As of Saturday, the building of the Minnesota Vikings' 2020 80-man roster included two trades. One was to acquire backup center Brett Jones in 2018. The other was to add cornerback depth in acquiring Mark Fields in 2019. Both were of the conditional seventh-round pick variety. On Sunday, the Vikings took a big trade swing in acquiring defensive end Yannick Ngakoue from the Jacksonville Jaguars. In return for the 25-year old pass rusher the Vikings are sending a 2021 second-round pick and a conditional 2022 pick to the Jaguars. The conditions of the 2022 pick reportedly break down like this.
-it's a third, if the Vikings win the Super Bowl and Ngakoue makes the Pro Bowl
-it's a fourth, if Ngakoue makes the Pro Bowl and the Vikings don't win the Super Bowl
-it's a fifth, if Ngakoue doesn't make the Pro Bowl
The hope here is that the Jaguars will be drafting in the Vikings' third-round spot in 2022.
The Vikings again have dynamite, bookend pass rushers.
Through the years:
Jim Marshall/Carl Eller
Chris Doleman/Al Noga
Jared Allen/Ray Edwards
Jared Allen/Brian Robison
Everson Griffen/Danielle Hunter
And now:
Yannick Ngakoue/Danielle Hunter
Both are only 25. Both played their rookie seasons at 21. Hunter is entering his sixth NFL season. Ngakoue is entering his fifth. Both are only 25.
When I woke to the news that the Vikings had traded for Yannick Ngakoue, I was shocked. I was shocked because I simply didn't think that there was any way that the Vikings could afford his contract. After not being able to re-sign Everson Griffen, a potential Vikings trade for Ngakoue was a thought but it was a passing, unrealistic thought. Under the franchise tag that he'd yet to sign, Ngakoue was scheduled to receive a salary of $17.788 million this season. If he played this season. He clearly didn't want to play for the Jaguars. The Vikings had a little over $12 million in cap space. The numbers just didn't work. Apparently, the numbers will work. It's happening. The first financial obstacle was cleared when Ngakoue agreed to take less from the Vikings in order to get out of Jacksonville. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that the agreed upon deal is for $12 million. I expect further salary juggling from the Vikings. No team wants to enter a season, especially a COVID-impacted season, with less than a million in cap space. But it's happening. One of the most promising young pass rushers in the game is coming to Minnesota. He's going to play opposite one of the best young pass rushers in the game.
One curiosity of Vikings' new pass rushing duo, is the respective size of Danielle Hunter and Yannick Ngakoue.
Danielle Hunter: 6'5" 252lbs
Yannick Ngakoue: 6'2" 246lbs
That's not a lot of poundage. There will always be room in the NFL for a pass rusher like Reggie White. A 290-300lb athletic wrecking ball. Cameron Jordan is that sort of football player. Pass rushers in today's game have to get to the quarterback in a hurry. That's one reason why there's a growing emphasis on interior pass rushers. It's the shortest path to the quarterback. The longer path requires faster rushers. The Vikings now have a pair of outside pass rushers that can get to the quarterback in a hurry. It's going to look like a track meet off the edge of the Vikings defensive line. I can't wait to see it.
The downside to the trade is with the Vikings players that expected increased opportunities this season and possibly future seasons. Ifeadi Odenigbo was set to start opposite Hunter. His steady improvement since being selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft and especially his play last season earned him that opportunity. He now likely goes back to a rotational role. He's a versatile defensive lineman. He's earned increased playing time and I believe that he'll see more snaps this year than he had last season. He can play anywhere across the line. He'll make an impact but it won't be as a starting defensive end. He's scheduled to become a restricted free agent in 2021 so the Vikings retain some control over his immediate future but I would think that he'd prefer an opportunity to start somewhere. Right now, that place doesn't appear to be in Minnesota. D.J. Wonnum was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft as a raw, athletic pass rusher. The comparisons to a 2015 Danielle Hunter are easy. The optimistic Vikings fan could easily see an edge-rushing future of Hunter and Wonnum. That future was altered yesterday. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Vikings intend to re-sign Ngakoue when they are able to do so in 2021. That's going to be a pricey deal. A team can never have enough football players that can get to a quarterback. There's room for Hunter, Ngakoue, Odenigbo, Wonnum, etc. this season and beyond.
