SB Nation User Blog: vikingfuture8816

Early Draft Talk

vikingfuture8816 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:38:01 -0000

With the college season starting to wrap up, scouts are starting to finish up their initial reports on seniors. Some only have a game or two left depending on if they are in a bowl or not. Its still too early to know exactly which rounds guys are going to be drafted or which juniors are going to declare, but it is a good time to start keeping your eyes on a few players. Here are 7 seniors who I think, (and one or two I know) the Vikings are looking at and where it looks like they will be taken in the 2010 draft. Plus some juniors to watch if they declare. Critical assumption: We are doing this based on the Vikings having one of the last 4 picks in each round.

1. George Selvie, OLB, USF 6'4'' 250 - Normally, I wouldn't think to look at Selvie, who has been considered a 3-4 OLB by most scouting sites since he was a junior. However, via SB Nations Mocking the Draft, there is a link to Chris Steuber of Scouts.com's twitter page where Chris states he knows the Vikings are interested in him. This got me asking, "Why would the Vikings be interested in a college DE that is considered too small to play DE in the NFL and most consider a 3-4 OLB?". The conclusion I come to is that most 3-4 OLB would actually make good to great SAM LBs in a 4-3 scheme. Need an example? Ben Leber played OLB for 2 years in San Diego's 3-4 (In the years before that San Diego ran a 4-3) before coming to Minnesota. He wasn't overly successful at it, but he was used more in coverage it seems than rushing the QB. Both Leber and Selvie have similar size, but Selvie is considered a much better athlete. One knock I can think of is that since he plays DE for USF, he doesn't have much experience in coverage and right now there isn't a way to tell how good he would be covering WRs , TEs, and RBs, but he definitely has the athletic ability to do so. He came into his senior season as the active NCAA leader in tackles for loss and second in sacks for active players. He also came into the season as a first round prospect, but while he has had a good season, it hasn't been up to most peoples expectations and his DE teammate, JR. Jason Pierre-Paul, has been getting way more ink and praise. Here is a link to a ESPN Draft Lab were KC Joyner uses his metrics system to evaluate Selvie. You have to be a Insider to read it all, but if you arent, I will try to post what it says in the comments, but I don't know it that is something that would be able to stay up (i.e. after the Nostradamus posting last week, I wouldn't want to put something here to make Gonzo have to delete the whole post). Either way: Joyner's metrics make Selvie look like a good player.

2. Dan Williams, DT Tennessee 6'3'' 327 - Here is a guy I am very intrigued with. There doesn't seem to be any real consensus on where he should be drafted. He is #21 on Mel Kipers Big Board, but then over at the Nation Football Post, he doesn't even make the top ten draftable DTs. I think he will be closely watched by the Vikings and Minnesota fans for a couple of reasons. 1) He is about the same size as Pat Williams and is considered to be athletic, 2) He currently plays Phat Pats position in Tennessee, 3)Tennessee runs the same defense that Minnesota runs and is coached by the guy who taught Fraizer (and everyone else) the Tampa 2, Monte Kiffin. As it looks right now, he is a younger version of Phat Pat and would be a great choice as the heir to his position.

3. Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss, 6'5'' 275 - Even if the Vikings get Ray Edwards to sign back with the team (funny how well he is playing in the contract year, but the year he proclaims he will break the sack record he only got 5 with 3 coming in the last 2 games, but I digress) the depth at the position seems thin. With Ray Edwards, having Brian Robison and Jayme Mitchell as rotation guys sounds pretty good. But with out Ray, that just doesn't seem good enough. Hardy is a guy that is going to drop a lot because of his injury concerns, but he has tremendous ability when he is healthy and could be used as a situational player as he lets his body heal and continue to develop for the NFL.

