Now that the Minnesota Vikings 2008 draft is over, it's time to make some sense of it all. Here are a few things we learned over the weekend.
1. The Vikings were wise to trade draft picks to acquire Jared Allen.
2. The Vikings are not afraid to deal draft picks if there's a player available that the coaches and personnel department want.
3. Brooks Bollinger's time in a Vikings uniform is about to end.
4. Apparently, the coaching staff is really, really confident Tarvaris Jackson and Ryan Cook are going to be good and that Bryant McKinnie won't be suspended by the NFL next season.
But ultimately, the Minnesota Vikings 2008 draft is about two guys: Jared Allen and Tyrell Johnson.
The Vikings traded away its first-round pick and two third-rounders to get Allen last week. Then on Saturday they gave up their fourth-round pick to Philly to swap second-round picks with the Eagles and move up to take Arkansas State free safety Johnson. Usually fifth, sixth and seventh round picks – particularly when Minnesota is involved – don't make much of an impact in the NFL. So don't expect much from the players the Vikings picked in those rounds Sunday.
However, you should expect plenty from Allen and Johnson. And if Allen remains the player he has been the past four seasons and Johnson succeeds Darren Sharper at free safety and evolves into one of the better players at that position, this draft will be a success regardless of what the other four players the Vikings drafted end up contributing. I'll even give the Vikings a bonus point if fifth-round pick John David Booty outplays Bollinger during the preseason and takes Double B.'s roster spot.
Luckily the Vikings didn't gamble on Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey as the answer to its pass rushing problems. Harvey was considered by most experts as the best pass rushing end in the draft. Some of those experts thought Harvey would still be available at #17 when the time came for Minnesota to pick. Others felt the Vikings would have to trade up to number #12 to get him. As it turns out, neither strategy would have worked. Jacksonville exchanged first-round draft picks with Baltimore and moved from #26 to #8 to take Harvey. To do that the Jaguars also sent its two third-round picks and its fourth-rounder to the Ravens.
So if the Vikings had wanted to get Harvey, they would have had to outbid the Jaguars for the Ravens #8 pick or move up even higher in the first round to get him. This is a player who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Vikings got the NFL's sack leader for about the same compensation as what the Jaguars gave up to get Harvey. Essentially the difference is the Vikings gave up a first-round pick while the Jaguars gave up a fourth-round pick. Did the Vikings do the right thing? You betchya'.
Still, I expect plenty of fans out there to question how the Vikings drafted this weekend. Johnson was rated by some draft geeks as the best safety available. But they gave up a fourth-rounder to get him and also passed on quarterbacks like Brian Brohm (who was snapped up by Green Bay) and Chad Henne and wide receivers like Limas Sweed and Desean Jackson. Johnson may turn out to be a nice player. But outside of an Ed Reed or a Ronnie Lott, safeties don't tend to be impact players. Quarterbacks and wide receivers do. Let's hope the Vikings are right about Johnson. The Vikings also didn't address offensive tackle in the draft, which may not have been a wise move – although, to be fair, many of the better tackles were long-gone by the time the Vikings picked in the second round.
Other draft thoughts
I'm not going to get into discussing the players the Vikings took as Booty is the only draftee I've ever seen play. Instead, I suggest you read the scouting reports on them here. It's interesting stuff – even if you always come away wondering if any of the players are any good, as the reports point out a multitude of warts in each player's game.
Anyway, here are the scouting reports of all the players the Vikings selected this year: Johnson, USC quarterback John David Booty, Florida State defensive tackle Letroy Guion, Notre Dame centre John Sullivan and Jackson State wide receiver Jaymar Johnson.
I realize LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey will soon be a very wealthy young man. But I couldn’t help notice the watch he was wearing as ESPN cameras locked onto him in the green room Saturday. How does Dorsey, who is still supposed to be a "student athlete", afford that kind of bling?
After the Kansas City Chiefs picked some cornerback in the second round, Mel Kiper Jr. began raving about the Chiefs having the best draft of any team. That may be true. But I don't think it's anything worth praising the Chiefs for. I'd expect them to have a great draft – they had about 50 picks. If Carl Peterson can't make some hay with all those assets, he should be fired on the spot.
And finally, I know in the course of a five-plus hour show on something as visually static as the NFL draft, there's a lot of verbal diarrhea going on. But hearing Chris Berman talk about how Al Davis loves to acquire “trophy” players as reasoning on why Oakland might take Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with the sixth pick of the draft bothered me for some reason.
Maybe it's because I hear the same crap every year about Davis and the Raiders. Al Davis loves speed. Al Davis loves the vertical game. Blah, blah. blah. That's got to be one of the most passe and tired generalizations about a professional sports franchise out there today. Yet you read it or hear it all the time when there's any coverage about the Raiders. Al Davis lost it a long time ago. He doesn't know what he loves anymore. I don't even know if he's aware he's alive half the time.
Am I ranting? I guess I am. I apologize. I won't do it again – until next week.
On Deck: More on Allen
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Mel Kiper Jr. can kiss my ass
You're going to read a lot of stories Monday morning on the web by various "experts" grading each NFL team's draft. While these stories can be a lot of fun, they must also be taken by Vikings fans for what they are - opinions of an event that's impossible to grade because none of the players has played a down of football in the NFL.
To illustrate why you shouldn't get all worked up over draft grades, let's look at 2005 and 2006 Vikings drafts. In 2005 I remember several writers giving the Vikes high marks for that draft. CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco comes to mind as one of the more high profile writers who gushed about the Vikings draft that year, perhaps because Minnesota picked Troy Williamson - a player Prisco had been touting as a future star for weeks.
The experts weren't nearly as impressed with the Vikings 2006 draft. Outside of the Chad Greenway pick, I can't remember anybody liking a single player the Vikings drafted after that. The overwhelming consensus among the football media was the Vikings blew it and Fran Foley (who would be fired shortly after for reportedly being an all-around a-hole) had shown himself to be a dunce.
Well, here we are in 2008 and, what do you know? The 2006 draft is looking pretty good. It's produced five players that will start for your 2008 Minnesota Vikings. The 2005 draft? Not so much.
The point here? Nobody knows nuthin'. Not Pete Prisco. Not Mel Kiper Jr. Not John Clayton or Jay Glazer or even Bill Simmons. So don't get giddy if the experts think the Vikings nailed the '08 draft. And don't get all hot and bothered if they think the Vikings botched it. As a fan what you should be looking for is whether each pick makes sense and whether management is logically addressing team needs. If they do that, you've just got to trust that they know what they're doing and be prepared to wait about three years. By then, we'll really know what kind of draft the Vikings had.
And now that the Vikings have traded away their first round pick to Kansas City in the Jared Allen deal, won't it be a relief to not have to watch ESPN run that footage, again, of the Vikings draft snafus during the Mike Tice era? Now that's something to be giddy about.
On Deck: Draft post mortem
To illustrate why you shouldn't get all worked up over draft grades, let's look at 2005 and 2006 Vikings drafts. In 2005 I remember several writers giving the Vikes high marks for that draft. CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco comes to mind as one of the more high profile writers who gushed about the Vikings draft that year, perhaps because Minnesota picked Troy Williamson - a player Prisco had been touting as a future star for weeks.
