Draft Watch!
by DJSkillz on Dec 7, 2011 11:31 PM CST
Email
Print
Well, if you're like me at this point in the season you almost don't care about Minnesota Viking wins; you care about Viking draft position. The ideal scenario is to show individual progression throughout the rest of the year, but to not come away with a W. The Denver game, for instance, was pretty much a perfect scenario. Good games from Harvin, Ponder, Rudolph, D'Imperio, and others, but a loss in the end. I wouldn't mind that occurring 4 more times this season to close it out. Hollow victories at this point do nothing more than put the Vikings in a worse draft position.
Obviously the Colts just about have the top spot locked up. Given their weak division and strength of schedule, if a team that has gone 0-12 so far goes even 2-2 from here on out, they have won the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, or at least the right to trade him for 3 1st rd picks, 5 ProBowlers, and a 1st born child. I think we can safely put any dreams of the Vikings getting the #1 pick to bed. But currently, the Vikings are in a battle for the #2 spot, which very well might mean the draft's best LT prospect Matt Kalil, a huge position of need for both the Vikings and Rams.
It's unlikely, in my opinion, that the Vikings win 2 out of their last 4 games (Lions/Saints/Redskins/Bears), which means our competition for the #2 pick is St. Louis (2-10) and Jacksonville (3-9). And Jacksonville does have games against both Tennessee and Indianapolis to close out the season, two quite winnable games. So the focus of this post will be on St. Louis and the Vikings for the rights to either draft Matt Kalil, or to possibly have the best draft spot to trade down should one of the “2nd best” quarterbacks in the draft rise and be in high demand. For the record, my money would be on Robert Griffin III for that distinction. He will interview incredibly well and should put up huge combine numbers, leapfrogging any Landry Jones or Matt...ahem...Leinart....ahem...Barkley hype.
Draft order is determined by overall record (worst to first), then the first tiebreaker goes to strength of schedule, followed by divisional record (both the Vikings and Rams are currently 0-4) and then conference record (Vikings are currently 2-6 while the Rams are 1-9). The Rams have a remaining schedule of: @Seattle, Cincinnati, @Pittsburgh, San Francisco. The Vikings have a remaining schedule, as noted above, of: @Detroit, New Orleans, @Washington, Chicago.
In my mind, St. Louis and the Vikings each have 1 “winnable” game left; St. Louis will not win at perhaps the toughest place to play in the NFL this week, and you don't figure they'd beat Cincinnati or Pittsburgh, but they could potentially beat a San Francisco team with nothing left to play for (and resting players) in the final week. The Vikings, meanwhile, figure to give up approximately 4,000 yards passing combined to the Lions and Saints in the next 2 weeks, and Chicago's season should be on the line in the final week, but Washington looms as a potential win in week 16. Each team winning zero of their remaining games or 1 is equally plausible. Therefore, let's tackle strength of schedule.
Currently, this is where the two teams sit:
St. Louis: opponents' combined record: 80-64
Minnesota: opponents' combined record: 82-62
Currently, St. Louis holds the edge; they have played a weaker schedule thus far.
Factor in remaining teams on the schedule, and you get:
St. Louis: opponents' combined record: 111-81
Minnesota; opponents' combined record: 109-83
If each team wins out, and the current projections hold, the Vikings would be in line for the #2 pick.
Of course a lot can change between now and the end of week 17. So to simplify, let's throw out common games, and we're left with the following “uncommon” games:
St. Louis: Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks (x2), San Francisco 49ers (x2)
Minnesota: Tampa Bay Bucs, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears (x2), Detroit Lions (x2)
So far this year the AFC West and the NFC East have been comparably weak, and the AFC North and the NFC South have been comparably strong, essentially cancelling each other out. What's glaring (and helps us) is that while we have to play the Packers (12-0) twice, the Rams have to play the 49ers (10-2) twice. But the Rams also played the Packers. We do not face the 49ers, but faced the Cardinals instead. So for that portion of the SOS currently equates to; Rams (32-4), Vikings (29-7). That's a huge plus for us in terms of strength of schedule. So in the end, it boils down to this; if you care about the Vikings winning a potential tiebreaker with the Rams for the #2 overall pick in the 2012 draft, you will:
-
root for the following divisions to win as many games as possible over the 4 remaining weeks: NFC East, AFC North, NFC West. And:
-
root for the following divisions to lose as many games as possible over the 4 remaining weeks: NFC South, AFC West, NFC North.
We currently have a 1 game cushion in the projected strength of schedule, so this will be extremely tight. I will update this after each remaining week so we know where we stand. But here's to Reeling for Kalil!
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.
69 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I am hoping that we can pick up Kalil
If we do end up picking at No.3 and Kalil is gone then unless Blackmon looks like he is going to be an elite WR then i think we should trade down 5-10 spots and pick up the best LT available.
At the moment, Reiff is climbing the boards at could possibly the number 2 LT in the draft. He may not have the ceiling that Kalil has but he would still be a massive upgrade, allowing Johnson to kick inside and compte with the rest of our Guards for a starting position.
If we are lucky enough to get Cleveland’s 2 first rounders in a trade then we may be able to adress WR or CB with our extra first rounder.
If not then we will have a nice draft to look forward to in 2013….
But if Blackmon does look like he has elite written all over him by the time April rolls round
you wouldnt hear me complaining if we picked him at #3.
by Scottish Viking on Dec 8, 2011 8:41 AM CST up reply actions
this is where I sit...
I’m not a big Blackmon guy; I think he’s a bit like Mike Williams as far as pro separation. To me it’s either Kalil or a tradedown to get the next best LT and a stud secondary guy or LB at the end of round 1 or beginning of round 2.
The best hope barring the #2 pick (or maybe even with the #2 pick) is that someone (Cleveland?) falls in love with RG3—-I think he’ll end up as the 2nd qb taken—and gives us a good package to move up.
Another thing that would be small, but underrated benefit would be the #2 pick in the subsequent rounds if St. Louis can somehow win one more game then us from here on out. Those early picks have value on each day for trades, as Spielman (who I LOVE as a draft maneuvering guy) has figured out for a long time now.
What about Morris Claiborne?
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
i like him...
but I’m a big believer that we MUST address the OL first and foremost. Both with a top pick and a big FA OT or OG. You get those two, then you can slide Loadholt in at RG and slide Johnson over to LG and have good depth too.
I think we have to help Ponder high in the draft.
Either give him more protection, or give him a big threat target.
We will be looking for Ponder to grow next year, he wont be able to achieve that without some help on offense.
by Scottish Viking on Dec 8, 2011 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
agreed completely.
my dream is something like:
1st-Kalil
2nd-best CB available
3rd-best LB available
3rd (comp pick)-best CB or LB available, maybe even WR
FA: best S available, best WR available, best OT available
We should have the money and resources to accomplish all that.
I'm getting goose bumps after reading that.
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
I dont see us being able to go out and get the best FA's for all those positions.
We may be able to get one of the best FA WR’s.
There wont be an OT of any talent hitting FA.
And I hope that Griffen maybe gets slid over to safety so he is always facing the play.
My Ideal (and perhaps more realistic) scenario would be:
1st – Kalil
2nd – best CB available or WR available (depending who is highest on the draft board)
3rd – BPA
3rd (comp pick) – BPA
and so on for ther rest of the draft – perhaps a couple of projects.
and in FA – i would just like to see us target 1 or 2 of the better FA’s. This year we seemed to get the also-ran FA’s. Just 1 higher profile FA would make me happy.
by Scottish Viking on Dec 8, 2011 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
Ok so with Kalil apparently off the board right now
What do we do? Take the NEXT best OT or take THE best corner? I say the best player available which would most likely be Claiborne.
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
Claiborne IMO.
Unless Blackmon is there. Neither of those guys, then trade down.
"Like I said, I don’t think anybody on this team knows what schism is, let alone could use it in a sentence. I thought it was an STD when I first heard it. And I was like whoa, we preach abstinence around these parts." - Jared Allen
Depends on who is BPA when we are on the clock.
