Interview with Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown
by Ted Glover on Mar 3, 2010 4:59 PM CST
in Draft
44 comments
Okay, so I know a lot of guys love the draft speculation, the mock drafts, and the NFL scouting combine. Well, one of the best (and 100% free) sites out there is nfldraftcountdown.com, run by Mr. Scott Wright. I had a chance to interview him about the scouting combine, the NFL Draft, and what he thinks the Vikings will (or should) do. Follow after the jump to get Scott's well informed opinion on all things NFL draft. And check out his site if you haven't. Oh, and good spots still remain for mockdraftapaloozafeststock, email me at tglover47d@aol.com if you want to participate. Okay, shameless plugs over. Go read the interview
DN: Now that the combine is over, who do you think made the biggest impression, both positively and negatively?
Scott Wright: Well that’s kind of relative. Some of this year’s stars were actually expected to work out well so it wasn’t really a surprise.
DN: Who’s better, Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy? Also, you had 5 DT’s going in your last mock on Feb 11th, including Tennessee DT Dan Williams to the Vikings with the 30th pick. Is DT the deepest in talent this year? If not, what is the deepest?
SW: It’s basically a 1A and 1B situation with Suh and McCoy but I gave the ever so slight edge to Suh. However, it’s like ice cream and cake: They are both great! Defensive tackle is definitely the strongest position in this draft and not only do you have those two elite talents at the top but there is also tremendous depth throughout the early rounds. In fact, this could be one of the best defensive tackle classes ever!
DN: The Minnesota Vikings need help at DT, CB, and QB. You currently have them selecting a DT. Did anything that you saw at the combine change your mind, or does DT still make the most sense?
SW: Well, I keep hearing the talk about cornerback for the Vikings and while I agree that it’s a need I’m just not so sure it’s a first round priority. If they did go that direction in Round 1 guys like Kyle Wilson of
DN: Based on what the conventional wisdom is on the positions the Vikings need combined with their draft position, who do you see as the top CB and QB available if they don’t draft a DT like you predict?
SW: As I mentioned in the previous answer I think Kyle Wilson of
DN: The QB position seems to have a lot of big names, but shallow on NFL talent. Let’s say Tim Tebow doesn’t go in the first round, does he slip all the way to the third? Do you see him being a fit for the Vikings if they go in that direction?
SW: Well, first of all let me say I am very confident that Tim Tebow won’t make it to the Vikings in Round 3 and I still think there is a good chance somebody will grab him in the first round. Remember, it only takes on team to fall in love with him. With that said, I think the Vikings would be a great fit for Tebow and probably give him as good of a chance to succeed in the pros as anyone. With the Vikings he could sit and develop for a year or two with no pressure to play, which is something that is essential. Now I think Tebow would be a major reach in Round 1 but at the same time I would like the pick if I were a Vikings fan because unless they start preparing now
DN: The Vikings philosophy since 2006 has been to select the best player available. Positional needs aside, who do you see that being at the 30th pick, and do you think he’ll be on the board or already gone because of positional needs from other teams?
SW: It’s so hard to say because you never know who is going to fall. My guess is there will be an early run on offensive linemen so the top guys will all be gone before the 30th pick. The value late in round one will be at wide receiver with guys like Arrelious Benn of
DN: Most people are familiar with the first round names, but tell me a guy to look out for in the 4th or 5th round that I should get excited about if the Vikings call his name.
SW: How about Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead, who was considered to be a potential Top 10 pick last summer. He has some technical mechanical issues that need to be straightened out but he has early round talent and starting potential. With good coaching and development he could be a steal.
DN: Who has the biggest bust potential and why? Who’s the biggest sleeper and why?
I would say
As for an underrated player, I’ll say Ole Miss DE Greg Hardy. In my opinion he is a legitimate first round talent but character concerns and an inability to stay healthy will lead to him falling to the middle rounds. Still, I have always been a big fan of Hardy’s and if he can get healthy he could be a steal.
DN: Finish this sentence: The Minnesota Vikings will have a successful draft if__________________
They land a quarterback who can realistically be expected to replace Brett Favre, whether it be in 2010, 2011 or 2012.
