Smoke and Mirrors

Prior to the 2003 draft, Vikings coach Mike Tice made it very clear that the team was looking at defensive tackles. The Vikings wanted to team a blue chip bug guy with the emerging Chris Hovan. There were several excellent tackles at the top of that draft. Tice mentioned all of them except one. The funny thing about head coach Tice was that he was always open, chatting freely with the media. Everyone believed him. He was accurate and honest about the position. He just never mentioned the player. Kevin Williams was the choice. Few Vikings draft picks have played better.

As Michael Lombardi mentioned on NFL Network recently, the lies start about now. The amount of "stuff" that floats about this time of year is incredible. Up until the draft, it's listener beware. In 2007, there were rumors that the Vikings floated whispers that Adrian Peterson's collar bone was still broken and needed some work. He fell to #7. Not too far but far enough for the Vikings. Percy Harvin supposedly wasn't even on the Vikings draft board. Too much of a risk. He's on the Vikings team now. Turn to 2011, everyone knows the Vikings need a QB. There are a bunch of rumors about Jake Locker. Ryan Mallett too. The Vikings have looked at, interviewed or brought to Minnesota Locker, Mallett, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton, Ricky Stanzi, Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton. Is it 2003 all over again? They haven't said a word about Colin Kaepernick. Unless some team falls in love with his athletic skills, Kaepernick could be available in round two. Are the Locker rumors floated so that other teams start thinking that it can't be that obvious. You can't trust anybody or anything. It's kinda fun, a bit annoying, but all it really does is build anticipation for the draft. Frickin' exciting, ain't it?