If we cant trade down i’d maybe be tempted to “reach” for the top OT whether that be Martin or Reiff.
more liekly to “Bust” with a WR or CB than an OT, and i think we really need our 1st round pick to be a good one.
by Scottish Viking on Dec 8, 2011 1:17 PM CST up reply actions
Trade down, collect late 1st or 2nd rd pick...
and take Martin, IMO.
Disagree on FA; there are a few good OT guys out there this year, and we should have close to $40M to spend this offseason, depending on who they let go. I think 3 good FA guys (doesn’t have to be THE top guy at those positions) is doable.
Who we should take with our first round pick?
Well Guys to let go. Hutch,C.Griff,Winfield,Herrara,T.Johnson,Sanford
Players to sign.
C.Nicks OG, L. Landry SS, V.Jackson WR, & maybe B.Carr CB.Rookies we keep
M.Raymond FS, B.Burton CB and 2nd year player M. Sherrels CB.
Players to draft
Find trading partner and trade down get 2nd 1st R and take either Martin or Reiff
Rd1a Still or Minnifield.
Rd2 Gilmore or Osemele
Rd3 Mcnutt
Rd3a Lester
Rd4 Nix
Rd5-7 Depth.
I'm thinking using our fourth and seenig how far that moves our second round pick
If Minnifield is in reach I would do that in a heart beat.
The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.
small point...
but the 4th might be a little bit valuable, since it’ll be the 2nd or 3rd pick of day 3. Spielman always likes having those early picks because teams mull players/trades overnight and that always puts you in a prime position. I agree. This might be another small reason not to trade up from the 2nd rd (one of the first picks of day 2).
Kalil returning to USC
Kalil and Barkley are returning for their seniors seasons. As for all these talks on getting a OL in the 1st all you need to do is look back at the OL’s taken in the 1st few picks over the years
jason smith- st louis
joe thomas- cleveland
jake long- miami
russel okung- seattle
trent williams- washington
eugene monroe- jacksonville
dbrickashaw fergusion- new york j
All solid players ferguson a all pro a few years ago along with long. My point is you can get solid OL’s in the later rounds of the draft, we need a playmaker on the outside to get teams off the line. Is blackmon that GUY idk but i do know we need a WR in this Draft and Blackmon would fit this postion after losing Rice and cutting berrain.
CB is also a must in this draft Morris Claiborne is a beast of a corner and would bloster the leagues worst pass defense.
So in hindaide a CB or WR is a must we can wait on a OL
by mad_wacker39 on Dec 9, 2011 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
your own post refutes that logic though...
all of those guys were really high picks, and are the best young OL in the game. long and thomas are probably the two best LT’s in all of football. you get stud OL early; they’re safe and you have them forever, with less injury concerns than other positions.
it’s GOT to be kalil for us. if not him, then a trade down for martin (reiff is an OG) and collect another late 1st rd pick or early 2nd rd pick. this is not a deep LT draft. it is a deep CB draft and there are a few good WR’s. for the record, i wouldn’t be shocked at all if Michael Floyd ends up better in the pros than Blackmon, and he’ll be a late 1st or early 2nd rd pick. There are also some good WR’s available in FA this year. should be interesting, but to me, you take a LT over a WR early in this draft in a heartbeat.
I hate saying this but look at what Green bay has done
Built this team through the draft not through FA all you need to do is look at the eagles and c what that does for you.
Green bay’s whole starting OL except for Bulaga and Sherrod were taken in later rounds you need weapons for a young QB get a WR in the 1st Round Then CB. I agree we need OL but you dont need to panic and get one 5th pick overall like we did at QB last year
i guess i disagree...
OL in later rds is fine, but that takes years to build. if we want to protect ponder right away (and i think we should) we need to take a top guy. we’ve not used any major resources on an OL since Mckinnie in the draft. Loadholt is about the biggest you could say. It’s also about value to me; I’d rather have Martin than Blackmon. I’m just not high on him. And this is a very deep CB draft where we can still get a good CB at the end of rd 1 or in rd 2.
U guess
Do some research and look at the Guys that come outta schools related to positions
For USC to have so many good players to go through there not many have been OL’s the majority of guys that are solids players for years have all been defense guys Rivers, Malaluga, Polamalu, Matthews, The best schools to put OL into the draft are big 10 schools historically. Reiff would make a good choice if any but like you said later on. If you want me to go on ill add Kelechi Osemele in the 2nd round. the vikings dont have the resources or the players to move to get back into the 1st round at the end of the 1st round.
you need good players not depth this team is getting older on all fronts you need guys that will come in and contribute right away and Kalil is projected to be a RT in the NFL notta LT,
K so if not Blackmon or Floyd here is some food for thought as well. Alshon Jeffery, Jeff Fuller, Juron Criner, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright. Again look at schools that historically put certain Positions in the NFL
not true at all...
Kalil is most definitely considered a LT in the NFL. Martin is considered a RT or LT (more likely RT, but we can hope) and Reiff is considered an OG.
Also, I have done plenty of research; the talent coming from different conferences is one of the things I enjoy researching most. And yes, absolutely the best OL are usually coming from the Big10, lots of defense coming from ACC/SEC/Pac12, and lots of skill position players coming from SEC/ACC/Big12. But college talent is a lot different than NFL talent. USC has been, and currently is (in addition to Kalil), loaded with COLLEGE OL talent. Their OL’s have been dominant in the college game and against Pac12 college defenses; that is my point. Leinart and Sanchez both had all day long to throw, and Barkley has as well. He will be nothing more than a “solid” QB in the NFL, in my opinion.
also...
I’d completely disagree on the Vikings having resources to move up into the late 1st. They will have either the #2 or #3 2nd rd pick (#34 or #35 overall). It would not take a lot of value to move up a few spots into the very end of the 1st. Probably a 4th rd pick or so. And remember, they will likely have an extra pick after the 3rd rd (compensatory pick for Rice or Edwards; in-depth post on that topic to be made as soon as I finish all teams’ formulations). That pick can’t be traded, but it still would make, say, their 3rd or 4th rd pick more tradeable if there’s a guy we really want to move up for.
i could do this all day
honestly lets just hope that management doesnt mess things up it was great chatting with u. We will have to do this again sometime
Well done post
The no. 2 pick would be ideal this year and I’ll take short term pain in exchange for a super stud LT. People make the argument that no team that selected a pro-bowl tackle / OL that high has gone on to win many games but I would argue those teams did not have much of a team in place anyway (see Browns, Jags, etc). We actually have a number of good pieces already and shoring up the left side of the line helps Ponder and Peterson immensely so there’s a lot of bang for the buck in Kalil. Here’s to hoping we can land him.
agreed fully...
always take the stud if you can. I’d be pretty happy with Kalil protecting Ponder for the next 10-12 years.
NOOOOOOOooooooo
Just read an article on cbssports that Kalil was leaning twoards returning to USC. If I wasn’t a noob on the dn I’d figure out how to post the link.
by Dodger48 on Dec 8, 2011 10:21 AM CST via mobile reply actions
that would suck...
not what i would do, but i’d never make the decision for someone. his family is already plenty secure, OL rarely get big injuries, and USC should be a top 5 team next year.
I would if I were him
This was a great year for QB’s, and if he stays and has a good year, he could get drafted top five next year.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 8, 2011 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
but he's top 5 this year anyway...
he’s the 2nd best guy in this draft. tough to see him going any higher next year.
Barkley I could see staying; he’ll go 3rd or 4th of the QB’s this year when it’s all done IMO. I really think RG3 will rise a lot after interviews and the combine.
Barkley's highly overrated btw...
IMO. I’d take any of the other 3 above him.
He’ll go third if he declares behind (obviously) Luck and RGIII, but nowhere near the top five.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 9, 2011 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
He’ll go third at his position I meant
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 9, 2011 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
ya...
i’m just saying I would take him 4th of those. I’d put Jones ahead of him personally.
Really?
Jones has seriously regressed this year. While his stats show it, they don’t show his incredible inconsistency and poor judgement.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 9, 2011 4:43 PM CST up reply actions
Not to mention
In Oklahoma’s three biggest games this year; Florida State (I was at that game!!), Baylor, and Oklahoma State; he threw 1 TD to 5 interceptions. Had it not been for the horrible defenses of Ball State, Texas Tech, and Kansas giving up 5 TD’s a piece to him, his stats would be even less impressive.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 9, 2011 4:49 PM CST up reply actions
sure...
but i don’t knock him for too much of that overall.
and while i’m not that high on jones, i do like him more than barkley. i like rg3 better than both.
How can you not knock him
for seriously regressing from the great player he was last year? This year’s inconsistent play by him earned him a second round pick.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 10, 2011 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
Why do you say that? He seems like a really heady guy that can make all of the throws. I think he’s gonna end up being a pretty good QB.
Fire Slocum
by packallday555 on Dec 9, 2011 10:32 PM CST up reply actions
Nice work DJ
I look forward to the updates.
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
thanks...
I’m a regular at TwinkieTown, but do try to pop in here every once in a while. I’ll also be posting on our likely compensatory picks (think I figured it out) in the next day or two as well. Sneak peek; I think we’ll end up with a 3rd rd compensatory pick.
How is this article not Rec'd yet? BOOM! Problem solved!
Thanks for sorting some stuff out for me. I was wondering how to figure out who to root for the rest of the season. I was also confused by the strength of schedule stuff. Sometimes it looked like the Vikings were at #3 and sometimes at #2.
I do have a question though. One tie breaker I didn’t see was head to head play. When the Cards were at 3 and whatever and Carolina was 2 and something, I remember thinking that they would pick ahead of us if we ended up tied with them for the same number of wins at the end of the season. Is that not the case? Does head-to-head not factor in?
Anyway, I love this post, but the comment that revealed Kalil might stay in school has probably ruined my day. Can this team not cut a break? Damn Colts. Damn USC.
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
One positive of Kalil staying in school....
It may actually work out if he stays in school for the Vikings to trade down and get more picks if they can find a partner and get a Tackle down a few spots.
by VikesFanInTulsa on Dec 8, 2011 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
The heart wants what the heart wants
And I wanted Luck or the very best LT available. Granted I have no idea if Kalil was the very best LT available, but others said he was, and I’m impressionable that way.
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
You wanted Luck?
Not on board with Ponder?
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
I like Ponder a lot...
but to me, I like Luck even more. I think he’s a surefire franchise guy. And Ponder has probably shown enough to merit a 1st rd pick by now in a trade. So personally, if we had the #1 pick, I think I’d take Luck and trade Ponder for a #1 and figure out how to protect him.
IMO, at this point, Ponder is okay.
There’s good, and there’s not good. Moments of brilliance. Moments of garbage. I think Ponder could become very good. I also think he could end up being a career back up. It’s just that I don’t know which way he’s going to go. As such, I’d have grabbed Luck if the option was there. It isn’t, so Ponder will get more time. And hopefully that’ll end up being the very best thing for the team in the long run.
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
just a few weeks ago I shared your opinion
And really, if Luck is there, I still might be yelling at the tube for the Vikes to pull the trigger. At this point it wouldn;’t be a knock against Ponder, more a compliment for Luck.
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
it's kind of like Chester Taylor/AD really...
Chester Taylor was a very good starting RB, but AD is going to be in the conversation for best RB all time by the time his career ends. I think the same of Luck.
Agree
If by some chance Luck was there I’d take him in a minute and trade Ponder to whatever team was willing to give up their first for him.( Washington, Miami, maybe Cleveland) and take a LT at that pick WIN WIN. Of course this is the Vikings we’re talking about so that type of luck will never happen.
by VikesFanInTulsa on Dec 9, 2011 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
thank you sir...
and yes, head to head does not factor in in draft tiebreakers. it’s weird, but that is the case.
Seems like the NFL rule makers go so wrapped up in making a long list of tie breakers...
…that they missed the most obvious one.
Thanks again for this post. It’s great. Thanks also for being willing to update the rankings as the season goes by. As I said earlier, I want to know who I should be rooting for and against as the rest of the season plays out.
"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
no problem...
i’m a draft geek. baseball/basketball/football. the NFL draft is literally my favorite day of the NFL year (well, 3 days to be technical). I’d much rather watch the NFL draft than any game or the Super Bowl.
As soon as I figure out all of the NFL’s likely compensatory picks (working on it) then I’ll put together a full “current NFL draft order” post and will update that from now up until the end of the season in February.