It's easy for a fan of an NFL team to get tangled up in numbers, contracts, and cap room. I figured that the Vikings' cap situation made any move of this sort impossible. Well, they made it possible. Yannick Ngakoue will be playing for the Vikings this season. He might even make a career and home in Minnesota. Rob Brzyzinski and the team's decision-makers will make the numbers work. I'm hoping that they can make the numbers work for other key players.
Here's hoping that the numbers juggling will lead to an extension for Dalvin Cook.
One last thing, the pronunciation of Yannick Ngakoue:
Yah-NEEK In-GACK-way
I've spent at least four years saying Yah-nick In-Gahk-way. Or something like that.
Welcome to Minnesota, Yannick Ngakoue.
Monday, August 31, 2020
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Fans In The Stands
I'm thankful and hopeful that there will be a complete NFL season this fall and winter. The main reason I think that there will be a season is because of the manner in which the 32 teams have handled coming together for training camp. I figured that the players, coaches, and staff would do a much better job than the leaders and people of this country at dealing with a global pandemic. It'd be impossible to do worse. I'm relieved that the players, coaches, and staff have done even better than my optimistic expectations. They can't relax. It only gets more challenging when the teams start jetting around the country for games. The games. The games mean fans. Every team wants their fans in the stands. This is where the teams are making differing decisions. In many cases, it's a city or state that's making the decision for the team that resides in that city or state. That could be tragic seeing as some states have been incredibly stupid with their COVID decisions. Mind-numbingly stupid. So, we have teams making various decisions about fans in the stands. Here's what I've collected, so far.
No Fans for the start of the season or through September:
Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Chicago Bears
Denver Broncos
Houston Texans
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
Tennessee Titans
No Fans through early October:
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Seattle Seahawks
No Fans indefinitely:
Cincinnati Bengals
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
New York Jets
Philadelphia Eagles
No Fans all season:
Las Vegas Raiders
Washington
Seeking Approval for reduced capacity seating:
Cleveland Browns
Limited Attendance for all games
Dallas Cowboys
Attendance Limited to about 25% of capacity
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Other Limited Attendance (max 13,000 fans):
Miami Dolphins
No Attendance Plans:
Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's just over 239 miles between Dallas and Houston and the Cowboys and Texans are going with very different attendance plans. Texas governor Greg Abbot has bucked common sense and medical advice to make 50% of stadium capacity an acceptable gathering for games. The Texans are concerned for the safety of their fans and their community and are going with no fans to start the season. The Cowboys are going with money over the health of their fans and community and planning to put more fans in the stands than any team in the league. No surprise there.
The Chiefs opened up Arrowhead Stadium to a limited number of fans for a recent practice. Many of the fans were without masks and not social distancing. I see this as evidence that fans can't be trusted
to do what needs to be done. At least not in Kansas City.
NFL players, coaches, and staff have to be smart this season to have a season. So do the fans. Right now, I have little faith in the latter. I hope that they prove me wrong.
No Fans for the start of the season or through September:
Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Chicago Bears
Denver Broncos
Houston Texans
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
Tennessee Titans
No Fans through early October:
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Seattle Seahawks
No Fans indefinitely:
Cincinnati Bengals
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
New York Jets
Philadelphia Eagles
No Fans all season:
Las Vegas Raiders
Washington
Seeking Approval for reduced capacity seating:
Cleveland Browns
Limited Attendance for all games
Dallas Cowboys
Attendance Limited to about 25% of capacity
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Other Limited Attendance (max 13,000 fans):
Miami Dolphins
No Attendance Plans:
Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
***
It's just over 239 miles between Dallas and Houston and the Cowboys and Texans are going with very different attendance plans. Texas governor Greg Abbot has bucked common sense and medical advice to make 50% of stadium capacity an acceptable gathering for games. The Texans are concerned for the safety of their fans and their community and are going with no fans to start the season. The Cowboys are going with money over the health of their fans and community and planning to put more fans in the stands than any team in the league. No surprise there.
The Chiefs opened up Arrowhead Stadium to a limited number of fans for a recent practice. Many of the fans were without masks and not social distancing. I see this as evidence that fans can't be trusted
to do what needs to be done. At least not in Kansas City.
NFL players, coaches, and staff have to be smart this season to have a season. So do the fans. Right now, I have little faith in the latter. I hope that they prove me wrong.
Saturday, August 29, 2020
When Did These Vikings Get Here?
