Questions Answered: Final Anthony Barr Clue, McDuffie Gaining Momentum, Weatherly’s New Home
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the April 19th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: So, Za’Darius Smith is wearing Anthony Barr’s number, #55. Does that mean Barr is gone-gone?
A: Yes, this is probably the most in-your-face hint to date.
In theory, Barr could re-sign and cut a deal with Smith for his number back. Or — he could just wear a different number. But both of those items are unlikely.
Barr has been rumored to the Jets, spitballed as possibly retiring due to a bad knee, and ultimately didn’t sign back with the Vikings.
The “jersey number clue” is a significant one. Barr returning to Minnesota is a longshot.
Q: If Trent McDuffie is the Vikings first pick in the draft, is it just a consolation prize for Gardner and Stingley?
A: No, McDuffie is much better than some team’s participation trophy.
He was phenomenal in college. His problem, though, is that he may not be as good as Gardner or Stingley. That’s just reality, at least per draft pundits.
McDuffie allowed the fewest yards by a cornerback in the NCAA last year, just 111. He’s the real deal. For now, he just doesn’t have a cool nickname like Sauce or an LSU pedigree like Stingley.
You should be excited if the Vikings draft him. It wouldn’t be a Raiderish pick.
Q: With Stephen Weatherly signing in Cleveland, will he actually get playing time?
A: He won’t be the starting defensive end — the Browns have Myles Garrett and Chase Winovich for that — but Weatherly will get playing time, yes.
In Denver last year, Weatherly played about half the time on defense. You can reasonably slate him for that in Cleveland and perhaps a little less.
Or a simpler soundbite on Weatherly to the Browns: he’ll be an oft-used situational pass rusher.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