Once again, thanks to Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown. Hope you guys enjoyed it.
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excellent interview
made a lot of good points, i also do like the idea of drafting Snead in the later rounds if he is still available
HAHAHA
Tjack fail. Fantastic an analyst that tells the truth
"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you!"
The Vikings
This guy had no clue whatsoever on Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson has improved each year. The game is slowing down for him. The Vikings should keep Jackson and reap the benefit of all those years of developing him. Patience is a virtue It would be crazy to let another team have the quarterback we developed. T-Jack is ours and I as a fan stand behind him 100%.
Meanwhile, this draft expert considers Tebow a legitimate option in the 1st round. That is a huge reach. On the other hand, I agree about Bradford’s bust potential. Yet, if Bradford has bust potential, how many other guys have bust potential? I would add that Clausen also has a lot of bust potential, as does Tebow. Snead is yet another one. Guys like Pike and LeFevour are risks that aren’t worth a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round pick. With this quarterback class, it just doesn’t make sense for the Vikings to draft a quarterback until the 5th round at earliest. With Jackson almost ready to go, this is the route the Vikings should go.
On Kyle Wilson, he is a very poor tackler. The Vikings defense relies on the cornerbacks tackling reliably. While he can cover, the Vikings are more likely to draft Devin McCourty. On Patrick Robinson, he is talented but he isn’t a great tackler. Kareem Jackson and Brandon Ghee should be on the Vikings’ radar.
It seems like a lot of draft experts do not understand the Vikings. Over at Walterfootball.com they released an updated mock draft. Again they had the Vikings drafting Joe McKnight. He has some allegations hanging over him that will probably result in the Vikings not drafting him. Then there is Navarro Bowman, who they mocked to the Vikings as well. Another character concern. In the first round, the Vikings took Brian Price. While Price looks like a great prospect, there is a distinct chance that the Vikings will not draft him in the 1st round because he is only a one-gap defensive tackle. Pat Williams is a two-gap tackle. The Vikings might prefer a two-gap player to keep the defense the same. The Vikings already have a high concentration of investment in the defensive line. It makes more sense to invest in the linebackers or secondary. Now that Weatherspoon has climbed up the boards, the Vikings might look at Daryl Washington of TCU or Sergio Kindle. Finally, they did mock Amarai Spievey to the Vikings, which did make sense, especially in the fourth round.
To sum up how the Vikings draft, they take the best player available. That excludes overrated quarterbacks when there is a better player on the board. In the Childress era, the Vikings have only drafted fair to decent quarterbacks with potential. There are no complete washouts. If the Vikings draft a quarterback early, I will trust the coaching staff’s judgment. In my judgment right now, though, based on where the Vikings are drafting, taking a quarterback early is bound to be a mistake.
This is a Vikings team with real needs in a lot of areas: linebacker, cornerback, safety, defensive tackle (preferably a nose tackle or two-gap player), guard and tackle (preferably zone-blocking), and running back (power back, not a dancer) are all on the list, in addition to quarterback. The Vikings do not have an extra pick to take a runner in the early rounds on a QB with high bust potential.
Heard this before....
“The game is slowing down for him. The Vikings should keep _ and reap the benefit of all those years of developing him. Patience is a virtue It would be crazy to let another team have the quarterback we developed. _ is ours and I as a fan stand behind him 100%.”
No offense man, but I remember reading those exact same words not too many years ago in the Startribune about a year before Daunte finally blew his knee out. Just saying……….
by MinnesotaRage on Mar 3, 2010 10:58 PM CST up reply actions
development
Culpepper was not developed enough as a pocket passer.
Jackson could be another Gannon. But with the news that just came out, he is almost certainly going to be on another team next year.
by medicineball on Mar 3, 2010 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
Yep looks like the coaching staff had enough
It will be interesting to see who picks him up though, if it’s anyone…
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
What kind of waste of space interview was this?
Why did you interview this guy? He is a joke.
“It’s basically a 1A and 1B situation with Suh and McCoy but I gave the ever so slight edge to Suh. However, it’s like ice cream and cake: They are both great!”
