I'm a bit of a lone wolf when it comes to blogging about the Vikings, but that is changing today. One of the best Vikings blog on the blogosphere – Vikings Territory – is run by Adam Warwas.
A few weeks ago, Adam was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to collaborate on some blogs in the near future. After thinking about it for three seconds, I agreed.
Below you will find the result of our collaboration. We've each provided answers to 10 questions that we think are pressing issues for the Vikings heading into the 2012 offseason. Our answers to five of those questions can be found at Adam's blog here.
As for our thoughts on the other five questions? Read on.
6. Is Toby Gerhart a legit NFL starter?
ADAM: Yes. Look around the NFL, what is a starting running back these days? We live in a world where LeGarrette Blount can go undrafted, get picked up by the Titans and then cut, and then rush for 1,000 yards as a rookie with the Bucs. This is a league watched by fans that voted Peyton Hillis onto the cover of Madden. Heck, arguably the best running back in the game today, Arian Foster, was passed up by all 32 teams before being signed as an undrafted free agent. Gerhart can not only run like a starting running back, but he has skills as a pass catcher and blocker, too. Gerhart has to be part of a committee and shouldn’t be described as a “featured back” (of which there are now few in the NFL) but he definitely capable of being a starter.
DARREN: I had my doubts after his rookie season. But after watching him play in 2011, he can definitely get the job done. I love his sledgehammer running style – although it’s probably not conducive to a long career. He reminds me of John Riggins a bit. And he can catch the ball and block well enough to help out in those areas as well.
7. Chris Cook – should the Vikes cut him or keep him?
ADAM: One of the two. Both have possible negative consequences, but this whole let him stay at home and collect a paycheck is the worst of both worlds, in my opinion. Cook has talent, but Cook also has problems, and it will be a hard decision either way. So far, the Vikings have taken the easy route and seem to be hoping the courts can make this decision for them. Soon, however, the Vikings will have to decide if they can help this young man become a successful football player and human being, or if he is a lost cause. Me? I say they have invested too much into him to bail without further cause at this point. That could very easily backfire though.
DARREN: Keep him – unless his court appearances this spring prove he committed some heinous acts. Cook will be playing somewhere in 2012, he’s too talented not to be picked up by some team that needs a big, rangy corner if the Vikings cut him. So why allow some other team to pick up your top draft pick in 2010 for free? I don’t see why Cook should be playing or any team other than Minnesota in 2012.
8. How can the Vikes get more reps for Everson Griffen?
ADAM: By making him earn them. For years Brian Robison pressured Ray Edwards for the starting role at left end, but now I think it will Griffen applying that pressure. There is no doubt that he is a talented young man, and could possibly find himself in a position battle come August, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. First, Griffen has to make it through an entire offseason without getting into trouble. If that happens, then he needs to outplay Robison for the left end spot to crack the starting lineup. As long as the Vikings employ the 4-3 and have Jared Allen, then left end is going to be the place where Griffen stands to make an impact. Not outside linebacker. Not safety. Left End.
DARREN: I don’t agree with Adam that he hasn’t earned them. In some games Griffen was getting 10-15 snaps, yet he still had four sacks in 2012. Starting right defensive end Brian Robison had some games where he was non-factor, especially in the final eight contests where he seemed to tire. Starting left end Jared Allen could use a blow now and then, too. And you’re telling me Christian Ballard or Fred Evans are better options playing tackle on passing downs than Griffen?
9. Does Visanthe Shiancoe have a future with the Vikings?
ADAM: I’m not sure that a 32 year old tight end fits into a youth movement real well. I’m not sure that a tight end that has been largely ineffective for two straight seasons fits into a rebuilding strategy very well. If the Vikings get a discount on Shiancoe, then I think they could certainly do worse. However, I’m not sure that there aren’t cheaper options out there that could be equally productive, if not more so. Shiancoe just doesn’t scare defenders any more, simply put.
DARREN: Nope. If the Vikings had plans for Shiancoe beyond 2011, they would have signed him to an extension before the season ended. It’s Kyle Rudolph’s time in 2012 (and Allen Reisner’s time, or whatever younger tight end the Vikings bring in to replace the 30-plus Shiancoe.) I’ll miss Shiancoe’s sense of humor. But there will be younger, cheaper options out there the Vikings can invest in.
