments. - A brief look at the Vikings at Raiders in preseason game 1. Strap in and join host Tyler Forness and producer Dave live tonight! Fan with us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s production, on the @RealFornoShow, and enjoying an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/I4ngOijAgYQ At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Minnesota Vikings 2022 Training Camp is at the point that the pads are on and the hitting has started. This is so important to determine who can and cannot perform well enough in pads and full contact to make the 2022 team. You can only do so much evaluation in shorts and t-shirts. The O-line and D-line players have the most to prove. It also provides some extra tackling practice, although everyone is aware that tackling should be as safe as possible. Unfortunately, there have been a string of “minor” injuries with one delaying the possible return to the field of Irv Smith Jr. The other one of concern came to Christian Darrisaw who was having an outstanding camp so far. Both injuries provide opportunities for other players to step up and make an impression. We have talked about Kirk Cousins many times before, and will continue to do so. It appears that he has nothing but good news to report this time. This appears to be his most productive camp ever, and he appears relaxed and at the top of his game. Maybe even better. One reason why is that he talked about playing a lot of tennis this offseason. Tennis isn’t one of the games that could help a player beyond cardio, but that doesn’t look to be the case for quarterbacks. We’ll explain why. Darren Campbell and David Stefano are the Two Old Bloggers. Both started their public commentary on the Vikings two decades ago on various blogs. They now do it via live streams on YouTube and Facebook. We appreciate your team fandom and that you take the time to enjoy it with us. Here are the themes for the show: Theme #1: Training camp – the pads come on. Theme #2: At tight end, opportunity knocks as Irv Smith gets injured again. Theme #3: Anyone for tennis? Join us for your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst Two Old Bloggers and join the conversation! Fan with us!!! Come join the @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s blogger show with Darren @KickassblogVike and Dave @Luft_Krigare, and enjoy an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/wOiAEZWt658 At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vikings Happy Hour is open with special guest Eric Eager. You all know that Eric is one of the leading data scientists at Pro Football Focus and also one of the early members at Climbing the Pocket. He will join the crew today to talk about how the Minnesota Vikings can win the NFC North division over the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and the rebuilding Chicago Bears. There should be some interesting theories from the ease of schedule, the best wide receiver corps, going to a "pass first" Kevin O’Connell Los Angeles Rams’ style offense, the defense gelling under Ed Donatell’s Fangio style defense, having a better draft, and last but certainly not least, O’Connell unlocking quarterback Kirk Cousins to get him over the hump to be able to drive the Vikings to January and February wins. Also on the show tonight, the Vikings Happy Hour crew grows as one of the founders of Climbing the Pocket, Myles Gorham joins the hosting team of Matt and Ryan. Welcome Myles to his new show home. Discussion topics tonight for episode 058: Can the Vikings Win the NFC North? It’s Hump Day and Vikings Happy Hour is back with Eric Eager from Pro Football Focus to talk all things Vikings. Rookie Roundup: High Praise for Andrew Booth, what’s a realistic expectation for him this season? What’s your biggest concern for the Vikings this season? How can Kirk Cousins change his narrative? Grab your Lake Monster Beer or Favorite drink of choice as the boys sit down to talk. Like, subscribe, comment, & SKOL Vikings! Fan with us!!! Our guest, Pro Football Focus’ Eric Eager @PFF_Eric. The regulars: Matt Anderson @MattAnderson_8, Ryan Ortega @sportsguyry, Myles Gorham @MylesGorham85, and Producer Dave @Luft_Krigare enjoying another @LakeMonsterBrew. This is a @Climb_ThePocket & @DailyNorseman production. The show's Twitter handle is @VikingHappyHour. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/J1em4kTP-NA At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Training camp is is now started its second week for the Minnesota Vikings and we already have our first controversy. On Saturday's public practice, the Vikings put a message on the video board asking that nobody record practice so their opponents don't gain an advantage. Join Tyler and Dave as they break that down and early thoughts about training camp, including an early frontrunner for Mr. Mankato. - Don’t take videos? - Players are in pads for the first time. - Who is in the running for the Mr. Mankato award? Strap in and join host Tyler Forness and producer Dave live tonight! Fan with us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s production, on the @RealFornoShow, and enjoying an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/DGEY7jxd-UU At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Minnesota Vikings 2022 Training Camp is underway in preparation for the season. Darren and Dave will look into the happenings of the week and who has shown potential to win spots as starters and on the team. They are still in shorts and shells and won’t wear full pads until Monday. There