Daily Norseman: FanPosts

Wilf bypassing MSFC?

2009-11-23T18:34:05Z

Interesting article I came across in the Pioneer Press this morning. Thought I would through this out there to those who are fans but not from Minnesota on what's happening. Oh, make sure you vote in the poll if it will help the Vikings in anyway though sure not many local politicians will. But at anyrate, hopefully people will keep riding their arses up there to get something done soon!

Wilf deals directly with Legislators

Vikings D improving, O solid!

2009-11-23T16:09:39Z

Just before the bye, it seemed like the Defense had lost a little of it's touch. They had a few 2nd half collapses leading several teams, Baltimore, Green Bay (game two) to start mounting a comback. Thankfully, during these times, the defense woke back up and helped to avert disaster. Looking back then, the Defense was ranked over all near 20. Yikes, what a step back from last year. After this week, this are looking better. Granted, two games against the Lions and Seahawks have helped to pad it a little, but hopefully increase the confidence factor as well. Currently, the Vikings have now climbed up to 13th overall, the Rushing D is back up to 3rd and the Passing side has inched up to 21st after being at 26th a few weeks ago. Definate sign's of improvement on that side of the ball and hope that trend keep's improving!

Over in Offensiveland, we rank 8th overall, 10th in rushing. That might make some go "Whaaaaat?", but the next few items coming up are going to show why. We no longer have to rely on A.P. running All Day to keep the O going. Which I think will help to his longevity over the next few seasons. Passing, we are 10th, a massive improvement over the last several years. Oh, and I will throw this out there, after this past Sunday, Favre now has a passer rating of 112, the highest in the league and little higher then Brees. Another big improvement, we rank 2nd in points per game average with 30.6 so far. Another huge improvement over the last few years. The Saints sit at 1 with 36.9, but have gone from 40 - 50 points for a few games, then the low 20's on others. We have been 27 and higher with the only game to not break 20 against Pittsburgh, so alot more consistent.

Compared to last year, the Offense is ALOT more balanced, something most of us have come to realize and even with a sluggish start, the Defense is finally showing why they were feared last year, and the year before. Hopefully, this only get's better as the season progresses. Thank God for a bye week in the middle of the season!

Week 11 thoughts and ramblings.

2009-11-23T07:03:28Z

Larry Johnson...

Moves from the 'losing' Cheifs to the 'winning' Bengals and WHAAAT!!!???

The Bengals lose and the Cheifs win. I'm not saying it was Larry, but I'm not saying it wasn't either.

Man... Did Stafford look like a stud QB this week or what? I know, it was against the Browns, but if he keeps playing like that (and Cutler continues to be Cutler), we might have a new team at the bottom of the division, Da Bears!!

GBP - Ouch. They lost some major pieces of their defense this weekend. That's gonna hurt the rest of the season. Is it too early to say goodbye to their wildcard chances now?

2 10-0 teams, one in each conference... historic, but both looking like 'lady luck' has given them each, at least, one win this season. They've got weaknesses... let's hope one of their opponents exploits it soon. I want the Vikings to have HFA this season.

It's Bears week... we get them at home... they look like crap... but they still worry me. What do we expect from their fans on the blogs this week? Preseason... it was Cutler is the Savior, Brett is the worst...

Interested in your comments!

NFL Standings Update and predictions

2009-11-23T05:18:38Z

Just thought I'd take the time to get everyone caught up on the Division Races around the NFL

I'll start in the NFC

East

Dallas 7-3

NY Giants 6-4

Philadelphia 6-4

Washington 3-7

My prediction: In a division that is completely up for grabs, I think Philadelphia will take this division, with Dallas and New York beginning to struggle, and Washington being well...bad, Philly seems like the safe bet

South

New Orleans 10-0

Atlanta 5-5

Carolina 4-6

Tampa Bay 1-9

My prediction: In the past couple of weeks, New Orleans has begun to look human, if Atlanta can get on a roll, they may just make it a race, but I still think New Orleans pulls this one out

North

Minnesota 9-1

Green Bay 6-4

Chicago 4-6

Detroit 2-8

My prediction: (WARNING: my contain bias) With an essential 4-game lead over Green Bay, the Vikings seem to have this division well in hand, with Chicago and Detroit almost gone, this is (somewhat) of a two-team race, Chicago needs to get hot fast, and beat Minnesota twice to have a chance. Minnesota takes it

West

Arizona 7-3

San Fransisco 4-6

Seattle 3-7

St. Louis 1-9

My prediction: Wow, what a division this is. Not much can really be said. Arizona has played extremely well on the road, which which will be enough to get them another NFC West title

And now on to the AFC

East

New England 7-3

Miami 5-5

NY Jets 4-6

Buffalo 3-7

My prediction: New England has established themselves as the clear front-runner in what looked like what was going to be a hotly contested division. With Miami's inconsistency and New York fading fast, New England has all but won this division. New England

South

Indianapolis 10-0

Jacksonville 6-4

Houston 5-4

Tennessee 3-6

My prediction: Indy. the only two things surprising about this division, is that Tennessee has been so bad this year, and that Jacksonville may be looking at a wildcard berth

North

Cincinnati 7-3

Pittsburgh 6-4

Baltimore 5-5

Cleveland 1-9

My prediction: After Cincy swept Pittsburgh, I was ready to give them the division, but after that game against Oakland....I just don't know what to think anymore. I'm going to predict that Baltimore rights their ship, and steals the division from Pittsburgh and Cincy

West

Chargers 7-3

Broncos 6-4

Kansas City 3-7

Oakland 3-7

My prediction: After a 6-0 start, the Broncos definitely looked like the team to beat, not only in the West, but the AFC, but after 4 straight L's from Denver, and hard-charge (no pun intended) by San Diego, the Chargers are a strong finish away from an AFC West crown, which I think they do

Anyway that's a quick look around the NFL for you. It's sure to be an interesting season, an exciting post-season, and a memorable Super Bowl

and by the way,

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seahawks & Vikings Highlights + MORE Vids to enjoy!

2009-11-23T02:15:23Z

WELCOME T O THE MNHUPM UPDATE SHOW!

AND YOUR HOST: VIKINGHOLIC

Well bull Yes I missed today's game because I had to work. But sure I didn't miss anything. Right Guys? Nah Guess not I looked at this! Lol

Anyways Enjoy these vids!

THE MOST COMPLETE GAME THE VIKINGS HAVE PUT TOGETHER THIS SEASON

FEATURING: THE MAUL OF AMERICA!

Viewer Discretion is advised.

This video includes a complete violent beatdown, some "HOUSH" language and a Shank or two by the WR core! Rated R:

ALSO a violent Video!

Rated: AD (AMAZINGLY DISTURBING)

And Because there was very Little Peterson in the first video here you go AD LOVERS! or Praisers!

Okay Everyone Just Enjoy your day as I didn't get to see my team win in a blowout today.. NOOOOO! But, yes there is always a but, I will get to see us crush the Bears. YESSSSS! Purple sweet Purple!

AD will not win the rushing title

2009-11-22T23:40:35Z

As much as I would like AD to win it this year I do not see it. Not because he is not good enough but because our team is just to good and balanced. I know he will not mind and I sure do not mind that he will not win it because we are likely to win much more important things this year. Division, NFC....SB. It is awsome to have a team that can attack at so many different areas.

Comments please

Game Thread Comment Roll Call, Week 11

2009-11-22T22:40:15Z

The game wasn't terribly exciting, but that didn't prevent there from being some pretty good participation in the Game Threads, as per usual. We went over 1,500 comments again between the two threads, and I actually managed to come out as the leader for a change. So, all is finally right with the world. (-:

Anyway, here's the roll call, current as of 4:38 PM Central time, so any comments that get posted in the Game Threads after this. . .and I'm not sure why there would be. . .won't get counted.

Roll Call: Jepp The Viking, less cowbell, more 'neau, IlinoisVike, Luft Krigare, Belarus, boyonthedock, speedlod, Gonzo, DCPurple, clones21, Idavikings, archie2227, vikefansd, Iceland-Viking, CitrusFLViking, All Day, All Night, UnBannedVikingholic, Vikant, SDviking, fischean, vikingfanfrom afar, Zoxide, KC Viking, Fearless Frog, VikesFaninNM, nadrojchingy808, Bjorno, Odin, SSreporters, KENtastic, PMak Attack, chilango2, kenyo, what_would_gil_thorp_do, jlahey, cwy2190, TonyO, MilCardFan, mishunfrmgod, Curvespace, dwarg, Sonic, uncle rico, PurpleSoul, YanksVikes, free7694, fetch9, BSUvikFAN, cryhavoc, chaosg, kdog69, ryzim22, nyvikes, Gonzo2, dsludo, LoveHate, SouthernNorseman, ArizonaVikingsFan, BennyKanin, Hoss-Drone, IABerserker1, Wytefang, Grime, thewild_viking_twins
Total Users: 64
Total Posts: 1512
Total Threads: 2

Name	# of Posts
Gonzo	132
less cowbell, more 'neau	104
speedlod	83
fischean	81
MilCardFan	78
VikesFaninNM	77
IlinoisVike	74
ArizonaVikingsFan	66
archie2227	58
cwy2190	57
uncle rico	54
vikingfanfrom afar	47
SouthernNorseman	47
Fearless Frog	46
SDviking	36
Jepp The Viking	34
Vikant	32
All Day, All Night	29
jlahey	29
what_would_gil_thorp_do	26
chaosg	23
BSUvikFAN	23
cryhavoc	21
Luft Krigare	21
TonyO	19
PMak Attack	19
Odin	18
vikefansd	18
chilango2	16
YanksVikes	13
SSreporters	13
LoveHate	11
Hoss-Drone	9
Gonzo2	8
fetch9	8
nadrojchingy808	8
clones21	7
kdog69	7
Iceland-Viking	5
Idavikings	4
boyonthedock	4
DCPurple	4
Curvespace	4
kenyo	3
Zoxide	3
CitrusFLViking	3
free7694	3
PurpleSoul	3
Belarus	3
dsludo	3
UnBannedVikingholic	2
nyvikes	2
ryzim22	2
KC Viking	2
IABerserker1	1
Wytefang	1
Grime	1
thewild_viking_twins	1
Bjorno	1
BennyKanin	1
dwarg	1
KENtastic	1
Sonic	1
mishunfrmgod	1

Favre to win 2009 NFL MVP!

2009-11-22T22:18:26Z

Brett Lorenzo Favre

Brett Favre will win the 2009 NFL MVP, hands down when it's all said and done!

112.1 QB RATING 21 TDs, only 3 INTs!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in Super Bowl XLIV!

Seattle Ticket Winner had a PHENOMINAL time!!!

2009-11-22T22:10:59Z

Wow. Thanks to Revenge4Favre and Citrus, I went to my first Viking game in over 3 years! And it was Awesome! Favre played out of his mind, and, geeze! everyone contributed! (Even T-Jax.)

I honestly believe this was about as close to a complete game as a team can play. At one point, right after Sidney's first TD reception, I turned to the guy next to me and commented that I had been watching Favre for years, and, though he was always good, this year he is truely exceptional. You don't get a sense for how much of a magician he is, for how accurate and cunning he is, without being there. He is lights out. This team has some destiny to fulfill, guys!

Thanks again to Vance (Citrus) for writing the winning post, and to Revenge4Favre. I really do appreciate it immensly!

Skoal!

Mark

Recap Coming Shortly

2009-11-22T21:32:57Z

Yours truly has to run to the store for a few things, and then I'll be back to put up the recap, unless either Anthony or Eric beats me to it.

In the meantime, enjoy the late games leading up to Chicago's prime-time loss to Philly tonight.

VIkings Draft Day Decision. Select- Move Up, Move Down

2009-11-22T18:05:00Z

The Vikings have three choices on draft Day. Move Up- Stay Put- Move Down

For the purposes of this poll you must assume the Vikings management knows what they are doing and scouts the talent well. I think the past three years has proven their worth in this regard. The only question mark is selecting a Quarterback. Mr.Spielman has Never picked a winning QB in all his time and the TJ selection of Coach Childress has not been successful thus far.

Analysis of the cost of each selection after the jump.

To move up in the draft is expensive. Lets assume that one of the College Q.Bs is evaluated as the Vikes Franchise Face of the Future by the Vikings staff. Cleveland needs to build and might want to trade. What would it cost. If you look at the 2004 Manning trade and the 2009 Cutler trade I think it fair to say it will cost the Vikes at least a first and a second round pick for the next two drafts. This also comports with the draft value chart used by all the NFL teams. Now players can be thrown in the mix but the point is that it is expensive to move up to a top selection.
Stay Put. The Vikes can use there existing draft picks to bolster an already good team. But remember they will pick late first round so they only get one chance in the first 60 or so selections.
Move Down. Its possible that some team will covet a player still available at #30. If so that pick can be traded for a high 2nd and 4th round pick according to the draft chart.

It might be good to remember that the Vikes should get a couple extra 5th round picks this year as compensatory picks. Those have yet to be decided. They also can not be traded.

I'm looking forward to your vote

Poll

What should the Vikings do on draft day

Clear Something Up For Me

2009-11-22T15:49:56Z

What i have been hearing is that the owners of all the teams have to vote on if a team can move. And so if this is true, then is it a majority vote or something. If this is true then this might prevent a team from moving, because they want to keep a good team in supportive market. Yea i am worried about the Vikes, but out of the handful of teams that might move, the Vikes are the least likely to move(except for the stadium situation).

Another Reason why our stadium drive is Getting Little Support!

2009-11-22T15:13:46Z

I've copied comments from different Minnesotans from around the web on the Vikings stadium! Please don't shout at the computer it's not your computers fault!

Well hell after reading this bull twice, you can do whatever you like!

Call for the PITCHFORKS!

United FootballLeague

Saint Paul, MN

Yes there are alternatives to the NFL! I just watched a great game Thursday night and the UFL will develop into a legitimate football league! What ever happens just happens, and the Vikings doesn't effect me much anywho!

PGF

Saint Paul, MN

Football owners have money, and get into the game to make more money. Why give them a hand out? If they want a stadium, let them build one themselves.

tww

Saint Paul, MN

I have to pay more taxes so Ziggy can make more millions? No thanks.

Dam Demthuglicrat

Burnsville, MN

Want a new stadium? Pay for it yourselves, leave the rest of us out of it.

Dam Demthuglicrat(AGAIN)

Burnsville, MN

No need. We got along just fine before the 'Queens came here and we'll do even better when they leave because we won't be another $100 billion plus in debt building a stadium to help a billionaire get even richer.

Dam Demthuglicrat(AND AGAIN)

Burnsville, MN

We're not helping them finance it. We'll pay for it just like we did the Metrodome (via a tax we're still and always will be paying) and are for the Twins stadium and the new Gopher stadium. Any paltry amount Wilf might contribute he'll get right back as a tax write off. Oh, and if Coleman over in St. Paul gets his way, we'll be paying for a new Saints stadium too. How many other states have built 4 new stadium within the span of a few years? You stadium homers just don't know when to stop.

Clueless

Saint Paul, MN

Don't read more into that than there was. I am not a fan
of the stadium nor do I want it built. I simply challenge
Mindy Grieling telling ANYONE what they can or cannot debate
when it comes to public policy. And I'm pretty sure she was
on board with the billions we spend on light rail. Leave
the rest of us out of that, too.

Just stop the spending!!

Farmboy

Litchfield, MN

It's amazing how the wealthy are the biggest whiners and want to blackmail the state into giving them a new playground while they run off with all the money. Where are you free enterprise righties, no government involvement. Oh yeah, when you get free stadiums, tax breaks, and can legally bribe politicians (free speech?), you have no problem with government involvement. Wake up people, these morons haven't been paying rent for 10 years and they talk like no one in this state is suffering but only them. It's really pathetic the Vikings "outrage". Get a real life. We can still follow the Vikings where ever they go. I had no problem while I was serving my country.

AND TWO Comments WE SHOULD ALL AGREE WITH:

Kunza

Perham, MN

If you're on a newspaper sight COMPLAINING about football in Minnesota and COMPLAINING about a stadium being built in Minnesota, then I think you have to rank right up there with dog crap.

If you don't care, why the heck are you reading sports pages about the Vikings and taking the time to post about how precious your damn money is to you and how you do don't want to pay taxes. I don't hunt but I support the DNR. I don't care about the fine arts but my tax dollars go the the Guthrie theater. Face it, we all pay taxes for things that make our quality of life better, even if we don't benefit from it. To say all these negative things truly shows your true IQ. The new stadium wouldn't be a tax like a school referendum, you dillweeds! If you don't want to pay a hotel tax of $5 when you stay in Minneapolis, stay out in Eden Prairie and spend the $5 to drive your idiotic automobile into the city. Boy people are stupid.

rtpSPAL

“SPAL; sports pal”

I'd like Powers, Sansevere and Walters to explain why they freely villainize Childress but let an incompetent manager like Roy Terwilliger screw with the Vikings.

Why is Terwilliger and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission untouchable?

If Minnesota can't make a decision to build a Vikings stadium during 2009 then sign ownership of the dome over to the Minnesota Vikings.

HE JUST TOTALLY CRUSHED EVERYONE WITH THAT!

Well obviously it's not only the legislature that is BIT**ing about spending money, it's people who currently live in Minnesota as well. This is plain out ridiculous and wrong.

WELL if you can, try your hardest to push for a new stadium or else. What you mean or else? Well or else we want be cheering on the Beloved Minnesota Vikings after the stadium lease is over and done!

LETS GET THIS STADIUM BUILT ITS BEAUTIFUL TO THE EYES OF MANY!

No Interest in NFL in LA, eh?

2009-11-22T07:46:59Z

Yes, there are as many incorrect statements being made about why the Vikings will never move to LA as there are lakes in Minnesota.

Here is a link to the newly-published answer to those morons you encounter who will constantly tell you there is no real interest in the NFL in LA:

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_13844153

Yes, that's right: They already have over 105,000 requests for season tickets for a yet-to-be constructed stadium featuring a yet-to-be-determined NFL team.

The real problem has been finding affordable real estate in a neighborhood out here where you won't be mugged and clearing any environmental issues. Unlike Minnesota, California has a governor who acts to support the future of pro football, and has cleared away the state environmental hoops for the new field.

If you haven't heard, Ed Roski, the man behind the new California stadium, doesn't need public funding. He makes Zygi look positively impoverished.

There are other ways of funding stadium improvements in Minnesota than taxing everyone. If serious consideration isn't given to finding a workable Minnesota solution now, Ed will be more than happy to take the problem of where the Vikings can play (and make money doing it) off your hands, and I'll be laughing as I watch someone try to explain to you on TV why they need to use your tax dollars to tear down the Metrodome.

Better suit up and come in off the bench.

California: We beat Wisconsin at making cheese. You're next. California's economy is in trouble, so we'd be quite happy to steal part of yours.

OMG! I could'nt believe my eyes!

2009-11-22T03:34:10Z

I saw something so sad yet at the same time laughable.

I got my truck parked for the next 24 hours with good signal strength and took a little trip around some

SB nation team blogs.

One word comes to mind as I checked out Acme Packing Co. SHOCK!

The first fanpost was from a day ago and at the bottom of the list of posts on the front page was one by

Robert Rence from 15 days ago! Mind you this is on the front page.

Now, to give this some perspective, after the(Glory Days) there was a very long period of really bad Packer teams

but everyone still talked positively of they're beloved pack. I live 60 miles south of GB and I am over 50 years old

so I witnessed this first hand.

Something is seriously wrong in Titletown.... this gives me mixed feelings

sadness that the blog of a team so rich in tradition has they're blog going silent.

yet having absorbed all the c**p that I have from Packer fans(my friends)over the years and not wavering

from my love of the Vikings, I find myself laughing inside....ok who am I kidding laughing out loud

but not shaking off that feeling of this being a really hard time for Packer fans especially the ones who

always showed some class.

A fanpost on DN might in a slow period hold front page 2 days but usually no more than one.

Be it good, bad or indifferent we have an awsome loyal following that continues to grow thru good times

and bad.

I cant find the exact quatrain but I am reasonably sure that Nostradamus fortold of this and it

probably read something like appreciate what is before you but always remember that

as rivals you provide each other the motivation and desire to go forth.

APC keep your chins up!

Go Vikes!

Poor Seahawk Fans

2009-11-22T01:55:47Z

I almost feel sorry for them - their team is going to get beat down so bad tomorrow it isn't even funny!

Even they're admitting it: http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/archives/185937.asp

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2009/11/19/1164568/ask-the-daily-norseman

Hasselback is already an eggshell - you know Jared Allen is smelling blood. And, after last week, I don't know if anybody's going to leave Ray Edwards alone to double-team JA.

Anybody see a letdown here? The Hawks have looked really good at times (vs Jax, at Ari--first half, etc.)

Early Draft Talk

2009-11-21T21:13:02Z

With the college season starting to wrap up, scouts are starting to finish up their initial reports on seniors. Some only have a game or two left depending on if they are in a bowl or not. Its still too early to know exactly which rounds guys are going to be drafted or which juniors are going to declare, but it is a good time to start keeping your eyes on a few players. Here are 7 seniors who I think, (and one or two I know) the Vikings are looking at and where it looks like they will be taken in the 2010 draft. Plus some juniors to watch if they declare. Critical assumption: We are doing this based on the Vikings having one of the last 4 picks in each round.