I'm always curious as to how the Minnesota Vikings' football team is built. Where did the players come from? How did they get to Minnesota? When did they get here? It's that last question that's been on my mind recently. It's been a while since the Vikings could be considered a veteran team. 2009 comes to mind. In recent years, they've been considered a very young team, one of the youngest in the league. With those youthful thoughts in mind I decided to look a little closer at when the players on the current Vikings' roster arrived in Minnesota. This is an exercise that's probably more useful after the roster is trimmed to 53 players on September 5. I'll probably do it then as well. Until then, when did these Vikings arrive in Minnesota?
2011
Draft
Kyle Rudolph
2012
Draft
Harrison Smith
2013
Undrafted Free Agent
Adam Thielen
2014
Draft
Anthony Barr
Shamar Stephen
-Stephen departed for a year in 2018, returned in 2019
2015
Draft
Eric Kendricks
Danielle Hunter
Undrafted Free Agent
Anthony Harris
2016
Undrafted Free Agent
C.J. Ham
Free Agent
Rashod Hill
-Hill was plucked off the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars late in the 2016 season.
2017
Draft
Dalvin Cook
Pat Elflein
Jaleel Johnson
Ben Gedeon
Ifeadi Odenigbo
-Odenigbo was a 7th-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2017. He had a walk-a-bout 2018 season that started and ended with the Vikings but included stops in Cleveland and Arizona.
Undrafted Free Agent
Aviante Collins
Eric Wilson
Free Agent
Riley Reiff
2018
Draft
Mike Hughes
Brian O'Neill
Jalyn Holmes
Tyler Conklin
Undrafted Free Agent
Mike Boone
Chad Beebe
Hercules Mata'afa
Holton Hill
Free Agent
Kirk Cousins
Ameer Abdullah
Dan Bailey
-Abdullah and Bailey were in-season additions. Bailey early in the season. Abdullah later in the season.
Trade
Brett Jones
2019
Draft
Garrett Bradbury
Irv Smith Jr.
Alexander Mattison
Dru Samia
Cameron Smith
Armon Watts
Oli Udoh
Kris Boyd
Dillon Mitchell
Olabisi Johnson
Austin Cutting
Undrafted Free Agent
Jake Browning
Alexander Hollins
Brandon Dillon
Stacy Keely
Nate Meadors
Free Agent
Sean Mannion
Dakota Dozier
Tony Brooks-James
Britton Colquitt
Trade
Mark Fields
2020
Draft
Justin Jefferson
Jeff Gladney
Ezra Cleveland
Cameron Dantzler
D.J. Wonnum
James Lynch
Troy Dye
Harrison Hand
K.J. Osborn
Blake Brandel
Josh Metellus
Kenny Willekes
Nate Stanley
Kyle Hinton
Undrafted Free Agent
Nevelle Clarke
Jake Bargas
Dan Chisena
Quartney Davis
Myles Dorn
Jordan Fehr
Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Jake Lacina
Blake Lynch
David Moa
David Reese II
Free Agent
Tajaé Sharpe
Anthony Zettel
Eddie Yarbrough
Hardy Nickerson Jr.
Steven Parker
Michael Pierce
Some roster thoughts.
Some key contributors have come to the Vikings as undrafted free agents.
Adam Thielen
Anthony Harris
C.J. Ham
Eric Wilson
Holton Hill
That's five starters. Perhaps Alexander Hollins is the next undrafted free agent to emerge.
The Vikings are occasional dabblers in free agency. There's only two "big-ticket" free agents on the current roster.
Kirk Cousins
Riley Reiff
Even though Cousins is one of the bigger (most expensive) free agents of recent years and he's a quarterback. Two "big" free agents on a roster of 80, or even 53, isn't much.
Michael Pierce was the Vikings' biggest free agent of the 2020 offseason but he's a COVID opt-out.
Only two players (Brett Jones and Mark Fields) were added through trades. Both were of the conditional 7th-round pick variety. With Rick Spielman calling the shots, draft trades are many. So many that it'd take too damn long to break them down here.
The 2013 and 2016 drafts have become no-shows. That's always disappointing and potentially franchise-wrecking. 2013, in particular, was disappointing. Three first-round picks.
Sharrif Floyd
Xavier Rhodes
Cordarrelle Patterson
Sharrif Floyd's NFL story should've been much different. A surgical hack-up ended his career. Xavier Rhodes was great for a few years and then he suddenly wasn't. Cordarrelle Patterson was fun but, my goodness, learn to run a route. 2016 is considered a bust simply because of the first round pick, Laquon Treadwell. I just don't think that he ever recovered from the brutal broken ankle that he had at Mississippi. Pre-injury, he looked explosive. He wasn't Julio Jones explosive, so few are, but he looked a lot like Michael Thomas does now. That's pretty good. Justin Jefferson has shown more promise in a handful of training camp practices than Treadwell ever showed in four years. Other than Treadwell, the Vikings did get some production from the 2016 draft.