The experts weren't nearly as impressed with the Vikings 2006 draft. Outside of the Chad Greenway pick, I can't remember anybody liking a single player the Vikings drafted after that. The overwhelming consensus among the football media was the Vikings blew it and Fran Foley (who would be fired shortly after for reportedly being an all-around a-hole) had shown himself to be a dunce.
Well, here we are in 2008 and, what do you know? The 2006 draft is looking pretty good. It's produced five players that will start for your 2008 Minnesota Vikings. The 2005 draft? Not so much.
The point here? Nobody knows nuthin'. Not Pete Prisco. Not Mel Kiper Jr. Not John Clayton or Jay Glazer or even Bill Simmons. So don't get giddy if the experts think the Vikings nailed the '08 draft. And don't get all hot and bothered if they think the Vikings botched it. As a fan what you should be looking for is whether each pick makes sense and whether management is logically addressing team needs. If they do that, you've just got to trust that they know what they're doing and be prepared to wait about three years. By then, we'll really know what kind of draft the Vikings had.
And now that the Vikings have traded away their first round pick to Kansas City in the Jared Allen deal, won't it be a relief to not have to watch ESPN run that footage, again, of the Vikings draft snafus during the Mike Tice era? Now that's something to be giddy about.
On Deck: Draft post mortem
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Draft? What draft?
We interrupt our regularly scheduled Jared Allen programming to talk about this weekend’s upcoming draft.
That’s right, despite what you may have heard, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t trade all nine of their picks in the 2008 draft to the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire Allen. It just seems that way.
The Vikings actually still have six picks left – one each in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, plus two in the sixth round. Allen is essentially like a first-round pick for the Vikes, so the team is already off to a rousing start to its ’08 draft. Now the Vikings scouting and personnel team must finish the job and draft some players with their remaining picks that can help the team next season and beyond. The Vikings did that last year by selecting receiver Sidney Rice (second round), DE Brian Robison (fourth round) and receiver Aundrae Allison (fifth round) in the draft.
Here are a few thoughts on what the Vikings might do with their picks this weekend.
Second round (47th overall)
This is still a high pick and the Vikings should be able to land a pretty good player. I think the same philosophy holds true here as it does in the first round – you take the best player available. In a perfect world the best player available would be a versatile O-lineman, someone who can play either left or right tackle and give the Vikings some insurance in case Bryant McKinnie (conduct issues) or Ryan Cook (performance issues) need to be replaced.
Of course, quarterback is still a wee bit of a concern for the Vikings. If someone like Brian Brohm (unlikely) or Chad Henne (possibly) slips this far, the Vikings will seriously consider taking either one.
Fourth round (117 overall)
Signing Allen leaves the Vikings less needy at DE than they were two days ago. Still.... you can never have enough pass rushers. Kenechi Udeze’s likely done for ’08. Erasmus James is a walking MRI. Ray Edwards and Robison are young and promising but also have yet to register more than five sacks in a season. If there’s a DE the Vikings like at this point, I have no problem with them taking one here. And don’t forget defensive tackle. The Vikings have Kevin and Pat Williams manning the middle but behind them are Fred Evans and Ellis Wyms. Upgrading the talent level here wouldn’t hurt.
The Vikings also need to find a replacement for safety Darren Sharper – and soon. This would be a good round to do so.
Fifth round (150 overall)
This could be the time to nab the pass-catching tight end the Vikings currently don’t have on their roster. I know they signed Visanthe Shiancoe to fill that role last year but, sorry, the guy just doesn’t have it. And I don’t know if Garrett Mills or Braden Jones does either. Safety or DE would also be a possibility at this point if the Vikings haven’t already addressed those positions.
Sixth round (187 and 193 overall)
Extra picks in any round other than the first or second usually means a trade will be made to move up in the draft by the team with said picks. The Vikings are in that position here. I expect they might try to deal their sixth round picks to get another pick in the fifth round - if there’s a player they like who they don’t think will be around by the sixth round. As for what position that player might play, wide receiver is a possibility. Despite resigning with the club, Robert Ferguson’s hold on a roster spot can’t be all that secure. The Vikings might also take a quarterback here for Chilly to “develop” if they haven’t done so already.
Seventh round (207 overall)
At this point in the draft you’re taking a flier on any player you choose. The Vikings are probably looking for someone to bolster the special teams unit this late in the draft. That player could play any number of positions.
So there you are, a brief rundown by an interested (but not necessarily well-informed) observer on what the Vikings might do during this weekend’s draft. Without a first round pick, the draft drama might be gone for most Vikings fans. But that doesn’t mean making good use of the picks they do have isn’t important. It is. If the team can land players with the skill level of Rice, Robison and Edwards, they will have done well.
On Deck: Helpful advice
That’s right, despite what you may have heard, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t trade all nine of their picks in the 2008 draft to the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire Allen. It just seems that way.
The Vikings actually still have six picks left – one each in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, plus two in the sixth round. Allen is essentially like a first-round pick for the Vikes, so the team is already off to a rousing start to its ’08 draft. Now the Vikings scouting and personnel team must finish the job and draft some players with their remaining picks that can help the team next season and beyond. The Vikings did that last year by selecting receiver Sidney Rice (second round), DE Brian Robison (fourth round) and receiver Aundrae Allison (fifth round) in the draft.
Here are a few thoughts on what the Vikings might do with their picks this weekend.
Second round (47th overall)
This is still a high pick and the Vikings should be able to land a pretty good player. I think the same philosophy holds true here as it does in the first round – you take the best player available. In a perfect world the best player available would be a versatile O-lineman, someone who can play either left or right tackle and give the Vikings some insurance in case Bryant McKinnie (conduct issues) or Ryan Cook (performance issues) need to be replaced.
Of course, quarterback is still a wee bit of a concern for the Vikings. If someone like Brian Brohm (unlikely) or Chad Henne (possibly) slips this far, the Vikings will seriously consider taking either one.
Fourth round (117 overall)
Signing Allen leaves the Vikings less needy at DE than they were two days ago. Still.... you can never have enough pass rushers. Kenechi Udeze’s likely done for ’08. Erasmus James is a walking MRI. Ray Edwards and Robison are young and promising but also have yet to register more than five sacks in a season. If there’s a DE the Vikings like at this point, I have no problem with them taking one here. And don’t forget defensive tackle. The Vikings have Kevin and Pat Williams manning the middle but behind them are Fred Evans and Ellis Wyms. Upgrading the talent level here wouldn’t hurt.
The Vikings also need to find a replacement for safety Darren Sharper – and soon. This would be a good round to do so.
Fifth round (150 overall)
This could be the time to nab the pass-catching tight end the Vikings currently don’t have on their roster. I know they signed Visanthe Shiancoe to fill that role last year but, sorry, the guy just doesn’t have it. And I don’t know if Garrett Mills or Braden Jones does either. Safety or DE would also be a possibility at this point if the Vikings haven’t already addressed those positions.
Sixth round (187 and 193 overall)
Extra picks in any round other than the first or second usually means a trade will be made to move up in the draft by the team with said picks. The Vikings are in that position here. I expect they might try to deal their sixth round picks to get another pick in the fifth round - if there’s a player they like who they don’t think will be around by the sixth round. As for what position that player might play, wide receiver is a possibility. Despite resigning with the club, Robert Ferguson’s hold on a roster spot can’t be all that secure. The Vikings might also take a quarterback here for Chilly to “develop” if they haven’t done so already.
Seventh round (207 overall)
At this point in the draft you’re taking a flier on any player you choose. The Vikings are probably looking for someone to bolster the special teams unit this late in the draft. That player could play any number of positions.
