The greatest need of the Minnesota Vikings is improved play from the offensive line. Unlike many, I think that improved play can come from players already on the roster. They need a return to health of a couple of players, a change at left guard, and left tackle Matt Kalil playing to his talent. Right guard Brandon Fusco has probably been the Vikings best, certainly most consistent, offensive lineman over the past few seasons. He missed nearly the entire season with a torn pectoral muscle. Right tackle Phil Loadholt missed about half of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Gotta get those pects put back together. Charlie Johnson has been barely mediocre, and usually less than that, at left guard. David Yankey had a red shirt rookie season last year. Only the coaches know what they have in him. I think that he can take over the left guard spot. He was a terrific lineman at Stanford but might not have been quite strong enough for the NFL just yet. Improved play at left guard should improve two positions. Playing next to Johnson did Matt Kalil no favors. Kalil has struggled since an excellent rookie season in 2012. At times he's been terrible. His play is the reason that many authors of mock drafts have the Vikings picking an offensive lineman with the 11th pick of the draft. Nagging injuries, confidence, and playing next to Charlie Johnson has all played a role in Kalil's struggles. He gets those sorted out and the Vikings offensive line has a chance to be stout.
All that being said, I think that the biggest hole on the Minnesota Vikings roster is middle linebacker. They could really use a three-down guy in the middle and I don't see that player on the roster. Audie Cole has shown some potential in spot duty over his three years in the league. He was terrific against the Chicago Bears in the final game last season. It's uncertain whether he can maintain that sort of production week-to-week-to-week. The guess here is that he is best suited as a backup and special teams stalwart. So, the Vikings have to look to free agency and/or the draft to find a middle linebacker that can stay on the field in every situation. That elusive 3-down guy.
Free agency is up first. Here are the potential free agents middle linebackers that intrigue me the most.
1. Rolando McClain
2. Mason Foster
3. Nate Irving
4. Brandon Spikes
McClain reignited his NFL career by playing great for the Dallas Cowboys last year. With all of his off-shield shenanigans and shaky interest in the game it's stunning that he's only 25. It feels like he's been hovering in and around the league for a decade. If his head is on straight and he can build on his performance from last year, he'd be perfect in the middle of the Vikings defense. There's also the question of whether the Cowboys let him walk. They have Sean Lee returning from another injury and they have to find a bunch of money for several other pretty significant free agents. McClain is still such a question mark. Does he walk away from the game again? Mason Foster has intrigued me since his days at Seaside High School. As a rookie he looked like a Tampa Bay franchise cornerstone. Whether due to injuries I'm not so sure that he's lived up to that. Maybe he's not a perfect match for the Lovie Smith/Leslie Frazier defense. Who knows? He's quick and instinctive when healthy. Irving was a first time starter for the Denver Broncos this past season but a knee injury cut his season short. The injury isn't the sort that would endanger the upcoming season. He was a teammate of Audie Cole at North Carolina St. Brandon Spikes might be more of the 2-down, run stuffer than the Vikings would like. McClain might be the ideal middle linebacker of this group but he's such a question mark.
Then there's the 2015 NFL Draft. This is a draft that I wish contained a football player like Luke Kuechly or C.J. Mosley. It's kinda funny, not really, that Kuechly and Mosley were available when the Vikings picked in the 2012 and 2014 drafts. Unfortunately, this draft doesn't have a player like Kuechly or Mosley. It does have some very interesting football players that could develop into a difference making player.
CBS ranks the top-5 middle linebackers like this:
1. Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2. Denzel Perryman, Miami
3. Benardrick McKinney
4. Ramik Wilson, Georgia
5. Stephone Anthony, Clemson
CBS gives none of them a first-round grade. I seriously doubt that all five are available with the 33rd pick of the draft.
Mike Mayock didn't separate inside from outside linebackers in his rankings. Despite that all of his top five linebackers are seen by some, if not all, teams as middle linebackers.
1. Paul Dawson, TCU
2. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi St.
3. Denzel Perryman, Miami
4. Eric Kendricks, UCLA
5. Stephone Anthony, Clemson
On the field, Paul Dawson is my favorite. It's easy to see why Mayock has him at the top of his list. He simply makes plays. But, I hate the flow of excuses that Dawson had for a handful of off-the-field issues. That's probably the only question mark that I have with Dawson. He's often late, doesn't seem to care that he's late, and makes excuses frequently. They may seem like little issues but they are the sort that seriously call into question his dedication. If a coach can reach him he could be dynamite. His Combine performance probably turned away some teams. I hope that it did. He's a football player plain and simple. One of the best defensive playmakers in the draft. After Dawson, Eric Kendricks is the football player that I like best at this position. He actually draws pretty close to Dawson as he has no character question marks. He also has football instincts and anticipation similar to that of Dawson. Denzel Perryman and Stephone Anthony aren't too far behind Dawson and Kendricks. Benardrick McKinney might be the most physically gifted of the group but his play on the field doesn't always measure up to those gifts. Despite the rankings all five are pretty close in football ability. Each is just a little different and it all depends on the particulars that each team prefers from their middle linebacker. Some teams might even have those five reversed. That might include me pretty soon. The more I watch and read of Anthony the more I that I like him. This is an intriguing enough group that I could see the Vikings holding off spending money on a free agent middle linebacker. I don't think that they will use a first round pick on a middle linebacker unless they trade back a bit. #11 is a little early. At least one will probably be available with their second round pick.
No matter which route the Vikings take they have to find a middle linebacker.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
And Around We Go Again
U.S. District Court Judge David Doty granted the NFL Players Association's motion to vacate Adrian Peterson's suspension yesterday. At first glance it looked like Peterson's suspension was over. Technically, it wasn't. If Roger Goodell and his remaining friends were smart, it would be. Technically, Doty remanded the case "for such proceedings consistent with this order as the CBA may permit." That means it goes back to the original arbitrator Harold Henderson. Having Henderson hear the original appeal was pretty much the same as having Goodell hear the appeal. He's been an NFL executive for decades. While Doty's ruling is certainly a win for Peterson this is an even bigger win for the NFLPA. They defeated the NFL in court again. That joy didn't last long.
Upon hearing Doty's ruling, the NFL had this to say:
"We will review the decision."
They would be wise to let it go. Peterson was up for reinstatement on April 15. About six more weeks. What's six weeks when the alternative is looking like even greater fools? They should just cut their losses. Goodell has pretty much hacked up everything that he's touched since the summer. He and his puppet arbitrator Henderson were roasted in Doty's ruling. Here are a couple of samples:
Arditrator Henderson "simply disregarded the law of the shop and in doing so failed to meet his duty under the CBA."
"Henderson strayed beyond the issues submitted by the NFLPA and in doing so exceeded his authority."
Then there's this clipping straight from the ruling:
"There is no dispute that the Commissioner imposed Peterson’s discipline under the New Policy. It is also undisputed that in the Rice arbitration, the hearing officer unequivocally recognized that the New Policy cannot be applied retroactively, notwithstanding the Commissioner’s broad discretion in meting out punishment under the CBA. Consistent with that recognition, the Commissioner has acknowledged that he did not have the power to retroactively apply the New Policy: “The policy change was forward looking because the League is ‘required to provide proper notice.’”Yet, just two weeks later, the Commissioner retroactively applied the New Policy to Peterson.
In regards to Peterson's case and punishment Goodell has been making up rules as he's skipped through the league offices. He was blasted for his ridiculous punishment of Ray Rice in the Summer and he's been scrambling ever since. It was great that he came up with a new personal conduct policy. It had to be done and he did it. Even with that terrific achievement he made the stunning mistake of not including the NFLPA in the development of that policy. How do you do that? Has he lost his mind? Everything that he's done in the last several months would support it. It's very rare for a judge to overturn an arbitrator. As long as an arbitrator even "arguably" correctly applies the law, their decision nearly always stands. Meet Roger Goodell. Meet Harold Henderson. These clowns made it easy for Judge David Doty to toss out their punishment and decisions.
Mere hours after Doty's ruling, the NFL, of course, appealed that ruling to the 8th Circuit Court. This has gone beyond ridiculous. That court only has court one week per month. The March slate is scheduled. The next session is April 13-17. Peterson was scheduled to potentially come off suspension on April 15. How convenient. The NFL also returned Peterson to the Commissioner's Exempt List. He should be familiar with that list as he was on it for pretty much all of the 2014 NFL season. The good thing about the Commissioner's Exempt List as opposed to being suspended is that the Vikings and Peterson can communicate. They no longer have to communicate through the media which is as efficient and as fruitful as dealing with the NFL. There's always the chance that some agreement can be reached with Goodell's puppet arbitrator Harold Henderson before the appeal is heard. That way this mess gets settled sooner, Goodell saves a little face, and the NFL doesn't get their ass handed to them again in court.
As soon as the NFL gets out of the way, which is obviously a lot to ask, Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings can get back to football. Together! They can put their differences (real, imagined, or media-created) behind them. The sooner this ludicrous soap opera ends the better.
Upon hearing Doty's ruling, the NFL had this to say:
"We will review the decision."
They would be wise to let it go. Peterson was up for reinstatement on April 15. About six more weeks. What's six weeks when the alternative is looking like even greater fools? They should just cut their losses. Goodell has pretty much hacked up everything that he's touched since the summer. He and his puppet arbitrator Henderson were roasted in Doty's ruling. Here are a couple of samples:
Arditrator Henderson "simply disregarded the law of the shop and in doing so failed to meet his duty under the CBA."
"Henderson strayed beyond the issues submitted by the NFLPA and in doing so exceeded his authority."
Then there's this clipping straight from the ruling:
"There is no dispute that the Commissioner imposed Peterson’s discipline under the New Policy. It is also undisputed that in the Rice arbitration, the hearing officer unequivocally recognized that the New Policy cannot be applied retroactively, notwithstanding the Commissioner’s broad discretion in meting out punishment under the CBA. Consistent with that recognition, the Commissioner has acknowledged that he did not have the power to retroactively apply the New Policy: “The policy change was forward looking because the League is ‘required to provide proper notice.’”Yet, just two weeks later, the Commissioner retroactively applied the New Policy to Peterson.
In regards to Peterson's case and punishment Goodell has been making up rules as he's skipped through the league offices. He was blasted for his ridiculous punishment of Ray Rice in the Summer and he's been scrambling ever since. It was great that he came up with a new personal conduct policy. It had to be done and he did it. Even with that terrific achievement he made the stunning mistake of not including the NFLPA in the development of that policy. How do you do that? Has he lost his mind? Everything that he's done in the last several months would support it. It's very rare for a judge to overturn an arbitrator. As long as an arbitrator even "arguably" correctly applies the law, their decision nearly always stands. Meet Roger Goodell. Meet Harold Henderson. These clowns made it easy for Judge David Doty to toss out their punishment and decisions.
Mere hours after Doty's ruling, the NFL, of course, appealed that ruling to the 8th Circuit Court. This has gone beyond ridiculous. That court only has court one week per month. The March slate is scheduled. The next session is April 13-17. Peterson was scheduled to potentially come off suspension on April 15. How convenient. The NFL also returned Peterson to the Commissioner's Exempt List. He should be familiar with that list as he was on it for pretty much all of the 2014 NFL season. The good thing about the Commissioner's Exempt List as opposed to being suspended is that the Vikings and Peterson can communicate. They no longer have to communicate through the media which is as efficient and as fruitful as dealing with the NFL. There's always the chance that some agreement can be reached with Goodell's puppet arbitrator Harold Henderson before the appeal is heard. That way this mess gets settled sooner, Goodell saves a little face, and the NFL doesn't get their ass handed to them again in court.
As soon as the NFL gets out of the way, which is obviously a lot to ask, Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings can get back to football. Together! They can put their differences (real, imagined, or media-created) behind them. The sooner this ludicrous soap opera ends the better.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Throwback Thursday: December 17, 1978
The NFL's slate of games for December 17, 1978 looked like this:
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
San Diego Chargers @ Houston Oilers
Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers @ Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Colts
Atlanta Falcons @ St. Louis Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders
11 games. The Colts were still in Baltimore. The Cardinals were in St. Louis. Jim Hart had a terrific game in the Cardinals 42-21 win over the Falcons. The Rams were in Los Angeles. NFL teams played 16 regular season games for the first time in 1978. This was the 16th week of the season. December 17, 1978 was also the first time that I attended an NFL game. I was at the last one on the list. Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders. As an itty bitty Vikings fan this was a momentous day. Despite the 27-20 loss. And the rain. It was glorious. I was able to see nearly all of my childhood heroes. Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Marshall, Chuck Foreman, Ahmad Rashad, Matt Blair, Paul Krause, Carl Eller, Ron Yary, Wally Hilgenberg, Bobby Bryant, Jeff Siemon, Sammie White. It was a damn shame that the Vikings felt compelled to release Alan Page earlier in the season. A damn, painful shame. That hurt the day but didn't ruin it. It hurt more when the Chicago Bears signed Page to their roster. This was the last regular season of Tarkenton's career. Tingelhoff too. Eller played his last regular season game for the Vikings. He played one more year for the Seahawks. This was also the last game of John Madden's coaching career.
From a purely football perspective the game was terrible. There was some rain. There was a lot of slipping. It seemed like the Vikings slipped more than the Raiders. Through mistakes of their own the Vikings quickly spotted the Raiders a 21-0 lead. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler didn't even play in the second half. Tarkenton threw five interceptions. The Vikings had seven turnovers in all. A fourth quarter comeback made it closer than the game really was. The Vikings actually had a chance to tie the game at the end but the officials refused to let them have a fifth down. It's odd how they try to avoid allowing fifth downs. Despite the loss, the Vikings still made the playoffs when the Packers lost to the Rams. The whole day was a dream. Still is.
The Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings played in Super Bowl XI. That game didn't go the Vikings way either. Despite four Super Bowl losses the Vikings had been one of the best teams in the league for about a decade. Same with the Raiders and their Super Bowl win. This game, and this season, was the beginning of the end of the Vikings dominant run. It was also the end of the Raiders run under Madden. Unlike the Vikings, the Raiders quickly rose again under new coach Tom Flores.
Nine members of the 1978 Oakland Raiders have been inducted into the Pro Football of Fame:
Al Davis
John Madden
Gene Upshaw
Art Shell
Dave Casper
Fred Biletnikoff
Ted Hendricks
Willie Brown
Ray Guy
Six members of the 1978 Minnesota Vikings have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Bud Grant
Fran Tarkenton
Ron Yary
Mick Tingelhoff
Carl Eller
Paul Krause
-Alan Page was released during the 1978 season
I recently watched a recording of this memorable game. It felt like I was there all over again. George Allen and Jim Brown were teamed with Vin Scully to broadcast the game. That puts the Hall of Fame count in the Oakland Coliseum that day at 17. A very respectable showing.
Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders on December 17, 1978 was one of those events and one of those days that stands out in a life. There's a dream quality to it even while it's happening. Every moment is longer. Everything is brighter. It was a cloudy, rainy day that neither looked nor felt like one. A kid should have dozens, hundreds of great days in all of their days as a kid. This day was one of those days that's so much better than the rest. The best day. It was a day when a kid saw nearly all of his heroes. As a fan of a team that played their games half of a country away I only knew them as little figures on a TV screen. Now, they were real. So real. For months before the game I slept with the tickets under my pillow. The day couldn't arrive soon enough. I didn't care that Christmas was a week away. This game was the only Christmas that I would ever need. NFL history will show December 17 as a slate of 11 games. For this little Vikings fan, it was so much more. Still is.
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
San Diego Chargers @ Houston Oilers
Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers @ Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Colts
Atlanta Falcons @ St. Louis Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders
11 games. The Colts were still in Baltimore. The Cardinals were in St. Louis. Jim Hart had a terrific game in the Cardinals 42-21 win over the Falcons. The Rams were in Los Angeles. NFL teams played 16 regular season games for the first time in 1978. This was the 16th week of the season. December 17, 1978 was also the first time that I attended an NFL game. I was at the last one on the list. Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders. As an itty bitty Vikings fan this was a momentous day. Despite the 27-20 loss. And the rain. It was glorious. I was able to see nearly all of my childhood heroes. Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Marshall, Chuck Foreman, Ahmad Rashad, Matt Blair, Paul Krause, Carl Eller, Ron Yary, Wally Hilgenberg, Bobby Bryant, Jeff Siemon, Sammie White. It was a damn shame that the Vikings felt compelled to release Alan Page earlier in the season. A damn, painful shame. That hurt the day but didn't ruin it. It hurt more when the Chicago Bears signed Page to their roster. This was the last regular season of Tarkenton's career. Tingelhoff too. Eller played his last regular season game for the Vikings. He played one more year for the Seahawks. This was also the last game of John Madden's coaching career.
From a purely football perspective the game was terrible. There was some rain. There was a lot of slipping. It seemed like the Vikings slipped more than the Raiders. Through mistakes of their own the Vikings quickly spotted the Raiders a 21-0 lead. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler didn't even play in the second half. Tarkenton threw five interceptions. The Vikings had seven turnovers in all. A fourth quarter comeback made it closer than the game really was. The Vikings actually had a chance to tie the game at the end but the officials refused to let them have a fifth down. It's odd how they try to avoid allowing fifth downs. Despite the loss, the Vikings still made the playoffs when the Packers lost to the Rams. The whole day was a dream. Still is.
The Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings played in Super Bowl XI. That game didn't go the Vikings way either. Despite four Super Bowl losses the Vikings had been one of the best teams in the league for about a decade. Same with the Raiders and their Super Bowl win. This game, and this season, was the beginning of the end of the Vikings dominant run. It was also the end of the Raiders run under Madden. Unlike the Vikings, the Raiders quickly rose again under new coach Tom Flores.
Nine members of the 1978 Oakland Raiders have been inducted into the Pro Football of Fame:
Al Davis
John Madden
Gene Upshaw
Art Shell
Dave Casper
Fred Biletnikoff
Ted Hendricks
Willie Brown
Ray Guy
Six members of the 1978 Minnesota Vikings have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Bud Grant
Fran Tarkenton
Ron Yary
Mick Tingelhoff
Carl Eller
Paul Krause
-Alan Page was released during the 1978 season
I recently watched a recording of this memorable game. It felt like I was there all over again. George Allen and Jim Brown were teamed with Vin Scully to broadcast the game. That puts the Hall of Fame count in the Oakland Coliseum that day at 17. A very respectable showing.
Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders on December 17, 1978 was one of those events and one of those days that stands out in a life. There's a dream quality to it even while it's happening. Every moment is longer. Everything is brighter. It was a cloudy, rainy day that neither looked nor felt like one. A kid should have dozens, hundreds of great days in all of their days as a kid. This day was one of those days that's so much better than the rest. The best day. It was a day when a kid saw nearly all of his heroes. As a fan of a team that played their games half of a country away I only knew them as little figures on a TV screen. Now, they were real. So real. For months before the game I slept with the tickets under my pillow. The day couldn't arrive soon enough. I didn't care that Christmas was a week away. This game was the only Christmas that I would ever need. NFL history will show December 17 as a slate of 11 games. For this little Vikings fan, it was so much more. Still is.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
The Path Is Back
"The Path To The Draft" made it's 2015 debut on NFL Network last night. There's an episode every single day of the week up to the NFL Draft. That seems a bit excessive seeing as there's only about 200 days until the draft. Actually, there's 64. It's great to see that "The Path" is back.. There's always draft stuff to discuss.
"Path To The Draft" has been an offseason staple on NFL Network since 2007. Andrew Sicilliano kicked off this season as host. He does a fine job. It didn't take long for his partners to bring out a "short" joke. Those partners, Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah, offer their draft and prospect expertise. Davis has worked as a football analyst for the past decade. He played defensive back for Tennessee in the 1980s. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1987. Jeremiah worked several seasons as a scout with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played quarterback for Appalachian St, in the late 1990s. I've enjoyed their draft thoughts since they started giving them. Those are the main studio characters.
NFL Network's draft guru is Mike Mayock. He offers content for "Path..." in the form of field reports from dozens of Pro Days at colleges all over the country. He will spend nearly every moment of the next 50 days on the road or in the air. It's an exhausting schedule. Some of the best bits from the show are Mayock's updates from these Pro Days. His summary of Teddy Bridgewater's throwing at the last year's Louisville Pro Day may have gifted the quarterback to the Minnesota Vikings. Mayock is the best. For providing the Vikings with a quarterback and his football prospect expertise.
There are a whole host of draft analysts that make appearances on "Path To The Draft." Former Washington Redskins and Houston Texans general manager Charlie Casserly provides a very unique perspective. He started awkwardly when he first joined NFL Network but he's hit his stride. He's a character. Curtis Conway is one of the more recent additions. As a former top pick in the draft he's been in the shoes of the prospects that we are all discussing. He provides nice insight despite attending USC and playing for the Chicago Bears. Ha! Brian Baldinger, Brian Billick, and Bucky Brooks also make frequent appearances. Brooks is another former NFL player and scout. It's a terrific group.
It's great to see the return of "Path To The Draft." I look forward to each episode as each episode brings us another day close to the 2015 NFL Draft.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Post-Combine Mock Draft
With the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine behind us here's another stab at a mock draft. Just can't stop it.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
2. Tennessee Titans-Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars-Vic Beasley, LB/DE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5. Washington Redskins-Randy Gregory, LB/DE, Nebraska
6. New York Jets-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Chicago Bears-Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8. Atlanta Falcons-Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
9. New York Giants-Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa
10. St. Louis Rams-La'el Collins, T, LSU
11. Minnesota Vikings-Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
12. Cleveland Browns-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
13. New Orleans Saints-Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
14. Miami Dolphins-Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
15. San Francisco 49ers-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
16. Houston Texans-T.J. Clemmings, T, Pittsburgh
17. San Diego Chargers-Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
18. Kansas City Chiefs-Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
19. Cleveland Browns-Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
20. Philadelphia Eagles-Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Andrus Peat, T, Stanford
22. Pittsburgh Steelers-Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
23. Detroit Lions-Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
24. Arizona Cardinals-Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St.
25. Carolina Panthers-D.J. Humphries, T, Florida
26. Baltimore Ravens-Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
27. Dallas Cowboys-Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
28. Denver Broncos-Cameron Erving, OL, Florida St.
29. Indianapolis Colts-Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
30. Green Bay Packers-Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
31. Seattle Seahawks-Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
32. New England Patriots-Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
For now.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
2. Tennessee Titans-Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars-Vic Beasley, LB/DE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5. Washington Redskins-Randy Gregory, LB/DE, Nebraska
6. New York Jets-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Chicago Bears-Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8. Atlanta Falcons-Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
9. New York Giants-Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa
10. St. Louis Rams-La'el Collins, T, LSU
11. Minnesota Vikings-Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
12. Cleveland Browns-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
13. New Orleans Saints-Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
14. Miami Dolphins-Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
15. San Francisco 49ers-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
16. Houston Texans-T.J. Clemmings, T, Pittsburgh
17. San Diego Chargers-Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
18. Kansas City Chiefs-Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
19. Cleveland Browns-Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
20. Philadelphia Eagles-Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Andrus Peat, T, Stanford
22. Pittsburgh Steelers-Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
23. Detroit Lions-Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
24. Arizona Cardinals-Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St.
25. Carolina Panthers-D.J. Humphries, T, Florida
26. Baltimore Ravens-Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
27. Dallas Cowboys-Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
28. Denver Broncos-Cameron Erving, OL, Florida St.
29. Indianapolis Colts-Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
30. Green Bay Packers-Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
31. Seattle Seahawks-Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
32. New England Patriots-Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
For now.
Monday, February 23, 2015
The Washington Kids
It sure would be nice for the Minnesota Vikings to come out of the 2015 NFL Draft with the defensive trio from the University of Washington. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton, linebacker Shaq Thompson, and cornerback Marcus Peters would look terrific in Vikings purple.
Thompson and Peters play positions of need for the Vikings. Shelton would be a luxury. A huge luxury. Thompson is one of the best athletes in the entire draft. He played linebacker, safety, and running back at Washington. He excelled at every position that he was asked to play. He prefers linebacker. The Vikings could use him at safety and linebacker. Probably more at the latter opposite 2014 top pick Anthony Barr. Thompson and Barr would give the Vikings one of the most versatile, most athletic set of outside linebackers in the league. Perhaps ever. If football concerns were the only concerns for NFL teams, Peters could be the top cornerback prospect in the draft. He's got some character issues. He was kicked off the Washington football team for butting heads with the coaches. He can be a bit of a hot-head on the field. If he can control those emotions they could work to his advantage in football. If he can't control those emotions he does his team and himself no favors. Thompson and Shelton were asked nearly as many questions about Peters as they were of themselves in their Scouting Combine pressers. Arizona St. linebacker Vontaze Burfict had similar character issues when he arrived in Cincinnati in 2012. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was the Bengals defensive coordinator then. He found a way through to Burfict. Maybe he can work some of that same magic with a similarly fiery player. Peters is a big corner at 6'0" 200 lbs. He would look excellent opposite the 6'1" 210 lbs Xavier Rhodes in the Vikings defense. Shelton would be a huge luxury on the Vikings defensive line. 6'2" 339 lbs. A "Dancing Bear" as Draft Analyst Mike Mayock is quick to say. Shelton can move. The Vikings have 6'4" 323 lb Linval Joseph taking up a considerable chunk of the interior of the defensive line. A rotation of the two would be tremendous. It would be even more tremendous to see the two on the field at the same time. Those two guys might look like four to an offensive line tasked with slowing them.
Putting all three Washington kids in the Vikings defense would be a wonderful dream. Picking at #11, the Vikings are really in no position to select Danny Shelton. I just don't see him getting past the Chicago Bears at #7 let alone making it out of the top-10. Thompson and Peters should both be there. In several of the mock drafts that bounce through my head at any one time I actually have the Vikings selecting Shaq Thompson at #11. He would give Mike Zimmer an incredibly gifted and versatile defensive player. Due to the character concerns it isn't out of the question that Marcus Peters drops to the Vikings 13th pick of the second round. Not likely though. There's a lot of dreaming going on between now and the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft on April 30. This is the time for those dreams. Getting these three Washington kids to Minnesota is a fine dream. Now, I have to find a dream that helps the offense.
Thompson and Peters play positions of need for the Vikings. Shelton would be a luxury. A huge luxury. Thompson is one of the best athletes in the entire draft. He played linebacker, safety, and running back at Washington. He excelled at every position that he was asked to play. He prefers linebacker. The Vikings could use him at safety and linebacker. Probably more at the latter opposite 2014 top pick Anthony Barr. Thompson and Barr would give the Vikings one of the most versatile, most athletic set of outside linebackers in the league. Perhaps ever. If football concerns were the only concerns for NFL teams, Peters could be the top cornerback prospect in the draft. He's got some character issues. He was kicked off the Washington football team for butting heads with the coaches. He can be a bit of a hot-head on the field. If he can control those emotions they could work to his advantage in football. If he can't control those emotions he does his team and himself no favors. Thompson and Shelton were asked nearly as many questions about Peters as they were of themselves in their Scouting Combine pressers. Arizona St. linebacker Vontaze Burfict had similar character issues when he arrived in Cincinnati in 2012. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was the Bengals defensive coordinator then. He found a way through to Burfict. Maybe he can work some of that same magic with a similarly fiery player. Peters is a big corner at 6'0" 200 lbs. He would look excellent opposite the 6'1" 210 lbs Xavier Rhodes in the Vikings defense. Shelton would be a huge luxury on the Vikings defensive line. 6'2" 339 lbs. A "Dancing Bear" as Draft Analyst Mike Mayock is quick to say. Shelton can move. The Vikings have 6'4" 323 lb Linval Joseph taking up a considerable chunk of the interior of the defensive line. A rotation of the two would be tremendous. It would be even more tremendous to see the two on the field at the same time. Those two guys might look like four to an offensive line tasked with slowing them.
Putting all three Washington kids in the Vikings defense would be a wonderful dream. Picking at #11, the Vikings are really in no position to select Danny Shelton. I just don't see him getting past the Chicago Bears at #7 let alone making it out of the top-10. Thompson and Peters should both be there. In several of the mock drafts that bounce through my head at any one time I actually have the Vikings selecting Shaq Thompson at #11. He would give Mike Zimmer an incredibly gifted and versatile defensive player. Due to the character concerns it isn't out of the question that Marcus Peters drops to the Vikings 13th pick of the second round. Not likely though. There's a lot of dreaming going on between now and the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft on April 30. This is the time for those dreams. Getting these three Washington kids to Minnesota is a fine dream. Now, I have to find a dream that helps the offense.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Mayockisms
Every profession has what pretty much amounts to a language all their own. The world of football scouting is no different. NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock is part of that world. NFL.com did a great thing by producing a glossary of some scouting terms, Mayockisms.
Road Grader:
An offensive lineman who is highly effective in driving a defender off the ball on a running play.
Natural Bender:
A flexible, athletic offensive or defensive lineman who bends at the knees, not the waist.
Downhill Thumper - LB:
A physical linebacker who attacks and plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
Heavy-Legged Waist Bender:
An offensive or defensive lineman who lacks the flexibility to dip his hips and bend at the knees, causing him to look heavy-legged.
High Motor Guy:
A player who displays tireless effort until the whistle on every snap.
Burp the Baby:
When a QB taps his hand on the football too long and throws late, allowing a defensive back to jump a route.
Gets Through Trash:
When a defender is able to successfully navigate through a mass of blockers and teammates and make a tackle.
Quicker than Fast:
A player who may not possess great 40 yard dash speed but has quickness that is effective in short areas.
Run the Arc:
When an edge rusher uses speed to run outside of an offensive tackle and then flattens his path to pursue the quarterback.
Bubble Butt:
An offensive or defensive lineman with a powerful lower body that provides speed and explosion.
Sand in the Pants:
An undersized lineman that possesses toughness but needs to add bulk and strength.
Taffy Pull:
Despite a flurry of activity, neither the offensive or defensive player gains a decisive advantage.
Power Step:
The inside foot of an offensive lineman, which closes the door to a defenders inside rush.
Dancing Bear:
A huge defensive lineman with the agility of a ballerina.
Phone Booth:
An offensive lineman with below-average feet that performs best in short areas.
Get-Off:
The initial explosion and quickness off the snap.
Space Player:
An offensive skill position player who typically excels in open areas due to athletic ability and speed.
Oily Hips:
An ability of an LB or DB to change direction quickly and efficiently.
Body Beautiful:
A ripped physique that even the other players talk about.
J.A.G.:
Just A Guy.
There you go.
"Taffy Pull" is a new one for me. I especially like "Burp the Baby" and "Oily Hips."
Over the years I've heard "slappy" as an alternative for "J.A.G."
Road Grader:
An offensive lineman who is highly effective in driving a defender off the ball on a running play.
Natural Bender:
A flexible, athletic offensive or defensive lineman who bends at the knees, not the waist.
Downhill Thumper - LB:
A physical linebacker who attacks and plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
Heavy-Legged Waist Bender:
An offensive or defensive lineman who lacks the flexibility to dip his hips and bend at the knees, causing him to look heavy-legged.
High Motor Guy:
A player who displays tireless effort until the whistle on every snap.
Burp the Baby:
When a QB taps his hand on the football too long and throws late, allowing a defensive back to jump a route.
Gets Through Trash:
When a defender is able to successfully navigate through a mass of blockers and teammates and make a tackle.
Quicker than Fast:
A player who may not possess great 40 yard dash speed but has quickness that is effective in short areas.
