Better late then never...
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Since I never finished it before Free Agency, here is a look at the Vikings roster after the first week of Free Agency:
Offense:
QB1: Tarvaris Jackson - Whatever you think about him, he appears to have a pretty good hold of the starting spot heading into '08. Through 5 games played (week 9) last year his Adjusted net yards per attempt was about 4. In his last 7 games that average was 5.7 yards per play. That still isn't quite where you want to be, but hopefully means he took a step in the right direction.
For future reference, adjusted net yards gained per attempt is calculated as follows:
ANY/A= (Passing Yards - Sack Yards + 10 * Passing TDs - 45 * Interceptions) / (Passes Attempted + Times Sacked)
I think its probably the best single basic stat you can use to judge a QBs play.
QB2: Brooks Bollinger? The Vikings should be looking for a better, veteran option for QB2. Some guys who are currently on the market are Trent Green, Gus Frerotte, Quinn Gray, Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich and of course the one, the only Dante Culpepper. None of those guys have much long term upside and I'm sure a few of them are looking for starting gigs (I guess they could TRY to compete w/ Pipes...?) but I think any of them might be an upgrade over Bollinger. Quinn Gray might be a nice option as he looked good in the few games he started last year and has a similar playing style to TJ.
QB3: This would be Brooks if they add sign someone and probably a late round draft pick if they don't.
RB1: Jesus!
RB2. Chester Taylor
RB3. Maurice Hicks. Hicks claims to have been looking for a team that would let him play some offense, but I'm sure most of his PT for the Vikings will be return duties.
FB1: Thomas Tapeh - Nice to see him back in Minnesota. Tapeh has a very good combination of size, strength and athleticism. Apparently Childress must have liked having him in Philly as he wasted no time in snatching him off of the FA market.
FB2: Just kidding, I don't care. Hopefully Kleiny if Tapeh goes down... or maybe you could say Chester since Childress is talking about getting them both on the field at the same time a bit this season.
WR1: Bernard Berrian? He will probably step right into this spot next season, but don't expect him to keep it for the whole length of his contract.
WR2: Because WR2 Sidney Rice could very well develop into a star receiver.
WR3: Bobby Wade, back in the role he should be in.
WR4: Andre Allison
TE: Visanthe Shiancoe, I can't believe I can spell his whole name without looking it up... I can't even spell Berrian. Anyway, I think Shiancoe has some promise as a receiving TE and above average run blocking skills for one.
TE: Jim Kleinsasser, our TEs have funny names. Jim is the reason I didn't call Visanthe TE1, they are really Blocking TE and Receiving TE. Although Jim could probably just be called a mobile OT...
TE3: If the other two are blocking and receiving TE, Dugan is special team TE, but someone has higher hopes for his offensive production next season, from his Wikipedia page:
Keep your eyes and ears on this guy Viking fans. With everyone wondering what exactly is Brad Childress' offensive scheme, Dugan could make some very key plays in the backfield, or even catch a few passes. This all depends on what Brad Childress does with Jeff Dugan. Look on the field for number 83, and see what he really can do for the Vikings.LT1: Bryant McKinnie...? Hopefully?
LT2: If McKinnie ends up having to miss games, Marcus Johnson? Ryan Cook? Maurice Williams is still a FA. Tackle could be a position the Vikings address in the draft as McKinnie's 2008 is kind of up in the air and neither Johnson nor Cook has cemented themselves in the RT spot.
LG1: Hutch, duh. How much better is his contract looking today?
C: Matty B
RG1: Anthony Herrera has been been one of my favorite Vikings for some time. Its good to pencil him in here.
RT: Ryan Cook appears to have at least established himself as a capable starting tackle, and the #1 guy currently with the team.
Backup G: Artis Hicks
Backup T: Marcus Johnson
Defense:
DE: The DEs currently on the roster are Brian Robison, Ray Edwards, Kenechi Udeze, Erasmus James, Otis Grigsby and Jayme Mitchell. You can't count on Udeze or James being able to play next year and it would be preferable that Mitchell and Grigsby don't either. That leaves Edwards and Robison who both have a lot of promise, especially as pass rusher, but they are both small for 4-3 end and obviously can't play every down. Look for the Vikings to add 2 more ends before the draft.