So there you are, a brief rundown by an interested (but not necessarily well-informed) observer on what the Vikings might do during this weekend’s draft. Without a first round pick, the draft drama might be gone for most Vikings fans. But that doesn’t mean making good use of the picks they do have isn’t important. It is. If the team can land players with the skill level of Rice, Robison and Edwards, they will have done well.
On Deck: Helpful advice
One man's opinion
For Vikings fans who are still debating the merits of the Jared Allen trade – and there are a few – take a gander at Joe Posnanski's take on the deal. The Kansas City Star columnist is one of the best in the business and it doesn't sound like he's all that impressed with what the Chiefs did.
His conclusion: He'll take Allen's superstar production over a draft pick's potential every time.
Any thoughts?
On Deck: The Vikings draft – what now?
His conclusion: He'll take Allen's superstar production over a draft pick's potential every time.
Any thoughts?
On Deck: The Vikings draft – what now?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Vikings get Allen - but can he play quarterback?
It's not official as I write this but it might as well be. Multiple news outlets are reporting that stud defensive end Jared Allen has been traded to the Vikings by Kansas City for three draft picks in this weekend's draft.
The Vikings give up their first round pick and both of their third round picks to acquire Allen. Owner Zygi Wilf gives up $31-million in guaranteed cash, as Allen reportedly has signed a six-year, $74-million deal.
That the Vikings made Allen the highest paid defensive player in the league is of little importance to anyone other than Allen and Wilf. The Vikings had money to spend and as long as the contract doesn't blow up the team's salary cap structure, all is well.
The draft picks are another matter. The Vikings potentially give up three players to land one. There will be plenty of debate in Vikingland as to whether the team gave up too much to get Allen.
However, in acquiring Allen the Vikings get a player who is far better than anyone they could have landed at the #17 spot in the first round. In Allen, the Vikings get a young, proven talent who is one of the best in the NFL at a position where the team had a great need. Best of all he is NFL-ready, requiring no seasoning and no adjustments to the pro game. Raise your hand if you think Derrick Harvey, Phillip Merling or Calais Campbell - DE's that might have been available when the Vikings drafted in round one - will ever be the kind of player Allen already is.
And while also giving up both third round picks is a tad steep, no one can know for sure what contribution those players would have made. They might've turned out to be All-Pros. They might've turned out to be busts. With Allen you know what you're getting. And as long as he stays sober, you're getting a superstar.
This is a deal that's not for the faint of heart. But Allen wanted out of Kansas City. The Chiefs wanted Allen out of Kansas City. He was going somewhere. I'm glad he ended up in Minnesota.
Hold off on that Super Bowl talk though. As great as Allen is, he can't throw the football. And for the Vikings to get where its fans and management want the team to go - the playoffs and beyond - it's still mostly on Tarvaris Jackson. The Vikings starting quarterback must develop into at least an above average player in 2008 for the team to make a Super Bowl run. Does he have it in him in only his second year as a starter? Unfortunately for impatient Vikings fans, April is not the month when that question can be answered.
On Deck: More on Allen; draft - what draft?
The Vikings give up their first round pick and both of their third round picks to acquire Allen. Owner Zygi Wilf gives up $31-million in guaranteed cash, as Allen reportedly has signed a six-year, $74-million deal.
That the Vikings made Allen the highest paid defensive player in the league is of little importance to anyone other than Allen and Wilf. The Vikings had money to spend and as long as the contract doesn't blow up the team's salary cap structure, all is well.
The draft picks are another matter. The Vikings potentially give up three players to land one. There will be plenty of debate in Vikingland as to whether the team gave up too much to get Allen.
However, in acquiring Allen the Vikings get a player who is far better than anyone they could have landed at the #17 spot in the first round. In Allen, the Vikings get a young, proven talent who is one of the best in the NFL at a position where the team had a great need. Best of all he is NFL-ready, requiring no seasoning and no adjustments to the pro game. Raise your hand if you think Derrick Harvey, Phillip Merling or Calais Campbell - DE's that might have been available when the Vikings drafted in round one - will ever be the kind of player Allen already is.
And while also giving up both third round picks is a tad steep, no one can know for sure what contribution those players would have made. They might've turned out to be All-Pros. They might've turned out to be busts. With Allen you know what you're getting. And as long as he stays sober, you're getting a superstar.
This is a deal that's not for the faint of heart. But Allen wanted out of Kansas City. The Chiefs wanted Allen out of Kansas City. He was going somewhere. I'm glad he ended up in Minnesota.
Hold off on that Super Bowl talk though. As great as Allen is, he can't throw the football. And for the Vikings to get where its fans and management want the team to go - the playoffs and beyond - it's still mostly on Tarvaris Jackson. The Vikings starting quarterback must develop into at least an above average player in 2008 for the team to make a Super Bowl run. Does he have it in him in only his second year as a starter? Unfortunately for impatient Vikings fans, April is not the month when that question can be answered.
On Deck: More on Allen; draft - what draft?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
No deal, no problem
The Jared Allen watch continues. The Kansas City Chiefs defensive end left Winter Park this weekend without the team announcing any sign and trade deal with Kansas City despite some news stories speculating the deal could get done quickly.
While Vikings fans lament that Allen left town without pulling on a purple and gold jersey, the fact he didn't should surprise no one. It makes sense from both Allen's and Kansas City's perspective.
If Tampa Bay is indeed as interested in acquiring Allen as the Vikes are, then he and his agent, Ken Harris, would be doing Allen a financial disservice to not at least visit with the Bucs, get familiar with the organization and see if what they would be willing to pay him trumps what the Vikings have offered.
As for the rebuilding Chiefs, general manager Carl Peterson would be doing his team a disservice if he didn't play this scene out a little bit longer with the draft still six days away. The Chiefs need draft picks and if Peterson can create a bidding war between the Vikings and the Bucs (and perhaps some other team or teams) for Allen's services, maybe the Chiefs get a better package than what the Vikings are reportedly offering him right now.
In the meantime, Vikings fans are left wondering if the team missed its big chance to get Allen.
While nothing's ever a sure thing, there's still reason to be confident the Vikings will get eventually their man.
1. Bagging Allen is the kind of bold move that will create a huge buzz among the Vikings fan base and put bums in the Metrodome's empty seats. Sellouts in 2008 will be a certainty. Weekly blackout bailouts by local TV stations will be a memory. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is a successful businessman and he knows getting Allen will be very good for business. So meeting Allen's financial demands won't be the problem. And as long as the Chiefs aren't totally unreasonable, Wilf and his football brain thrust will part with their precious draft picks.
2. As has been pointed out, if the Chiefs are indeed looking for two first-day draft picks this year in exchange for Allen and Tampa Bay is the only other suitor, the Vikings have better first-day assets to offer than the Bucs. It gets tricky though if Tampa Bay is willing to give up three picks for Allen. However, the chances of that happening are of the slim and none variety. Tampa Bay has only five picks in this draft. They won't give up more than two - and even that might be too much.
It is possible some other teams with a better draft pick situation than the Bucs could enter the sweepstakes (Jacksonville has been mentioned, New England as well) but Allen's off-the-field issues, in an odd way, probably work in the Vikings favour here. If Allen falls off the wagon, he's done for the year. Playoff teams like Jacksonville and New England - if they are indeed interested - would probably find that risk too great. But for a Vikings team that hasn't made the postseason since 2004, the risk would be worth it and the team would be less reluctant than most to deal away some valuable draft picks and pay Allen the gazillion-dollar contract he's looking for.
This potential deal isn't the "no-brainer" some fans on message boards have made it out to be. There's no guarantee Allen can stay clear of alcohol and a year-long NFL suspension. And if that happens, forking over a first round pick and either a second or third-round pick in next weekend's draft for Allen would hurt more than it did during the Mike Tice or Denny Green years. The Vikings have drafted well the past two seasons and there's good reason to believe Wilf's Triangle of Authority would make good use of those forfeited picks. With Green and Tice, the draft was always a crap shoot and the results usually trended towards crap.
Still, the Vikings haven't had a defensive end that opposing offences have had to account for since Chris Doleman's heyday. Which is why the Vikings are going hard after Allen and his 15.5 sacks in 2007. And that's also why the Vikings will get him.
On Deck: More on Allen, more on the Vikings and the draft
While Vikings fans lament that Allen left town without pulling on a purple and gold jersey, the fact he didn't should surprise no one. It makes sense from both Allen's and Kansas City's perspective.
If Tampa Bay is indeed as interested in acquiring Allen as the Vikes are, then he and his agent, Ken Harris, would be doing Allen a financial disservice to not at least visit with the Bucs, get familiar with the organization and see if what they would be willing to pay him trumps what the Vikings have offered.
As for the rebuilding Chiefs, general manager Carl Peterson would be doing his team a disservice if he didn't play this scene out a little bit longer with the draft still six days away. The Chiefs need draft picks and if Peterson can create a bidding war between the Vikings and the Bucs (and perhaps some other team or teams) for Allen's services, maybe the Chiefs get a better package than what the Vikings are reportedly offering him right now.
In the meantime, Vikings fans are left wondering if the team missed its big chance to get Allen.
While nothing's ever a sure thing, there's still reason to be confident the Vikings will get eventually their man.
1. Bagging Allen is the kind of bold move that will create a huge buzz among the Vikings fan base and put bums in the Metrodome's empty seats. Sellouts in 2008 will be a certainty. Weekly blackout bailouts by local TV stations will be a memory. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is a successful businessman and he knows getting Allen will be very good for business. So meeting Allen's financial demands won't be the problem. And as long as the Chiefs aren't totally unreasonable, Wilf and his football brain thrust will part with their precious draft picks.
2. As has been pointed out, if the Chiefs are indeed looking for two first-day draft picks this year in exchange for Allen and Tampa Bay is the only other suitor, the Vikings have better first-day assets to offer than the Bucs. It gets tricky though if Tampa Bay is willing to give up three picks for Allen. However, the chances of that happening are of the slim and none variety. Tampa Bay has only five picks in this draft. They won't give up more than two - and even that might be too much.
It is possible some other teams with a better draft pick situation than the Bucs could enter the sweepstakes (Jacksonville has been mentioned, New England as well) but Allen's off-the-field issues, in an odd way, probably work in the Vikings favour here. If Allen falls off the wagon, he's done for the year. Playoff teams like Jacksonville and New England - if they are indeed interested - would probably find that risk too great. But for a Vikings team that hasn't made the postseason since 2004, the risk would be worth it and the team would be less reluctant than most to deal away some valuable draft picks and pay Allen the gazillion-dollar contract he's looking for.
This potential deal isn't the "no-brainer" some fans on message boards have made it out to be. There's no guarantee Allen can stay clear of alcohol and a year-long NFL suspension. And if that happens, forking over a first round pick and either a second or third-round pick in next weekend's draft for Allen would hurt more than it did during the Mike Tice or Denny Green years. The Vikings have drafted well the past two seasons and there's good reason to believe Wilf's Triangle of Authority would make good use of those forfeited picks. With Green and Tice, the draft was always a crap shoot and the results usually trended towards crap.
Still, the Vikings haven't had a defensive end that opposing offences have had to account for since Chris Doleman's heyday. Which is why the Vikings are going hard after Allen and his 15.5 sacks in 2007. And that's also why the Vikings will get him.
On Deck: More on Allen, more on the Vikings and the draft
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Why Jared Allen will move to Minnesota
Aren't you glad the Vikings didn't sign Justin Smith?
Big news today as the Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed they are shopping star defensive end Jared Allen. The Vikings are thought to be one of the frontrunners - along with Tampa Bay and possibly Jacksonville.
Of those teams, the Vikings have the highest first round pick to dangle in front of the Chiefs. And they have the greatest need for a sack specialist, so they should be willing to give the Chiefs what they want, which reportedly is a first round pick and a second round pick in this April's draft.
Allen's off-the-field problems with booze are well-known and that makes him a risky guy to take on for a team that doesn't like players with character flaws. He'd also have to be signed to a long-term deal for big money and would take up a lot of cap space. Still, this is a risk worth taking for the Vikings.
Legitimate pass rushing ends are hard to find. The Vikings have been looking for one for years. Allen is that kind of player. He had 15.5 sacks last year and has 43 in his four-year career. And he's not just a pass rusher, he can defend the run and makes tackles as well. He's 26 and in his prime. He's been a durable player. He fills perhaps the Vikings greatest need. He could have the kind of effect on the Vikings defence that Patrick Kerney had in Seattle last season. This is a match made in Valhalla.
Such a deal would make next weekend's draft a lot less interesting for Vikings fans. But that's a very small price to pay for landing a player of Allen's talents. This is a deal that would be good for both teams (but especially the Vikings.) Expect Allen to be wearing purple within a week.
On Deck: Searching for rough diamonds
Big news today as the Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed they are shopping star defensive end Jared Allen. The Vikings are thought to be one of the frontrunners - along with Tampa Bay and possibly Jacksonville.
Of those teams, the Vikings have the highest first round pick to dangle in front of the Chiefs. And they have the greatest need for a sack specialist, so they should be willing to give the Chiefs what they want, which reportedly is a first round pick and a second round pick in this April's draft.
Allen's off-the-field problems with booze are well-known and that makes him a risky guy to take on for a team that doesn't like players with character flaws. He'd also have to be signed to a long-term deal for big money and would take up a lot of cap space. Still, this is a risk worth taking for the Vikings.
Legitimate pass rushing ends are hard to find. The Vikings have been looking for one for years. Allen is that kind of player. He had 15.5 sacks last year and has 43 in his four-year career. And he's not just a pass rusher, he can defend the run and makes tackles as well. He's 26 and in his prime. He's been a durable player. He fills perhaps the Vikings greatest need. He could have the kind of effect on the Vikings defence that Patrick Kerney had in Seattle last season. This is a match made in Valhalla.
Such a deal would make next weekend's draft a lot less interesting for Vikings fans. But that's a very small price to pay for landing a player of Allen's talents. This is a deal that would be good for both teams (but especially the Vikings.) Expect Allen to be wearing purple within a week.
On Deck: Searching for rough diamonds
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Why the Vikings won't move to L.A.
The news that Edward Roski Jr. is announcing a new concept Thursday to build a football stadium 20 miles outside of L.A. is sure to have tongues wagging - again - that the Minnesota Vikings will be headed west someday.
Here are a few reasons why the NFL might not be keen on the Vikings relocating to the City of Angels.
