Current Minnesota Vikings Early Round Wish List

It's early in the draft evaluation process but it's never too early to start dreaming about potential Minnesota Vikings draft picks. This year those dreams start with Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, and Clemson do-everything defender Isaiah Simmons. Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and Louisville's mammoth tackle Mechi Becton are pretty dreamy as well. All of those players will be gone long before the Vikings make their first round selection at #25. When it comes to the NFL Draft it's fun to dream but it's better to be a realistic. Or as realistic as one can be for something as unpredictable as the NFL Draft. The Vikings' most pressing needs currently start with the offensive line and cornerback. Conveniently, offensive tackle and corner happen to be strengths of this year's draft.  My first round wish list starts with those positions.

Offensive Tackles
1. Austin Jackson, USC, 6'5" 322 lbs
2. Josh Jones, Houston, 6'5" 319 lbs

Cornerbacks
1. Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State, 6'2" 185 lbs
2. Trevon Diggs, Alabama, 6'2" 207 lbs
3. Jeff Gladney, TCU, 6'0" 183 lbs
4. Damon Arnette, Ohio State, 6'0" 195 lbs
5. Jaylon Johnson, Utah, 6'0" 195 lbs

There are a few tackles projected to be among the first 10-15 picks of the draft. There's always a chance that one, or more, could drop. It happened last year with Andre Dillard. I'm not counting on it happening this year. If the Vikings fall for Tristan Wirfs I'm pretty sure that they'll have to trade up at least a dozen picks to insure that they get him. With all of that in mind, my offensive tackle rankings start with Austin Jackson and Josh Jones. They might also be the projected first round tackles that best fit Gary Kubiak's zone blocking. I was a little slow to accept Austin Jackson as a first round possibility. I fear that may have been due to a sub-conscious connection to the last USC offensive tackle that the Vikings selected in the first round. Matt Kalil. He was drafted to be the player that would lock the position down for more than a decade. He played like that player as a rookie in 2012. Unfortunately, his play declined each year after that Pro Bowl rookie season. There's no connection between the two players other than their choice of college. When I keep that in mind, Austin Jackson and Josh Jones take the top spots on my wish list. The main reason that the offensive tackles top my list is the apparent depth at the cornerback position. I think that it's more likely that the Vikings can find better corners than tackles on the second day of the draft. There's also a chance that they can find this guy:

Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech, 5'9" 183 lbs

If Robertson were three inches taller he's a top-15 pick, maybe top-10. He's a tough, physical corner that takes receivers out of the game. He's always around the ball. He just makes plays. Unfortunately, his size probably forces him inside to a nickel position. But you never know. I remember a young Randy Moss saying that Darrell Green was the toughest corner that he had to face. That statement was a surprise as there’s about a foot difference in height between the two. Green was also in the latter stages of his Hall of Fame career. When I see Robertson play I see Antoine Winfield. I'd love to see that sort of player competing in the Vikings defense.

While offensive tackle and corner might top the Vikings' needs they aren't the only needs. With Anthony Harris' play likely pricing him out of the team's budget, it looks like the Vikings will have a need at safety.

1. Xavier McKinney, Alabama, 6'0" 201 lbs
2. Grant Delpit, LSU, 6'3" 213 lbs
3. Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota, 5'9" 203 lbs
4. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne, 6'1" 217 lbs

Xavier McKinney and Grant Delpit could/should be gone before the Vikings pick. #3 is a familiar name. The only thing keeping Kyle Dugger from being a certain first round pick is playing at itty-bitty Lenoir-Rhyne.

The Vikings have put together a defensive tackle group with a variety of skills. If they could find a single player with a variety of skills, pass rushing skills in particular, in the early rounds that player could be the pick over more obvious needs. Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw are that sort of player in this draft. If the Vikings had the fifth pick, either would be my pick. Neither will make it past the tenth pick. There are still a few intriguing defensive tackles that might tempt the Vikings at #25.

1. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma, 6'2" 304 lbs
2. Ross Blacklock, TCU, 6'3" 290 lbs
3. Jordan Elliott, Missouri, 6'4" 302 lbs

If Rick Spielman, Mike Zimmer, etc. fell for one of the above I would have no complaints. From Alan Page to Keith Millard to John Randle to Kevin Williams, there's an incredible legacy of difference-making defensive tackles in Minnesota. It'd be nice to find the next one.

The top of the Vikings receiver depth chart looks nice with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. They could still use a big, third down-converting, red zone-threatening receiver. The sort of receiver that Laquon Treadwell was supposed to be. This receiver draft is so well-stocked that the Vikings might find that sort of impact pass catcher in the fourth round. USC's Michael Pittman is one of my favorites in this draft but I'd be surprised if he made it out of the second round. That might be a little early for the Vikings to pull the trigger on a receiver. I’ll think more about the receivers later in this draft process. For now, I’ll focus on my wishes for the first two rounds. I kinda like the following draft start:

1. Austin Jackson, OT, USC
2. Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech

One more thought. I’m not sure of the Vikings’ plans at quarterback other than Kirk Cousins being the unquestioned guy this year. With that in mind, the possibility of selecting Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round is growing on me. Considering the always high demand for quality throwers, Hurts might not even make it out of the first round. If he's still hanging around in the middle of the second round he would be real tempting. If the Vikings don't sign Cousins to an extension before the draft.

Rick Gosselin's All-Time Non-Combine Team

The NFL's Scouting Combine is in full swing. The poking and prodding started earlier this week. The on-field workouts started yesterday. The majority of the players that will be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft are taking part, to varying degrees, in the fun in Indianapolis. There are a lot of college football players, very good college football players, that weren't invited to be a part of the fun. Those uninvited players aren't alone. There have been many NFL players that didn't get an invite. Some even played their way to Canton. Long-time Dallas Cowboys beat-writer Rick Gosselin shined a light on some of the NFL players that weren't invited to the Scouting Combine. He did so with an All-Time Non-Combine Team.

Offense

Quarterback
Matt Moore

Halfback
Latavius Murray

Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk

Wide Receivers
Wes Welker
Tyreek Hill

Tight End
Antonio Gates

Offensive Tackles
Sebastian Vollmer
J'Marcus Webb

Guards
T.J. Lang
Brandon Brooks

Center
Ted Karras

Defense

Defensive Ends
Charles Haley
Robert Mathis

Defensive Tackles
Jay Ratliff
Henry Melton

Linebackers
James Harrison
Derek Smith
Malcolm Smith

Cornerbacks
Chris Harris
Malcolm Butler

Safeties
Kevin Byard
Lance Schulters

Special Teams

Kicker
Stephen Gostkowski

Punter
Pat McAfee

Kick Returner
Josh Cribbs

Special Teams
Nate Ebner

It's a fine team. It's a team that shows that the hopes for an NFL career don't have to end if there's no invitation to the Combine. I think that it'd be a better team if Kurt Warner and John Randle were a part of it.

Throwback Thursday: Vikings All-Time 53-Man Roster

It's NFL roster-building time. With roster-building on my mind I couldn't help but try and put together a roster of some of the best players in Minnesota Vikings franchise history. Here's that roster.

Minnesota Vikings All-Time 53-Man Roster

Quarterbacks
Fran Tarkenton
Daunte Culpepper
Tommy Kramer

Halfbacks
Adrian Peterson
Chuck Foreman
Robert Smith

Fullback
Bill Brown

Receivers
Cris Carter
Randy Moss
Ahmad Rashad
Anthony Carter
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen

Tight Ends
Steve Jordan
Kyle Rudolph
Jim Kleinsasser

Tackles
Ron Yary
Gary Zimmerman
Grady Alderman
Tim Irwin

Guards
Randall McDaniel
Steve Hutchinson
Ed White

Centers
Mick Tingelhoff
Matt Birk

Defensive Ends
Carl Eller
Chris Doleman
Jim Marshall
Jared Allen

Defensive Tackles
Alan Page
John Randle
Keith Millard
Kevin Williams

Linebackers
Matt Blair
Scott Studwell
Chad Greenway
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Wally Hilgenberg

Cornerbacks
Antoine Winfield
Xavier Rhodes
Carl Lee
Bobby Bryant
Nate Wright

Safeties
Paul Krause
Joey Browner
Harrison Smith
Robert Griffith

Kicker
Ryan Longwell

Punter
Chris Kluwe

Long Snapper
Cullen Loeffler

Kick Returner
Cordarrelle Pattereson

Punt Returner
Marcus Sherels

NFL Draft Glossary

The football talent evaluation process has a language all it's own. ESPN's Jeff Legwold and Jeremy Willis collected some of the best terms used in this specialized field.

The Basic Terms

Alligator arms (n., al'i-ga'ter arms): From the American alligator (Alligatoridae mississippiensis), which has an average size of 13 feet and 790 pounds. Because of their short legs, these reptiles' bodies barely move above the ground. In the NFL, the term refers to a specimen who won't extend his arms for a catch for fear of injury. The less common but still funny synonym: T-rex arms.

See also: someone who won't reach for the check

Bend and burst (adj., bend and burst): The bend is what a pass-rusher does when turning the corner on an offensive lineman. The burst is the speed to close the deal. It combines a rusher's flexibility and leverage with speed.

Body catcher (n., bod e kach 'er): Holden Caulfield heard a song "if a body catch a body ..." so maybe that's where draft analysts got this term for a receiver who pins the ball against his body instead of catching with his hands. Then again, Holden got the song wrong.

Antonym: hands catcher

Bubble (n., bub el): The rear, derriere, can, rump, etc. Likely shortened from bubble butt or its derivatives, especially for big guys who move with power. The term "bubble" is used, according to scouts, so scouts and executives can avoid saying "ass" a lot in meetings.