1. George Selvie, OLB, USF 6'4'' 250 - Normally, I wouldn't think to look at Selvie, who has been considered a 3-4 OLB by most scouting sites since he was a junior. However, via SB Nations Mocking the Draft, there is a link to Chris Steuber of Scouts.com's twitter page where Chris states he knows the Vikings are interested in him. This got me asking, "Why would the Vikings be interested in a college DE that is considered too small to play DE in the NFL and most consider a 3-4 OLB?". The conclusion I come to is that most 3-4 OLB would actually make good to great SAM LBs in a 4-3 scheme. Need an example? Ben Leber played OLB for 2 years in San Diego's 3-4 (In the years before that San Diego ran a 4-3) before coming to Minnesota. He wasn't overly successful at it, but he was used more in coverage it seems than rushing the QB. Both Leber and Selvie have similar size, but Selvie is considered a much better athlete. One knock I can think of is that since he plays DE for USF, he doesn't have much experience in coverage and right now there isn't a way to tell how good he would be covering WRs , TEs, and RBs, but he definitely has the athletic ability to do so. He came into his senior season as the active NCAA leader in tackles for loss and second in sacks for active players. He also came into the season as a first round prospect, but while he has had a good season, it hasn't been up to most peoples expectations and his DE teammate, JR. Jason Pierre-Paul, has been getting way more ink and praise. Here is a link to a ESPN Draft Lab were KC Joyner uses his metrics system to evaluate Selvie. You have to be a Insider to read it all, but if you arent, I will try to post what it says in the comments, but I don't know it that is something that would be able to stay up (i.e. after the Nostradamus posting last week, I wouldn't want to put something here to make Gonzo have to delete the whole post). Either way: Joyner's metrics make Selvie look like a good player.

2. Dan Williams, DT Tennessee 6'3'' 327 - Here is a guy I am very intrigued with. There doesn't seem to be any real consensus on where he should be drafted. He is #21 on Mel Kipers Big Board, but then over at the Nation Football Post, he doesn't even make the top ten draftable DTs. I think he will be closely watched by the Vikings and Minnesota fans for a couple of reasons. 1) He is about the same size as Pat Williams and is considered to be athletic, 2) He currently plays Phat Pats position in Tennessee, 3)Tennessee runs the same defense that Minnesota runs and is coached by the guy who taught Fraizer (and everyone else) the Tampa 2, Monte Kiffin. As it looks right now, he is a younger version of Phat Pat and would be a great choice as the heir to his position.

3. Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss, 6'5'' 275 - Even if the Vikings get Ray Edwards to sign back with the team (funny how well he is playing in the contract year, but the year he proclaims he will break the sack record he only got 5 with 3 coming in the last 2 games, but I digress) the depth at the position seems thin. With Ray Edwards, having Brian Robison and Jayme Mitchell as rotation guys sounds pretty good. But with out Ray, that just doesn't seem good enough. Hardy is a guy that is going to drop a lot because of his injury concerns, but he has tremendous ability when he is healthy and could be used as a situational player as he lets his body heal and continue to develop for the NFL.

4. Jon Asamoah, OG Illinois 6'5'' 315 - While the O-line is playing great and the Vikings have two players who fill in as back ups very well in Hicks and Cooks, I wouldn't want those back-ups starting and while Herrera can still be called young, Hutch is on the wrong side of 30. Asamoah is very similar to Hutch in size and athletic ability, and plays in a zone blocking offense, but he could use some time to develop into a full time NFL starter. He could step in as a guy who can fill in for injury early in his career as he gets ready for a full time starting spot.

5. Walter Thurmond III, CB Oregon 6' 183 - Walter has been one of the best corners in the PAC-10 since his sophomore year. He has excelled in zone coverage and as a return man, however, the reason he drops here is because while he is good at every thing, he isn't elite at anything and he has some injury concerns. Before he was injured this season, he was on the Jim Thorpe Award (Nations best DB) watch list and returned two punts for touchdowns. He was considered better in college than his former teammate and current Buffalo Bill Jariyus Byrd who has been a revelation for that defense.

6. Jeron Masturd, TE Kansas State 6'6'' 253 - Another luxury pick for the Vikings as they don't have many holes to fill (at least until FA starts after the season). TE is another position the Vikings are getting kind of old at and could use another TE that can excel at blocking. Jeron has the size and ability to be a good blocker in the NFL and his size would be a benefit in the red zone.

7. Bobby McClintock, FB/RB Portland State 5'10'' 240 - Plays in a run and shoot system that has him work more as a runner than a blocker. Bobby is a bowling ball running up field and has very reliable hands in the passing game. could develop into a FB who also can sub in for Peterson and deliver punishment to defenders that would wear them down more as the game goes on.

Here are some other guys to keep your eye on:

Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas 6'6'' 220 - Ryan is a very talented 3rd year sophomore who could declare and would be worthy of 1st round consideration. In one year at Arkansas, he is already setting a lot of the schools passing records and he is similar to Joe Flacco in size and ability. I think with the talent already on the Vikings roster, they could be led effectively, just like Flacco did for the Ravens last year.

Ryan Mathews/ Toby Gerhart, RBs Fresno State/Stanford, 5'11'' 220/6'1'' 235 - I like both of these guys for the same reason. In the hypothetical situation where Chester Taylor doesn't stay with the Vikings for whatever reason (IMO his vaule is with the Vikings and he won't actively leave), the Vikings should look at a RB to compliment Peterson or contribute if he should somehow get hurt (God forbid). Harvin and/or Young can serve has the fast/scat back option and either one of these guys could serve as the battering ram that hammers down defenses, making them wish the game would just end. Both are big backs that deal out punishment and both are having fantastic seasons for their teams.

Ras-I Dowling, CB Virginia 6'2'' 200 - Ras is considered one of the best Jr. coverage corners who is also physical in the run game. Fits very well into a Tampa 2 system, but still has a year of eligibility.

Austen Lane, DE Murray State 6'7'' 270 - My favorite cliche is "You can't teach size" and Lane is a great example of that. He dominates the FCS level because of his size, but could use some time to develop at the NFL level. Still has a ton of athletic ability and could add some depth to the DE position while spending some time developing.

Watching Ohio St/Michigan and this guy caught my eye

2009-11-21T19:57:09Z

Kurt Coleman, Safety from Ohio State

Watching this game, this guy stood out to me

he made some good plays against the run

and also has two interceptions

the second one, he made a great play to jump infront of the reciever and came down with the ball

his hands seem to be great and his coverage seems good too

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=1809245

seems like a hard hitter too, and maybe we could transfer him to CB to have two hard hitters in Winfield and Coleman

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=64828&draftyear=2010&genpos=SS

a 3rd or 4th rounder seems good too

and 3rd best safety available

Fans & Citizens To Rally At State Capitol Thursday, December 3rd From 2pm-6pm

2009-11-21T18:34:39Z

Don’t hold back! Cause there’s a party over here, so you might as well be here, where the people care…
Don’t hold back! If you think about it too much, you may stumble, trip up, fall on your face…
Don’t hold back! It’s time that you get up, crunch time, like a sit up, come on keep pace…
Don’t hold back! Put apprehension on the back burner, let it sit, don’t even get it lit…
[Minnesota], you’re holding back, the time has come to… GALVANIZE!!! –the Chemical Brothers, Galvanize

So you say you bleed purple…

I’ve heard that phrase countless times through the years. Hell, I’ve said that countless times through the years.

“I bleed purple.”

1998: I bled purple. More accurately, I cried purple at the hands of defeat and a premature knee, courtesy of Dennis Green and the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game.

“I bleed purple.”

2001: I bled purple. The NY football Giants defeated my team, my Vikes, 41-0 in the NFC Championship game.

“I bleed purple.”

2005: I bled purple. On February 25, Randy Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders for Napoleon Harris and a few draft picks.

“I bleed purple”

I know I am not the only one who bled purple on those days. I know generations before me bled purple during fumbles that turned to interceptions, bad calls that cost us games, and, of course, lost Super Bowls.
But for every heartbreak, there are those times that keep us coming back: Tarkenton, Rashad, the Purple People Eaters, AC, Cunningham to Moss, Culpepper to Moss, Carter (‘cuz all he does is catch touchdown passes), Robert Smith, Moss’ lateral to Mo Williams, Chester Taylor and ADRIAN PETERSON, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and Jared Allen, Percy Harvin, Antoine Winfield and Brett FAVRE!

But no previous amount of bleeding purple will even begin to match what I will bleed if we lose our team, our culture, our history, our major downtown economic source 10 Sundays a year. I know you will bleed too.

CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA & MINNESOTA VIKINGS FANS: THIS IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL!

Over the last 6 months my technical team and I have built a platform for you, the fan and citizen, to stand on and voice your opinion. Where the media wouldn’t give you a voice to express your sense of urgency, SavetheVikes.org has. When nobody wanted to start conversations about a stadium issue, SavetheVikes.org did. Where there was an opportunity to bring you a single source of answers around the Minnesota Vikings stadium issue, SavetheVikes.org delivered just that. SavetheVikes.org has given you, the Minnesota Vikings fans, the citizens of Minnesota and beyond, a conduit to the media, community and State Legislature to stand up and LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.

Now the time has come to put a face to that voice. I am asking all of you to bleed purple with me. I have invested thousands of dollars of my personal income to finance this effort. I am stretched just as thin as the rest of you. My technical team has spent countless sleepless nights making my vision a reality. We have bled purple, WILL YOU?
Will you leave work early to come and show your support at the Capitol? Will you make plans to have somebody pick up the kids so you can come to the Capitol on Thursday December 3rd? Will you prove to me, the State, the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL, that fan support isn’t just about joining a group on Facebook or pushing some tweets and emails around? Will you stand with me at the Capitol and have your support be seen and voice be heard?

NOW is the time to act. NOW is the time to get behind Edwards, Williams, Williams and Allen. Now its 4th and 1 on our goal line. Will you stand behind them, along with me and fellow fans, to defend one of our state’s cultural and economic resources? Will you stand up for more jobs, more contract opportunities, and increased revenue to the state and its economy? Will you stand shoulder to shoulder with me and look the State Legislature in the eye and prove once again that this is America? And will you help me show that in America the people speak loudest and not some self-serving facilities committee?

Now is your time to prove once and for all that you bleed purple. You can prove it by making the extra calls, sending the extra emails to make it down in numbers to 75 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, St Paul, MN. You can prove you truly bleed purple by inviting your neighbor, your friends, your family, coworkers, church and children. YOU can make the difference, because without you, it’s only me.

On Thursday, December 3rd, will you make the statement to the media, to the Midwest, and to the Legislature by coming down and proving through a force of numbers that we WILL BE HEARD? Will you shut out the opposition and keep the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) from railroading this project another 2 years, exponentially driving up the cost of the project and delaying jobs and economic growth? Will you step up by bringing everybody you can fit into your car or truck? Will you stand with me and prevent the MSFC from running another team out of town?

WILL YOU PROVE DEFINITIVELY, THAT, ONCE AND FOR ALL, YOU BLEED PURPLE? THEN BE THERE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3rd FROM 2pm-6pm.

STAND UP AND DEFEND YOUR MINNESOTA VIKINGS!

What you can do RIGHT NOW to make this a successful and impactful event:

Mark your calendar with the following:
-State Capitol fan rally Thursday, December 3rd from 2pm-6pm.
-Tuesday, November 24th and Tuesday December 1st , 8am is the day to post and ask all of your social networks to post exactly this in your/their status: REPOST IN YOUR STATUS: Vikings stadium rally MN Capitol Thurs, Dec 3rd from 2-6pm! Come show your support! www.SavetheVikes.org for details!

-Copy this post/forward this email to everyone you know and ask them to do the same!

-Email your reps by going to www.savethevikes.org/huddle-up/ to find their contact info, and let them know you will be at the Capitol to show your support for the Legislature to work with the Vikings to find a way to build a stadium and keep the team in Minnesota!

-Post this entire letter onto your blog, print off and post in the office break room, and anywhere else you can post it.

-Make preparations now to be able to attend the event (e.g. time off request, babysitter, transportation, etc.)

Can’t wait to see YOU there!

Cory Merrifield
Founder/Fan Advocate
SavetheVikes.org
cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org

Tell the Politicians to save the Vikings (Links)

2009-11-21T18:10:22Z

I did a little digging and found two pages to contact the Minnesota Legislature and Congress. I also found another site that has info on the Governor as well as the representatives out in Washington that I will list at the bottom of this post. Time to start hammering all of them and repeatedly. I'm also going to be posting this on the "New Mexico Norseman" Myspace and Facebook pages. Get out there folks, pass on the list's, get people to start screaming at them. Even if you're like me and live out of state, write, call, anything. Make them realize it's not only about Minnesota, but everyone everywhere who loves the Vikings. The only way a politician will change his/her stance is when they get enough heat, their polling numbers go down or they get voted out. Time to make all of that happen. It's not about Democrats vs. Republicans, whether you're a Democrat, Republican or Independent. There are those on both sides who are opposed to the Vikings. There are those on both sides who want to save the Vikings. Time to put aside you're political views and support the ones that want to save them, and go after the ones that don't. For any NFL fans out there , even if you're a fan of our rivals who feel just as strongly about losing the Vikings as a part of your teams history, please be heard as well! There are still over 2 years left so there is time to get this done. Remember the Lakers, remember the North Stars, don't let the complacency happen again. The Twins were saved, and so will the Vikings.

SKOL VIKINGS! SKOL MINNESOTA!

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) 651-296-3391
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) Fax: 202-228-2186
Sen. Al Franken (D) Fax: 202-224-1152
Rep. Tim Walz (D-1) Fax: 202-225-3433
Rep. John Kline (R-2) Fax: 202-225-2595
Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-3) Fax: 202-225-6351
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-4) Fax: 202-225-1968
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-5) Fax: 202-225-4886
Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-6) Fax: 202-225-6475
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-7) Fax: 202-225-1593
Rep. James Oberstar (D-8) Fax: 202-225-6211

Minnesota House of Representatives

Minnesota State Senate