Offseason Moves and Polls v.1
by vikingfuture8816 on Jan 20, 2009 7:27 PM CST
15 comments
With the Senior Bowl coming up this Saturday, I wanted to re-do my previous draft so that it actually has player that can be drafted and see who some of the UFAs that are out there. Still plenty of time for all of this to change, but it is fun to play GM.
*Using the list at http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php for who is a FA
Quarterback is IMO, the biggest position the Vikings will go after in the next couple of months. Charlie Batch, David Carr, Jeff Garcia, Byron Leftwich, and JP Losman are the best names that shouldn't be resigned. Batch and Leftwich are both on the Steelers and I think they only keep one of them so it is kind of an either or. I wouldn't complain if any of these guys were picked up, but my choice would be Carr. He is a former number one overall pick, so he has some talent and I think he did quite well when he had a Oline and a running game in NY. Didn't have those things in Houston and the year he was in Carolina. He has lots of experience, but is still young and could play for a few more years. Has better shot of starting here then just about anywhere else if he comes in and competes.
I would say RT would be the next position to look for in FA, but after looking at the list, there isn't really a guy there that could sign and start right away. They are either really old or unimpressive. I think that since he is one of Chillis guys, Hicks will get his chance to start and a draft pick will be used to get a little younger. Could also be Drew Radovich who was getting some praise in the preseason before going on IR just before the season started.
The CB free agent class is much like the OL, not much there. Of course I would jump at the chance to sign Nnamdi Asomugha, I just don't see it happening and everyone else worth it is already signed up.
As for the Vikigns own FA, I think Jimmy is bad for sure, but they don't seem too concerned with Birk or Sharper leaving. Sullivan and Cook would be the centers left to compete and make no mistake, it is a step down to both of them, but I think the Oline will survive with one of them in there for Birk. Tyrell Johnson played very well when asked to start and when pushed back to BU status. Again, a step down, but as he plays he should get better and the Vikings will be better off with him then an aging Sharper.
As for the draft, The Vikings need to get some playmakers on offense and some promising depth on D. Here is how I see it going down (from about 3 months out)...
1. Percy Harvin WR/KR/PR 5'11'' 196 - So many mocks have this guy going well after the Vikings pick because, I assume, he has had some injury problems. He looked pretty damn good in the BCS championship game coming off the last injury and I think he would be very dangerous on the Vikings. Has immediate value as a KR/PR and we have seen first hand what a great KR/PR can do in the NFC Norse. He wouldn't really develop into a #1 WR, but he is someone else the defense has to respect because of his speed on reverses, screens, and deep bombs.
2. Alphonso Smith CB 5'9'' 191 - Always seems to be around the ball. 40 PBU and 21 INTs (ACC record) for a career. A little on the short side, but that doesn't seem to stop Winfield, who would be a great mentor to this guy.
3. Rames Barden WR 6'6'' 227 - I know that Harvin plays WR too, but I really love this guy. He has the production at a lower level school, but he has the ability to come into the league and be a Brandon Marshall or Marques Colston kind of player. Just a really great player who will get knocked bcause he doesn't run a 4.2 40 or play at a BCS school.
4. Augustus Parrish OT 6'5'' 305 - A former TE with a lot of athletic ability. Might need some help in the run game, but has the quick feet and low center of gravity to take pas rushers right past the pocket.
5. Bear Pascoe TE 6'5'' 260 - Not the most athletic TE, but is a great blocker and has the hands to make catches in traffic over the middle. Could be a nice big target in the red zone as well
7a. Brett Helms C/OG 6'2'' 283 - Started 13 games at center for LSU, but can play all the interior line postions.
7b. Rodney Furguson RB 6'0'' 237 - a big bruiser that could help out in short yardage, replacing Hicks, and keeping Peterson from getting too close to the 370 carries mark.
Poll time! Where does everyone else think the Vikings should focus their energy during free agency
This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.
0 recs |
15 comments
Email
Print
Comments
UFA Terrell Suggs
The Ravens have a number of decisions to make with key members of their defense. Suggs might be the odd man out. He will be cheaper and less coveted than other proven pass rushers available this offseason. Questions remain as to whether he could play the DE every down, but he’s played a bunch at linebacker in Baltimore and could help us out there as well given our depth issues at both positions. He would definitely be a terror opposite of Jared “the Madman” Allen in passing situations.
