Michael Jenkins released

[CbusVikesFan]

HOLY BUCKEYE!!!!!!!!! And he had a Holy Viking, sort of. Ponder's first pass. Sad to see him go. Great Guy.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Confirmed.

Michael Jenkins - WR - Free Agent
Vikings released WR Michael Jenkins.

Jenkins was due an $825,000 salary, but the Vikings made sure to cut him before his $2.425 million March roster bonus came due. Per beat writer Tom Pelissero, the Jenkins move clears $3.25 million in cap space. Turning 31 in June, "Molasses Mike" has been an ineffective pass catcher for quite some time. He could resurface elsewhere as a No. 4 wideout who plays on blocking downs.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter Mar 4 - 5:09 PM

I missed that part about Jenkins being "Molasses Mike." I wanna go see Pelissero go run routes. Jenkins was a solid, not spectacular receiver. Yet again, Pelissero is labeling a player he dislikes.

I think I'll miss that legendary nickname more than him Okay, perhaps a little harsh. He's a really good guy but someone who's nearing the end of his career and made little impact on the field. We need difference makers, a fresh infusion of youth.

We, unlike Pelissero, mean no disrespect by it! Jenkins just happened to be our oldest wide receiver in 2011 (and 2012) so I gave him the nickname.

[Demi]

I wanna go see Pelissero go run routes. Jenkins was a solid, not spectacular receiver.

Draft a 6'4 200+ lb receiver anywhere in the first four rounds, slap Jenkins jersey on him and you get all of the production and a ton more upside. We don't need "solid" receivers. We need guys who can make plays. There are dozens of these supposed "#3 or #4 possession" receivers, which appears to be the label I hear most often about Jenkins.

He's molasses. He's slow. Doesn't matter how great his routes are when he lacks any ability to get any separation even with them.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, and let's hope they don't bring the guy back period, even if he wants to play for free.

[The Breeze]

Draft a 6'4 200+ lb receiver anywhere in the first four rounds, slap Jenkins jersey on him and you get all of the production and a ton more upside. We don't need "solid" receivers. We need guys who can make plays. There are dozens of these supposed "#3 or #4 possession" receivers, which appears to be the label I hear most often about Jenkins.

agreed....but he knows this system better than any of those dozens, so he wouldn't necessarily be bad to have around as a mentor type...it's not like Burton played much last season and I'd still take the old man over him any day.

He's molasses. He's slow. Doesn't matter how great his routes are when he lacks any ability to get any separation even with them.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, and let's hope they don't bring the guy back period, even if he wants to play for free.

bad rubbish? seems a bit harsh...he had a 50yd td reception in the playoffs in his last game. YMMV

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Draft a 6'4 200+ lb receiver anywhere in the first four rounds, slap Jenkins jersey on him and you get all of the production and a ton more upside. We don't need "solid" receivers. We need guys who can make plays. There are dozens of these supposed "#3 or #4 possession" receivers, which appears to be the label I hear most often about Jenkins.

He's molasses. He's slow. Doesn't matter how great his routes are when he lacks any ability to get any separation even with them.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, and let's hope they don't bring the guy back period, even if he wants to play for free.

Uh, If you read my first post in this topic, I clearly said it was a move that had to be made...

[ViciousBritishVike]

I think I'll miss that legendary nickname more than him Okay, perhaps a little harsh. He's a really good guy but someone who's nearing the end of his career and made little impact on the field. We need difference makers, a fresh infusion of youth.

We, unlike Pelissero, mean no disrespect by it! Jenkins just happened to be our oldest wide receiver in 2011 (and 2012) so I gave him the nickname. [/quote]

It was a match made in heaven, perfect nickname

[PacificNorseWest]

Had some nice catches for 3rd down conversions, but at this point, with this team, probably doesn't provide much more production then what we saw last year. Good move. May be a serviceable vet elsewhere, but not in Minny anymore.

[VikingLord]

Draft a 6'4 200+ lb receiver anywhere in the first four rounds, slap Jenkins jersey on him and you get all of the production and a ton more upside. We don't need "solid" receivers. We need guys who can make plays. There are dozens of these supposed "#3 or #4 possession" receivers, which appears to be the label I hear most often about Jenkins.

The more I read, the more I believe the Vikings might use #23 on Justin Hunter. Hunter's stock fell significantly after he suffered a torn ACL his junior season, and his play suffered last season as he played before it was fully healed, but the guy was still very productive and performed and moved well at the Combine. He has the size, speed, and body control to excel as a #1 and would make a lot more sense for the Vikings at #23 than a guy I often see mocked there (Keenan Allen). I'm always concerned about knee injuries, but if Hunter checks out medically, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Spielman take him at #23, or even try to swing a trade down a few spots where he would still be likely to get him.

[jackal]

too bad I liked his attitude .. unlike whiny Percy

[Mothman]

The more I read, the more I believe the Vikings might use #23 on Justin Hunter. Hunter's stock fell significantly after he suffered a torn ACL his junior season, and his play suffered last season as he played before it was fully healed, but the guy was still very productive and performed and moved well at the Combine. He has the size, speed, and body control to excel as a #1 and would make a lot more sense for the Vikings at #23 than a guy I often see mocked there (Keenan Allen). I'm always concerned about knee injuries, but if Hunter checks out medically, I wouldn't be shocked at all to see Spielman take him at #23, or even try to swing a trade down a few spots where he would still be likely to get him.

Why do you think Hunter would make a lot more sense for the Vikings than Keenan Allen?

[VikingLord]

Why do you think Hunter would make a lot more sense for the Vikings than Keenan Allen?

Hunter is:

- Bigger
- Faster
- More productive
- No current injury concerns
- Has a higher upside

[VikingLord]

especially in the 1st rd? (assuming you are talking abour 1st rd). Hunter has a 2nd to 3rd rd draft grade most places I have checked. (espn, cbs, nfl, bleacher report). I would takea reliable receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. Very fluid in his routes and has great hands the majority of the time (meaning all WR's have some drops).

Expect Hunter's grade to change as team's realize he is fully healed from his ACL injury. He ran and tested very well at the Combine and had some good games to end his college career, looking much more like he did prior to his injury. He has a rare blend of size and speed. He's easily a 1st round prospect if he's back to form and will be very hard for Spielman to pass on in that case.

[headless_norseman]

I doubt the Vikes have Hunter rated high enough to take him in the first after an ACL.

[Mothman]

Hunter is:

- Bigger
- Faster
- More productive
- No current injury concerns
- Has a higher upside

He's certainly taller (although he has a smaller frame) and probably faster, although in terms of 40 times we still don't know that yet. He wasn't more productive over his college career than Allen, although he had a more productive 2012 season. I doubt the injury concerns will be an issue by draft time and to me, the higher upside is debatable. I don't think he makes a lot more sense for the Vikings than Allen does (especially since I have yet to see Hunter even projected to go in the first round) but in the end, that really depends on what the Vikes want. I like both players...

[VikingLord]

He's certainly taller (although he has a smaller frame) and probably faster, although in terms of 40 times we still don't know that yet. He wasn't more productive over his college career than Allen, although he had a more productive 2012 season. I doubt the injury concerns will be an issue by draft time and to me, the higher upside is debatable. I don't think he makes a lot more sense for the Vikings than Allen does (especially since I have yet to see Hunter even projected to go in the first round) but in the end, that really depends on what the Vikes want. I like both players...

Hunter had a much higher YPC than Allen in every season. Allen is more of a Cris Carter-type WR than a guy who is going to stretch the field consistently. It might be true that Allen puts up a 40 time in the range of Hunter (I doubt it), but even if he does, stretching the field is not his game (at least, not in college). He's a possession-type receiver with some YAC ability.

What about Allen suggests he has upside? I'm just curious. You mention Hunter's slighter frame, yet that is one of his characteristics that I believe gives him upside as I assume a year or two in an NFL training regimen can bulk him up a bit. Maybe Allen can too.

The one thing I like about Allen is his route-running. He's a precise route runner and he's a guy who is capable of going up and getting contested balls. One thing I didn't see a lot of in his highlights, however, is him clearly beating coverage. His YPC numbers indicate that - he can make those catches and get open enough to receive them, but his defender is likely to be there to drop him fairly quickly. I do not see Allen as the type of receiver that is going to really help a QB like Ponder who already hesitates to throw the ball unless his target is clearly open.

There is a place for Allen in the NFL, no doubt. I'm just not sure that he'll thrive in this particular offense.