10. Which single pending free agent should be this team’s biggest target in March?
ADAM: I’m going to go with Carl Nicks, the guard from New Orleans. He is quite possibly the best guard in the game and may end up on the free agent market since the Saints also have to figure out how to handle the contracts of Drew Brees and Marques Colston. At age 27, Nicks still has plenty of great years ahead of him, and would immediately be an anchor on an offensive line that needs one. The Vikings could couple him with Matt Kalil in an effort to really solidify their line. They could sign him and then cut Hutch to save cap space. They could move either him or Hutch to the right side and replace Herrera. Overall, he’s just a damn good player that could give this damn awful offensive line some help and some more options.
DARREN: Interesting choice by Adam to say New Orleans guard Carl Nicks. My pick is Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The Vikings really, really, really need another target for Christian Ponder to throw to. Jackson’s had over 1,000 receiving yards in three of his last four seasons. He’d make Ponder better. He’d make Percy Harvin better – if that’s possible, and I think it is. He’d make Kyle Rudolph better. If San Diego lets him go (not a certainty), the Vikings should do all they can to get him. There were rumors last year that the Vikings tried to do just that when he was in a contract dispute with the Bolts. This time they won’t have to work out a trade to get Jackson, they’ll just have to show him the money.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Vikings return to respectability won't take multiple seasons – if it's done right
ESPN 1500's Tom Pelissero noted a changing tenor this week at Winter Park as the Minnesota Vikings head into 2012 offseason in earnest.
Gone is the talk fans heard during the offseason of 2011 where Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier espoused a belief that the Vikings could compete for a division title or a wildcard playoff spot. Instead, it's been replaced by the acknowledgement that a rebuilding effort is underway – and in Pelissero's mind – it could take a while.
It certainly could. The Vikings have many holes. But out of the four major professional sports in North America – football, basketball, baseball and hockey – a turnaround can happen the fastest in the NFL.
So while the Vikings are a 3-13 team with a number of leaks to plug, it can't be underestimated how acquiring one or two impact players could quickly change the fortunes of this NFL franchise. And to illustrate that, fans need only look at two Viking teams from the recent past – the 1998 and 2007 squads.
For the 1998 team, drafting Randy Moss turned a 9-7 team into a 15-1 juggernaut. They were a decent team without Moss the year before. But when ole' 84 showed up, the Vikes win total spiked upwards by five. There were other factors that led to that improvement, of course, but Moss certainly had a lot to do with it.
As for the 2007 Vikings team, the year before they were an offensively inept 6-10 team. Then they drafted Adrian Peterson. The squad was still offensively inept at times in 2007 – thanks to Tarvaris Jackson and the worst collection of wideouts in NFL history – but the unit had its big games as well, thanks almost exclusively to the play and presence of Peterson. The Vikings even challenged for a playoff spot that year and finished 8-8.
I do not expect the Vikings to go 15-1 or 8-8 next year. But vast improvement is possible in 12 months and it can come even if the Vikings don't hit homeruns on all of their free agent signings and draft picks over the next three months.
The Vikings can even have some very weak positions (they certainly will have some) and still win more football games in 2012 if they can grab an impact player.
Wide receiver is a great example. Say the Vikings sign a guy like Vincent Jackson or DeSean Jackson. Those two guys must be accounted for as receiving threats, particularly on deep routes. That kind of player will allow Percy Harvin, Kyle Rudolph and Michael Jenkins more opportunities to beat one-on-one coverage and make plays. That will force teams to blitz Christian Ponder less. It will mean the offensive line won't have to hold their blocks as long. It means teams won't be able to play eight defenders near the line as much. And all of these factors will make the Vikings offence more difficult to defend and more explosive. That will allow the unit to have more explosive plays more often. It will allow them to sustain drives and score more points, which also means the defence will be on the field a bit less and will be playing with the lead more. A better offence will mask some of the Vikings deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball.
So adding one impact player can have a domino effect for the Vikings, vastly improving the team and hastening the rebuilding effort. But first the Vikings have to accomplish the first part – acquire that impact player.
Gone is the talk fans heard during the offseason of 2011 where Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier espoused a belief that the Vikings could compete for a division title or a wildcard playoff spot. Instead, it's been replaced by the acknowledgement that a rebuilding effort is underway – and in Pelissero's mind – it could take a while.
It certainly could. The Vikings have many holes. But out of the four major professional sports in North America – football, basketball, baseball and hockey – a turnaround can happen the fastest in the NFL.
So while the Vikings are a 3-13 team with a number of leaks to plug, it can't be underestimated how acquiring one or two impact players could quickly change the fortunes of this NFL franchise. And to illustrate that, fans need only look at two Viking teams from the recent past – the 1998 and 2007 squads.
For the 1998 team, drafting Randy Moss turned a 9-7 team into a 15-1 juggernaut. They were a decent team without Moss the year before. But when ole' 84 showed up, the Vikes win total spiked upwards by five. There were other factors that led to that improvement, of course, but Moss certainly had a lot to do with it.
As for the 2007 Vikings team, the year before they were an offensively inept 6-10 team. Then they drafted Adrian Peterson. The squad was still offensively inept at times in 2007 – thanks to Tarvaris Jackson and the worst collection of wideouts in NFL history – but the unit had its big games as well, thanks almost exclusively to the play and presence of Peterson. The Vikings even challenged for a playoff spot that year and finished 8-8.
I do not expect the Vikings to go 15-1 or 8-8 next year. But vast improvement is possible in 12 months and it can come even if the Vikings don't hit homeruns on all of their free agent signings and draft picks over the next three months.
The Vikings can even have some very weak positions (they certainly will have some) and still win more football games in 2012 if they can grab an impact player.
Wide receiver is a great example. Say the Vikings sign a guy like Vincent Jackson or DeSean Jackson. Those two guys must be accounted for as receiving threats, particularly on deep routes. That kind of player will allow Percy Harvin, Kyle Rudolph and Michael Jenkins more opportunities to beat one-on-one coverage and make plays. That will force teams to blitz Christian Ponder less. It will mean the offensive line won't have to hold their blocks as long. It means teams won't be able to play eight defenders near the line as much. And all of these factors will make the Vikings offence more difficult to defend and more explosive. That will allow the unit to have more explosive plays more often. It will allow them to sustain drives and score more points, which also means the defence will be on the field a bit less and will be playing with the lead more. A better offence will mask some of the Vikings deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball.
So adding one impact player can have a domino effect for the Vikings, vastly improving the team and hastening the rebuilding effort. But first the Vikings have to accomplish the first part – acquire that impact player.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Vikings fans endure one more turn on the stadium merry-go-round
It's a huge issue for Vikings fans, this stadium thing. But I hate writing about it. So here are a few links of stories on today's stadium news, where Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton basically dropped a big "fuck you" on Zygi and Mark Wilf as he quashed their hopes of building a stadium anywhere but on the Metrodome site.
* From the Star-Tribune, there's this story.
* The Pioneer Press' version of today's events can be read here.
* And ESPN's Kevin Seifert has his analysis here.
It really stinks to have to read about this every few days.
Draft due dilgence
ESPN 1500's Tom Pelissero had a lengthy Q & A with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman today where he talked about the interview process with draft-eligible college players.
Spielman's draft record has been mixed at best thus far with the Vikings. But if his selections don't pan out this year, at least we know it's from a lack of effort.
* From the Star-Tribune, there's this story.
* The Pioneer Press' version of today's events can be read here.
* And ESPN's Kevin Seifert has his analysis here.
It really stinks to have to read about this every few days.
Draft due dilgence
ESPN 1500's Tom Pelissero had a lengthy Q & A with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman today where he talked about the interview process with draft-eligible college players.
Spielman's draft record has been mixed at best thus far with the Vikings. But if his selections don't pan out this year, at least we know it's from a lack of effort.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Good news for the Vikings? Husain Abdullah's concussion issues won't force him to retire
The Minnesota Vikings need to improve their secondary in a big way this offseason if they hope to climb back to relevance in the not-too-distant future. That will likely require some major personnel changes on the back end. Several players who made up this sorry unit in 2011 could (make that "should") be released or allowed to resign elsewhere – if anyone else will have them.
But Husian Abdullah is probably not one of those guys, and Viking Update's John Holler reported on Sunday that Abdullah has been told by concussion specialists in Pittsburgh that he can play football again.
Abdullah had been seriously contemplating retirement after suffering his fourth concussion in two seasons last fall. The fourth concussion landed him on the injured reserve after the Vikings ninth game and ended this season.
And although watching San Francisco 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson the past two weeks smash opposing receivers, deftly jump routes and make several plays on the ball illustrates the gap that lies between good safety play and what the Vikings have been doing for several seasons, I still consider the news on Abdullah a positive development.
Abdullah is no Pro Bowler – at least he hasn't shown that ability yet – but he's a decent enough player that the Vikings can feel pretty good about putting him out there at free safety next season. That allows them to concentrate on other pressing matters such as making upgrades at cornerback, strong safety and even linebacker to improve the pass defence.
If the Washington State alum had been told his career was over because of concussions, it would have added to an already long list of positions the Vikings management must find replacements for. But as long as Abdullah can stay clear of concussions next season, the Vikes should be okay at free safety. In Vikings country these days, we call that progress.
Some (very) brief Super Bowl thoughts
So it's the New York Giants against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl again.
I did not watch the Pats-Ravens game Sunday, but I did get a chance to watch the entire Giants-49ers game. What a grinder of a contest that was. It may have been a thrilling game, but I don't think it was a great game. The offences were too bad in the second half for me to rank it as a great game (both defensive units had something to do with that, however). But the Giants win does set up the best possible Super Bowl matchup. Consider the alternatives:
* Ravens-49ers. Uggh. I would have envisioned a 5-3 score, with Baltimore winning by a safety.
* Pats-49ers – I think Bill Belichick would have had some fun gameplanning for Alex Smith.
* Ravens-Giants. Meh.
And maybe this is just me, but I find it odd how Fox color commentator Troy Aikman always refers to New York quarterback Eli Manning as "Eli", like he's his son or something. That is an odd habit for an announcer to have. I don't hear Aikman calling other quarterbacks by their first name for an entire game. Somebody should have a word with him about this. It makes him sound like he's a Giants fan.
But Husian Abdullah is probably not one of those guys, and Viking Update's John Holler reported on Sunday that Abdullah has been told by concussion specialists in Pittsburgh that he can play football again.
Abdullah had been seriously contemplating retirement after suffering his fourth concussion in two seasons last fall. The fourth concussion landed him on the injured reserve after the Vikings ninth game and ended this season.
And although watching San Francisco 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson the past two weeks smash opposing receivers, deftly jump routes and make several plays on the ball illustrates the gap that lies between good safety play and what the Vikings have been doing for several seasons, I still consider the news on Abdullah a positive development.
Abdullah is no Pro Bowler – at least he hasn't shown that ability yet – but he's a decent enough player that the Vikings can feel pretty good about putting him out there at free safety next season. That allows them to concentrate on other pressing matters such as making upgrades at cornerback, strong safety and even linebacker to improve the pass defence.
If the Washington State alum had been told his career was over because of concussions, it would have added to an already long list of positions the Vikings management must find replacements for. But as long as Abdullah can stay clear of concussions next season, the Vikes should be okay at free safety. In Vikings country these days, we call that progress.
Some (very) brief Super Bowl thoughts
So it's the New York Giants against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl again.
I did not watch the Pats-Ravens game Sunday, but I did get a chance to watch the entire Giants-49ers game. What a grinder of a contest that was. It may have been a thrilling game, but I don't think it was a great game. The offences were too bad in the second half for me to rank it as a great game (both defensive units had something to do with that, however). But the Giants win does set up the best possible Super Bowl matchup. Consider the alternatives:
* Ravens-49ers. Uggh. I would have envisioned a 5-3 score, with Baltimore winning by a safety.
* Pats-49ers – I think Bill Belichick would have had some fun gameplanning for Alex Smith.
* Ravens-Giants. Meh.
And maybe this is just me, but I find it odd how Fox color commentator Troy Aikman always refers to New York quarterback Eli Manning as "Eli", like he's his son or something. That is an odd habit for an announcer to have. I don't hear Aikman calling other quarterbacks by their first name for an entire game. Somebody should have a word with him about this. It makes him sound like he's a Giants fan.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
49ers rise to prominence in non-Bill Walsh fashion
Football Outsiders and New York Times NFL writer Mike Tanier previews the Giants-49ers NFC Championship game and the Patriots-Ravens AFC Championship game.
The thought of the Patriots getting another chance to win a Super Bowl leaves me with a sick feeling. Haven't they had enough success the past 10 years or so? I don't know if I can stomach watching it.
But I am excited about the Giants-49ers game. The Giants are hot and playing great football. Meanwhile, the 49ers are a team I can respect – great special teams play, a hellacious-hitting defence and an offence that doesn't fuck things up. At least offensively, this team doesn't resemble Bill Walsh's offensive juggernauts. But they are just as effective.
In fact, the 49ers kind of remind me a bit of the 2008 Vikings. The one big difference: Alex Smith has played much better than Gus Frerotte or Tarvaris Jackson. (Sigh.)
The thought of the Patriots getting another chance to win a Super Bowl leaves me with a sick feeling. Haven't they had enough success the past 10 years or so? I don't know if I can stomach watching it.
But I am excited about the Giants-49ers game. The Giants are hot and playing great football. Meanwhile, the 49ers are a team I can respect – great special teams play, a hellacious-hitting defence and an offence that doesn't fuck things up. At least offensively, this team doesn't resemble Bill Walsh's offensive juggernauts. But they are just as effective.