I thought this guy was a draft expert, not a dessert junkie. THAT is the analysis he gives us? No break down of their relative strengths/weaknesses, fits into different schemes, etc. But we know Suh is ice cream and McCoy is cake; or was it Suh is cake and…? What a joke.
“…whereas we know Tarvaris Jackson can’t get the job done.”
We KNOW this? How exactly? Jackson is 26 years old, has started only 20-some-odd games and has a QB rating rising every year. He has amazing physical tools, came from a DII system (so it’s not surprising he wasn’t a finished product), and is clearly improving. Meanwhile, Arizona, a year removed from the Super Bowl, is going to turn the reins over to Matt “Hot Tub” Leinart was has proven NOTHING. But this guy “knows” Tarvaris can’t get it done. Right.
Lastly, I’m usually a big fan of the content on this site, but this interview was weak. Do your homework MilCardFan, the Vikings have a much bigger immediate need at RIGHT GUARD (where Herrera was terrible) than at QB or DT where they have great veterans for the next 1-2 years (Favre (maybe), Jackson, Rosenfels, Williams Wall, Evans, Kennedy (probably), etc.). RG needs to be replace NOW and there a lot of great prospects there in this draft (e.g. Mike Iupati). And yet neither you nor your “expert” mentioned that position for the Vikes.
Please stop wasting space on this great site with plugs to your buddy Scott who doesn’t know sh*t beyond something I could have read over at Bleacher Report.
So disrespectful
These guys take time to post a thoughtful Q&A about mock drafts. Just because you don’t agree with the speculations you start calling names and slinging S^%#$ around?
How about an apology to Gonzo and Co. for putting together the best Vikings blog out there and posting this crap in it. I appreciate Mildcards input to this site 1000 times more than just your bitching. Think before you hit post next time.
by Iceland-Viking on Mar 4, 2010 2:17 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
+1000
The guy devotes his time and attention to the draft prospects the way we focus on the Vikings. He gave up his valuable time and, whether we agree with all his points or not, his insight, and it gives the DN some fresh perspective. He deserves a ‘thank you’, not shabby treatment. Let’s show some class here.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Yeah but...
1a and 1b might be insight for a guy who just crawled out from under a rock (A. Schefter is less of a fence sitter).
Leinart
I still see Arizona looking to use a higher draft pick to potentially replace Leinart or push him to work harder.
1 Mock-draft shows they would potentially take Tim Tebow in the 1st round.
I think, in my opinion, that your 1st round pick should be able to go onto the field that year and make plays… So I doubt AZ would be taking a QB 1st round since they are not in a desperate need.
Not cool at all Ace
The question about DT’s was a 3 part question. He wasn’t asked “who’s better Suh or McCoy and why?” I think the 1A and 1B analysis hit the nail on the head. They are both studs. Some scouts have Suh going number one, others have McCoy. Big deal, neither end up in Minnesota anyway.
And at the end of the day its better to take what these guys say with a grain of salt anyway.
"We have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-from Bram Stoker's Dracula
They could if we got St Louis to pick up Ray for their pick :D
Ok a guy can dream can’t he? It would be interesting to see if anyone takes up Edwards and what first round we’d pick up.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Couple things
For a guy that didn’t like the interview, why bother replying? I interviewed the guy because I thought some people might find the speculation mildly entertaining. You didn’t like it, noted. Thanks for being a douche about it; your initial response to the interview was almost rube chat-esque in it’s unoriginality. Nothing wrong with disagreement, just don’t act like a eight year old when you do.
As to Jackson not being able to get the job done: Well, if he could, he’d be starting, and the Vikings wouldn’t have had an interest in Favre. His QB rating goes up as long as there’s no pressure, but put the game in his hands and the Vikings aren’t going to win.
Physical tools can’t compensate for an inability to read a defense and make the correct read, something he has proven time and time again to be terribly inconsistent in doing. At what point do you say he’s ‘going to get it’? 2010? 2011? He’s been around since 2006, it’s either time to fish or cut bait on TJ. And Alabama State, Jackson’s college, is 1AA, not DII. Maybe you should do some homework on that.