1. No stadium: Obviously Roski - who is part owner of the L.A. Lakers - is trying to do something about this. Still, there is no football-only stadium in the L.A. area right now that fits the template today's NFL owner is looking for. The only venue where an L.A. team could play, the Coliseum, would arguably be a worse venue, revenue-wise, than the Metrodome.
So a new stadium must be built. Not knowing how Roski plans to finance his stadium as I write this, I'm going to assume he'll be asking for some state or city help - and perhaps both. But with the U.S. economy looking like it's heading into a recession and the cost of large construction projects going up, up and away, will L.A. area residents be willing to subsidize such a project? I think it would be a tough, tough sell and won't happen. And without a new stadium, there's no reason for Zygi Wilf to move the Vikings to Los Angeles.
2. Ego: While Los Angeles might be the second largest market in the U.S., it ain't necessarily a football town. The Raiders and the Rams failed there (although having wacky owners like Al Davis and Georgia Frontiere didn't help) and if the Vikings were to move to L.A., the team would probably always be below the Lakers and the Dodgers in the sports pecking order, and maybe below USC football and UCLA basketball as well.
I think the NFL knows that, which is one reason why it has been lukewarm to the "NFL returns to L.A." idea. I think Wilf knows that too, which is why he'd probably only consider the move as a last resort.
3. Location, location, location: Even if Wilf were to decide to move the Vikings to L.A., moving an NFL team out of the state of Minnesota leaves a big geographical void for the league in the country's northern Midwest. There would be no NFL team east of Seattle until you get to Green Bay. That would alienate the many Vikings fans in states like the Dakotas, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming and, of course, Minnesota, who wouldn't have a team to cheer for anymore.
Clearly, the NFL wants professional football to remain America's Game. But that's tough to do if the league allows an owner like Wilf to move the Vikings to the West Coast. That, in turn, makes the league even more of an Eastern Seaboard, Dixieland and West Coast-dominated league than it already is. It's possible the league would step in and do all it could to prevent a Vikings-to-L.A. move from happening.
And if the Vikings aren't going to L.A., where else is there to go? Toronto? If an NFL team is going to be relocated there, it's going to be the Bills, not the Vikings. Portland? Too small a market. San Antonio? Nope. Orlando? Is there really room for another team in Florida?
Of course, the fourth reason the Vikings won't end up in L.A. is because Wilf and the civic authorities will work something out and get a new stadium built. And that will keep the Vikings safe for another 25 years or so, until the lease for that place runs out and some new stadium trend comes into vogue - like playing in multi-purpose and enclosed sporting facilities. Imagine that.
On Deck: Failing to find those diamonds in the rough
Here are a few reasons why the NFL might not be keen on the Vikings relocating to the City of Angels.
1. No stadium: Obviously Roski - who is part owner of the L.A. Lakers - is trying to do something about this. Still, there is no football-only stadium in the L.A. area right now that fits the template today's NFL owner is looking for. The only venue where an L.A. team could play, the Coliseum, would arguably be a worse venue, revenue-wise, than the Metrodome.
So a new stadium must be built. Not knowing how Roski plans to finance his stadium as I write this, I'm going to assume he'll be asking for some state or city help - and perhaps both. But with the U.S. economy looking like it's heading into a recession and the cost of large construction projects going up, up and away, will L.A. area residents be willing to subsidize such a project? I think it would be a tough, tough sell and won't happen. And without a new stadium, there's no reason for Zygi Wilf to move the Vikings to Los Angeles.
2. Ego: While Los Angeles might be the second largest market in the U.S., it ain't necessarily a football town. The Raiders and the Rams failed there (although having wacky owners like Al Davis and Georgia Frontiere didn't help) and if the Vikings were to move to L.A., the team would probably always be below the Lakers and the Dodgers in the sports pecking order, and maybe below USC football and UCLA basketball as well.
I think the NFL knows that, which is one reason why it has been lukewarm to the "NFL returns to L.A." idea. I think Wilf knows that too, which is why he'd probably only consider the move as a last resort.
3. Location, location, location: Even if Wilf were to decide to move the Vikings to L.A., moving an NFL team out of the state of Minnesota leaves a big geographical void for the league in the country's northern Midwest. There would be no NFL team east of Seattle until you get to Green Bay. That would alienate the many Vikings fans in states like the Dakotas, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming and, of course, Minnesota, who wouldn't have a team to cheer for anymore.
Clearly, the NFL wants professional football to remain America's Game. But that's tough to do if the league allows an owner like Wilf to move the Vikings to the West Coast. That, in turn, makes the league even more of an Eastern Seaboard, Dixieland and West Coast-dominated league than it already is. It's possible the league would step in and do all it could to prevent a Vikings-to-L.A. move from happening.
And if the Vikings aren't going to L.A., where else is there to go? Toronto? If an NFL team is going to be relocated there, it's going to be the Bills, not the Vikings. Portland? Too small a market. San Antonio? Nope. Orlando? Is there really room for another team in Florida?
Of course, the fourth reason the Vikings won't end up in L.A. is because Wilf and the civic authorities will work something out and get a new stadium built. And that will keep the Vikings safe for another 25 years or so, until the lease for that place runs out and some new stadium trend comes into vogue - like playing in multi-purpose and enclosed sporting facilities. Imagine that.
On Deck: Failing to find those diamonds in the rough
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Vikings at the draft: Messing up in the new millenium
Searching for the primary reason why your Minnesota Vikings have posted a middling 62-66 record and have had only two playoff appearances this decade? Blame their performance at the annual NFL draft.
The Vikings haven’t received nearly enough credit for how poorly they’ve drafted since 2000. This is a subject I’ll get into in a bit more this week. But just for kicks, I consulted the always-handy Pro Football Reference website to look at who the Vikings drafted in every round of every draft since 2000.
With a few notable exceptions, it’s a pretty awful list, with the Vikings too often failing to land even one above-average NFL starter in entire draft classes. It’s amazing the Vikings record is as good as it's been the past eight years when you look at the many stiffs they have taken.
Below you’ll find all 62 players the Vikings have drafted since 2000. So sit back and enjoy as Grant’s Tomb takes you on a trip down memory lane.
2007
1. Adrian Peterson (RB Oklahoma): The nickname – Purple Jesus - tells you all you need to know about this fellow.
2. Sidney Rice (WR South Carolina): Looks like he might turn out better than another former Gamecock WR.
3. Marcus McCauley (DB Fresno State): Struggled as a rookie. Should be better in ’08.
4. Brian Robison (DE Texas): The next Aaron Kampman?
5. Aundrae Allison (WR East Carolina): Currently the proud owner of the longest kick-off return in team history.
6. Rufus Alexander (LB Oklahoma): Preseason knee injury ended ’07 season. Will have tough time making club in ’08.
7. Tyler Thigpen (QB Coastal Carolina): Vikes gambled and lost by cutting him, then trying to sneak him on practice roster. The Chiefs had other ideas.