Catch tackler (n., kech tack'ler): A defender whose tackling strategy is to let a ball carrier run into him and hope he falls.

Click and close (adj., klik en klos): From the Dutch for click. The ability to go backward, then forward quickly. An essential skill for defensive backs spending their professional careers doing this cha-cha in cleats.

Cow on ice (n., kow on is): Picture a cow. Now put that cow on ice and make it move. Hilarious. It's a player with no balance who spends a lot of time falling and getting up.

Downhill runner (n., down hil run 'er): Almost exclusively used for running backs. A ball carrier who can power through tackles while almost falling forward and also having the speed to score.

See also: north-south runner; good lean

Fluid hips (adj., floo id hips): Every human has hips with fluid. That's just anatomy. But some players have more to go around. These liquidy joints allow them to change directions quickly.

See also: oily hips

Antonym: tight hips

Glass-eater (n., glas eder): A bad dude. The rest of us might just be avocado toast eaters, or avocado ice cream eaters in Tom Brady's case, but these guys literally eat glass to get ready for NFL games and that makes them extra, extra tough. Usually reserved for offensive linemen.

See also: plays with a mean streak

Go-home gear (n., go-hom gir): The fastest possible speed. The ball carrier whose speed immediately separates him once he has the ball.

See also: extra gear; Deion Sanders

Hands catcher (n., hand kech 'er): Self-explanatory. Reserved for receivers. It's a player who, according to draftniks, "snatches" the pass with his hands.

Antonym: body catcher

Heavy hands (adj, v., hev e hands): See violent hands.

J.A.G. (n., jag): In a world searching for exceptional people, this ain't you. Only a handful of prospects in any NFL draft will be among football's 1 percenters. You might be nice. A pillar of the community. Maybe even a contributor to an NFL team. But when measured against draft elites, you have been deemed Just A Guy.

Tight hips (adj., tit hips): See: hips, fluid.

Violent hands (adj., v., vi-elent hands): From the Latin violentus. Not just normal hands, but just like it sounds, it's a player whose hands are powerful enough to move people where he wants with the initial impact.

See also: good punch; active hands

Waist bender (n., wast ben'der): Again, anatomy. Every football players bends at the waist and the knees. However, from a physics standpoint, football values the bending of the latter more than the former. Ideally, for better leverage, a player in a stance should keep a flat back and bend at his knees. It allows for more power and balance. It's physics plus football; it can't be argued with.

Obscenity-Based Phrases

"Holy s---" tackler: Like the many famous cases before the Supreme Court defining subjective obscenity by visual evidence: You know it when you see it.

L.I.A.: You know the bubble. This is the opposite. Often, this refers to a thin-waisted lineman who needs more lower-body strength. This is scout shorthand for "light in the ass."

See also: Needs some sand in his pants

The Secret Menu Phrases

Couldn't even use a crosswalk: When you're watching a game and there's that defender pacing around, that's it. This describes a defender who repeatedly, as in all the time, has trouble getting lined up before the play.

Thinks he's a soloist, but he can't sing: The misplaced-confidence guy. He is a star and a leader in his mind only.

Trash can full of dirt: From the Latin lutum for dirt. Out of use in some dialects, this refers to, usually, defensive linemen who are hard to move out of the way.

Washcloth tackler: Visualize throwing a wet washcloth against something only to watch it stick briefly and then fall off. This is the guy who ends up sliding off the runners on all the big plays.

***

"Go-home gear" and "catch tackler" might be my new favorites. "Cow on Ice" is pretty great as well.

Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50: 2020 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings 1.0

In advance of this week's Scouting Combine, NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his first rankings of the Top 50 prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft. As a former scout, Jeremiah has a great grasp of the draft evaluation process and the prospects. His Move the Sticks podcast with fellow former scout Bucky Brooks is excellent. Here's Jeremiah's first Top 50.

1.   Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
2.   Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
3.   Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
4.   Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
5.   Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
6.   Tua Tagavailoa, QB, Alabama
7.   Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
8.   CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
9.   Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
10. Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
11. Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
12. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
13. Trsitan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
14. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
15. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
16. Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
17. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
18. Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
19. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
20. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
21. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
22. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
23. C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
24. K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
25. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
26. Grant Delpit, S, LSU
27. Jaylon Johnson, S, Utah
28. A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
29. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
30. Marlon Davidson, Edge, Auburn
31. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
32. A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
33. Austin Jackson, OT, USC
34. Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
35. Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
36. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
37. Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
38. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
39. Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
40. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
41. K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
42. Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
43. Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
44. Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
45. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
46. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
47. Jacon Eason, QB, Washington
48. Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah
49. Terrell Lewis, DE, Alabama
50. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia

Making Jim Marshall's Case

Other than the team's lack of a Lombardi Trophy there's probably no more sensitive topic among Minnesota Vikings Nation than Jim Marshall's absence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This column by Vikings beat writer, and Hall of Fame voter, Mark Craig ran in yesterday's Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Making Marshall’s Case

Alan Page eloquently argues why his ex-teammate should be in Hall

You’re standing in the Vikings Museum. Alan Page, the greatest Viking of all, knows you’re one of 48 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He asks if he can make a case against the unjust treatment of an old friend named Jim Marshall.

Your first instinct as a child of the ’70s is to look over your shoulder because there’s no way in heck that Alan 1971-NFL-MVP Page — distinguished winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and former Minnesota Supreme Court justice for over two decades — is actually asking your permission to begin opening statements.

Instead, you attempt a scholarly nod and say, “You may proceed, Mr. Page.”

“Jim was the absolute heartbeat of our entire team for 19 seasons,” Page said Tuesday before speaking to local high school students as part of a discussion panel honoring Black History Month.

“Nineteen years, Jim was the leader of our team.”

A team that went to four Super Bowls in eight seasons from 1969 to ’76. A team whose defense posted one of the most dominant three-year stretches in league history, giving up 9.5, 10.2 and 9.9 points per game with seven shutouts from 1969-71. A team that sent defensive tackle Page, defensive end Carl Eller, center Mick Tingelhoff, quarterback Fran Tarkenton, offensive tackle Ron Yary, safety Paul Krause, coach Bud Grant and General Manager Jim Finks to the Hall of Fame.

A team that won’t rest as long as Marshall, their co-captain and extroverted leader, remains outside the walls of the shrine in Canton, Ohio.

When Marshall retired in 1979 after 20 NFL seasons, he had played in every game, every week, for one-third of the league’s 60-year existence. Marshall’s record 270 consecutive starts stood until Brett Favre broke it 30 years later while playing for the Vikings.

As the NFL turns toward its second century, Marshall’s 282 consecutive games played ranks third behind punter Jeff Feagles (352) and Favre (299).

“Jim not only had the excellence deserving of the Hall of Fame, he also had longevity that’s never been seen by anyone else in 100 years,” Page said. “No offense to kickers and quarterbacks, but Jim hit someone or was hit by someone on every play for 20 years.

“You can’t do that without, A, being available every single day; B, being good enough; and, C, playing at such a high level that a team would want to keep you around that long.”

Although sacks didn’t become an official statistic until three years after Marshall retired, the Vikings rank Marshall second in career sacks with 127, just three behind Eller. Marshall also had 29 opponent fumble recoveries, an NFL record he shares with Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.

Marshall went to only two Pro Bowls and never made first-team All-Pro or an All-Decade team. And, unfortunately for his case, those are the key reasons he was overlooked for 25 years as a modern-era candidate and then buried in the backlog of senior committee candidates since 2004.

There was hope when the Hall announced plans for a 20-member Centennial class for 2020. But Marshall wasn’t among the 10 senior candidates chosen by the Hall’s one-time “Blue Ribbon” committee.

Marshall is 82. He’ll stay in the queue of senior candidates with a long shot of one day becoming a senior nominee.

“It’s the biggest shame,” Page said.

Later, Page shared a story that illustrated Marshall’s well-rounded game as leader the Purple People Eaters, that famous front four that terrorized quarterbacks.

“We’re on the goal line,” Page said. “It was during our lighter days. I was maybe 212 pounds. Jim was, I think, 210.

“The ball is snapped. Jim stands the big tackle up, bends him over backward and tackles the running back short of the goal line. That’s strength, leverage, understanding the game.

“No matter what happens, nothing changes. Jim Marshall had a great career that never will be forgotten.”

***

As a long-time fan of the Minnesota Vikings with a passionate appreciation of the league's great history, I've had countless (internal) debates over the Hall of Fame candidacy of Jim Marshall. I might be the only Vikings fan that thinks that his great football career falls just short of the Hall of Fame. That opinion kills me and I've wrestled with it often. I've lost sleep over it. Marshall might be the most important player over the first two decades of the Vikings history. Despite winning no Super Bowls, the Vikings had some "glory days." Some of the best teams in league history to never win it all were these Vikings teams. Marshall was the unquestioned leader of those teams. As Alan Page says:

“Jim was the absolute heartbeat of our entire team for 19 seasons.”

127 sacks, and an NFL record 29 (30) opponent fumble recoveries. Those are Marshall's main statistical numbers. If he could've added a half dozen Pro Bowls and a couple All-Pro nods to the those stats, he'd be in Canton already. He was the third best player on the Vikings defensive line. It's tough to crack a Pro Bowl lineup, let alone make All-Pro, when Carl Eller lines up on the other side of your own defensive line. Deacon Jones and Willie Davis were Marshall's defensive end peers. So were Gino Marchetti early on and Jack Youngblood later on. There have been modest NFL players that made loads of all-star teams simply because they had no competition at their position during the time that they played. Marshall had plenty of competition. There are eras in which the fifth best player at a particular position is a much better player than the best at the position of another era. Who is more deserving of making it to Canton?