4. Jon Asamoah, OG Illinois 6'5'' 315 - While the O-line is playing great and the Vikings have two players who fill in as back ups very well in Hicks and Cooks, I wouldn't want those back-ups starting and while Herrera can still be called young, Hutch is on the wrong side of 30. Asamoah is very similar to Hutch in size and athletic ability, and plays in a zone blocking offense, but he could use some time to develop into a full time NFL starter. He could step in as a guy who can fill in for injury early in his career as he gets ready for a full time starting spot.

5. Walter Thurmond III, CB Oregon 6' 183 - Walter has been one of the best corners in the PAC-10 since his sophomore year. He has excelled in zone coverage and as a return man, however, the reason he drops here is because while he is good at every thing, he isn't elite at anything and he has some injury concerns. Before he was injured this season, he was on the Jim Thorpe Award (Nations best DB) watch list and returned two punts for touchdowns. He was considered better in college than his former teammate and current Buffalo Bill Jariyus Byrd who has been a revelation for that defense.

6. Jeron Masturd, TE Kansas State 6'6'' 253 - Another luxury pick for the Vikings as they don't have many holes to fill (at least until FA starts after the season). TE is another position the Vikings are getting kind of old at and could use another TE that can excel at blocking. Jeron has the size and ability to be a good blocker in the NFL and his size would be a benefit in the red zone.

7. Bobby McClintock, FB/RB Portland State 5'10'' 240 - Plays in a run and shoot system that has him work more as a runner than a blocker. Bobby is a bowling ball running up field and has very reliable hands in the passing game. could develop into a FB who also can sub in for Peterson and deliver punishment to defenders that would wear them down more as the game goes on.

Here are some other guys to keep your eye on:

Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas 6'6'' 220 - Ryan is a very talented 3rd year sophomore who could declare and would be worthy of 1st round consideration. In one year at Arkansas, he is already setting a lot of the schools passing records and he is similar to Joe Flacco in size and ability. I think with the talent already on the Vikings roster, they could be led effectively, just like Flacco did for the Ravens last year.

Ryan Mathews/ Toby Gerhart, RBs Fresno State/Stanford, 5'11'' 220/6'1'' 235 - I like both of these guys for the same reason. In the hypothetical situation where Chester Taylor doesn't stay with the Vikings for whatever reason (IMO his vaule is with the Vikings and he won't actively leave), the Vikings should look at a RB to compliment Peterson or contribute if he should somehow get hurt (God forbid). Harvin and/or Young can serve has the fast/scat back option and either one of these guys could serve as the battering ram that hammers down defenses, making them wish the game would just end. Both are big backs that deal out punishment and both are having fantastic seasons for their teams.

Ras-I Dowling, CB Virginia 6'2'' 200 - Ras is considered one of the best Jr. coverage corners who is also physical in the run game. Fits very well into a Tampa 2 system, but still has a year of eligibility.

Austen Lane, DE Murray State 6'7'' 270 - My favorite cliche is "You can't teach size" and Lane is a great example of that. He dominates the FCS level because of his size, but could use some time to develop at the NFL level. Still has a ton of athletic ability and could add some depth to the DE position while spending some time developing.

Update on Kenechi Udeze

vikingfuture8816 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:20 -0000

For anyone who was wondering what happened to Udeze after he retired before the beginning of the season, he is a new strength and conditioning coach for a different purple and gold: The University of Washington, my alma mater {cause everyone obviously wanted to know that's where I went to school ;)}. This info seemed lost in the shuffle of UW's upset over USC this weekend, which happens to be Udeze's alma mater.

