Vikings Message Board.Com

Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith are pretty tall given their peers.

chicagopurple wrote:It so early to judge such a young reciever. Its also way too early to judge the OC.....he started the year by losing the keystone of their plan (AP), he has had to train up 2 rookie RBs during the season, all while also training a rookie QB! I would hope that Wilf gives Zim and Turner a full of season with a stable team roster to come up with a good scheme and a full training camp to install it. What DOES need immediate attention it the OL. The OLhas had plenty of time to prove itself and all it has proven is that it sucks, consistently sucks. Oh, and 2 tall guys in the secondary would be nice.

1 rookie RB, but I get your point.

I like PHP's idea of drafting a guy who could play LG or LT. Start giving some of Kalil's snaps to the rookie, and if that lights a fire than move the rookie to LG and it should benefit the player in the long run by knowing firsthand what types of things the LT will need assistance on.

Then again, we need a big possession WR in the worst kind of way.

DKSweets wrote:1 rookie RB, but I get your point.

I like PHP's idea of drafting a guy who could play LG or LT. Start giving some of Kalil's snaps to the rookie, and if that lights a fire than move the rookie to LG and it should benefit the player in the long run by knowing firsthand what types of things the LT will need assistance on.

Then again, we need a big possession WR in the worst kind of way.

I disagree. We have enough players that aren't real good at a single position, namely the one they were drafted for. I say go guard AFTER WR first, to replace Johnson, and then see who cant compete with Kalil. Which you wouldn't think would be hard, but apparently the coaches don't think so. I also don't think we can go BPA until mid draft. A good guard tackle and WR are a must, whether drafted or FA. And without AD, a RB might be really high on that list. But pick players that excel at one position.

DKSweets wrote:
I like PHP's idea of drafting a guy who could play LG or LT. Start giving some of Kalil's snaps to the rookie, and if that lights a fire than move the rookie to LG and it should benefit the player in the long run by knowing firsthand what types of things the LT will need assistance on.

Then again, we need a big possession WR in the worst kind of way.

Right. In a way, its a win-win. If Kalil can somehow turn it around, we get our guard. If not, we have our tackle and take a guy in FA like Boling who is a solid guard regardless.

As for a WR, I had us taking Parker in the first as well. He would definitely fill that void

PurpleKoolaid wrote: I disagree. We have enough players that aren't real good at a single position, namely the one they were drafted for. I say go guard AFTER WR first, to replace Johnson, and then see who cant compete with Kalil. Which you wouldn't think would be hard, but apparently the coaches don't think so. I also don't think we can go BPA until mid draft. A good guard tackle and WR are a must, whether drafted or FA. And without AD, a RB might be really high on that list. But pick players that excel at one position.

Which players do you think aren't good at any one position?

The only players who really have position versatility on the team are Asiata, Berger, Barr, and Blanton. You could maybe put Robison and Exum on that list.

Asiata, Berger, and Exum are backups. Barr has played better than anyone expected, and Robison only drops into coverage as a wrinkle in the defense. Blanton is the only player that I can think of that really fits your description.

I would personally stray from drafting a WR so high because they typically have the highest bust rate, but I won't deny that we need one. I just feel more comfortable searching between picks 20-80.

It is widely known that WR typically take 2-3 years to come of age in the NFL and that is guys with that were less raw than CP84 coming out of college. I'm not happy with the performance of CP84, but I'm also not entirely surprised. I think Zimmer being "patient" is the correct course of action on this.

DKSweets wrote:Which players do you think aren't good at any one position?

The only players who really have position versatility on the team are Asiata, Berger, Barr, and Blanton. You could maybe put Robison and Exum on that list.

Asiata, Berger, and Exum are backups. Barr has played better than anyone expected, and Robison only drops into coverage as a wrinkle in the defense. Blanton is the only player that I can think of that really fits your description.

I would personally stray from drafting a WR so high because they typically have the highest bust rate, but I won't deny that we need one. I just feel more comfortable searching between picks 20-80.

McKinnon and CP. Also Barr. Exum. There are others. Time to draft based on how long, and how well, they played one position. Barr is good and getting better, so my theory doesn't work on him. But then last week, he got blown up. But im going to guess that's the exception. I wish McKinnon had played more of a between the tackles RB, and not an option guy. Maybe he will be a great RB. But he is learning now, as he plays in the nfl. Instead of having 3-4 years under his belt in college. CP is nothing but a disappointment. And as Ive said before, I wish we had waited a few rounds, and taken his teammate Justin Hunter. Just like I wanted Mett (even if we got Teddy) and wanted Mallet more the #7. But I am straying. Simply, I want proven players at their one position, and maybe not the flash that the Vikings have been picking lately.

