Coach Zimmer Takes a Long Walk in the Woods.

banner image via [exterior Coach Zimmers' compound in Kentucky] Coach Zimmer walks in the front door of his expansive residence looking forlorn. He tosses his keys on the hall table and removes his Vikings cap. Coach Zimmer: "Hello? Beansie? Maria? I'm home!" A distant squeaking sound is heard and approaches Coach. "EEK EEEK EEEK!" CZ: "Beansie!

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go…To Find A Lineman”

Part 7: All Over But the Crying Setting: The Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, WA. May 3, 2021 Ext. A fourth floor office. Two men sit at desks, while a bunch of interns silently try to work around them. It is the first Monday after the Draft, and the two men responsible for

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go…To Find A Lineman”

Part 6: Gaze In That Mirror With An Eye That's True Setting:  The Bar-B-Q Shop, 1782 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, April 18, 2021 Ext. Two men sit at a table, plates of finely cooked meats in front of them. There are also some empty pint glasses off to the side. Their attention

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go…To Find A Lineman”

Part 5: Out of The Frying Pan... And Into The Grease Fire Setting: The Indianapolis Crowne Plaza Hotel - 123 West Louisiana Street, Indianapolis, Indiana Ext. Taggart's Bar & Lounge, inside the Crowne Plaza. Drinks in hand, Pete Carroll & John Schneider are decompressing after a harrowing few days. Pete Carroll: I didn't know

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go…To Find A Lineman”

Part 4: Was The Discount Worth The Price? Setting: Ditka’s Steakhouse, Oakbrook, IL. March 11, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Pete Carroll & John Schneider are sitting in a booth, comparing notes on players they’ve seen in the last few weeks. A server has just dropped off their drinks. Pete Carroll: Thank you, Carmen. John Schneider:

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go…To Find A Lineman”

 Part 3: Into The Realm of The Swoosh Setting: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR. February 25, 2021 In the parking lot, Pete Carroll & John Schneider are standing outside their car, preparing to go inside for a meeting. Schneider has a "who farted" look on his face. John Schneider: *sniffing*  Jesus, does this whole

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go…To Find A Lineman” – Part 1: The Ultimatum

Setting: The Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, WA. February 9, 2021 Ext. A third floor office. One man sits behind a desk. A plethora of coloured papers and binders scatter the desktop about them. Pete Carroll sits at his desk, preparing to wrap up the team year-end interviews. He is chatting with

The DFO Monday Morning Mock Draft, Chapter The Second

One of the biggest things I miss from our old site was the mock drafts that used to run every Friday.  Those were fantastic time wasters, and a good one was a virtual guarantee that you were going to be far from productive at work, as your day instead degenerated

A Confidence is Lost

banner image via {Exterior, Coach Mike Zimmer's ranch in Northern Kentucky} [Door Flies Open] Coach Zimmer: "Hey everybody, I'm home!" Maria: "Hi Coach! Welcome home!" Beansie: "EEEEEKK!" CZ: "Man, it's good to be home but I tell ya, I wouldn't mind being in Miami right now doing some game prep." Maria: "You know Coach. You had a