Vikings Team Needs
by ecoop2 on Jan 26, 2012 7:18 AM CST
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Vikings Team Needs:
In a 3-13 team there are many more holes than you can fill in one off-season. These are the most pressing needs for the 2012 Vikings.
OT
Charlie Johnson and Phil Loadholt are the Vikings bookends. Both could be upgraded. Charlie Johnson gives all that he has, but unfortunately he doesn’t have much. He may be more suited for guard or as a swing tackle. He is not, however the Vikings answer to “Who will be our starting left tackle in 2012” question. Phil Loadholt is a top shelf run blocker that consistently gets push on the right side. In the passing game is a liability at times. If, a very big “IF’ he can become more consistent in his fourth year he can be the answer.
Dark Horse: Demarcus Love spent the entire 2011 season on the active roster but never made an appearance. The feeling around the organization is that he has talent and can factor into the Tackle or guard plans for the future.
Secondary
The Vikings finished last in the NFL in pass defense despite being in the top five with sacks. The pressure was not consistent but the secondary play was awful. Blown assignments and being physically dominated most of the year. The Vikings are not in as bad of shape as most believe. Getting a healthy Winfield and Chris Cook back next year will be a big boost. They still, however need to address this area of need in draft and or free agency. Marcus Sherels is a good special teams player and will only get better on defense. Brandon Burton did not do anything to excite the staff but he was only a rookie last year.
Dark Horse Mistral Raymond needs to add bulk and continue to improve. He will probably enter the off-season as the starter. He played like a rookie most of the year but did show some promise. Looks like a keeper.
WR
With Percy Harvin and Michael Jenkins the Vikings receiving core may not need a total overhaul. I believe adding a player or two will go a long way to help the development of Christian Ponder. Drafting a receiver may not be the best of ideas. The wide receiver position in free agency is littered with proven commodities. I would go after Pierre Garcon or Mario Manningham. Marques Colston may also be a good fit but he may ask for too much. Camarillo and Arcenoux are likely done with the Vikings. Stephen Burton should improve but may not be a difference maker. Devin Aromashadu will only be asked back if the price is right.
Dark Horse: Rookie late round receivers hardly ever produce enough to be noticed. Stephen Burton had a rough start to his career but his shown flashes and has the talent to succeed. If he can harness some of that he may be able to help in a position of need for the Vikings.
OG
With the likelihood of Steve Hutchinson not being back and Anthony Herrera not being healthy the Vikings Offensive Guards may look entirely different. I am optimistic however that the solution may be found in house. Rookie Brandon Fusco did an admirable job with his fill in duty and will only get better this off-season. Scott Kooistra was a starter before he went down with a neck injury. Joe Berger is a well valued back up to both guard spots.
Dark Horse: Chris Degeare. He has starting experience. The talent is there, I expect him to come into the offseason and really stake his claim. The guard position is wide open.
Linebacker
Ej Henderson is a free agent. He most likely will not be resigned. Erin Henderson is also a free agent but will be asked back. He had an up and down first season as a starter. He did show enough to be the starter going into next year. Chad Greenway despite all of the media nonsense had a pro bowl year. He was in the top five tacklers in the NFL. He needs to make more plays that affect the game but he is steady and a very good player. Jasper Brinkley will be back from a season ending hip injury in preseason. He will man the middle. The Vikings need to add some young talent in the mid rounds.
Dark Horse: Larry Dean had a productive training camp as an undrafted rookie. I expect him to take a huge step this year and become a regular contributor.
Off season Angles.
On a 3-13 team there isn’t a whole lot of things going right. Rick Speilman is an advocate for a youth movement. I do not expect many of the free agents to be back next year. I also have a feeling that there will be lots of terminated contracts for the remaining over the hill gangers. One of the youngest rosters in football next year is not out of the picture.
Free agents will be targeted offensively. The main goal is to develop Christian Ponder and the young talent on the roster. If the Vikings can sign young free agents with talent, they win.
WR
Pierre Garcon
Stevie Johnson
OL
Carl Nicks
Secondary
Laron Landry
Final: The Vikings need to address the tackle position in both the draft and in free agency. If Kalil is off the board at 3 The Vikings can either trade down or take Claiborne or Blackmon.
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.
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jerome simpson
Will be busy with court for drugs and such
by Lunchpail on Jan 26, 2012 7:42 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I like the concept and the format
But youre off the mark on a few things.
Secondary
The Vikings finished last in the NFL in pass defense despite being in the top five with sacks. The pressure was not consistent but the secondary play was awful. Blown assignments and being physically dominated most of the year. The Vikings are not in as bad of shape as most believe.