Pondering Her Percy wrote: Right. In a way, its a win-win. If Kalil can somehow turn it around, we get our guard. If not, we have our tackle and take a guy in FA like Boling who is a solid guard regardless.

As for a WR, I had us taking Parker in the first as well. He would definitely fill that void

I wouldn't even mind some trading draft picks, and get a few picks, with our first pick, and then get Parker too. Amassing how we disagree on so much, yet when it comes to drafting, we are usually in complete unity. I really hope those on this board go back to last year and watch teddy and Parker hook up. And then see how well Parker is playing now, after the injury. But his stock is going up. Earlier this year he was a early to mid 2nd rd. pick. Unless he pulls a Simpson, or gets hurt, he may go in the top 15.

PurpleKoolaid wrote: LOL, I put up a smiley face. It wasn't meant to be taken literally, in Kapps original post.

Haha I know, I'm just messing. The truth is, if everyone's 'calls/analysis/whatever' were kept track of, and brought back a year or two out, we'd all look like fools from time to time.

I think Johnson should be a big part of our focus moving forward..

The guy has great hands and a big body...

Patterson should have a few routes down by now ... it been what a year and a half ??

jackal wrote:I think Johnson should be a big part of our focus moving forward..

The guy has great hands and a big body...

Patterson should have a few routes down by now ... it been what a year and a half ??

I like Johnson too. I am interested in seeing how he does for us.

PurpleKoolaid wrote: McKinnon and CP. Also Barr. Exum. There are others. Time to draft based on how long, and how well, they played one position. Barr is good and getting better, so my theory doesn't work on him. But then last week, he got blown up. But im going to guess that's the exception. I wish McKinnon had played more of a between the tackles RB, and not an option guy. Maybe he will be a great RB. But he is learning now, as he plays in the nfl. Instead of having 3-4 years under his belt in college. CP is nothing but a disappointment. And as Ive said before, I wish we had waited a few rounds, and taken his teammate Justin Hunter. Just like I wanted Mett (even if we got Teddy) and wanted Mallet more the #7. But I am straying. Simply, I want proven players at their one position, and maybe not the flash that the Vikings have been picking lately.

I just don't think that's fair - McKinnon has played well, and we never intended to use him as a QB (and probably never will). CP is actually as good, if not better, when we hand him the ball, but it's not like he's splitting time at RB. Those are just trick plays.

Maybe I read into your comment too much, but I hardly think our roster is full of a bunch of tweeners. The few that we do have are backups, which is actually a good thing.

DKSweets wrote: McKinnon has played well, and we never intended to use him as a QB (and probably never will).

I agree as well. He's averaging 4.9 YPC which is pretty solid. I mean when we gave him legitimate carries he went:

-18 for 135 vs ATL (7.5 YPC)
-19 for 103 vs BUF (5.4 YPC)....a very good run defense
-16 for 83 vs TB (5.2 YPC)

....those are legitimate numbers when he's given the chance. I understand that he's gotten the label of a "change of pace/3rd down back" but if he's putting up numbers like that, how do you not continue pounding the ball with him?? He's much better than I ever expected him to be. He's shifty as hell, runs low to the ground, has good ball security and is much stronger than I expected. He was a top 4 performer in EVERY CATEGORY at the combine. That's almost unheard of. He was number 1 on the bench by a long shot. The lowest measure he had was the 20 yard shuttle where he finished 4th which is still very good. This kid is an absolute freak of an athlete that is adapting to the pro game much quicker than anyone expected coming out of Georgia Southern.

....those are legitimate numbers when he's given the chance. I understand that he's gotten the label of a "change of pace/3rd down back" but if he's putting up numbers like that, how do you not continue pounding the ball with him?? He's much better than I ever expected him to be. He's shifty as hell, runs low to the ground, has good ball security and is much stronger than I expected. He was a top 4 performer in EVERY CATEGORY at the combine. That's almost unheard of. He was number 1 on the bench by a long shot. The lowest measure he had was the 20 yard shuttle where he finished 4th which is still very good. This kid is an absolute freak of an athlete that is adapting to the pro game much quicker than anyone expected coming out of Georgia Southern.

I agree with a lot of what you said. I hate labels and limited thinking. The guy can play or not, period!!!

If the guy had a real good offensive line, he would tear up the NFL, IMO. 4.3 speed and a ton of strength(bench pressed
with the OL). We need to fire our OL coach and dump some of are OL lame players A.S.A.P.