Hayward-Bey v. Maclin

by jianfu on Apr 16, 2009 7:34 PM CDT

There's a lot of interesting analysis over at FieldGulls this time of year. Today, for instance, they compare DHB and Jeremy Maclin using yards per target against top 30 competition, with some perhaps surprising conclusions.

I'd love to see how Harvin might fare with similar analysis. I keep doing 180s on the guy, on the one hand thinking gadget players don't work and Chilly's just not the coach for him, and then on the other hand thinking he could change the dynamic of the offense by utilizing more 3-wide sets, spreading the defense vertically and horizontally (taking defensive players out of the box as well as opening running lanes), and being an actual dangerous YAC threat on all those 5 yard passes in the playbook. Maybe I'll need to keep checking over there.

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Interesting

It has me re-thinking DHB as a decent pick at #22 again. I loved the comparison to Royal, although neither TJ nor Sage can be like Jay Cutler.

by KC Viking on Apr 16, 2009 10:12 PM CDT reply actions

Me too. I won’t pretend to know what the Vikings will do, but I will have a short list of guys I’d like to see them pick, and I think DHB will probably be on it.

BTW, in case you didn’t see it, here’s the preceding post on Maclin.

by jianfu on Apr 16, 2009 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I am not sold on DHB

I would not mind Maclin but if there is a bookend tackle to be plugged in I hope the vikes pick them up.

http://vikingsmashfootball.wordpress.com/

by BeardedAxe on Apr 16, 2009 11:40 PM CDT reply actions

Maclin

I never talk about him cuz I don’t think he’ll be around at #22 but if he is I say we don’t wait one minute to get to the podium and call his name. I am starting to like DHB better then Harvin now that he has baggage but I still like Nicks better than those two. But the question is DHB or Maclin? I take Maclin without blinking.

by nmvikesfan on Apr 17, 2009 12:29 AM CDT reply actions

Heyward-Bey

DHB just scares me. Too much “upside” and not enough substance for my liking. And need I remind you, the last WR the Vikes took in the first round that was a physical freak but didn’t necessarily have a sparkling college career: Troy Bleeping Williamson.

I cannot deal with another epic failure like that. I think Maclin would be a great choice if he’s still around, which I doubt. He produced in a big-time school and conference, albeit his numbers are a little skewed thanks to Mizzou’s pass-happy offense.

However, my man-crush on Hakeem Nicks above all other wide receivers will continue until further notice.

by Eric J. Thompson on Apr 17, 2009 10:35 AM CDT reply actions

Ex'freaking'zzzactly!

Nice post ericj69. Totally agree. We dont need another “upside” WR in the first round.

and btw, I dont even think we need a WR in the first round…period. If Maclin fell then Ok..no problem with that. But I just dont see Maclin falling far, let alone to no.22.

Get that OT we need. Even if it has to be Unger….get the OT first. Unger’s ability to move to center is very appealing to me, if Sully doesnt work out we have hedged our bets. He could even play guard if need be. Value at no.22.

by Viking64 on Apr 17, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm OK with T or WR.

What I’m not OK with is the Vikings simply deciding on the position they’re going to draft without looking at who’s still available. If teams take a bunch of tackles before us and there isn’t any first-round talent left at that position, then we should look at what’s left for top-tier wide receiver, and vice versa.

by Eric J. Thompson on Apr 17, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Precisely.

I think O-line is their biggest need: they were mid-road at best last year, were terrible in pass pro (although Gus I-hold-the-ball-all-day Frerotte had a little to do with that) and they lost their starting center, but it’s never wise to reach early. I think if they go OT in the 1st, it’s Britton or bust. It just seems everyone below that point has too many questions to spring on in the first, particularly when they also need playmakers (on both sides of the ball) to help with their passing game deficiencies (on both sides of the ball).

I know a lot of people like Alex Mack, but at #22? Eh…

by jianfu on Apr 17, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Alex Mack at 22 is way too high especially considering it is not a big position of need. Sullivan was a bargain when we took him and he got to learn from Birk for a year. Not to mention Senior Bowl scouts had Unger placed above Mack during practice, so if we want another center we could probably get Unger in the second.

I think we need to play the draft BPA besides RB. If any top 15 player with decent character drops to us we should take them. Otherwise, we should go RT or WR.

http://vikingsmashfootball.wordpress.com/

by BeardedAxe on Apr 17, 2009 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions