Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings' concern level at each position group on defense | Sporting News
The Minnesota Vikings were really good on defense in the 2023 season.
They went from 31st in total defense to 17th along with being 13th in scoring defense. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been a revelation for the defense in maximizing the depleted roster.
Even with the holes, there is still a lot to like. They made some major additions to the roster on defense this offseason, especially at edge rusher and linebacker. Those moves will end up making things a little bit easier for the Vikings to take a step forward.
Even with the optimism, there are still some reasons to be concerned. How much should we be concerned at each position on defense?
Vikings’ concern level at each defensive position
Edge rusher: 3/10
The Vikings finally feel like they have quality depth at edge rusher for the first time in a while. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are going to be not just dependable as the starters, but it will also allow rookie Dallas Turner to grow and develop. With Van Ginkel still nursing a foot injury going into mandatory minicamp, it gives Turner a lot of extra valuable reps.
The back end of the room also has really intriguing players. Pat Jones II is a quality EDGE4 and both Andre Carter II and Gabriel Murphy have some really intriguing potential. The only thing that would derail this group is injuries.
Defensive line: 10/10
This is a five-alarm fire for the Vikings. It was so rough last year that defensive coordinator Brian Flores used a lot of three edge rusher and seven defensive back sets. That could be the case again this year. Greenard has the length to play a 4i/5T which will make a difference but only Harrison Phillips is a good player.
Outside of Phillips, it’s brutal. Jerry Tillery is a former first-round pick who hasn’t done anything of note in his career. Jonathan Bullard is a fine but rotational player at this point in his career. The one thing that looks intriguing is Jaquelin Roy in year two. He was a fifth-round pick in 2023 but was projected at one point to be a first round pick.
This is going to be a major point of emphasis in the 2025 offseason but it could end up being the reason the Vikings don’t have much success in 2024.
Inside linebacker: 5/10
This is a solid group! Blake Cashman provides you the do-it-all linebacker that the Vikings needed so much last season. It also allows Ivan Pace Jr., who was a revelation as a rookie, to focus more on the things that make him such a unique and talented player.
The intrigue is with the depth. Brian Asamoah II is a major wild card. He struggles with being consistent as a tackler despite being very explosive as a defender. Kamu Grugier-Hill is a special teamer at this point in his career. That could leave a spot open for an intriguing rookie UDFA in either Dallas Gant or Bo Richter.
Cornerback: 8/10
This is so high not because of the talent in the room, but because there isn’t any true consistency. The only reliable player has been Byron Murphy Jr. Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans and Andrew Booth Jr. have varying levels of consistency but it’s been rough at times with all of them. Khyree Jackson and Shaquill Griffin are both intriguing additions to the room, but it desperately needs someone to step up and be either an alpha or just consistent.
Safety: 3/10
Let’s be real. This is the best safety room in the National Football League. Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus and Harrison Smith are a great trio. They all played over 90% of the snaps in 2023 and thrived in doing so.
Theo Jackson and Jay Ward are also really talented players who have potential and the former seems to be playing well by all accounts. Then you have Lewis Cine, who has all the talent in the world but hasn’t been able to put it together and could end up being cut or traded this August.
Make sure to check out our home page every day for the best and latest Minnesota Vikings news and analysis.
Minnesota
Minnesota weather: Rain and storms possible late Thursday
Minnesota weather forecast. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Most of Minnesota will be under a marginal risk of severe weather on Thursday, with rain and rumbles expected.
Thursday weather forecast
Local perspective:
A line of storms is expected to develop in west-southwest Minnesota on Thursday and grow in coverage as well as intensity tracking east into the early evening.
Large hail and damaging winds are the prevalent threats, but an isolated tornado is also possible along the line.
Isolated showers are expected to form in the western part of Minnesota on Thursday morning.
Rain chances in the Twin Cities area increase in the afternoon, as a line pushes through with possible thunderstorms.
Stay Sky Aware with FOX 9 for the latest.