In fact, the 49ers kind of remind me a bit of the 2008 Vikings. The one big difference: Alex Smith has played much better than Gus Frerotte or Tarvaris Jackson. (Sigh.)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Now that the Vikings have added Williams, they need to add some players
The Minnesota Vikings made it official on Thursday, as former Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Alan Williams accepted the offer to become the squad's new defensive coordinator.
In the blog post I've linked to above, writer Jeremy Fowler points out the Colts pass defence wasn't bad from 2007-2011. But the defensive statistics of Football Outsiders tells a different story. Except for 2007, Indy was league average of worse in its performance covering wide receivers, tight ends and running backs. In short, Williams is no miracle worker.
Of course, I wouldn't expect him to be. And if he's going to be successful in 2012 as a defensive coordinator, the Vikings are going to have to stop getting abused by opposing quarterbacks and the people they throw passes to.
Minnesota has a massive amount of work to do to upgrade its secondary. Cedric Griffin is probably gone. Chris Cook will either be in jail or serving some kind of suspension when the 2012 seasons starts. And did anyone mention Antoine Winfield will be 35? Let's not forget starting safety Husain Abdullah is mulling retirement due to concussion concerns.
The starting safeties right now are Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond. Without some large improvements here, Williams' first year as a coordinator in the NFL is going to be a difficult one. He better hope general manager Rick Spielman hits some home runs in free agency and the draft on the defensive side of the ball.
Other links
* ESPN's Kevin Seifert analyzes the changes the Vikings made (and didn't make) to their defensive coaching staff.
* You can't make this stuff up. The Colts are interested in interviewing ex-Vikings head coach Brad Childress for their vacant job.
* Thinking about some college prospects who might be future Vikings? The National Football Post's Wes Bunting takes a look at 10 senior college players on the offensive side of the ball in this post. The guy that intrigues me from this list is Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright. He registered some mad numbers this season. But he isn't very big (5'10, 190) and that will hurt his draft stock. Perhaps he's too similar a player to Percy Harvin for the Vikings to be interested, but the team needs help at wide receiver and Wright caught over 100 balls in 2011. If he's still around by the second round when the Vikings make their pick, will they take him?
In the blog post I've linked to above, writer Jeremy Fowler points out the Colts pass defence wasn't bad from 2007-2011. But the defensive statistics of Football Outsiders tells a different story. Except for 2007, Indy was league average of worse in its performance covering wide receivers, tight ends and running backs. In short, Williams is no miracle worker.
Of course, I wouldn't expect him to be. And if he's going to be successful in 2012 as a defensive coordinator, the Vikings are going to have to stop getting abused by opposing quarterbacks and the people they throw passes to.
Minnesota has a massive amount of work to do to upgrade its secondary. Cedric Griffin is probably gone. Chris Cook will either be in jail or serving some kind of suspension when the 2012 seasons starts. And did anyone mention Antoine Winfield will be 35? Let's not forget starting safety Husain Abdullah is mulling retirement due to concussion concerns.
The starting safeties right now are Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond. Without some large improvements here, Williams' first year as a coordinator in the NFL is going to be a difficult one. He better hope general manager Rick Spielman hits some home runs in free agency and the draft on the defensive side of the ball.
Other links
* ESPN's Kevin Seifert analyzes the changes the Vikings made (and didn't make) to their defensive coaching staff.
* You can't make this stuff up. The Colts are interested in interviewing ex-Vikings head coach Brad Childress for their vacant job.
* Thinking about some college prospects who might be future Vikings? The National Football Post's Wes Bunting takes a look at 10 senior college players on the offensive side of the ball in this post. The guy that intrigues me from this list is Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright. He registered some mad numbers this season. But he isn't very big (5'10, 190) and that will hurt his draft stock. Perhaps he's too similar a player to Percy Harvin for the Vikings to be interested, but the team needs help at wide receiver and Wright caught over 100 balls in 2011. If he's still around by the second round when the Vikings make their pick, will they take him?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Vikings could be close to ending search for defensive coordinator
So you are the head coach of a team that tied a franchise record for futility by losing 13 games last season and you're looking for a new defensive coordinator. What do you do?
If you are Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, you offer the job to a guy who coached for a team that was even worse than the Vikings were in 2011. Pure genius.
To be fair though, the Indianapolis Colts defence gave up fewer points in 2011 (430) than the Vikings (449) did. So maybe Alan Williams is the answer.
If you are Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, you offer the job to a guy who coached for a team that was even worse than the Vikings were in 2011. Pure genius.
To be fair though, the Indianapolis Colts defence gave up fewer points in 2011 (430) than the Vikings (449) did. So maybe Alan Williams is the answer.
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