Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

[MorseMoose]

What nobody (at least I don't think anyone will argue) will argue that they need:
WR, DB, DE, T, G

What they arguably need (or what MM thinks they need):
Above, QB, Coach

[molarmite]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

What nobody (at least I don't think anyone will argue) will argue that they need:
WR, DB, DE, T, G

Agreed on all those. Especially a dynamic WR or hopefully Rice will get even better next year. DB, we don't need a great CB just a nickel or dime CB because McCaully sucks and I don't want to see him on the field ever again. Winfield, Griffin most of the time, Sharper, and our SS all seem to be good.

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

What they arguably need (or what MM thinks they need):
Above, QB, Coach

Like I said in the other post, I'm really unsure what we should do in the QB spot. As for Coach, Childress is not a good coach. BUT, we should keep him on the staff. Before him our franchise was a mess, boat scandal, wizzinator, many DUI's, how many have we had this year? Minimal. I believe Childress has shaped this franchise into a respectable organization again, but he just cannot do any of the in-game coaching.

[twins15]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

What nobody (at least I don't think anyone will argue) will argue that they need:
WR, DB, DE, T, G

What they arguably need (or what MM thinks they need):
Above, QB, Coach

WR - huge, obvious, glaring need. Sidney Rice is good, Wade is a solid slot guy... beyond that, it's ugly. They really need a #1, or at least a good #2. Should be their top priority.

DE - Hmmm... if they can get a good one, then yes. But really, I was more impressed by the rotation of Udeze/Edwards/Robison/Mitchell. Not great, but not as awful as their DE play has been in past years.

T - Wouldn't mind someone to push Ryan Cook a little, but otherwise I didn't have many problems with how he played.

G - Don't see them going for anyone here except for depth. Hutch is arguably the best OL in the game, and Herrera played very well, and IIRC they recently gave him an extension.

DB - Complicated situation. They have to decide what to do with Winfield (entering final year of contract, has expressed displeasure in the past)... beyond that, we pretty much got what we would have to expect from Griffin-McCauley-Gordon... inconsistency mixed with flashes of their talent. Again, what you'd expect from young corners. I'll address the safety position in a minute.

QB - I think they need to bring in a solid, veteran backup. Obviously they can't go into next year with all of their eggs in Tarvaris' basket, but I think he showed enough to go into next year as the starter. Now, if someone like McNabb is available for a 2nd rounder (or maybe a 1st rounder), that would seem to be an attractive option. But at this point I wouldn't be disappointed if we went into next with year with someone like 1: Tarvaris 2: Pennington on the depth chart.

Coach - Obviously I've made my feelings clear here. I thought he made lots of progress throughout the year, and I've loved a lot of the personnel decisions he has made since he started. Bottom line, this franchise is in a much, much better place than it was before he got here... are there still some questions about his in-game coaching? Certainly. But he's still learning there, and I've seen improvement.

What I think should be their priorities, as of now (IE subject to change as I think about it more):

WR - obviously.

C - Birk seems to be getting closer to on his last legs... I would like to see the Vikings bring in a young guy to develop for a year or two.

G/T - As mentioned, young guys for depth.

TE - Shiancoe was horrible. Maybe Garrett Mills can provide more next year (I'm excited about him -- I wish we had seen more of him before this game). Unfortunately, it's hard to do much since they gave Shiancoe that contract, but it would be nice to upgrade somehow.

DE - Again, if there is a premier pass rusher available (Terrell Suggs?), that'd be good.

LB - depth, because we don't have a lot of it.

S - I honestly think both spots need to be replaced. Sharper might be OK for another year, but he lost another step. He's just not who he used to be. I have to think Dwight Smith will be gone after 2 off-the-field incidents and inconsistent play. I think this is priority 1 on the defensive side of the ball... younger, more talented safeties.

Return man - Our special teams returning was not real good this year - save for Allison's 1 TD return and Adrian Peterson returning kicks (which hopefully won't be happening going forward)... a guy like Desean Jackson would seem to be ideal.

Anyway, that's my quick impressions.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by twins15

WR - huge, obvious, glaring need. Sidney Rice is good, Wade is a solid slot guy... beyond that, it's ugly. They really need a #1, or at least a good #2. Should be their top priority.

Sure is sad that Williamson was such a bust :/. Things would be so much easier if he could just catch the damn ball.

DE - Hmmm... if they can get a good one, then yes. But really, I was more impressed by the rotation of Udeze/Edwards/Robison/Mitchell. Not great, but not as awful as their DE play has been in past years.

Need major help on pass rush defense.

T - Wouldn't mind someone to push Ryan Cook a little, but otherwise I didn't have many problems with how he played.

Cook? Blah. I guess you can't ask for a star at every position, but Cook just doesn't do it for me. I knew a guy in high school that had the same name as this guy...he was fat and sucked at football.

G - Don't see them going for anyone here except for depth. Hutch is arguably the best OL in the game, and Herrera played very well, and IIRC they recently gave him an extension.

Didn't know about Herrera's extension.

DB - Complicated situation. They have to decide what to do with Winfield (entering final year of contract, has expressed displeasure in the past)... beyond that, we pretty much got what we would have to expect from Griffin-McCauley-Gordon... inconsistency mixed with flashes of their talent. Again, what you'd expect from young corners. I'll address the safety position in a minute.

All good points.

QB - I think they need to bring in a solid, veteran backup. Obviously they can't go into next year with all of their eggs in Tarvaris' basket, but I think he showed enough to go into next year as the starter. Now, if someone like McNabb is available for a 2nd rounder (or maybe a 1st rounder), that would seem to be an attractive option. But at this point I wouldn't be disappointed if we went into next with year with someone like 1: Tarvaris 2: Pennington on the depth chart.

I know you like Jackson, but I just don't see him continuing his positive development. I'd much rather have McNabb/Pennington starting over Jackson. But, I don't see the Vikings making a move for either of those guys.

Coach - Obviously I've made my feelings clear here. I thought he made lots of progress throughout the year, and I've loved a lot of the personnel decisions he has made since he started. Bottom line, this franchise is in a much, much better place than it was before he got here... are there still some questions about his in-game coaching? Certainly. But he's still learning there, and I've seen improvement.

I think, comparing him to Mike Tice, he has done less with more. Sure, Tice had a little more of a established QB in Culpepper, but running, receiving and defense...I think Childress has more.

C - Birk seems to be getting closer to on his last legs... I would like to see the Vikings bring in a young guy to develop for a year or two.

I think you have to run with Birk as far as you can go. Young guy, sure...but I think Birk has to start until he's dead.

TE - Shiancoe was horrible. Maybe Garrett Mills can provide more next year (I'm excited about him -- I wish we had seen more of him before this game). Unfortunately, it's hard to do much since they gave Shiancoe that contract, but it would be nice to upgrade somehow.

Hmm...Shiancoe definitely isn't Tony Gonzalez, but I don't think he's horrible. Mills had a couple of nice catches.

Return man - Our special teams returning was not real good this year - save for Allison's 1 TD return and Adrian Peterson returning kicks (which hopefully won't be happening going forward)... a guy like Desean Jackson would seem to be ideal.

Special teams has always been a Viking weak spot, minus our aweeeeesommmmmeeee punter. I don't mind Peterson returning kicks, but he'll get hurt...so definitely need a return man.

Anyway, that's my quick impressions.

. Can't wait for the draft...though I hope they have a plan going in. While they got a good one with Peterson...I question the "draft the best player" philosophy they had in 2007.

[Forest_Fan]

Tavaris Jackson was a rough project to begin with. I've been very impressed by his progression this season and he should be given a solid opportunity to build on things next year. It is ridiculous to expect someone as unschooled and raw as him to be a superstar quarterback already.

Bringing in someone like Pennington for the right price would be very smart, but McNabb might be too good to pass up if he can be had for less than the whole farm.

[Jonzard]

A lot of people around the league are thinking that this was Chad Johnson's last year in Cincy. I'd like to get him in purple.

And yes, getting McNabb with Jackson learning for another year or two is an interesting idea. We have a playoff defense and a playoff running game. If we have to wait for our passing game to develop, it might be too late.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by Jonzard

A lot of people around the league are thinking that this was Chad Johnson's last year in Cincy. I'd like to get him in purple.

And yes, getting McNabb with Jackson learning for another year or two is an interesting idea. We have a playoff defense and a playoff running game. If we have to wait for our passing game to develop, it might be too late.

CJ in Minny would r0xzor

[Jonzard]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox...Y&pageId=3.2.1

Reports are that Udeze has been diagnosed with Leukemia

[Art99]

If they can get McNabb for a reasonable price they should.. I could never figure out what the rush on Jackson was for , after all he's still very young and not making big money either. Playing in blowouts and when the starter was injured would have been sufficient preparation and at least given the team a chance to win if they'd traded/signed a decent starter last year. Behind the scenes they should conduct a head coaching search so they'll be ready in case the team falters early in the season. I really think Brad needs to go because he appears to be so clueless about things that are obvious to an novice fan (like starting Jackson and not playing Peterson in the early season). I don't think the players like him much and know the fans don't. I sure wouldn't charge up a hill for this guy. You could also make a valid argument that Tice was a better head coach here too. Oh yeah the team should also get a real GM and dump the 3 man triangle they have. Zygi needs to realize what may work well in the corporate world often won't when running a sports franchise.

[molarmite]

Anyone heard anything on getting CJ or Fitzgerald?

[twins15]

Originally Posted by molarmite

Anyone heard anything on getting CJ or Fitzgerald?

The Bengals said they won't be trading CJ, and I believe the Cardinals have said they won't be trading Fitzgerald.

[jbergey22]

Word is that the Vikings are bringing in Jerry Porter and Berrian.

[MorseMoose]

You'd think we were the Raiders...

Vikings' McKinnie arrested in Miami

[MorseMoose]

****ing right!! We've signed THOMAS TAPEH!!

[MorseMoose]

****ing right!!! Madieu Williams signs with the Vikings.

[MorseMoose]

Bernard Berrian is next...

[Jonzard]

Don't forget Justin Smith

[molarmite]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Word is that the Vikings are bringing in Jerry Porter and Berrian.

Where did you hear this?

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by Jonzard

Don't forget Justin Smith

That'd be sweet too .

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

That'd be sweet too .

dola,

Just need to sign a QB and we're playoff-bound!