The Source: This story uses information from the FOX 9 weather forecast.
Minnesota
TikToker’s ban from St. Paul parks lifted after appeal, agent says
A TikTok creator is no longer banned from parks in St. Paul, Minnesota, after appealing the city’s restriction, according to his agent.
St. Paul Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rodriguez earlier this month accused Josh Liljenquist of going to Pig’s Eye Park to “harass, record and profit from vulnerable adults residing there without said individuals’ permission.” Liljenquist, who is known for giving away food and cash in his videos, denied the allegation.
On Wednesday, Liljenquist’s agent shared a new letter from the city.
“Based on an evaluation of the facts of this situation as they were relayed during your appeal meeting, I will be rescinding your ban from our parks, effective immediately,” the letter from Rodriguez read.
Rodriguez also wrote the city expects “all residents and visitors to our parks to abide by the rules.”
“Our responsibility is to ensure park spaces remain safe, respectful, and accessible for all, and we appreciate your partnership in that effort,” the letter read.
Liljenquist told WCCO he has only recorded at Pig’s Eye Park once, and it was with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office’s consent. He said he and his videographer always get consent from individuals they film, too.
Local organizations that work with people experiencing homelessness are split on Liljenquist’s impact. Sue Phillips, director of the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing, said his content “is exploiting people experiencing homelessness/housing instability.” Feeding St. Paul founder Michael Brendale, on the other hand, said, “Josh has changed many lives, taken people off the streets.”
Liljenquist told WCCO he films his efforts instead of making them private in hopes of “inspiring other people to do it, showing that it doesn’t take a lot of money, it doesn’t take a lot of resources to go out there and do something for somebody.”
Minnesota
5 tornadoes confirmed in Friday’s outbreak in southeastern Minnesota
The National Weather Service confirmed that at least five tornadoes touched down in southeastern Minnesota on Friday, including four that hit Olmsted County. At least another three twisters were confirmed in southwestern Wisconsin.
The NWS was still analyzing data and other information to determine if more tornadoes occurred in the area.
The storms started Friday afternoon, with the first tornado touching down north of Sargeant in Mower County around 1:45 p.m. The short-lived EF0, with top wind speeds of 80 mph, traveled about 3 miles northeast into rural Dodge County near the unincorporated town of Oslo. It lasted for about five minutes in total, the weather service says, and caused minor damage to a grain silo before dissipating.
A new tornado formed a few minutes later, less than a mile away south of Oslo. The storm was also considered an EF0, with wind speeds around 80 mph. Lasting less than 10 minutes, it traveled 4 miles into Olmsted County, causing light damage to farm outbuildings and trees.
The line of storms seemed to pick up intensity as it entered Olmsted County.
Around 2:17 p.m., the EF2 tornado that would later hit Marion Township first touched down just northeast of Stewartville. The weather service estimates that the twister had wind speeds of about 130 mph and traveled nearly 10 miles northeast, before dissipating around 2:31 p.m. Multiple homes were severely damaged with roof removal and partially collapsed exterior walls.
An EF1 tornado was also confirmed to have hit near Potsdam around 2:30 p.m.
The first portion of the tornado was weak, the weather service said, with mainly EF0 damage. On the second portion of the 12-mile track, the tornado intensified to produce approximately 100 mph winds with tree and farm outbuilding damage. It lifted around 2:54 p.m.
A second EF2 tornado was confirmed in Olmsted County around 2:46 p.m. about 5 miles east-northeast of Viola and traveled about 7.5 miles, ending in Wabasha County, a few miles south of Plainview, around 3 p.m. Maximum wind speeds were around 125 mph. The storm affected mainly rural areas and damaged trees and outbuildings. One farmhouse lost a roof and a garage roof, the weather service said.
No injuries were reported in the Minnesota-Wisconsin outbreak.
Friday was a historic day for the NWS La Crosse office, which issued 26 tornado warnings – the most for any one day since the office opened in 1995.
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