With Justin Smith signing in San Fran and Antwan Odom signing with the Bengals, there isn't a guy left in FA who is a true starter at this point. There is rumors that former freak, Javon Kearse could be visiting if he doesn't sign a contract with the Titans. Another big, veteran DE still available is former Panthers end Mike Rucker. Rucker is 6-5, 270 and was actually a pro bowler back in '04 but is going to be 34 this season. Rucker had an off year last season and it might have been because of his age, but it was also his first season coming back after an ACL tear. I also wouldn't mind the Vikings bringing Darrian Scott back.
DT: Obviously the Williams' will again be destroying opposing guards and centers, but who will give them a breather when they run 80 yards for a defensive touchdown only to have it called back? Currently the only backup DT on the roster is Fred Evans as Spencer Johnson signed with the Bills. Seifert reported on the Tribs' "Access Vikings" blog that former Seattle backup DT Ellis Wyms is scheduled for a visit later this week, but this is another position I would expect to be addressed in the draft.
LB: Leber, Beast Henderson and Chad Greenway will certainly be starting. After those three the Vikings backup LBs are mostly special teams guys (like Ciurciu and Farwell) so again, this is a position that should probably be addressed in the draft.
CB1: Antoine Winfield
CB2: Cedric Griffin?
CB3: Marcus McCauley?
CB4: Charles Gordon?
I'd really like to see Griffin/McCauley step it up. The question marks behind their names were because I didn't know which would be #2, but after thinking about it more I began to wonder if Gordon had a shot at moving up from 4th. These are the only 4 CBs on the roster so look for someone to get added, but more of as a 5th/special teamer then in front of any of these guys.
SS: Darren Sharper is 32 and the only SS on the team. He's still one of the best in the game at his position, but it might be time to find him an understudy.
FS: Madieu Williams should help the Vikings pass defense quite a bit, especially in the cover-2 where the safeties are so important. Again, he doesn't really have a backup, so another S will probably need to be added.
K: Ryan Longwell
P: Chris Kluwe
So, biggest needs:
1. DE
2. QB2
3. S
4. S
5. OT
It looks like the Vikings starting roster, outside of DE, is pretty much set for next season but their depth on defense leaves a lot to be desired. Look for them to pick a DE out of severe need in the first round of the draft.
Funny side note: I accidentally found my site twice today while doing Google searches, one was "Tarvaris Jackson DVOA" and the other was "Cris Kluwe" (I was trying to see how he spelled his first name... and apparently I once had a post including both Kluwe and Cris Carter).
Since it was one of my favorite CDs in 2006 and I recently started listening to it again, here is a track from punk, I mean, "beardless indie" band The Thermals. If they sound familiar, they have a song on Madden... or MLB 2k7, I don't remember which.
Posted bySL__72 at 8:20 PM
Labels: 2008 NFL Draft order, 2008 NFL Free Agents, Minnesota Vikings, Purple Jesus, Tarvaris Jackson, The Thermals
sam, post more it is good stuff
however, we apparently need to address about 9 things in the draft: qb, wr (prolly 2nd if there is value, or 3rd), tackle, DE, DE, DT, LB, S, not to mention its never a bad idea to draft a corner the way they get paid.
my point is we need to try and get some unheard of semi quality veteran depth to give breathers and as contingency plans at places that are immediate priorites; LB, DT, a 4th end, CB. That way we can draft an end, wr, safety,tackle, or bpa.
"I meant to say according to your post for the draft needs"
If I got 9 exactly I did a good job because they have 9 picks :) They have two 3rd rounders (they have Denver's) and two 6th rounders (courtesy of TWill).
I'd definitely like to see them sign a FA DE and backup QB. In my opinion addressing QB in the draft just comes down to whether or not there is someone they think has promise that they can get in the third round or later.
Plus spots like 5th CB could probably be addressed by brining in some undrafted FAs.