The NFL has yet to field a team — be it good, bad or ugly — that wasn't bursting with unbridled optimism at each and every question hurled its way during a training camp news conference.
A year ago, Ed Donatell was the Vikings' new defensive coordinator. He replaced the fired Mike Zimmer, head coach and de facto defensive coordinator, whose 2021 team allowed 426 points, sixth-worst in franchise history.
Based on the Purple podium praise gushing forth from last year's training camp, the scheme Donatell and Vic Fangio had concocted through successful stints in San Francisco, Chicago and Denver was going to storm the Twin Cities and stump every QB and offensive coordinator in its path.