The Minnesota Vikings are thriving despite three deconstructed knees and five constructive "nos."
When the history of the Vikings' 2017 season is written, the second or third paragraph will cite the team's ability to overcome injuries to Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater and Dalvin Cook — two franchise quarterbacks and a budding star running back.
What may not be mentioned, yet could be just as important, is the Vikings' willingness to part with five people who only a couple of years ago were considered vital to the franchise.
Here are the key departures, and what their absences have allowed:
1. Norv Turner: He built a strong reputation while running the Cowboys offense during their Super Bowl run, then became a middling head coach beloved by productive quarterbacks. When Mike Zimmer became Vikings coach, he made hiring Turner a point of emphasis, and Turner helped Bridgewater develop as the team won 11 games in 2015.
When the Vikings offensive line and season went south in 2016, Turner quit. Instead of devastating the program, Turner's departure opened the door for Pat Shurmur, who is much more creative and adaptable, and has helped this year's team go 10-2 with a backup quarterback, backup running backs and a remade offensive line. If Turner had stayed, we would be hearing excuses instead of analyzing the creativity of end zone celebrations.
2. Matt Kalil: The third pick in the 2012 draft, Kalil produced one excellent season, then a series of disappointments. He's not playing particularly well for the Carolina Panthers, and will be forced to block old teammate and new nemesis Everson Griffen on Sunday.
Kalil shouldn't be blamed for being injured last season, but that injury started the turnstile at left tackle that ruined a promising year. Even when healthy, he didn't produce like a top draft pick, and his replacement, Riley Reiff, has become one of the most indispensable players in the league, turning a position that was a black hole into a brick wall.