Then there's the case Marshall's longevity. It's far more incredible than the longevity of the players that passed his consecutive games played record. A punter and a quarterback? One makes a handful of safe appearances a game and it's illegal to get too physical with the other. Every one of Marshall's snaps was a war. There are players that are removed from Hall of Fame discussion because of abbreviated NFL careers. Shouldn't the opposite support a player's candidacy? No player in NFL history had the durability or consistency of Marshall. He was an impact player on the defensive line at the ages of 23 and 42. And at every age in between. Simply incredible.

I believe that I'm talking myself back into favoring Jim Marshall's Hall of Fame candidacy. It doesn't take much. Actually, all it ever really takes is hearing Bud Grant and Alan Page talking about Marshall. They, and really any of the Vikings players and coaches from that era, know best his play, ability, and importance to some really great teams.

Jim Marshall for the Hall of Fame!

Flea Flicker Top 5 2020 NFL Draft Prospects By Position

The Scouting Combine activities kick off this week. In advance of that here’s one look at the top five prospects at each position. The draft evaluation season is on.

Quarterbacks
1. Joe Burrow, LSU
2. Tua Tagavailoa, Alabama
3. Jordan Love, Utah State
4. Justin Herbert, Oregon
5. Jacob Eason, Washington

Running Backs
1. D'Andre Swift, Georgia
2. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
3. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
4. Cam Akers, Florida State
5. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU

Wide Receivers
1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
3. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
4. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
5. Laviska Shenault, Colorado

Tight Ends
1. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
2. Hunter Bryant, Washington
3. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
4. Adam Trautman, Dayton
5. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt

Offensive Tackles
1. Jedrick Wills, Alabama
2. Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
3. Andrew Thomas, Georgia
4. Mekhi Becton, Louisville
5. Josh Jones, Houston

Guards/Centers
1. Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU
2. Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
3. Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
4. Netane Muti, Fresno State
5. Matt Hennessy, Temple

Defensive Tackles
1. Derrick Brown, Auburn
2. Javon Linlaw, South Carolina
3. Ross Blacklock, TCU
4. Jordan Elliott, Missouri
5. Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M

Edge
1. Chase Young, Ohio State
2. A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
3. K'Lavon Chaisson, LSU
4. Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
5. Marlon Davidson, Auburn

Linebackers
1. Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
2. Patrick Queen, LSU
3. Zack Baun, Wisconsin
4. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
5. Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State

Cornerbacks
1. Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
2. Trevon Diggs, Alabama
3. Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State
4. C.J. Henderson, Florida
5. Jeff Gladney, TCU

Safeties
1. Xavier McKinney, Alabama
2. Grant Delpit, LSU
3. Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
4. Ashtyn Davis, California
5. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne

NFLPA Player Representatives

With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, unfortunately, dominating the NFL news cycle, I was curious about the people that make up the NFLPA's hierarchy. I occasionally wonder who the player representatives are for the Minnesota Vikings but I never take the easy steps to satisfy that wonder. So, here they are. Hopefully, they'll be voting on a new CBA soon. One that isn't jammed down their throats by the league's owners. I don't want to see a repeat of the nightmare 2011 lockout. Here are the people that represent the NFL players.

Executive Director
DeMaurice Smith

NFLPA Executive Committee:
President
Eric Wilson

Treasurer
Mark Herzlich

Vice Presidents
Sam Acho
Lorenzo Alexander
Zak DeOssie
Thomas Morstead
Russell Okung
Richard Sherman
Michael Thomas
Adam Vinatieri
Benjamin Watson

Board of Player Representatives

Minnesota Vikings
Player Representative: Adam Thielen
Co-Alternate 1: Kirk Cousins
Co-Alternate 2: Stephen Weatherly

Arizona Cardinals
Player Representative: Corey Peters
Co-Alternate 1: Justin Pugh

Atlanta Falcons
Player Representative: Josh Harris
Co-Alternate 1: Matt Bosher

Baltimore Ravens
Player Representative: Ronnie Stanley
Co-Alternate 1: Marlon Humphrey

Buffalo Bills
Player Representative: Patrick DiMarco
Co-Alternate 1: Micah Hyde
Co-Alternate 2: Dion Dawkins

Carolina Panthers
Player Representative: Greg Van Roten
Co-Alternate 1: Shaquille Thompson

Chicago Bears
Player Representative: Chase Daniels
Co-Alternate 1: Akiem Hicks
Co-Alternate 2: Prince Amukamara

Cincinnati Bengals
Player Representative: Geno Atkins

Cleveland Browns
Player Representative: Jarvis Landry
Co-Alternate 1: Baker Mayfield
Co-Alternate 2: T.J. Carrie
Co-Alternate 3: J.C. Tretter

Dallas Cowboys
Player Representative: Byron Jones
Co-Alternate 1: Joe Don Looney

Denver Broncos
Player Representative: Brandon McManus
Co-Alternate 1: Chris Harris Jr.
Co-Alternate 2: Ron Leary

Detroit Lions
Player Representative: Devon Kennard
Co-Alternate 1: Taylor Decker
Co-Alternate 2: Miles Killebrew
Co-Alternate 3: Jarrad Davis

Green Bay Packers
Player Representative: Aaron Rodgers
Co-Alternate 1: Mason Crosby

Houston Texans
Player Representative: Brennan Scarlett
Co-Alternate 1: Greg Mancz

Indianapolis Colts
Player Representative: Clayton Geathers
Co-Alternate 1: Ryan Kelly

Jacksonville Jaguars
Player Representative: Calais Campbell
Co-Alternate 1: Cody Davis

Kansas City Chiefs
Player Representative: Dustin Colquitt
Co-Alternate 1: Patrick Mahomes

Las Vegas Raders
Player Representative: Rodney Hudson
Co-Alternate 1: Tahir Whitehead
Co-Alternate 2: Karl Joseph

Los Angeles Chargers
Player Representative: Mike Pouncey
Co-Alternate 1: Austin Ekeler
Co-Alternate 2: Derek Watt
Co-Alternate 3: Justin Jones

Los Angeles Rams
Player Representative: Todd Gurley
Co-Alternate 1: Johnny Hecker
Co-Alternate 2: Jake McQuaide

Miami Dolphins
Player Representative: Chistian Wilkens
Co-Alternate 1: Bobby McCain
Co-Alternate 2: Josh Rosen

New England Patriots
Player Representative: Matt Slater
Co-Alternate 1: Ted Karras
Co-Alternate 2: Joe Cardona

New Orleans Saints
Player Representative: Craig Robertson
Co-Alternate 1: Demario Davis
Co-Alternate 2: A.J. Klein
Co-Alternate 3: Austin Carr

New York Giants
Player Representative: Nate Solder
Co-Alternate 1: Dalvin Tomlinson

New York Jets
Player Representative: Quincy Enunwa
Co-Alternate 1: Kelvin Beachum
Co-Alternate 2: Sam Darnold

Philadelphia Eagles
Player Representative: Malcolm Jenkins
Co-Alternate 1: Zach Ertz

Pittsburgh Steelers
Player Representative: Ramon Foster
Co-Alternate 1: Cameron Heyward
Co-Alternate 2: Vince Williams

San Francisco 49ers
Player Representative: Richard Sherman
Co-Alternate 1: Marquise Goodwin

Seattle Seahawks
Player Representative: K.J. Wright
Co-Alternate 1: Bobby Wagner

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Player Representative: Ali Marpet
Co-Alternate 1: Lavonte David
Co-Alternate 2: Beau Allen

Tennessee Titans
Player Representative: Wesley Woodward
Co-Alternate 1: Dennis Kelly
Co-Alternate 2: Logan Ryan

Washington Redskins
Player Representative: Nick Sundberg
Co-Alternate 1: Jonathan Allen
Co-Alternate 2: Tress Way
Co-Alternate 3: Matt Ioannidis

***

I'm a little surprised at the number of player representatives that are in the early years of the NFL careers. The player that truly stands out in that regard is Christian Wilkins of the Dolphins. It's amazing that his team voted him a player representative as a rookie. In learning about Wilkins through his Clemson days and the draft process, he did stand out as a player and person that would become a team leader, and representative, early in his career. He has a promising career in politics if he chooses that path.

It's interesting that Richard Sherman serves on the executive committee and as a player representative.

Here's hoping that the players and the money-grabbing owners can come to an agreement on a new CBA.

Minnesota Vikings Finalize Coaching Staff

The Minnesota Vikings finally finalized their 2020 Coaching Staff. Some might've thought they were done hiring coaches when they added Dom Capers to the team last week. They weren't. It was a near certainty that the Vikings would bring in coaches to assist Andre Patterson and Daronte Jones with the defensive line and defensive backs, respectively. With Patterson assuming co-defensive coordinator duties this season he was going to need some help coaching one of the largest position groups on a football team. Imarjaye Albury was hired to assist with the defensive line and Roy Anderson was hired to assist with the defensive backs.

Albury is a first-time NFL coach. He spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant with the University of Arkansas, where he worked primarily with the defensive line. In 2018, he helped with the development of Vikings 2019 sixth-round pick Armon Watts.