Kenechi Udeze says 'Purple is the color of loyalty'

NFP rates worst game managers

vikingfuture8816 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:51:18 -0000

Found this from the NFC East blog on ESPN and thought I would pass it along. Of course Childress is on there, but in an article that is basically one paragraph where the writer gets to take his best shot on an open target, he chastises Childress for the special teams. Not the offensive play calling or the developmental skills at the QB position, but special teams. And that Andy Reid is right there next to him on the list.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Tavern-talk-Worst-game-managers.html

It's a National Football Post article written by Michael Lombardi

Something to think about: The Special Teams

vikingfuture8816 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:25:47 -0000

Last year's special teams was quite a mess. The Vikings allowed 7 touchdowns on special teams. Twice, they gave up two touchdowns in a game on special teams. Two at New Orleans and two at Chicago. I remember hearing that allowing 7 touchdowns on special teams was a record of some kind, but I can't find if it is a team record or an NFL record. Its also possible I heard wrong, but would you be that surprised if it was? For a comparison, the Lions were the only other team in the NFC North to allow a touchdown on special teams, a punt return by Santana Moss. If Detroit, having one of the worst seasons for a franchise ever, only allows one special teams TD to the Viking's 7 and the rest of the North allow none, that its an area that need big improvement.

Luckily, there were only two games that were decided by those special teams touchdowns. Eliminate the punt return at Green Bay and the special teams miscues that occurred at Chicago and the Vikings finish 12-4 instead of 10-6. That would have been the difference in getting a bye week in the playoffs since the Vikings would have had the tie breaker over Carolina having beat them earlier. Of course, this is dealing in hypotheticals, but its easy to see how they impacted the season. It could have been worse, too. I am sure everyone remembers how close Reggie Bush came to winning for the Saints on his punt returns. Green Bay went up in their game at the HHH when they returned a punt and Adrian had to create some magic to pull that win out.

The point I am going for here: The Vikings gave up way too many special teams touchdowns and it affected their overall record. In the past 3 years the Vikings have scored 4 special teams TDs and allowed 12. That is a ratio that needs to change. Hopefully, they do a better job in coverage this year and possibly Harvin can make a difference in returns.

So I am putting the over/under on special teams touchdowns allowed by the Vikings at 3. Think the Vikings can lock it down on special teams with a new coach and new rules (no more 3 man wedges) and stop allowing TDs or will they have the same problems?

Poll

Over/Under at 3 which you taking?

Over

12 votes

Push

20 votes

Under

20 votes

52 votes | Poll has closed

A+

vikingfuture8816 — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 05:24:16 -0000

I don't think the Vikings first day of the draft could have gone any better. Harvin fills a need as an offensive play maker to take attention away from Peterson and Berrian. Just get the ball in the guys hands and he'll find the endzone. If it will help, Viking Vision has a highlight video up top. Some times, because the video quality isn't the best, those blue Gator jerseys look purple and Harvin looks great in purple. If you are worried about his attitude, check out the interview with Harvin right after he was drafted.

Loadholt is a guy that the Vikings have been targeting since the Senior Bowl as far as I can tell. I remember reading on DraftCountdown.com during his coverage of the Senior Bowl that the Vikings showed lots of interest in him. Later, the Vikings showed up at his pro day and invited him to Winter Park. It just all seemed like too much attention to be a smokescreen. You can't coach his size and he has excelled at every level he's played at. I think he can step in at RT right away and he potentially backup McKinnie at LT if he gets hurt/suspended moving Radovich/Hicks/Cook tp playing at RT.

Both picks were of great value to the Vikings an improve the team immediately. Moving on to tomorrows portion, I think a CB should be targeted. Victor "Macho" Harris is still out there are could be there at the bottom of the 3rd. But I think there are lots of big pospects that are falling and could be a great value at the bottom of the 3rd, but not nessecarily a need. Here are a few names:

1. Chase Coffman TE, Mizzou - A fan favorite and another guy who has size (6'6'' 247) and athleticism you can't coach. Great hands and a tall target. Plays more like a WR or NFL Comparision Dallas Clark and is an intriguing pospect this late.

2. Michael Johnson DE, Georgia Tech - Based on his measurables, he would be a top ten pick. The problem is that he has a lack of motivation and takes plays off. That is the kind of thing you can coach out of a guy and having Phat Pat, K Will, and JA pushing you doesn't hurt. Could be worth taking a shot on top ten talent in the late 3rd round.

