Throwback Thursday: Ranking The 52 Super Bowls

The Bill Belichick/Tom Brady New England Patriots are preparing for an incredible ninth Super Bowl. One great thing about a Patriots Super Bowl during this ridiculous run is that it's always an entertaining game. Sometimes wildly entertaining. In this ranking of the 52 Super Bowls five of the top ten include a Belichick/Brady Patriots team. All eight are in the top 20. Hopefully the Patriots and Los Angeles Rams can put Super Bowl LIII at the top of next year's list. Until then, here's a ranking of the 52 Super Bowls.

52. Super Bowl IV-Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7

51. Super Bowl VIII-Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7

50. Super Bowl IX-Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6

49. Super Bowl XI-Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14

48. Super Bowl XXIV-San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10

47. Super Bowl XLVIII-Seattle Seahawks 43, Denver Broncos 8

46. Super Bowl XX-Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10

45. Super Bowl XXXV-Baltimore Ravens 34, New York Giants 7

44. Super Bowl XXIX-San Francisco 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers 26

43. Super Bowl XXXVII-Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21

42. Super Bowl XXII-Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10

41. Super Bowl XXVII-Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17

40, Super Bowl XII-Dallas Cowboys 27, Denver Broncos 10

39, Super Bowl XXXIII Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19

38. Super Bowl XVIII Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9

37. Super Bowl XXVI-Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24

36. Super Bowl XV-Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10

35. Super Bowl I-Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10

34, Super Bowl VI-Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3

33. Super Bowl XL-Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10

32. Super Bowl XLI-Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17

31. Super Bowl II-Green Bay Packers 33, Oakland Raiders 14

30. Super Bowl XIX-San Francisco 49ers, 38, Miami Dolphins 16

29. Super Bowl V-Baltimore Colts 16, Dallas Cowboys 13

28. Super Bowl VII-Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7

27, Super Bowl XXVIII-Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13

26. Super Bowl XXI-New York Giants 39, Denver Broncos 20
25. Super Bowl XXXI-Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21

24. Super Bowl XXX-Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
23. Super Bowl L-Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10
22. Super Bowl XVII-Washington Redskins 27, Miami Dolphins 17

21. Super Bowl XLIV-New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
20  Super Bowl XXXIX-New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21

19. Super Bowl XLV-Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25

18. Super Bowl XLVI-New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17

17. Super Bowl XXXII-Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24

16. Super Bowl III-New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7

15. Super Bowl XLVII-Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
14. Super Bowl XXXIV-St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
13. Super Bowl XVI-San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21

12. Super Bowl XXXVI-New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17

11. Super Bowl XIV-Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19

10. Super Bowl LII-Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
  9. Super Bowl X-Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17

  8. Super Bowl XXIII-San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16

  7. Super Bowl XXV-New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
  6. Super Bowl XXXVIII-New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29

  5. Super Bowl XLII-New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
  4. Super Bowl LI-New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
  3. Super Bowl XLIII-Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
  2. Super Bowl XLIX-New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24

  1.Super Bowl XIII-Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31

All-Time Favorites Team

Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez should be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this Saturday in their first year of eligibility. I've been thinking about Reed and Gonzalez because of that impending Hall vote but also because it was so much fun watching each play football. Both are among my favorite all-time football players. Gonzalez has a personal added benefit of having played at Cal. I attended all of his home games and watched the entirety of his college career, including his time on the Golden Bears basketball team. The only issue I had with his time in Berkeley was that it was only three years. Thinking about Reed and Gonzalez got me thinking about my all-time favorite football team. As a Minnesota Vikings fan I have to exclude Vikings players from this team because it would turn into an all-time favorite Vikings football team if I didn't. As much as I like Reed he wouldn't make the team over Joey Browner, Harrison Smith, or Paul Krause.

So, here is my All-Time non-Vikings Favorites Team:

Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers

Go Bears! As with Gonzalez, Rodgers' Cal days bumps him to the top of my favorite quarterbacks.

Running Back
Walter Payton

My appreciation for Payton began the day I watched him run for 275 against the Vikings. I hated and loved every yard that he gained.

Fullback
Mike Alstott

Perhaps it was the contrast to speedy Warrick Dunn in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield but there was just something fun about Alstott's running and pounding.

Receivers
Jerry Rice
Larry Fitzgerald
Steve Smith

Rice and Fitzgerald were automatics. As soon as I settled on them I flashed to the fun that it was to watch Smith's energy and passion on every play.

Tight End
Tony Gonzalez

Go Bears!

Tackles
Jonathan Ogden
Mitchell Schwartz

From his time at UCLA through his entire Ravens career there was something about Ogden that I found intriguing. As with all of the Cal players on this team I feel like I've been a part of Schwartz's football career.

Guards
John Hannah
Larry Allen

Hannah is simply one of the best offensive linemen I ever saw play. It didn't seem like he ever had a bad play. In a position group in which every great player seems bigger and stronger than every other player on the field Allen seemed bigger and stronger than every player in that position group.

Center
Alex Mack

Go Bears!

Defensive Ends
Reggie White
J.J. Watt

Whenever I think of White I think of the play in which the Vikings thought it might be a fine idea to have Cris Carter chip him. I've never seen a man fly like that. Before injuries started taking him off the field Watt was the most destructive defensive player I had seen since Lawrence Taylor.

Defensive Tackles
Joe Greene
Aaron Donald

As a kid there was something terrifying about Greene. Since I can't put John Randle on this team I'll put a player that plays a bit like him. As long a he's not playing against your team it's a blast to watch Donald play football.