Anderson brings extensive NFL experience to the defensive backs room. In fact, he seems over-qualified for an assistant defensive backs position. This season will be his 15th year of coaching in the NFL after spending last season as the lead defensive analyst for national champion LSU. From 2017-18, Anderson coached safeties for the Chicago Bears. He coached defensive backs for the Indianapolis Colts from 2012-15 and Baltimore Ravens from 2005-11. With head coach Mike Zimmer, senior defensive assistant Dom Capers, defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, and Anderson the Vikings will have a lot of experienced teachers focusing on a position group in serious need of a re-boot.

It's fairly safe to say that the Vikings have finalized their 2020 coaching staff. It includes a robust total of 22 coaches.

Minnesota Vikings 2020 Coaches

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Offensive Coaches: 
Offensive Coordinator: Gary Kubiak
Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator: Rick Dennison
Quarterbacks: Klint Kubiak
Running Backs: Kennedy Polamalu
Wide Receivers: Andrew Janocko
Tight Ends: Brian Pariani
Assistant Offensive Line: Phil Rauscher
Offensive Quality Control: Christian Jones
Offensive Quality Control: AC Patterson

Defensive Coaches:
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line: Andre Patterson
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: Adam Zimmer
Senior Defensive Assistant: Dom Capers
Defensive Backs: Daronte Jones
Assistant Defensive Line: Imarjaye Albury
Assistant Defensive Backs: Roy Anderson
Defensive Quality Control: Nick Rallis

Special Teams Coaches:
Special Teams Coordinator: Marwan Maalouf
Assistant Special Teams: Ryan Ficken

Strength and Conditioning:
Head Strength and Conditioning: Mark Uyeyama
Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Derik Keyes
Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Chaz Mahle

Throwback Thursday: Favorite Football Movies

This post was originally posted about this time last year. Blame the Academy Awards. Last year and this year. Other than Rudy dropping back a couple spots my opinions haven't changed much in the past year.

21. The Waterboy (1998)

A guilty pleasure movie. The football action is outrageous.

20. Semi-Tough (1977)
A new addition to the list. Dan Jenkins' book is far more entertaining than the movie but the movie is still fun. Plus, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp is in it. He plays a quarterback named Hose. Gotta love it. 

19. Leatherheads (2008)

This movie depicting the very early days of professional football would probably be higher on the list if I hadn't entered into it with such high hopes. It's an entertaining movie but probably one that I need to see again. Maybe it gets replaced on this list by The Replacements.

18. The Express (2008) 

The tragic story of Ernie Davis. It might be higher if not for some liberties taken with history. Like Art Modell being the Browns owner in the 1950s.

17. Invincible (2006)

The improbable football career of NFL-walk-on Vince Papale. Who doesn't love a story like this?

16. All The Right Moves (1983)

The most amazing thing about this movie is that Tom Cruise is actually believable as a high school cornerback.

15. Rudy (1993)
Some people love this movie. Others hate it. I guess that I'm somewhere in the middle. 

14. When The Game Stands Tall (2015)

You just knew that someone was going to make a movie about the incredible story of coach Bob Ladouceur and the De La Salle High Spartans. This was a nicely done look at the season that saw the loss that ended their 151-game win streak as well as the win that was arguably the greatest in school history. 

13. We Are Marshall (2006)

The remarkable rise of a town, a university, and a football team from a devastating plane crash. A great story. 

12. Any Given Sunday (1999)

Oliver Stone with a football movie? Never would have pegged that pairing. 

11. The Longest Yard (1974)

It's a classic. And Joe Kapp's in it. And Ray Nitschke. 

10. The Program (1993)

Despite being a fictional story it probably touches frighteningly close to the truth.

9.  Draft Day (2014)

Some of the trades are ridiculous but it's a very entertaining look at the greatest non-playing day on the football calendar. 

8.  Brian's Song (1971)

This one set the bar for tear-jerker football movies. Great story. Memorable performances. 

7.  Knute Rockne: All-American

A timeless look at one of football's great coaches. 

6.  Everybody's All-American (1988) 

Adapted from the terrific book by Frank Deford. A great, depressing movie. 

5.  Paper Lion (1968)

Another movie adapted from a terrific book. Alan Alda is excellent as George Plimpton. So excellent that I often picture Alda when I think of Plimpton. 

4.  Heaven Can Wait (1978)

A fine remake of Here Come's Mr. Jordan (1941) with a football spin. There was a time, a long time ago, when this was my favorite movie of any genre. 

3.  Undefeated (2011)

This is probably the only football movie to take home an Academy Award. It won for Best Documentary. A great story. A great movie. 

2.  Remember The Titans (2000) 

Great movie. Entertaining movie. You have Denzel Washington but you also have unknown youngsters like Ryan Gosling, Hayden Panettiere, and Donald Faison. 

1.  Friday Night Lights (2006)

Buzz Bissinger's book was outstanding. The movie was good but Friday Night Lights earns the top spot on this list because of the unbelievable television series. They may have lost some traction in the second season but they sure regained it and never lost it again. This series was one of the best things that I've ever seen on television.

Flea Flicker Pre-Combine Top 50 Draft Prospects

Here's one look at the Top 50 Prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft in advance of next week's Scouting Combine. Hopefully I can hold steady and not let what I see in Indianapolis mess up what I saw these players do on college football fields for the past 2-4 years.

1.   Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
2.   Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
3.   Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
4.   Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
5.   Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
6.   Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
7.   Tua Tagavailoa, QB, Alabama
8.   Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
9.   Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
10. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
11. Trsitan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
12. D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
13. Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
14. Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
15. Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
16. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
17. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
18. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
19. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
20. A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
21. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
22. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
23. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
24. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
25. Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
26. K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
27. C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
28. Grant Delpit, S, LSU
29. Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
30. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
31. Josh Jones, OT, Houston
32. Jaylon Johnson, S, Utah
33. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
34. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
35. Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
36. Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
37. A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
38. Marlon Davidson, Edge, Auburn
39. Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
40. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
41. K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
42. Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
43. Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
44. Austin Jackson, OT, USC
45. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
46. Antoine  Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
47. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
48. Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah
49. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
50. Evan Weaver, LB, Cal

NFL Scouting Combine Schedule

The NFL Scouting Combine has been a thing since 1982. The league's decision-makers decided that it was getting way too costly and hectic travelling all over the country to evaluate each of the top prospects for the annual NFL Draft. Why not bring the prospects to one location? The Combine was born. The talent evaluation event is run by a combination of the BLESTO, National, and Quadra Scouting organizations. It was held in Tampa, New Orleans, and Arizona before it found a home in Indianapolis in 1987. For the first 22 years, the event was held in secrecy. There was an air of mystery about it. We live in a world today in which we have to know everything immediately. It's difficult to imagine a time in which so little information leaked out of an event, especially an NFL event. That secrecy was eliminated by the cameras of NFL Network in 2004. It's been televised ever since. The year-round draw of the NFL can be seen in the numbers of viewers that tune in every year to see this very strange job interview. Fan interest in the Scouting Combine is so high that this year the NFL will televise the on-field workouts in prime time. From Thursday, February 27, to Sunday, March 1, the NFL's "underwear Olympics" will be shown live in prime time. There's never enough NFL coverage.

On-Field Workout Schedule:
February 27: TEs, QBs, WRs
February 28: P, K, ST, OL, RBs
February 29: DL, LBs
March 1: DBs

For each position group it's a six-day process:

Day 1: Arrive In Indianapolis Registration Orietation Interviews Day 2: Measurements Pre-exam at hospital Interveiws Day 3: Media Medical Exams Position Coach Interview Pschological Testing Day 4:  NFLPA Meeting Interviews Bench Press Pschological Testing Day 5: Limited testing/Interviews On-Field Workout Day 6:  Depart From Indianapolis

TEs, QBs, WRs start the process on February 23

P, K, ST, OL, RBs: February 24

DL, LBs: February 25

DBs: February 26

It's been rumored that there might come a day when TV cameras will find their way into the interview rooms. Do we really need to see everything? Everybody seems to forget that the NFL Scouting Combine is a work event. Team personnel people and coaches have a job to do. This was never intended to be an entertainment event. The league saw the potential for dollars and forced it into one. Also, much of what goes on in Indianapolis is of a very personal nature for the prospects. It really isn't for public consumption. 

I enjoy the NFL Scouting Combine. I like watching the on-field drills. I like seeing the concentrated, position-specific movements of the players that have piqued my interest during their college football careers. I liked that I could record the events during the day and selectively watch them in the evening. For that reason, I'm not a fan of the move to prime time. Maybe I'll warm to it. I didn't like it when the NFL Draft was moved to prime time but I've come to enjoy most aspects of it. I don't know. I worry at times about where the NFL is headed. More content isn't always better content. There's nothing wrong with a little mystery surrounding the process of building a football team and getting that team ready to play a football game. 

Some Football Thoughts

Here are some of my football thoughts as we creep further into the 2020 offseason.

1. The league-wide question following each Super Bowl is how each team that didn't win the game can be like the team that did. It's a foolish question as there have been 54 different paths to a Super Bowl title and 100 different paths to an NFL title. Even the teams that have won it more than once usually won it differently each time. Sometimes a moderately talented team just gets on a roll at the right time. There's no one way to win a title so why try to copy what's been done before. I've always been a big fan of originality.

2.It's difficult to tell where the CBA negotiations stand. When positive news pops, usually from the owners side, more sobering reports follow, usually from Richard Sherman. I find it to be good news that the two sides are talking more than a year in advance of being forced to talk. The biggest hurdle to a new CBA appears to be the 17-game season. The players don't want it. The fans don't want it. The owners are the only part of the football equation that want an extra game. They know that it will eventually lead to another extra game and the coveted 18-game season. Roger Goodell routinely spouts that it's all about the fans. Well, it's not. It's all about the money. The quickest way to more money is forcing labor to play an extra game. I've come to realize that the only way to avoid a problematic CBA negotiation and probable lockout is for the players to cave on the 17-game season. The owners will never budge from grabbing more money. There's never enough money. And there's always more players.