Run the Arc:
When an edge rusher uses speed to run outside of an offensive tackle and then flattens his path to pursue the quarterback.
Bubble Butt:
An offensive or defensive lineman with a powerful lower body that provides speed and explosion.
Sand in the Pants:
An undersized lineman that possesses toughness but needs to add bulk and strength.
Taffy Pull:
Despite a flurry of activity, neither the offensive or defensive player gains a decisive advantage.
Power Step:
The inside foot of an offensive lineman, which closes the door to a defenders inside rush.
Dancing Bear:
A huge defensive lineman with the agility of a ballerina.
Phone Booth:
An offensive lineman with below-average feet that performs best in short areas.
Get-Off:
The initial explosion and quickness off the snap.
Space Player:
An offensive skill position player who typically excels in open areas due to athletic ability and speed.
Oily Hips:
An ability of an LB or DB to change direction quickly and efficiently.
Body Beautiful:
A ripped physique that even the other players talk about.
J.A.G.:
Just A Guy.
There you go.
"Taffy Pull" is a new one for me. I especially like "Burp the Baby" and "Oily Hips."
Over the years I've heard "slappy" as an alternative for "J.A.G."
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Some Combine Thoughts
The NFL Scouting Combine sure is a silly thing.
I suppose that the greatest appeal of the Scouting Combine, at least among fans, is that it's the first of the offseason events. It kicks off the new NFL year. That is especially appealing for fans of the teams that did not win the Super Bowl.
A little history. In the early 1980s Dallas Cowboys president and general manager Tex Schramm proposed the idea of centralizing the evaluation process. Prior to 1982, teams had to schedule individual visits with players to run them through drills and tests. The National Invitational Camp (NIC) was first held in Tampa in 1982. It was originated by National Football Scouting, Inc. as a means for member NFL teams to look at draft prospects. For non-member teams, two other camps were used from 1982-84. Scouting organizations have been providing their services to NFL teams since 1963. LESTO (Lions, Eagles, Steelers Talent Organization) was the first. It became BLESTO when the Bears joined. BLESTO-V when the Vikings joined. By 1971 they were known as BLESTO-VIII when the Bills, Colts, and Dolphins joined. Finally, they got smart and dropped it back to BLESTO even though the Bears and Eagles are no longer members. CEPO (Central Eastern Personnel Organization), formed in 1964, was another that included the Colts, Browns, Packers, and Cardinals. It became United Scouting after the Redskins, Giants, and Falcons joined. In 1983 they became National Football Scouting to avoid confusion with the United Sates Football League. They are now known simply as The National. Another scouting organization that formed in 1964 was Troika (Cowboys, Rams, and 49ers). It was renamed Quadra when the Saints joined in 1967. That group no longer exists and the members now belong to The National. In 1985, to save money and time, the scouting organizations merged the three camps and called it the NFL Scouting Combine. The first combined camp was held in Arizona in 1985. The second was held in New Orleans in 1986. It moved to Indianapolis in 1987 and has been there ever since. Growing bigger every year.
I've always found these joint scouting organizations surprising. I've always seen scouting as very secretive so subscribing to the same scouting service as other teams made little sense. I've since come to understand that the sheer volume of college players to scout requires these extra eyes and ears. It clearly works as these scouting organizations have been around for over 50 years. Now there are really two. The National has the most subscribers with 18. BLESTO (despite the continued absence of the Bears and Eagles) has eight. Six teams act alone.
Back to the present.
The following prospects are somewhat confirmed to have had visits in some form with the Minnesota Vikings:
Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Dante Fowler, Jr., DE/OLB, Florida
Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St.
Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
Jordan Hicks, LB, Texas
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Devin Smith, WR, Ohio St.
First of all, the defensive backs haven't arrived at this point.
These interviewers are curious but you can't read too much into them. It's curious to see which players interest a team. At least interested to point of visiting with them. It's curious to see the pass rushers on the Vikings list. As with corners, you can never have too many pass rushers.
I'm actually more interested in listening to each player's press conferences than seeing the drills. Hearing them talk in general and talk about their positions and play in particular can be quite revealing. Some players that really impressed me were USC receiver Nelson Agholor, Florida OLB/DE Dante Fowler, and Miami LB Denzel Perryman. Perryman talks fast. Real fast. He probably had the shortest press conference because he talks so damn fast. I always thought that former Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson talked fast. Now, I think that he talks slow. Very slow.
I giggle when I hear NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah describing the hand-catching spectrum of Auburn receiver Sammie Coates. He uses Darius Heyward-Bey and Terrell Owens. Both are at the same end of the spectrum. Neither could catch a football.
I hate seeing players sitting out some of the drills of the Scouting Combine. It's mostly the quarterbacks sitting out the throwing portion. Not knowing the receivers that are running the routes is hardly an excuse. They aren't going to carry their familiar receivers with them the rest of their lives. At some point they have to throw to someone that they don't know. Besides, if they are good enough to be in Indianapolis it shouldn't matter who is at the end of a throw. These kids have been competing all of their lives why stop now. Why sit out the most important job interview of their lives. No civilian would even think of sitting out a portion of a job interview that tests their job skills. The sad part is that the decision to compete is often, if not always, made by an agent. They say that their client can only lose money by competing. Sitting has gotten so tiring that no one really cares anymore.
I suppose that the greatest appeal of the Scouting Combine, at least among fans, is that it's the first of the offseason events. It kicks off the new NFL year. That is especially appealing for fans of the teams that did not win the Super Bowl.
A little history. In the early 1980s Dallas Cowboys president and general manager Tex Schramm proposed the idea of centralizing the evaluation process. Prior to 1982, teams had to schedule individual visits with players to run them through drills and tests. The National Invitational Camp (NIC) was first held in Tampa in 1982. It was originated by National Football Scouting, Inc. as a means for member NFL teams to look at draft prospects. For non-member teams, two other camps were used from 1982-84. Scouting organizations have been providing their services to NFL teams since 1963. LESTO (Lions, Eagles, Steelers Talent Organization) was the first. It became BLESTO when the Bears joined. BLESTO-V when the Vikings joined. By 1971 they were known as BLESTO-VIII when the Bills, Colts, and Dolphins joined. Finally, they got smart and dropped it back to BLESTO even though the Bears and Eagles are no longer members. CEPO (Central Eastern Personnel Organization), formed in 1964, was another that included the Colts, Browns, Packers, and Cardinals. It became United Scouting after the Redskins, Giants, and Falcons joined. In 1983 they became National Football Scouting to avoid confusion with the United Sates Football League. They are now known simply as The National. Another scouting organization that formed in 1964 was Troika (Cowboys, Rams, and 49ers). It was renamed Quadra when the Saints joined in 1967. That group no longer exists and the members now belong to The National. In 1985, to save money and time, the scouting organizations merged the three camps and called it the NFL Scouting Combine. The first combined camp was held in Arizona in 1985. The second was held in New Orleans in 1986. It moved to Indianapolis in 1987 and has been there ever since. Growing bigger every year.
I've always found these joint scouting organizations surprising. I've always seen scouting as very secretive so subscribing to the same scouting service as other teams made little sense. I've since come to understand that the sheer volume of college players to scout requires these extra eyes and ears. It clearly works as these scouting organizations have been around for over 50 years. Now there are really two. The National has the most subscribers with 18. BLESTO (despite the continued absence of the Bears and Eagles) has eight. Six teams act alone.
Back to the present.
The following prospects are somewhat confirmed to have had visits in some form with the Minnesota Vikings:
Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Dante Fowler, Jr., DE/OLB, Florida
Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St.
Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
Jordan Hicks, LB, Texas
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Devin Smith, WR, Ohio St.
First of all, the defensive backs haven't arrived at this point.
These interviewers are curious but you can't read too much into them. It's curious to see which players interest a team. At least interested to point of visiting with them. It's curious to see the pass rushers on the Vikings list. As with corners, you can never have too many pass rushers.
I'm actually more interested in listening to each player's press conferences than seeing the drills. Hearing them talk in general and talk about their positions and play in particular can be quite revealing. Some players that really impressed me were USC receiver Nelson Agholor, Florida OLB/DE Dante Fowler, and Miami LB Denzel Perryman. Perryman talks fast. Real fast. He probably had the shortest press conference because he talks so damn fast. I always thought that former Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson talked fast. Now, I think that he talks slow. Very slow.
I giggle when I hear NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah describing the hand-catching spectrum of Auburn receiver Sammie Coates. He uses Darius Heyward-Bey and Terrell Owens. Both are at the same end of the spectrum. Neither could catch a football.
I hate seeing players sitting out some of the drills of the Scouting Combine. It's mostly the quarterbacks sitting out the throwing portion. Not knowing the receivers that are running the routes is hardly an excuse. They aren't going to carry their familiar receivers with them the rest of their lives. At some point they have to throw to someone that they don't know. Besides, if they are good enough to be in Indianapolis it shouldn't matter who is at the end of a throw. These kids have been competing all of their lives why stop now. Why sit out the most important job interview of their lives. No civilian would even think of sitting out a portion of a job interview that tests their job skills. The sad part is that the decision to compete is often, if not always, made by an agent. They say that their client can only lose money by competing. Sitting has gotten so tiring that no one really cares anymore.
Friday, February 20, 2015
A Good Thing
There are all sorts of ways to run an NFL franchise. The most common is one with a general manager and a head coach making personnel decisions. The relationship between the general manager and the head coach is key no matter which one has final say on roster decisions. These two individuals have to be able to work together. They don't have to like each other but they have to be able to work together. The San Francisco 49ers saw a lot of on-field success over the past few years but it became increasing obvious during those years that general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Jim Harbaugh didn't have a great. or even good, relationship. The media constantly hounding everyone in the 49ers building didn't help that relationship. A split was inevitable and Harbaugh is now at the University of Michigan and Jim Tomsula is in Harbaugh's old office. The 49ers were only a few yards from a Super Bowl victory despite the stormy front office. A team might find short-term football success in that situation but it's difficult to sustain. The general manager and head coach have to be able to work together.
After interviewing several coaches, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman hired Mike Zimmer last January to be the team's new head coach. He saw Zimmer as an excellent football coach. He also saw Zimmer as a coach with whom he could work. They easily bonded over their Midwestern upbringing as sons of football coaches. Both felt that they could work well together to build the Vikings into a team that can win Super Bowls. A head coach and a general manager have to be on the same page to bring that sort of success. It sounds easy but it rarely is. The coach has a vision for the team. He introduces a particular system that requires certain players. The general manager is responsible for bringing in the players that fit. If each can respect the roles of the other it's a relationship that can work. They can't meddle in the jobs of the other. The coach coaches. The general manager brings in the players. When one steps on the other that's when things can get sideways. From the outside looking in that's what might have taken place in San Francisco.
It's only been a year but Spielman and Zimmer appear to have a sound relationship. With a year in the books, Spielman and the Vikings scouts are focusing in on the types of players that Zimmer and his coaches require for their brand of football. During one of several interviews this week at the Scouting Combine, Spielman told a story that explained the teamwork that's growing in Minnesota. It went a little something like this. Spielman was recently meeting with the scouts in preparation for the offseason, free agency, and the draft. The scouts were a "little fuzzy" on some traits that the coaches were looking for in certain players. Instead of going back and forth debating and hashing it out among themselves, Spielman went and grabbed Zimmer and brought him to the meeting. The traits that had the scouts a "little fuzzy" were with offensive players so Zimmer went to find offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Turner was in the middle of a meeting of his own with his offensive coaches. All of the offensive coaches came to the scouting meeting and an impromptu 45 minute discussion over these traits took place. Ever since Zimmer and Speilman have joined forces it has been a priority for all of the coaches and all of the scouts to be on the same page. Every person in the buildings and on the fields at Winter Park are tasked with the same goal with an understanding of their role in getting to that goal. If anyone is a little "fuzzy" on something they get the people together that can make it "fuzzy" no more.
The sample size is slight but it feels like the Vikings have a good thing. Rick Spielman obviously agrees with the football vision of Mike Zimmer. He hired the man. Zimmer simply wants to coach. He waited so long, decades, for this head coaching opportunity. He enjoys the work on the field with the players. If Spielman understands the types of players that he wants and needs and can get those players in Minnesota, Zimmer is a happy coach. Spielman enjoys what he does. Zimmer enjoys what he does. Each respects the roles of the other. Both are on the same page. If they are "fuzzy" on something they fix it. If the Vikings win, especially Super Bowls, everyone is happy.
After interviewing several coaches, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman hired Mike Zimmer last January to be the team's new head coach. He saw Zimmer as an excellent football coach. He also saw Zimmer as a coach with whom he could work. They easily bonded over their Midwestern upbringing as sons of football coaches. Both felt that they could work well together to build the Vikings into a team that can win Super Bowls. A head coach and a general manager have to be on the same page to bring that sort of success. It sounds easy but it rarely is. The coach has a vision for the team. He introduces a particular system that requires certain players. The general manager is responsible for bringing in the players that fit. If each can respect the roles of the other it's a relationship that can work. They can't meddle in the jobs of the other. The coach coaches. The general manager brings in the players. When one steps on the other that's when things can get sideways. From the outside looking in that's what might have taken place in San Francisco.
It's only been a year but Spielman and Zimmer appear to have a sound relationship. With a year in the books, Spielman and the Vikings scouts are focusing in on the types of players that Zimmer and his coaches require for their brand of football. During one of several interviews this week at the Scouting Combine, Spielman told a story that explained the teamwork that's growing in Minnesota. It went a little something like this. Spielman was recently meeting with the scouts in preparation for the offseason, free agency, and the draft. The scouts were a "little fuzzy" on some traits that the coaches were looking for in certain players. Instead of going back and forth debating and hashing it out among themselves, Spielman went and grabbed Zimmer and brought him to the meeting. The traits that had the scouts a "little fuzzy" were with offensive players so Zimmer went to find offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Turner was in the middle of a meeting of his own with his offensive coaches. All of the offensive coaches came to the scouting meeting and an impromptu 45 minute discussion over these traits took place. Ever since Zimmer and Speilman have joined forces it has been a priority for all of the coaches and all of the scouts to be on the same page. Every person in the buildings and on the fields at Winter Park are tasked with the same goal with an understanding of their role in getting to that goal. If anyone is a little "fuzzy" on something they get the people together that can make it "fuzzy" no more.
The sample size is slight but it feels like the Vikings have a good thing. Rick Spielman obviously agrees with the football vision of Mike Zimmer. He hired the man. Zimmer simply wants to coach. He waited so long, decades, for this head coaching opportunity. He enjoys the work on the field with the players. If Spielman understands the types of players that he wants and needs and can get those players in Minnesota, Zimmer is a happy coach. Spielman enjoys what he does. Zimmer enjoys what he does. Each respects the roles of the other. Both are on the same page. If they are "fuzzy" on something they fix it. If the Vikings win, especially Super Bowls, everyone is happy.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Throwback Thursday: Hugh "Shorty" Ray
"I've always thought my finest contribution to pro football was bringing Shorty Ray into the NFL."
-George Halas
At 5'6" and 136 lbs, Hugh "Shorty" Ray has to be the smallest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He may also be the least well known. That doesn't seem right seeing as he did as much as anyone to form the game that so many enjoy today. Those that do know of Ray's impact of the game consider him football's "unknown hero."
Shorty Ray changed the game from the officiating side of things. When he started, the game desperately needed those changes. Officiating was a mess and often biased. Antiquated rules were loosely interpreted and randomly enforced. Before Halas introduced him to the NFL, Ray worked with the officiating at the collegiate and high school levels. He began his career in the Big Ten in 1909. He was the top-rated official for over 30 years. He formed the Chicago Public High School League in 1912. He formed the American Officials Association (AOA) in 1917 in order to elevate officiating standards. The National Federation of High School Athletic Associations hired him to write a new set of football rules and train their officials. His "Play Situations Book" revolutionized the game by teaching rules by example. It was later renamed "Case Book." In 1932, Ray issued the first condensed football rule book in the history of High School football. He also issued a comprehensive set of safety rules. These were shared with the NCAA. The Pro Football Hall of Fame called his Rules Book "a masterpiece, a model for all future rule books at every level." By 1946, Ray's new playing rules and focus on player safety reduced serious football injuries by over 70% for the National Federation of High Schools. Even if he hadn't set foot on the NFL scene, Shorty Ray had changed football.
George Halas introduced Shorty Ray to the NFL in the early 1930s. In 1938, the NFL hired Ray as the first Technical Adviser on the Rules and Supervisor of Officials. The NFL used the same set of rules as the NCAA up until 1932. In 1933, the professional league started taking a different path. Ray played a big role in clearing that path. The NFL wanted to open up the game. Ray's goals were to improve techniques of officiating, streamline rules, increase tempo, and increase safety. From 1933-52, Ray would author or co-author 200 new rules for the professional game. The NFL rule book was no longer the same as the one used in college. Ray termed his redesign of the game: "Football for the fans." Roger Goodell would be all over that. The rule changes opened up the game with modernized passing rules. Ray timed everything in order to find ways to increase tempo and expedite the official's handling of the game. His ideas increased the average plays per game by 25%, tripled the number of touchdowns per game, and quadrupled the average NFL attendance over the span of his career. He was the first to see the correlation between scoring and attendance. Ray's most significant rule change was the introduction of free substitution in 1949. Gone were the days of the 60-minute man. Enter football specialization. This was the most significant football rule change since the forward pass. It's impact on the game was obvious. It's impact on player safety might not have been immediately obvious but was as profound. He visited each team annually to educate players and coaches. As Supervisor of Officials, Shorty Ray demanded that his officials become masters of the rule book. Imagine that. He introduced written tests. The officials had to score at least 95%.
Hugh "Shorty" Ray retired in 1952. He died four years later. It's impossible to imagine an NFL without his contributions because his contributions are so vital to what the game has become. His fingerprints are everywhere. Ray was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966, the fourth Hall of Fame class.
-George Halas
At 5'6" and 136 lbs, Hugh "Shorty" Ray has to be the smallest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He may also be the least well known. That doesn't seem right seeing as he did as much as anyone to form the game that so many enjoy today. Those that do know of Ray's impact of the game consider him football's "unknown hero."
Shorty Ray changed the game from the officiating side of things. When he started, the game desperately needed those changes. Officiating was a mess and often biased. Antiquated rules were loosely interpreted and randomly enforced. Before Halas introduced him to the NFL, Ray worked with the officiating at the collegiate and high school levels. He began his career in the Big Ten in 1909. He was the top-rated official for over 30 years. He formed the Chicago Public High School League in 1912. He formed the American Officials Association (AOA) in 1917 in order to elevate officiating standards. The National Federation of High School Athletic Associations hired him to write a new set of football rules and train their officials. His "Play Situations Book" revolutionized the game by teaching rules by example. It was later renamed "Case Book." In 1932, Ray issued the first condensed football rule book in the history of High School football. He also issued a comprehensive set of safety rules. These were shared with the NCAA. The Pro Football Hall of Fame called his Rules Book "a masterpiece, a model for all future rule books at every level." By 1946, Ray's new playing rules and focus on player safety reduced serious football injuries by over 70% for the National Federation of High Schools. Even if he hadn't set foot on the NFL scene, Shorty Ray had changed football.
George Halas introduced Shorty Ray to the NFL in the early 1930s. In 1938, the NFL hired Ray as the first Technical Adviser on the Rules and Supervisor of Officials. The NFL used the same set of rules as the NCAA up until 1932. In 1933, the professional league started taking a different path. Ray played a big role in clearing that path. The NFL wanted to open up the game. Ray's goals were to improve techniques of officiating, streamline rules, increase tempo, and increase safety. From 1933-52, Ray would author or co-author 200 new rules for the professional game. The NFL rule book was no longer the same as the one used in college. Ray termed his redesign of the game: "Football for the fans." Roger Goodell would be all over that. The rule changes opened up the game with modernized passing rules. Ray timed everything in order to find ways to increase tempo and expedite the official's handling of the game. His ideas increased the average plays per game by 25%, tripled the number of touchdowns per game, and quadrupled the average NFL attendance over the span of his career. He was the first to see the correlation between scoring and attendance. Ray's most significant rule change was the introduction of free substitution in 1949. Gone were the days of the 60-minute man. Enter football specialization. This was the most significant football rule change since the forward pass. It's impact on the game was obvious. It's impact on player safety might not have been immediately obvious but was as profound. He visited each team annually to educate players and coaches. As Supervisor of Officials, Shorty Ray demanded that his officials become masters of the rule book. Imagine that. He introduced written tests. The officials had to score at least 95%.
Hugh "Shorty" Ray retired in 1952. He died four years later. It's impossible to imagine an NFL without his contributions because his contributions are so vital to what the game has become. His fingerprints are everywhere. Ray was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966, the fourth Hall of Fame class.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Vikings Combine Bests
With the 2015 Scouting Combine going on in Indianapolis here's a look at the times and numbers put up by Minnesota Vikings players when they took their turns on that field:
40-Yard Dash
1. DeMarcus Van Dyke-4.28
2. Josh Robinson-4.33 seconds
3. Cordarrelle Patterson-4.37
4. Xavier Rhodes-4.37
5. Jerrick McKinnon-4.38
-Van Dyke Robinson were the fastest at their Combines
Vertical Jump
1. Xavier Rhodes-40.5"
2. Jerrick McKinnon-40.5"
3. Adrian Peterson-38.5
4. Josh Robinson-38.5"
5. Jarius Wright-38.0"
3 Cone
1. Josh Robinson-6.55 seconds
2. Anthony Barr-6.82
3. Jerrick McKinnon-6.83
4. Christian Ponder-6.85
5. DeMarcus Van Dyke-6.97
-Barr's time compared to that of McKinnon's is incredible.
Broad Jump
1. Josh Robinson-11-1 (feet-inches)
2. Jerrick McKinnon-11-0
3. Xavier Rhodes-11-0
4. Cordarrelle Patterson-10-8
5. Captain Munnerlyn-10-1
Bench Press
1. Linval Joseph-39 reps
2. Antonio Richardson-36
3. Everson Griffen-32
4. Jerrick McKinnon-32
5. Jerome Felton-30
20-Yard Shuttle
1. Josh Robinson-3.97 seconds
2. Christian Ponder-4.09
3. DeMarcus Van Dyke-4.09
4. Jerrick McKinnon-4.12
5. Antone Exum Jr.-4.13
-Ponder showed some shifty quickness.
Wingspan
1. Antonio Richardson-87.48"
2. David Yankey-83
3. Shamar Stephen-81.48
4. Anthony Barr-80.58
5. Kyle Rudolph-80.58
Not many people knew about Georgia Southern running back Jerrick McKinnon when he arrived in Indianapolis. A lot of people were scrambling for game tape by the time that he left.
40-Yard Dash
1. DeMarcus Van Dyke-4.28
2. Josh Robinson-4.33 seconds
3. Cordarrelle Patterson-4.37
4. Xavier Rhodes-4.37
5. Jerrick McKinnon-4.38
-Van Dyke Robinson were the fastest at their Combines
Vertical Jump
1. Xavier Rhodes-40.5"
2. Jerrick McKinnon-40.5"
3. Adrian Peterson-38.5
4. Josh Robinson-38.5"
5. Jarius Wright-38.0"
3 Cone
1. Josh Robinson-6.55 seconds
2. Anthony Barr-6.82
3. Jerrick McKinnon-6.83
4. Christian Ponder-6.85
5. DeMarcus Van Dyke-6.97
-Barr's time compared to that of McKinnon's is incredible.
Broad Jump
1. Josh Robinson-11-1 (feet-inches)
2. Jerrick McKinnon-11-0
3. Xavier Rhodes-11-0
4. Cordarrelle Patterson-10-8
5. Captain Munnerlyn-10-1
Bench Press
1. Linval Joseph-39 reps
2. Antonio Richardson-36
3. Everson Griffen-32
4. Jerrick McKinnon-32
5. Jerome Felton-30
20-Yard Shuttle
1. Josh Robinson-3.97 seconds
2. Christian Ponder-4.09
3. DeMarcus Van Dyke-4.09
4. Jerrick McKinnon-4.12
5. Antone Exum Jr.-4.13
-Ponder showed some shifty quickness.
Wingspan
1. Antonio Richardson-87.48"
2. David Yankey-83
3. Shamar Stephen-81.48
4. Anthony Barr-80.58
5. Kyle Rudolph-80.58
Not many people knew about Georgia Southern running back Jerrick McKinnon when he arrived in Indianapolis. A lot of people were scrambling for game tape by the time that he left.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Combine Approaches
The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off today at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. More than 300 draft prospects will be ushered through all kinds poking, prodding, testing, interviewing, and viewing. It's a very strange affair. It's also become the kickoff for the offseason since television got involved.
Here's the schedule for the next 7 days:
Day 1 Arrivals: Group 1 (Kickers, Special Teams, Offensive Line)
Group 2 (Offensive Line)
Group 3 (Tight Ends)
Feb. 17: Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam and X-rays, Interviews
Feb. 18: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 19: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 20: On-field Workouts
Day 2 Arrivals: Group 4 (Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers)
Group 5 (Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers)
Group 6 (Running Backs)
Feb. 18: Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam and X-rays, Interviews
Feb. 19: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 20: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 21: On-field Workouts
Day 3 Arrivals: Group 7 (Defensive Line)
Group 8 (Defensive Line)
Group 9 (Linebackers)
Here's the schedule for the next 7 days:
Day 1 Arrivals: Group 1 (Kickers, Special Teams, Offensive Line)
Group 2 (Offensive Line)
Group 3 (Tight Ends)
Feb. 17: Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam and X-rays, Interviews
Feb. 18: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 19: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 20: On-field Workouts
Day 2 Arrivals: Group 4 (Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers)
Group 5 (Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers)
Group 6 (Running Backs)
Feb. 18: Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam and X-rays, Interviews
Feb. 19: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 20: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 21: On-field Workouts
Day 3 Arrivals: Group 7 (Defensive Line)
Group 8 (Defensive Line)
Group 9 (Linebackers)
Feb. 19: Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam and X-rays, Interviews
Feb. 20: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 21: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 22: On-field Workouts
Day 4 Arrivals: Group 10 (Defensive Backs)
Group 11 (Defensive Backs)
Feb. 20: Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam and X-rays, Interviews
Feb. 21: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 22: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 23: On-field Workouts
None of these pre-Draft workouts should take the place of 3-4 years of college football. Everyone knows this but teams will still fall in love with a player simply because of a stellar performance in shorts and a shirt. A performance for which the player has spent about a month getting ready. The workouts done here should sit alongside the game tape. It shouldn't replace it. The medical exams and individual interviews should be the most important takeaways from the week in Indianapolis.
Feb. 20: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 21: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 22: On-field Workouts
Day 4 Arrivals: Group 10 (Defensive Backs)
Group 11 (Defensive Backs)
Feb. 20: Registration, Hospital Pre-Exam and X-rays, Interviews
Feb. 21: Measurements, Medical Examinations, Media, Interviews
Feb. 22: NFLPA, Psych Exams, PK/ST workout, Bench Press, Interviews
Feb. 23: On-field Workouts
None of these pre-Draft workouts should take the place of 3-4 years of college football. Everyone knows this but teams will still fall in love with a player simply because of a stellar performance in shorts and a shirt. A performance for which the player has spent about a month getting ready. The workouts done here should sit alongside the game tape. It shouldn't replace it. The medical exams and individual interviews should be the most important takeaways from the week in Indianapolis.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Another Mock Draft
Here's another one. A pre-Combine Mock Draft. For lack of a better reason.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
2. Tennessee Titans-Leonard Williams, DE, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars-Randy Gregory, DE Nebraska
4. Oakland Raiders-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5. Washington Redskins-Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
6. New York Jets-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Chicago Bears-Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8. Atlanta Falcons-Vic Beasley, LB, Clemson
9. New York Giants-Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa
10. St. Louis Rams-Andrus Peat, T, Satanford
11. Minnesota Vikings-Shaq Thompson, S/LB, Washington
12. Cleveland Browns-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
13. New Orleans Saints-Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
14. Miami Dolphins-Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
15. San Francisco 49ers-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
16. Houston Texans-T.J. Clemmings, T, Pittsburgh
17. San Diego Chargers-Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
18. Kansas City Chiefs-Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
19. Cleveland Browns-Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
20. Philadelphia Eagles-Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21. Cincinnati Bengals-La'el Collins, T, LSU
22. Pittsburgh Steelers-Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
23. Detroit Lions-Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
24. Arizona Cardinals-Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St.
25. Carolina Panthers-Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
26. Baltimore Ravens-Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
27. Dallas Cowboys-Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
28. Denver Broncos-Cameron Erving, OL, Florida St.
29. Indianapolis Colts-Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
30. Green Bay Packers-Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
31. Seattle Seahawks-Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
32. New England Patriots-Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
Until the next one.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
2. Tennessee Titans-Leonard Williams, DE, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars-Randy Gregory, DE Nebraska
4. Oakland Raiders-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5. Washington Redskins-Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
6. New York Jets-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Chicago Bears-Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8. Atlanta Falcons-Vic Beasley, LB, Clemson
9. New York Giants-Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa
10. St. Louis Rams-Andrus Peat, T, Satanford
11. Minnesota Vikings-Shaq Thompson, S/LB, Washington
12. Cleveland Browns-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
13. New Orleans Saints-Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
14. Miami Dolphins-Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
15. San Francisco 49ers-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
16. Houston Texans-T.J. Clemmings, T, Pittsburgh
17. San Diego Chargers-Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
18. Kansas City Chiefs-Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
19. Cleveland Browns-Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
20. Philadelphia Eagles-Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21. Cincinnati Bengals-La'el Collins, T, LSU
22. Pittsburgh Steelers-Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
23. Detroit Lions-Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
24. Arizona Cardinals-Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St.
25. Carolina Panthers-Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
26. Baltimore Ravens-Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
27. Dallas Cowboys-Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
28. Denver Broncos-Cameron Erving, OL, Florida St.
29. Indianapolis Colts-Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
30. Green Bay Packers-Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
31. Seattle Seahawks-Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
32. New England Patriots-Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
Until the next one.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Fleeting Vikings Free Agency Thoughts
My thoughts on the free agency plans of the Minnesota Vikings are always in flux this time of the year. They change daily. Sometimes hourly. According to various estimates the Vikings will have anywhere from $13-20 million in cap space this offseason. That's a wide range. Some talking heads honk about the team being hamstrung in free agency because running back Adrian Peterson's suspension doesn't end until April 15. That's a bunch of hooey. The Vikings already know what they are going to do with Peterson. They signed him to the current contract. They intend to honor that contract. Just as they did with Jared Allen and his stunning $17 million salary in 2014. The Vikings have been one of the most financially sound teams since cap maestro Rob Brzezinski's been managing the numbers. They don't have any must-sign players among their own free agents. They took care of those players before the start of the 2014 NFL season when they extended the contracts of tight end Kyle Rudolph and guard Brandon Fusco.
Here are the Vikings unrestricted free agents:
Christian Ponder, QB
Jerome Felton, FB
Corey Wootton, DE
Cullen Loeffler, LS
Joe Berger, G/C
Tom Johnson, DT
Jasper Brinkley, LB
Vladimir Ducasse, G
Loeffler and Berger are the most likely to return and neither should take much out of the $13-20 million cap space. Johnson was very effective last season as a situational pass rusher. That solid season might be enough for him to seek more than the Vikings are willing to pay. He's on the wrong side of 30 but as a late-bloomer he doesn't have too much wear on his body.
Vikings restricted free agents:
Matt Asiata, RB
Dom DeCicco, LB
Josh Samuda, C
Mike Harris, T
Asiata and Harris are the most likely to return but all four will probably be in Mankato at the end of July.
If the Vikings devote any significant funds to their own players this offseason it will likely be to the players with contracts that expire in 2016. Like safety Harrison Smith. I feel an extension is more likely than exercising the fifth-year option that they hold on Smith as a first-round pick in 2012. Either way, Harrison Smith is certain to be in Minnesota for a long time.
So, now for the fun stuff. Free agent shopping. I don't see the Vikings being big players in free agency for a few reasons. First of all, they don't have a ton of cash to spend. Second of all, I think that some of their needs can be filled with players already on the roster. Head coach Mike Zimmer and his staff are terrific football teachers. Simply through an increased emphasis on techniques and fundamentals many Vikings players got better. That should only continue. Entering the 2015 offseason the Vikings greatest needs are:
Left guard
-Overall line play has to improve. It was often terrible last season. A return to health will help. Right guard Brandon Fusco missed nearly the entire season. Right tackle Phil Loadholt missed about half of it. Charlie Johnson has held the left guard job for the past few seasons. He's part of the reason for left tackle Matt Kalil's struggles. Johnson has to be replaced. And his $2.5 million salary for the 2015 season will be better used as increased cap room.
Cornerback
-The Vikings do have some talent at corner. Xavier Rhodes is a star in the making on one side. The other side could be improved. Josh Robinson, even though he was improved, was taken apart by some of the bigger receivers that the Vikings routinely face in their own division. Captain Munnerlyn had a so-so season and is better suited as the nickel corner. Adding a big corner opposite Rhodes would be nice. You can also never have enough good corners.
Safety
-Like corner, the Vikings need improved play at a position opposite a star. At safety, that star is Harrison Smith. Robert Blanton started most of the season. He did fine. So did Andrew Sendejo when called upon. But fine, doesn't always cut it. The partner to Smith at safety could be 2014 sixth-round pick Antone Exum. He was mostly a special teams player as a rookie but he has the natural talent to be a solid, or better, defensive player.
Middle linebacker
-Linebacker, in general, was the weakest unit on an improved defense last season. The Vikings simply need an impact player in the middle of the defense. Preferably a player that doesn't have to come off the field on passing downs.
Now, who might the Vikings pursue in free agency at those positions?
Left guard
-I like 2014 fifth-round pick David Yankey as the long term replacement for Charlie Johnson. If the Vikings go the free agency route:
Mike Iupati, San Francicso 49ers
Orlando Franklin, Denver Broncos
James Carpenter., Seattle Seahawks
Clint Boling, Cincinnati Bengals
-I doubt that the Vikings will spend what it will take to sign Iupati, Franklin, or Carpenter. That leaves Boling. While certainly more ready to play now than Yankey, I don't see Boling as a better option. And, that's with the fact that no one outside of the Vikings know what they have in Yankey.
Cornerback
Byron Maxwell, Settle Seahawks
Davon House, Green Bay Packers
Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans
Bradley Fletcher, Philadelphia Eagles
Perrish Cox, San Francisco 49ers
Chris Culliver, San Francisco 49ers
-Maxwell will probably be one of the big winners in the 2015 free agency spending spree. I don't see the Vikings getting in that bidding war. I do see the Vikings making a move at this position. Corner isn't especially strong in the 2015 NFL Draft so free agency might be the best option for improvement. I like House best from a physical standpoint but he spends too much time in the training room. I can see the Vikings pursuing Jackson or Fletcher. There's probably a better chance that Fletcher leaves his current team than Jackson. Fletcher was shaky through much of 2014. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.
Safety
Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
Da'Norris Searcy, Buffalo Bills
Jeron Johnson, Seattle Seahawks
Jeromy Miles, Baltimore Ravens
-Like Maxwell, McCourty will win big in free agency. I also don't see New England letting him go. Same with Searcy in Buffalo. Johnson is the curious one. He could be terrific but no one outside of Seattle would know that because he gets no playing time in that talented secondary. Miles has spent some time with Zimmer in Cincinnati. Miles was also released by Cincinnati while Zimmer was there. I can see the Vikings giving Johnson a shot at a starting safety spot. I'm just not so sure that he has more talent or potential than Exum.
Middle linebacker
Rolando McClain
Mason Foster
Nate Irving
-This is the one position that I can see the Vikings spending some decent money in free agency to improve. McClain reignited his NFL career with one solid, sometimes spectacular, season in Dallas. I'll bet that the Cowboys want to keep him but they have some significant free agents decisions to make. If McClain has truly committed himself to football and he can be pried away from the Cowboys, the Vikings should be interested. A dedicated McClain is a defensive difference-maker. With as long as he's bounced around the NFL trash heap it's amazing that he's only 25. Foster has intrigued me since his college days at Washington.
Many consider the Vikings receiver position a weakness. I wouldn't go that far but I do think that they Teddy Bridgewater could use another weapon. I see the draft as the place to find a receiver. I may be in the minority but I see any offensive line additions also coming from the draft. That mostly leaves defense as the target for improvements through free agency.
For now, probably changes tomorrow, I see a Vikings 2015 free agency class that is topped with:
Bradley Fletcher
Rolando McClain
There might still be enough questions with both that their price tags stay modest. I don't see the Vikings in a bidding war for any player.
This all probably changes tomorrow.
Here are the Vikings unrestricted free agents:
Christian Ponder, QB
Jerome Felton, FB
Corey Wootton, DE
Cullen Loeffler, LS
Joe Berger, G/C
Tom Johnson, DT
Jasper Brinkley, LB
Vladimir Ducasse, G
Loeffler and Berger are the most likely to return and neither should take much out of the $13-20 million cap space. Johnson was very effective last season as a situational pass rusher. That solid season might be enough for him to seek more than the Vikings are willing to pay. He's on the wrong side of 30 but as a late-bloomer he doesn't have too much wear on his body.
Vikings restricted free agents:
Matt Asiata, RB
Dom DeCicco, LB
Josh Samuda, C
Mike Harris, T
Asiata and Harris are the most likely to return but all four will probably be in Mankato at the end of July.
If the Vikings devote any significant funds to their own players this offseason it will likely be to the players with contracts that expire in 2016. Like safety Harrison Smith. I feel an extension is more likely than exercising the fifth-year option that they hold on Smith as a first-round pick in 2012. Either way, Harrison Smith is certain to be in Minnesota for a long time.
So, now for the fun stuff. Free agent shopping. I don't see the Vikings being big players in free agency for a few reasons. First of all, they don't have a ton of cash to spend. Second of all, I think that some of their needs can be filled with players already on the roster. Head coach Mike Zimmer and his staff are terrific football teachers. Simply through an increased emphasis on techniques and fundamentals many Vikings players got better. That should only continue. Entering the 2015 offseason the Vikings greatest needs are:
Left guard
-Overall line play has to improve. It was often terrible last season. A return to health will help. Right guard Brandon Fusco missed nearly the entire season. Right tackle Phil Loadholt missed about half of it. Charlie Johnson has held the left guard job for the past few seasons. He's part of the reason for left tackle Matt Kalil's struggles. Johnson has to be replaced. And his $2.5 million salary for the 2015 season will be better used as increased cap room.
Cornerback
-The Vikings do have some talent at corner. Xavier Rhodes is a star in the making on one side. The other side could be improved. Josh Robinson, even though he was improved, was taken apart by some of the bigger receivers that the Vikings routinely face in their own division. Captain Munnerlyn had a so-so season and is better suited as the nickel corner. Adding a big corner opposite Rhodes would be nice. You can also never have enough good corners.
Safety
-Like corner, the Vikings need improved play at a position opposite a star. At safety, that star is Harrison Smith. Robert Blanton started most of the season. He did fine. So did Andrew Sendejo when called upon. But fine, doesn't always cut it. The partner to Smith at safety could be 2014 sixth-round pick Antone Exum. He was mostly a special teams player as a rookie but he has the natural talent to be a solid, or better, defensive player.
Middle linebacker
-Linebacker, in general, was the weakest unit on an improved defense last season. The Vikings simply need an impact player in the middle of the defense. Preferably a player that doesn't have to come off the field on passing downs.
Now, who might the Vikings pursue in free agency at those positions?
Left guard
-I like 2014 fifth-round pick David Yankey as the long term replacement for Charlie Johnson. If the Vikings go the free agency route:
Mike Iupati, San Francicso 49ers
Orlando Franklin, Denver Broncos
James Carpenter., Seattle Seahawks
Clint Boling, Cincinnati Bengals
-I doubt that the Vikings will spend what it will take to sign Iupati, Franklin, or Carpenter. That leaves Boling. While certainly more ready to play now than Yankey, I don't see Boling as a better option. And, that's with the fact that no one outside of the Vikings know what they have in Yankey.
Cornerback
Byron Maxwell, Settle Seahawks
Davon House, Green Bay Packers
Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans
Bradley Fletcher, Philadelphia Eagles
Perrish Cox, San Francisco 49ers
Chris Culliver, San Francisco 49ers
-Maxwell will probably be one of the big winners in the 2015 free agency spending spree. I don't see the Vikings getting in that bidding war. I do see the Vikings making a move at this position. Corner isn't especially strong in the 2015 NFL Draft so free agency might be the best option for improvement. I like House best from a physical standpoint but he spends too much time in the training room. I can see the Vikings pursuing Jackson or Fletcher. There's probably a better chance that Fletcher leaves his current team than Jackson. Fletcher was shaky through much of 2014. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.
Safety
Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
Da'Norris Searcy, Buffalo Bills
Jeron Johnson, Seattle Seahawks
Jeromy Miles, Baltimore Ravens
-Like Maxwell, McCourty will win big in free agency. I also don't see New England letting him go. Same with Searcy in Buffalo. Johnson is the curious one. He could be terrific but no one outside of Seattle would know that because he gets no playing time in that talented secondary. Miles has spent some time with Zimmer in Cincinnati. Miles was also released by Cincinnati while Zimmer was there. I can see the Vikings giving Johnson a shot at a starting safety spot. I'm just not so sure that he has more talent or potential than Exum.
Middle linebacker
Rolando McClain
Mason Foster
Nate Irving
-This is the one position that I can see the Vikings spending some decent money in free agency to improve. McClain reignited his NFL career with one solid, sometimes spectacular, season in Dallas. I'll bet that the Cowboys want to keep him but they have some significant free agents decisions to make. If McClain has truly committed himself to football and he can be pried away from the Cowboys, the Vikings should be interested. A dedicated McClain is a defensive difference-maker. With as long as he's bounced around the NFL trash heap it's amazing that he's only 25. Foster has intrigued me since his college days at Washington.
Many consider the Vikings receiver position a weakness. I wouldn't go that far but I do think that they Teddy Bridgewater could use another weapon. I see the draft as the place to find a receiver. I may be in the minority but I see any offensive line additions also coming from the draft. That mostly leaves defense as the target for improvements through free agency.
For now, probably changes tomorrow, I see a Vikings 2015 free agency class that is topped with:
Bradley Fletcher
Rolando McClain
There might still be enough questions with both that their price tags stay modest. I don't see the Vikings in a bidding war for any player.
This all probably changes tomorrow.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Deflation Issues
From the "Official Rules of the NFL":
"The Ball must be a "Wilson," hand selected, bearing the signature of the Commissioner of the league, Roger Goodell.
The ball shall be made up of an inflated (12 1/2-13 1/2 pounds) urethane bladder enclosed in a pebble-grained, leather case (natural tan color) without corrugation of any kind. It shall have the form of a prolate spheroid and the size and weight shall be: long axis, 11 to 11 1/4 inches; long circumference, 28 to 28 1/2 inches; short circumference, 21 to 21 1/4 inches; weight, 14 to 15 ounces.
The Referee shall be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered for play comply with these specifications.
A pump is to be furnished by the home club, and balls shall remain with and be returned to the ball attendant prior to the start of the game by the Referee.
In the event a home-team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner."
Too much has been made of this stupid issue already. The fact that such a brouhaha has been raised over this is what bothers me the most. The fact that everyone has been skipping some significant issues is bothering me nearly as much. If the pressure of a football was such a serious issue, why is there a statement in the official rules stating that the Referee may use the "best available ball" if none conform to specifications. As long as it is reported to the Commissioner. Considering the commotion caused over a few fractions of psi one would think that the world would stop spinning before an under-inflated football is used in an NFL game. Yet, there's a statement straight from the rules that says that it's actually OK at times. Not only that. If under-inflated footballs are used in an NFL game it's entirely the fault of the Referee. It's his call as to which footballs are used. If the New England Patriots, or anyone, are introducing sketchy footballs into a game, it's up to the Referee to keep that from happening. The whole matter is ridiculous.
No one, that I'm aware, has asked how we arrived at a pressure of 12 1/2-13 1/2 psi for a regulation NFL football. Well, the NFL arrived at that specification back in 1934. A lot has changed in the last 80 years. Including those NFL footballs. An NFL football in 1934 was 21 1/4 to 21 1/2 inches. Slightly bigger than today's football. And, Wilson didn't make it. Chicago Bears owner George Halas didn't introduce the NFL and Wilson until 1940. Basically, there is really no reason now for that pressure range other than that's what it's been since 1934. There was no scientific study. It's not suggested by the manufacturer because the manufacturer then isn't manufacturing the footballs now. Carr, Halas, Mara, Marshall, Bell, Rooney, and the rest of the guys simply pumped up a football, tossed and kicked it around, and called it a good football. They wrote the new football's physical numbers in a book. No one has changed the acceptable psi since. It's remained the same through 80 years of changes, including the manufacturer of the football. Damn near everything about the game has changed except for the number of players on the field and the pressure of the football since 1934. With the apparent importance placed on the proper psi now one would think that someone would have looked into what makes a perfectly inflated football. And perfectly inflated for whom? It's a very subjective matter. The whole matter is ridiculous.
It's an arbitrary rule that's based more on tradition than function. The New England Patriots gained no competitive advantage. This whole matter is ridiculous.
"The Ball must be a "Wilson," hand selected, bearing the signature of the Commissioner of the league, Roger Goodell.
The ball shall be made up of an inflated (12 1/2-13 1/2 pounds) urethane bladder enclosed in a pebble-grained, leather case (natural tan color) without corrugation of any kind. It shall have the form of a prolate spheroid and the size and weight shall be: long axis, 11 to 11 1/4 inches; long circumference, 28 to 28 1/2 inches; short circumference, 21 to 21 1/4 inches; weight, 14 to 15 ounces.
The Referee shall be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered for play comply with these specifications.
A pump is to be furnished by the home club, and balls shall remain with and be returned to the ball attendant prior to the start of the game by the Referee.
In the event a home-team ball does not conform to specifications, or its supply is exhausted, the Referee shall secure a proper ball from visitors and, failing that, use the best available ball. Any such circumstances must be reported to the Commissioner."
Too much has been made of this stupid issue already. The fact that such a brouhaha has been raised over this is what bothers me the most. The fact that everyone has been skipping some significant issues is bothering me nearly as much. If the pressure of a football was such a serious issue, why is there a statement in the official rules stating that the Referee may use the "best available ball" if none conform to specifications. As long as it is reported to the Commissioner. Considering the commotion caused over a few fractions of psi one would think that the world would stop spinning before an under-inflated football is used in an NFL game. Yet, there's a statement straight from the rules that says that it's actually OK at times. Not only that. If under-inflated footballs are used in an NFL game it's entirely the fault of the Referee. It's his call as to which footballs are used. If the New England Patriots, or anyone, are introducing sketchy footballs into a game, it's up to the Referee to keep that from happening. The whole matter is ridiculous.
No one, that I'm aware, has asked how we arrived at a pressure of 12 1/2-13 1/2 psi for a regulation NFL football. Well, the NFL arrived at that specification back in 1934. A lot has changed in the last 80 years. Including those NFL footballs. An NFL football in 1934 was 21 1/4 to 21 1/2 inches. Slightly bigger than today's football. And, Wilson didn't make it. Chicago Bears owner George Halas didn't introduce the NFL and Wilson until 1940. Basically, there is really no reason now for that pressure range other than that's what it's been since 1934. There was no scientific study. It's not suggested by the manufacturer because the manufacturer then isn't manufacturing the footballs now. Carr, Halas, Mara, Marshall, Bell, Rooney, and the rest of the guys simply pumped up a football, tossed and kicked it around, and called it a good football. They wrote the new football's physical numbers in a book. No one has changed the acceptable psi since. It's remained the same through 80 years of changes, including the manufacturer of the football. Damn near everything about the game has changed except for the number of players on the field and the pressure of the football since 1934. With the apparent importance placed on the proper psi now one would think that someone would have looked into what makes a perfectly inflated football. And perfectly inflated for whom? It's a very subjective matter. The whole matter is ridiculous.
It's an arbitrary rule that's based more on tradition than function. The New England Patriots gained no competitive advantage. This whole matter is ridiculous.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Flea Flicker's Finest Free Agents
The NFL's 2015 free agency spending spree doesn't kick off for another month. March 10 to be exact. The players that are available then won't be as bountiful as they appear now. Teams will thin out the available free agent lists with last-minute signings and franchise tags. As it stands now, here are the best of the soon-to-be, possibly, free agents:
1. Justin Houston, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
-J.J. Watt made many miss the fantastic season that Houston had
2. Darrelle Revis, CB, New England Patriots
-technically not a free agent but that $20 million likely won't stand
3. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
-if this Thomas leaves, Manning retires
4. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions
-he'd probably be #1 if he wasn't such an ass
5. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
-I don't see the Cowboys letting Bryant sniff free agency
6. DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys
-still young rushing champ hits free agency?
7. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
-he's still a terrific pass rusher and he's only 26
8. Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots
-he'd look great with the Vikings!
9. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
-I don't see him leaving Green Bay
10. Greg Hardy, DE, Carolina Panthers
-he'd be way up this list if his off-the-field stuff wasn't an issue
11. Byron Maxwell, CB, Seattle Seahawks
-he'll likely turn his spin with the Seahawks defense into a huge payday
12. Rodney Hudson, C, Kansas City Chiefs
-at 26, he's one of the best centers in the league
13. Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo Bills
-another terrific pass rusher but how much of it was the Bills line
14. Mike Iupati, G, San Francisco 49ers
-about a year ago he was one of the best guards in the league
15. Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos
-when healthy and with Manning he was a beast
16. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia
-by the time free agency starts he could be the top receiver on this list
17. Brandon Flowers, CB, San Diego Chargers
-he's quietly one of the best cover corners in the league
18. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
-when he's on the field he's tough to catch
19. Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland Browns
-he might actually be a better tight end catch than Julius Thomas
20. Pernell McPhee, LB, Baltimore Ravens
-could he be the next Paul Kruger
21. Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins
-it would be interesting to see what Odrick could do with a full time job
22. Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
-he's been on the verge of breaking out for a few years now
23. Brandon Graham, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
-it would be interesting to see what he could do as a 4-3 end
24. Jason Worilds, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
-another fine pass rusher
25. Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos
-I feel like "Pot Roast" should be higher on this list
1. Justin Houston, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
-J.J. Watt made many miss the fantastic season that Houston had
2. Darrelle Revis, CB, New England Patriots
-technically not a free agent but that $20 million likely won't stand
3. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
-if this Thomas leaves, Manning retires
4. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions
-he'd probably be #1 if he wasn't such an ass
5. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
-I don't see the Cowboys letting Bryant sniff free agency
6. DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys
-still young rushing champ hits free agency?
7. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
-he's still a terrific pass rusher and he's only 26
8. Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots
-he'd look great with the Vikings!
9. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
-I don't see him leaving Green Bay
10. Greg Hardy, DE, Carolina Panthers
-he'd be way up this list if his off-the-field stuff wasn't an issue
11. Byron Maxwell, CB, Seattle Seahawks
-he'll likely turn his spin with the Seahawks defense into a huge payday
12. Rodney Hudson, C, Kansas City Chiefs
-at 26, he's one of the best centers in the league
13. Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo Bills
-another terrific pass rusher but how much of it was the Bills line
14. Mike Iupati, G, San Francisco 49ers
-about a year ago he was one of the best guards in the league
15. Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos
-when healthy and with Manning he was a beast
16. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia
-by the time free agency starts he could be the top receiver on this list
17. Brandon Flowers, CB, San Diego Chargers
-he's quietly one of the best cover corners in the league
18. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
-when he's on the field he's tough to catch
19. Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland Browns
-he might actually be a better tight end catch than Julius Thomas
20. Pernell McPhee, LB, Baltimore Ravens
-could he be the next Paul Kruger
21. Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins
-it would be interesting to see what Odrick could do with a full time job
22. Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
-he's been on the verge of breaking out for a few years now
23. Brandon Graham, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
-it would be interesting to see what he could do as a 4-3 end
24. Jason Worilds, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
-another fine pass rusher
25. Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos
-I feel like "Pot Roast" should be higher on this list
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Throwback Thursday: In Their Words
Even when we, as civilians, think that we understand the game of football, we really don't. We're only watching. Sometimes we just need to drop assumptions and listen to the players. When we really listen to what the players have to say about the game it's easy to understand why it's so hard for many of them to leave the game. At the same time, it's just as easy to wonder why they play the game at all.
In their words:
As a youngster I was very shy. I was scared to death of people. But football gave me an outlet for my emotions. Yo get the chance to go man-to-man and see if you can stand up against the best that they can throw at you. On a football field I was just a different person.
-Ernie Nevers, Hall of Fame tailback
The beauty of the game of football is that so often you are called upon to do something beyond your capabilities-and you do it.
-Dub Jones, All-Pro halfback, Cleveland Browns
During the game, I get caught up in the feeling of the action, in the intensity and movement and being a part of what's happening on that field. As soon as I walk off the field I have this tremendous letdown, this tremendous emotional relapse, just like coming down off the clouds.
-Merlin Olsen, Hall of Fame defensive tackle
The running back always has a little fear in him. You know that you've got that ball and wherever that ball is, that's where the crowd is going to be. And getting tackled is a thing that hurts. You know, nobody in his right mind wants to go ramming head on into someone else. But when you get out on the football field, I think you tend to go out of your mind. And that fear just makes you run faster and try harder.
-Mel Farr, halfback, Detroit Lions
I feel that a lot of football players build up a lot of anxieties in the off-season because they have no outlets for them. I think I do that very much. I'm most relaxed when I'm playing football. If I'm not getting rid of my energies this way, it builds up and I blow it off in some way that isn't proper in this society.
-Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame tight end
Football is a violent game. You are physically attacking another person. To do this, you almost have to change your personality, to break down some of the things taught you, because this is not accepted in our society.
-Howard Mudd, guard, San Francisco 49ers
I never will forget a game in 1952 in Cleveland and I had my first chance to tackle Marion Motley. He looked like a big tank rolling down on me. But you got to take him on. I hit him with my head in the knees and he came down. I saw a few stars but I felt good, because I tackled Marion Motley.
-Night Train Lane, Hall of Fame cornerback
Anybody who says this game is beastly, brutal and nasty, he's right. You are out there to inflict punishment, but not to take it. You want to be the hitter not the hittee. It's a great personal satisfaction when get a good hit on someone. You know you have done a good job. And you know that the other guy is wondering what the hell happened, and who the hell are you and now he's got to respect you a little bit.
-Wayne Walker, linebacker, Detroit Lions
I think the nature of man is to be aggressive and football is a violent game. But I think the very violence is one of the great things about the game, because a man has to learn control. He is going to go in to knock somebody's block off, and yet he must keep a rein on it. I can't think of any other place that demands such discipline.
-Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame coach
Training camp is tough, and there's some pain. But it's a good life. It's better than working.
-Doug Atkins, Hall of Fame defensive end
You couldn't take a man off the street and break his hand and say, "All right, get out there and play," There isn't enough money around for that.
-Maxie Baughn, linebacker, Los Angeles Rams
I'm like most human beings. If I weren't in this sport I don't think I would be wanting to limp around all the time worrying about my broken bones. But that's the business we're in. It's just out there. It's strange, though. If you lay around in bed with a broken rib you feel real bad, but when that whistle blows, you don't feel it anymore. A lot of times you can't even find where you were injured.
-Cornell Green, cornerback, Dallas Cowboys
The most thrilling thing in football to me is for the team to execute a play perfectly. The coaches design the play and then we practice it for hours. But in the game so many things can happen that it almost never works out right. So when the time comes, and all eleven men do their job right, it's a beautiful moment.
-Ernie Green, halfback, Cleveland Browns
In their words:
As a youngster I was very shy. I was scared to death of people. But football gave me an outlet for my emotions. Yo get the chance to go man-to-man and see if you can stand up against the best that they can throw at you. On a football field I was just a different person.
-Ernie Nevers, Hall of Fame tailback
The beauty of the game of football is that so often you are called upon to do something beyond your capabilities-and you do it.
-Dub Jones, All-Pro halfback, Cleveland Browns
During the game, I get caught up in the feeling of the action, in the intensity and movement and being a part of what's happening on that field. As soon as I walk off the field I have this tremendous letdown, this tremendous emotional relapse, just like coming down off the clouds.
-Merlin Olsen, Hall of Fame defensive tackle
The running back always has a little fear in him. You know that you've got that ball and wherever that ball is, that's where the crowd is going to be. And getting tackled is a thing that hurts. You know, nobody in his right mind wants to go ramming head on into someone else. But when you get out on the football field, I think you tend to go out of your mind. And that fear just makes you run faster and try harder.
-Mel Farr, halfback, Detroit Lions
I feel that a lot of football players build up a lot of anxieties in the off-season because they have no outlets for them. I think I do that very much. I'm most relaxed when I'm playing football. If I'm not getting rid of my energies this way, it builds up and I blow it off in some way that isn't proper in this society.
-Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame tight end
Football is a violent game. You are physically attacking another person. To do this, you almost have to change your personality, to break down some of the things taught you, because this is not accepted in our society.
-Howard Mudd, guard, San Francisco 49ers
I never will forget a game in 1952 in Cleveland and I had my first chance to tackle Marion Motley. He looked like a big tank rolling down on me. But you got to take him on. I hit him with my head in the knees and he came down. I saw a few stars but I felt good, because I tackled Marion Motley.
-Night Train Lane, Hall of Fame cornerback
Anybody who says this game is beastly, brutal and nasty, he's right. You are out there to inflict punishment, but not to take it. You want to be the hitter not the hittee. It's a great personal satisfaction when get a good hit on someone. You know you have done a good job. And you know that the other guy is wondering what the hell happened, and who the hell are you and now he's got to respect you a little bit.
-Wayne Walker, linebacker, Detroit Lions
I think the nature of man is to be aggressive and football is a violent game. But I think the very violence is one of the great things about the game, because a man has to learn control. He is going to go in to knock somebody's block off, and yet he must keep a rein on it. I can't think of any other place that demands such discipline.
-Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame coach
Training camp is tough, and there's some pain. But it's a good life. It's better than working.
-Doug Atkins, Hall of Fame defensive end
You couldn't take a man off the street and break his hand and say, "All right, get out there and play," There isn't enough money around for that.
-Maxie Baughn, linebacker, Los Angeles Rams
I'm like most human beings. If I weren't in this sport I don't think I would be wanting to limp around all the time worrying about my broken bones. But that's the business we're in. It's just out there. It's strange, though. If you lay around in bed with a broken rib you feel real bad, but when that whistle blows, you don't feel it anymore. A lot of times you can't even find where you were injured.
-Cornell Green, cornerback, Dallas Cowboys
The most thrilling thing in football to me is for the team to execute a play perfectly. The coaches design the play and then we practice it for hours. But in the game so many things can happen that it almost never works out right. So when the time comes, and all eleven men do their job right, it's a beautiful moment.
-Ernie Green, halfback, Cleveland Browns
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Cal Recruits
Seeing as I'm still stuck on the high school recruiting process from last week's National Signing Day, here's a look back at Cal's recruiting classes since Jeff Tedford was hired as head coach in 2002. Ranks are from Scout Recruiting.
2002-#62 ranked class in the nation
4-star:
Kevin Johnson, K
Others:
David Gray, WR
Marcus O'Keith, RB
Erik Robertson, OL
Tim Mixon
It was a good thing that Tedford actually inherited a fairly talented roster from Tom Holmoe. O'Keith, Robertson, and Mixon made some impact on the program.
2003-#24
4-star
Brandon Mebane, DT
Others:
J.J. Arrington, RB
Craig Stevens, TE
Thomas DeCoud
Ryan Riddle
Matt Giordano
Aaron Rodgers
Matthew Malele
Joe Maningo
This is the sort of class that makes one rethink the accuracy of the "star" ranking system. Mebane exceeded his 4-star ranking. The rest had few, if any, "stars" following their names. Rodgers was a hit the moment he stepped on the Memorial Stadium turf. His recruiting remains a mystery.
2004-#29
4-star:
Sekeli Faaeteete, RB
Philip Mbakogu, DE
Marshawn Lynch, RB
Others:
Virdell Larkins, CB
Justin Forsett, RB
Robert Jordan, WR
Worrell Williams, LB
Bernard Hicks, CB
Mike Tepper, OL
Alex Mack, C
Nate Longshore, QB
John Gibson, OL
Longshore's sophomore season had this class looking ridiculous. When the dust cleared Lynch, Forsett, Williams, and Mack were the clear stars of this class. Lynch and Mack were first round picks in the NFL Draft.
2005-#9
5-star:
DeSean Jackson, WR
Lavelle Hawkins, WR
Desmond Bishop, LB
4-star
Robert Peele, CB
Anthony Felder, LB
Syd'Quan Thompson, CB
Zack Follett, LB
Kyle Reed, QB
Jesse Canada, WR
Others:
Tyson Alualu, DT
Cameron Morrah, DE
Marcus Ezeff, S
Tad Smith, DE
Eddie Young, DE
This was rarefied air for Cal. Three 5-stars! A top-10 recruiting class! That's inconceivable! Tedford and the Bears were on the NCAA recruiting map now.
2006-#23
4-star:
Darian Hagan, CB
James Montgomery, RB
Tracy Slocum, RB
Derrick Hill, DT
Mike Costanzo, DT
Kevin Riley, QB
Others:
Rulon Davis, DE
Mike Mohamed, LB
Chris Guarnero, OL
Jeremy Ross, WR
Mike Gibson, OL
Keith Browner, DE
This class turned out to be a bit of a tease. There were flashes from several of the players but nothing sustained. Mohamed ended up being the best player of the bunch.
2007-#12
4-stars:
Matt Summers-Gavin, G
Jahvid Best, RB
D.J. Holt, LB
Bryan Anger, P
Mike Calvin, WR
Sam DeMartinis, OL
Justin Cheadle, G
Shane Vereen, RB
Brock Mansion, QB
Alex Lageman, WR
Others:
Chris Conte, S
Ernest Owusu, DE
Cameron Jordan, DE
Robert Mullins, LB
John Tyndall, FB
Solomon Aigamaua, LB
Devin Bishop, LB
Sean Cattouse, S
Mitchell Schwartz, OL
Skylar Curran, TE
D.J. Campbell, CB
This class was loaded. Injuries impacted some(Best and Summers-Gavin). Anger, Vereen, Conte, Jordan, and Schwartz are in the middle of solid NFL careers. Vereen just played a nice role for a Super Bowl champ.
2008-#32
4-star:
Covaughn DeBoskie, RB
Marvin Jones, WR
Trevor Guyton, DT
Tyler Rigsbee, T
Others:
Bryant NnBuife, S
Josh Hill, CB
Dominic Galas, C
Aaron Tipoti, DE
Kendrick Payne, DT
Mychal Kendricks, LB
Anthony Miller, TE
Spencer Ladner, TE
Beau Sweeney, QB
J.P. Hurrell, S
Jones and Kendricks were terrific college football players. They are terrific NFL players. I never felt that Cal took proper advantage of the talents of Miller.
2009-#34
4-star:
Mark Brazinski, C
Steve Williams, CB
Dasarte Yarway, RB
Allan Bridgford, QB
Others:
Charles Siddoway, T
Vincenzo D'Amato, K
Keni Kaufusi, DT
Charles Ragland, T
Isi Sofele, RB
DeAndre Coleman, DT
Alex Logan, S
Brian Schwenke, C
Williams, Sofele, Coleman, and Schwenke made the biggest impact on the Cal program. Schwenke is playing in the NFL.
2010-#35
5-star:
Keenan Allen, WR
4-star:
Gabe King, DE
Alex Crosthwaite, T
David Wilkerson, LB
Cecil Whiteside, LB
Others:
Chris McCain, DE
Michael Lowe, S
Jacob Wark, TE
Nick Forbes, LB
Chris Adcock, C
Geoffrey Gibson, T
It's a little surprising that this class was only ranked #35. Allen, King, Crosthwaite, Wilkerson, and Whiteside were among the top-300 players in the nation. Allen was #5.
2011-#16
5-star:
Viliami Moala, DT
4-star:
Stefan McClure, CB
Brennan Scarlett, DE
Jason Gibson, LB
Daniel Lasco, RB
Jordan Rigsbee, G
Kyle Boehm, QB
Mustafa Jalil, DT
Todd Barr, DT
Others:
Kameron Jackson, CB
C.J. Anderson, RB
Joel Willis, CB
Avery Sebastian, S
Matt Williams, T
Maurice Harris, WR
Darren Ervin, RB
This class was filled with very good college football players.
2012-#39
5-star:
Bryce Treggs, WR
4-star:
Zach Kline, QB
Kenny Lawler, WR
Cedric Dozier, CB
Michael Barton, LB
Others:
Jeffrey Coprich, RB
Demariay Drew, S
Matt Cochran, C
Steven Moore, T
Chris Harper, WR
Darius Powe, WR
Freddie Tagaloa, T
Christian Okafor, T
Cole Leininger, K
Maximo Espita, FB
Hardy Nickerson, LB
This is the class that "might have been." Shaq Thompson and Jordan Payton were Cal commits and Arik Armstead may have been leaning that way until defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi took the money and ran to Washington. He took Thompson with him. Payton went to UCLA. Armstead went to Oregon. If Cal had landed those elite players, Tedford might still be coaching at Cal. This class, combined with the previous two, brought a lot of talent to Berkeley.
2013-#31
4-star:
Jared Goff, QB
Others:
Darius Allensworth, CB
Aaron Cochran, T
Chris Borrayo, G
Kyle Kragen, DE
Cameron Walker, CB
Caleb Coleman, WR
Khalfani Muhammad, RB
Chad Whitener, LB
It's tough to recruit when a school is between coaches. This class is probably more Tedford than Sonny Dykes. Tedford recruited Goff but Dykes benefited.
2014-#44
4-star:
Erik Brown, WR
Others:
Darius White, CB
Trevor Kelly, DT
Devante Downs, FB
Quentin Tartabull, S
Vic Enwere, RB
Luke Rubenzer, QB
Tre Watson, RB
It's a little early to get a read on the first recruiting class of Sonny Dykes. Enwere and Watson got a chance to carry the ball as freshmen and looked good. Rubenzer came in and provided something a little different at quarterback.
Four of Cal's six 5-star recruits since 2002 were receivers.
The biggest problem that Cal has had in the last decade is finding a proficient quarterback. Except for one good season from Nate Longshore, Berkeley has been a quarterback wasteland since Aaron Rodgers left for the NFL. Tedford included a 4-star quarterback in nearly every recruiting class. None of them took over. The only quarterback that has shown any sustained production is the last one that Tedford recruited. Jared Goff. He'll likely have every Cal passing record by the time that he's done. And he could be done next year. His third. Only eight college teams have more players in the NFL than Cal. Rodgers is the only quarterback. Despite all that talent Cal hasn't won much recently. No quarterback. They should be able to win with Goff but their defense is an absolute disaster. If they can get that side of the playing well, avoiding injuries would certainly help, 2015 could be a very fun year.
2002-#62 ranked class in the nation
4-star:
Kevin Johnson, K
Others:
David Gray, WR
Marcus O'Keith, RB
Erik Robertson, OL
Tim Mixon
It was a good thing that Tedford actually inherited a fairly talented roster from Tom Holmoe. O'Keith, Robertson, and Mixon made some impact on the program.
2003-#24
4-star
Brandon Mebane, DT
Others:
J.J. Arrington, RB
Craig Stevens, TE
Thomas DeCoud
Ryan Riddle
Matt Giordano
Aaron Rodgers
Matthew Malele
Joe Maningo
This is the sort of class that makes one rethink the accuracy of the "star" ranking system. Mebane exceeded his 4-star ranking. The rest had few, if any, "stars" following their names. Rodgers was a hit the moment he stepped on the Memorial Stadium turf. His recruiting remains a mystery.
2004-#29
4-star:
Sekeli Faaeteete, RB
Philip Mbakogu, DE
Marshawn Lynch, RB
Others:
Virdell Larkins, CB
Justin Forsett, RB
Robert Jordan, WR
Worrell Williams, LB
Bernard Hicks, CB
Mike Tepper, OL
Alex Mack, C
Nate Longshore, QB
John Gibson, OL
Longshore's sophomore season had this class looking ridiculous. When the dust cleared Lynch, Forsett, Williams, and Mack were the clear stars of this class. Lynch and Mack were first round picks in the NFL Draft.
2005-#9
5-star:
DeSean Jackson, WR
Lavelle Hawkins, WR
Desmond Bishop, LB
4-star
Robert Peele, CB
Anthony Felder, LB
Syd'Quan Thompson, CB
Zack Follett, LB
Kyle Reed, QB
Jesse Canada, WR
Others:
Tyson Alualu, DT
Cameron Morrah, DE
Marcus Ezeff, S
Tad Smith, DE
Eddie Young, DE
This was rarefied air for Cal. Three 5-stars! A top-10 recruiting class! That's inconceivable! Tedford and the Bears were on the NCAA recruiting map now.
2006-#23
4-star:
Darian Hagan, CB
James Montgomery, RB
Tracy Slocum, RB
Derrick Hill, DT
Mike Costanzo, DT
Kevin Riley, QB
Others:
Rulon Davis, DE
Mike Mohamed, LB
Chris Guarnero, OL
Jeremy Ross, WR
Mike Gibson, OL
Keith Browner, DE
This class turned out to be a bit of a tease. There were flashes from several of the players but nothing sustained. Mohamed ended up being the best player of the bunch.
2007-#12
4-stars:
Matt Summers-Gavin, G
Jahvid Best, RB
D.J. Holt, LB
Bryan Anger, P
Mike Calvin, WR
Sam DeMartinis, OL
Justin Cheadle, G
Shane Vereen, RB
Brock Mansion, QB
Alex Lageman, WR
Others:
Chris Conte, S
Ernest Owusu, DE
Cameron Jordan, DE
Robert Mullins, LB
John Tyndall, FB
Solomon Aigamaua, LB
Devin Bishop, LB
Sean Cattouse, S
Mitchell Schwartz, OL
Skylar Curran, TE
D.J. Campbell, CB
This class was loaded. Injuries impacted some(Best and Summers-Gavin). Anger, Vereen, Conte, Jordan, and Schwartz are in the middle of solid NFL careers. Vereen just played a nice role for a Super Bowl champ.
2008-#32
4-star:
Covaughn DeBoskie, RB
Marvin Jones, WR
Trevor Guyton, DT
Tyler Rigsbee, T
Others:
Bryant NnBuife, S
Josh Hill, CB
Dominic Galas, C
Aaron Tipoti, DE
Kendrick Payne, DT
Mychal Kendricks, LB
Anthony Miller, TE
Spencer Ladner, TE
Beau Sweeney, QB
J.P. Hurrell, S
Jones and Kendricks were terrific college football players. They are terrific NFL players. I never felt that Cal took proper advantage of the talents of Miller.
2009-#34
4-star:
Mark Brazinski, C
Steve Williams, CB
Dasarte Yarway, RB
Allan Bridgford, QB
Others:
Charles Siddoway, T
Vincenzo D'Amato, K
Keni Kaufusi, DT
Charles Ragland, T
Isi Sofele, RB
DeAndre Coleman, DT
Alex Logan, S
Brian Schwenke, C
Williams, Sofele, Coleman, and Schwenke made the biggest impact on the Cal program. Schwenke is playing in the NFL.
2010-#35
5-star:
Keenan Allen, WR
4-star:
Gabe King, DE
Alex Crosthwaite, T
David Wilkerson, LB
Cecil Whiteside, LB
Others:
Chris McCain, DE
Michael Lowe, S
Jacob Wark, TE
Nick Forbes, LB
Chris Adcock, C
Geoffrey Gibson, T
It's a little surprising that this class was only ranked #35. Allen, King, Crosthwaite, Wilkerson, and Whiteside were among the top-300 players in the nation. Allen was #5.
2011-#16
5-star:
Viliami Moala, DT
4-star:
Stefan McClure, CB
Brennan Scarlett, DE
Jason Gibson, LB
Daniel Lasco, RB
Jordan Rigsbee, G
Kyle Boehm, QB
Mustafa Jalil, DT
Todd Barr, DT
Others:
Kameron Jackson, CB
C.J. Anderson, RB
Joel Willis, CB
Avery Sebastian, S
Matt Williams, T
Maurice Harris, WR
Darren Ervin, RB
This class was filled with very good college football players.
2012-#39
5-star:
Bryce Treggs, WR
4-star:
Zach Kline, QB
Kenny Lawler, WR
Cedric Dozier, CB
Michael Barton, LB
Others:
Jeffrey Coprich, RB
Demariay Drew, S
Matt Cochran, C
Steven Moore, T
Chris Harper, WR
Darius Powe, WR
Freddie Tagaloa, T
Christian Okafor, T
Cole Leininger, K
Maximo Espita, FB
Hardy Nickerson, LB
This is the class that "might have been." Shaq Thompson and Jordan Payton were Cal commits and Arik Armstead may have been leaning that way until defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi took the money and ran to Washington. He took Thompson with him. Payton went to UCLA. Armstead went to Oregon. If Cal had landed those elite players, Tedford might still be coaching at Cal. This class, combined with the previous two, brought a lot of talent to Berkeley.
2013-#31
4-star:
Jared Goff, QB
Others:
Darius Allensworth, CB
Aaron Cochran, T
Chris Borrayo, G
Kyle Kragen, DE
Cameron Walker, CB
Caleb Coleman, WR
Khalfani Muhammad, RB
Chad Whitener, LB
It's tough to recruit when a school is between coaches. This class is probably more Tedford than Sonny Dykes. Tedford recruited Goff but Dykes benefited.
2014-#44
4-star:
Erik Brown, WR
Others:
Darius White, CB
Trevor Kelly, DT
Devante Downs, FB
Quentin Tartabull, S
Vic Enwere, RB
Luke Rubenzer, QB
Tre Watson, RB
It's a little early to get a read on the first recruiting class of Sonny Dykes. Enwere and Watson got a chance to carry the ball as freshmen and looked good. Rubenzer came in and provided something a little different at quarterback.
Four of Cal's six 5-star recruits since 2002 were receivers.
The biggest problem that Cal has had in the last decade is finding a proficient quarterback. Except for one good season from Nate Longshore, Berkeley has been a quarterback wasteland since Aaron Rodgers left for the NFL. Tedford included a 4-star quarterback in nearly every recruiting class. None of them took over. The only quarterback that has shown any sustained production is the last one that Tedford recruited. Jared Goff. He'll likely have every Cal passing record by the time that he's done. And he could be done next year. His third. Only eight college teams have more players in the NFL than Cal. Rodgers is the only quarterback. Despite all that talent Cal hasn't won much recently. No quarterback. They should be able to win with Goff but their defense is an absolute disaster. If they can get that side of the playing well, avoiding injuries would certainly help, 2015 could be a very fun year.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
RIP Mr. Sabol
Ed and Steve are together once more.
The NFL and film lost a true pioneer with the passing of Ed Sabol yesterday. He was 98. Sabol's Blair Motion Pictures and NFL Films brought generations of fans to the NFL. So many learned of the game and fell for the game through the magnificent film reproductions of a football game. The Sabol's work made a spinning football read like poetry. They turned a violent game into art. A remarkable feat.
The NFL so often can't get out of it's own way. One of the best moves that the league ever made was purchasing Sabol's Blair Motion Pictures. The purchase was at Ed's suggestion. The father and son film company became part of the NFL as NFL Films. The league furthered that smart purchase by letting the Sabol's run their own show. The league stayed out of the way, completely. That was the best move of all. The league let father and son make the magic happen. The Sabol's never stopped. They made football better. They made film better. The best parts of football and the NFL are found in the incredible work that comes out of those buildings in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Steve Sabol passed away, too soon, in 2011. He stuck around long enough to present his father for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ed is once again with his friend and son.
The Sabol's have given us so much. One of the greatest is the people that carry on the magic of NFL Films. Those that remain carry on with the passion they inherited from a remarkable family. The Sabol's and NFL Films are the "keepers of the flame." That has never been more true.
RIP Ed Sabol
The NFL and film lost a true pioneer with the passing of Ed Sabol yesterday. He was 98. Sabol's Blair Motion Pictures and NFL Films brought generations of fans to the NFL. So many learned of the game and fell for the game through the magnificent film reproductions of a football game. The Sabol's work made a spinning football read like poetry. They turned a violent game into art. A remarkable feat.
The NFL so often can't get out of it's own way. One of the best moves that the league ever made was purchasing Sabol's Blair Motion Pictures. The purchase was at Ed's suggestion. The father and son film company became part of the NFL as NFL Films. The league furthered that smart purchase by letting the Sabol's run their own show. The league stayed out of the way, completely. That was the best move of all. The league let father and son make the magic happen. The Sabol's never stopped. They made football better. They made film better. The best parts of football and the NFL are found in the incredible work that comes out of those buildings in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Steve Sabol passed away, too soon, in 2011. He stuck around long enough to present his father for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ed is once again with his friend and son.
The Sabol's have given us so much. One of the greatest is the people that carry on the magic of NFL Films. Those that remain carry on with the passion they inherited from a remarkable family. The Sabol's and NFL Films are the "keepers of the flame." That has never been more true.
RIP Ed Sabol
Monday, February 9, 2015
It's All About The Stars
High School football recruiting has always been a little sketchy at best. There's really no telling how a kid is going to grow physically or mentally as he moves to the college level. Aaron Rodgers was a tiny little fellow when he completed his high school football days. Nobody even took a second look. let alone a first look, at the kid. The incorporation of "stars" by a bunch of recruiting analysts as a designation of talent has made the process even more sketchy. Much of the rankings are made from word of mouth and/or viewing game film. The fact that no 5-star recruit started for either the New England Patriots or the Seattle Seahawks in the recent Super Bowl says something about the star-studded rating system as a measure of future football success. Maybe the best football players are those that were saddled with a modest three stars. It made them hungry.
On the occasion of last Wednesday's National Signing Day, Matt Vensel of the the Minneapolis Star Tribune took a look at how some of the current Minnesota Vikings measured up heading into college, according to Rivals.
Teddy Bridgewater-4-star. Originally committed to Miami. Eventually flipped to Louisville
Shariff Floyd-5-star. He had a bunch of offers. Signed with Florida.
Chad Greenway-This was way back in 2001. There were no "stars" by Rivals or Scout. Greenway played 9-man football in itty-bitty Mt. Vernon, SD. Signed with Iowa.
Everson Griffen-5-star. Top-ranked defensive end in the country. Signed with USC.
Matt Kalil-5-star. Third-ranked offensive tackle in the country. Signed with USC.
Jerrick McKinnon-3-star. Signed with Georgia Southern.
Captain Munnerlyn-2-star. Lightly recruited. Signed with South Carolina.
Adrian Peterson-5-star. #1 high school football player in the nation by Rivals. Signed with Oklahoma.
Cordarrelle Patterson-He didn't receive much attention out of high school. He went the Junior College route and became one of the top JUCO recruits in the nation. 4-star. Signed with Tennessee.
Christian Ponder-3-star. 14th-ranked quarterback in the country. Signed with Florida St.
Xavier Rhodes-3-star. 75th-ranked cornerback in the country. Signed with Florida St.
Brian Robison-3-star. As a linebacker. Signed with Texas.
Kyle Rudolph-5-star. Top tight end in the country. Signed with Notre Dame.
Harrison Smith-4-star. 25th-ranked athlete in the country. He was an excellent running back in addition to safety. Signed with Notre Dame.
John Sullivan-4-star. 3rd-ranked center in the country. Signed with Notre Dame.
Adam Thielen-nada. Rivals didn't even acknowledge him. Signed with Minnesota State-Mankato. He's in the NFL now.
On the occasion of last Wednesday's National Signing Day, Matt Vensel of the the Minneapolis Star Tribune took a look at how some of the current Minnesota Vikings measured up heading into college, according to Rivals.
Teddy Bridgewater-4-star. Originally committed to Miami. Eventually flipped to Louisville
Shariff Floyd-5-star. He had a bunch of offers. Signed with Florida.
Chad Greenway-This was way back in 2001. There were no "stars" by Rivals or Scout. Greenway played 9-man football in itty-bitty Mt. Vernon, SD. Signed with Iowa.
Everson Griffen-5-star. Top-ranked defensive end in the country. Signed with USC.
Matt Kalil-5-star. Third-ranked offensive tackle in the country. Signed with USC.
Jerrick McKinnon-3-star. Signed with Georgia Southern.
Captain Munnerlyn-2-star. Lightly recruited. Signed with South Carolina.
Adrian Peterson-5-star. #1 high school football player in the nation by Rivals. Signed with Oklahoma.
Cordarrelle Patterson-He didn't receive much attention out of high school. He went the Junior College route and became one of the top JUCO recruits in the nation. 4-star. Signed with Tennessee.
Christian Ponder-3-star. 14th-ranked quarterback in the country. Signed with Florida St.
Xavier Rhodes-3-star. 75th-ranked cornerback in the country. Signed with Florida St.
Brian Robison-3-star. As a linebacker. Signed with Texas.
Kyle Rudolph-5-star. Top tight end in the country. Signed with Notre Dame.
Harrison Smith-4-star. 25th-ranked athlete in the country. He was an excellent running back in addition to safety. Signed with Notre Dame.
John Sullivan-4-star. 3rd-ranked center in the country. Signed with Notre Dame.
Adam Thielen-nada. Rivals didn't even acknowledge him. Signed with Minnesota State-Mankato. He's in the NFL now.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
It's Time
It's time to reinstate Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
Actually, it was time to reinstate Adrian Peterson months ago but "the Goods" Goodell had to make a pathetic statement. He had to show that he was in control of a league running a little wild. He had to make a statement with Peterson when he should have simply been doing his job all along. He didn't reinstate Peterson when he should have so he should do it now so that team and player can start getting ready for 2015. The "suspension" crippled the Vikings in 2014. It shouldn't do the same for a second season.
One of the most annoying aspects of Peterson's excessive "suspension" is the spin put on it by the media. Every single article written on the subject questions Peterson's return to the Vikings. I suppose that sort of drama is a better story for the easily entertained but it hardly embraces fact. Why wouldn't Peterson be carrying the ball for the Vikings next year? Putting him in the backfield with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is a dynamite idea. Except for the magical 2009 season with Brett Favre the Vikings have trotted out a bunch of stiffs at quarterback since Peterson was drafted in 2007. In all of Peterson's Vikings days Bridgewater is the only quarterback that has inspired any long term hope in Minnesota. The young quarterback could help make Peterson's next several years his best years. And that's saying a lot. The media honks on about Peterson turning 30 next month and his $15.4 million salary cap hit. Honking that both are reasons for the Vikings to trade their star back. If those are reasons for the Vikings to trade him, why aren't they reasons for a team not to trade for him? That's a puzzle. The excessive "suspension" saved a year of wear on his 30-year old body. He's also not your normal 30-year old man. The manner in which he returned from a brutal knee injury in 2011 is an excellent example of that. When the Vikings signed Peterson to a contract extension a few years ago they knew that he would have a $15.4 million cap hit when he turned 30. I'm not sure why the media thinks that the salary and the age are suddenly some big surprise. The Vikings planned for this. If the Vikings have done anything right in the last 15 years it's managing their salary cap. Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski is a cap-managing maestro. They had no problem with defensive end Jared Allen's ridiculous $17.9 million cap hit in the last year of his contract. The Vikings accounted for it and accepted it despite the media honking that they wouldn't. The same is true for the 30-year-old Peterson and his manageable cap hit. It's only a story because the media made it one.
Beyond the age and the money, the media has honked about whether Peterson and the Vikings even want to continue their relationship. I've never understood where any of that comes from. The only Vikings player, coach, or executive that has said anything negative about Peterson returning is Vice President of Legal Affairs Kevin Warren. He's the "bad guy" among Vikings fans now. Which is a little unfair. Warren's concerns came during the season. Early in the season when the negativity surrounding Peterson was at it's height. His concerns are the concerns that come with his job of managing the Vikings legal issues. Sponsors were wavering, even leaving the Vikings. The person responsible for the Vikings legal concerns should be wary of Peterson's return. I haven't heard if Warren is still whistling the same tune. Everybody on the football side of things has been overwhelmingly positive in a Peterson return. They will welcome him home. They will welcome him with open arms.
Peterson was in a Minnesota courtroom Friday as he and the NFLPA take the legal route to end the ridiculously long "suspension." When he was asked if he wants to return to the Vikings next season, Peterson, "Of course." There you go.
It's time. It's time to end this. The "suspension." And the stupid articles.
Actually, it was time to reinstate Adrian Peterson months ago but "the Goods" Goodell had to make a pathetic statement. He had to show that he was in control of a league running a little wild. He had to make a statement with Peterson when he should have simply been doing his job all along. He didn't reinstate Peterson when he should have so he should do it now so that team and player can start getting ready for 2015. The "suspension" crippled the Vikings in 2014. It shouldn't do the same for a second season.
One of the most annoying aspects of Peterson's excessive "suspension" is the spin put on it by the media. Every single article written on the subject questions Peterson's return to the Vikings. I suppose that sort of drama is a better story for the easily entertained but it hardly embraces fact. Why wouldn't Peterson be carrying the ball for the Vikings next year? Putting him in the backfield with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is a dynamite idea. Except for the magical 2009 season with Brett Favre the Vikings have trotted out a bunch of stiffs at quarterback since Peterson was drafted in 2007. In all of Peterson's Vikings days Bridgewater is the only quarterback that has inspired any long term hope in Minnesota. The young quarterback could help make Peterson's next several years his best years. And that's saying a lot. The media honks on about Peterson turning 30 next month and his $15.4 million salary cap hit. Honking that both are reasons for the Vikings to trade their star back. If those are reasons for the Vikings to trade him, why aren't they reasons for a team not to trade for him? That's a puzzle. The excessive "suspension" saved a year of wear on his 30-year old body. He's also not your normal 30-year old man. The manner in which he returned from a brutal knee injury in 2011 is an excellent example of that. When the Vikings signed Peterson to a contract extension a few years ago they knew that he would have a $15.4 million cap hit when he turned 30. I'm not sure why the media thinks that the salary and the age are suddenly some big surprise. The Vikings planned for this. If the Vikings have done anything right in the last 15 years it's managing their salary cap. Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski is a cap-managing maestro. They had no problem with defensive end Jared Allen's ridiculous $17.9 million cap hit in the last year of his contract. The Vikings accounted for it and accepted it despite the media honking that they wouldn't. The same is true for the 30-year-old Peterson and his manageable cap hit. It's only a story because the media made it one.
Beyond the age and the money, the media has honked about whether Peterson and the Vikings even want to continue their relationship. I've never understood where any of that comes from. The only Vikings player, coach, or executive that has said anything negative about Peterson returning is Vice President of Legal Affairs Kevin Warren. He's the "bad guy" among Vikings fans now. Which is a little unfair. Warren's concerns came during the season. Early in the season when the negativity surrounding Peterson was at it's height. His concerns are the concerns that come with his job of managing the Vikings legal issues. Sponsors were wavering, even leaving the Vikings. The person responsible for the Vikings legal concerns should be wary of Peterson's return. I haven't heard if Warren is still whistling the same tune. Everybody on the football side of things has been overwhelmingly positive in a Peterson return. They will welcome him home. They will welcome him with open arms.
Peterson was in a Minnesota courtroom Friday as he and the NFLPA take the legal route to end the ridiculously long "suspension." When he was asked if he wants to return to the Vikings next season, Peterson, "Of course." There you go.
It's time. It's time to end this. The "suspension." And the stupid articles.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Enough Already
For a week everyone with a microphone has been bashing Seattle Seahawks coaches Pete Carroll and Darrell Bevel for the "play-call." "The play that lost the Super Bowl." "Worst play in Super Bowl history." Anyone with a voice can question a call after the fact. It's so easy to say, or scream, what should have been done after seeing what has been done. Everyone is a genius when they don't have to make a call in real time. If Russell Wilson had completed that pass to Ricardo Lockette, Carroll and Bevell would have been geniuses too. Despite the outcome of the play it wasn't intended to end that way. No play is called with the intention to fail. A better pass might have been a completion. If Wilson had thrown the ball away the Seahawks would have had another shot, or two, at the win. Everyone wanted a Marshawn Lynch run from the 1-yard line. After all, he was successful only 20% of the time in that situation on the season. When they knew that it was coming the Patriots had shown an ability to stop Lynch in short-yardage in the game. Instead, Wilson threw the very first interception from the 1-yard line in the NFL this season. He threw it against a defense designed to stop the run. When an offense gets that close to the goal the defense typically becomes more resistant to a run. A pass in that situation had been the more successful play this year. Not by a lot but by enough to try it once when you have three downs to score. The Seahawks went with those percentages on that down with the knowledge that their careful quarterback wouldn't make the mistake that he ended up making. Sometimes players simply have to make plays.
"In times of crisis, think players, not plays."
-Marty Schottenheimer
The thing that bothers me most about the "rubber-necking" over the Seahawks play-call is that it ignores the terrific play made by New England Patriots corner Malcolm Butler. The seldom-used, rookie made a veteran play. He did his homework, recognized the formation and play from his Seahawks studies, and reacted. He made a play when his team desperately needed him to make a play. If he's slow to recognize and react the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. That Wilson pass is complete. Considering that Butler is an undrafted rookie from Division II West Alabama targeting him was the play to call. It was genius. The only problem, for the Seahwks, was that the undrafted rookie from a tiny school made the play. Players have to make plays. Butler made a play. Wilson and/or Lockette did not.
Butler wasn't the only Patriot to step up. Her wasn't even initially on the field for that fateful play. Linebacker Akeem Ayers was. Ayers was on to help the Patriots stop the run. The Patriots coaches noticed that the Seahawks had three receivers on the field. They got him on the field to cover that extra receiver. Not only did Butler make a great play but the Patriots coaches made the right call. Fellow corner Brandon Browner also did the right things to clear the way for Butler. He was the hero behind the hero. Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse was "stacked" in front of Lockette. Kearse was supposed to force Browner back into the path of Butler, clearing the way for Lockette. It's a play often called on the goal-line. A snapshot of the play just as it's getting started shows what looks to be well designed Seahawks play. It looks like it's destined to succeed. But, the two Patriots corners blew it up. They executed and reacted perfectly. The Seahawks receivers didn't. Browner didn't let Kearse get off of the line. That gave Butler a clear lane to Lockette and the ball. It was a great job by the Patriots coaches to react to the players that the Seahawks had on the field and terrific execution by the Patriots players. The Patriots coaches won the chess match with the Seahawks coaches on that particular play. The Patriots players out-executed the Seahawks players once the ball was snapped.
The other little nugget that the "rubber-neckers" are conveniently forgetting is that the Seahawks have two play-makers on their offense. Those complaining about the play seem to think that the offense is simply Marshawn Lynch. He's an excellent runner. He may even be the engine that drives the Seahawks offense but Russell Wilson is a play-maker too. Putting the ball in Wilson's hand to win a game isn't a stupid thing to do. Wilson's emergence over the last two seasons is as much of a reason as Lynch's running for the Seahawks presence in the Super Bowl the last two years. It's a quarterback league and Wilson is one of the best. He probably makes that pass or gives his team another down well over 90% of the time. Maybe even every time but the one that counted the most. Those are far better odds than Lynch scoring against a defense designed to stop him.
"In times of crisis, think players, not plays."
-Marty Schottenheimer
The thing that bothers me most about the "rubber-necking" over the Seahawks play-call is that it ignores the terrific play made by New England Patriots corner Malcolm Butler. The seldom-used, rookie made a veteran play. He did his homework, recognized the formation and play from his Seahawks studies, and reacted. He made a play when his team desperately needed him to make a play. If he's slow to recognize and react the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. That Wilson pass is complete. Considering that Butler is an undrafted rookie from Division II West Alabama targeting him was the play to call. It was genius. The only problem, for the Seahwks, was that the undrafted rookie from a tiny school made the play. Players have to make plays. Butler made a play. Wilson and/or Lockette did not.
Butler wasn't the only Patriot to step up. Her wasn't even initially on the field for that fateful play. Linebacker Akeem Ayers was. Ayers was on to help the Patriots stop the run. The Patriots coaches noticed that the Seahawks had three receivers on the field. They got him on the field to cover that extra receiver. Not only did Butler make a great play but the Patriots coaches made the right call. Fellow corner Brandon Browner also did the right things to clear the way for Butler. He was the hero behind the hero. Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse was "stacked" in front of Lockette. Kearse was supposed to force Browner back into the path of Butler, clearing the way for Lockette. It's a play often called on the goal-line. A snapshot of the play just as it's getting started shows what looks to be well designed Seahawks play. It looks like it's destined to succeed. But, the two Patriots corners blew it up. They executed and reacted perfectly. The Seahawks receivers didn't. Browner didn't let Kearse get off of the line. That gave Butler a clear lane to Lockette and the ball. It was a great job by the Patriots coaches to react to the players that the Seahawks had on the field and terrific execution by the Patriots players. The Patriots coaches won the chess match with the Seahawks coaches on that particular play. The Patriots players out-executed the Seahawks players once the ball was snapped.
The other little nugget that the "rubber-neckers" are conveniently forgetting is that the Seahawks have two play-makers on their offense. Those complaining about the play seem to think that the offense is simply Marshawn Lynch. He's an excellent runner. He may even be the engine that drives the Seahawks offense but Russell Wilson is a play-maker too. Putting the ball in Wilson's hand to win a game isn't a stupid thing to do. Wilson's emergence over the last two seasons is as much of a reason as Lynch's running for the Seahawks presence in the Super Bowl the last two years. It's a quarterback league and Wilson is one of the best. He probably makes that pass or gives his team another down well over 90% of the time. Maybe even every time but the one that counted the most. Those are far better odds than Lynch scoring against a defense designed to stop him.
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