Linebackers
Lawrence Taylor
Jack Lambert
Jack Ham

Taylor was ridiculous. You just knew that you were watching an all-time great. When I saw Lambert and Ham (and Andy Russell) play I felt like I was watching how linebackers are supposed to play the game.

Cornerbacks
Mike Haynes
Darrell Green

Haynes was just so smooth. I thought that I was watching a special player ever time I watched Green. Those thoughts were confirmed when Randy Moss, as a rookie, said that Green was the best corner that he'd faced. Green was about a foot shorter and twenty years older than Moss.

Safeties
Ed Reed
Ronnie Lott

Reed played the safety position better than I've ever seen it played. Where Reed seemed to be more about finesse Lott was more about force. Defenses were simply better with Reed and Lott back there.

NFL 2019 Offseason Schedule

There's still one big even before the NFL's 2018 can be called done but the league never stops. It rarely even slows. Here's the 2019 Offseason Schedule. From NFL Operations.

FEBRUARY

Feb. 3 Super Bowl LIII, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.

Feb. 4 Waiver system begins for 2019.

Feb. 12 Beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, NFL clubs may begin to sign players whose 2019 CFL contracts have expired. Players under contract to a CFL club for the 2019 season or who have an option for the 2019 season are not eligible to be signed.

Feb. 19 First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

Feb. 26-March 4 NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.

MARCH

March 5 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 11-13 Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2018 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 13.

March 13 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2019 on all players who have option clauses in their 2018 contracts.

March 13 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.

March 13 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a minimum salary tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2018 contracts who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.

March 13 Top 51 Rule begins. All clubs must be under the 2019 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time.

March 13 All 2018 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

March 13 The 2019 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2019 league year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 13. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 13.

March 13 Trading period for 2019 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2018 contracts.

March 24-27 Annual League Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.

APRIL

April 1 Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2018 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.

April 15 Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.

April 19 Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets.

April 25-27 2019 NFL Draft, Nashville, Tennessee.

MAY

May 3-6 Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.

May 7 Deadline for prior club to send “May 7 Tender” to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents.  If the player has not signed a player contract with a club by July 22 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later, he may negotiate or sign a player contract from that date until the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, at 4:00 p.m., New York time, only with his prior club.

May 10-13 Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.

May 13 Rookie Football Development Programs begin.

May 16-19 NFLPA Rookie Premiere. Invited rookies (typically, first and/or second-round selections) must be permitted by their respective clubs to attend. Such players are unavailable for offseason workouts, OTA days, and minicamps during this period.

May 20-22 Spring League Meeting, Key Biscayne, Florida.

JUNE

June 2 For any player removed from the club’s roster or whose contract is assigned via waivers or trade on or after June 2, any unamortized signing bonus amounts for future years will be included fully in team salary at the start of the 2020 league year.

June 3 Deadline for prior club to send “June 1 Tender” to its unsigned Restricted Free Agents who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only in order for such player to be subject to the CBA’s “June 15 Tender” provision.

June 15 Deadline for club to withdraw qualifying offer to Restricted Free Agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting “June 15 Tender” of one-year contract at 110 percent of the player’s prior-year Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior-year contract carried forward unchanged).

Late June Rookie Transition Program to be held at individual clubs. Attendance is mandatory for all 2019 rookies.

JULY

July 15 At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension.  After this date, the player may sign only a one- year contract with his prior club for the 2019 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.

Mid-July Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies and first-year players beginning seven days prior to the club’s earliest permissible mandatory reporting date for veteran players. Veteran players (defined as a player with at least one pension-credited season) other than quarterbacks or “injured players” (as defined in CBA Article 21, Section 6) may report to a club’s preseason training camp no earlier than 15 days prior to the club’s first scheduled preseason game or July 15, whichever is later.
Veteran quarterbacks and injured players may be required to report to the club’s preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies and first-year players
A three-day acclimation period will apply to players who are on a club’s roster up to and including the mandatory veteran reporting date. Players who rejoin the roster after that date may practice (including wearing pads) and play immediately after passing a physical.

July 22* Signing period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom a “May 7 Tender” was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.
* or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later.
Signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.

AUGUST

Aug. 1 Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 1-4 Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 6 Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an accrued season for free agency.
If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2019, and may sign a player contract only with the drafting club until the day of the Draft in the 2020 league year.

Aug. 31 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List. Simultaneously with the cut-down to 53, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non- Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List.

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 1 Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 12:00 noon, New York time.

Sept. 1 Upon receipt of the Personnel Notice at approximately 1:00 p.m., New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of 10 players (clubs participating in the International Player Development Program may sign one additional international player to a Practice Player Contract.) No club, including the player’s prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a practice player contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player’s prior NFL player contract has been terminated via the waiver system.

Sept. 5 At 12:00 a.m., New York time, the Top 51 Rule expires for all NFL clubs.

Sept. 5, 8-9 Regular Season Week 1.

Flea Flicker Pre-tag Free Agent Rankings.

It's ridiculous to rank the free agents before franchise/transition tags are applied and late signings. Perhaps more than half of the following Top 25 free agents won't actually be free agents when March 13 arrives. For now, here's one look at the Top 25 2019 Free Agents.

1.   Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
2.   Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB, Houston Texans
3.   DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Dallas Cowboys
4.   Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons
5.   Dee Ford, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs
6.   C.J. Mosley, LB, Baltimore Ravens
7.   Trey Flowers, DE, New England Patriots
8.   Kareem Jackson, CB, Houston Texans
9.   Anthony Barr, LB, Minnesota Vikings
10. Landon Collins, S, New York Giants
11. Frank Clark, DE, Seattle Seahawaks
12. Tyrann Mathieu, S, Houston Texans
13. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Los Angeles Rams
14. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, New Orleans Saints
15. Preston Smith, LB, Washington Redskins
16. Brandon Graham, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
17. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Minnesota Vikings
18. Kwon Alexander, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. Earl Thomas, S, Seattle Seahawks
20. Za'Darius Smith, LB, Baltimore Ravens
21. Lamarcus Joyner, S, Los Angeles Rams
22. K.J. Wright, LB, Seattle Seahawks
23. Ronald Darby, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
24. Darryl Williams, OT, Carolina Panthers
25. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions

If there was some way to guarantee that Ezekiel Ansah stays healthy for even 12 games he probably jumps into the Top 10.

There's a very good chance that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles joins the free agent list. If/when that happens he's above Teddy Bridgewater. Foles has been a fantastic season-closer the past two seasons. He's yet to show that he can be an effective season-long starter. His postseason performance last season and late this season sure makes him intriguing.

USA Today's 53 Greatest Super Bowl Players

The USA Today's Nate Davis recently posted a list of the 53 greatest players in Super Bowl history. Lists like this are fun. They are especially fun if you don't take them seriously. It's all subjective but there's little debate about the top player on this list. Even the most devout Brady-haters can't ignore his ridiculous Super Bowl presence.

USA Today's 53 Greatest Super Bowl Players

1. QB Tom Brady: The New England Patriots poster boy has more rings (5) than any other quarterback and more Super Bowl MVPs (4) than anybody. His record eight Super Bowl starts have allowed him to become the game's all-time leader in passes (357), completions (235), yards (2,576) and TDs (18). Brady aired it out for a Super Sunday record 505 yards in last season's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, breaking his mark of 466 set the previous year. But his Super Bowl LI effort may be the most impressive given he orchestrated the greatest comeback in the game's history, leading the Super Bowl's lone overtime drive against Atlanta. And yet ... the book still isn't closed as Super Bowl LIII and the Rams now approach. 

2. QB Joe Montana: He's been overtaken in several categories by Brady, who grew up idolizing the man who set the gold standard for Super Bowl quarterback play. Montana went 4-0 on Super Sunday, was named MVP thrice and had 11 TD passes with nary an interception, which explains his remarkable record for passer rating (127.8). And who can forget the methodical, 92-yard TD drive he led — capped by the game-winning throw to John Taylor in the final minute — to win Super Bowl XXIII?

3. WR Jerry Rice: As you'd expect of the "GOAT," he's in a class by himself. He owns Super Bowl career records for receptions (33), receiving yards (589) and TDs (8). No one else has more than three TD catches, a total Rice matched alone in Super Bowl XXIX. His single-game record of 215 receiving yards made him Super Bowl XXIII's MVP.

4. QB Terry Bradshaw: He'll always have his detractors. But it was Bradshaw, not the Pittsburgh Steelers' famed Steel Curtain, who showed the way to victory in Super Bowls XIII and XIV, taking MVP honors in both games. He was the first quarterback with four Lombardi Trophies, and his nine TD strikes trail only Brady and Montana. And what about the toughness factor? Bradshaw threw the game-winning TD pass in Super Bowl X while taking a helmet to the jaw that literally knocked him out.

5. OLB/DE Charles Haley: Count 'em, a record five Super Bowl rings (two with the 49ers, three with the Dallas Cowboys) — a figure matched only by Brady. Since sacks became official in 1982, Haley's 4½ are the most in the Super Bowl record book. He bagged Cincinnati Bengals QB Boomer Esiason twice in Super Bowl XXIII, the Niners' narrowest Super Sunday win.

6. QB Doug Williams: He only played in one Super Bowl (XXII). But all the Washington Redskins star did was prove to any remaining naysayers that a black quarterback could win it all ... while doing it on a hyperextended knee ... while throwing four TD passes in an unreal 35-point second quarter.

7. RB Emmitt Smith: The Super Bowl XXVIII MVP was the Cowboys' closer that night (132 yards, 2 second-half TDs) and again in Super Bowl XXX. Smith's five rushing TDs are a record, and his 289 rushing yards rank third.

8. QB Eli Manning: We're not suggesting he's better than big brother Peyton. But Eli is definitely more deserving of a spot on this list given his heroics in twice winning Super Bowl MVP honors for the New York Giants with some truly miraculous plays in upsets of the Patriots.

9. RB Terrell Davis: In what was arguably the greatest Super Bowl effort by a tailback, he ran for 157 yards and a record-tying three TDs, while combating a migraine, on his way to Super Bowl XXXII MVP honors as the Denver Broncos won their first title. Davis adding 102 rushing yards and 50 more receiving when Denver repeated the next year.

10. QB Joe Namath: He was more game manager than gunslinger on Super Sunday and didn't throw a touchdown in the New York Jets' monumental upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. But Broadway Joe wisely kept calling for effective gainers from his backs while delivering on his epic pregame guarantee and changing the course of pro football history by vanquishing the NFL establishment.

11. K Adam Vinatieri: His 34 Super Bowl points trail only Rice's 48. None were bigger than the pair of game-winning field goals Vinatieri drilled for the Patriots to end Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII. He snagged a fourth ring with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.

12. QB Bart Starr: The numbers won't wow you — 452 passing yards and three TDs combined over the course of two games — but the steady hand of the Green Bay Packers great also clutched the first two Super Bowl MVPs as a capstone to a legendary dynasty.

13. WR Lynn Swann: He basically built a Hall of Fame career over four Super Sundays. Three of his four catches (totaling 161 yards) in Super Bowl X were of the acrobatic variety, including the game-deciding 64-yard TD in the fourth quarter, which is why Swann was the MVP. His three career TD grabs and 364 yards trail only Rice.

14. QB Steve Young: His six TD passes in the Niners' Super Bowl XXIX victory remain a single-game Super Bowl record. And don't forget, Young collected two more rings as Montana's backup.

15. MLB Jack Lambert: The vampire-toothed man in the middle racked up 46 tackles during Pittsburgh’s four victories and famously chucked Cowboys S Cliff Harris after he taunted Steelers K Roy Gerela in Super Bowl X.

16. QB Kurt Warner: With a break here and there, he'd have three championships instead of one. But credit Warner for leading the long woebegone Rams and Cardinals out of the wilderness. And not only did the Super Bowl XXXIV MVP set a then-record with 414 passing yards, his 377 yards in Super Bowl XLIII and 365 in Super Bowl XXXVI give him the three most prolific passing days in the game's history until Brady's explosions in Super Bowls LI and LII.

17. RB Franco Harris: A four-time champion, nearly half of his career record 354 rushing yards came when the Super Bowl IX MVP posted a then-record 158 in the Steelers' first Super Bowl. Harris' four rushing scores trail only Smith.

18. MLB Ray Lewis: He was the villain of the week prior to the game, but Lewis emerged as Super Bowl XXXV's MVP after the dominant 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense shut out the Giants offense. Twelve years later, Lewis collected more bling in his final ride.

19. DE L.C. Greenwood: His four sacks of Dallas QB Roger Staubach in Super Bowl X represent an unofficial record since the NFL didn't recognize sacks until 1982. Same goes for the five career sacks of Greenwood, who started all four of Pittsburgh's victorious Super Sundays in the 1970s.

20. RB Roger Craig: His exclusion in previous iterations of this list was an unfortunate oversight. The Niners' main man in the backfield, Craig earned three rings as one of the original do-it-all backs. He piled up 410 yards and four TDs from scrimmage, both figures good for third place in the Super Bowl record book.

21. OLB Ted Hendricks: He's usually remembered as a Raider, but the first of Hendricks' four Super Bowl wins came with the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. None of the defenses he played on surrendered more than 14 points.

22. WR John Stallworth: Like Swann, his Steelers wingman, he has three Super Bowl TD grabs, two covering more than 70 yards. Stallworth's 73-yard TD from Bradshaw in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XIV broke the backs of the plucky Los Angeles Rams.

23. RB Larry Csonka: The workhorse for the Miami Dolphins, including the 17-0 1972 team, his 297 rushing yards in three games are second only to Harris. Csonka scored twice and had a then-record 145 yards to net Super Bowl VIII honors and had 112 yards the previous year when Miami capped its perfect season.

24. QB Phil Simms: He threw 25 passes in Super Bowl XXI, and only three hit the ground. Pretty high bar as the MVP led the Giants to the first of their four Lombardi Trophies.

25. S Jake Scott: His pair of interceptions, including the game-clincher, put a bow on the Dolphins' perfect season and brought him Super Bowl VII's MVP.

26. OLB Rod Martin: The only man to pick off three passes in one Super Bowl — Martin thrice victimized the Eagles' Ron Jaworski in Super Bowl XV — he got one ring when the Raiders were in Oakland and another after they moved to L.A.

27. DT Joe Greene: No one embodies the Steel Curtain Steelers more than Mean Joe, who started all four Super Bowls in the 1970s.

28. CB Malcolm Butler: He was an undrafted rookie no-name when he made arguably the clutchest of all Super Bowl plays by undercutting Seattle Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette's route at the goal line to intercept Russell Wilson's pass and turn what seemed near certain defeat into the Patriots' fourth title. Butler will never be a no-name the rest of his life ... though he did garner unwanted attention for essentially being benched by Bill Belichick in Super Bowl LII, a decision that surely seemed to backfire on New England.

29. OLB Chuck Howley: He's the only man to win the MVP award despite playing for the losing side when the Cowboys fell in Super Bowl V. Howley, who established the Super Bowl career record with three INTs, won his ring the following year.

30. DT Manny Fernandez: He had a remarkable 17 tackles and one sack — unofficial totals — in the Dolphins' Super Bowl VII win and almost certainly should have been named the MVP.

31. CB Ty Law: His 47-yard pick six off Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI helped chart the course for New England's dynastic run. Law wound up winning three championships with the Patriots.

32. DT Justin Tuck: His contributions typically get overshadowed in the Giants' dual victories over New England. But Tuck was Brady's personal nemesis, sacking him twice in each game.

33. G Gene Upshaw: The Oakland Raiders stalwart played in three Super Bowls, each in a different decade. In Super Bowls XI and XV, he teamed with fellow Hall of Famer Art Shell — they formed probably the best left side of any O-line in history — to embarrass both the Minnesota Vikings' famed Purple People Eaters and Eagles defense as the Silver & Black won their first two titles.

34. CB Mel Blount: The Steelers' super-sized corner collected a pair of Super Bowl picks and four rings.

35. CB Deion Sanders: The original shutdown corner went back-to-back with the 49ers and Cowboys in Super Bowls XXIX and XXX, respectively. Sanders picked off a pass for San Francisco, and the Steelers’ unwillingness to test him the following year was a big reason Super Bowl XXX MVP Larry Brown snagged two picks.

36. DE Richard Dent: A rare defender who won the Super Bowl MVP, Dent was picked as the guy from the vaunted '85 Bears defense to take the hardware home after registering 1½ sacks and two forced fumbles in Super Bowl XX.

37. DE Reggie White: Maybe the greatest defensive end to ever play the game, he set the official Super Bowl record with three sacks of Drew Bledsoe in the Packers' Super Bowl XXXI victory.

38. DB Ronnie Lott: The tone-setting defender of the 49ers’ great teams started at both cornerback and safety on his way to four championships.

39. T Joe Jacoby: He was one of only two Hogs to start on the offensive line in all three of the Redskins' Super Bowl wins. RBs John Riggins (166 rushing yards in Super Bowl XVII) and Timmy Smith (204 yards in Super Bowl XXII) both had record days running behind Jacoby and Co.

40. OLB Mike Vrabel: One of the consummate Patriots, he played in four Super Bowls and wound up with three rings. He also racked up 16 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble ... and two TDs on two receptions while lining up as a tight end in goal-line packages. Not bad.

41. OLB James Harrison: He picked up a pair of Lombardis in three trips with the Steelers. He also left his imprint with an unforgettable 100-yard INT return off a Warner misfire — producing at least a 10-point swing — In Pittsburgh's 27-23 victory over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

42. WR Max McGee: Love this guy. After a long night of partying on the eve of the first Super Bowl — McGee thought he'd be warming the pine for the Packers — he stepped in for injured Boyd Dowler and scored again. Despite being less than 100 percent, McGee caught seven passes for 138 yards and two scores, one a behind-the-back snare.

43. C Mike Webster: Another four-time Steelers champ, he was a throwback who also handled long-snapping duties.

44. RB James White: Compelling case to be made that White, not Brady, should have been Super Bowl LI’s MVP. White set single-game records with 14 receptions and 20 points (he scored 3 TDs and a key 2-point conversion in New England’s comeback). White’s 2-yard TD run in overtime provided the winning margin against Atlanta. He added another 66 yards from scrimmage and a TD against Philadelphia the next year.

45. OLB Lawrence Taylor: He never notched a Super sack, but we're not leaving the two-time champion and greatest pass-rushing linebacker ever off the all-time team.

46. CB Dwight Smith: He had a pair of pick sixes (covering 94 yards) in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII beatdown of the Raiders.

47. KR/WR Jacoby Jones: He gets the nod over Super Bowl XXXI MVP Desmond Howard as our return ace. Jones had a strong case to be the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII MVP after posting a single-game record 290 all-purpose yards, which included a record 108-yard TD on the opening kickoff of the second half. And that was after he ended the first half with his only catch of the game – a 56-yard TD.

48. TE Rob Gronkowski: No tight end has ever taken over a Super Bowl, but Gronk came close against the Eagles, finishing with nine receptions, 116 yards and a pair of scores in the losing effort. His impact in New England's Super Bowl XLIX victory went beyond six catches for 68 yards and a TD as he thoroughly occupied the attention of the Seahawks. And despite playing on a bum ankle that would require surgery after the game, Gronkowski nearly corralled what would have been a game-winning Hail Mary on the final play of Super Bowl XLVI. Gronk is the only tight end with three Super Bowl TD grabs and shares the record for total catches (17) with Jay Novacek.

49. OL Randy Cross: Had to give the linemen a little more love. Cross was a Pro Bowl guard for the 49ers' first two title teams and moved to center for their third Super Bowl win, which happened to be his final NFL game.

50. LB Mike Jones: A journeyman who would have receded into NFL anonymity had he not seized his Super Bowl moment by making a game-ending, title-saving tackle of Tennessee Titans WR Kevin Dyson just shy of the goal-line (and a game-tying TD) in the Rams' only Super Bowl victory to date.

51. P Thomas Morstead: He's always been a fine punter. But it was the perfectly executed onside kick by the New Orleans Saints kickoff specialist to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV that minted him as a legend in The Big Easy.

52. T Anthony Munoz: He might be the best offensive lineman in league history. He's also the only Hall of Famer who's played his entire career as a Bengal. Munoz is the lone player on this list who didn't experience a Super Bowl win, but the Bengals almost surely don't reach their pair of near-miss losses to the 49ers without him.

53. QB Troy Aikman: He captained the '90s Cowboys to three titles and was named MVP for the first one in Super Bowl XXVII after throwing for 273 yards and four TDs. Aikman's 70 percent completion rate in his three appearances makes him the most accurate Super Sunday passer. 

***

Of all the great players on this list one that stands out is #30 Manny Fernandez. The first Super Bowl ring that I ever saw and only Super Bowl ring I've ever held was the one that Fernandez received for the Miami Dolphins Super Bowl VIII victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He had given the ring to his father and I met his father at a Monterey Wharf restaurant. It was clear that the father was quite proud of his son as his stories could go on without end. I was thrilled to listen to all of them. And I winced every time that he mentioned that the ring on his finger came at the expense of the Vikings. He especially enjoyed mentioning that he won a bet with a fan in the Rice Stadium stands when his son sacked Fran Tarkenton. That was fun and sad at the same time. 

Football Thoughts

It's a damn shame that the football world is still talking about the fiasco that was Championship Sunday rather than Super Bowl LIII. Here are some football thoughts that have been bounding through my head.

1. More on the blown Rams-Saints pass interference call. I can't shake this fiasco. I wish that I could. Missing that call is as blatant as watching a kicked football sail through the middle of the uprights and calling it no good. Expanding instant replay has been brought up as a solution to this nonsense from happening again. It shouldn't take instant replay to make this call. It was as obvious a call as I've ever seen. If an official or crew of officials can't make this call they are in the wrong profession.

2. This season and Super Bowl will always have an asterisk on it. That's terrible.

3. Football is fun. It wasn't fun last Sunday. Super Bowl LIII had better be the best and most FUN Super Bowl ever.

4. One good thing about the New England Patriots being in the Super Bowl is that Patriots Super Bowls, at least during the Belichick-Brady era, have been entertaining. Often very entertaining.

5. Bill Belichick on his tenure as the head coach of the New York Jets: "Adam Gase has already outlasted me." That's damn funny.

6. No matter how accurately applied the term "goat" is being used way too often.

7. The videos of the coach that keeps Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay on the sideline rather than the field are hilarious. He's the busiest Rams coach on gameday.

8. I'm so glad that Larry Fitzgerald will be back for his 16th season. The league is better with him in it.

9. While I'm really going to miss Mike Mayock's draft analysis I'm looking forward to Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks leading NFL Media's draft coverage.

10. It's hard to imagine the Pro Football Hall of Fame without Joe Horrigan. He's retiring as executive director of the Hall on June 1. I completely agree with Peter King when he said that Steve Sabol and Horrigan were the top two "keepers of the flame" of the NFL.

"I've had dinner with Bronko Nagurski, Red Grange, George Halas, and Don Hutson..."
          -Joe Horrigan

That statement is ridiculous.

Minnesota Vikings Early Mock Roundup

It's still January but a lot of draft "analysts" have already published mock drafts. Here's a collection of picks for the Minnesota Vikings from the first wave of mocks.

The fine folks at the Vikings website did the collecting. 

ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr.

Jan. 17, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Greg Little, T, Ole Miss

There's a case to be made that Little is the best true left tackle in this class. 

He's certainly the most talented. The former five-star high school prospect was 

inconsistent at times in college, but he should take off in an NFL strength and 

conditioning program. Coach Mike Zimmer loves guys who get after quarterbacks 

too, so that's going to be in consideration here.

ESPN’s Todd McShay

Dec. 12, 2018

The predicted first-round pick: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Getting a prospect like this at No. 22 would be robbery. Brown is the type of 

pass-rushing tackle that Mike Zimmer loves, and Sheldon Richardson's one-year 

deal provides an opening in the interior of that Minnesota line.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah

Jan. 18, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Jonah Williams, G, Alabama

Williams is a solid offensive tackle prospect, but I believe he has All-Pro 

potential at guard. The Vikings need to address the O-line this offseason.

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks

Jan. 18, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Greg Little, T, Ole Miss

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to solidify the offensive line. So much of 

the blame went to Kirk Cousins, but how can you do it when you don’t have the 

offensive line. That is why Greg Little is the pick here at 18. He’s a solid pass 

protector, and good on the run. They need to get better in both facets, and I think 

he is the pick for them.

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson

Jan. 21, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Dalton Risner, T, Kansas State

Same as last week -- but is it too early for the Vikings to look for a quarterback? 

That was rhetorical, mostly because Kirk Cousins is one year into a three-year, 

$84 million — all guaranteed — deal. And since Cousins isn't going anywhere, 

Minnesota has to do a better job of protecting him. Risner was a tackle in college 

but could kick inside at the next level where he will be a Day 1 starter.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso

Jan. 21, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Dalton Risner, T, Kansas State

Risner would start immediately at right tackle for the Vikings, and after three years 

of dominating at that spot, I'm confident when I write he can be an instant-impact pro. 

Kirk Cousins would be pleased with this pick.

The Washington Post’s John Clayton

Jan. 22, 2019

The predicted pick: Greg Little, T, Ole Miss

Everyone knows offensive line was the biggest problem for the Vikings last season. 

The position has to be a top priority for them in the draft, and in this scenario, one 

of the best in the class falls to them.

SB Nation’s Dan Kadar

Jan. 21, 2019

The predicted pick: Jawaan Taylor, T, Florida

The Vikings need to hit on some picks this draft to really get into contention in the NFC. 

One thing holding Minnesota back has been subpar offensive line play. Taylor is a 

standout run blocker who could get looked at either at tackle or on the inside.

Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer

Jan. 22, 2019

The predicted pick: Greg Little, T, Ole Miss

The Vikings suffered from shaky pass protection in 2018, which is part of the reason Kirk 

Cousins’ first season as their starting quarterback ending with a thud. Little (6-5, 325 pounds) 

has the agility and athleticism to lock down the blind side for now full-time offensive 

coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller

Dec. 31, 2018

The predicted pick: Yodny Cajuste, T, West Virginia

The Minnesota Vikings took a step back this season after expectations were high following 

a deep playoff run last year. To get back on track, the front office has to nail draft picks 

to build a group around expensive free-agent signing Kirk Cousins at quarterback.

West Virginia's Yodny Cajuste has excellent athleticism and movement for a left tackle 

prospect. There will be concerns that he's coming from the Big 12 where blockers don't 

encounter many top-tier defensive linemen, but his traits are good enough to justify a 

selection on the first night of the draft.

Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo

Jan. 15, 2018

The predicted pick: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma

The offensive line is still an issue in Minnesota, and Little has the five-star pedigree 

and year-to-year development to get excited about his future. He allowed just 10 

pressures on 493 pass-blocking snaps last season.

MMQB’s Kalyn Kahler

Dec. 19, 2018

The predicted pick: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma

The Vikings still need to improve the offensive line, and Ford is versatile and talented, 

the kind of capable run-blocker Mike Zimmer would advocate for.

USA TODAY’s Nate Davis

Jan. 16, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Devin White, LB, LSU

The O-line should be a priority but could be tough to address at this juncture. 

White (6-1, 240) isn't as big as free-agent-to-be Anthony Barr but his ranginess 

might make him a better fit in Mike Zimmer's defense.

The Draft Network’s Jon Ledyard

The predicted first-round pick: Garrett Bradbury, OL, North Carolina State

Pat Elflein hasn’t been a great pivot in Minnesota, so maybe a move to guard would 

do him well. Meanwhile, Bradbury has the agility and technique to be dominant in 

the run game, an offensive direction that will likely be paramount for offensive 

coordinator Kevin Stefanski next season. Good fit at a position of need.

USA TODAY’s Luke Easterling

Jan. 17, 2019

The predicted first-round pick: Dalton Risner, T, Kansas State

This offensive line needs help across the board, so finding a versatile blocker with 

the experience and polish to start immediately at multiple spots would be ideal.

Lucky for the Vikings, that’s exactly what Risner can bring to the table.

First of all, when did John Clayton start working for the Washington Post? 

Second of all, what is Todd McShay and Nate Davis thinking. 

Defensive players? Did they not watch the 2018 Minnesota Vikings? 

There has probably never been a greater draft need than 

the offensive line need that this Vikings team currently has? 

If the defense is the pick there will be a revolution in Minnesota.
McShay made his pick way back on December 12. That was so early
that the Vikings draft position was still an unknown. But the offensive
line need was as glaring then as it is now. 

My current favorite pick for the Vikings is Oklahoma's Cody Ford or 

Alabama's Jonah Williams. Mississippi State C/G Elgton Jenkins 

is rising fast. 

It's January. It's so damn early in the draft evaluation process but 

the way it looks rightnow an offensive lineman with the talent to 

help immediately should be available at the 18th pick of the first 

round. That's a very good thing. 

Throwback Thursday: Mean Joe, a Kid, and a Coke.

This Flicker was originally posted on 4/10/14.

One of the best and most loved commercials ever seen on television involved imposing Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Mean Joe Greene, a nine-year old boy, and a refreshing bottle of Coke. For some reason, I always assumed that this commercial was released during the Super Bowl. Since it was released in the 1970s, there was a 40 percent chance that it was released during a Super Bowl that included the Pittsburgh Steelers. For nearly forty years, I assumed wrong. The commercial aired for the first time during the baseball playoffs in October of 1979. The Steelers did win the Super Bowl that season.

Never having acted before, Greene expected filming to take only half a day. It lasted three full days. Because of lighting problems and novice actors in a nine-year old boy and a professional football player, the commercial required 128 takes. For each take, Greene downed a bottle of Coke. More than twenty bottles in a single day. Because Greene's hands were unusually large, bigger bottles were specially made for the commercial. That's a lot of Coke. The bloated Greene punctuated several takes with belches. Much to the enjoyment of his young costar who laughed and said, "You fumbled!" It may have taken a while but they sure got it right in the end.

A lot has fortunately changed since 1979. The pairing of of a small white boy and a large black man was unusual for the time. Initially, Coca-Cola suggested using Terry Bradshaw as the football player. Nothing against Bradshaw, he's shown for decades that he's comfortable in front of a camera but the commercial was perfect with the presence of Mean Joe Greene. The contrast between the black defensive lineman and the small white boy was perfect. The commercial won a Clio award, advertising's Oscar, and Greene won a Clio for best actor. It also took some of the meanness away from Mean Joe Greene.

Daniel Jeremiah's Mock Draft 1.0

There's still one big game to be played before the NFL's offseason truly starts. That hasn't stopped the start of the "Path" to the 2019 NFL Draft. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, NFL.com's CFB 24/7, and the terrific Move The Sticks podcast is one of the top draft analysts. With Mike Mayock's move to the Oakland Raiders, he and podcast partner Bucky Brooks might be the top draft analysts. When either puts out a mock draft people listen. Jeremiah put out his first on Friday.

1.   Arizona Cardinals-Nick Bosa, Edge, Ohio State
2.   San Francisco 49ers-Rashan Gary, Edge, Michigan
3.   New York Jets-Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
4.   Oakland Raiders-Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
5.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
6.   New York Giants-Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
7.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
8.   Detroit Lions-T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
9.   Buffalo Bills-Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
10. Denver Broncos-Devin White, LB, LSU
11. Cincinnati Bengals-Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
12. Green Bay Packers-Clelin Ferrell, Edge, Clemson
13. Miami Dolphins-Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
14. Atlanta Falcons-Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
15. Washington Redskins-Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
16. Carolina Panthers-Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
17. Cleveland Browns-Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
18. Minnesota Vikings-Jonah Williams, OG, Alabama
19. Tennessee Titans-D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi
20. Pittsburgh Steelers-Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
21. Seattle SeahawksMontez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
22. Baltimore Ravens-Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
23. Houston Texans-Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
24. Oakland Raiders (from Bears)-Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Lousiiana Tech
25. Philadelphia Eagles-Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
26. Indianapolis Colts-Jonathan Abraham, S, Mississippi State
27. Oakland Raiders (from Cowboys)-Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
28. Los Angeles Chargers-Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
29. New England Patriots-Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
30. Los Angeles Rams-Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
31. Kansas City Chiefs-Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
32. Green Bay Packers (from Saints)-Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

If the Vikings landed Jonah Williams at #18 I would be thrilled. While it's a beautiful thought I feel that it's extremely remote. The good thing is that Jeremiah's very early mock shows that in a draft that will be dominated by defensive players there should be talented offensive linemen available at #18. I like the four (Jawaan Taylor, Cody Ford, Andre Dillard, and Jonah Williams) that he currently has in the first round. I also like very much one that he doesn't. Oklahoma's Greg Little.

Jeremiah first round surprises:
Josh Jacobs at #5
T.J. Hockenson at #8
Ed Oliver falling to #14
The Clemson DTs falling to #25 and #30
Nasir Adderley at #22

It's still so early in the process to wrap my head around all of the players and where they stack up in relation to each other.

This week's Senior Bowl practices is the unofficial start of the draft evaluation season.

Very Early Minnesota Vikings Draft Thoughts

I'd sure like to see the Minnesota Vikings fill out their coaching staff. It's a completion thing. It's tough to completely turn toward the draft with that task incomplete. But it's not impossible.

In order to do what they've never done, win a Super Bowl, there's really one objective this offseason for the decision makers of the Vikings. Improve the offensive line.

The Vikings have only two players on the roster that project as offensive line fixtures. Center Pat Elflein was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He followed a fine rookie season with a not so fine second season. He had ankle and shoulder surgeries following his fine rookie season and missed all of the offseason workouts and training camp. He didn't return to game action until Week 4. Coming back from an offseason surgery can be a long, grueling process. Coming back from two offseason surgeries is a longer and more grueling process. Elflein had shoulder and ankle surgeries. He couldn't strengthen his upper body and he couldn't run. That inactivity, no offseason workouts, and no training camp wrecked his 2018 season. Now, he's looking at a healthy offseaon. His second season was a wash. His third season should be an improvement on his fine rookie season. Tackle Brian O'Neill was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be a raw project. Instead he was a revelation. He wasn't supposed to contend for a starting spot until his second season at the earliest. He made his first start at right tackle in Week 6 as an injury replacement. It wasn't much longer until the position was his. He didn't give up a single sack in his 11 starts. That stat is a bit misleading as his play was far from perfect. He often looked like a rookie but he always looked like he belonged. He was way ahead of his draft projection and he looks like he'll be starting for a long time. He may eventually be the Vikings left tackle for a long time.

Another probable starter for at least another season is left tackle Riley Reiff. He was signed as a free agent in 2017. When healthy, he's better than serviceable. It's not a glowing tag but the Vikings can do a lot worse. They've done a lot worse (T.J. Clemmings). There's been some mention that Reiff could move inside. After the failed attempt to make 2017 right tackle Mike Remmers a 2018 right guard I'm skeptical of moving another player to a position that he's never played. But Reiff is a better football player than Remmers.

On paper, in January, the Vikings likely have three of their five starting offensive linemen in place.
Left tackle-center-right tackle.
So, it looks like the Vikings need two guards. In reality, they just have to add talent to the group. I wouldn't get too picky about the positions. But guards are a good place to start.

The 2019 NFL Draft is a draft that should be dominated by defensive players in the first round. It's a decent draft for offensive linemen despite the absence of any sure-fire top-10 talent. At this early date of the draft process, I see five first round offensive linemen.

Cody Ford, OG, Oklahoma
Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Greg Little, OT, Oklahoma
Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

I currently like the above in this order. That's partly because Ford and Williams might be best suited as guards in the NFL despite playing tackle for some if not all of their college days.

I currently see the following as day two players.

Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State
Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
Nate Herbig, OG, Stanford
Connor McGovern, OG, Penn State
Michael Jordan, OG, Ohio State

And I like these three simply because they learned and played at Wisconsin. Offensive linemen from Wisconsin tend to be good offensive linemen.

David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
Michael Deiter, OT, Wisconsin
Beau Benzschawel, OG, Wisconsin

So, in January, if the Vikings could pull one of the projected first round linemen and one of the projected day two players out of the first two days of the draft I'd be real happy Vikings fan. If those two players were Cody Ford and, say, Chris Lindstrom I'd be an ecstatic Vikings fan.

Right or wrong, the Vikings have tried to piece together a serviceable offensive line with late round picks. It's a great strategy if it works. It has worked in the past but it's been a disaster recently. That has to change. The Vikings can field a very explosive offense if the offensive line played at even an average level. It's time to shoot higher than average. A good way to hit that would be to raise the talent level. And perhaps improve the scheme and coaching as well.

Now, it's back to waiting for the offensive line and receiver coaching hires.