The Twins continue to win http://www.thevikingslockerroom.com/authentic-mike-hughes-jersey , summer is here and training camp is over the horizon." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteDaily Norsemana Minnesota Vikings communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsLibraryVikingsOddsoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsFiled under:Open ThreadsMinnesota Vikings News and Links: June 4th, 2019New,409commentsThe Twins continue to win, summer is here and training camp is over the horizon.CDTShareTweetShareShareMinnesota Vikings News and Links: June 4th, 2019Good Morning!Gone Fishin is busy with family related things so I thought I’d go ahead and start doing the threads until Fishin is less busy, and luckily for me I got off work early last night.If by happenstance my employer is reading the Mythical Words™ up here I worked late.....again.It’s summer in my neck of the swamp until probably mid-November which always leads to a lot of whining....mostly by me.Meanwhile let’s carry on with our news and links open thread full of beer recommendations, nap strategies, crock pot and smoker recipes. Drop by for some fan wisdom, snark and have another cup of coffee.Around the DN since our last open thread:Kevin Warren expected to be named next Big Ten Commissioner via Chris.From SB Nation (and Chris) Revenge Week: Can Kirk Cousins follow Case Keenum and Brett Favre? (Brett Favre 24-of-32 passes for 271 yards for 3 TD’s over the Packers amirite?)Five former Vikings on ballot for College Football Hall of Fame.Steve Hutchinson should already be in.Vikings news from other sources:From Vikings.com Scott Studwell, A Life in Purple. Watch highlights from the seventh OTA of the 2019 offseason for the Vikings, which took place on Monday at the TCO Performance Center.Wobby opens his Monday Morning Mailbag: Interior defensive line depth, Brandon Zylstra in year two and more.Lunch break: ESPN provides an early progress report on Garrett Bradbury.Vikings.com’s Mike Wobschall talked with CB Xavier Rhodes after OTA No. 7 on Monday to discuss how the last few weeks of practices have been going, what the focus is of the defense this offseason, his daily battles with Adam Thielen Womens Tom Compton Jersey , being a leader for the team’s young corners, and more.From Matthew Coller at SkorNorth.com The alternate reality versions of the Vikings offseason.From the SB Nation blog Outsports Being Out: Vikings employee Amy Werdine convinced the Vikings to reach out to their LGBTQ fans.League news: From NFL.com DT Gerald McCoy signing with Carolina Panthers.Rams RB Todd Gurley won’t be ‘bell cow’ going forward.Darius Slay ‘ain’t going’ to Lions’ mandatory minicamp.Roger Goodell repeats stance to shorten preseason.We come to today’s media selection: John Randle’s DL Coach John Teerlinck Shares His Memories of #93Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:-No discussion of politics or religion-No feeding of the trolls-This isn’t a male version of The View, so leave the gender hatred at the door-Keep 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 tags-No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer-If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away-While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm.With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up & tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waiter, try the sarcasm and Welcome Aboard! NEW YORK — Harrison Smith has been making his mark for years with big hits and clutch interceptions for the Minnesota Vikings.As a key piece of one of the NFL’s top defenses, the playmaking safety was voted the top player in the league at his position by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press.More Vikings coveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Rookie Bradbury is central figure to Vikings’ overhauled offensive lineVikings depth at cornerback being tested, Hughes still not clearedPlayers to watch at Minnesota Vikings 2019 training campTop Tweets: Vikings WR Diggs makes push for All-NFL Style Team“The independent analysts at Pro Football Focus rated Smith’s performance in 2017 the highest by any player at any position in the league Kyle Rudolph Jersey ,” Minneapolis-based AP writer Dave Campbell said. “This year, the three-time Pro Bowl pick has three interceptions and three sacks in nine games. No player in the NFL hit both of those marks over the entire 2017 season.“With Earl Thomas out for the year, it’s easy to see Smith as the top safety in the league.”The AP voters overwhelmingly agreed. Smith received 97 points in a 10-points-to-one-point system, garnering eight of 10 first-place votes. He finished second on one ballot and third on the other to easily outdistance the New York Giants‘ Landon Collins, who had 69 points.“Not only is Smith the clear leader at this position, particularly with his skills in coverage,” said New York-based writer Barry Wilner, “but he’s probably Minnesota’s most valuable defensive player.”That’s saying a lot, particularly with a team that includes defensive end Danielle Hunter, who leads the NFL with 11½ sacks.“Smith is an elite pass defender who can bat away a throw or pick off a pass on one play, then sack the QB on the next,” Washington-based Howard Fendrich said.Smith finished second in last year’s voting, with Thomas winning.The injured Seahawks star, who’s out for the season with a broken left leg http://www.thevikingslockerroom.com/authentic-nick-easton-jersey , had 59 points — and received one first-place vote, from Bay Area-based Josh Dubow — to finish third this year.“Thomas is still the benchmark at safety despite a season-ending injury,” Dubow said.There were 28 players who received at least one vote, but Smith and Collins were the only safeties to appear on all 10 ballots.Collins jumped up two spots after finishing fourth last year. He doesn’t have any interceptions yet this season, but has firmly established himself as one of the best at his position.“Yeah, he’s on a team with one win (entering Week 10), but Collins is strong tackler and pass defender,” New York-based Simmi Buttar said.Tennessee’s Kevin Byard is fourth with 54 points, but received the other first-place vote from Nashville-based Teresa M. Walker.“Byard is just getting better with every game,” Walker said, “and he was pretty good in 2017 when he was an All-Pro who tied for the league lead with eight interceptions and led the NFL with 10 takeaways.”Byard has two interceptions this season, and caused quite a stir with his star turn on his most recent pick. After intercepting Dak Prescott‘s pass Monday night in Tennessee’s 28-14 victory at Dallas, Byard ran to the 50-yard line at AT&T Stadium and danced with his teammates on the Cowboys‘ star logo.“He should’ve left the Cowboys star stomp to Terrell Owens,” said Philadelphia-based Rob Maaddi. “But Byard is a ball magnet and no longer an unknown around the league Laquon Treadwell Jersey , even to Deion Sanders.”Sanders and Byard got into a Twitter feud in the offseason about who the league’s top safety is. Prime Time picked Tyrann Mathieu, who didn’t finish in the AP’s top 10.New England‘s Devin McCourty was fifth with 38 points, and has been a model of consistency for Bill Belichick’s defense.“Anyone who can stick so long (nine years) on a revolving door that is the Patriots‘ defense is a special performer,” Wilner said.McCourty was followed by Washington’s D.J. Swearinger, who had 36 points.“Swearinger does everything well, from coverage to run support to rushing the passer,” said Dubow, who had him ranked second on his ballot.The Jets‘ Jamal Adams (24 points), Los Angeles Chargers rookie Derwin James (21), Baltimore’s Eric Weddle (20) and Kansas City‘s Eric Berry (19) rounded out the top 10.Berry appeared on six ballots despite having not played since last year’s season opener.“He might be No. 1 if he had played a down this season,” Fendrich said. “If he recovers enough from the heel injury that has kept him out for every game so far, he could be a big factor in the playoffs for the Chiefs.”THE RANKINGS1. Harrison Smith, Vikings2. Landon Collins, Giants3. Earl Thomas Womens Xavier Rhodes Jersey , Seahawks4. Kevin Byard, Titans5. Devin McCourty, Patriots6. D.J. Swearinger, Redskins7. Jamal Adams, Jets8. Derwin James, Chargers9. Eric Weddle, Ravens10. Eric Berry, Chiefs