3. I sure do hope that Tom Brady is playing for the New England Patriots next season.

4. After the mind-numbing 2015 offseason in which every clown with a platform had Adrian Peterson moving on to this team or that team, I lost all patience for such sad speculation. Despite the endless chatter, Peterson remained in Minnesota, just as he and the team had been saying for months. Not only did he play football for the Vikings in 2015, he led the league in rushing. And he played football for the Vikings in 2016.

5. Free Agency 2020 is supposed to be extra saucy because of the quarterbacks that could be in it. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Dak Prescott. The way I see it, only one of those is likely to move to another team. Philip Rivers.

6. There's a report out there, from Larry Fitzgerald Sr. of all people, that the Las Vegas Raiders are prepared to offer Brady a 2-year, $60 million contract. If the Raiders are so deep into this happening that they have actual numbers and those numbers are being reported, isn't that tampering?

7. Tyrann Mathieu has been one of my favorites since his LSU days. I recently saw this breakdown of his defensive snaps for the 2020 season.
Safety: 406
Slot CB: 457
Outside LB: 139
Inside LB: 42
Perimeter CB: 18
Incredible. He's always been such a fun to player to watch. The first part of that fun is finding him on the field.

8. Since 2015, Vikings GM Rick Spielman has done a fine job of finding talent in the second round:
2015: Erick Kendricks
2016: Mackensie Alexander
2017: Dalvin Cook
2018: Brian O'Neill
2019: Irv Smith Jr.

9. Speaking of Vikings draft picks, the following probably top my current first round want list.
(in no particular order)
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
It's early.

10. As for free agency. Despite limited cap space, I'd like to see the Vikings find a way to re-sign, at least, the following:
Anthony Harris, S
Steven Weatherly, DE
Dan Bailey, K
Britton Colquitt, P
C.J. Ham, FB
Eric Wilson, LB
Harris is the tough one. In a single full season of starting he played like one of the better safeties in the league. The Vikings have been looking for a talented safety to pair with Harrison Smith since Smith was drafted in 2012. They finally found that safety and they need to find a way to keep him.

11. In each of the last two offseasons Mike Zimmer has done something a little out of the ordinary with his coaching staff. Last year, he hired Gary Kubiak as assistant head coach/offensive adviser. The move had an immediate, positive impact on the offense. Zimmer was so pleased with the results that he decided to make a similar move this offseason on the defensive side of the ball with the hiring of Dom Capers as senior defensive assistant. It was hilarious to see the general meltdown of fans and some beat writers to each move. Last year it was: "Who's calling the offensive shots: Stefanski or Kubiak?" There was so much confusion over something that could be solved simply by looking at the titles of each coach. The hiring of Capers was even more mind-bending for some as it came on the heels of Zimmer naming Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer co-defensive coordinators. What the hell! No team does such a thing! Exactly. What's so wrong with doing things a little different? If Zimmer felt that offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski might need some guidance in his first year in the role, why not bring in a coach with the experience and accomplishments of Kubiak? Reportedly it was Stefanski's idea from the start. The Vikings defense stumbled last season. The voices in the room and coaching on the field might've gotten a little stale. Why not shake things up a bit? Why not bring in new voices, new eyes? Capers has coached a lot and seen a lot. He's had success. So what if his defensive philosophies are different than those of Zimmer. The purpose was never to bring in more of the same. Teams often win titles when they do things that haven't been done before. Then other teams start copying it.

Bucky Brooks' Top 5 2020 NFL Draft Prospects By Position

NFL Draft Analyst and Move the Sticks podcaster Bucky Brooks released his first positional rankings for the 2020 NFL Draft last week. At this early stage of the draft evaluation process I find these positional rankings to be far more interesting than mocks or top-50 rankings.

Quarterbacks
1. Tua Tagavailoa, Alabama
2. Joe Burrow, LSU
3. Justin Herbert, Oregon
4. Jordan Love, Utah State
5. Jacob Eason, Washington

Running Backs
1. D'Andre Swift, Georgia
2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
3. J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
4. Cam Akers, Florida State
5. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Wide Receivers
1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
3. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
4. Laviska Shenault, Colorado
5. Tee Higgins, Clemson

Tight Ends
1. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
2. Hunter Bryant, Washington
3. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
4. Adam Trautman, Dayton
5. Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt

Offensive Tackles
1. Jedrick Wills, Alabama
2. Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
3. Andrew Thomas, Georgia
4. Mekhi Becton, Louisville
5. Josh Jones, Houston

Guards/Centers
1. Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU
2. Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
3. Netane Muti, Fresno State
4. Matt Hennessy, Temple
5. Robert Hunt, Louisiana-Lafayette

Defensive Tackles
1. Derrick Brown, Auburn
2. Javon Linlaw, South Carolina
3. Jordan Elliott, Missouri
4. Ross Blacklock, TCU
5. Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M

Edge
1. Chase Young, Ohio State
2. A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
3. Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
4. Terrell Lewis, Alabama
5. Curtis Weaver, Boise State

Linebackers
1. Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
2. Zack Baun, Wisconsin
3. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
4. Patrick Queen, LSU
5. Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State

Cornerbacks
1. Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
2. Trevon Diggs, Alabama
3. Kristian Fulton, LSU
4. C.J. Henderson, Florida
5. Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State

Safeties
1. Xavier McKinney, Alabama
2. Grant Delpit, LSU
3. Ashtyn Davis, California
4. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne
5. Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota

***

There aren't many analyst ranking Tua Tagavailoa ahead of Joe Burrow.

A little thing that I've found interesting about this year's group of quarterbacks is the number of them with the letter "J" in their names. In addition to the four among Brooks' top-5 there's also Jalen Hurts, Jake Fromm, Jake Luton, and James Morgan.

This draft is talented and deep at receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and cornerback. It's a good time for that as the Minnesota Vikings' most pressing needs are at offensive tackle, cornerback, and defensive tackle. Adding a receiver that can return kicks would be a nice addition.

Cal's Future Non-conference Opponents

Cal football has announced several future opponents in recent weeks. Some of those opponents have added some shine to the Golden Bears future schedules. Cal's football program felt a little lost during the last couple years under head coach Jeff Tedford. It got even worse during the Sonny Dykes days. Almost from the moment Justin Wilcox was hired as head coach in 2017 it felt like the football program was changing in Berkeley. It hasn't always been pretty but it felt different. On and off the field. On the field, the defense was immediately improved. That wasn't too difficult as Dykes played no defense. The offense was rarely pretty. Cal is 20-18 in the three seasons under Wilcox. Each season has been more promising than the last. He's led a dramatic re-build of the football program. That re-build is reflected in the upcoming football schedules. Cal is going to Notre Dame. There are few colleges with a bigger football name. TCU, Auburn, Florida, and Minnesota have all scheduled a home/away series with Cal. 2025 is the only season of the next ten that doesn't currently include a Power 5 school. That season has an open date and there's time to find one. Perhaps the Irish will come to Berkeley.

2020: at UNLV, TCU, Cal Poly
2021: Nevada, at TCU, Sacramento State
2022: UC Davis, at North Texas, at Notre Dame
2023: Auburn, San Jose State
2024: UC Davis, at Auburn, San Diego State
2025: UNLV, at San Diego State
2026: at UNLV, at Florida
2027: Florida
2028: Wyoming, at Minnesota
2029: at Wyoming, Minnesota

Cal's football schedule has often been dotted with the likes of Mississippi, Purdue, Michigan State, Tennessee, Miami but I can't recall a ten-year stretch like the above. Assuming they find a Power 5 school for the 2025 season, Cal will face a prominent national team in each season of the coming decade. I love seeing the Golden Bears step up their non-conference competition. Cruising into the conference schedule with patsies (even when Cal could be considered a fellow patsy) always felt counterproductive. If Cal is to schedule "lesser" schools I prefer those schools to be regional. They are doing that with the likes of Cal Poly, Sacramento State, UC Davis, San Jose State, San Diego State, and to a less regional extent with the Nevada schools. Maybe with the upcoming semi-weekly migration of Raiders fans to Las Vegas, Cal sees a manufactured east bay-Nevada connection. As for more natural, regional rivalries, there was a time when the Bay Area boasted a nice number football powers. Cal, Stanford, St. Mary's, Santa Clara, and USF could play football with any team in the nation. That was a long time ago. Cal, Stanford, and San Jose State are now the lone FBS schools in Northern California. I like seeing San Jose State on Cal's schedule. Other than being a short plane ride away, I like seeing games against San Diego State, despite recent troubling games against the Aztecs. I like seeing the Nevada schools as well, despite a particular troubling game against the Wolfpack. I think that Rashaad Penny and Colin Kaepernick have each scored again against Cal. Losing to Cal Poly, Sacramento State, and UC Davis are not options. Stanford lost to Davis a few years ago and it will never be forgotten. A few years after that stunning game I was in the Davis student store. There were TVs scattered about the store playing highlights of the game on a loop. Not an option.

Cal football has a promising present and future. The team, recruiting classes, coaching staff, and even a questioning student body reflect that. The upcoming schedule reflects it as well.

Each Team's "Must Re-sign" Free Agent

We're still more than a month from NFL free agency. When thinking about free agency, most people look at the free agent players that each team should add to their roster. Perhaps it's because my football foundations were built in a 1970s NFL without free agency, I prefer to look at the free agent players that each team should re-sign. I like roster consistency. Here's a look at the free agents that each team must find a way to re-sign.

NFC

Minnesota Vikings
Anthony Harris, S
The Vikings aren't in a great salary cap situation and it's going to take a decent safety salary to keep Anthony Harris. The Vikings have been looking for a player like Harris to pair with Harrison Smith at safety since they drafted Smith in 2012. They finally found that player in Harris. The Vikings have to find a way to keep him.

Green Bay Packers
Blake Martinez, LB
Blake Martinez might not be the flashiest player or well known but he's always around the football. He should be well known because his name is mentioned on nearly every tackle.

Chicago Bears
Nick Kwiatkoski, LB
Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks get most of the attention on a very good defense. But I watched Nick Kwiatkoski wreck a lot of offensive plans.

Detroit Lions
A'Shawn Robinson, DT
The Lions are piecing together a nice defensive line. A'Shawn Robinson might be the most talented player on that line.

Philadelphia Eagles
Ronald Darby, CB
The biggest problem with the Eagles secondary in recent years has been health. When Ronald Darby is healthy he's a promising corner. The sort of corner they need to re-sign.

Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott, QB
It's a mystery as to why this deal isn't done. The Cowboys have plenty of cap room. They know that Dak Prescott will get a good chunk of that cap room. He's the quarterback. The going rate for a good to very good quarterback is going to be at least $35 million. And Prescott is closer to very good than good.

New York Giants
Leonard Williams, DL
Leonard Williams hasn't played up to his draft projections. That's why he isn't playing for the Jets. He's very talented. Still young. Maybe the new Giants coaching staff can get the best from Williams.

Washington Redskins
Brandon Scherff, G
I wouldn't mind seeing Brandon Scherff in Minnesota. But that's a dream that's too expensive to become real. The Redskins need to re-sign one of the best guards in the league.

New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees, QB
The only thing that keeps Drew Brees from being on the Saints next year is retirement.

Carolina Panthers
James Bradberry, CB
This one's just a stab as I'm not sure what Matt Rhule and his coaching staff are going to do with the players that they are inheriting.

Atlanta Falcons
De'Vondre Campbell, LB
I don't see De'Vondre Campbell going anywhere.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston, QB
Bruce Arians lives by his "No risk it. No Biscuit" offense. There's probably no quarterback that better fits that belief than Jameis Winston.

San Francisco 49ers
Arik Armstead, DL
The 49ers defense was terrific last season and Arik Armstead finally played like the player that the team drafted in the first round. The strength of the defense is the versatility and rotation of the defensive line. Armstead has become an important part of that.

Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed, DT
The Seahawks defense is much better when Jarran Reed is on the field.

Los Angeles Rams
Cory Littleton, LB
Cory Littleton was probably the best player on the Rams defense not named Aaron Donald.

Arizona Cardinals
Kenyan Drake, RB
It's amazing that the Cardinals were able to add a player of Kenyan Drake's ability in an in-season trade. It helps that the Dolphins were giving players away. The Cardinals offense started playing much better once Drake was added to it.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens
Matt Judon, LB
The Ravens keep finding edge rushers like Matt Judon on the second and third days of the draft. That ability might give the team the confidence to let him walk. At some point the Ravens have to keep one of these players that they develop.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Javon Hargrave, NT
It was a tossup between Javon Hargrave and edge rusher Bud Dupree. Re-signing an impact player in the middle of the Steelers defensive line appealed to me more.

Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green, WR
Keeping a talented, reliable, veteran receiver makes a lot of sense for a team that's probably turning the offense over to rookie quarterback Joe Burrow.

Cleveland Browns
Joe Schobert, LB
I see Joe Schobert as the leader of a young defense that has a lot of talent but needs a little direction.

New England Patriots
Tom Brady, QB
No matter how fun it is for the talking heads to "place" Tom Brady all over the league I can't see his return not happening.

Buffalo Bills
Quinton Spain, OG
The Bills added damn every available mid-level offensive lineman in free agency last year. Quenton Spain was one that found a roster spot.

Miami Dolphins
Evan Boehm, OG
The Dolphins traded away most of the players that would be considered "must re-signs." I'll go with a guard that I liked when he was with the Colts. Maybe he can be a building block for a new, decent Dolphins offensive line.

New York Jets
Robby Anderson, WR
Sam Darnold needs an explosive playmaker. Robby Anderson is one of those.

Houston Texans
Bradley Robey, CB
The Texans have stocked up on corners over the past several months. Bradley Robey is the best of the bunch.

Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill, QB
Derrick Henry, RB
I could not decide between the two. The Titans need both.

Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Castonzo, OT
The Colts have built one of the best offensive lines in the league. Anthony Castonzo is the veteran leader of that line. They need him to keep that role for a couple more years.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Yannick Ngakoue is the sort of player that smart teams keep.

Kansas City Chiefs
Chris Jones, DT
Chris Jones is another player that I'd love to see in Minnesota. The Chiefs might not have won the Super Bowl without him. The Chiefs can not let him leave.

Denver Broncos
Von Miller, LB
He's on the wrong side of 30 but Von Miller is still one of the best pass rushers in the game.

Los Angeles Chargers
Hunter Henry, TE
No matter who plays quarterback for the Chargers he'll need Hunter Henry on the field.

Las Vegas Raiders
Karl Joseph, S
Karl Joseph was one of my favorite players in the 2016 NFL Draft. I really like the Raiders safety combination of Joseph and Johnathan Abram.

Throwback Thursday: All-Time HBCU NFL Team

This Flicker was originally posted on 7/5/18. 

The NFL's history is filled with players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The talent that's come out of these schools rivals, even exceeds, that of the "big time" conferences. Some of the best of that talent can be seen in this All-Time NFL Team of players from HBCUs.

Quarterback

Steve McNair, Alcorn State

Running Backs

Walter Payton, Jackson State
Leroy Kelly, Morgan State

Receivers

Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State
John Stallworth, Alabama A&M

Tight End

Shannon Sharpe, Savannah State

Offensive Line

Roosevelt Brown, Morgan State
Art Shell, Maryland-Eastern Shore
Jackie Slater, Jackson State
Rayfield Wright, Fort Valley State
Larry Little, Bethune-Cookman

Defensive Line

Deacon Jones, South Carolina State/Mississippi Valley State
Willie Davis, Grambling State
Buck Buchanan, Grambling
Michael Strahan, Texas Southern

Linebackers

Robert Brazile, Jackson State
Willie Lanier, Morgan State
Harry Carson, South Carolina State

Defensive Backs

Willie Brown, Grambling State
Mel Blount, Southern
Aeneas Williams, Southern

Ken Houston, Prairie View A&M

***

The talent on this team is ridiculous.
22 players. 21 are honored in Canton.
The one player not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the quarterback. Steve McNair.
Black colleges have sent an abundance of talent to the NFL at all positions but quarterback. I wonder if that has more to do with the league's coaches being so unwilling for so long to give a black quarterback a shot. Many think that Warren Moon was the first great black quarterback. Even he was forced to start his throwing career in Canada due to the racial prejudices of coaches. Doug Williams and James Harris had some fine moments. Maybe they would've had more if their path was less rocky. Maybe Parnell Dickinson could've been the first great black quarterback if he'd been given a chance. Joe Gilliam? Eldridge Dickey? Charles Brackins? Willie Thrower? None had the opportunities routinely given to modestly talented white quarterbacks.

HBCUs have sent much more football talent than the above All-Time Team to the NFL. Here are some of the players that I had to reluctantly leave on the bench.

Lem Barney
Elvin Bethea
Richard Dent
Bob Hayes
Charlie Joiner
Emmitt Thomas

That's six Pro Football Hall of Famers sitting on the bench. The talent doesn't end there. Here's a few players that have a strong case for Canton induction.

Roger Brown
L.C. Greenwood
Ken Riley
Donnie Shell
Otis Taylor
Everson Walls

Just silly with talent. The talent was at these "small" schools because it wasn't welcome at the "big" schools. The smart NFL teams sent scouts to the schools in the 1960s and early 1970s. The 1960s Kansas City Chiefs benefited greatly. So did the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers. It's really no surprise that the rise in the scouting of the HBCUs coincided with the escalating AFL-NFL wars. There were more professional teams and it resulted in a hotly contested race for talent. The AFL had the edge at these long-neglected schools and it helped catch the NFL and force a merger in only seven years. Despite being loaded with talented players and greatly impacting the NFL the Historically Black Colleges and Universities have long been over there on the periphery of college and professional football. It's well past time to celebrate these schools and the players that played there. The Black College Football Hall of Fame has been inducting players since 2010. It's a grassroots effort that's slowly gaining traction and now they're getting some support from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They deserve more support and attention. Just look at the players. Silly with talent.

Minnesota Vikings Draft Stuff

The Minnesota Vikings season ended three weeks too soon. The Super Bowl is over. It's the NFL's offseason. The new league year doesn't officially start until March 18 but it's the offseason. The Vikings have reconstructed their coaching staff. Now it's time to rebuild the roster. They are in a salary cap bind so they won't be able to buy their issues away. The Draft will be the path to the roster rebuild. It should be the path even when they're flush with cash. Making a splash free agency is always fun but history has shown that it's not the best way to build an NFL roster. Besides, the draft is far more fun. That's why maniacs have been doing mock drafts for this draft since the last draft ended. With compensatory picks still to be determined, the Vikings could have as many as 10 picks in the April 23-25 Draft. That's just to start. General manager Rick Spielman has a tendency to move around in the draft. Here's an early look at some Minnesota Vikings draft stuff.