Thoughts?
by LoveHate on Jan 20, 2009 9:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Packers are apparently converting to a 3-4 scheme with the hiring of their new DC. My bet is they’re going to be making a run for Suggs. Or Maybe Julius Peppers. Maybe both! Somehow. But I doubt we’ll win a bidding war for Suggs, and I really think we’ll be just fine without him. I’d like to get a younger, better replacement for Leber myself, but maybe it’d be best to draft that guy.
by Frost on Jan 20, 2009 10:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My main problem
Is that you have us taking two wide receivers before we take a single lineman. If we’re going to take a receiver in the first, we should definitely draft secondary and offensive line players next (depending on what’s available, of course), and then if we want another receiver we should pick up a guy in the later rounds who excels in a certain area (like speed, return ability, size), ala Rice and Allison two years back.
In AP I trust
by FarvaForTheVikings on Jan 20, 2009 9:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think we'll draft a wide out that high.
Almost every mock draft has us taking a CB or safety.
Skol Vikes 4 Life!
by Macdaddy4508 on Jan 21, 2009 12:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
And I liked what I saw out of Darius Reynald (sp?) in the return game before he got hurt, so two more WRs probably won’t happen.
by cutlassbob on Jan 21, 2009 12:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously
You would rather take Reynald, a practice squad player who got called up for special teams, then a guy with a proven track record as a returner, all around burner, and playmaker with a first round grade? They don’t really compare. The Vikings WR roster would look something like this Berrian, Rice, Harvin, Wade, Barden, Allison. The Vikings carried five on the roster during the year, so having six next year wouldn’t be crazy.
by vikingfuture8816 on Jan 21, 2009 1:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's not that we won't draft two receivers...
I just seriously doubt we will draft two receivers that high, and before getting a single lineman. I’d like to see us pick up a solid lineman with one of our first two picks.
In AP I trust
by FarvaForTheVikings on Jan 21, 2009 7:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I get your point. I’m just trying to think of it from the way Chilly would. Reynald was a good WR at West Virginia and did do some returning. I like Percy Harvin but I’m concerned that he might be somewhat injury prone, which especially is worrisome because his outstanding speed is what makes him so deadly. We took AD despite his reputation for injuries and that obviously worked out well, so anything could happen. But does anyone think we would (gasp) alter our offense to to better use our personnel, especially Harvin?
by cutlassbob on Jan 21, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said, was just making one where the Vikings get a bunch of playmakers. While I hope it isn’t the direction they go, the Vikings could feel comfortable with Hicks at RT and not put as high an urgency as the fans. Hopefully, thats not the case. I wanted to grab one in the 3rd round, but like I said, I really like Barden and he won’t be there for the VIkings after that.
by vikingfuture8816 on Jan 21, 2009 1:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
O Line 1st and foremost
If we are going to be stuck with T-Jack as QB then we need an O-Line that will give him all day. His decsision making is just not fast enough. I did not get to see that many games, so if everyone feels that RT is a weak link, get a RT either through FA or draft.
by SouthernNorseman on Jan 21, 2009 7:12 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
you are wrong
according to vike4lyf the great tjack will be awesome.
by vikefansd on Jan 21, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Is that really necessary?
Vike4lyf isn’t even involved in this conversation.
In AP I trust
by FarvaForTheVikings on Jan 21, 2009 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
when did i say tjack will be great and awesome. all i said was give him one more year and he’ll be ok. pay attention
by vikesfan4lyf on Jan 21, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Limted FA QB Options
Forget Batch and Leftwich; the Steelers will keep whichever of them is better, and the Vikings don’t need their 3rd stringer to be our 1st stringer. We already have Jackson.
Cassel is only worth considering if they don’t slap the franchise tag on him, and even then he’s a question mark. Yes, his numbers are high, but who’s wouldn’t be in his place? Most likely he’ll be too expensive.
Garcia, Collins, and Warner are too long in the tooth, even if they actually came available. I could see pulling either one in on a 1 or 2 year contract, but the Vikings would still be in the hunt for a franchise QB.
The only one in this FA class that might be good enough, and young enough, and affordable, to work out for the Vikings, is David Carr.
The rest of the FA QBs are about the same or worse, than Jackson, and not worth going over by name.
So… YES. The Vikings should be looking hard at getting a hot WR out of the FA, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh looks like the best WR in the FA crop this year.
by DCPurple on Jan 21, 2009 9:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
