SB Nation User Blog: nmvikesfan

Viking's WRs

nmvikesfan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:23:21 -0000

First off I want to apologize for accidently erasing my fanpost on this subject, because with that also was erased the comments from my fellow Viking fans. I had forgotten to write about Darius Raynuad and when I went to edit to enter him in, I instead erased the whole thing. So if you'll forgive me I would like to atleast summarize what I had posted.

Back in the late 90's and early this decade our Minnesota Vikings had the best receiving core in the NFL ( sorry "greatest show on turf" you were a close second), but age, attitudes, contracts expiring, off the field troubles and Coach Childress new standard of accountability depleted that core. By Chilly's 2nd season the cupboard was now empty and the rebuilding process had begun.

The Vikings started off by signing free agent Bobby Wade, and then selecting 3 WRs in the draft: Sidney Rice (2nd rd.), Andre Allison (5th rd.), and Charlie williams (7th rd., who would not make the team).The Vikings also brought in free agent TE Vishante Shancoe from the Giants. The following year the Vikings signed away Bernard Berrian from our hated rivals dabears, and then select Jarmar Johnson (6th rd.) in the draft. Undrafted Darius Raynuad made the practice squad and would later be signed to the active roster. This years offseason would see the Vikings bring in free agent Glen Holt, and to much a surprise the first round pick of Percy Harvin.

As we look ahead to this upcoming season, we have a lot forward to in our passing offense and the KOA finally coming to life; here's why...

After giving Randy Moss away a few years ago, our passing game finally has a #1 WR in Bernard Berrian. To be honest, he surprised me with his route running skills and elusiveness in the open field. Berrian led the league in yards per catch (20+) and made many big plays for us last season. With a year of experiance in this offense under his belt; we should expect even bigger things from him this year, even with defenses aware of him now, they will be reluctant to double him with AD in the backfield and the added talent lining up across from him.

Bobby Wade: What more can you say about this guy? He's undersized, not fast, but yet all he has done is lead the Vikings in receptions since he has suited up in Purple and Gold. What he lacks athletically, he makes up for in hustle and heart. He is an excellent blocker and a consumate team player, and a great role model for the younger receivers.

Sidney Rice: After teasing us his rookie year with some amazing catches, his progress was hampered last year with a knee injury in week two and he never fully recovered. Now with time to heal and working hard this offseason, we expect Rice to take that next step to be the player he was drafted to be.

Now our Wildcard: Percy Harvin. I was a little shocked when I heard his name called on draft day, because he was considered a risk, but I was also elated because this young man has some skills on the football field. He is explosive and brings playmaking ability that defenses are going to have to account for him every time he is on the field. He may take playing time away from Wade but because of his speed he will spread defenses out when he is on the field or they will pay.

The follwing WRs are fighting for the last active roster spot and this is a good thing, the Vikings had not had legitimate competition at WR in sometime and this is a welcomed "problem".

Glen Holt is the most experienced of the bunch but he was bruoght in solely for STs purposes, mainly kick and punt return duties.

Andre Allison had a great rookie year on STs and follow up with a great training camp last year but none of that translated onto the field and he saw hi playing time reduced significately. He has potential and can be a real good player for our Vikings but can he step up and do it on a consistant basis?

My Darkhorse of the group is Jarmar Johnson. After being drafted last year, he spent the whole year on the practice squad. He has been a man on a mission ever since gaining 18 lbs of muscle to his the thin frame. He came into the league as one of the fastest players and he now has explosiveness with that added strength. He is not only fast but he can catch and from early reports it looks like he may win the punt return job.

Darius Raynaud: After going undrafted, he made the practice squad and eventually beat out free agent Maurice Hicks for kick return duties and replaced him on the active roster. He is shifty and has moves to make people miss but is there room for him to make the team?

I personally am excited about this coming year because of the improvement of talent in our passing offense, which had been lacking and with the new wrinkles from the Loki being thrown in there it finally looks like the KOA is going to be in high gear! Now if we can get a certain someone to put away his farm tools to toss the pigskin for us...

Note to the NFL: The Vikings are coming! Que viva los Vikings!!!

Rice v. Pinkston

nmvikesfan — Sat, 09 May 2009 05:00:06 -0000

I have read comments here on the DN about how Todd Pinkston had better stats than our own Sidney Rice in their first two years, and because of that the doubters are trying to say Pinkston was a better player. I disagree with that logic and will tell you my reasons why Rice is better. First the stats can be deceiving; being that Pinkston had more receptions (52) to Rice's (46). Pinkston played for the pass happy Eagles, which pass the ball 60/40 to running the ball. In Minnesota where we have the best running back in the game, we run the ball about 55/45 to passing it. Second Pinkston played in more games (31) to Rices (26), so more oppertunities on a pass happy team = better stats. One stat the doubters don't mention is TD's where Rice has more (8) to Pinkston's (4). To be honest Pinkstons stats should have been much greater but he alligator armed so many passes that went his way. Rice will separate himself from anymore of these lame comparasions this year now with Harvin on board and if he can stay healthy. I'm counting on him to make our QB's job easier and start playing up to his potential. The biggest thing that separates Rice from Pinkston is HEART Rice isn't afraid - no alligator arms here. I think the rest of the league better pay attention the Vikings are coming!!!