Just looked over...
The remaining schedule for all the teams that the Vikings and Rams played this year and if there are no major upsets I have the Rams SOS at 149-113 and the Vikings at 145-117. This has us both losing out.
by VikesFanInTulsa on Dec 9, 2011 2:51 PM CST up reply actions
Aaaaaaand Kalil has decided to return for his senior year.
FML.
"Like I said, I don’t think anybody on this team knows what schism is, let alone could use it in a sentence. I thought it was an STD when I first heard it. And I was like whoa, we preach abstinence around these parts." - Jared Allen
looks like that is incorrect.
Apparently that was just a rumour and that Kalil isn’t even close to deciding whether to declare or not.
According to walter football anyway…..
REEEEEEEEEEL FOR KALIIIIIIIIIIIIIL!
sorry.
by Scottish Viking on Dec 8, 2011 4:48 PM CST up reply actions
Another reason Kalil returning would hurt us, btw...
is the Rams. You have to figure they want an impact LT too to protect Bradford. If Kalil joins the draft, there are 2 impact guys IMO; Kalil and Martin. I think Reiff is more of an OG. If he doesn’t, we risk losing the only “impact” LT (IMO) with a tradedown. That would suck. I guess we have to hope that the Rams are enamored with Blackmon and that another team is enamored with RG3 whether we pick #2 or #3 (or #4, depending on the Jags). I can’t see any way we slide past the #4 pick.
Vikings F/A and Draft
If were speculating we have 40 mil. maybe more if we let Griffin, Winfield, Hutchinson, Herrara, E.J. Henderson go. That will create some salary cap space. In that case I would like us to sign the following players Carl Nicks OG N.O., Laron Landry SS Wash, Brandon Carr CB K.C., Vincent Jackson WR S.D., Nfl Draft
Rd1 Reiff or Martin OT
Poss. trade with Clev
Rd1a Still NT-DT
Rd 2 Gilmore CB
Rd 3 Mcnutt WR
Compensatory Pick
Rd3a Datko OT
Lets hope Cook can come back.
I wouldn't worry about DT...
I like Guion, and KW will still be good for a while. I think you’ve neglected LB. Our crew kind of sucks. We need to get better there AND add to the secondary.
Scheme
I think its important to factor in the draft selections to what direction the Vikings should be heading as far as offensive and defensive schemes. Its still likely Musgrave will be the Offensive Coordinator and Frazier will still be the head coach. Its still unclear about whether the D. Coordinator will be back so its hard to know what direction they’ll be going in.
It also will play large into what players the Vikings intend to let go. I don’t think Hutch will be let go. E.J. possibly, but it depends on whose our coordinator next year. We just paid Peterson alot of money and rightfully so. That seems to show me they’re next step is to find some Linemen with a run-blocking mentality. Its still hard to say if there aren’t some linemen out there that we havn’t heard about that will come to surface. We need to do a better job of sustaining drives on the ground and keeping the possessions for Rodgers/Stafford/Cutler to a minimum.
We also need to retain that brutal defense that we had not very long ago. I think a piece or two can be added to our front 7, but all 4 in the back-end needs upgrading. Its pathetic right now.
1st: I have faith in our staff to be able to find the best and meanest linemen with a top 3 or 4 pick.
Late 1st/Early 2nd: SAFETY
Late 2nd/early 3rd: Linebacker
With the compensatory pick we should be picking back-to back in the late third early 4th.
WR/CB.
Then your just reaching for whatever freak athletes remain.
Scheme
Pjesuz i dont agree with your draft analysis on a couple of points. First reason we have 40 mil under the cap to use. I say for the back end of the defence vet wise we should try signing LaRon Landry SS from Washington, Also try to sign Brandon Carr CB Kansas City. Then try to sign Carl Nicks OG from the New Orleans. This would free up the draft to fix part of the back end.
Early 1st R Martin or Reiff
Late 1st R Minnifield
2nd R Gilmore or Lester
Early 3rd R Marvin Mcnutt
Late 3rd R Ramsey
4th R LB
5ht R Watkins
6th-7th R’s Depth
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