is still a lot to see and we thank our favorite local beat writers for helping us take it all in. Position battles and rookies have us loving it! The biggest controversy came out this week when GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gave an interview to USA Today’s Jori Epstein. He talked about the one spot you really get nervous about during a rebuild is the quarterback position. Obviously, you have to get that right no matter what team, what GM or Head Coach. Elite QBs have a better chance of making the Super Bowl but they are rare. He gave Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes as examples. But what about Kirk Cousins? The Vikingsphere, especially on Twitter and Reddit, went wild over that one. Was Kwesi wrong? The Pro Football Hall of Fame snubbed Jim Marshall yet again. Unfortunately for Vikings fans and especially the older crowd that remember watching him dominate along with the rest of the Purple People Eaters, it came as another disappointment. Will he ever get in? Also, we would like to extend our congratulations to Jared Allen for being inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor. The Vikings legend not only leads the team in single season sacks, but with his master mullet and gregarious nature is a huge fan and team favorite. We hope he ends up right next to Kevin Willians so they can continue side by side like they are in our memories. Darren Campbell and David Stefano are the Two Old Bloggers. Both started their public commentary on the Vikings two decades ago on various blogs. They now do it via live streams on YouTube and Facebook. We appreciate your team fandom and that you take the time to enjoy it with us. Here are the themes for the show: Theme #1: Training camp gets rolling Theme #2: When your GM admits you aren’t elite Theme #3: Jim Marshall Hall of Fame snub …again Join us for your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst Two Old Bloggers and join the conversation! Fan with us!!! Come join the @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s blogger show with Darren @KickassblogVike and Dave @Luft_Krigare, and enjoy an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/rISvn6Wb7C8 At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vikings Happy Hour is back! And we’re excited for a new season with our awesome fans! Join us as Matt and Ryan talk about the start of the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp. All the players have reported and some had their moment with the press today. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell had theirs yesterday. It is a pleasure to see drills happening this afternoon in this early acclimation period of camp. Is this a team to sleep on? Most non-Vikings football fans and media think so. Do you like that underdog role for the team? Does this team embrace that? Can they change that narrative? Tune in to find out! Discussion topics tonight for episode 057: - Are the Vikings being slept on? - Who has the most to prove this Training Camp? - What are you looking for from Training Camp? - Favorite Training Camp moments? Grab your Lake Monster Beer or beverage of choice and join us for a fun show! SKOL Vikings! Fan with us!!! The regulars: Matt Anderson @MattAnderson_8, Ryan Ortega @sportsguyry, and Producer Dave @Luft_Krigare enjoying another @LakeMonsterBrew. This is a @Climb_ThePocket & @DailyNorseman production. The show's Twitter handle is @VikingHappyHour. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/5U3Y-aqMBPQ At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writing Their Story: The 2022 Minnesota Vikings Training Camp officially kicked off yesterday, Sunday, July 24th. All the rookies and some select vets have reported. The rest of the veterans will report on Wednesday. There will be some overarching storylines that will develop and intertwine as the players work to make the squad, and then to win games in hopes of the ultimate goal. For most that means a Super Bowl championship. - Can Kirk Cousins rise above his mid-pack ranking? - Who is the newest guy? Shaun Beyer, a tight end from the Denver Broncos’ 2021 practice squad was signed. - Who are the players that you are excited to see? Strap in and join host Tyler Forness and producer Dave live tonight! Fan with us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s production, on the @RealFornoShow, and enjoying an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/Lyo3Y7jDJm8 At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Minnesota Vikings are on the eve of starting training camp. It is the day before Vikings training camp and Darren and Dave are excited to dive into it with this primer. What you need to know and why you need to know it. The rookies report tomorrow and some like Lewis Cine, Ed Ingram, and even Andrew Booth have a chance to start their careers by earning starting jobs. We’ll look at the team’s depth chart by position group. Where there are questions, discuss who should backup who or who can win starting positions. Then get to the backup quarterback position. Kirk Cousins has never suffered a major injury and rarely gets hurt. However, if that luck changes, the fate of the Vikings resides as of now in Sean Mannion’s or Kellen Mond’s hands. Can the newly hired coaches bring out the best in either, especially Mond? Join the conversation. Darren Campbell and David Stefano are the Two Old Bloggers. Both started their public commentary on the Vikings two decades ago on various blogs. They now do it via live streams on YouTube and Facebook. We