Herrera signed a five year extension prior to 2008, and battled a concussion issue last year. I don’t see the Vikings giving up on him after a pretty good 2008 season. If you look at their roster, CB is about as immediate need as it gets when you factor in Winfield’s injury, Griffin’s injury, and the Vikings decision to apparently not re-sign Carl Paymah for depth. DT is also a bigger need because of the age and impending retirement of Pat Williams. Now, if a guy like Pouncey is on the board, and the VIkes think he’s the best available, yeah, I can see them going in that direction because they have really adhered to the ‘best player available’ strategy since 2006. But I don’t see it as a priority. Differing opinions don’t equate to not doing homework. Again, keep your rube chat tendencies over there.
Finally, Scott Wright isn’t my buddy, I’ve never met the guy. I just thought he might have a few opinions on the upcoming draft that we could all discuss in a manner that rises above fourth grade playground behavior. I’ve asked a lot of folks for interviews for this site; about 1 in 10 agree, if they even reply. Disagreement doesn’t equate to not knowing shit.
Posts like yours do equate to sense of immaturity that hardly anyone likes, however. Except, of course, for fourth graders.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
Nice reply
Also, I didn’t hear about Hererra having concussion issues last year I just saw the right side of our line imploding. Figured it was mostly because of new starters in the beginning of the year but by the middle of it i realized that Hererra was having the biggest dificulty of them all kn keep his man out of the pocket and his push on run attacks was anemic at beast. Didn’t know abotu the contract extension either. I’ve been calling for a new guard because we need to get our running game back up to speed and I figured that would be he best way to do it.
By the way TJ is being tendered for a third string, so I guess the coaches are sick of him as well, maybe the reason he was second on the depth chart was to let other teams scout him.
Don’t mind the douches sir just keep on rolling.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Possibly....
But if we were trying to scout him out, why wouldn’t we have put a higher tag on him?
When third round comes around, are we really going to see or find a player better than T-Jack? It could be possible, but, either way they would have to adjust to the Vikings system. — By the way, when I say better than T-Jack, I’m accounting for any position player we take. 3rd round picks may only end up adding to the depth charts.
I’d be much happier trying to find a way to trade him off to fill a need vs. a 3rd string pick. But we can’t have our cake & eat it too in most cases.
Higher tag = higher guaranteed salary
And we’re already paying Sage $3 mil to warm the bench.
"We have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-from Bram Stoker's Dracula
I would gladly take that job opportunity!!!
I’ll keep it extra warm too!!
Where do I send a resume?
Send all inquiries to
QB Guru’s Inc.
C/O The Dali Chilly
86’ed Northsouth Way
Springfield, MY 86868-6ed
"We have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-from Bram Stoker's Dracula
school
While Pouncey is a fan-favorite for the draft, the Vikings have only drafted players who were in a zone-blocking system. I’m not sure what Florida runs, but I don’t think it’s ZBS. If someone knows for sure, please post. Thanks.
Herrera missed the Cardinals game with a concussion issue. Was the concussion bad enough to affect his play the rest of the year? That would be very interesting.
He missed two games
according to the Strib, I think it was.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
Either way,
I still think it’s too early to replace him a year removed from a good season and contract extension. Now, if he has the same issues next year, I can buy RG as a need going into the off-season. Same goes for center.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
Currently, I’m in favor of adding a guard this year. If Herrera can out-compete the rookie and keep his job, that would be awesome.
Herrera did not do well following that concussion. Tommie Harris abused him in Chicago. Was that just the concussion? The right side of the line didn’t play well, but with two younger guys around him, maybe Herrera should be given a break.
by medicineball on Mar 4, 2010 10:05 PM CST up reply actions
Could be that inexperience around him was an issue
Matt Birk was missed last year, IMO.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
whoa! pump the brakes there sir
"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you!"
Hmm
Seems some of the mock drafts I’ve seen show that Spievey will be going in the 2nd round.
I know the Vikings really may not pursue Weatherspoon since reports show that he can’t really play on Turf. Well there goes 8+ games a season he wouldn’t perform 100%
where are you reading this?
I havn’t seen anything about that on the articles I’ve perused.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Which take are you asking about?
It was an Article on yahoo about Weatherspoon.
