2015 Offseason - Free Agent/Draft Tracker

[Purple bruise]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... ahri-evans

This could be the answer to the Vike's guard problem if they could afford him, that would be outstanding

[44crm]

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Viki ... ters022315
I don't see him being brought in to compete at OLB at a beefed up 230lbs. Evidently he ran a 40 as low as 4.54, 4.6 at his pro day when he was at 215.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/ds ... &genpos=FS

Can't hurt to give him a try opposite Harrison and see how he can do.

Really like the way Peters wraps up on every tackle, none of the BS chip away shots. He is always moving in that highlight video, always closing on the ball carrier/receiver/qb.

I hope this kid takes advantage of this opportunity, because I like his tenacity and eye for the ball.

[Dinero_Jones]

I’m not sold on any of the WR in this years draft, nor do I think it’s a position of need for our team. I want us to draft CB-Trae Waynes(Mich St.). Waynes & Rhodes could be a great tandem for years to come. If we are able to sign Cromartie or Maxwell, it would allow us to address other needs in the draft. We all know our secondary will continue to get shredded if we don’t upgrade at the db positions.

[dead_poet]

We all know our secondary will continue to get shredded if we don’t upgrade at the db positions.

Just to play devil's advocate here, the Vikings ranked 7th in passing yards/game allowed last season (3 yards/game from being in the top 5). They didn't get shredded as they have in years' past. However I do agree about needing at least one other corner, but the pass defense is already trending up. I do wonder what another year in the system will do for Captain and Robinson. I'm not yet convinced they're both liabilities.

[Dinero_Jones]

Just to play devil's advocate here, the Vikings ranked 7th in passing yards/game allowed last season (3 yards/game from being in the top 5). They didn't get shredded as they have in years' past. However I do agree about needing at least one other corner, but the pass defense is already trending up. I do wonder what another year in the system will do for Captain and Robinson. I'm not yet convinced they're both liabilities.

Let's throw all the stats out the window. When watching the Vikes play how often do expect us to get critical 3rd & 4th down stops?

[Norv Zimmer]

Just to play devil's advocate here, the Vikings ranked 7th in passing yards/game allowed last season (3 yards/game from being in the top 5). They didn't get shredded as they have in years' past. However I do agree about needing at least one other corner, but the pass defense is already trending up. I do wonder what another year in the system will do for Captain and Robinson. I'm not yet convinced they're both liabilities.

I agree, I really don't think the secondary is that terrible. Cpt had a bad year, Robinson played better than anyone expected. I would like to see them pick up a cornerback or safety in free agency and maybe take a stab in the later rounds at a DB prospect.

[Cliff]

Let's throw all the stats out the window. When watching the Vikes play how often do expect us to get critical 3rd & 4th down stops?

I don't see why we have to throw stats out to make that point

The defense ranked 20th overall in 3rd down conversion rate on defense allowing 42% of 3rd downs to be converted.

[Mothman]

I don't see why we have to throw stats out to make that point

The defense ranked 20th overall in 3rd down conversion rate on defense allowing 42% of 3rd downs to be converted.

To put that into perspective, the Bills and Colts ranked first in 3rd down percentage on defense. Both allowed opponents to convert 33% of the time.

Atlanta was at the bottom in that category, allowing a conversion rate of 47%.

According to this site (which I just stumbled across), the 2014 Vikings allowed an average of 11.8 passing first downs per game in 2014, which was 10th best in the league.

[fiestavike]

To put that into perspective, the Bills and Colts ranked first in 3rd down percentage on defense. Both allowed opponents to convert 33% of the time.

Atlanta was at the bottom in that category, allowing a conversion rate of 47%.

According to this site (which I just stumbled across), the 2014 Vikings allowed an average of 11.8 passing first downs per game in 2014, which was 10th best in the league.

Zimmer will find guys to upgrade the pass defense. I'm not against taking a guy like Waynes early, but I am confident that our pass defense will be even better next year with whatever veterans we sign and depth we draft, just as a result of Zimmer.