appreciate your team fandom and that you take the time to enjoy it with us. Here are the themes for the show: Theme #1 - Rookies report tomorrow Theme #2 - Projected depth chart Theme #3 – Backup QB Situation Join us for your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst Two Old Bloggers and join the conversation! Fan with us!!! Come join the @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s blogger show with Darren @KickassblogVike and Dave @Luft_Krigare, and enjoy an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. #Vikings #2OB #GMG #CTP #LakeMonsterBrew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On tonight’s episode of The Real Forno Show, the last one before the Minnesota Vikings training camp kicks off! With a new coaching staff and front office coming in, there are a lot of intriguing things to look at. Over the course of tonight’s episode, myself and producer Dave will be looking into just that. -Can Kevin O’Connell take Kirk Cousins to a new level? -What does the running back room look like behind Dalvin Cook? -WR depth after Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Does KJ Osborn lock down WR3? Can Ihmir Smith-Marsette step up? -What ends up being the starting five on opening day? Does Garrett Bradbury get overtaken at center? Who wins the right guard job? -EDGE depth will be fun to watch. Patrick Jones II, DJ Wonnum and Janarius Robinson are the three competing for that EDGE 3 spot. -Who is the third starter along the DL? Watts? Lynch? Otomewo? -The top three linebackers are set with Eric Kendricks, Jordan Hicks and Brian Asamoah. Who gets the guaranteed fourth spot? Surratt? Lynch? Dye? Connelly? -The cornerback room has some talent now, but how does the order shake up? -Will Lewis Cine be the day one starter or does that go to de facto incumbent Cam Bynum? Strap in and join host Tyler Forness and producer Dave live tonight! Fan with us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s production, on the @RealFornoShow, and enjoying an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/_YxxZgifgmg At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to Purple Monday! On tonight’s episode of The Real Forno Show, join host Tyler Forness and producer Dave as they discuss some loose ends before the beginning of the Minnesota Vikings training camp! -Betting lines for the Vikings -Props to pay attention to -Viewer questions We will also be talking to Tyler about his new Substack called the Run N Shooter! Join us tonight at 8 central for a rousing good time. Strap in and join host Tyler Forness and producer Dave live tonight! __________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the show here: https://youtu.be/TyMUtUIOLkk At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can the Minnesota Vikings’ new defensive scheme under Ed Donatell get back to a place where it is consistently stout against the run? Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed a young Harrison Phillips to answer that. “Horrible Harry” as he is known is coming off his rookie contract and hitting free agency. The big plug in the middle should be hitting his prime with the Vikings much like Lineal Joseph and Pat Williams did years before him. Can he uphold that standard that both of them created and continue to be that immovable object in the middle and stop the run? That’s the idea! The roster is full right now as everyone finishes their vacations and is prepping for training camp at the end of the month. We all know the team will have just over a month to decide on who will be on the final 53. Darren saw what Kevin Seifert of ESPN wrote and wants to see if we agree. Will you? Who will be cut, especially knowing that the new regime heading up the Vikings has no ties to them other than to provide them the best opportunity for a free and fair evaluation since they took over? Can those 3rd rounders from last year get a chance to prove themselves, or will they be passed by Kwesi’s and Kevin O’Connell’s draftees from this year’s class? As most Vikings fans know, especially those of us with a grey hair or two, the one Purple People Eater that has yet to make the Hall of Fame has made the finalist list of 25 players to be selected for the class of ’23. Is 2023 the year that the great Jim Marshall gets finally selected? Oh, we hope so! You can join us in discussing why he deserves to be there. Will he make it? Darren Campbell and David Stefano are the Two Old Bloggers. Both started their public commentary on the Vikings two decades ago on various blogs. They now do it via live streams on YouTube and Facebook. We appreciate your team fandom and that you take the time to enjoy it with us. Here are the themes for the show: Theme #1 – Can Harrison Phillips fix the Vikings run defense all by himself? Theme #2 – Projecting the Vikings roster in 2022 Theme #3 – Is 2023 Jim Marshall’s year? Join us for your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst Two Old Bloggers and join the conversation! Fan with us!!! Come join the @Climb_ThePocket ’s & @DailyNorseman’s blogger show with Darren @KickassblogVike and Dave @Luft_Krigare, and enjoy an OUTSTANDING brew from @LakeMonsterBrew. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/climbingthepocket Watch the live show here: https://youtu.be/nxUqJ8P3-HE At Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbingthepocket/ https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman/ For your beer and food needs: https://www.lakemonsterbrewing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices