The Pick Is In, and Other Stuff

by Christopher Gates on Apr 1, 2009 11:44 AM CDT in Minnesota Vikings

Well, folks, our selection in the 2009 SBNation Mock Draft is in, and you can read all about it over at Mocking the Draft. After much debating, I decided to stick with the initial selection of Percy Harvin. . .and, predictably, the folks at MtD think I'm crazy.

Let me preface this by saying trading for Rosenfels is arguably the worst move made this offseason. Having him and Jackson unfortunately doesn't set Minnesota up to win now. It sets the franchise up to be mediocre now. That's why, if Sanchez is still available, he should be the pick. With a running back like Adrian Peterson, it's possible he could have a Matt Ryan-like season.

While their opinion is a valid one, I don't think the comparison to Matt Ryan is one that's warranted. Matt Ryan. . .and even Joe Flacco, for that matter. . .were much more pro-ready quarterbacks than Mark Sanchez is. CAN Mark Sanchez be good? He certainly can be. Is here better than either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels right now? Quite frankly, I think the answer to that question is "no." I don't think that Sanchez would immediately start for the Vikings, and with this team's current roster, they need to grab a guy that can contribute now and not a couple of years from now.

If the Vikings are going to take a quarterback in this draft, I would much rather see them wait until the second or third round, get a guy that's definitely not expected to start right away, and develop him into something (hopefully) good.

In other news, we've added some new features here at The Daily Norseman. First off, we have a new team page that you can use to find stories about the Vikings from not only hear at The Daily Norseman, but from the other SBNation blogs as well. On that page, there are also schedule pages, a link to the roster, and a link to team stats. Each player also now has their own individual stats page. . .everyone from Adrian Peterson to John David Booty.

In addition, SBNation has also reached an agreement with the folks from the Associated Press and Getty Images. It doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot to us now, unfortunately, since we're out of season. . .but when football season comes around again, we'll have access to game images while the game is taking place, as well as access to great images all season long. Should add a completely new dimension to our site here, and I'm looking very much forward to using it this season.

That's all for this afternoon, folks. . .I hope that your Wednesday is going well, and that it continues to do so. We'll see you back here later on this evening!

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Comments

Sanchez != Ryan

Took the words right out of my mouth Gonzo—Sanchez definitely has the potential to be better than T-Jax and RosenCopter, but I don’t think he’ll be better for at least a year or two. We have a team that’s thisclose to being a Super Bowl contender right now, so we don’t have the time to wait for yet another QB to develop.

That said, I voted for Nicks over Harvin, but I still like going after a guy that can make an immediate impact with this pick.

by Eric J. Thompson on Apr 1, 2009 11:58 AM CDT reply actions

I agree that Harvin has a better chance to help the team now but that help would be minimal at best. I also think that the FO would pass on Sanchez here too.

I’m really afraid Harvin’s going to actually be our pick.

by mjschaefer on Apr 1, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions

Wow

Tough decision. I havent really looked into Sanchez b/c he hasnt been available in any mock drafts. Can he be a “franchise QB?” Even if he is available i too think the front office would pass on him b/c of the rosenchopper trade. The Sanchez / Ryan comparison is extreme and bad. Love the Harvin pick

by Spartan99 on Apr 1, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

Harvin backer here, too!

I keep hearing about taking another QB to develop; what ever happened to Booty?!?!?! Does this kid suck, or what? I never hear anything about his development.
Anyone have the digs on him?

by stilpony on Apr 1, 2009 2:41 PM CDT reply actions

Alright!

Good choice Gonzo! You were unjustly being ridiculed for the pick in the comments, but I (and most of the Norseman Nation) got your back. The first round pick should be for someone who can make an immediate impact and, as much as I like the guy, Sanchez does not provide that.

by Josh_D on Apr 1, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions

Well, I don’t think the Rosenfels trade was as terrible as they’re making it out to be, but I would have gone with Sanchez over Harvin. If anything, he can replace Booty. And if the Jackson-Rosenfels duo doesn’t work for whatever reason, we should be able to do fine with Sanchez.

We do have all the makings for a rookie to have a Matt Ryan like season. The running game is even better than the Falcon’s. Our defense is better I’d say. Hell, the whole team is better I think. Now does Sanchez have Matt Ryan’s skills? That’s the unknown. I guess he helped his position during the combine, according to the scouts.

by Frost on Apr 1, 2009 3:34 PM CDT reply actions

You would want to use our first round draft pick just to switch our the 3rd string QB? And if the Jackson-Rosenfels duo doesn’t work out, at what point in the season do you think it would be taken off life support and they think Sanchez is the guy to put in? 5, 6 games at the worst (as in 0-6 record), because they would probably get at least equal shot if not an extra game or two. Then you have to count on him being the exception to the rule and win every game left just to make to the playoffs.
I just don’t think he makes the same impact as a guy like Harvin, or even a RT or a CB.

by Josh_D on Apr 1, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

The answer for Cutler for Wilf!!!

Wilf listen to this offer this is solid and it WILL NOT set the vikings back on drafting, you get a solid pro bowl QB & WR along with our Def and decent draft day selections this year..

Trade offers for Cutler are the following.

1. Travaris Jackson & Chad greenway plus this years 1st and next years 2nd.

plus swap this years 3rd and 5th for Denver’s 2th and 4th

that would give us two 2nd picks a 4th round 6th & 7th
pick up WR Holt and draft the following

1. O.T. 2nd round
2. OLB or C.B. 2nd round
3. C.B.or OLB 4th round
4. O.T. 6th round
5 any need final round

by Norseman69 on Apr 1, 2009 7:20 PM CDT reply actions

Definite no to that trade.

In AP I trust

by FarvaForTheVikings on Apr 2, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Good Choice Gonzo

Sanchez may be a good pick but he won’t contribute right now whereas Harvin will and this team is built to win now. I hope draft day yields us the same choice.

by purplegrey on Apr 1, 2009 9:40 PM CDT reply actions

Harvin Gets My Vote Too

…and their are California tags on my car.

by Elgar on Apr 1, 2009 10:32 PM CDT reply actions

Rosenfels

I’ll take your word on Harvin, he certainly does sound interesting and his play could pan out immediately in the NFL. Unlike the QB position, which only very rarely seems to be up to NFL standards, right out of the box. The Sanchez option sounds to me like, at best, a great replacement for Booty.

On Rosenfels though, I completely agree. I just don’t see any downside to having a solid, experienced vet who has the capability to at least manage a game, and the price was right. We had Gus for that, last year, and while we all know about Gus’ downside, his upside was pretty good. This year, if all else falls through, knowing that we have Rosenfels to hold the line gives me a lot more hope than if it were Booty.

by DCPurple on Apr 2, 2009 6:18 AM CDT reply actions