Defensive MVP is I was going to go ahead and do the final question of our series with Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders yesterday Dru Samia Jersey nfl draft , but I didn’t want it to get run over by the news and notes from the All-Important Third Preseason Game鈩? In light of that, and the fact that SLOTERMANIA IS RUNNIN’ WILD, BROTHER, that was probably for the best.But, we do have one more question that I posed to Scott in conjunction with the release of the 2018 Football Outsiders Almanac. We stick with the defensive side of the football, and I ask him a question that we’ve had numerous discussions about in this space before.Sticking with the defense, of all the great players the Vikings have on that side of the football, who is the one player from Mike Zimmer’s defense that they can least afford to lose for a significant period of time, in your opinion?I’ve long maintained that Harrison Smith is the most valuable player in the Minnesota defense, simply because of the versatility that he offers. Said versatility then allows Mike Zimmer and George Edwards to do a lot of different things with the other parts of the defense because they can count on Smith doing his job on pretty much every play.But Scott’s answer of Xavier Rhodes, and the justification behind it, makes a lot of sense. We know that Rhodes is one of the NFL’s top corners, and the Vikings’ #2 corner, Trey Waynes, could probably be a #1 corner on a lot of teams. But if Rhodes were to go out, Waynes moves up to that top corner spot, and then everyone else moves up as well. While Mackensie Alexander has shown some improvement and Mike Hughes has all the talent in the world, they both still carry a lot of question marks.If the Vikings were to lose Smith, they have a lot of solid talent behind him, particularly with the addition of George Iloka. Iloka, Andrew Sendejo, and even Anthony Harris could start on a lot of different NFL teams Ben Gedeon Jersey , and if they had to step in for Smith for an extended period, there would be a slight drop-off, but I don’t think it would cause the sort of ripple effect that an injury to Rhodes might cause.I still think that Harrison Smith is the best player on the Minnesota defense, but the team could probably absorb his loss more easily than they could losing Rhodes for an extended period. Hopefully we won’t have to find out either way.Thanks to Scott Kacsmar for sitting down and taking the time to answer our questions about the 2018 Minnesota Vikings. And, once again, be sure to grab yourself a copy of the Football Outsiders 2018 Almanac for your football reading pleasure. We all survived tax day? No one was trampled trying to make the midnight drop-off at the post office?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsOpen ThreadsTuesday Open Thread: The Morning AfterNew,1042commentsWe all survived tax day? No one was trampled trying to make the midnight drop-off at the post office? CDTShareTweetShareShareTuesday Open Thread: The Morning AfterHappy Tuesday, everyone!In theory, yesterday was the Country’s one paycheck for the entire year. Do you think the White House makes a gigantic WalMart run today? I think most of us had those days in our younger years (or some of you youngens are living those days now) when money is basically non-existent, and the very first thing you did (after buying beer, of course) after you cashed your paycheck (Those of you who are younger won’t know what this is, but we used to receive an actual check........yeah yeah, the paper kind with the long lines covered by scribbling.....and take it to a bank or other sort of financial institution, and give it to them in exchange for money......yeah yeah, the stuff on the greenish paper that has a couple numbers on it and all the illuminati messages and what not) was go straight to Walmart or Kmart and stock up on necessities. Get that all paid for and put away safely at home before venturing to the local watering hole, where that entire paycheck might just get spent that evening. Ah, the good ol’ days, I...........honestly........don’t miss ‘em. Some great memories (or lack thereof), and I’m glad I have......some of them, but I do not miss the headaches.Around the DN since our last open thread:Artistformerlyknownasfil put up a fanpost for all of our Harry Potter Game of Thrones fans out there. MarkSP18 has his latest mock draft prepped and posted for your viewing pleasure. Make sure you ask Mark where he plans to draft a punter, he forgets to do that sometimes, it’s good to remind him.Anthony Harris and Rashod Hill will be back with the team in 2019 Cameron Smith Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , as they both signed their free agent tenders, per Chris.Wludford is taking an in-depth look at how the Vikings have built one of the NFL’s best rosters, and here is part one.Vikings and NFL news from other sources, other sports, and/or oddities in the news:From SkyNews, an illustration of how useful it can be to have DIY skills. A man in Leeds created, then successfully used, an escape route from his home. He did all of this while the police were knocking on his door.Wow, and I was happy when I could swim a mile non-stop. Oil rig workers in Thailand rescued a dog that was stranded in the water and swimming.........136 miles from shore. They shouldn’t need to take the dog out for exercise anytime soon, should be okay for a day or two.Okay, now this is disgusting. At first glance, it’s no big deal, but read it all, if you’re able. Yeah, I know, who cares? Why stockpile them anyway, right? It’s a waste, I agree, but there is more to this story. Much more, once you dig a little. There is a statement, an actual quote, that was made by a government official in explanation for the decision Minnesota Vikings Jerseys 2019 , and I will show it to you....but after giving you fair warning. The quote you will read is not pleasant. It is filthy and bad and just downright icky. If you have young children in the room reading this with you, cover their eyes before reading any further. Okay? Thanks. Those of you with the stomach to handle it can continue. The following words were actually spoken by someone claiming to be a member of this government entity: .............Yes, you read that correctly. “Not essential for life”. Not essential for life? They actually said that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that anyone would make such a ridiclous, irresponsible, and obviously untrue statement. It is beyond reprehensible, and the person making the statement, as well as the news outlet who shared it, should be ashamed. I will remember this ‘Federal Office for National Economic Supply’, and will make sure I NEVER listen to a single word emanating from that filthy pit of filth, lies, and deceit. May God have mercy on their souls.We come to today’s media selection:Speaking of disgusting acts.......Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:No discussion of politics or religionNo feeding of the trollsThis isn’t a male version of The View, so leave the gender hatred at the doorKeep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tagsNo pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employerIf you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go awayWhile navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasmWith that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up and tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, and try the chitlins.