3. DJ Moore CB, Vandy - Proabably the guy they jump on if he is there. He can up to Winter Park with Harvin and Loadholt, so you know they are interested.

4. Rashad Johnson S, Alabama - The Vikings secondary still needs talent and this guy was considered one fo the best S in the draft. Great in coverage, but not afarid to make plays in the run game.

So, drop some knowledge with a poll and comments

Poll

Who would be the best value with the Vikings 3rd round pick?

Chase Coffman, TE

6 votes

Michael Johnson, DE

4 votes

DJ Moore, CB

39 votes

Rashad Johnson, S

1 votes

50 votes | Poll has closed

Conspiracy Trade Theory #1

vikingfuture8816 — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:50:56 -0000

Was watching some of the pre-draft coverage, because can you ever really get enough of it, and heard something interesting. Appearently the St. Louis Rams are interested in trading back up into the first round if a LB is still available. So far it seems that Aaron Curry, the 3 USC LBs, and possibly Larunitis are the only LBs to possibly be taken in the 1st. I know MilCardFan has written inthe FanPosts that he believes the Vikings will take a LB, but I think that with the Patriots looking for an LB just after the #22 pick, the Vikings might be able to get a few extra picks to move down to the #34 pick to let the Rams jump up an take an LB. If that is a trade possiblitity, do you like it? Should the Vikings hold pat and take BPA or move down and grab some extra picks?

Why I am not so worried about Sullivan

vikingfuture8816 — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:48:31 -0000

I wish I could find the story on the web, but this information comes from the Insider pages in ESPN the Magazine. You could probably just grab one while in the store and just find to the back of the magazine under the NFL page in the Insider section. At the bottom of the page is a short article about true value and how the top 3 Center FA (Brown, Grove, and Birk) are worth the money they got in FA.

At the very end was a stat I found very interesting. It discussed the percentage of time that each Center went one on one with defenders. Now it doesn't state whether a RB/TE counts as help in a one on one situation, but I think for the sake of argument, we can say one on one means they were on an island without possible help from any other player. Here is how the percentages boiled down:

Grove - 67.5%

Brown - 60.3%

Birk - 39.9%

I was a little shocked at the disparity between Birk and the other two. Birk got assisted on 20% more plays than the next closest guy and almost 30% then the top guy. I would have thought that Birk would have a % much closer to the other two players, but according to this is seems like 60% of the time (it works every time ;) couldn't resist) Birk had one of the two OG's or another player helping him with a block.

If that same scheme is played with Sullivan (where he is one on one 40% of the plays and has help 60%), I am pretty cool with that. Even if it were a 30-70 split or something along those lines, I don't see too bad of a dip in production. Also, if it were some how that, the reason Birk had help on 60% of last years plays, was because he was the one doing the helping, I think Sullivan could do just fine in that role too because if there wasn't much of a need to have Birk going one on one a lot, then there probably won't be a big need to have Sullivan going one on one right away either.

Heyward-Bey to visit

vikingfuture8816 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:06:11 -0000

http://blogs.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=2659

This is the one WR I hoped the Vikings would avoid. Everything about this kid screams Troy Williamson. All speed and combine numbers and none of the production. People try to defend his lack of production by saying he didn't have the QB play and I can understand that, but then why doesn't that extent to other Maryland offensive prospects? For example, Dan Gronkowski is a 6'5'' 255 TE from Maryland who is known for his blocking, but after he put up some decent numbers at the combine (4.7 40, 26 reps, 33'' vert, 10'2'' broad) people knock him for not having big offensive numbers. He had the same QBs as Bey, and if those QBs couldn't get Bey big numbers how are they going to get big numbers for the TE? Maybe I am just missing something, but it seems like everyone wants to give Bey the benefit of the doubt only because he ran a fast 40.