7. Chandler Williams (WR Florida International): A long shot to make the team. He didn’t.
2006
1. Chad Greenway (LB Iowa): Starting weakside LB doesn’t look like an All-Pro. But he’s solid.
2. Cedric Griffin (DB Texas): Oft-criticized starting corner sports nice dreadlocks.
2. Ryan Cook (OT New Mexico): The weakest link.
2. Tarvaris Jackson (QB Alabama State): Inventor of the jump pass has patent pending.
4. Ray Edwards (DE Purdue): If improvement in’07 wasn’t juice-induced, has a productive career ahead of him.
5. Greg Blue (DB Georgia): Big hitter who couldn’t cover now in Detroit where he fits right in.
6. Tyrone Culver (DB Fresno State): Pro Football Reference site claims Vikes drafted him.
2005
1. Troy Williamson (WR South Carolina): The Roberto Duran of the NFL is now Jacksonville’s problem.
1. Erasmus James (DE Wisconsin): Career thus far can be summed up with one word – injuries.
2. Marcus Johnson (OT Mississippi): Lost his job to Ryan Cook. Ouch!
3. Dustin Fox (DB Ohio State): Apparently, Fox is still in the league – with Buffalo.
4. Ciatrick Fason (RB Florida): Interesting first name, not-so-interesting talent level. Cut in training camp last summer.
6. C.J. Mosley (DT Missouri): Traded to Jets for Brooks Bollinger in ’06. Looks like New York got the better of that deal.
7. Adrian Ward (DB Texas El-Paso): With the picks acquired in the Moss trade Vikes selected Ward and Williamson. Nice.
2004
1. Kenechi Udeze (DE Southern California): Leukemia diagnosis puts career in jeopardy.
2. Dontarrious Thomas (LB Auburn): Top backup signed with 49ers in March. Vikings fans shed few tears.
3. Darrion Scott (DE Ohio State): Team leader in sacks in ’06 currently unsigned. He could help somebody in ’08 – including the Vikes.
4. Nat Dorsey (OT Georgia Tech): Traded to the Browns in ’05 for the immortal Melvin Fowler.
4. Mewelde Moore (RB Tulane): Now a Steeler, was one of Mike Tice’s better second-day picks.
5. Rod Davis (LB Southern Miss): Played special teams but little else. Cut in 2006.
6. Deandre Eiland (DB South Carolina): Cut during 2004 training camp. Sorry – it’s the best I could come up with.
7. Jeff Dugan (TE Maryland): With Udeze sidelined, sadly this road grading TE looks like the class of this draft.
2003
1. Kevin Williams (DT Oklahoma State): Perennial All-Pro.
2. E.J. Henderson (LB Maryland): Defensive MVP in ’07.
3. Nate Burleson (WR Nevada-Reno): Currently a Seahawk, never fulfilled the promise displayed during breakout ’04 season (68 catches, 1,006 yards, 9 TDs)
4. Onterrio Smith (RB Oregon): S.O.D.'s career destroyed by Whizzinator debacle.
6. Eddie Johnson (P Idaho State): A disaster as handpicked punter-of-the-future.
6. Mike Nattiel (LB Florida): Undersized backer couldn’t cut it in the pros.
7. Keenan Howry (WR Oregon): Time with Vikes spent mostly returning punts, standing on sidelines.
2002
1. Bryant McKinnie (OT Miami): Tice reportedly wanted DT Ryan Sims (now out of football) instead of this six-year starter.
2. Raonall Smith (LB Washington State): Brittle linebacker still hanging on in St. Louis.
3. Willie Offord (DB South Carolina): If this bum had panned out Vikes wouldn’t have had to sign Darren Sharper. Or Dwight Smith. Or Madieu Williams.
4. Brian Williams (DB North Carolina State): Vikes should have kept him instead of Loveboat Smoot.
4. Edward Ta’amu (OG Utah): A rare breed – a fourth-rounder who couldn’t even make the team.
6. Nick Rogers (LB Georgia Tech): Pass rushing tweener spent two seasons with Vikes. Last played in ‘05 with Dolphins.
7. Chad Beasley (DT Virginia Tech): Allegedly started three games for Browns in ’03.
2001
1. Michael Bennett (RB Wisconsin): Denny Green’s “Gift from God” was anything but.
2. Willie Howard (DE Stanford): Injuries ended promising career.
3. Eric Kelly (DB Kentucky): One of many wasted third round picks during the Green era.
4. Shawn Worthen (DT TCU): One of many wasted fourth-round picks during the Green era
4. Cedric James (WR TCU): Ditto.
5. Patrick Chukwurah (LB Wyoming): Best season was with Broncos in ’06 (4.5 sacks, 17 tackles.) Played for Tampa in ’07.
6. Carey Scott (DB Kentucky State): Suited up for one game with Vikes. Out of football by 2003.
7. Brian Crawford (OT Western Oregon): Never made the team. Never heard from again.
2000
1. Chris Hovan (DT Boston College): Inexplicably is still gainfully employed in NFL by Bucs.
2. Fred Robbins (DT Wake Forest): After four uneventful years in Minnesota, has developed into a solid pro with Giants.
2. Michael Boireau (DE Miami): Never played a regular season down for the Vikes. Last seen in the CFL.
3. Doug Chapman (RB Marshall): Must have left his game in college.
4. Antonio Wilson (LB Texas A& M Commerce): One start in three seasons with Vikes.
4. Tyrone Carter (DB Minnesota): Undersized safety still plugging away in Pittsburgh.
5. Troy Walters (WR Stanford): What did he do to deserve this? Played for the Lions in ‘07.
7. Mike Malano (C San Diego State): Who?
7. Giles Cole (TE Texas A&M Kingsville): See above.
7. Lewis Kelly (OT South Carolina State): One of Tice’s pet projects. Lasted three seasons with the purple.
On Deck: More draft stuff
The Vikings haven’t received nearly enough credit for how poorly they’ve drafted since 2000. This is a subject I’ll get into in a bit more this week. But just for kicks, I consulted the always-handy Pro Football Reference website to look at who the Vikings drafted in every round of every draft since 2000.
With a few notable exceptions, it’s a pretty awful list, with the Vikings too often failing to land even one above-average NFL starter in entire draft classes. It’s amazing the Vikings record is as good as it's been the past eight years when you look at the many stiffs they have taken.
Below you’ll find all 62 players the Vikings have drafted since 2000. So sit back and enjoy as Grant’s Tomb takes you on a trip down memory lane.
2007
1. Adrian Peterson (RB Oklahoma): The nickname – Purple Jesus - tells you all you need to know about this fellow.
2. Sidney Rice (WR South Carolina): Looks like he might turn out better than another former Gamecock WR.
3. Marcus McCauley (DB Fresno State): Struggled as a rookie. Should be better in ’08.
4. Brian Robison (DE Texas): The next Aaron Kampman?
5. Aundrae Allison (WR East Carolina): Currently the proud owner of the longest kick-off return in team history.
6. Rufus Alexander (LB Oklahoma): Preseason knee injury ended ’07 season. Will have tough time making club in ’08.
7. Tyler Thigpen (QB Coastal Carolina): Vikes gambled and lost by cutting him, then trying to sneak him on practice roster. The Chiefs had other ideas.
7. Chandler Williams (WR Florida International): A long shot to make the team. He didn’t.
2006
1. Chad Greenway (LB Iowa): Starting weakside LB doesn’t look like an All-Pro. But he’s solid.
2. Cedric Griffin (DB Texas): Oft-criticized starting corner sports nice dreadlocks.
2. Ryan Cook (OT New Mexico): The weakest link.
2. Tarvaris Jackson (QB Alabama State): Inventor of the jump pass has patent pending.
4. Ray Edwards (DE Purdue): If improvement in’07 wasn’t juice-induced, has a productive career ahead of him.
5. Greg Blue (DB Georgia): Big hitter who couldn’t cover now in Detroit where he fits right in.
6. Tyrone Culver (DB Fresno State): Pro Football Reference site claims Vikes drafted him.
2005
1. Troy Williamson (WR South Carolina): The Roberto Duran of the NFL is now Jacksonville’s problem.
1. Erasmus James (DE Wisconsin): Career thus far can be summed up with one word – injuries.
2. Marcus Johnson (OT Mississippi): Lost his job to Ryan Cook. Ouch!
3. Dustin Fox (DB Ohio State): Apparently, Fox is still in the league – with Buffalo.
4. Ciatrick Fason (RB Florida): Interesting first name, not-so-interesting talent level. Cut in training camp last summer.
6. C.J. Mosley (DT Missouri): Traded to Jets for Brooks Bollinger in ’06. Looks like New York got the better of that deal.
7. Adrian Ward (DB Texas El-Paso): With the picks acquired in the Moss trade Vikes selected Ward and Williamson. Nice.
2004
1. Kenechi Udeze (DE Southern California): Leukemia diagnosis puts career in jeopardy.
2. Dontarrious Thomas (LB Auburn): Top backup signed with 49ers in March. Vikings fans shed few tears.
3. Darrion Scott (DE Ohio State): Team leader in sacks in ’06 currently unsigned. He could help somebody in ’08 – including the Vikes.
4. Nat Dorsey (OT Georgia Tech): Traded to the Browns in ’05 for the immortal Melvin Fowler.
4. Mewelde Moore (RB Tulane): Now a Steeler, was one of Mike Tice’s better second-day picks.
5. Rod Davis (LB Southern Miss): Played special teams but little else. Cut in 2006.
6. Deandre Eiland (DB South Carolina): Cut during 2004 training camp. Sorry – it’s the best I could come up with.
7. Jeff Dugan (TE Maryland): With Udeze sidelined, sadly this road grading TE looks like the class of this draft.
2003
1. Kevin Williams (DT Oklahoma State): Perennial All-Pro.
2. E.J. Henderson (LB Maryland): Defensive MVP in ’07.
3. Nate Burleson (WR Nevada-Reno): Currently a Seahawk, never fulfilled the promise displayed during breakout ’04 season (68 catches, 1,006 yards, 9 TDs)
4. Onterrio Smith (RB Oregon): S.O.D.'s career destroyed by Whizzinator debacle.
6. Eddie Johnson (P Idaho State): A disaster as handpicked punter-of-the-future.
6. Mike Nattiel (LB Florida): Undersized backer couldn’t cut it in the pros.
7. Keenan Howry (WR Oregon): Time with Vikes spent mostly returning punts, standing on sidelines.
2002
1. Bryant McKinnie (OT Miami): Tice reportedly wanted DT Ryan Sims (now out of football) instead of this six-year starter.
2. Raonall Smith (LB Washington State): Brittle linebacker still hanging on in St. Louis.
3. Willie Offord (DB South Carolina): If this bum had panned out Vikes wouldn’t have had to sign Darren Sharper. Or Dwight Smith. Or Madieu Williams.
4. Brian Williams (DB North Carolina State): Vikes should have kept him instead of Loveboat Smoot.
4. Edward Ta’amu (OG Utah): A rare breed – a fourth-rounder who couldn’t even make the team.
6. Nick Rogers (LB Georgia Tech): Pass rushing tweener spent two seasons with Vikes. Last played in ‘05 with Dolphins.
7. Chad Beasley (DT Virginia Tech): Allegedly started three games for Browns in ’03.
2001
1. Michael Bennett (RB Wisconsin): Denny Green’s “Gift from God” was anything but.
2. Willie Howard (DE Stanford): Injuries ended promising career.
3. Eric Kelly (DB Kentucky): One of many wasted third round picks during the Green era.
4. Shawn Worthen (DT TCU): One of many wasted fourth-round picks during the Green era
4. Cedric James (WR TCU): Ditto.
5. Patrick Chukwurah (LB Wyoming): Best season was with Broncos in ’06 (4.5 sacks, 17 tackles.) Played for Tampa in ’07.
6. Carey Scott (DB Kentucky State): Suited up for one game with Vikes. Out of football by 2003.
7. Brian Crawford (OT Western Oregon): Never made the team. Never heard from again.
2000
1. Chris Hovan (DT Boston College): Inexplicably is still gainfully employed in NFL by Bucs.
2. Fred Robbins (DT Wake Forest): After four uneventful years in Minnesota, has developed into a solid pro with Giants.
2. Michael Boireau (DE Miami): Never played a regular season down for the Vikes. Last seen in the CFL.
3. Doug Chapman (RB Marshall): Must have left his game in college.
4. Antonio Wilson (LB Texas A& M Commerce): One start in three seasons with Vikes.
4. Tyrone Carter (DB Minnesota): Undersized safety still plugging away in Pittsburgh.
5. Troy Walters (WR Stanford): What did he do to deserve this? Played for the Lions in ‘07.
7. Mike Malano (C San Diego State): Who?
7. Giles Cole (TE Texas A&M Kingsville): See above.
7. Lewis Kelly (OT South Carolina State): One of Tice’s pet projects. Lasted three seasons with the purple.
On Deck: More draft stuff
Monday, April 07, 2008
Preseason presents opportunity for Vikings offence
In a year when the Minnesota Vikings will endure a regular season schedule that will see them playing last year’s Super Bowl champion, plus five other teams that made the postseason in 2007, the NFL schedule-makers have potentially done the team a favour in laying out next summer’s preseason opponents.
That schedule has the Vikings playing three other 2007-playoff teams (Pittsburgh, Dallas and Seattle) and a team that made the playoffs in 2006 with a 13-3 record before bottoming out last year (Baltimore).
The common mantra among football media-types and fans is that preseason games are meaningless. But they won’t be this year for the Vikings.
In fact, the preseason should be viewed as an opportunity. The Vikings play three quality teams before the real games start and will face four quality defences. The Steelers gave up the second fewest points against in the NFL in 2008, Seattle tied with Green Bay for sixth in that category and Dallas was a more-than-respectable 13th overall. Pittsburgh, Seattle, Dallas and Baltimore also finished in the top half of Football Outsiders 2007 defence team efficiency ratings.
This is where the opportunity lies. It’s an opportunity for the Vikings offence to make a statement, to show it has improved and can be counted on to do more than simply not muck it up for the defence. There are reasons to hope this can happen. Tarvaris Jackson enters his second full year as the team’s starting quarterback and should be more comfortable with what he’s asked to do and what opposing defences are doing to him. Adrian Peterson is primed for an assault on the NFL record books. Sidney Rice is a year older and hopefully better. Bernard Berrian gives the team something resembling a number one receiver.
But Instead of waiting until the regular season to learn what the new and supposedly improved offence can do, the Vikings can use the preseason to work the kinks out before the real games start. This is particularly true of Jackson – the player whose play must really improve if the Vikings are to reach the postseason.
Last summer, Vikings head coach Brad Childress babied Jackson terribly, refusing to let his pet project cut it loose during the preseason. Jackson didn’t get to throw the ball much. Predictably he looked and played exactly like the raw first-time starter his many critics said he would be.
Childress can’t make the same mistake this summer. Jackson, with a new toy to play with in Berrian and some other key weapons that are year older and wiser (Peterson/Rice), must be allowed to do more than just hand the ball off and throw a few quick slants. He must be allowed to run as much of the Vikings offence as the coaching staff can afford to show off during preseason. He must be allowed to form a connection with Berrian and learn to trust and look for the talented Rice. And he needs to do this under duress from some of the better defences in the NFL.
The NFL has provided the Vikings with those defences thanks to the preseason schedule its cooked up for the team. Come summer it will be up to Childress and his offensive assistants to make the best use of that schedule. If Jackson and the offence show some life and an ability to string some productive drives together – particularly in games two and three against Pittsburgh and Baltimore when NFL teams usually play their starters the most – it’s likely the unit can finally move away from Chilly’s “three yards and a cloud of dust” philosophy.
But if not – those playoffs hopes will fade quickly and it won’t take long for fans to start calling for owner Zygi Wilf to start hunting for the next Vikings head coach and quarterback of the future.
On Deck: Vikings draft needs
That schedule has the Vikings playing three other 2007-playoff teams (Pittsburgh, Dallas and Seattle) and a team that made the playoffs in 2006 with a 13-3 record before bottoming out last year (Baltimore).
The common mantra among football media-types and fans is that preseason games are meaningless. But they won’t be this year for the Vikings.
In fact, the preseason should be viewed as an opportunity. The Vikings play three quality teams before the real games start and will face four quality defences. The Steelers gave up the second fewest points against in the NFL in 2008, Seattle tied with Green Bay for sixth in that category and Dallas was a more-than-respectable 13th overall. Pittsburgh, Seattle, Dallas and Baltimore also finished in the top half of Football Outsiders 2007 defence team efficiency ratings.
This is where the opportunity lies. It’s an opportunity for the Vikings offence to make a statement, to show it has improved and can be counted on to do more than simply not muck it up for the defence. There are reasons to hope this can happen. Tarvaris Jackson enters his second full year as the team’s starting quarterback and should be more comfortable with what he’s asked to do and what opposing defences are doing to him. Adrian Peterson is primed for an assault on the NFL record books. Sidney Rice is a year older and hopefully better. Bernard Berrian gives the team something resembling a number one receiver.
But Instead of waiting until the regular season to learn what the new and supposedly improved offence can do, the Vikings can use the preseason to work the kinks out before the real games start. This is particularly true of Jackson – the player whose play must really improve if the Vikings are to reach the postseason.
Last summer, Vikings head coach Brad Childress babied Jackson terribly, refusing to let his pet project cut it loose during the preseason. Jackson didn’t get to throw the ball much. Predictably he looked and played exactly like the raw first-time starter his many critics said he would be.
Childress can’t make the same mistake this summer. Jackson, with a new toy to play with in Berrian and some other key weapons that are year older and wiser (Peterson/Rice), must be allowed to do more than just hand the ball off and throw a few quick slants. He must be allowed to run as much of the Vikings offence as the coaching staff can afford to show off during preseason. He must be allowed to form a connection with Berrian and learn to trust and look for the talented Rice. And he needs to do this under duress from some of the better defences in the NFL.
The NFL has provided the Vikings with those defences thanks to the preseason schedule its cooked up for the team. Come summer it will be up to Childress and his offensive assistants to make the best use of that schedule. If Jackson and the offence show some life and an ability to string some productive drives together – particularly in games two and three against Pittsburgh and Baltimore when NFL teams usually play their starters the most – it’s likely the unit can finally move away from Chilly’s “three yards and a cloud of dust” philosophy.
But if not – those playoffs hopes will fade quickly and it won’t take long for fans to start calling for owner Zygi Wilf to start hunting for the next Vikings head coach and quarterback of the future.
On Deck: Vikings draft needs
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Discussing Gus
The Vikings have found an experienced veteran quarterback to caddy for starter Tarvaris Jackson. The team has signed Gus Frerotte, who begins his second tour of duty with Minnesota.
I could quote a bunch of stats from the Football Outsiders site to illustrate what the Vikings are getting in Frerotte. But since I watched Frerotte play against Seattle and Pittsburgh last season, here is my take on Gus. The guy is done. He’s not quite Kelly Holcomb done. But he’s done as far as being a useful backup quarterback in the NFL. And if anybody has any illusions that Frerotte can “challenge” Jackson for the starting job or even serve as a decent Plan B in case T-Jack is forced to the bench due to injury or ineffectiveness, they will be disappointed.
Yes, Frerotte can still gun the ball. But he’s not very mobile, which makes him as poor a fit as Holcomb was with this offensive line. And for a veteran quarterback with 14 NFL seasons under his belt, Frerotte sure makes some abominable decisions when throwing the ball. Single coverage, double coverage, triple coverage - it doesn’t seem to matter to Gus. He’ll try to zip the ball in there anyway, usually with bad results. Considering how much head coach Brad Childress values ball security, Frerotte is an odd signing. I don’t think he is even an upgrade over Brooks Bollinger.
However, with the Vikings unable to swing a trade for the veteran backup the team really wanted – Sage Rosenfels of the Houston Texans – it couldn’t go into the 2008 season with just Jackson and Bollinger as its only quarterbacks. So the Vikings made a move. At least management didn’t have to give up a draft pick to acquire Frerotte. Holcomb cost the Vikings a sixth round pick in the 2009 draft.
April activity
March was not a good month for this blog as the staff at Grant’s Tomb (that would be me) only managed five posts. A hectic work schedule is 85 per cent to blame with laziness filling in the remaining 15 per cent. But that schedule doesn’t figure to let up in April and neither will my lazy streak. I’m just going to have to find a way to post more – especially with the NFL draft close at hand. So expect more posts in April.
As for May.... I make no promises.
On Deck: Draft analysis
I could quote a bunch of stats from the Football Outsiders site to illustrate what the Vikings are getting in Frerotte. But since I watched Frerotte play against Seattle and Pittsburgh last season, here is my take on Gus. The guy is done. He’s not quite Kelly Holcomb done. But he’s done as far as being a useful backup quarterback in the NFL. And if anybody has any illusions that Frerotte can “challenge” Jackson for the starting job or even serve as a decent Plan B in case T-Jack is forced to the bench due to injury or ineffectiveness, they will be disappointed.
Yes, Frerotte can still gun the ball. But he’s not very mobile, which makes him as poor a fit as Holcomb was with this offensive line. And for a veteran quarterback with 14 NFL seasons under his belt, Frerotte sure makes some abominable decisions when throwing the ball. Single coverage, double coverage, triple coverage - it doesn’t seem to matter to Gus. He’ll try to zip the ball in there anyway, usually with bad results. Considering how much head coach Brad Childress values ball security, Frerotte is an odd signing. I don’t think he is even an upgrade over Brooks Bollinger.
However, with the Vikings unable to swing a trade for the veteran backup the team really wanted – Sage Rosenfels of the Houston Texans – it couldn’t go into the 2008 season with just Jackson and Bollinger as its only quarterbacks. So the Vikings made a move. At least management didn’t have to give up a draft pick to acquire Frerotte. Holcomb cost the Vikings a sixth round pick in the 2009 draft.
April activity
March was not a good month for this blog as the staff at Grant’s Tomb (that would be me) only managed five posts. A hectic work schedule is 85 per cent to blame with laziness filling in the remaining 15 per cent. But that schedule doesn’t figure to let up in April and neither will my lazy streak. I’m just going to have to find a way to post more – especially with the NFL draft close at hand. So expect more posts in April.
As for May.... I make no promises.
On Deck: Draft analysis
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