Everson Griffen is going to Dallas after swooping in and beating out Seattle and Minnesota. Let's take a moment to appreciate his legacy and mourn his departure. We can also decide, separately from that, if we agree with the Vikings' decision not to outbid the Cowboys. To cleanse our bitter palates, we can take a look at Vikings RT Brian O'Neill, what he's done so well, how the offense can use that, and what it means for our 2020 expectations.

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Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

Everson Griffen story: https://www.nfl.com/news/cowboys-signing-former-vikings-de-everson-griffen

Brian O'Neill vs. Joey Bosa: https://twitter.com/LukeBraunNFL/status/1293610214965407744

Brian O'Neill vs. Za'darius Smith: https://twitter.com/LukeBraunNFL/status/1293670517589725184

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The market is still flush with talent- who could solve the Vikings' problems? Free Agency is probably going to speed up in the coming days now that the COVID-19 workout restrictions have relaxed. Plus, can we glean anything from all those Justin Jefferson circus catches the Vikings' twitter account is posting? Does that even matter? Does anything?

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The COVID-19 workout plan: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1293316035098152964

The most up-to-date free agent database I could find: https://overthecap.com/free-agency/

Here's a tutorial on how to check your oil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9-YT9RiM84

Justin Jefferson highlight cutup: https://twitter.com/NickOlsonNFL/status/1293029227189673985

Logan Ryan's Weird Safety Post: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1292905776630177808

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What can Kris Boyd be in Minnesota? Starter? Backup? Let's grind some tape. Boyd has a lot of good physical traits and has some pretty great play awareness, especially spatially. But some technique issues produce just a few too many blunders to trust him with a regular role just yet. As a reserve, however, he fits the bill. Plus, some mailbag questions from the listeners. Trade proposals, depth WR talk and predictions on how far the NFL season makes it. Come hang!

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The Kris Boyd Film Thread: https://twitter.com/LukeBraunNFL/status/1292974807948988416

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Over the weekend, the Vikings signed a new linebacker to replace Cameron Smith, who needs open heart surgery. The Vikings also activated Armon Watts off of COVID-19/Reserve, and cut Bralon Addison and Tony Brooks-James to even out the roster. Plus, some discussion on the situation in the NCAA, what's going on over there and how it will affect NFL teams like the Vikings.

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Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings

Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

Cameron Smith news: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/vikings-cameron-smith-open-heart-surgery-issue-positive-covid-19-test

Quentin Poling: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2020/8/8/21360004/minnesota-vikings-quentin-poling-signing-official-waive-tony-brooks-james

Tyler Higby: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2020/8/9/21361104/minnesota-vikings-waive-ol-tyler-higby

The NCAA situation: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29629953/clemson-trevor-lawrence-joins-players-calls-go-forward-football-season

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Gary Kubiak had some interesting things to say about the structure of the offensive line on day one. It's just day one, and a lot can change, though, so it's probably not worth getting too up in arms about it. Also, we finish the 53-man roster prediction. Which corners make it? Who's on the practice squad? Which are protected? Let's lock in the hot takes.

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Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings

Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

Gary Kubiak's full interview: https://www.vikings.com/video/kubiak-details-competitions-along-the-offensive-line-getting-jefferson-caught-up

The O-line as it stands now (best I can guess): https://twitter.com/LukeBraunNFL/status/1291075444863668224

The final roster prediction so you can follow along: https://twitter.com/lukebraunnfl/status/1291252243396616192?s=21

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The PJ Hall thing didn't work out, but I have some scorchers about what will elsewhere. We'll go over the P.J. Hall failed physical as well as the other various roster notes. Most of the show will be about the 53-man roster prediction, focusing on the trenches today. Will Aviante Collins make the team? What do we do with Rashod Hill, or Brett Jones? And on the defensive line, I have hot takes about Armon Watts, Shamar Stephen, D.J. Wonnum and Kenny Willekes. I actually change my mind on stuff in real-time in this episode, so come listen to my process!

Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings

Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

P.J. Hall details: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29597349/vikings-raiders-trade-nixed-pj-hall-fails-physical

Roster roundup: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2020/8/4/21354889/justin-jefferson-brian-cole-ii-activated-covid-19-list-armon-watts-added-minnesota-vikings

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The Raiders were going to expose P.J. Hall to waivers, but the Vikings were willing to spend a conditional 7th to stop that. We'll tell his story, talk about how good he is and why the Raiders gave up on him. Minnesota also took two starters off of COVID-19/Reserve, Quartney Davis passed his physical and is cleared to join operations, but Ben Gedeon has been put on Active/PUP. That puts the Vikings at 82 players, so to get under the NFLPA-recommended 80, they cut Kemon Hall and Davion Davis. Got all that?

Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings

Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

P.J. Hall story: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29587728/raiders-cutting-former-second-round-pick-pj-hall-two-seasons

Hall's journey through Sam Houston: https://foxsanantonio.com/sports/max-sports/former-seguin-standout-pj-hall-headed-to-raiders

All the other transactions: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/08/03/vikings-cut-two-activate-anthony-barr-and-ifeadi-odenigbo/

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Rick Spielman deserves his extension based on the body of work he's put forth since 2012, when he was given full control over the roster (or since 2014 since his fate is tied to Zimmer's anyways). Anthony Barr is on COVID-19/Reserve, Blake Brandel is off of it and Nevelle Clarke is off the Non-football injury reserve and ready to join in the conditioning ramp-up. For most of the show we'll talk about the quarterbacks and skill players and who I think will make the team, working through it in real time.

Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings

Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

Rick's extension: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/08/02/vikings-finalizing-contract-extension-with-rick-spielman/

Anthony Barr: https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-place-anthony-barr-on-reserve-covid-19-list

Blake Brandel is clear: https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/vikings-blake-brandel-cleared-for-action/

Nevelle Clark also clear: https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/vikings-nevelle-clarke-removed-from-nfi-list/

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Ifeadi Odenigbo, Oli Udoh and Cameron Smith are on COVID-19 Reserve. What that means for the roster, and breaking down the whole thing into tiers now that we know who is going to be unavailable at the start.

Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings

Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

Here's the latest on the COVID-19/Reserve list: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29560920/vikings-put-de-ifeadi-odenigbo-covid-reserve-7-players-list

There are five tiers: The Starter tier is for bona fide and unchallenged starters, like Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter. The Competition tier is for players who could feasibly have a good enough camp to earn a starting job, but aren't a shoe in. Think Cameron Dantzler. The Backup tier is for players who probably won't get a starting job, but are all but certain to make the team as a reserve. Think Sean Mannion. The Roster Bubble tier is for players who could make the team, but need to earn it with a good enough camp. Finally, there's the Longshot Tier for players who could make the team, but probably need some outside help, like an injury or unexpected circumstance.

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Dalvin Cook is reporting to camp, Michael Pierce won't play in 2020. What does that mean for the salary cap? What about replacing Pierce? Armon Watts can replace Pierce, and I'll go over the evidence to back that up.

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Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings

Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL

Dalvin Cook's situation: https://theathletic.com/1957722/2020/07/28/dalvin-cook-vikings-training-camp-report-contract-dispute/

Michael Pierce's opt-out: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2020/7/28/21345277/michael-pierce-opt-out-2020-season-minnesota-vikings

Salary Cap implications and how that works: https://zonecoverage.com/2020/minnesota-vikings-news/latest-vikings-news/how-michael-pierces-contract-changes-with-a-2020-opt-out/

The Armon Watts thread: https://twitter.com/LukeBraunNFL/status/1288181324847620096

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