I agree with everything except the last sentence. I believe they are in worse shape than we know. Cook’s legal issues are extremely complicated right now. Winfield has struggled with injury for 2 consecutive years now. Asher Allen and Benny Sapp are not starting corners in this league. Burton and Raymond are late round projects. Sanord did not progress as I had hoped. It’s bad. The Vikings need to address the secondary early and often this offseason.
Drafting a receiver may not be the best of ideas. The wide receiver position in free agency is littered with proven commodities. I would go after Pierre Garcon or Mario Manningham
I tend to agree about drafting a WR early (1st or 2nd rounds). However this team does not have a true #1 receiver. I am not sure any of the FA’s you mentioned are legit #1. I would go after Dwayne Bowe.
Scott Kooistra was a starter before he went down with a neck injury. Joe Berger is a well valued back up to both guard spots.
Dark Horse: Chris Degeare. He has starting experience. The talent is there, I expect him to come into the offseason and really stake his claim. The guard position is wide open.
Kooistra started one game because of injury to Herrera. He was not a starter. He did show value as a backup, but his injury was pretty serious, career threatening.
Chris DeGeare is not a viable option at guard. He was cut and now remains on the practice squad. If he gets called up for duty in 2012, we are in serious trouble.
Finally, as lunchpail pointed out, Jerome Simpson is looking at a prison sentence, not a free agent contract.
"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
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion . Yours is respected. It seems that you watch a great deal of Viking football. I don’t believe dewayne Bowe will make it to free agency and if he does he will command mega dollars. 2nd he had a tough time being motivated until recently . I have a feeling he will be a free agent bust. I also believe that he is approaching 28 years of age. The guys listed are major upgrades over the current guys we have and they are young and still developing and won’t ask for a kings ransom.
Secondary
I agree there are lots of question marks with the secondary but Chris cook Windfield burton and Sherels will give the Vikings a more formidable unit then given credit for.
Oline
Kooistra held up well while he played and received praise. If he can come back healthy he would be our best guard. Degeare may just be an optimistic fan wanting more but I’m interested to see what he can do in his third year . We will see!!!
by ecoop2 on Jan 27, 2012 1:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Bowe—I was high on Bowe coming out of LSU. Yes, he will turn 28 this season, that should mean that he still has 5 years or so of playing at a high level. As far as being a “free agent bust,” you could be right. Most FA WR’s end up matching that description. That is why the Viking’s FO must approach this offseason as if their lives depended on it.
Secondary—I love me some Winfield I really do. And I think Cook has some nice potential as a true cover corner. However father time and prison time are knocking on their respective doors. Coach Frazier has said that Cook is not even on his radar right now. In other words they are moving on as though he will not be a member of the Vikings while the court plays itself out. I believe they will draft a corner early, they have to.
Kooistra—I too was impressed with his play. But it was a very small sample size and we don’t know if he will make a full recovery. I have no faith in DeGeare whatsoever. He was overmatched in every game he played last year. He was a 5th round pick for a reason. He will have to spend more time on the PS to develop before we can realistically count on him to make an impact, if he ever does.
The 2012 Vikings are due to make significant personnel changes if they want to fair better than 3-13. There just isnt much depth on this team. As the injuries mounted, it became harder to field a team of true NFL caliber players, especially in the secondary and at WR.
"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 may be easier to say what the Vikings don't need
However, the lack of any mention of defensive tackle is very disappointing.
Too many fans think that the defensive tackle position is set. I just do not understand that mindset. Evans and Guion are free agents to be and neither has been offered a new deal. And they may not get one either. Ayodele was a disappointment for whatever reason.
So that leaves KWill and an undersized Ballard. Yet no mention here.
I am not the kind of guy to say I told you so, but watch and see. If the Vikings come back with the same defensive tackle group I predict the run defense will continue to go downward as it has been doing the last two years. The run defense is trending downwards.
Fortunately the DE position is stocked well if you consider Ballard a DE which I do.
I would like to see us come away with a DT prospect at some point in the draft - maybe in the 2nd-4th rounds.
But i’m also interested to see if our new DL coach can get something out of Remi – apparantly he was playing against his preferred technique – perhaps if he can return to what he is comfortable with we will get more production out of him.
but a nice heir to K.Will would be pretty good
by Scottish Viking on Jan 26, 2012 10:46 AM CST up reply actions
I agree. Address NT early (2nd-4th round)
And add a developmental 3 tech later.
"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
We definitely need to do something and not late either
It is hard when you have so many needs.
However, if I had my choice I would sign Paul Soliai in free agency along with Amobi Okoye. Then I would trade Ayodele for a late (5th) round pick. Then I could draft a guy later in the draft.
man I can't really think of any team that would want Ayodele even at a 5th
Didn’t he have single digit tackles this year?
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.
one can hope!
"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
Sometimes the system does not fit the player
It is hard to believe that he dropped off that much in one season. It could be one of the reasons Dunbar was let go. Ayodele was one of the main free agent signings and Dunbar could not get anything out of him. Who knows why?
Jenkins and Aromatherapy did OK. Charlie Johnson was serviceable but hardly the long term answer.
So what happened with Ayodele?
I think that he does have some value. If Jimmy Kennedy can get picked up by the Giants then so can Ayodele. But I admit that a team may not want to give up a pick.
I've said before
that Laron Landry would be an awesome addition if we could get him in the secondary. I like NMVike’s idea on Dwayne Bowe as well. Where do we see Everson playing next year; DE or LB? He’s an athletic freak and I think he needs to be on the field a lot. Excited for the offseason.
Landry is a major risk
He has decided thus far to rehab his Achilles injury rather than opting for surgery. We all know how that worked out the last time right?
Top Needs WR and Secondary
Harvin is a great slot guy but the truth is that the Vikings have zero players on the roster that can consistently beat 1 on 1 coverage downfield and it totally undermines our entire offense. Vikes run successfully into 8 man fronts and cannot pass into 8 man fronts. That is absurd. The O line is pretty bad but it isn’t “worst in the NFL” bad. Our WR corps is the worst in the NFL in terms of downfield threats and outside threats. Yes Harvin is amazing if you can get him the ball in space. He’s like a more WR version of Marshall Faulk in terms of his versatility.
Secondary. Top 5 in sacks for a team that doesn’t blitz a ton and worst pass defense in the league more or less. That is a huge red flag. Terribly coached position. Terribly played position. Winfield can stay for the slot and Sherels has some promise but everyone else on the squad is useless. Utterly useless. We need a complete overhaul.
We could win with our O’line if we were strong in other areas.
One other deficiency. I hate to say it, but if you want a championship team the best way to get there is with an elite QB. Maybe Ponder is eventually that guy but in my opinion you NEVER stop looking to upgrade that position until you are set. Vikes should look long and hard at adding another QB to compete.
TOP NEEDS O-LINE AND SECONDARY
O-line isn’t "worst in the NFL " bad?? Yes it is. The Vikings top two running backs couldn’t even finish the season. Ponder was being beaten to a pulp. Toward the end of the season, Ponder was acting skittish, t and was having trouble finishing games. When Webb was in, he was running for his life. Its impossible to evaluate the Vikings receivers because our quarterbacks don’t have time to throw deep. In the first round, the Vikings need to come away with Kahlil or Reiff.
"Getting a healthy Winfield and Chris Cook back next year will be a big boost."
As others have mentioned, Cook may not ever play again, and so far hasn’t really shown anything except a surprising ability to match up with Calvin Johnson.
Winfield is 47 years old, 4’6 and 110 pounds. His days as a starting outside CB are over. He’s still a strong player in the slot, but counting on him to stay healthy is a huge gamble at this time – Especially if we use him to blitz much.
37
Winfield is not 47 years old he is 37, he has said numerous times he wants to come back as the slot corner, finish out his contract and retire
"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
What else is he going to say?
I would say it too if I was set to make 7 mil next year. The team can lower his salary but he will still be making over 3 mil for the season and the one after that too.
It is not about him finishing out his deal or still having some ability. It is about using that money to get some young player while you can and while you are rebuilding.
If the Vikings can sign a top free agent CB and Cook returns then they have a decent group. They can let Allen play in the slot with Sherels and Burton battling it out for playing time.
I would also want to draft a player like Brandon Boykin or Casey Hayward by the third round to bring in some more competition.
We can definitely keep Winfield but it is only delaying the inevitable. He is going to decline right in front of our eyes and then we will probably have to release him for nothing.
I actually wonder if they can get something for him in a trade? Maybe a 4th round pick?
The 47 set you off,
But not the 4’6 and 110 pounds?
The point is Winfield doesn’t have much left to give – and is AT BEST a 3rd CB at this point.
I don't know about that
I think winfield still has something in the tank for sure. However, we’re in a rebuilding mode so we don’t need/want older players cluttering up our roster or cap space. Winfield is having solid years and honestly we should see if we can trade him out.
The fact is we’re rebuilding and anyone over 30 has to be looked at very closely to see if they are going to retain a spot on this roster.
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.
you still need veteran presence on a squad - even if you are wanting to go with youth.
you need to have leaders and role models throughout the squad.
I think Allen and Williams have helped Everson Griffen out alot this year.
Hutch will have helped Fusco.
And i even think that Sage has probably helped Ponder and Webb.
you need people to set an example – and i personally think that is always worth a little cap space, especially when they still have something to offer.
