Episode 374

Checkers on a Chess Board

Hosts	Arif Hasan, James Pogatshnik
Guests	None
Type	Offseason May 27, 2021

Norse Code Episode 374: Checkers on a Chess Board aired on May 27, 2021.

Overview

The episode covers the Vikings' post-June 1st cap situation and recent signings including Bashaud Breeland, training camp preparations, and a potential draft trade with Carolina that didn't materialize. The mailbag focuses heavily on cornerback depth chart questions and defensive concerns without Danielle Hunter.

Segments

Opening: Live show announcements and Patreon acknowledgments
Signings and Cap: Post-June 1st cap situation, Bashaud Breeland signing from Chiefs, Cohl Cabral from Texans, Amari Henderson and Tye Smith additions
Training Camp: Preparation updates
Draft Analysis: Failed trade possibility with Carolina Panthers
Mailbag: Cornerback depth, defensive concerns, special teams speculation

Mailbag Questions

Ben Olson - What do you think the current cornerback depth chart looks like? I've seen Breeland anywhere from CB 2 to CB 5.
Ryan - How much do you think Breeland's signing is to hedge incase Dantzler doesn't continue progressing? Dantzler sitting out in OTAs seems concerning. Can you make any wild conjectures about the special teams yet?
Rahul - How good is this defense without Hunter? Can any of these corners rush the quarterback? Without Hunter, do you imagine more blitzing?
Romeo - Does Arif want to take back his Dalvin Tomlinson criticisms before it's too late?
Kyle - Who's the 3rd and long defensive line? I am Concerned who is rushing besides 99
Steezor - If Arif could change 3 (and only 3) of the Vikings 2021 picks, who would he change?
Allen Robinson Liberation Front - Last year the Vikings ran out of 12 personnel at the third highest rate in the league and it was their second most successful package. With Rudolph gone do you think they will revert to more 11 and 21?
Nolan Kehler - For Arif's Cousin Corner: what's should be in Irv Smith's Cousin diet? Also - for Arif's Softball Corner: what did he make of the Dukes upsetting #1 Oklahoma?
Kyle Slaybee - After a massive windfall last week, I am hooked on bingo. When picking boards do you suggest avoiding doubling up numbers for coverage, or syncing up for higher risk strats?
Logan - Arif's child-rearing corner: Help! my 8 month old consistently wakes up at 5a. Also, he likes biting things and I'm worried he getting a taste for human flesh.
Nick Howard - My wife dropped a bomb on me over this past weekend. We are expecting our 2nd child sometime in February or March of 2022. Any advice for raising multiple children?
Don from Ohio - Does Breeland signing give the Vikings an extra victory for this year or do they need to pick up an extra DL or WR to do this? Do you walk away from a blackjack table if certain players don't follow the unwritten blackjack rules?

Key Bits & Lore

Bingo discussion with Kyle Slaybee regarding strategy and his recent "massive windfall"
Don from Ohio blackjack etiquette question
James' Math Corner segment
Arif's Legal Corner involving hypothetical TSA reporting scenario
Children as "ponzi scheme" reference

Production Notes

ZenCaster timestamps: 4737 5025 at end of live show announcement
Audio timestamps: 59:06, 1:06:36

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