The Picks. Current and projected.

1. #25 overall
2. #57 overall
3. #89 overall
4. TBD (picks in rounds 4-7 will be affected by the Compensatory picks)
4. TBD (projected Compensatory pick for loss of Sheldon Richardson)
6. TBD
7. TBD (acquired from Dolphins for Danny Isidora)
7. TBD
7. TBD (projected Compensatory pick for loss of Tom Compton)
7. TBD (projected Compensatory pick for loss of Trevor Siemian)

The Vikings traded their fifth round pick to the Ravens for kicker Kaare Vedvik. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

The Needs.

1. offensive line
2. cornerback
3. 3-technique

Free agency re-signings/signings could change those needs but the Vikings don't really have the cap space to change them significantly.

Offensive Line
The offensive line has been an annual top need for so long. The rookie seasons of guard Dru Samia and tackle Oli Udoh were redshirt seasons. The hope here is that Samia will be able to step into a starting role this season. If Pat Elflein doesn't make a huge jump this offseason his three-year run as a Vikings starter (2 at center, 1 at left guard) is likely over. Udoh was drafted in the sixth as a raw, small school project with intriguing size and talent. In very limited snaps as a rookie he looked promising. He actually looked more promising than Samia in those limited snaps. In a perfect world, Samia and Udoh are ready to step in this season and become franchise cornerstones on the offensive line for a long time.  Udoh, in particular, is intriguing. In preseason games and the Week 17 "preseason" game against the Bears, he often made defenders disappear. He has mammoth size (6'5" 325 lbs) and he appears to move well despite that size. He also seems to play a little angry. The Vikings could use a little angry on the offensive line. The biggest question is whether he can move well enough to fit the Vikings zone blocking scheme. He's such an intriguing football player. The offensive line must improve. The defensive line of the Bears, Packers, and 49ers destroyed them in the biggest games of the season. That can't happen again if the Vikings have hopes of making it past the divisional round of the playoffs. The offensive line must get better. Right tackle Brian O'Neill has improved considerably in his two seasons. He looks like he will be a very good, at least, player for a long time. Center Garrett Bradbury had some rookie struggles but he often flashed the ability that made him a first round pick. Riley Reiff is an average left tackle in the latter years of his career. There's been chatter that he could move to guard. I'm not sold on that. I'd rather see the line get better and younger. O'Neill and Bradbury are the only offensive linemen on the roster that can be considered foundation players. I hope that Samia joins them this year. He has the talent to make an impact at one of the guard spots. Veteran Josh Kline has a couple more years as a reliable starter at the other guard spot. I think that Udoh has potential. At present, it's only potential. If he emerges, it's probably at right tackle. In that case, perhaps O'Neill can move to left tackle. But the Vikings aren't in a position to plan on a raw, intriguing, mammoth tackle emerging as an impact starter at tackle in his second season. The Vikings need to improve the offensive line with a player more ready to start immediately. That sort of tackle is found in the first round. If he can develop the reaction/quickness for reach blocks and getting to the second level, maybe Udoh can eventually bump inside to guard and replace Kline in a year or two. Who knows? Maybe with the addition of a nice left tackle in the draft the Vikings have their five cornerstone linemen for as long as they can keep them.

Cornerback
Cornerback has been a team strength for a few years. Head coach Mike Zimmer has emphasized the position. So has the team's drafts. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander have been the top trio for a few years. Waynes and Alexander are on track to be free agents. The Vikings cap situation makes it challenge to re-sign Waynes or Alexander, let alone both. Rhodes could be a cap casualty. 2020 could be a complete overhaul of the cornerback position in Minnesota. If Waynes, Alexander, and Rhodes all depart Minnesota, the top of the cornerback depth chart could look like this:

Mike Hughes
Holton Hill
Kris Boyd

Despite being an oft-injured first round pick, an undrafted free agent, and a seventh-round pick, I kinda like this trio. There was something missing from the Vikings corners last season. Perhaps a hungry group of talented cornerbacks with something to prove is just what this team needs. Mike Hughes is a former first round pick with loads of talent. He just has to stay healthy. If injuries hadn't derailed each of his first two seasons he might've wrestled a starting spot away from Rhodes, Waynes, or Alexander. Hughes just has to stay on the field and one side of the Vikings defensive backfield will be fine. Holton Hill showed raw talent and a lot of potential as an undrafted rookie in 2018. Injuries forced him into the starting lineup against the Saints that season and he looked the part. A couple of suspensions cost him half of the 2019 season. If he can rid himself of the off-field demons that wrecked his draft prospects and his second season, he could develop into an impact player. Kris Boyd developed through his rookie season into a standout player on special teams. He also held up when given opportunities on defense. That isn't glowing praise but he showed some abilities that could be molded into a solid NFL corner. Perhaps even better. Hughes alternated at times with Alexander at nickel. He's the team's top corner moving forward so I'm guessing that he now has a full-time spot on the outside. With the potential contractual departures, I'm projecting Hill as the starter on the other side. Boyd could be next man up at nickel. A darkhorse contender for the role is CFL export Marcus Sayles. His size (5'10" 180lbs) and play remind me of Antoine Winfield. That's a wild comparison as Winfield is one of the best corners in franchise history and one of the best nickel corners I've ever seen. But there are some similarities to his game. Maybe, just maybe, Sayles has a football career trajectory similar to that of Cameron Wake. There's a beautiful dream. Anyway, I actually feel pretty good about the Vikings corners. Part of that is because I like the potential of the players that are sure to be on the roster. The other part of that is a trust in Zimmer getting the best out of those players. Still, cornerback is a need. A lot of things have to go right for my hopeful projections to become reality. Hughes has to stay healthy. Hill has to stay out of trouble. Boyd has to develop. Sayles is a CFL export that has done nothing in the NFL.

3-technique
The 3-technique defensive tackle position is very important in Zimmer's defense. It's very important in every 4-3 defense. Despite that importance, Zimmer has rarely had an impact player at the position in his six years as the Vikings head coach. Sharrif Floyd was supposed to be that player. A freak accident during surgery sadly ruined his NFL career. Sheldon Richardson was terrific for one season but they couldn't afford to keep him. Shamar Stephen played the position last season. He's excellent against the run but doesn't create much havoc as a pass rusher. Jaleel Johnson can do a bit of both but needs to both more often. Jalyn Holmes has a little more pass rusher in him but might not be as strong in run support. Hercules Mata'afa is more of a situational pass rusher. The player that I really like for the 3-technique spot is Armon Watts. He really started to shine at the end of last season. But I think that the coaches see him as a nose tackle. Perhaps it's due to their respective sizes but I like Johnson as the eventual replacement to Linval Joseph at nose and Watts at 3-technique. The more I think about the players that the Vikings have at defensive tackle the less I think that the position is one of the team's top needs. The 3-technique position can make such an impact and Zimmer has so rarely had a player at the position that can completely disrupt the offense. If that sort of player (Javon Kinlaw!) falls into their lap at 25, they grab him. Personally, I think that Watts can be dynamite at the position. But I'm just sitting in a chair viewing from a distance.

Other team needs:
1. Receiver
2. Safety

Receiver
The Vikings could use a third receiver that can take some of the obvious passing down pressure off of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Olabisi Johnson was a nice surprise as a rookie. He has a future with the team. The Vikings need a receiver that can beat coverage with some explosive abilities or one that can beat it with a size/strength advantage. A receiver with both attributes would be nice but those are hard to find. The third receiver need is lessened a bit by the immense potential of tight end Irv Smith Jr. His rookie season was just a slight taste of what he might be able to do. He has the talent to tilt the field. It'd be nice if the Vikings can add an explosive receiver in the draft, one that can return kicks as well.

Safety
Much of what the Vikings can do in free agency begins with what they do with Anthony Harris. He's developed into one of the top safeties in the league. He's also set to become a free agent on March 18. If the Vikings re-sign him, it'll take a deal that makes him one of the highest paid safeties in the league. He and Harrison Smith would be one of the top safety duos in the league. The team would only need to add depth behind them. If they Vikings don't re-sign Harris, Harrison Smith will be the only safety with a contract that puts him on the roster in 2020. The position then becomes one of the team's biggest draft needs.

Those are the needs of the Vikings as I currently see them. The team doesn't have the cap room to seriously address those needs in free agency. I really like some of the young players that are in position to see more playing time (especially Mike Hughes and Armon Watts) but their impact is all just hopeful projections at this point. Very hopeful.

