Vikings should focus on defense next year?

[Mothman]

Here's an interesting idea...if AD isn't back (or back at a reduced salary) why not go after Demaryius Thomas.

Do you think he'll actually hit the free agent market? I would think Denver would find a way to keep him but I have no idea what the situation is there. For some reason, I've barely followed the Broncos this season.

[Pondering Her Percy]

If I'm not mistaken, he's allowed one sack in the past 4 games and that was on a well-constructed stunt run by the Jets. He didn't get beat "straight up". It's a serious exaggeration to suggest he's a waste of roster space.

Exactly. Good point as well

[Pondering Her Percy]

Do you think he'll actually hit the free agent market? I would think Denver would find a way to keep him but I have no idea what the situation is there. For some reason, I've barely followed the Broncos this season.

My guess is he will resign with Denver. He's publicly said he would take a "home town" discount to stay with the Broncos. If for some reason we were able to sign him though, we would have to flat out dump Jennings or hope he would take a serious pay cut. IMO, I would rather just draft a big play WR (Cooper or Parker) rather than sign one in FA. I also wonder how good he really is without Peyton Manning.

[Cliff]

My guess is he will resign with Denver. He's publicly said he would take a "home town" discount to stay with the Broncos. If for some reason we were able to sign him though, we would have to flat out dump Jennings or hope he would take a serious pay cut. IMO, I would rather just draft a big play WR (Cooper or Parker) rather than sign one in FA. I also wonder how good he really is without Peyton Manning.

Why would we need to dump Jennings? The original idea was *if* AD doesn't come back. If that happens there should be plenty of cap space.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Why would we need to dump Jennings? The original idea was *if* AD doesn't come back. If that happens there should be plenty of cap space.

We're going to pay 2 WRs over $9 million dollars a year??!!!! And the reason I say that is because you know Thomas will be making more than what Jennings is. There isn't a chance that happens. That's ridiculous

[dead_poet]

We're going to pay 2 WRs over $9 million dollars a year??!!!! And the reason I say that is because you know Thomas will be making more than what Jennings is. There isn't a chance that happens. That's ridiculous

I wouldn't be heartbroken if we parted ways with Jennings. I'm not sure what the cap implications of that would be, though. There's no way he plays out his contract.

Though I doubt Thomas gets away. The draft is probably more realistic. Thomas seems young but he's going to be 27 in about a week. Not old by any means, but I was a bit surprised. I thought he was a bit younger. I'm still holding out hope that Charles Johnson could end up being studly. Though a guy like Cooper obviously has a higher ceiling.

[jackal]

Our defensive unit in quality goes ...

Defensive front strongest

Secondary second strongest with a better partner needed for Harrison Smith

Linebacker weakest unit IMO I think its time to move forward from Greenway

Hodges,Barr should start and new MLB (wright from Seattle just signed extension
so he is out of dicussion)

[Ardenn]

we need at least 2 OL.....after that, defensive needs would be useful and I am Sure Zim would like to focus on it as that is where he really founded his coaching career. Really, once we get some good OL I have no problem with them taking the best available players in the draft since we do NOT have anybody who is an "untouchable", annual Pro-Bowl, calibre players. Everyone on the team should realize that they are replacable. Fear and job insecurity is a good thing.

I would argue that at the very least, Harrison Smith is one of those players. The only other player I would put in that conversation is Xavier Rhodes, with Everson Griffen doing his best to poke in on it.
The only reason Smith doesn't get noticed much in national media is that the Vikings have been a #### team most of his time here.

[saint33]

There are a few positions I would avoid with our first few picks (QB, DT, C) beyond that I think we should be drafting BPA. While our defense is far ahead of our offense at this point, it's not a finished product yet and as much as I'd love to invest in our offense, if there's a defensive player that can put us over the top and help develop a dominant defense for years to come, that to me is just as valuable as improving our offense. This team doesn't need to be "complete" by next year, no team ever really is, so any way we can improve the team as a whole would a good idea IMO

[Pondering Her Percy]

I still wouldnt rule out Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley either

[frosted]

There are a few positions I would avoid with our first few picks (QB, DT, C) beyond that I think we should be drafting BPA. While our defense is far ahead of our offense at this point, it's not a finished product yet and as much as I'd love to invest in our offense, if there's a defensive player that can put us over the top and help develop a dominant defense for years to come, that to me is just as valuable as improving our offense. This team doesn't need to be "complete" by next year, no team ever really is, so any way we can improve the team as a whole would a good idea IMO

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[CbusVikesFan]

The Vikings should focus on the defense this year, next year, and the following years after that. Plus they should focus on the offense this year, next year and the following years.

[Purple bruise]

The Vikings should focus on the defense this year, next year, and the following years after that. Plus they should focus on the offense this year, next year and the following years.

Right on I would add that they need to focus on special teams this year, next year and the following years. They must also focus on better trainers this year, next year and the following years

[PurpleKoolaid]

I still wouldnt rule out Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley either

This is what scares me. If AD doesn't come back, and we go RB before WR. Big mistake IMO.

[CbusVikesFan]

Right on I would add that they need to focus on special teams this year, next year and the following years. They must also focus on better trainers this year, next year and the following years

Dag, I didn't focus on the whole team. Thanks for having my back.