I wouldn't use a 1st rounder on Bey, but I am not the guy behind the wheel. What about the rest of you?

Poll

Would you use the Vikings 1st round pick on Darrius Heyward-Bey?

Yes

12 votes

No

93 votes

105 votes | Poll has closed

Harvin vs Nicks

vikingfuture8816 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:05:09 -0000

A quick look at some fanposts will show you that there are 2 WRs in the late 1st round that people seem to like, Harvin and Nicks. So lets take a look at the two of them.

Percy Harvin Hakeem Nicks

5' 11 1/8'' Height 6' 0 3/4''

192 Weight 212

4.41 40 Time 4.5

9 3/8in Hand Size 10 1/2in

19 Bench Press DNP

IMO, there isn't a big difference between them when you look at these numbers. Not quite 2in difference in height, .1 sec difference in the 40, barley an inch difference in hand size, and 20 lbs difference in weight. All of these seem pretty negligible. Even the highlight reels, there isn't much difference. However, there are a couple of things that stand out to me:

Harvin Highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE-4-bzH9WI

Nicks Highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_aMQ2R7dYQ

- with Harvin's injury history, I thought he would be the type to shy away from hits. Not so. He lowers his sholders and delivers hits at full speed. Most seem so shocked that he hit them, that they forget to tackle him and Harvin just pulls away.

- I will admit that a lot of the Harvin highlights show him taking a hand off or pitch from the QB, but there are quite a bit of him catching the ball and making plays down the field. More consistently than Nicks, Harvin seems to outrun the people on the field.

- Hicks has amazing hands. He looks really good plucking the ball out of the air and getting extra yards after the catch.

- Hicks is tough to bring down too. He tends to get caught from behind (even saw linebackers catching up to and trying to tackle him), but it isn't easy to drop him on the first hit.

- Each guy has a highlight from games against South Carolina, the main difference in the highlights, Harvin takes his to the house in traffic and Hicks gets caught.

I would be happy if either were picked up by the Vikings, but I am going to go with Harvin. Nicks is great, but his tape looks just like Sidney Rice and there is no one on the roster that compares to Harvin. Rice didn't get to play much last year, but he is still young and has shown that he can be a big target and possession WR when healthy. Rice is also 4" taller than Nicks, but again, they seem to have the same abilities and Harvin would add something new.

Poll

Harvin or Nicks?

Harvin

54 votes

Nicks

25 votes

79 votes | Poll has closed

Proposed draft trade

vikingfuture8816 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:31:19 -0000

Hey Patriots Fans, I had an idea for a draft trade proposal that I wanted your opinions on. As you can probably tell by the name I am a Vikings fan and I think they are in a position where they might trade down in the draft. I don't know how much you covet your 3 2nd round draft picks, but according to this chart the 34th(560pts) and 58th(320pts) picks that NE currently holds would be 100pts(560+320=880) more than the Vikings 22nd pick(780pts) which would be just before NE 1st round pick. The trade proposal goes like this:

NE gets:

1st round, 22nd pick over all

Vikings get:

2nd round 34th and 58th overall

NE would have 2 consecutive 1st round picks and still have the 2nd rounder from San Diego (47th overall). From what I understand, the Patriots would have the cap room for something like this and could get a top notch CB/LB with the first two picks and still get a good OL with the 2nd rounder.

At 22, the Vikings would have to reach for a C and the 1st round graded OT will most likely be gone by then. With the early 2nd rounder they could get a Mack or Unger and still get a good CB and OT with their other 2nd round picks.

Seems advantagous to both sides, but what do you think? Is that a move that your organization would make? Is it something the fans would go along with? Is there any animosity towards the Vikings that I am not aware of where there could never be a trade?

Poll

NE gets consecutive picks in the 1st and the Vikings get NE's first and third 2nd round picks. Fair trade?

Yes

33 votes

No

47 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed