With 53-Man Rosters on the mind how about a swing at an All-Time 53-Man Roster for the Minnesota Vikings. It's just a little something to pass the time while 32 teams prepare/don't prepare for their final preseason game in advance of some roster-whittling.
Quarterbacks
Fran Tarkenton
Daunte Culpepper
Joe Kapp
Joe Kapp is on the team for no other reason but for his leadership and fiery personality. He'll probably be thrown in the game at fullback or tight end simply to get him off of the sidelines. He'll be driving everyone nuts if he's standing still.
Running Backs
Adrian Peterson
Chuck Foreman
Robert Smith
Darrin Nelson
The first three are automatics. Darrin Nelson is a change of pace and third down back.
Fullback
Tony Richardson
Tony Richardson was only with the Vikings for two seasons but he was an excellent lead blocker and leader in general.
Receivers
Cris Carter
Randy Moss
Anthony Carter
Ahmad Rashad
John Gilliam
Cris Carter and Randy Moss are two of the best receivers in league history. Anthony Carter was a big play waiting to happen. He'll also be the punt returner. I've always felt the Ahmad Rashad would be in the Hall of Fame if he'd played his entire career with the Vikings. John Gilliam will also return kicks.
Tight Ends
Steve Jordan
Joe Senser
Kyle Rudolph
Jim Kleinsasser
Three pass catchers and one of the best blocking tight ends ever.
Tackles
Ron Yary
Gary Zimmerman
Grady Alderman
Korey Stringer
A couple of Hall of Famers and a couple of excellent backups.
Guards
Randall McDaniel
Steve Hutchinson
Ed White
Randall McDaniel is honored in Canton. Steve Hutchinson will join him. Perhaps as well as next year. One could make the argument that Ed White should be there as well.
Centers
Mick Tingelhoff
Matt Birk
Another Hall of Famer in Mick Tingelhoff.
Defensive Ends
Carl Eller
Chris Doleman
Jim Marshall
Jared Allen
Everson Griffen
Meet at the quarterback.
Defensive Tackles
Alan Page
John Randle
Keith Millard
Kevin Williams
Pat Williams
Linval Joseph
Alan Page, John Randle, Keith Millard, and Kevin Williams get into the backfield a lot. Pat Williams and Linval Joesph would form a wall against the run.
Linebackers
Matt Blair
Jeff Siemon
Chad Greenway
Scott Studwell
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
It's a bit early for Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks but they have the talent to be the best linebackers in franchise history.
Cornerbacks
Carl Lee
Antoine Winfield
Xavier Rhodes
Bobby Bryant
No Hall of Famers and many outside of Minnesota might not be too familiar with them but I really like this group.
Safeties
Paul Krause
Joey Browner
Harrison Smith
Karl Kassulke
Paul Krause intercepted more passes than anyone in league history. Joey Browner and Harrison Smith can play and make game-changing plays from anywhere on the field.
Kicker
Ryan Longwell
Punter
Chris Kluwe
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
A Final Stab At The Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster
The Minnesota Vikings host the Miami Dolphins tomorrow for the final preseason game for both teams. The difficult decisions in whittling the roster to 53 will soon follow. I'm glad those real life decisions aren't mine. I get to do it for fun.
Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Case Keenum
Taylor Heinicke
Teddy Bridgewater-PUP
The only alternative quarterback depth chart would be if the Vikings decide to keep only two quarterbacks. In that case, Taylor Heinicke might be on the outside looking in. It sounds more likely that the Vikings will go with three. There's also the possibility that Teddy Bridgewater is suddenly ready to return to the field and then we have a whole other quarterback story.
Running backs
Dalvin Cook
Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham-fullback
This is probably close to being set. Some fans and talking heads toss out the possibility that the Vikings could still decide not to carry a fullback. It seems kinda late in the process to go that route but some tough roster decisions at other positions (defensive line and linebacker) could force it.
Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Stacy Coley
Rodney Adams
On the bubble: Cayleb Jones
Michael Floyd will be off the roster at the start of the season as he serves a four-game suspension. That puts off a tough decision for four weeks. That gives Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams an extra four (real) games to state their case. Or Cayleb Jones. He's also had a nice showing in training camp. Perhaps the youngsters even make veteran Jarius Wright expendable. Who knows? I don't. Again, I'm glad that these aren't my decisions to make in reality.
Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Bucky Hodges
On the bubble: Kyle Carter, Nick Truesdell, Josiah Price
The Vikings could go with four tight ends but that feels excessive with some of the decisions at other positions. Kyle Carter has had a solid training camp and made a nice touchdown grab last Sunday to help his cause.
Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Alex Boone
Pat Elflein
Joe Berger
Mike Remmers
Rashod Hill
Danny Isidora
Nick Easton
Willie Beavers
On the bubble: T.J. Clemmings, Jeremiah Sirles, Zac Kerin, Aviante Collins, Reid Fragel. Freddie Tagaloa, Austin Shepherd
This offensive line group doesn't look much like last year's group. That's a good thing. Here's hoping that the season-long health is different as well. I'm getting the feeling that expected starting left guard Alex Boone might be replaced by Nick Easton. The offensive line has been at it's best in the preseason with Easton, Pat Elflein, and Joe Berger in the middle of it. If Boone isn't a starter I don't think that he's on the roster. In that case I see Zac Kerin being part of the final 53.
Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Tom Johnson
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Jaleel Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Tashawn Bower
Stephen Weatherly
Sharrif Floyd-PUP
On the bubble: Ifeadi Odenigbo, Will Sutton, Dylan Bradley
This is the most talented and deepest position group on the team. As a result the final cuts will be tough. The toughest on the team. I can easily see Will Sutton on the roster in place of Datone Jones. No matter how I shape this position group it doesn't feel right. There are too many players on the outside that are too talented to be there.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Edmond Robinson
Kentrell Brothers
Ben Gedeon
Eric Wilson
On the bubble: Emmanuel Lamur, Eijah Lee
If this projection holds, Emmanuel Lamur moves from potential starter at weak-side linebacker to off the roster. That's due more to my projecting the Vikings keeping youngsters than Lamur's abilities. I'd like to keep seven linebackers but I don't think that will fit in the final numbers game.
Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
On the bubble: Jabari Price, Horace Richardson, Terrell Sinkfield, Tre Roberson
Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes are the outside corner pair. Mackensie Alexander takes over at nickel. Terence Newman backs up all three spots. Marcus Sherels is the punt returner. He can step in on defense if needed. Safety Antone Exum, Jr. has been working at nickel throughout training camp so he provides some extra corner depth. I don't like having Jabari Price on the outside of the roster.
Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Jayron Kearse
Antone Exum, Jr.
On the bubble: Anthony Harris, Jack Tocho
I reluctantly have Antone Exum over Anthony Harris due to the former's position versatility. He can play corner as well and he's spent a lot of time at nickel in training camp.
Kicker
Marshall Koehn
On the bubble: Kai Forbath
Punter
Taylor Symmank
On the bubble: Ryan Quigley
I'm going with the youngsters at the kicking spots but it can easily go the other way. The battle for both positions is so even. Marshall Koehn impressed with a 58-yard field goal against the 49ers on Sunday and then missed from 47 yards on his next attempt. Kai Forbath might provide more consistency (a definite plus for a kicker) but Koehn probably has more potential. The same consistency vs potential debate will determine the punting competition as well.
Long snapper
Kevin McDermott
Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Case Keenum
Taylor Heinicke
Teddy Bridgewater-PUP
The only alternative quarterback depth chart would be if the Vikings decide to keep only two quarterbacks. In that case, Taylor Heinicke might be on the outside looking in. It sounds more likely that the Vikings will go with three. There's also the possibility that Teddy Bridgewater is suddenly ready to return to the field and then we have a whole other quarterback story.
Running backs
Dalvin Cook
Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham-fullback
This is probably close to being set. Some fans and talking heads toss out the possibility that the Vikings could still decide not to carry a fullback. It seems kinda late in the process to go that route but some tough roster decisions at other positions (defensive line and linebacker) could force it.
Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Stacy Coley
Rodney Adams
On the bubble: Cayleb Jones
Michael Floyd will be off the roster at the start of the season as he serves a four-game suspension. That puts off a tough decision for four weeks. That gives Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams an extra four (real) games to state their case. Or Cayleb Jones. He's also had a nice showing in training camp. Perhaps the youngsters even make veteran Jarius Wright expendable. Who knows? I don't. Again, I'm glad that these aren't my decisions to make in reality.
Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Bucky Hodges
On the bubble: Kyle Carter, Nick Truesdell, Josiah Price
The Vikings could go with four tight ends but that feels excessive with some of the decisions at other positions. Kyle Carter has had a solid training camp and made a nice touchdown grab last Sunday to help his cause.
Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Alex Boone
Pat Elflein
Joe Berger
Mike Remmers
Rashod Hill
Danny Isidora
Nick Easton
Willie Beavers
On the bubble: T.J. Clemmings, Jeremiah Sirles, Zac Kerin, Aviante Collins, Reid Fragel. Freddie Tagaloa, Austin Shepherd
This offensive line group doesn't look much like last year's group. That's a good thing. Here's hoping that the season-long health is different as well. I'm getting the feeling that expected starting left guard Alex Boone might be replaced by Nick Easton. The offensive line has been at it's best in the preseason with Easton, Pat Elflein, and Joe Berger in the middle of it. If Boone isn't a starter I don't think that he's on the roster. In that case I see Zac Kerin being part of the final 53.
Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Tom Johnson
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Jaleel Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Tashawn Bower
Stephen Weatherly
Sharrif Floyd-PUP
On the bubble: Ifeadi Odenigbo, Will Sutton, Dylan Bradley
This is the most talented and deepest position group on the team. As a result the final cuts will be tough. The toughest on the team. I can easily see Will Sutton on the roster in place of Datone Jones. No matter how I shape this position group it doesn't feel right. There are too many players on the outside that are too talented to be there.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Edmond Robinson
Kentrell Brothers
Ben Gedeon
Eric Wilson
On the bubble: Emmanuel Lamur, Eijah Lee
If this projection holds, Emmanuel Lamur moves from potential starter at weak-side linebacker to off the roster. That's due more to my projecting the Vikings keeping youngsters than Lamur's abilities. I'd like to keep seven linebackers but I don't think that will fit in the final numbers game.
Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
On the bubble: Jabari Price, Horace Richardson, Terrell Sinkfield, Tre Roberson
Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes are the outside corner pair. Mackensie Alexander takes over at nickel. Terence Newman backs up all three spots. Marcus Sherels is the punt returner. He can step in on defense if needed. Safety Antone Exum, Jr. has been working at nickel throughout training camp so he provides some extra corner depth. I don't like having Jabari Price on the outside of the roster.
Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Jayron Kearse
Antone Exum, Jr.
On the bubble: Anthony Harris, Jack Tocho
I reluctantly have Antone Exum over Anthony Harris due to the former's position versatility. He can play corner as well and he's spent a lot of time at nickel in training camp.
Kicker
Marshall Koehn
On the bubble: Kai Forbath
Punter
Taylor Symmank
On the bubble: Ryan Quigley
I'm going with the youngsters at the kicking spots but it can easily go the other way. The battle for both positions is so even. Marshall Koehn impressed with a 58-yard field goal against the 49ers on Sunday and then missed from 47 yards on his next attempt. Kai Forbath might provide more consistency (a definite plus for a kicker) but Koehn probably has more potential. The same consistency vs potential debate will determine the punting competition as well.
Long snapper
Kevin McDermott
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
An Intriguing Vikings Lineup
This isn't a prediction. It isn't even necessarily a lineup that I'd like to see this season. This is simply a stab at a Minnesota Vikings stating lineup that would be intriguing. Especially on the offensive line.
Offense
Defense
Barring something crazy, like the injuries that hit the Vikings last season, only two of the above offensive linemen will likely be among the starters this season. Riley Reiff and Pat Elflein. Maybe this is the Vikings offensive line next year.
The defense isn't so far-fetched. Rookie Jaleel Johnson as the 3-technique starter might be a surprise. In a fairly wide-open competition for the position he's probably shown the best in the preseason. So, it might not be a surprise.
This intriguing lineup includes five rookie starters:
Pat Elflein
Danny Isidora
Dalvin Cook
Jaleel Johnson
Ben Gedeon
Elflein, Cook, and Gedeon are likely starters. Isidora is probably a Joe Berger injury away from being a starter. Johnson could force his way into the starting lineup. That's the most immediate rookie production that the Vikings have had in years.
In just under two weeks we'll see the actual Vikings lineup.
Offense
| WR | Stefon Diggs |
| TE | Kyle Rudolph |
| LT | Riley Reiff |
| LG | Nick Easton |
| C | Pat Elflein |
| RG | Danny Isidora |
| RT | Rashod Hill |
| WR | Adam Thielen |
| QB | Sam Bradford |
| RB | Dalvin Cook |
| FB | C.J. Ham |
Defense
| DE | Everson Griffen |
| DT | Jaleel Johnson |
| NT | Linval Joseph |
| DE | Danielle Hunter |
| LB | Anthony Barr |
| LB | Eric Kendricks |
| LB | Ben Gedeon |
| RCB | Xavier Rhodes |
| LCB | Trae Waynes |
| S | Harrison Smith |
| S | Andrew Sendejo |
Barring something crazy, like the injuries that hit the Vikings last season, only two of the above offensive linemen will likely be among the starters this season. Riley Reiff and Pat Elflein. Maybe this is the Vikings offensive line next year.
The defense isn't so far-fetched. Rookie Jaleel Johnson as the 3-technique starter might be a surprise. In a fairly wide-open competition for the position he's probably shown the best in the preseason. So, it might not be a surprise.
This intriguing lineup includes five rookie starters:
Pat Elflein
Danny Isidora
Dalvin Cook
Jaleel Johnson
Ben Gedeon
Elflein, Cook, and Gedeon are likely starters. Isidora is probably a Joe Berger injury away from being a starter. Johnson could force his way into the starting lineup. That's the most immediate rookie production that the Vikings have had in years.
In just under two weeks we'll see the actual Vikings lineup.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Vikings-49ers Preseason Game #3 Thoughts
Preseason Game #3. "The dress rehearsal." The preseason game most like a real game." The San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings Preseason Game #3 wasn't anything like that. How could it be seeing as the Vikings didn't game plan for the 49ers? And it showed. The first team offense and defense played the entire first half and they were both in a word, terrible. That was even the word that safety Harrison Smith used to describe his unit. The offense did nothing. The defense stopped nothing. The Vikings were quickly down 14-0. Both units finished the first half better than they started it but it was still 14-0 at the half. Despite the sloppy play it was an entertaining game. A game-ending touchdown and two point conversion gave the Vikings a 32-31 win. That's exciting. That's fun.
The sloppy play from the Vikings starters leaves a lot of frustration but it's not the end of the world. Much of the sloppy early play was surely due to the lack of game planning. I doubt that Xavier Rhodes and Harrison let a receiver run right by them in a real game. I doubt a lot of the confusion, indecision, and hesitation happens in a real game. It has nothing to do with game planning but Stefon Diggs shouldn't drop two passes that hit him in the hands. He might not drop two passes like that the entire season. Pre-snap penalties and penalties in scoring position are still a problem. Those simply have to stop. The backups on offense had little trouble scoring. Case Keenun led three scoring possessions. Taylor Heinicke led the game-winning drive. Jerick McKinnon returned a kickoff 108 yards for a game-turning score.
"Got a lot of work to do." -Mike Zimmer
Despite explaining away some of the issues with the first team offense it would've been nice to see them get some rhythm. This was probably their last chance to do that before the season opener. Some of the inconsistencies can be attributed to the mixing-and-matching on the offensive line. The expected starters have played together so little that it's really a stretch to call them the expected starters. The best that the line has looked has been when the interior was made up of Nick Easton at left guard, Pat Elflein at center, and Joe Berger at right guard. Alex Boone is the expected starter at left guard with Elflein or Easton at center. I think that I'd like to see Easton-Elflein-Berger in the middle on September 11.
Some of the good.
Second-year receiver Laquon Treadwell was solid in his preseason debut. He started training camp well but an injury put him on the shelf for a while. He had three catches last night for 36 yards and looks like he should be a factor in the offense. A nice change from his very quiet rookie season.
Jerick McKinnon might've grabbed the kick return job with his 108-yard touchdown return. The other contenders hadn't done much so he didn't have to do much. That 108-yard return should be more than enough.
Backup quarterback Case Keenum played well. 10/14 139 yards and two touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a nifty and resourceful sidearm toss to Rodney Adams.
Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke has had a rough preseason. He injured his ribs last week against the Seattle Seahawks and missed practices this past week. His injury was worrisome enough that the Vikings signed another quarterback last Sunday to take Heinicke's reps in practice. In his lone possession last night he led the offense on a game-ending touchdown drive to pull within a single point and dove for the two-point conversion to win it. It was a gutsy performance that energized the entire team. If Heinicke's job was in a jeopardy it probably isn't anymore.
Rookie receivers Rodney Adams and Stacy Coley made some big plays. Adams caught the nifty sidearm throw from Keenum and made some defenders miss on a nice catch and run for a touchdown. Coley had four catches for 76 yards. He should've gotten out of bounds on one of his big catches. He was the player that the 49ers had to stop at the end of the game and they couldn't.
Undrafted rookie defensive end Tashawn Bower continued his strong preseason. He had no sacks for the first time in three games but he had some pressures and a tackle for loss.
Some of the bad.
Tackling. Too many missed tackles. The Vikings defense made Raheem Mostert look Canton-bound.
Penalties. The Vikings had seven penalties that cost them 50 yards. Those aren't soul-crushing numbers but the penalties came at soul-crushing times. A pre-snap penalty negated a first down and forced a punt just when it looked like the first team offense was finally starting to get something going. A holding penalty in the second half wrecked a scoring opportunity.
The sloppy play from the Vikings starters leaves a lot of frustration but it's not the end of the world. Much of the sloppy early play was surely due to the lack of game planning. I doubt that Xavier Rhodes and Harrison let a receiver run right by them in a real game. I doubt a lot of the confusion, indecision, and hesitation happens in a real game. It has nothing to do with game planning but Stefon Diggs shouldn't drop two passes that hit him in the hands. He might not drop two passes like that the entire season. Pre-snap penalties and penalties in scoring position are still a problem. Those simply have to stop. The backups on offense had little trouble scoring. Case Keenun led three scoring possessions. Taylor Heinicke led the game-winning drive. Jerick McKinnon returned a kickoff 108 yards for a game-turning score.
"Got a lot of work to do." -Mike Zimmer
Despite explaining away some of the issues with the first team offense it would've been nice to see them get some rhythm. This was probably their last chance to do that before the season opener. Some of the inconsistencies can be attributed to the mixing-and-matching on the offensive line. The expected starters have played together so little that it's really a stretch to call them the expected starters. The best that the line has looked has been when the interior was made up of Nick Easton at left guard, Pat Elflein at center, and Joe Berger at right guard. Alex Boone is the expected starter at left guard with Elflein or Easton at center. I think that I'd like to see Easton-Elflein-Berger in the middle on September 11.
Some of the good.
Second-year receiver Laquon Treadwell was solid in his preseason debut. He started training camp well but an injury put him on the shelf for a while. He had three catches last night for 36 yards and looks like he should be a factor in the offense. A nice change from his very quiet rookie season.
Jerick McKinnon might've grabbed the kick return job with his 108-yard touchdown return. The other contenders hadn't done much so he didn't have to do much. That 108-yard return should be more than enough.
Backup quarterback Case Keenum played well. 10/14 139 yards and two touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a nifty and resourceful sidearm toss to Rodney Adams.
Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke has had a rough preseason. He injured his ribs last week against the Seattle Seahawks and missed practices this past week. His injury was worrisome enough that the Vikings signed another quarterback last Sunday to take Heinicke's reps in practice. In his lone possession last night he led the offense on a game-ending touchdown drive to pull within a single point and dove for the two-point conversion to win it. It was a gutsy performance that energized the entire team. If Heinicke's job was in a jeopardy it probably isn't anymore.
Rookie receivers Rodney Adams and Stacy Coley made some big plays. Adams caught the nifty sidearm throw from Keenum and made some defenders miss on a nice catch and run for a touchdown. Coley had four catches for 76 yards. He should've gotten out of bounds on one of his big catches. He was the player that the 49ers had to stop at the end of the game and they couldn't.
Undrafted rookie defensive end Tashawn Bower continued his strong preseason. He had no sacks for the first time in three games but he had some pressures and a tackle for loss.
Some of the bad.
Tackling. Too many missed tackles. The Vikings defense made Raheem Mostert look Canton-bound.
Penalties. The Vikings had seven penalties that cost them 50 yards. Those aren't soul-crushing numbers but the penalties came at soul-crushing times. A pre-snap penalty negated a first down and forced a punt just when it looked like the first team offense was finally starting to get something going. A holding penalty in the second half wrecked a scoring opportunity.
***
The Vikings are now 2-1 in the 2017 preseason. The offensive backups had a terrific showing in preseason game #3. Despite that, this wasn't a promising performance. In fact, neither of the two wins have left the team feeling good about themselves. The only game that felt better than ok was the loss to the Seattle Seahawks. That's often the nature of preseason games. Losses sometimes feel better than losses.
If you can get past the sloppy play, especially from the starters, and look at this Vikings-49ers preseason game as simply a game this was actually a fun, entertaining football game with an exciting finish. That isn't bad for a game played in August.
If you can get past the sloppy play, especially from the starters, and look at this Vikings-49ers preseason game as simply a game this was actually a fun, entertaining football game with an exciting finish. That isn't bad for a game played in August.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
My Fantasy Team
So, I had my fantasy draft last night. It didn't go well. It often doesn't. That's because I don't take fantasy football as serious as most. Even though I've been involved in a league of some sort for most of the past 35 years I've always viewed it as a fun side to the real game. A little addition to the game that I already follow so closely. My fantasy successes, and failures, have always been secondary to the real game. As a result, I prefer to draft a team of players that I like. For example, I have a particular distaste for receivers that have trouble with the simple act of catching a football. Terrell Owens, all of Matt Hasselbeck's Seahawks receivers, and Drew Brees' Saints receivers of the 2000s had no place on my team. Those are players that scored a few points in fantasy football. Also, as a big Minnesota Vikings honk I tend to end up with a lot of players from my real team on my fantasy team. Typically, the more Vikings players I have the worse I do. Although Adrian Peterson did carry me to the 2012 title. Go Vikings! Go Me! My current league has been going strong since 1999. From the paper days to the computer days. It's a keeper league but a keeper league with a twist. Your keeper costs you a pick that corresponds to the round in which he was picked the year before. He moves up a round each year. If you keep Le'Veon Bell? No first round pick for you! If you get so lucky as to draft a somewhat unknown rookie like David Johnson in the 12th round you have a simply ridiculous player as your 10th round pick this year. So a fantasy-wiz unaware of our ways will stare at our draft board amazed. Johnson in the 10th? Devonta Freeman in the 15th? Jordan Howard in the 16th? These guys are idiots. Personally, I wasn't so lucky in the keeper department this year. The only viable keeper that I had on my sad 2016 roster was Todd Gurley. Last year was disappointing for him and the Los Angeles Rams. Moving to a new city and the head coach getting fired didn't help. This is a different Rams team in so many ways. A young, innovative, offensive head coach, a more comfortable Jared Goff, an improved offensive line. Perhaps all of that can help Gurley look like the back that opened eyes during a string of games two years ago. Anyway, he was my keeper this year and he cost me my third round pick. I had the second pick of a typical, 10-team snake draft. Seeing as David Johnson was gone as a keeper and Ezekiel Elliott has done what he's done there was little question that Le'Veon Bell would be the first pick. He was. So, I entered the fray with the strategy that I would take one of Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, and Odell Beckham Jr. I was leaning towards Beckham until he got hurt. One reason for my lean towards Beckham was the real football fact that he was the only one of the three that doesn't play the Vikings this year. Xavier Rhodes shuts down everyone. Brown was my pick and that was about the last thing that went right during the draft. That's not quite true. I like that New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas was still available when the draft got back to me for the ninth pick in the second round. So, after all of that, here's my fantasy team for the 2017 season.
Marcus Mariota
Ben Roethlisberger
Teddy Bridgewater
Todd Gurley
Adrian Peterson
Rex Burkhead
Darren McFadden
Antonio Brown
Michael Thomas
Demaryius Thomas
Sammy Watkins
Corey Davis
Matt Bryant
Kai Forbath
Vikings
Giants
I got Peterson!
If the Vikings presence on my team is any indication of my 2017 success I should do well. I ended up with only their defense, kicker, and Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater was simply a sentimental pick with my last pick of the draft. I went into this draft with Dalvin Cook and Stefon Diggs as my Viking targets. Obviously, I got neither. My league had a crazy early run on rookie runners. A run that started with Christian McCaffrey as the fourth pick of the draft! Leonard Fournette went sixth! My Dalvin Cook dream was dead went he was taken with the fourth pick of the second round. I thought that I'd be drafting him a little early if I took him at the end of the second round but he didn't even make it to my pick. As for Diggs. In hindsight, I kinda wish that I had picked him when I picked Demaryius Thomas in the fourth round but that just felt too early. Diggs was gone before I had another shot at him.
Overall, I like Marcus Mariota and Ben Roethlisberger as my quarterbacks. I like my receivers despite Diggs not being one of them. Corey Davis (13th round) might be my keeper next year. My running backs are a train wreck. But you really never know. Maybe Gurley can thrive in Sean McVay's diverse offense. Maybe Adrian Peterson can continue be a genetic freak. Maybe Ezekiel Elliott really is forced to sit out six games and Darren McFadden can run behind that dynamite line for damn near half a season. Rex Burkhead is the one back that I targeted before the draft that I was able to get on my team. I really think that he can make an impact with the Patriots. The only question/problem is that the team has several talented, versatile backs. And they play them all. Trying to match my fantasy plans for Burkhead with the Patriots plans for him could be frustrating.
It should be noted that we have no tight end position in our league. This is an archaic rule that started in the late 1980s when tight ends were more blocker than fantasy producer. We start three receivers rather than two receivers and a tight end. Tight ends can be drafted but they are played as receivers. It may be silly but it's a continuity thing and our scoring records reflect it. The tight end presence is growing. We actually had a record seven tight ends drafted last night. Maybe we are moving to a change.
Best of luck to all of you in your various fantasy football efforts.
Marcus Mariota
Ben Roethlisberger
Teddy Bridgewater
Todd Gurley
Adrian Peterson
Rex Burkhead
Darren McFadden
Antonio Brown
Michael Thomas
Demaryius Thomas
Sammy Watkins
Corey Davis
Matt Bryant
Kai Forbath
Vikings
Giants
I got Peterson!
If the Vikings presence on my team is any indication of my 2017 success I should do well. I ended up with only their defense, kicker, and Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater was simply a sentimental pick with my last pick of the draft. I went into this draft with Dalvin Cook and Stefon Diggs as my Viking targets. Obviously, I got neither. My league had a crazy early run on rookie runners. A run that started with Christian McCaffrey as the fourth pick of the draft! Leonard Fournette went sixth! My Dalvin Cook dream was dead went he was taken with the fourth pick of the second round. I thought that I'd be drafting him a little early if I took him at the end of the second round but he didn't even make it to my pick. As for Diggs. In hindsight, I kinda wish that I had picked him when I picked Demaryius Thomas in the fourth round but that just felt too early. Diggs was gone before I had another shot at him.
Overall, I like Marcus Mariota and Ben Roethlisberger as my quarterbacks. I like my receivers despite Diggs not being one of them. Corey Davis (13th round) might be my keeper next year. My running backs are a train wreck. But you really never know. Maybe Gurley can thrive in Sean McVay's diverse offense. Maybe Adrian Peterson can continue be a genetic freak. Maybe Ezekiel Elliott really is forced to sit out six games and Darren McFadden can run behind that dynamite line for damn near half a season. Rex Burkhead is the one back that I targeted before the draft that I was able to get on my team. I really think that he can make an impact with the Patriots. The only question/problem is that the team has several talented, versatile backs. And they play them all. Trying to match my fantasy plans for Burkhead with the Patriots plans for him could be frustrating.
It should be noted that we have no tight end position in our league. This is an archaic rule that started in the late 1980s when tight ends were more blocker than fantasy producer. We start three receivers rather than two receivers and a tight end. Tight ends can be drafted but they are played as receivers. It may be silly but it's a continuity thing and our scoring records reflect it. The tight end presence is growing. We actually had a record seven tight ends drafted last night. Maybe we are moving to a change.
Best of luck to all of you in your various fantasy football efforts.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Unbreakable
NFL.com posted this list of league records that will be tough to top. Perhaps even unbreakable.
1. Career Receiving Yards: Jerry Rice (22,895)
Next closest: Terrell Owens (15,934)
Closest active player: Larry Fitzgerald (14,389)
2. Consecutive Games Started by a Quarterback: Brett Favre (297)
Next closest: Peyton Manning (208)
Closest active player: Eli Manning (199)
3. Most Rushing Yards Titles: Jim Brown (8)
Next closest: 4 titles (5 players tied)
Closest active player: Adrian Peterson (3)
4. Coaching career wins: Don Shula (347)
Next closest: George Halas (324)
Next-losest active: Bill Belichick (263)
5. Sacks in a game: Derrick Thomas (7.0 against Seahawks in 1990)
Next closest: 6.0 (Derrick Thomas, Osi Umenyiora, Fred Dean)
6. Interceptions in a season: Night Train Lane (14 in 1952)
Next closest: 13 (Dan Sandifer, Spec Sanders, Lester Hayes)
7. Most points scored in a game: Ernie Nevers (40 points in 1929)
Next closest: Dub Jones and Gale Sayers (36 points)
8. Most playoff wins by a QB/head coach: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady (25)
Next closest: Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw (14)
9. Career rushing yards: Emmitt Smith (18,355)
Next closest: Walter Payton (16,726)
Closest active player: Frank Gore (13,065)
10. Most touchdowns in a season: LaDanian Tomlinson (31 in 2006)
Next closest: Shaun Alexander (28 in 2005)
It's a fine list. Whenever I see a list of "unbreakable" NFL records I rarely see Paul Krause's record of 81 career interceptions on it. Here's the current Top 10 in career interceptions.
Why isn't Ken Riley in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? That's another story. Back to this one. Krause's 81 interceptions will be tough to top. The Woodsons and Ed Reed made recent runs at the record but still fell at least a couple of interception-filled seasons short. The Woodsons played until they were 38. Reed played until he was 35. They were some of the best interceptors the league has ever seen but still fell well short.
How about the active interception leaders?
DeAngelo Hall: 43
Terence Newman: 41
Both are much closer to the end of their NFL careers than the beginning. I don't think either has another 40 interceptions in them.
The player with age and talent most on their side is Richard Sherman. He has 30 career interceptions. He's averaged five interceptions per season. He'd have to maintain that pace for the next decade. If Sherman has the ageless gift that blessed corners like Darrell Green and Terence Newman maybe he has a shot. It's a long one. Maybe a shift to safety will help. Who knows?
Paul Krause's 81 career interceptions is a tough record to top. Unbreakable? I don't think that any record is unbreakable. Maybe Jerry Rice's career receiving yards record. What he did was ridiculous. But you never know. My general belief is that if something's been done once it can be done again. The fun part is witnessing it.
1. Career Receiving Yards: Jerry Rice (22,895)
Next closest: Terrell Owens (15,934)
Closest active player: Larry Fitzgerald (14,389)
2. Consecutive Games Started by a Quarterback: Brett Favre (297)
Next closest: Peyton Manning (208)
Closest active player: Eli Manning (199)
3. Most Rushing Yards Titles: Jim Brown (8)
Next closest: 4 titles (5 players tied)
Closest active player: Adrian Peterson (3)
4. Coaching career wins: Don Shula (347)
Next closest: George Halas (324)
Next-losest active: Bill Belichick (263)
5. Sacks in a game: Derrick Thomas (7.0 against Seahawks in 1990)
Next closest: 6.0 (Derrick Thomas, Osi Umenyiora, Fred Dean)
6. Interceptions in a season: Night Train Lane (14 in 1952)
Next closest: 13 (Dan Sandifer, Spec Sanders, Lester Hayes)
7. Most points scored in a game: Ernie Nevers (40 points in 1929)
Next closest: Dub Jones and Gale Sayers (36 points)
8. Most playoff wins by a QB/head coach: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady (25)
Next closest: Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw (14)
9. Career rushing yards: Emmitt Smith (18,355)
Next closest: Walter Payton (16,726)
Closest active player: Frank Gore (13,065)
10. Most touchdowns in a season: LaDanian Tomlinson (31 in 2006)
Next closest: Shaun Alexander (28 in 2005)
It's a fine list. Whenever I see a list of "unbreakable" NFL records I rarely see Paul Krause's record of 81 career interceptions on it. Here's the current Top 10 in career interceptions.
| 1 | Paul Krause | 81 |
| 2 | Emlen Tunnell | 79 |
| 3 | Rod Woodson | 71 |
| 4 | Night Train Lane | 68 |
| 5 | Ken Riley | 65 |
| Charles Woodson | 65 | |
| 7 | Ed Reed | 64 |
| 8 | Ronnie Lott | 63 |
| Darren Sharper | 63 | |
| 10 | Dave Brown | 62 |
| Dick LeBeau | 62 |
Why isn't Ken Riley in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? That's another story. Back to this one. Krause's 81 interceptions will be tough to top. The Woodsons and Ed Reed made recent runs at the record but still fell at least a couple of interception-filled seasons short. The Woodsons played until they were 38. Reed played until he was 35. They were some of the best interceptors the league has ever seen but still fell well short.
How about the active interception leaders?
DeAngelo Hall: 43
Terence Newman: 41
Both are much closer to the end of their NFL careers than the beginning. I don't think either has another 40 interceptions in them.
The player with age and talent most on their side is Richard Sherman. He has 30 career interceptions. He's averaged five interceptions per season. He'd have to maintain that pace for the next decade. If Sherman has the ageless gift that blessed corners like Darrell Green and Terence Newman maybe he has a shot. It's a long one. Maybe a shift to safety will help. Who knows?
Paul Krause's 81 career interceptions is a tough record to top. Unbreakable? I don't think that any record is unbreakable. Maybe Jerry Rice's career receiving yards record. What he did was ridiculous. But you never know. My general belief is that if something's been done once it can be done again. The fun part is witnessing it.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Senior Nominees
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Committee has decided on their nominees for the 2018 Hall of Fame Class.
Jerry Kramer
Robert Brazile
Both will move straight to the Finalist stage of the election process.
Jerry Kramer has been the poster-boy for the long-neglected deserving Hall of Famer. This will be his 11th trip to the finalist circle. His last trip was in 1997. His absence from Canton has never made sense. He was an integral part of a Green Bay Packers team that ripped off five NFL titles from 1961-67. Five titles in seven years. Five titles in seven years! Three Pro Bowls. Five 1st Team All-Pro nods. Actually that 3:5 Pro Bowl:1st Team All-Pro imbalance never made sense either. NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. He was named one of the guards on the NFL's 50-Year Anniversary Team. His NFL career reads like that of a player that's long been in the Hall of Fame. About the time that many were using the "too many Lombardi Packers in Canton" argument for Kramer's exclusion was when Dave Robinson was inducted. Kramer has waited far too long. Hopefully, the wait ends the first week in February.
This is Robert Brazile's first time as a finalist. The easiest way to start Brazile's case for Canton is to say that he was Lawrence Taylor before Taylor made it to the NFL. Brazile was the first of the havoc-causing, pass rushing outside linebackers that came out of the 3-4 defenses. The Houston Oilers selected Brazile out of Jackson State with the sixth pick of the 1975 NFL Draft. That was two picks after the Chicago Bears had selected Brazile's Jackson State teammate Walter Payton. Rickey Young was on that team as well. That's some dynamite football talent out of one itty-bitty college. Brazile was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1975. He went on to collect a Hall of Fame-worthy list of accolades during his ten-year career with the Oilers. Seven Pro Bowls, 5x 1st Team All-Pro, 1x 2nd Team All-Pro, and 1970s All-Decade Team. He was one of the best linebackers of his era. Hopefully, he and Jerry Kramer will be enjoying Canton next August.
Congratulations Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile.
Jerry Kramer
Robert Brazile
Both will move straight to the Finalist stage of the election process.
Jerry Kramer has been the poster-boy for the long-neglected deserving Hall of Famer. This will be his 11th trip to the finalist circle. His last trip was in 1997. His absence from Canton has never made sense. He was an integral part of a Green Bay Packers team that ripped off five NFL titles from 1961-67. Five titles in seven years. Five titles in seven years! Three Pro Bowls. Five 1st Team All-Pro nods. Actually that 3:5 Pro Bowl:1st Team All-Pro imbalance never made sense either. NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. He was named one of the guards on the NFL's 50-Year Anniversary Team. His NFL career reads like that of a player that's long been in the Hall of Fame. About the time that many were using the "too many Lombardi Packers in Canton" argument for Kramer's exclusion was when Dave Robinson was inducted. Kramer has waited far too long. Hopefully, the wait ends the first week in February.
This is Robert Brazile's first time as a finalist. The easiest way to start Brazile's case for Canton is to say that he was Lawrence Taylor before Taylor made it to the NFL. Brazile was the first of the havoc-causing, pass rushing outside linebackers that came out of the 3-4 defenses. The Houston Oilers selected Brazile out of Jackson State with the sixth pick of the 1975 NFL Draft. That was two picks after the Chicago Bears had selected Brazile's Jackson State teammate Walter Payton. Rickey Young was on that team as well. That's some dynamite football talent out of one itty-bitty college. Brazile was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1975. He went on to collect a Hall of Fame-worthy list of accolades during his ten-year career with the Oilers. Seven Pro Bowls, 5x 1st Team All-Pro, 1x 2nd Team All-Pro, and 1970s All-Decade Team. He was one of the best linebackers of his era. Hopefully, he and Jerry Kramer will be enjoying Canton next August.
Congratulations Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Throwback Thursday: 6 Degrees of Steve DeBerg
I was looking through some of my posts from 2011. That was the first year of the Flea Flicker. In doing this little look back I came across this oldie. 6 Degrees of Steve DeBerg. In true Throwback Thursday fashion here's that post again.
Most people are familiar with the party and road trip sensation "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon". If you are not familiar with it, the object of the game is to connect any actor/actress to Kevin Bacon in six moves or less. It is based on the premise that Bacon has been in enough movies with enough people to be closely connected to everybody in the field. Who can forget his terrific performance in "Animal House"? 6 Degrees is a crowd pleaser. I have always wanted to play this game using football players and coaches, sadly no one will play with me.
In the football version, former QB Steve DeBerg would be a fine place to start. Like Bacon, his work spans decades, he has played on a lot of teams and has had a bunch of teammates and coaches. Besides, the words degree and DeBerg are strikingly similar. Not many QBs can say that they lost their job to Joe Montana twice, on different teams in different decades.
For the truly adventurous, I would recommend connecting players from the early days of the NFL to today. Let's give it a try:
Chicago Bears RB Red Grange from the '20s and '30s to the Minnesota Vikings awesome RB Adrian Peterson
Grange played for George Halas
Halas coached Mike Ditka
Ditka coached Leslie Frazier
Frazier coached Peterson
If you can connect a player or coach to Halas, your work is mostly done. That guy had connections to everyone and was around the league for nearly 70 years.
Good times. Give it a try.
***
Most people are familiar with the party and road trip sensation "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon". If you are not familiar with it, the object of the game is to connect any actor/actress to Kevin Bacon in six moves or less. It is based on the premise that Bacon has been in enough movies with enough people to be closely connected to everybody in the field. Who can forget his terrific performance in "Animal House"? 6 Degrees is a crowd pleaser. I have always wanted to play this game using football players and coaches, sadly no one will play with me.
In the football version, former QB Steve DeBerg would be a fine place to start. Like Bacon, his work spans decades, he has played on a lot of teams and has had a bunch of teammates and coaches. Besides, the words degree and DeBerg are strikingly similar. Not many QBs can say that they lost their job to Joe Montana twice, on different teams in different decades.
For the truly adventurous, I would recommend connecting players from the early days of the NFL to today. Let's give it a try:
Chicago Bears RB Red Grange from the '20s and '30s to the Minnesota Vikings awesome RB Adrian Peterson
Grange played for George Halas
Halas coached Mike Ditka
Ditka coached Leslie Frazier
Frazier coached Peterson
If you can connect a player or coach to Halas, your work is mostly done. That guy had connections to everyone and was around the league for nearly 70 years.
Good times. Give it a try.
***
Here's one that actually uses the game's namesake, Steve DeBerg. DeBerg threw the football a lot in his long career. How about we connect him to one of the NFL's first prolific passers, Benny Friedman?
Friedman was a teammate of Mule Wilson on the New York Giants
Wilson was a teammate of Dutch Clark on the Portsmouth Spartans
Clark coached Red Hickey on the Cleveland Rams
Hickey coached Jimmy Johnson on the San Francisco 49ers
Johnson was a teammate of DeBerg on the 49ers
Football is fun.
Friedman was a teammate of Mule Wilson on the New York Giants
Wilson was a teammate of Dutch Clark on the Portsmouth Spartans
Clark coached Red Hickey on the Cleveland Rams
Hickey coached Jimmy Johnson on the San Francisco 49ers
Johnson was a teammate of DeBerg on the 49ers
Football is fun.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Top 50 Free Agents
The NFL Trade Rumors.co ran it's updated Top 50 Free Agents list over the weekend. Free agency doesn't get a lot of buzz this time of the year. So here's a little buzz.
| Rank | Player | Pos. | 2016 Team | Age |
| 1 | Branden Albert | T | JAC | 32 |
| 2 | Colin Kaepernick | QB | SF | 29 |
| 3 | Ryan Matthews | RB | PHI | 29 |
| 4 | Perry Riley | LB | OAK | 29 |
| 5 | Nick Mangold | C | NYJ | 33 |
| 6 | DeAndre Levy | LB | DET | 30 |
| 7 | Darrelle Revis | CB | NYJ | 32 |
| 8 | Paul Kruger | LB | NO | 31 |
| 9 | Gary Barnidge | TE | CLE | 31 |
| 10 | Orlando Franklin | G | NO | 29 |
| 11 | Ladarius Green | TE | PIT | 27 |
| 12 | Sam Shields | CB | GB | 29 |
| 13 | Aaron Williams | S | BUF | 27 |
| 14 | Jairus Byrd | S | NO | 30 |
| 15 | Dan Williams | DT | OAK | 30 |
| 16 | Jared Odrick | DT | JAC | 29 |
| 17 | Leon Hall | CB | NYG | 32 |
| 18 | Trent Cole | DE | IND | 34 |
| 19 | Sen'Darrick Marks | DT | JAC | 30 |
| 20 | Jacob Tamme | TE | ATL | 32 |
| 21 | Dwight Freeney | DE | ATL | 37 |
| 22 | Mario Williams | DE | MIA | 32 |
| 23 | Letroy Guion | DT | GB | 30 |
| 24 | Kendrick Lewis | S | BAL | 29 |
| 25 | Rashad Johnson | S | TEN | 31 |
| 26 | Stevie Johnson | WR | LAC | 31 |
| 27 | Leodis McKelvin | CB | PHI | 32 |
| 28 | Robert Griffith III | QB | CLE | 27 |
| 29 | Tyson Jackson | DT | ATL | 31 |
| 30 | Vincent Jackson | WR | TB | 34 |
| 31 | Arthur Jones | DT | IND | 31 |
| 32 | Paul Soliai | DT | CLE | 33 |
| 33 | Max Bullough | LB | HOU | 25 |
| 34 | Zach Line | FB | MIN | 27 |
| 35 | Vance Walker | DE | DEN | 30 |
| 36 | D'Qwell Jackson | LB | IND | 33 |
| 37 | Alvin Bailey | G | CLE | 26 |
| 38 | Tharold Simon | CB | WAS | 26 |
| 39 | Jerome Felton | FB | BUF | 31 |
| 40 | DeAngelo Williams | RB | PIT | 34 |
| 41 | Dorial Green-Beckham | WR | PHI | 24 |
| 42 | Rashad Jennings | RB | NYG | 32 |
| 43 | Kendall Reyes | DE | KC | 27 |
| 44 | Kendall Langford | DE | IND | 31 |
| 45 | Sean Weatherspoon | LB | ATL | 29 |
| 46 | Eddie Royal | WR | CHI | 31 |
| 47 | Cullen Jenkins | DE | WAS | 36 |
| 48 | Quinton Patton | WR | NYJ | 27 |
| 49 | Donald Butler | LB | MIA | 27 |
| 50 | Eugene Sims | DE | LAR | 31 |
Colin Kaepernick shouldn't be on this list. He should have a quarterback job somewhere in the league but that sad situation continues to be a black mark on the league. There are some intriguing names on this list. Many would've been "day-one-of-free-agency" targets 2-3 years ago. Now, they are waiting by the phone during the last weeks of August. Maybe they'll get a call soon as players with jobs get injured or falter. Tyson Jackson worked out with the San Francisco 49ers yesterday. Maybe he comes off this list soon.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Roster Numbers Game
John Holler of Scout's Vikings Update website posted an interesting column about the annual roster numbers game. The juggling and puzzle-fitting that comes with whittling an NFL roster down to 53 players. The most interesting part of Holler's column was his look at the Minnesota Vikings' initial 53-man roster last year in relation to this year. A year ago when the Vikings cut down to 53 players they divided the talent evenly. Thee specialists, 25 offensive players, and 25 defensive players.
On offense, those 25 players were broken down like this:
QB-2
RB-3
FB-1
WR-6
TE-4
T-4
G-2
C-3
Of those 25 players, 11 are no longer on the roster. Shaun Hill, Adrian Peterson, Matt Asiata, Zach Line, Cordarrelle Patterson, Charles Johnson, Rhett Ellison, MyCole Pruitt, Brandon Fusco, Matt Kalil, and Andre Smith. Without giving it too much thought I would've guessed that more than three players were missing from last year's underwhelming offensive line. This is a pretty incredible roster churn. 44%. And that's assuming that all 14 players that remain from 2016 make the team in 2017. A bold assumption.
The defense is much more stable. That's hardly a surprise. The defense has been pretty good, great at times, in the three years that Mike Zimmer and his defensive coaches have been directing it. The 25 defensive players that survived the cuts last year broke down like this:
DE-4
DT-4
LB-7
CB-6
S-4
Of those 25 players, only four are no longer on the roster. Justin Trattou, Chad Greenway, Audie Cole, and Captain Munnerlyn.
The Vikings will have some very difficult decisions to make on defense. So, difficult that I'd be surprised if there's a similar 25:25 split on the 53-man roster. The offensive side of the ball might have to give up some roster space. The most difficult decisions will be on the defensive line. If the Vikings had any hope of slipping raw but talented undrafted defensive end Tashawn Bower onto the practice squad those hopes probably died due to his play in the preseason. Bower isn't the only talented young pass rusher that's going to make these roster decisions so difficult. Stephen Weatherly and Ifeadi Odenigbo have shown the talent to stick on this talented defense. Defensive tackle will also pose challenging roster decisions. Nose tackle Linval Joseph and 4th-round rookie Jaleel Johnson are locks but all of the other contenders are on the bubble. Shamar Stephen, Tom Johnson, Datone Jones, Will Sutton. I can see any combination of two or three of those four making the team. The Vikings are more likely to keep nine or ten defensive linemen than the eight that they kept last year. There will be tough decisions on each level of the Vikings defense but the line will probably impact the overall roster numbers game the most.
I'm glad that these decisions are left to the professionals. Those people that are around the players the most and know them the best.
On offense, those 25 players were broken down like this:
QB-2
RB-3
FB-1
WR-6
TE-4
T-4
G-2
C-3
Of those 25 players, 11 are no longer on the roster. Shaun Hill, Adrian Peterson, Matt Asiata, Zach Line, Cordarrelle Patterson, Charles Johnson, Rhett Ellison, MyCole Pruitt, Brandon Fusco, Matt Kalil, and Andre Smith. Without giving it too much thought I would've guessed that more than three players were missing from last year's underwhelming offensive line. This is a pretty incredible roster churn. 44%. And that's assuming that all 14 players that remain from 2016 make the team in 2017. A bold assumption.
The defense is much more stable. That's hardly a surprise. The defense has been pretty good, great at times, in the three years that Mike Zimmer and his defensive coaches have been directing it. The 25 defensive players that survived the cuts last year broke down like this:
DE-4
DT-4
LB-7
CB-6
S-4
Of those 25 players, only four are no longer on the roster. Justin Trattou, Chad Greenway, Audie Cole, and Captain Munnerlyn.
The Vikings will have some very difficult decisions to make on defense. So, difficult that I'd be surprised if there's a similar 25:25 split on the 53-man roster. The offensive side of the ball might have to give up some roster space. The most difficult decisions will be on the defensive line. If the Vikings had any hope of slipping raw but talented undrafted defensive end Tashawn Bower onto the practice squad those hopes probably died due to his play in the preseason. Bower isn't the only talented young pass rusher that's going to make these roster decisions so difficult. Stephen Weatherly and Ifeadi Odenigbo have shown the talent to stick on this talented defense. Defensive tackle will also pose challenging roster decisions. Nose tackle Linval Joseph and 4th-round rookie Jaleel Johnson are locks but all of the other contenders are on the bubble. Shamar Stephen, Tom Johnson, Datone Jones, Will Sutton. I can see any combination of two or three of those four making the team. The Vikings are more likely to keep nine or ten defensive linemen than the eight that they kept last year. There will be tough decisions on each level of the Vikings defense but the line will probably impact the overall roster numbers game the most.
I'm glad that these decisions are left to the professionals. Those people that are around the players the most and know them the best.
Monday, August 21, 2017
Another Quarterback?!
A tremor rumbled through fans of the Minnesota Vikings yesterday. The Vikings signed undrafted quarterback Mitch Leidner. Linebacker Darnell Sankey was released to make room for Leidner. It's crazy what can shake up a fan base. The addition of a fourth quarterback? Maybe they were upset about losing Sankey but I think it was the quarterback.
Leidner played college football at the University of Minnesota. Many Vikings fans are quite familiar with the Golden Gophers. They are aware of his inconsistent final season. The tremors through Vikings land probably aren't really the result of the addition of a fourth quarterback. It's for the addition of that quarterback. That seems a little harsh. The Vikings made this little roster tweak more out of convenience than anything else. Patience and some simple common sense revealed that. An injury of some sort kept backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke from practicing yesterday. Maybe he can't practice for a few days. His final two throws of the last Friday's game were his best two throws of the preseason. Perhaps the best of his preseason career. He was rocked pretty good earlier in the game. Maybe he just finished it on adrenaline. No matter what the reason the Vikings needed another quarterback for a practice or more. Another arm. Mitch Leidner was just over in Plymouth delivering food for Bite Squad. The Vikings were familiar with him from workouts as well as his college days just across town. It was convenient. That's all this is. There's no reason for panic.
Leidner played college football at the University of Minnesota. Many Vikings fans are quite familiar with the Golden Gophers. They are aware of his inconsistent final season. The tremors through Vikings land probably aren't really the result of the addition of a fourth quarterback. It's for the addition of that quarterback. That seems a little harsh. The Vikings made this little roster tweak more out of convenience than anything else. Patience and some simple common sense revealed that. An injury of some sort kept backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke from practicing yesterday. Maybe he can't practice for a few days. His final two throws of the last Friday's game were his best two throws of the preseason. Perhaps the best of his preseason career. He was rocked pretty good earlier in the game. Maybe he just finished it on adrenaline. No matter what the reason the Vikings needed another quarterback for a practice or more. Another arm. Mitch Leidner was just over in Plymouth delivering food for Bite Squad. The Vikings were familiar with him from workouts as well as his college days just across town. It was convenient. That's all this is. There's no reason for panic.
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Closed On Sundays?
A few weeks ago I trumpeted the Atlanta Falcons efforts to provide a modestly priced menu at their new Mercedes Benz Stadium. Good for them. Now we have this. There will be a Chick-Fil-A at the billion dollar stadium. Excellent. Everyone loves Chick-Fil-A. With headquarters in Atlanta it's a natural fit for Chick-Fil-A and the Falcons to unite. There's just one little problem. The popular fast food franchise is closed on Sundays. There's nothing natural about this union.
Chick-Fil-A has been closed on Sundays since 1946 on orders from founder Truett Cathy. The NFL, and it's predecessor the APFA, has been open for business on Sundays since 1920 on orders from every team except the Frankford Yellow Jackets.
"Having worked seven days in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose-a practice we uphold today," the company website reads.
That's an excellent sentiment and policy. But why would a company closed on Sundays ever hook up with a company that's so tightly linked to Sundays? "Feelin kinda Sunday." Sure, the ever-expanding NFL has every day of the week in it's sites. Until that happens teams still play the vast majority of their games on Sunday. This year the Falcons play all but one of their home games on Sunday. On Thursday Night, December 7, the Falcons and their new partner Chick-Fil-A will be open for business. One night only. On the days of the other seven Falcons games fans will pass by a darkened Chick-Fil-A franchise. Lights on everywhere but there.
Mercedes Benz Stadium is the home of the Atlanta Falcons. There's no denying that. But there will be many events that take place there. Other sporting events, concerts, etc. so there will be plenty of opportunities for Chick-Fil-A to take advantage of their new, little-used location. As long as those events don't take place on Sundays.
Chick-Fil-A has been closed on Sundays since 1946 on orders from founder Truett Cathy. The NFL, and it's predecessor the APFA, has been open for business on Sundays since 1920 on orders from every team except the Frankford Yellow Jackets.
"Having worked seven days in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose-a practice we uphold today," the company website reads.
That's an excellent sentiment and policy. But why would a company closed on Sundays ever hook up with a company that's so tightly linked to Sundays? "Feelin kinda Sunday." Sure, the ever-expanding NFL has every day of the week in it's sites. Until that happens teams still play the vast majority of their games on Sunday. This year the Falcons play all but one of their home games on Sunday. On Thursday Night, December 7, the Falcons and their new partner Chick-Fil-A will be open for business. One night only. On the days of the other seven Falcons games fans will pass by a darkened Chick-Fil-A franchise. Lights on everywhere but there.
Mercedes Benz Stadium is the home of the Atlanta Falcons. There's no denying that. But there will be many events that take place there. Other sporting events, concerts, etc. so there will be plenty of opportunities for Chick-Fil-A to take advantage of their new, little-used location. As long as those events don't take place on Sundays.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Some Knee-Jerk Vikings-Seahawks Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings visited the Seattle Seahawks for Preseason Game #2 last night and left with a 20-13 loss. The Vikings first team offense played better in this loss than last week's win. And they did this against one of the better defenses in the league. Quarterback Sam Bradford had better protection in front of him and as a result the offense was able to play with better rhythm. Bradford even hit receiver Stefon Diggs downfield for a 39-yard gain to the Seahawks 12-yard line. A downfield pass for the Vikings. Imagine that. It would've been nice if that big play had led to a touchdown but a field goal was all that they could manage. The first team defense gave up some chunk plays but for the most part limited the Seahawks first team offense. Backup defenders started peppering the Vikings lineup on the Seahawks third possession. By the end of the first half it was all backups against the Seahawks first team offense. 14-6 at the half. 20-13 at the end. It was a loss for the Vikings but a step in the right direction.
The Good
The offense found some rhythm.
This was due mostly to improved offensive line play. Left tackle Riley Reiff and left guard Alex Boone didn't play due to injuries. Reiff, after missing pretty much all of training camp, returned to practice this week but was kept out of the game as a precaution. Boone was out this past week with a knee injury. Rashod Hill continued in place of Reiff. Nick Easton filled in for Boone. Rookie Pat Elflein got the start at center, Joe Berger at right guard, and Mike Remmers at right tackle. Last week, fans and talking heads were all over Remmers for allowing a breezy sack of Bradford. He didn't attract a lot of attention this week. That's a good thing for an offensive lineman. The line also got rookie running back Davlin Cook loose for his best runs of the preseason.
Dalvin Cook, RB
Cook had 7 carries for 40 yards. He also added another 10 yards on a reception. He had a three-play sequence in which he carried the ball for gains of 15, 9, and 9 yards. Each of which it looked he was close to taking a good deal longer. He's going to be a fun, versatile back.
Sefon Diggs, WR
Diggs had 4 catchers for 65 yards with a long of 39. He has the hands, route-running, and quickness to be a star. He just has to stay healthy. Injuries are the only thing that's slowed him in his two years in the league.
Pat Elflein, C
It's been assumed that the rookie would eventually make the center position his. I'd put his name in ink now. His man is repeatedly moving backward.
Danielle Hunter, DE
Hunter sacked Russell Wilson once but pressured him on several occasions. Seahawks right tackle Germain Ifedi really had no chance against him.
Tashawn Bowser, DE
Bowser continued his strong Preseason showing with another sack and a pressure that led to a teammate getting a sack. His play is going to force some really tough decisions come roster-trimming time.
Eric Kendricks, LB
Kendricks simply makes plays. He did so again last night.
Jaleel Johnson, DT
Johnson was a load for the Seahawks offensive line in the second half. Five tackles and two for loss.
Bucky Hodges, TE
Vikings fans finally got to see the receiving potential of rookie tight end Bucky Hodges. He had the final two offensive plays of the night. A 33-yard reception to the Seahawks 21-yard line and a 21-yard touchdown reception. Granted it was against the Seahawks backups but on both plays he was too big, too fast, and too much to handle.
The Bad
Penalties in the red zone.
Penalties in the red zone have been a problem for too long. Those penalties have turned too many terrific touchdown opportunities into field goal attempts. It's cost the Vikings some wins. Last night they followed a terrific Bradford-to-Diggs 39-yard reception to the 12-yard with two pre-snap procedure penalties. 1st-and-ten at the 12 was soon 3rd-and-20 from the 22. They have to stop killing prime touchdown-scoring opportunities.
Kick Returns.
It's a damn shame that Cordarrelle Patterson is in Oakland now. Poor returns and a fumble are a tough way to start and not start an offensive possession. Rookie receivers Rodney Adams and Stacy Coley are getting most of the opportunities. Maybe just the experience will help. Break one and all of a sudden everything's rosy.
Mackensie Alexander, CB
Alexander struggled mightily a few times. He's the Vikings new nickel corner. He has the natural talent, confidence, and feistiness for the job but last night was rough. Hopefully it's the sort of game that all confident corners need to understand how tough the position really is to play.
Taylor Heinicke, QB
The final two throws to Bucky Hodges kinda made up for a shaky performance. Hopefully those two throws will give him confidence and kick-start his game. Case Keenum has likely sewn up the backup quarterback job but if Heinicke can build off those final throws maybe he can reopen the competition.
More on the offensive line. This may be a real knee-jerk reaction but I'm starting to think that the starting offensive line might be better with someone other than Alex Boone at left guard. While the entire line struggled last year Boone dodged a lot of the finger-pointing with some stellar average play. Perhaps it's just the euphoria over seeing an interior line of Easton-Elflein-Berger have some success against a good, aggressive front like the Seahawks but I'm thinking that maybe Boone's best days might be behind him. Then again, maybe Elflein at center is the key. Maybe Boone will be super with Riley Reiff and Elflein on either side of him. The Vikings really need to get their starting offensive line set and we'll see what happens from there.
One other thing. This is the second consecutive year that the Vikings and Seahawks have met in the preseason. It's also the second consecutive year that the NFL Network broadcast of the game gave the viewers the Seahawks announcing team of Curt Menefee and Brock Huard. If there's a more biased announcing team I've never heard them. It might as well have been a Seahawks scrimmage. One example, multiple Vikings defensive players sniffed out and blew up a Seahawks reverse. It was a terrific defensive play. One of the best of the game. No replay and barely a word. I suppose that the good thing is that I now know the Seahawks entire 90-man roster much better. If a fan of neither team was watching this game, and there were probably many seeing as it was a national broadcast, that person would've come away from this game feeling as if they had watched a single team. It was a tough listen. Menefee and Huard should listen to the Buffalo Bills announcing team. They often acknowledged that the their Bills team was playing the Vikings last week.
The Good
The offense found some rhythm.
This was due mostly to improved offensive line play. Left tackle Riley Reiff and left guard Alex Boone didn't play due to injuries. Reiff, after missing pretty much all of training camp, returned to practice this week but was kept out of the game as a precaution. Boone was out this past week with a knee injury. Rashod Hill continued in place of Reiff. Nick Easton filled in for Boone. Rookie Pat Elflein got the start at center, Joe Berger at right guard, and Mike Remmers at right tackle. Last week, fans and talking heads were all over Remmers for allowing a breezy sack of Bradford. He didn't attract a lot of attention this week. That's a good thing for an offensive lineman. The line also got rookie running back Davlin Cook loose for his best runs of the preseason.
Dalvin Cook, RB
Cook had 7 carries for 40 yards. He also added another 10 yards on a reception. He had a three-play sequence in which he carried the ball for gains of 15, 9, and 9 yards. Each of which it looked he was close to taking a good deal longer. He's going to be a fun, versatile back.
Sefon Diggs, WR
Diggs had 4 catchers for 65 yards with a long of 39. He has the hands, route-running, and quickness to be a star. He just has to stay healthy. Injuries are the only thing that's slowed him in his two years in the league.
Pat Elflein, C
It's been assumed that the rookie would eventually make the center position his. I'd put his name in ink now. His man is repeatedly moving backward.
Danielle Hunter, DE
Hunter sacked Russell Wilson once but pressured him on several occasions. Seahawks right tackle Germain Ifedi really had no chance against him.
Tashawn Bowser, DE
Bowser continued his strong Preseason showing with another sack and a pressure that led to a teammate getting a sack. His play is going to force some really tough decisions come roster-trimming time.
Eric Kendricks, LB
Kendricks simply makes plays. He did so again last night.
Jaleel Johnson, DT
Johnson was a load for the Seahawks offensive line in the second half. Five tackles and two for loss.
Bucky Hodges, TE
Vikings fans finally got to see the receiving potential of rookie tight end Bucky Hodges. He had the final two offensive plays of the night. A 33-yard reception to the Seahawks 21-yard line and a 21-yard touchdown reception. Granted it was against the Seahawks backups but on both plays he was too big, too fast, and too much to handle.
The Bad
Penalties in the red zone.
Penalties in the red zone have been a problem for too long. Those penalties have turned too many terrific touchdown opportunities into field goal attempts. It's cost the Vikings some wins. Last night they followed a terrific Bradford-to-Diggs 39-yard reception to the 12-yard with two pre-snap procedure penalties. 1st-and-ten at the 12 was soon 3rd-and-20 from the 22. They have to stop killing prime touchdown-scoring opportunities.
Kick Returns.
It's a damn shame that Cordarrelle Patterson is in Oakland now. Poor returns and a fumble are a tough way to start and not start an offensive possession. Rookie receivers Rodney Adams and Stacy Coley are getting most of the opportunities. Maybe just the experience will help. Break one and all of a sudden everything's rosy.
Mackensie Alexander, CB
Alexander struggled mightily a few times. He's the Vikings new nickel corner. He has the natural talent, confidence, and feistiness for the job but last night was rough. Hopefully it's the sort of game that all confident corners need to understand how tough the position really is to play.
Taylor Heinicke, QB
The final two throws to Bucky Hodges kinda made up for a shaky performance. Hopefully those two throws will give him confidence and kick-start his game. Case Keenum has likely sewn up the backup quarterback job but if Heinicke can build off those final throws maybe he can reopen the competition.
More on the offensive line. This may be a real knee-jerk reaction but I'm starting to think that the starting offensive line might be better with someone other than Alex Boone at left guard. While the entire line struggled last year Boone dodged a lot of the finger-pointing with some stellar average play. Perhaps it's just the euphoria over seeing an interior line of Easton-Elflein-Berger have some success against a good, aggressive front like the Seahawks but I'm thinking that maybe Boone's best days might be behind him. Then again, maybe Elflein at center is the key. Maybe Boone will be super with Riley Reiff and Elflein on either side of him. The Vikings really need to get their starting offensive line set and we'll see what happens from there.
One other thing. This is the second consecutive year that the Vikings and Seahawks have met in the preseason. It's also the second consecutive year that the NFL Network broadcast of the game gave the viewers the Seahawks announcing team of Curt Menefee and Brock Huard. If there's a more biased announcing team I've never heard them. It might as well have been a Seahawks scrimmage. One example, multiple Vikings defensive players sniffed out and blew up a Seahawks reverse. It was a terrific defensive play. One of the best of the game. No replay and barely a word. I suppose that the good thing is that I now know the Seahawks entire 90-man roster much better. If a fan of neither team was watching this game, and there were probably many seeing as it was a national broadcast, that person would've come away from this game feeling as if they had watched a single team. It was a tough listen. Menefee and Huard should listen to the Buffalo Bills announcing team. They often acknowledged that the their Bills team was playing the Vikings last week.
***
The Vikings host the San Francisco 49ers in Preseason Game #3 on Sunday August 27.
Friday, August 18, 2017
Minneapolis Star Tribune's Stab At The Vikings' 53-Man Roster
The Minnesota Vikings travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks tonight in Preseason Game #2. It's another step in the process toward the final 53-man roster. In advance of that Star Tribune's Vikings beat-writer Andrew Krammer made his projection of that roster.
Flicker Thoughts: It's a sound projection but I see one particular thing differently. I fall into the pro-fullback, and as a result pro-C.J. Ham, camp. I see the Vikings keeping a fullback as a stronger possibility than keeping four tight ends. Even though a fullback might not have a huge role in the offense the team has spent too much time practicing with one to drop the position this late in the game. Just tossing one of those tight ends in the backfield for a few plays doesn't feel right. The final decisions on the defensive line will be brutal. Less brutal but still difficult will be the final decisions at linebacker. The talent on defense runs deep.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3): Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, Taylor Heinicke
Teddy Bridgewater has a few weeks to return to practice before he’ll transfer to the regular season Physically Unable to Perform list, where he’ll be required to sit six games before he’s again eligible to return to practice. This projection is assuming Bridgewater will still be on PUP. Keenum to this point has been the more stable option at backup quarterback. The Vikings often keep three healthy passers on the active roster.
Running backs (3): RB Dalvin Cook, RB Latavius Murray, RB Jerick McKinnon
On the bubble: FB C.J. Ham, RB Terrell Newby
Don’t sleep on fullback C.J. Ham, the converted running back from Duluth, but at this point the Vikings could use tight end David Morgan in a similar backfield role. Ham is eligible for the practice squad.
Receivers (6): Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Laquon Treadwell, Jarius Wright, Rodney Adams, Stacy Coley
On the bubble: Isaac Fruechte, Cayleb Jones
Veteran Michael Floyd will be on the suspended list for the first four games, freeing up a roster spot for a young receiver like Adams or Coley. Both Coley and Adams have flashed some playmaking ability in this young preseason.
Tight ends (4): Kyle Rudolph, David Morgan, Kyle Carter, Bucky Hodges
On the bubble: Nick Truesdell, Josiah Price
Carter, undrafted last year out of Penn State, has been heavily involved this summer, including a TE-high 21 snaps in Buffalo, and looks poised to seize a roster spot. Hodges, the rookie, has plenty of room to grow, but his upside as a receiver could warrant a spot.
Offensive line (9): OT Riley Reiff, OT Mike Remmers, G Alex Boone, C/G Nick Easton, C/G Pat Elflein, C/G Joe Berger, OT Rashod Hill, G/T Jeremiah Sirles, G Danny Isidora
On the bubble: OT Willie Beavers, G T.J. Clemmings, C/G Zac Kerin
This is where the roster hits a logjam with plenty of young and inexperienced linemen competing for spots. Willie Beavers, last year’s fourth-round pick, has shown some improvement at right tackle and could push Sirles for a spot. T.J. Clemmings’ move to guard also seems to suit him, but the Vikings may like the upside of Isidora instead.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (9): DE Everson Griffen, DE Danielle Hunter, DE Brian Robison, DE Stephen Weatherly, DT Linval Joseph, DT Tom Johnson, DT Datone Jones, DT Jaleel Johnson, DT Shamar Stephen
On the bubble: DE Tashawn Bower, DT Will Sutton, DT Dylan Bradley, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
The Vikings kept five defensive ends a couple years ago when Justin Trattou had a strong preseason. That might be the case with rookie Tashawn Bower, the undrafted LSU product who stood out during the exhibition opener in Buffalo. Here instead are five defensive tackles after the Vikings were shorthanded at DT last season. Should a roster spot come between Stephen and fourth-round pick Jaleel Johnson, the Vikings could keep another pass rusher like Bower. Defensive tackle Will Sutton and rookie end Ifeadi Odenigbo are also in the mix. Sharrif Floyd is expected to start the season on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Linebackers (6): OLB Anthony Barr, LB Eric Kendricks, OLB Edmond Robinson, OLB Emmanuel Lamur, LB Ben Gedeon, LB Kentrell Brothers
On the bubble: OLB Eric Wilson, OLB Elijah Lee
Gedeon, a fourth-round pick, has also been heavily involved this summer. He continues to mix in with the first-team defense at weak-side linebacker, where Lamur and Robinson are also competing. All three have been fronting special teams units and are likely to make the team. Brothers (hamstring) needs to get healthy and play this preseason to hold off rookies Elijah Lee and Eric Wilson from taking a roster spot.
Defensive backs (10): CB Xavier Rhodes, CB Trae Waynes, CB Mackensie Alexander, CB Terence Newman, CB Marcus Sherels, S Harrison Smith, S Andrew Sendejo, S Anthony Harris, S Jayron Kearse, DB Antone Exum Jr.
On the bubble: DB Jack Tocho, CB Jabari Price
Exum Jr. has been healthy and active since landing on crutches with an injured knee earlier this spring. He’s also been revisiting the slot corner role and could be a versatile role player for the Vikings in his fourth NFL season. That’s why he’s ahead of rookie Jack Tocho, the cornerback-turned-safety, at this point. Jabari Price will get a chance to earn his spot, but the top five cornerback spots should be considered locked ending with Sherels, the dynamic punt returner.
Specialists (3): K Kai Forbath, P Ryan Quigley, LS Kevin McDermott
On the bubble: K Marshall Koehn, P Taylor Symmank
Like the Vikings ‘unofficial’ depth chart, the veterans hold the lead here in specialists competitions even though punter Taylor Symmank and kicker Marshall Koehn could supplant either. Both have strong upside, but need to show the consistency of their veteran counterparts.
***
Flicker Thoughts: It's a sound projection but I see one particular thing differently. I fall into the pro-fullback, and as a result pro-C.J. Ham, camp. I see the Vikings keeping a fullback as a stronger possibility than keeping four tight ends. Even though a fullback might not have a huge role in the offense the team has spent too much time practicing with one to drop the position this late in the game. Just tossing one of those tight ends in the backfield for a few plays doesn't feel right. The final decisions on the defensive line will be brutal. Less brutal but still difficult will be the final decisions at linebacker. The talent on defense runs deep.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Throwback Thursday: All-Time Not In The Hall of Fame Team
With the Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductions still on my mind I was thinking about some of the players not honored in Canton. There are enough players worthy of consideration to make a complete team. So I did. An All-Time NFL Team made up of players that are not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Quarterback
Ken Anderson, 1971-86 Cincinnati Bengals
Running backs
Chuck Foreman, 1973-79 Minnesota Vikings, 1980 New England Patriots
Spec Sanders, 1946-48 New York Yankees, 1950 New York Yanks
Spec Sanders, 1946-48 New York Yankees, 1950 New York Yanks
Receivers
Lavvie Dilweg, 1926 Milwaukee Badgers, 1927-34 Green Bay Packers
Mac Speedie, 1946-52 Cleveland Browns
Mac Speedie, 1946-52 Cleveland Browns
Tight end
Jerry Smith, 1965-77 Washington Redskins
Tackles
Duke Slater, 1922 Milwaukee Badgers, 1922-25 Rock Island Independents, 1926-31 Chicago Cardinals
Al Wistert, 1943-51 Philadelphia Eagles
Al Wistert, 1943-51 Philadelphia Eagles
Guards
Jerry Kramer, 1958-68 Green Bay Packers
Al Nesser, 1920-25 Akron Pros, 1925 Cleveland Bulldogs, 1926 Akron Indians, 1926-28 New York Giants, 1931 Cleveland Indians
Center
Ox Emerson, 1931-33 Portsmouth Spartans, 1934-37 Detroit Lions, 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers
Defensive ends
Rich Jackson, 1966 Oakland Raiders, 1967-72 Denver Broncos, 1972 Cleveland Browns
Harvey Martin, 1973-83 Dallas Cowboys
Harvey Martin, 1973-83 Dallas Cowboys
Defensive tackles
Alex Karras, 1958-62/1964-70 Detroit Lions
Tom Sestak, 1962-68 Buffalo Bills
Tom Sestak, 1962-68 Buffalo Bills
Linebackers
Robert Brazile, 1975-84 Houston Oilers
Chuck Howley, 1958-59 Chicago Bears, 1961-73 Dallas Cowboys
Randy Gradishar, 1974-83 Denver Broncos
Chuck Howley, 1958-59 Chicago Bears, 1961-73 Dallas Cowboys
Randy Gradishar, 1974-83 Denver Broncos
Cornerbacks
Lester Hayes, 1977-86 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Ken Riley, 1969-83 Cincinnati Bengals
Ken Riley, 1969-83 Cincinnati Bengals
Safeties
Johnny Robinson, 1960-62 Dallas Texans/1963-71 Kansas City Chiefs
Joey Browner, 1983-91 Minnesota Vikings, 1992 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kicker
Gary Andersen, Pittsburgh Steelers 1982-94, Philadelphia Eagles 1995-96, San Francisco 1997, Minnesota Vikings 1998-2002, Tennessee Titans 2003-04
Punter
Horace Gillom, Cleveland Browns 1947-56
The Senior Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 should be announced soon. It sure would be nice if the Senior Committe would consider the players recommended by the the Pro Football Researchers Association.
Duke Slater
Lavvie Dilweg
Al Wistert
Mac Speedie
The voters still have work to do with players that played before 1950.
Joey Browner, 1983-91 Minnesota Vikings, 1992 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kicker
Gary Andersen, Pittsburgh Steelers 1982-94, Philadelphia Eagles 1995-96, San Francisco 1997, Minnesota Vikings 1998-2002, Tennessee Titans 2003-04
Punter
Horace Gillom, Cleveland Browns 1947-56
***
The Senior Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 should be announced soon. It sure would be nice if the Senior Committe would consider the players recommended by the the Pro Football Researchers Association.
Duke Slater
Lavvie Dilweg
Al Wistert
Mac Speedie
The voters still have work to do with players that played before 1950.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Flea Flicker Preseason Top-25 College Football Rankings
With college football fast approaching I decided to take a swing at ranking at the top college football teams.
Flea Flicker Top-25 Preseason College Football Rankings
1. Alabama
2. USC
3. Clemson
4. Washington
5. Ohio State
6. Florida State
7. Penn State
8. Michigan
9. LSU
10. Oklahoma
11. Wisconsin
12. Oklahoma State
13. Auburn
14. Florida
15. Louisville
16. Stanford
17. South Florida
18. Miami
19. Texas
20. Virginia Tech
21. Texas A&M
22. Kansas State
23. West Virginia
24. Tennessee
25. Cal
Maybe it's a reach to include Cal but it's my rankings. They could surprise. I look forward to watching a Golden Bears football team with an interest in playing defense. It's been a while.
For comparison here's ESPN's Coaches Rankings.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Florida State
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. Penn State
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan
10. Wisconsin
11. Oklahoma State
12. LSU
13. Auburn
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Florida
17. Loisville
18. Miami
19. Kansas State
20. West Virginia
21. South Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Tennessee
25. Utah
Flea Flicker Top-25 Preseason College Football Rankings
1. Alabama
2. USC
3. Clemson
4. Washington
5. Ohio State
6. Florida State
7. Penn State
8. Michigan
9. LSU
10. Oklahoma
11. Wisconsin
12. Oklahoma State
13. Auburn
14. Florida
15. Louisville
16. Stanford
17. South Florida
18. Miami
19. Texas
20. Virginia Tech
21. Texas A&M
22. Kansas State
23. West Virginia
24. Tennessee
25. Cal
Maybe it's a reach to include Cal but it's my rankings. They could surprise. I look forward to watching a Golden Bears football team with an interest in playing defense. It's been a while.
For comparison here's ESPN's Coaches Rankings.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Florida State
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. Penn State
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan
10. Wisconsin
11. Oklahoma State
12. LSU
13. Auburn
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Florida
17. Loisville
18. Miami
19. Kansas State
20. West Virginia
21. South Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Tennessee
25. Utah
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Another Early Stab At The Vikings 53-Man Roster
I am so glad that the real decisions aren't mine. The Minnesota Vikings' decision-makers will have some really tough decisions to make in about three weeks. My decisions are just for fun.
Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Case Keenum
Taylor Heinicke
Teddy Bridgewater-PUP
The only alternative quarterback depth chart would be if the Vikings decide to keep only two quarterbacks. In that case, Taylor Heinicke might be on the outside looking in. He struggled in the first preseason game and Case Keenum played well. There's also the possibility that Teddy Bridgewater is suddenly ready to return to the field and then we have a whole other quarterback story.
Running backs
Dalvin Cook
Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham-fullback
This is probably close to being set. Some fans and talking heads toss out the possibility that the Vikings could still decide not to carry a fullback. It seems kinda late in the process to go that route but some tough roster decisions at other positions (defensive line and linebacker) could force it.
Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Stacy Coley
Rodney Adams
On the bubble: Cayleb Jones
Michael Floyd will be off the roster at the start of the season as he serves a four-game suspension. That puts off a tough decision for four weeks. It also gives Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams an extra four (real) games to state their case. Or Cayleb Jones. He's been as impressive, if not more so, than the two rookie draft picks in training camp. Perhaps the yougsters even make veteran Jarius Wright expendable. Who knows? I don't. Again, I'm glad that these aren't my decisions to make in reality.
Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Bucky Hodges
On the bubble: Kyle Carter, Nick Truesdell, Josiah Price
The Vikings could go with four tight ends but that feels excessive with some of the decisions at other positions.
Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Alex Boone
Pat Elflein
Joe Berger
Mike Remmers
Rashod Hill
Danny Isidora
Nick Easton
Willie Beavers
On the bubble: T.J. Clemmings, Jeremiah Sirles, Zac Kerin, Aviante Collins, Reid Fragel. Freddie Tagaloa, Austin Shepherd
This offensive line group doesn't look much like last year's group. That's a good thing. Here's hoping that the season-long health is different as well.
Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Tom Johnson
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Jaleel Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Stephen Weatherly
Sharrif Floyd-PUP
On the bubble: Ifeadi Odenigbo, Tashawn Bower, Will Sutton, Dylan Bradley
This is the most talented position group on the team. As a result the final cuts will be tough. Probably the toughest on the team. I'm leaning toward keeping a young defensive end (Tashawn Bower or Ifaedi Odenigbo, probably Bower) over veteran 3-technique Tom Johnson. No matter how I shape this position group it doesn't feel right. There are too many players on the outside that are too talented to be there.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Edmond Robinson
Kentrell Brothers
Ben Gedeon
Eric Wilson
On the bubble: Emmanuel Lamur, Eijah Lee
If this projection holds, Emmanuel Lamur moves from potential starter at weak-side linebacker to off the roster. That's due more to my projecting the Vikings keeping youngsters than Lamur's abilities. I'd like to keep seven linebackers but I don't think that will fit in the final numbers game. Kentrell Brothers has been out with a hamstring injury for nearly the entirety of training camp. Perhaps he gets placed on injured reserve. That would open the door for Lamur or rookie Elijah Lee.
Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
On the bubble: Jabari Price, Horace Richardson, Terrell Sinkfield, Tre Roberson
Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes are the outside corner pair. Mackensie Alexander takes over at nickel. Terence Newman backs up all three spots. Marcus Sherels will likely be the punt and kick returner. He can step in on defense if needed. Safety Antone Exum, Jr. has been working at nickel throughout training camp so he provides some extra corner depth.
Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Jayron Kearse
Jack Tocho
Antone Exum, Jr.
On the bubble: Anthony Harris
5 safeties seem like a luxury but Exum provides some emergency depth at corner. Keeping one of the young defensive ends over five safeties might be the better option.
Kicker
Marshall Koehn
On the bubble: Kai Forbath
Punter
Taylor Symmank
On the bubble: Ryan Quigley
Long snapper
Kevin McDermott
There it is.
Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Case Keenum
Taylor Heinicke
Teddy Bridgewater-PUP
The only alternative quarterback depth chart would be if the Vikings decide to keep only two quarterbacks. In that case, Taylor Heinicke might be on the outside looking in. He struggled in the first preseason game and Case Keenum played well. There's also the possibility that Teddy Bridgewater is suddenly ready to return to the field and then we have a whole other quarterback story.
Running backs
Dalvin Cook
Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham-fullback
This is probably close to being set. Some fans and talking heads toss out the possibility that the Vikings could still decide not to carry a fullback. It seems kinda late in the process to go that route but some tough roster decisions at other positions (defensive line and linebacker) could force it.
Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Stacy Coley
Rodney Adams
On the bubble: Cayleb Jones
Michael Floyd will be off the roster at the start of the season as he serves a four-game suspension. That puts off a tough decision for four weeks. It also gives Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams an extra four (real) games to state their case. Or Cayleb Jones. He's been as impressive, if not more so, than the two rookie draft picks in training camp. Perhaps the yougsters even make veteran Jarius Wright expendable. Who knows? I don't. Again, I'm glad that these aren't my decisions to make in reality.
Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Bucky Hodges
On the bubble: Kyle Carter, Nick Truesdell, Josiah Price
The Vikings could go with four tight ends but that feels excessive with some of the decisions at other positions.
Offensive line
Riley Reiff
Alex Boone
Pat Elflein
Joe Berger
Mike Remmers
Rashod Hill
Danny Isidora
Nick Easton
Willie Beavers
On the bubble: T.J. Clemmings, Jeremiah Sirles, Zac Kerin, Aviante Collins, Reid Fragel. Freddie Tagaloa, Austin Shepherd
This offensive line group doesn't look much like last year's group. That's a good thing. Here's hoping that the season-long health is different as well.
Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Tom Johnson
Danielle Hunter
Brian Robison
Datone Jones
Jaleel Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Stephen Weatherly
Sharrif Floyd-PUP
On the bubble: Ifeadi Odenigbo, Tashawn Bower, Will Sutton, Dylan Bradley
This is the most talented position group on the team. As a result the final cuts will be tough. Probably the toughest on the team. I'm leaning toward keeping a young defensive end (Tashawn Bower or Ifaedi Odenigbo, probably Bower) over veteran 3-technique Tom Johnson. No matter how I shape this position group it doesn't feel right. There are too many players on the outside that are too talented to be there.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Edmond Robinson
Kentrell Brothers
Ben Gedeon
Eric Wilson
On the bubble: Emmanuel Lamur, Eijah Lee
If this projection holds, Emmanuel Lamur moves from potential starter at weak-side linebacker to off the roster. That's due more to my projecting the Vikings keeping youngsters than Lamur's abilities. I'd like to keep seven linebackers but I don't think that will fit in the final numbers game. Kentrell Brothers has been out with a hamstring injury for nearly the entirety of training camp. Perhaps he gets placed on injured reserve. That would open the door for Lamur or rookie Elijah Lee.
Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mackensie Alexander
Terence Newman
Marcus Sherels
On the bubble: Jabari Price, Horace Richardson, Terrell Sinkfield, Tre Roberson
Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes are the outside corner pair. Mackensie Alexander takes over at nickel. Terence Newman backs up all three spots. Marcus Sherels will likely be the punt and kick returner. He can step in on defense if needed. Safety Antone Exum, Jr. has been working at nickel throughout training camp so he provides some extra corner depth.
Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Jayron Kearse
Jack Tocho
Antone Exum, Jr.
On the bubble: Anthony Harris
5 safeties seem like a luxury but Exum provides some emergency depth at corner. Keeping one of the young defensive ends over five safeties might be the better option.
Kicker
Marshall Koehn
On the bubble: Kai Forbath
Punter
Taylor Symmank
On the bubble: Ryan Quigley
Long snapper
Kevin McDermott
There it is.
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