The Case For Kalil (Plus Championship Game Picks)
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 20, 2012 6:12 PM CST
in 2012 NFL Draft
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PrintWe're now less than 100 days away from the NFL Draft. Between now and April 26, there will be roughly 80 bajillion mock drafts (exactly zero of which will be completely accurate). There will be leaks. There will be rumors. There will be tweets that lead millions of people to believe something that's totally false. (Oh hi Rob Lowe!)
But amongst all the misconception, misunderstanding, and misinformation that's sure to bombard the NFL world in the next 3+ months, I can guarantee you one thing: the Minnesota Vikings need to draft Matt Kalil with the #3 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The end.
OK, fine, I'll elaborate a little. While there are plenty of intriguing players available with picking so early in the draft, I'm convinced that Kalil will be the best choice for the Vikings. He fits one of the team's biggest needs and will be able to improve many facets of the offense almost immediately. Nobody should assume Kalil will be an elite tackle right away, but the guy is NFL ready. He's 6'7", 295 pounds, and possesses amazing athleticism for a man his size. Kalil might not be the second coming of Jackie Slater, but there's a very good chance that he'll be a very good NFL lineman for a long time.
Drafting a tackle with the third pick probably won't grab many headlines; let's discuss why the Vikings should pass on some of the top future draft picks that have been hogging the spotlight lately.
Don't misunderstand my fawning over Kalil as dismissal of the other candidates. I believe that both Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III have very promising NFL careers ahead of them. But drafting a quarterback in the first round two years in a row? A team with as many holes as the Vikings just can't do it. Even if Luck and RGIII are the second coming of John Elway and Steve Young, they wouldn't be able to accomplish much with the kind of blocking that Minnesota's offensive line provided in 2011.
Besides, are you really ready to give up on Christian Ponder after less than a dozen games? It's a ridiculous notion. The guy had no offseason to prepare and had exactly one dependable receiver to throw to. To top it all off, he had an offensive line that for the most part blocked defenders like the captain of the Costa Concordia drives cruise ships.
Many will point to Ponder's injuries and inconsistent play down the stretch as to why we should take Griffin. (Let's face it, Luck isn't gonna be there by the time the Vikings pick.) I think Ponder being banged up and playing poorly at the end of the season is exactly why we should draft Kalil. If Ponder has to spend another season running for his life, I'm afraid he'll develop what I like to call David Carr Syndrome--otherwise known as DCS.
What's DCS you ask? Just think back to David Carr's lackluster NFL career. He came into the NFL with lots of promise and was thrust into the starting role on a lousy team. He showed flashes of greatness and put up decent numbers, but for the most part he was too worried about getting sacked rather than focusing on making plays as a quarterback. (Sound like anyone you know?) His concerns were justified--he was sacked a whopping 249 times in his five-year career with the Houston Texans. By the end of his tenure there, he had become too shell-shocked to be an effective starting QB. Sure, Carr's still in the league, but his DCS will most likely keep him from being anything more than a backup.
I don't want Ponder to develop DCS, and Matt Kalil is the surest way to prevent that. I wouldn't be furious if the Vikings selected Justin Blackmon or Morris Claiborne with the third pick, especially if the Rams snatch up Kalil in front of us. They both fill a major void on the team and have tons of potential. But I believe Kalil is the closest the Vikings can come to a sure thing. After an awful 3-13 season, a sure thing sure would be nice heading into 2012.
Enough looking over three months ahead--let's take a peek at the NFL's near future with my Conference Championship picks. (Home teams in ALL CAPS.)
PATRIOTS over Ravens: I know we aren't supposed to put too much stock into how the teams played last week, but holy hell did the Ravens look pedestrian in their victory over Houston. I know Baltimore has had the Pats' number lately, but I can't pick you to outscore New England when it seems like your only two offensive plays are "stretch play to Ray Rice" and "bomb it down the sideline to Torrey Smith and hope for the best". Patriots 31, Ravens 20
49ERS over Giants: I know, I know--it's the 2007 Giants all over again. New York is peaking at the perfect time. Nobody can stop their pass rush. You can't spell "elite" without "Eli". We're destined for a Super Bowl XLII rematch. But I go exactly .500 with my picks every single playoff weekend, and I just can't pick the Ravens, so I'm going with San Francisco even though everything is pointing towards the G-Men. Of course that means by switching to the 49ers I probably guaranteed yet another .500 weekend of picks, but whatever. As long as we don't have to hear about the Harbaugh Bowl for two weeks I'll be OK. 49ers 24, Giants 20
And since SOPA tried to prevent it, let's finish it off with your Gratuitous Picture of the Week!
"On our D you can't run or pass, so hey there Giants kiss our..."
Last week: 2-2
Playoffs so far: 4-4
Regular season: 161-95
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Kalil is the best player
for us at the 3rd pick. Didn’t even have to read the article.
☠★☪Creator of http:/vikescity.info/ and dedicated DN reader.
by UnBannedVikingholic on Jan 20, 2012 6:16 PM CST reply actions
But...
The Gratuitous Picture of the Week! My NFL picks! I made up “DCS”! You still have to read it :)
Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.
Follow @eric_j_thompson
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 20, 2012 6:20 PM CST up reply actions
Lol I just seen the Agree or Disagree on Facebook
and immediately scrolled to the comments section, but I gotcha :)
☠★☪Creator of http:/vikescity.info/ and dedicated DN reader.
by UnBannedVikingholic on Jan 20, 2012 6:28 PM CST up reply actions
Ravens are 1-6 in their last 7 against the Pats
Just seems like they have their number because their one win was the playoff game 2 years ago.
by FLSKOLMAN on Jan 20, 2012 10:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
See I rate the thee possible players at #3 spot like this as far as NFL futures.
- Claiborne
- Kalil
- Blackmon
I really like what I see in Claiborn BUT for the Vikings I think Kalil makes the bigger impact on the team, not to mention it is way more often that a good DB or WR comes onto the FA market than a real good LT.
\m/
by Edgecrusher71 on Jan 21, 2012 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
Best Picture of the week evahh!
And I hope other quarterbacks don’t catch DCS. Seems serious.
by PurplePrideforLife! on Jan 20, 2012 6:20 PM CST reply actions
I completely agree.
Kalil would be awesome. It’s sounding more and more like he’ll be there too, with 7 of the 8 NFL.com Mock Draft writers slotting Justin Blackmon at the #2 slot (only Steve Mariucci had Kalil @ #2) and Matt Kalil going to the Vikings at #3 in every instance (Mariucci had the Vikings getting Blackmon in his mock.) Lots of them discussed the possibility of Washington or Cleveland taking the #2 spot as the first option, followed by Blackmon, and then Kalil. I’m hoping Kalil is a very real possibility as well as the best one. Good article!
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear." -Mark Twain
The Best Picture of the Week
is not exactly like Randy Moss in Green Bay. But some how similar. Is that sick or observant?
And yes to Kalil. And an all Harbaugh Super Bowl.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
If he falls past St. Louis
Hell yes
"Believe in the system. For it shall bring light when there is dark, food when there is hunger, and shots when there are passes. This is the divine process." Yeo 4:18
A coworker and I were discussing St. Louis
And I think they will trade their pick the the Redskins and the Redskins take RG III. I think Kalil will fall to us. Then with the 8 th pick the Rams will select Michael Floyd. Jeff Fisher will avoid WRs with ego issues(courtesy of his last year with Randy Moss) and will bypass Justin Blackmon.
I didn't know Justin Blackmon had ego issues...
I thought that was Dez Bryant. Michael Floyd has been arrest more times than Blackmon! :P
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear." -Mark Twain
blackmon is dez bryant
without the mental issues..
by vikesfan4lyf on Jan 20, 2012 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
Eric......
I’m completely speechless by your pick. Such arrogance, audacity, unbridled lust, borderline disgusting to some women……..
I love it!
Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is a war room!
pic that is, uhg
Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is a war room!
by VikesFaninNM on Jan 20, 2012 7:23 PM CST up reply actions
I thought you meant picking San Francisco :)
Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.
Follow @eric_j_thompson
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 20, 2012 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
For once its an easy decision!
Take Kalil, or trade the pick for whoever gives up the most for RGIII. The second through seventh is who I’m excited for!
by NorthPoleNorseman on Jan 20, 2012 7:36 PM CST via mobile reply actions
That camera guy sure is making sure he captures the action
If there were a vote that pic has been the best so far gotta hand it to you on that
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
We should draft Kaili
But the dude really has to bulk up. The only thing that is a big time negative about this kid is that he weighs only 295. If he enters the NFL season at 295. I worry that he wont be as durable and the risk for injury increases.
He will certainly put on some weight...
But I would like to keep him a little more svelte than other OT prospects so he can handle some of the speed rushers we seem to have a problem with.
Aren't most defensive ends these days under 280lbs.?
While I wouldn’t object to Kalil putting on a few pounds (like 10-15), I don’t see it as an absolute necessity. Too much bulk might be a hindrance.
by Are we cursed? on Jan 20, 2012 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
Too much bulk is definitely a hindrance
See Phil Loadholt, pre-2011 McKinney
Most players enter the league a bit undersized, I wouldn’t be too worried he will have plenty of time to pump weights in the offseason
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
It depends on whether they are 4-3 or 3-4 defensive ends.
4-3’s are 260-270lbs while 3-4’s are bigger 280-300lbs in general.
And offensive tackles can vary in size depending on the type of blocking schemes that the team generally uses. Man blocking tackles are generally bigger to maul people, while zone blocking tackles are a little lighter in order to be more nimble, as a requirement of their blocking techniques. The vikings were trying to use Mckinnie and Loadholt to run a zone blocking system…with man blocking type tackles.
You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the Spiderman
And you don't trash talk about him
by REVENGE4WEBB on Jan 21, 2012 3:32 PM CST up reply actions
What worries me the most
I hope Speilmen doesn’t get too cute and start trading down for a bunch of picks that won’t be on the team in 2 years anyway. It’s just I have no faith in Spielman’s ability to draft past the first round. Let’s hope he uses this #3 on a sure thing and puts some more leg work into the later rounds
by dirtyplay on Jan 20, 2012 8:08 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
agree
Spielman’s the NEW GM will be out to prove he is MR fantastic with crazy moves and picks (more than usual) and we weill probably pick a 5th round unknown wqith great physical specs or trades down for average joes like you suggest.
WE NEEDED A GOOD GM not a proven ban one in training
Jackie Slater???
How about Ron Yary? It’s high time the Vikes picked another future HOF LT from USC at the top of the draft!!
As for his weight – don’t worry – he’ll add weight as he gets a little older. I think OL now put too much of a premium on bulk and not enough on mobility and athleticism. I am totally onboard with Kalil – I just wish I hadn’t watched the RGIII highlight video …
by Torstein on Jan 20, 2012 8:14 PM CST via mobile reply actions
D'oh
Totally whiffed on the Ron Yary comparison. You’re right, way better analogy than Jackie Slater. My lack of historical lineman knowledge was exposed almost as much as the 49ers cheerleaders in the picture.
Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.
Follow @eric_j_thompson
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 20, 2012 8:24 PM CST up reply actions
No problem
Gary Zimmerman would’ve been another good choice. We’ve had some great LT’s thru the years.
by Torstein on Jan 20, 2012 9:14 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I am almost positive
Ron Yary was a right tackle, obviously it doesn’t diminish his accomplishments just clarifying
"You can write articles and do whatever you want, you can break down every player. Good, bad or ugly. But we just aren't good enough as a team, as a group. Offensively, defensively and special teams, from the No. 1 on the roster to the last man on the roster. We just aren't good enough. It's as simple as that." - Chad Greenway
I can't argue with your logic, but...
I would seriously consider trading down from #3 for a slate of picks. I think that’s doable given the right valuation and desperation of who in the top ten wants to move up. My reasoning here is that a guy like Johnathan Martin or Reilly Reiff would still be available for us and most scouts have them rated very similarly to Kalil. In fact, everything I’ve read rates Kalil as the best pass protector of the three but the worst run blocker of the three; most scouts stating that he really needs to bulk up and add power since he’s slow off the line and lacks explosiveness. Martin and Reiff are rated as NFL ready in run blocking, with Martin rated as by far the best run blocker in the draft. And…we are still a “run first” team, right? Anyway, food for thought. If the trade netted us another first rounder or high second rounder in this year’s draft, that opens up the possibility of picking up a high ranking DB or WR.
It's a passing league
The best pass protector is far more valuable than the best run blocker. I’ll take a mobile, athletic guy over a road grader at LT any day.
by Torstein on Jan 20, 2012 9:17 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Well...
