Vikings Draft Speculation Is On The Wrong Course
For the last month, the NFL draft has dominated talk radio, newspapers, even SportsCenter. That's the first thing I don't understand. The hype isn't as drastic for the NBA draft and no one even knows when the MLB draft is. So why is the NFL draft so different?
I digress. After all, the most frustrating thing about all the pre-draft conversation hasn't been its overabundance, but rather its misguided nature, particularly by Vikings fans.
It seems everyone has developed a case of The-Experts-Are-Always-Right-Syndrome. A while back, "experts" started saying teams should pick "the best player on the board" regardless of his position. I couldn't disagree more emphatically, especially in the case of the Vikings.
Sure, if you're team has been dismantled by trades, free agency and injuries and you need to start from scratch, then taking the best player is a good move. But the Vikings? No way.
Minnesota has four above average running backs who aren't getting enough credit. Michael Bennett is an All-Pro. I know he's been hurt, but I have a hard time drafting on the assumption someone is going to get hurt again. Many people think Onterrio Smith is better than Bennett. Again, I don't think you can draft on the assumption a player will get another suspension. Moe Williams is old faithful and for a three week span last year, Mewelde Moore was said to be better than all of them. Draft Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams or Cedric Benson? I don't think so.
What about Mike Williams or Brayland Edwards? Nope. That doesn't make sense either. When Randy Moss was hurt last year, Nate Burleson proved that he can fill the shoes. He can stretch the field (although not as well as Moss), make the catches and break tackles (something Moss was overrated at doing). We also have Marcus Robinson, who is good for 8-10 touchdowns and Jermaine Wiggins, who became one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL last year. Mix in the most dangerous screen play in the NFL with Michael Bennett and the last thing we need is a receiver.
In the off-season, the Vikings have addressed their defensive problems with free agency. Fred Smoot and Darren Sharper will join Antoine Winfield for a much-improved defensive secondary. Pat Williams will join All-Pro Kevin Williams on the defensive line, and look for Kenechi Udeze to play a bigger role this year.
The one position still to be addressed (other than a kicker) is the one that caused Joe Sensor so much pain and suffering in the broadcasting booth last year. He was beside himself with the terrible play of our linebackers. They were the root of all our defensive problems according to Vikings experts. But now that the team has addressed every issue except linebacker (Napoleon Harris could help, but he's no panacea) these same experts are talking about whether we should draft a wide receiver or running back.
Here what the Vikings should do. Go into the draft with a list of their favorite linebackers, 1-7. When they get to their first pick at number 7, they pick their favorite lineback who is still on the list.
That's all there is to it. An offensive selection should be out of the question. Can't we learn from our mistakes of the past decade?
I digress. After all, the most frustrating thing about all the pre-draft conversation hasn't been its overabundance, but rather its misguided nature, particularly by Vikings fans.
It seems everyone has developed a case of The-Experts-Are-Always-Right-Syndrome. A while back, "experts" started saying teams should pick "the best player on the board" regardless of his position. I couldn't disagree more emphatically, especially in the case of the Vikings.
Sure, if you're team has been dismantled by trades, free agency and injuries and you need to start from scratch, then taking the best player is a good move. But the Vikings? No way.
Minnesota has four above average running backs who aren't getting enough credit. Michael Bennett is an All-Pro. I know he's been hurt, but I have a hard time drafting on the assumption someone is going to get hurt again. Many people think Onterrio Smith is better than Bennett. Again, I don't think you can draft on the assumption a player will get another suspension. Moe Williams is old faithful and for a three week span last year, Mewelde Moore was said to be better than all of them. Draft Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams or Cedric Benson? I don't think so.
What about Mike Williams or Brayland Edwards? Nope. That doesn't make sense either. When Randy Moss was hurt last year, Nate Burleson proved that he can fill the shoes. He can stretch the field (although not as well as Moss), make the catches and break tackles (something Moss was overrated at doing). We also have Marcus Robinson, who is good for 8-10 touchdowns and Jermaine Wiggins, who became one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL last year. Mix in the most dangerous screen play in the NFL with Michael Bennett and the last thing we need is a receiver.
In the off-season, the Vikings have addressed their defensive problems with free agency. Fred Smoot and Darren Sharper will join Antoine Winfield for a much-improved defensive secondary. Pat Williams will join All-Pro Kevin Williams on the defensive line, and look for Kenechi Udeze to play a bigger role this year.
The one position still to be addressed (other than a kicker) is the one that caused Joe Sensor so much pain and suffering in the broadcasting booth last year. He was beside himself with the terrible play of our linebackers. They were the root of all our defensive problems according to Vikings experts. But now that the team has addressed every issue except linebacker (Napoleon Harris could help, but he's no panacea) these same experts are talking about whether we should draft a wide receiver or running back.
Here what the Vikings should do. Go into the draft with a list of their favorite linebackers, 1-7. When they get to their first pick at number 7, they pick their favorite lineback who is still on the list.
That's all there is to it. An offensive selection should be out of the question. Can't we learn from our mistakes of the past decade?
posted by Joe Siple | 8:05 AM
1 Comments:
Not sure you should waste a pick on a linebacker at #7 when the linebacker pool is so thin this year. Now if you can move down in the draft and get more picks or a player in the trade I am all for picking a linebacker. I still say they need a WR to stretch the field. That will allow Burlson to come underneath as he did last year with Moss running down field.
Remember the Vikings also picked up a pretty good MLB in Sam Cowart from the Jets. So with him and Harris, along with Henderson not having to play as much, I would be ok going offense.
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