Episode 115

Strong men also cry...strong men also cry THE SHANK AT THE BANK

Hosts	Arif Hasan, James Pogatshnik
Guests	None
Type	Game Review January 2016

Norse Code Episode 115: Strong men also cry...strong men also cry THE SHANK AT THE BANK aired in January 2016 following the Vikings' playoff loss to Seattle.

Overview

Episode 115 covers the aftermath of the Vikings' devastating playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, featuring Blair Walsh's infamous missed field goal. The hosts discuss the painful ending, analyze blame for the loss, and address the team's future through extensive mailbag questions.

Segments

Opening: Listener support and Patreon promotion
Around the Locker Room: Vikings fire OL coach Jeff Davidson, Rams move to LA officially
SEA @ MIN Game Review: Analysis of the playoff loss and the missed field goal
The Blame Game: Discussion of responsibility between Zimmer, Walsh, AP, Locke, and others
Championship Defense: Review of the defensive performance and cornerback play
Historical Context: Ranking this loss among other Vikings heartbreaks
Mailbag: Extensive listener questions about the team's future

Mailbag Questions

Tom Cahill Jones - For those at the game, how long did it take for your tears to freeze?
Iowa Josh - Aren't we all glad we're not the bengals? Their loss was way more horrible. How many games can you win without scoring a TD?
Sean Smith - Beyond big names like Harrison Smith, what players are in need of a new contract. How many years does Rhet Ellison have?
DB_JoshD - Any non-Vikings on FA wish list? Know most re-sign but WR Jeffrey, S George Iloka, and OGs Brandon Brooks or K.Osemele on mine
Joe Treutline - Would it be wise to cut Wallace/Kalil, trade AP for picks, freeing 33mil cap space resulting in 57mil total?
Sean Smith - Norv Turner is back (probably), but Zimmer clearly sees the issues with the offense. Do you see them changing up their attack?
Tony Wenham - since zim has been hired the main draft focus has been defense. Do you see this year being almost exclusively offense?
Kyle Johnson - What has George Stewart accomplished with Vikings? Only good receiver seasons under him were with Favre. Has had talent.
Vikings Fan 280 - Do you think Jerick McKinnon will see a significant increase in touches on earlier downs in 2016?
Tommy Gunn - What trends did we see that bode well for the team in the future? Trends that bode ill?
Nathan - could US Bank be a disadvantage next yr? historically, elite defenses played outdoors. i dont wanna be a soft dome team again
Christopher Wiley - More painful - one season of Game of Thrones, or one season of Vikings football?
Andrew Grant - There's a bit of chatter the Bears (White) and Jaguars (Fowler) have '2 first round draft picks' because their 2015 first rounders missed the entire season this year but will improve their teams in 2016. Given what Trae Wayne's showed towards the end of the season, the same could be said about the Vikings?
Judd Zulgad's Hoodie - If we could be allowed to sacrifice 1 Vikings blogger to the football Gods to win a Super Bowl who should we select?

Key Bits & Lore

The episode features discussion of ranking the Blair Walsh miss among the all-time Vikings heartbreaks, including the 1998 Gary Anderson miss, Favregeddon, and various Super Bowl losses. Minnesota was noted as moving up the rankings of most-tortured sports cities.

Production Notes

Audio editing notes at timestamps: 4:08, 6:33 (fired keep it), 12:57 (arif noise), 64:43, 65:55, 66:57, 84:25, 104:36, 105:45.

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