Strength? A couple mid-rounders and a guy no other team was terribly interested in and it's now a strength? Jenkins has never shown anything and shouldn't even make the 53 man roster (Another ridiculous "knows the offense" signing that Childress loved. Stock up on garbage players because they played for him in Philly)

We have a little depth, and are young, but that's about it. Percy isn't really an outside guy. Simpson might be, but not much of one. If Childs and/or Wright pan out then we're a lot closer but that's a big if.

Strength? Maybe not. But a lot closer than we were last year, that's for sure!

Seriously. The way folks are talking, Wright and Childs are about to become the biggest WR steals of the last 10 NFL drafts combined. One thing I've always found interesting is that the Vikings drafted Rhett Ellison, a guy that didn't even expect to be drafted -before- they drafted Greg Childs.

I hope all of these picks work out, but if none of them do, at least they were only 4th rounders.

I don't put much stock in this. He's a humble guy and not out if character for him to say something like that. It was said that a number of teams would have drafted him at some point. My question is...when? If he pans out, I guess it doesn't matter too much. Sounds like a great attitude, hard-working guy.

They gave Ellison #40 which is a bit surprising to me. Not that Jimmy K's number should be retired or anything but I thought they'd keep it out of circulation for a year.

My comment wasn't about Ellison's worthiness. He looks like a fairly typical 4th round pick. I just found it curious that Greg Childs, who by the commentary in this forum you would think is the second coming of Terrell Owens, was valued less by the Vikings than a meat and potatoes guy like Ellison.

Maybe it's intended to be an incentive for Ellison. Now they just need to get him to bulk up to 275 lbs and take a second and a half off his forty times.

For the life of me, I still don't understand why they don't take some very athletic, undersized offensive lineman, guys that exist by the dozens in college football, and turn him into a blocking TE who will catch maybe 3 passes a year. There are so many 6' 5" 290 lb tackles out there who will never be able to bulk up and play NFL ball, that it should be easy finding one who can catch a 3 yard pass. He'd be better than just about any 250 lb tight end when it comes to blocking.

6-3, 220, with a 4i inch verticle , with very good hands and runs precise routs with lots of seperation and reportedly 100% healthy.
I do not think that the Vike's missed this one and I believe many teams will regret not drafting him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XacQNhrETvs

He's a blocking TE that probably can catch and run routes similar to Sauce. I don't know about "lots of separation" and there's no way he has a 40+ inch vert.

I'm not saying I hate the pick, we have our pass catching TE's and the kid sounds like he's a hard worker and very humble.

I believe the previous comment was about Greg Childs.

Ah my bad, can't view YouTube at work. Thanks.

Nice to hear about Simpson's abilities and commitment.


http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 24275.html

Thanks for that, DP. News like that really gets me excited about the upcoming season, though it's a bummer that Simpson will be missing the first 4 games.

That said, I believe Simpson is going to add a lot of horsepower to the Vikings offense this year.

I have to agree you have a point. The chance of Childs becoming a top eight wideout is something like 2%. But still, I find myself intrigued by his abilities. It's the difference between evaluating with your heart and head.

I thought Ellison was drafted specifically to replace Kleinsasser. They probably had him pegged to be drafted, and the only question was the lowest draft pick they had that they thought he would still be available. And just like the Sauce was never a great player, Ellison probably won't either. But if he is a solid guy, maybe we have the FB/TE position set for another decade.

Looks solid to me. He seems to carry the ball kind of loosely though. Good Ups!

Jerome Simpson - WR - Vikings

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave singled out Jerome Simpson was a player that "really has made a good first impression."

Simpson is suspended for the first three games, but that hasn't dampened the Vikings' enthusiasm over the ex-Bengal. "We cannot hardly wait to get him into games," Musgrave said. Simpson projects as the every-down "X" receiver starting once Week 4 rolls around.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

I think fans and coaches for that matter are overrating Simpson based on how bad our receivers have been here recently. The man has only played a 16 game season once and he had 50 catches and 4 TD's. What about this guy is so impressive?

I understand the Bengals were bad, he has potential, blah, blah, blah. But he is what he is, a mediocre receiver that most people didn't even want.

The Rams were quite interested in Simpson and were pursuing him along with the Vikes who sgned him before the Rams could do a second personal interview. 50 catches and 4 tds. is pretty respectful playing as a third receiver behind AJ Green. Not sure what you expect?

He was playing behind Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson and didn't have his second start until week 16 of 2010 (catching 6 passes for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. He followed it up with 12 catches, 124 yards, and a touchdown in a game versus the Ravens). So 2011 was his first real season starting and it had little to do with talent and injury than it did opportunity.



50 catches, 725 yards playing opposite A.J. Green with a rookie second-round QB isn't horrible for his first full season starting. He has good measurables (6'2, 200lbs, 4.42-40, 41.5" vertical, former second-round talent). He might (might) be getting it together in his second year starting at age 26. He's smack dab in his prime. For many receivers, they don't reach their potential until three seasons or so in (Vincent Jackson being a recent example). Especially ones that have been stuck behind a couple of rock solid starters in a largely run-dominant offense (Benson carried the ball more in 2010 than AD has in his career outside of 2008).



That's one way of looking at it. But the Vikings see it another way. And by all accounts he's been impressing. And remember, Musgrave also coached Roddy White (not to mention plenty of other receivers coaching with and against).

Good Lord.

Simpson is a decent WR, I'm not expecting him to be a superstar. He's a solid #2/#3 who probably looks amazing compared to what else is on the roster.

The way him and Childs (who hasn't even gotten on the practice field yet) have been hyped up you'd think we have the next Carter and Moss.

I believe Childs has fully participated in minicamp. Frazier did comment on Childs being behind in terms of conditioning and schematics due to his time off but he's on the field.