And I’m only going off of mock-drafts when it comes to Spievey…
When/If I find the Article on yahoo – I’ll post the link
Dang..
never mind…
I need to recheck my eyes!!
I found the Article, but it wasn’t about Weatherspoon..
I stand corrected..
The Vikings are all in with AP
He isn’t a dancer and will address his fumbling issues. He didn’t dance his way to 18 rushing TD’s to lead the league! Adrian is our power back. The O-line had 2 new starters and were not as good run blocking as they were last year. AP is developping more patience and the line will be better next year, with a years experience under Sullivan and Loaholt’s belt.
T.Jack, I don’t know. Thinking about what he may or may not be makes my head hurt.
Come back stronger than ever Brock!
medicineball
You said a guy that came into the league and rushed for over 3,000 yards his first two seasons is a dancer? AP runs as hard as anyone and I’d hardly call it dancing. Just ask Al Harris or R.Gay what its like to be hit by the truck that is AP.
Come back stronger than ever Brock!
He'll probably be buying a rental some place else.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
AD
I wouldn’t call AD a dancer unless that was slam dancing or something.
I was referring to Joe McKnight, who I don’t want the Vikings to draft.
Stafon Johnson of USC dances around a lot, but he also has the ability to ram it down the throat of a defense when that is called for. If we need a running back at the end of the draft, I’d like us to draft him.
Fair enough but
Albert Young looked good last year. With he AP and Percy getting more touches I don’t see the need to draft a RB. If a good one is left in the 6th or 7th round and the Vikes needs have been met okay. I just don’t see running back as much of a need.
Come back stronger than ever Brock!
Garbage time players
I don’t want to sound angry or frustrated cause I’m not. And I don’t mean to pick on your post specifically, but your quoted comment seems like an opportune time to express my feelings on an issue thats been bugging me for quite some time.
Albert Young looked good last year.
I really am not ok with fans analyzing players as performing well under the zero pressure, laid back, less-than-100% atmosphere of what most pundits would call “garbage time”. This includes guys like Young, Jackson, Jaymar Johnson, ect. Sure these guys have looked halfway decent during preseason games and with the Vikings leading somebody 32-7. But what does that really say about them? To me, all it says is that they’re able to beat out the other 2nd and 3rd string guys the other team has lined up across from them in a situation completely devoid of any importance. This to me does not give me much hope that that player will ever develop into a quality starter. It certainly doesn’t detract from the possibility either, but I refuse to get all excited over these potential posers.
I agree on this statement 100%
It seems like a lot of draft experts do not understand the Vikings.
And that goes for a lot of teams, to be honest. Draft guys look at players, look at what team needs are, and plug guys in to teams regardless of what type of offense or defense a team runs, or what draft strategy teams use. Your point on Wilson and the Cover-2 misfit is a good point, for example. Same with Joe McKnight.
As for Tebow, I think I’ll defend Wright here. I’m not sure that he’s saying Tebow is definitely a #1 pick, just that all it takes is one team to think he is. With TJ’s third round tender, I think he stays and the Vikes don’t get a QB, because I just don’t see the rest of the NFL regarding TJ worth a third round pick. I don’t have the same opinion of TJ that you do, but I do think the coaching staff will give him every opportunity to see what he can do after learning behind Favre for (hopefully) two years.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
Scott Wright is a joke
The dude basically just came out and said “I’m a draft guru” and has nothing to back it up. His sites always overrate the big-name schools and he essential just throws back media hype at us.
Hmmm?
Well, one of the best (and 100% free) sites out there is nfldraftcountdown.com, run by Mr. Scott Wright.
You get what you pay for!
wow
ya let’s find the next farve at pick #30 then he will be satisfied. wake up guy. why is it that the same bloggers that want mcnabb also want the next farve. we have brett one more year , stick with a 5th or less developemental guy or if and only if use tj’s comp pick if bradford falls. marshall from denver for #30 would have brett climbin off the tractor.
Gett'n Crazy!
Been seeing some articles of the Rams talking about taking McNabb.
Also, it is looking more likely we’re not going to have T-Jack next year.
Either the Vikings are pretty sure Favre is returning, or we’re going to be going a ‘rookie’ route next year for our first round…..
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