Winfield can still be a playmaker in the slot for a year or 2 while some of our younger corners learn their trade.
by Scottish Viking on Jan 27, 2012 10:27 AM CST up reply actions
Allen sets a pretty good example and he's on the right side of 30.
Peterson, Harvin set pretty good examples and they are also on the right side of 30. Locker room presence is important, but when a void appears someone will step up to fill it. I’m not saying we clean sweep everyone over thirty but we do need to see where they are going to be in two years. If they won’t be with us then, I believe we should free up cap space and start training the future.
It’s not popular but in two years would you rather be looking at replacing Winfield as the rest of the team starts to rev up, or have a guy we already know is worth while and still in the spring of his career?
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.
since it looks like we could well be building up a new secondary
I would be in favour for retaining Winfield and slowly decrease his reps as our players start revving up.
I just think you need a transition as apposed to a clean cut. Winfield would be able to transition in younger players, he doesnt have an ego and is a Viking first kind of guy. And with his contract being triggered by playing time he would not be extremely expensive.
It actually looks like we will have problems getting to the cap floor so a couple of more experienced players certainly would help as well.
I think there is enough leaders stepping up throughout most of our team, and leaders like Hutch can be released and Sullivan will take over that mantle etc.
But who would step up in the secondary?
by Scottish Viking on Jan 27, 2012 10:39 AM CST up reply actions
I think that a this isn't a team in transition.
I think this is a team that needs to be pretty much scraped clean and rebuilt. Problem with that is it takes a bit and it’s painful. The fans, coaches and management all have to understand the rebuilding process, it’s a long term goal that tries to set you up in three years as a perennial contender. Most teams don’t have the guts to do it and remain in that transition mode for a long time.
So I would let Hutch and Winfield go and not look back a void is always filled and our coaches should be good enough to figure out how to help that happen.
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.
Trading Winfield
The man’s been a stand-up warrior in Purple, but the time to trade him is while he still has something left. Running our best players to the end of their careers is nice for sentimentality, but it’s bad personnel planning.
I’m with you on this one, Grime.
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!
vae victus!
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.
The first sentence of this post...
is exactly why we should trade Jared Allen
Straight Cash Homey
by MOSScomeBACK2vikes on Jan 26, 2012 9:25 PM CST reply actions
It is not a bad idea. Just an unpopular one.
If the Vikings feel that the rebuild is going to take a couple of years, they may decide to see what kind of offers they get for Allen. In two years his contract is over. This would be right about the time the team may believe they will back to being competitive.
If they believe this and they do not want to extend Allen then checking on what his value on the market is right now is not a bad idea at all. That does not mean the team will trade him at all. They could just check to see what another team would give up to get Allen.
They may get an offer they cannot refuse.
People seem to forget that Jason Pierre-Paul was drafted in the first round and is playing very well. There will be players that come into the league that will do very well.
The idea of trading Allen is not a bad idea at all. It all depends on the compensation, how long the team thinks it will take to rebuild, and if they want to keep Allen past 2013.
I included trading him in my 3-4 defense scenario because he said he was not interested in playing in the 3-4. Now that is off the table, I would probably not trade him.
I would listen to offers though.
As well Everson looks like he might be pretty solid
Not obviosuly Jared Allen, but this would at least put him back in his original position.
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.
MLB; Hello! we need one to make the Tampa 2 work
We also need 2 CB’s, at least 2 LB’s, 2 OL, 2 S’s, 1 TE, 1 or 2 WR’s, a NT, and a 3rd down back. And most important a new stadium!
Fill team needs half with F/A and Draft
I say we need a few veterans and some new blood at key positions.
First free agency
Carl Nicks OG or Ben Grubbs.
Brandon Carr CB
Paul Soliai NT
Laron Landry SS
Mario Maningham WR or
Robert Meachum WR
The Draft
OT Kalil or Reiff or Martin 1st R
CB Gilmore or Banks 2nd R
WR Jones or Streeter or Mcnutt 3rd R
OG Brandon Mosely 4th R
FS George LLoka 5th R
Depth 6-7th R
I think these would be some great building blocks for next year
You also sign these players
Keep Antone Winfield CB
Erin Henderson OLB
Letroy Guion DT- NT
If Chris Cook over comes his court troubles keep him with the understanding no more off the field incidents.
Mistral Raymond He started to show signs of getting the position. No off season.
You add that to J. Allen,K Will,B Rob, E Griff, and the offensive stars.
Marcus Sherrels and Brandon Burton CB did not have the benifits of an off season.
Let's trade Jared Allen and our first rounder
For every single pick the browns have in this years draft
lol I wish :D
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.
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