Episode 414

Burning it all down

Hosts	Arif Hasan, James Pogatshnik
Guests	None
Type	Mailbag January 11, 2022

Norse Code Episode 414: Burning it all down aired on January 11, 2022.

Overview

This episode covers the firing of head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman following the Vikings' 2021 season finale. The hosts discuss the Bears game review, including Eric Kendricks' performance and reporting from Brad Biggs and Chad Graff, before diving into extensive mailbag questions about the coaching search and franchise direction.

Segments

Opening: Episode introduction
Zimmer and Spielman: Discussion of the firings
Bears Game Review: Review of season finale, Eric Kendricks focus, Brad Biggs and Chad Graff reporting
Mailbag: Extensive listener questions about coaching search and franchise future

Mailbag Questions

Damian Barrett - Did Zimmer's recent comments on Mond and Jefferson's record attempt go too far and show he didn't enjoy managing the team? With today's changes, is Cousins' future in question?
Kevin Jellerson - How many 7th round picks were included in Rick's severance package?
Le Courvoisier - How can one explain the failure to get first half targets to Garrett Bradbury on Sunday?
Rahul - Should the Vikings adopt a reverse psychology approach to their coaching search? Which Saints playoff victory was more detrimental long-term: Minneapolis Miracle or Rudolph catch?
Kenneth Allen - Do you agree the Vikings are the best HC/GM opening available?
Original Fat Thor - How do you evaluate someone to be a GM who hasn't been a GM?
Christopher Wiley - Can we signal the end of a coaching regime when they stop taking accountability and start blaming players/refs?
Tim - Should fans stop worrying about wins/losses and just experience the Vikings reality?
Bill Bottke - Should the Vikings get a GM invested in analytics like Paul DePodesta? If Arif was GM, what one decision would help the 2022 Vikings?
Lurking - Offensive head coach with good defensive coordinator or vice versa?
Kyle Segall - Where does Zimmer land as a DC and how many times will that team destroy the Vikings?
Kyle Slaybee - Would you favor Brian Flores as coach even if he required a Watson trade?
Beef Brewski - What exactly does a head coach do during the week?
Bryan Jellerson - Could the firings signal ownership wants a coach with GM responsibilities like Belichick?
Joe Jestus - If starting over at QB, is there quality available at pick 12? When is the clip show coming?
Jack Rackham - Has Kellen Mond earned the right to be presumptive starter for 2022?
Luke Braun - Which fictional or real person leading the coaching search would make the funniest comedy? Who is the strongest current Viking that Chris Tomasson could beat in a street fight?
Arif's Neglected Resistance Bands - Will Arif fire his free weights for more versatile training?
Ricardo - Could you whisper "Two high safeties" to Cousins in a spooky voice?
Elliot Slade - What's the most Vikings outcome from Zimmer's firing?
Professor Poop - What's the crappiest realistic off-season you could dream up?
DJ Sobish - What's more to blame for Hell League loss: ESPN/Yahoo projections or Green Bay pulling D. Adams?
Nolan Kehler - How to handle James' Deep State control of the Hell League?
Evan - Is there a funnier trade destination for Kirk than Washington?
Sean - Who's going to Hell: Kubiak/Zim for not giving Jefferson the record chance, or Raiders for not tying with Chargers?
Don From Ohio - Which Norse Code episodes will put him to sleep fastest? Which was a bigger choke: 2021 Colts or 2003 Vikings?

Key Bits & Lore

Hell League discussion with references to James' "Deep State" control and The Fighting Wine Towels' bronze medal finish
Don from Ohio makes an appearance with Covid-related questions
Wine towel reference in Nolan Kehler's question about "The Fighting Wine Towels"
Christmas clip show timing question from Joe Jestus

Production Notes

Timestamps noted: 20:55, 1:49 (end of previous question), 18:5:30
Various segment markers at 64, 69:11, 129, 130:17, 146:30

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