Not to argue, but it’s irrelevant what the league is if the Vikes are a running team. If we’re planning on becoming a passing team, then it matters, but we’re not. And Martin consistently pass blocked against a higher caliber of defensive lineman than Kalil did. That’s one of the knocks on Kalil… his competition was suspect. Additionally, Reiff is considered more athletic than either of them. My point is that their rankings are much closer than we’re giving them credit for. As a result, if one of the other two can still be picked up and a pick or two added, we still get our starting LT and more picks. That’s a win-win.
Couldn't disagree more!
The Vikes have MANY holes to fill. I would seriously consider trading the pick. If not, I would STRONGLY consider drafting RG3.
I have only seen him a few times, but if the VIKES think he is a super star in the making (i.e. can’t miss such as A. Luck), you have to draft him and trade Ponder.
Let me ask this, if the Vikes had the first pick, don’t you believe they would have drafted LUCK?? I bet the answer is yes!! So just because they drafted a 1st round QB last year, does not mean they shouldn’t do it again.
Numerous team draft the same position high in the draft in consecutive years or over a few years. See Detroit.
how'd that work out for them?
when asked by Dan Patrick if his name alluded to not making quick decisions in the pocket, Ponder calmly replied "As crazy as it sounds, my mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word"
It worked out okay the third time! Calvin Johnson ring a bell??
Matt Milan was a joke, so it took him three tries to get it right, but he did. CJ is one of the BEST rec in the NFL.
So I would say it worked out well for Detroit.
Draft pick selection: Good
Packer Free NFC Championship: Better
Pic of the Week: Best. Ever. And ever. Amen.
"Go hard. I mean, like relentless. I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair’s on fire, and I want a football team that goes for four to six seconds (per play) with relentless effort." OSU Coach Urban Meyer.
Drafting Kahlil is a no -brainer if he's there
The big question is, what to do if Kahlil has already been selected. What is the drop off between Kahlil and Reiff?? Some draft prognosticators have actually rated Reiff higher. The same arguments used above for Kahlil, could also be applied to Reiff. The Vikings have neglected the offensive line for too long. Last year the Vikings should have drafted LT Anthony Castonzo. They knew this year would sport a strong QB class. Besides Ponder probably would have been available in the second round. There’s a lot of games played at draft time, and the Vikings panicked. If Washington, or another team were considering a quarterback in last years draft, they could have just as easily taken Andy Dalton. They were rated fairly close. Since the Vikings drafted Ponder, the Vikings need to fix the O-line and see what our young quarterbacks can do. It will be interesting to see how the tackles are rated after the combine.
Agree
I believe that Kahlil is the best O-lineman in the draft but don’t know if he is better than Reiff/Martin and another low 1st Round/high 2nd Rounder. As long as we stay in the top 10, get one of those three linemen and get more quality picks, I won’t have a problem with trading down. I think that the drop off after the top three O/L prospects is severe. Ponder was a reach but now we have to give him (or Webb) the tools to be successful. Otherwise I can see us with the same issue next year looking to draft Barkley because RGIII wasn’t successful due to the lack of the protection and tools he had to work with. As always, IMHO.
by socalminfan on Jan 21, 2012 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
Kalil will be gone before we pick
St Louis will take him at #2. It fits Fisher’s MO of building from the lines.
So the pertinent question is: BPA @ #3, or trade back.
Trading back takes partners: See CP7 last season. Do we have a realistic partner. And then the next issue is, do you trade away potential elite players for a bunch of grinders at the lower half of the 1st round? We can’t be sure of that yet. Given the gaping hole at the WR and in our Secondary, I’m not sure trading back is a good idea, when either of those glaring holes could be plugged for a decade.
Agree. Take Kalil if he's there, but there's no way they should trade out of 3
if STL takes him. Grab Blackmon, dude is elite, we need major upgrades in talent all over the place. We can add depth throughout the draft, but cant pass on elite WRs like blackmon, i.e Megatron, Fitz, Andre Johnson
Take Kalil!
This is a no brainer. Good OTs are rarer than just about any other position in football. I am talking guys that are better than just serviceable. You can find receivers like that a lot more frequently, but they will never protect the guy throwing to them. I like DCS but saw it forst hand when Marc Buldger was in St Louis. He went from all pro to a guy afraid of his own shadow because nobody felt it was necessary to protect him. Let Ponder/Spiderman develop with protection. They can turn into long term answers then rather than be done and the Vikes being back on the ‘gotta find a QB’ kick again in a few years.
Great picture Eric!
It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a Viking to raze a village.
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