Minnesota Vikings Add Another Coach

Just when it felt like the Minnesota Vikings 2020 coaching staff was complete, head coach Mike Zimmer decided that he needed another voice/teacher/opinion in the room. The Vikings announced yesterday that Dom Capers has been hired. Zimmer has been in the football coaching profession since 1979. Capers has been at it even longer. He got his start as a graduate assistant at Kent State in 1972. Zimmer was thrilled with the coaching impact that Gary Kubiak had last season as an adviser on the offensive side of the ball. Perhaps he's hoping that Capers can provide a similar impact this season on the defensive side of the ball. Some seem to be surprised by the choice as each advocates two different defensive philosophies. Zimmer has coached a 4-3 defense for most of his coaching career. Capers has favored a 3-4 defense. It's my guess that Capers was appealing to Zimmer because of those differences. Football offenses are always evolving. Defenses have to evolve as well. No defensive coach can expect to succeed if they just keep trotting out the same defense year after year. While still being mostly effective, the Vikings defense has remained the same since Zimmer's first year in 2014. Same players, same scheme, same voices. Perhaps things had grown a little stale. Change can be good and in the last month there has been a lot of changes on the coaching staff. That's especially true on defense. Adding Capers is the most intriguing move of all. Perhaps the Vikings will throw an occasional 3-4 front at offenses. They don't really have the personnel to do it as their base but I can envision a situational front that includes Linval Joseph over the center, Jalyn Holmes and Armon Watts at ends, and Danielle Hunter and Anthony Barr rushing off the edge. Who knows? Hercules Mata'afa is a unique pass rusher that the team seems to like but they haven't really found a role for him. Perhaps Capers has some ideas. It's always good for a defense on occasion to do something unexpected. Throwing something new at an offense is good and anything Capers adds will be new. I always liked the "amoeba" defense that he ran at times as the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. The New England Patriots used something similar a couple years ago and the Vikings offense fell apart against it. Having seven, or more, players milling about the line of scrimmage before the snap doesn't give the offense any clues. The offense doesn't know which players are rushing and which players aren't until the snap. I didn't like when Capers, or Bill Belichick, did against the Vikings but I'd be thrilled to see Zimmer and Capers incorporate it into the defensive game plan. Capers has been a successful defensive coach longer than Zimmer. I think that it's safe to assume that Zimmer, Capers, new co-defensive coordinators Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer, and the rest of the defensive coaches will come up with some unique defenses. I can't wait to see it.

I can see only one negative to the addition of Dom Capers. The ESPN Vikings beat writers spent all of last offseason questioning what Gary Kubiak did. Kevin Stefanski was the offensive coordinator. What was Kubiak's role? The possibility that he was there to assist ("assistant" was in his official title) Stefanski during his first year coordinating an offense simply eluded them. Those Kubiak questions were a part of damn near every article and podcast they wrote and recorded. It was a sad little bit and got old really quick. I dread the possibility that they pull it out again this offseason in questioning Capers' role with the defense. He's a senior defensive assistant coach. He'll assist the defense. Some of the Vikings beat writers just want to turn everything into some damn conspiracy. Maybe, just maybe, these coaching hires are made to try and improve the football team. Imagine that, a football team trying to get better.

Adding Capers wasn't the only change to the Vikings coaching staff. Assistant defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez left to become the defensive line coach on Herm Edwards' staff at Arizona State. It's a loss for the Vikings but a great opportunity for Rodriguez. Congratulations Coach Rodriguez.

Maybe the Vikings coaching staff isn't complete. I would think that a coach will be added to assist Andre Patterson with the defensive line. Especially, with his new co-defensive coordinator duties. Here's how the Vikings coaching staff looks until the next change.

Minnesota Vikings 2020 Coaches

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Offensive Coaches: 
Offensive Coordinator: Gary Kubiak
Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator: Rick Dennison
Quarterbacks: Klint Kubiak
Running Backs: Kennedy Polamalu
Wide Receivers: Andrew Janocko
Tight Ends: Brian Pariani
Assistant Offensive Line: Phil Rauscher
Offensive Quality Control: Christian Jones
Offensive Quality Control: AC Patterson

Defensive Coaches:
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line: Andre Patterson
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: Adam Zimmer
Senior Defensive Assistant: Dom Capers
Defensive Backs: Daronte Jones
Assistant Defensive Line: Robert Rodriguez
Defensive Quality Control: Nick Rallis

Special Teams Coaches:
Special Teams Coordinator: Marwan Maalouf
Assistant Special Teams: Ryan Ficken
Kicking Consultant: Nate Kaeding

Strength and Conditioning:
Head Strength and Conditioning: Mark Uyeyama
Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Derik Keyes
Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Chaz Mahle

Flea Flicker Mock Draft 1.0

It's so damn early to be doing this. I barely have a grasp of the top 50 players, let alone the top 32. Or the needs of the 32 teams. I have to start somewhere and it might as well be here.

1.   Cincinnati Bengals-Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2.   Washington Redskins-Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
3.   Detroit Lions-Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
4.   New York Giants-Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
5.   Miami Dolphins-Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6.   Los Angeles Chargers-Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
7.   Carolina Panthers-Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
8.   Arizona Cardinals-Tristan Wirfs, OG, Iowa
9.   Jacksonville Jaguars-Isaiah Simmons, S, Clemson
10. Cleveland Browns-Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
11. New York Jets-Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
12. Las Vegas Raiders-Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
13. Indianapolis Colts-Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
15. Denver Broncos-CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
16. Atlanta Falcons-K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
17. Dallas Cowboys-C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
18. Miami Dolphins (from Steelers)-Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Bears)-Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)-Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
21. Philadelphia Eagles-Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
22. Buffalo Bills-Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
23. New England Patriots-Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
24. New Orleans Saints-Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
25. Minnesota Vikings-Josh Jones, OT, Houston
26. Miami Dolphins (from Texans)-D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
27. Seattle Seahawks-Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge, Penn State
28. Baltimore Ravens-Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
29. Houston Texans-A.J. Espenesa, Edge, Iowa
30. Green Bay Packers-Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
31. San Francisco 49ers-A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
32. Kansas City Chiefs-Marlon Davidson, Edge, Auburn

I'll probably mention it often in the coming years but it's really weird to say, write, think Las Vegas Raiders.

There appears to be a lot of players in this draft with a "J" somewhere in their name. There are more than seems normal among the above possible first round picks. It's especially true of the top quarterbacks.

Joe Burrow
Justin Herbert
Jordan Love
Jacob Eason
Jalen Hurts
Jake Fromm

Jake Luton and James Morgan are also among the quarterbacks invited to the Scouting Combine. That's a lot of "Js." Tua Tagavailoa is the one top thrower that's free of the letter.

Mock Draft season is on. 

Upcoming Pro Football Hall of Fame Eligibles

When did the new Pro Football Hall of Fame Class become the old Class before their busts molded and jackets fitted? The modern-era members of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class were announced a week ago and discussion has already turned to who's next? I guess that it's further proof of our puppy-like attention span. Rather than taking a stand I guess that I'm following the flock and looking at the players that will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the coming years.

Class of 2021
Jared Allen
Steven Jackson
Calvin Johnson
Logan Mankins
Peyton Manning
Jerod Mayo
Heath Miller
Charles Tillman
Justin Tuck
Michael Vick
Wes Welker
Kevin Williams
Charles Woodson

There are a couple players on this list that might already be fitted for that spiffy gold jacket. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson were Heisman finalists together. They were in the same draft class. They should be in the same Hall of Fame Class. And it's the first Class for which they are eligible. I wouldn't be surprised if the voters allow Calvin Johnson to join them. For me, he was without question a first ballot Hall of Fame talent but I'm not so sure that he played to that level often enough. I'd like to see Jared Allen make it. He had a Hall of Fame career but I think that career was a tick below what it takes to make it in his first year. I also thought that about Jason Taylor and he made it in his first year. So, you never know. The voters are an unpredictable bunch. I can see Charles Tillman and Kevin Williams eventually making their way to Canton.

Class of 2022
Anquan Blodin
Chad Greenway
Andre Johnson
Mario Williams
Tony Romo
Robert Mathis
Steve Smith Sr.
DeMarcus Ware
Vince Wilfork

DeMarcus Ware, Steve Smith Sr., and Andre Johnson top this group of first-year eligibles. Personally, I see Jared Allen in his second year of eligibility as more deserving than Ware in his first. But that's just me. Smith, Johnson, and Anquan Boldin join a receiver queue that's again growing into a problem. There's a similar problem with edge rushers. Allen, Ware, Justin Tuck, Mario Williams, Robert Mathis are all deserving of consideration. With no clear-cut first ballot players, this year could be a good year to get in some of the players that have been waiting a while.

Class of 2023
NaVorro Bowman
Kam Chancellor
Antonio Cromartie
Elvis Dumervil
Dwight Freeney
James Harrison
Devin Hester
Shane Lechler
Nick Mangold
DeMarco Murray
Carson Palmer
Darrelle Revis
Joe Thomas

Darrelle Revis and Joe Thomas are in. An argument can be made for Devin Hester. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, he scared the hell out of me. No returner has ever worried me more. Dwight Freeney and James Harrison find a place in the growing edge rusher line. I always thought that NaVorro Bowman was a terrific player. If teammate Patrick Willis isn't even a finalist in his first year of eligibility, I'm not sure that Bowman makes it very far.

Class of 2024
Antonio Gates
Jamaal Charles
Rob Gronkowski
Chris Long
Andrew Luck
Sebastian Janikowski
Jordy Nelson
Haloti Ngata
Julius Peppers
Jonathan Stewart
Max Unger
Kyle Williams

Rob Gronkowski is in. Antonio Gates could make it a two tight end Class. Julius Peppers jumps to the front of that edge rusher line. If Gronkowski has a first ballot classmate, Peppers is the one. Andrew was playing his way into Canton but he retired a few years short of making it.

Class of 2025
Lorenzo Alexander
Vernon Davis
Luke Kuechly
Eli Manning
Eric Weddle

Luke Kuechly is in. I don't care if he didn't have a 15-year career. He was the best in the game at his position from his first season. The Eli Manning Hall of Fame argument has already started. He might not make it in 2025 but it shouldn't be too longer after that.

I think that the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters need to refine their standards for first ballot Hall of Famers. When a player is presented for discussion in their first year of eligibility there should be zero doubts about their candidacy for the Hall. If there's the slightest hesitation, that player shouldn't be inducted on the first ballot. As it appears to be now, every player that had a really good career is ushered through the door. First ballot induction should be reserved for the players that had truly great careers. First ballot induction has to be special again. If it ever really was.