Cutler good for NFC North?

nmvikesfan — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:14:05 -0000

With all the rejoicing that we have been doing over last weekend's draft and all the recent talk about "you know who" maybe unretiring again, we have forgotten and rightly so that da Bears picked up Jay Cutler via a costly trade. As much as I would have liked the Vikes to have traded up 4 years ago and draft him or make a move and aquire him this year when he was on the trading block. I must admit even though he is now the QB for our rivals from the windy city, I kinda like seeing him there. Think about it for 15 years we had that "you know who" guy to hate and every year when the schedule would come out we would circle those dates with our confrontations with #4. Well, now we have someone new to hate and he comes in a #6 fashion. True he has a connon of an arm and is athletically gifted, all the more to root for our defense to get him and do horrible things to him. This makes for good football and having #6 in the NFC North will make the division better and our beloved Vikings better, so come playoff time we will be prepared to conquer whatever teams stand in our way of a Super Bowl title. As for Stafford we have to wait and see. Any thoughts or comments on this subject?

Who next?

nmvikesfan — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:48:47 -0000

I know everyone wants Loadholt but he may not be around at #54 and I don't see us trading up, so with that said I say we take Meredith OT out of South Carolina. He may be "undersized" for a RT (289 lbs.) but he has the frame to grow 6'5" and he has a hand punch we have not seen since Randell Mcdaniel left town. He has quick feet and is a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme the Vikings use. He excels in pass protection, which was an area of weakness last year, and for his size he will not be bullrushed back into the QB, he is one tough hombre. RT is our most pressing need right now that we got our playmaker :). We can grab a corner later. What do you think?

All is well in Vikingland

nmvikesfan — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 05:01:17 -0000

We are one week away from the draft and up until now there has been some grumblings about why we haven't brought anybody in and why are sitting on our hands while every one else is improving through FA?

Well, I'm not worried about all that and here's why: the Vikings are not known for bringing in FA's over 30 and for over paying for less talent and that's what they have done this offseason. I personally wanted them to bring in some 30 somethings but the Vikings view that as getting in the way of developing younger talent and I can't argue with that. The Vikings like bringing in FA's in the 24-27 year old age range so they get them in their prime. The Vikings resigned the ones they felt they should keep and let the others go that they felt they could improve on talent wise.

They only brought in two FA's from outside of the organization so far and both are to improve the horrid ST's we had last year, with a new coach. After the draft expect a few other FA signings as teams unload vets to make room for their draft picks. The Vikes have done well in this department for years, picking up needs and quality depth. So no need to panic.

Most of all, I'm not worried because we have a solid core of players who are under contract for some years still to come and our younger players now have more experiance in the offensive and defensive systems, which they will be more comfortable in and be able to make more plays. Sometimes bringing in all kinds of FA's can actually set a team back because it takes a team time to gel and chemistry is everything (see Washington Redskins). The Vikings hit a homerun with their FA's last year now it' time to replenish through the draft.

True we have a few pieces to the puzzle missing but with the draft and roster cuts coming, we should find what we need. Our schedule looks very favorable as well and after our team got a taste of the playoffs, I am sure they are hungry for more and have some unfinished business to attend to. I am excited about this upcoming season and look forward to repeating as NFC North champs and stomping a few heads along the way! Go Vikes!!! ...any comments?

Bring in the "old guys"

nmvikesfan — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:07:08 -0000

With all the "excitment" ( I say that tongue in cheek) the Viking FA signings have generated this offseason, I say let's bring in the old guys. By old I mean by NFL standards 32+ years. I know the FA agent market wasn't that great this year and the team is spending it's money wisely but their is some old guys who still have something left and could contribute to a Superbowl run. Here are the players I would like to see wearing Purple this year.

Jason Taylor DE: Doesn't anyone remember the 06 game where he almost singlehandedly beat the Vikes? He has a lot to prove after his big contract last year and is is pursuit of a ring. He is a natural LDE and would conjure up memories of the old Purple People Eaters.

Orlando Pace OT: could be brought in to play RT where he would definately be an upgrade. He has always been dominant in the run game and would love having a RB like AD to block for.

Tory Holt WR: A true pro at wideout who runs disciplined routes and knows how to take care of his body. Would serve as a tutor to Vikes young WR's while giving us a true #2 WR.

Jeff Garcia QB: A veteran of the WCO who would love to go out with a SB ring. He does not have much of a window left and his experiance would benefit the Vikes other QB's.

Of course they would all have to take a pay cut which I think they would if they really want a SB title. This would allow the Vikes to take the BPA in each round of the draft or even allow them to trade down and get extra picks to fortify this team for the future. Any thoughts?