[Mothman]

Zimmer will find guys to upgrade the pass defense. I'm not against taking a guy like Waynes early, but I am confident that our pass defense will be even better next year with whatever veterans we sign and depth we draft, just as a result of Zimmer.

I lack that kind of faith. I think he'll get the most out of the talent he has available but I'm not willing to assume Zimmer alone = steady improvement. Their success still seems fragile to me, just as it was from 2011-2013. A couple of key injuries in the secondary could seriously reduce their overall effectiveness so I believe they need to keep upgrading the talent.

[fiestavike]

I lack that kind of faith. I think he'll get the most out of the talent he has available but I'm not willing to assume Zimmer alone = steady improvement. Their success still seems fragile to me, just as it was from 2011-2013. A couple of key injuries in the secondary could seriously reduce their overall effectiveness so I believe they need to keep upgrading the talent.

The point I am trying to make is two fold. One, that Zimmer will recognize and address the weaknesses of the personnel (that he will get players who can do better), and two, that he will then get the most out of those players. The improvement of the secondary last year illustrates the second point. I think this offseason will illustrate the first.

I don't want to give the impression that I believe he'll turn anyone at all into a great player.

[The Breeze]

I lack that kind of faith. I think he'll get the most out of the talent he has available but I'm not willing to assume Zimmer alone = steady improvement. Their success still seems fragile to me, just as it was from 2011-2013. A couple of key injuries in the secondary could seriously reduce their overall effectiveness so I believe they need to keep upgrading the talent.

I'm also more concerned about depth and consider it equally as important in the case of DBs(most positions actually) as having quality starters. Just using the superbowl as an example: after the starter for Seattle broke his arm the backup got torched by Brady, conversely the guy that made the gaming winning pick for the Pats was their 5th guy, I believe. He struggled some early but got stronger as the game went on. It's just one case but it's proven over and over throughout the league every year.

The teams that focus on quality depth are ahead of the game. I would be interested to know if some organizations look at guys late in the draft solely as depth or if backups are consistently guys who don't make the starting grade. Is there a depth philosophy or do some teams just have more success evaluating talent vs need as time goes by? Obviously having starters set affords staffs some creative freedom in that regard.
I really wonder about a lot of the guys Minny has trotted out at different DB positions over the past 6-7 years. Granted, I think it's the most physically difficult position to play but several of them looked soooo lost and ineffective. Is that coaching and scheme conflicting with talent evaluators and such? Philosophy? Probably not so black and white and has a lot to do with organizational continuity from GM to scouts and coaching staff. Are you better off drafting a DB who can run and jump out of the gym but has troubling catching a football or needs lots of coaching in terms of comprehending the nuances of the game vs a guy who may have more pedestrian measureables but has great hands and always seems to know where he is on the field? I typically lean toward the latter but coaches are GMs are often under the 'win now' kind of pressure that makes the high potential guys more tempting.

I also think that the 3rd down issue is more than a DB issue......failing to get pressure on the QB as well as covering up the middle of the field at the LB level. There's no substitute for getting pressure on the QB from different positions along the line. Again the superbowl: once that Pats were able to cover up Michael Bennett at the LOS, Brady picked them apart with his quick passes and mismatches over the middle of the field.

I'm pretty optimistic about the foundational philosophy of strong defense and balanced offense Zimmer exudes and his history of getting players to perform. I just hope that they are given realistic time to build it.

[Mothman]

The point I am trying to make is two fold. One, that Zimmer will recognize and address the weaknesses of the personnel (that he will get players who can do better), and two, that he will then get the most out of those players. The improvement of the secondary last year illustrates the second point. I think this offseason will illustrate the first.

I don't want to give the impression that I believe he'll turn anyone at all into a great player.

Ah, I understand. Thanks for the clarification. I do have faith in his ability to recognize and coach DB talent so we're basically on the same page..

[DK Sweets]

I think going after another quality corner makes sense based on the idea that if we leave our corners on an island and blitz, the other team is going to have issues blocking our line/Barr

[Purple bruise]

AJ Hawk released and Bush from Lions.

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/ ... 43374.html
http://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/ ... 43375.html

Should they snatch up another Puker? Hawk might be better than any ILB currently on their roster.