Mackensie Alexander
Kentrell Brothers
David Morgan
Stephen Weatherly
Jayron Kearse
None stuck around for a second deal, I wish that Weatherly had, but each made at least a modest impact during time in Minnesota.
While the 2013 and 2016 drafts produced no players that are currently on the roster, it's important to remember that Adam Thielen (2013) and C.J. Ham (2016) arrived as undrafted free agents in those years.
At the other end of the draft-impact spectrum was the 2015 draft. Only Eric Kendricks and Danielle Hunter remain. Anthony Harris remains as an undrafted free agent. That's significant in terms of quality. Stefon Diggs and Trae Waynes were also part of this draft class. I wish that Diggs was still around but he sure made an impact while he was in Minnesota. Waynes might not have played to his 11th pick of the draft status but he was a quality starting corner for most of his five years with the Vikings. The 2015 draft was a high impact draft. I just wish that the class had stayed together longer, especially Diggs.
Only 10 of the 82 players (Michael Pierce and Cameron Smith are on reserve lists) on the current Vikings' roster were with the team prior to 2017. That's about 12.2%. This is a young team.
I'm pretty sure that I'll be revisiting this after the September 5 roster-trimming.
2011
Draft
Kyle Rudolph
2012
Draft
Harrison Smith
2013
Undrafted Free Agent
Adam Thielen
2014
Draft
Anthony Barr
Shamar Stephen
-Stephen departed for a year in 2018, returned in 2019
2015
Draft
Eric Kendricks
Danielle Hunter
Undrafted Free Agent
Anthony Harris
2016
Undrafted Free Agent
C.J. Ham
Free Agent
Rashod Hill
-Hill was plucked off the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars late in the 2016 season.
2017
Draft
Dalvin Cook
Pat Elflein
Jaleel Johnson
Ben Gedeon
Ifeadi Odenigbo
-Odenigbo was a 7th-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2017. He had a walk-a-bout 2018 season that started and ended with the Vikings but included stops in Cleveland and Arizona.
Undrafted Free Agent
Aviante Collins
Eric Wilson
Free Agent
Riley Reiff
2018
Draft
Mike Hughes
Brian O'Neill
Jalyn Holmes
Tyler Conklin
Undrafted Free Agent
Mike Boone
Chad Beebe
Hercules Mata'afa
Holton Hill
Free Agent
Kirk Cousins
Ameer Abdullah
Dan Bailey
-Abdullah and Bailey were in-season additions. Bailey early in the season. Abdullah later in the season.
Trade
Brett Jones
2019
Draft
Garrett Bradbury
Irv Smith Jr.
Alexander Mattison
Dru Samia
Cameron Smith
Armon Watts
Oli Udoh
Kris Boyd
Dillon Mitchell
Olabisi Johnson
Austin Cutting
Undrafted Free Agent
Jake Browning
Alexander Hollins
Brandon Dillon
Stacy Keely
Nate Meadors
Free Agent
Sean Mannion
Dakota Dozier
Tony Brooks-James
Britton Colquitt
Trade
Mark Fields
2020
Draft
Justin Jefferson
Jeff Gladney
Ezra Cleveland
Cameron Dantzler
D.J. Wonnum
James Lynch
Troy Dye
Harrison Hand
K.J. Osborn
Blake Brandel
Josh Metellus
Kenny Willekes
Nate Stanley
Kyle Hinton
Undrafted Free Agent
Nevelle Clarke
Jake Bargas
Dan Chisena
Quartney Davis
Myles Dorn
Jordan Fehr
Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Jake Lacina
Blake Lynch
David Moa
David Reese II
Free Agent
Tajaé Sharpe
Anthony Zettel
Eddie Yarbrough
Hardy Nickerson Jr.
Steven Parker
Michael Pierce
***
Some roster thoughts.
Some key contributors have come to the Vikings as undrafted free agents.
Adam Thielen
Anthony Harris
C.J. Ham
Eric Wilson
Holton Hill
That's five starters. Perhaps Alexander Hollins is the next undrafted free agent to emerge.
The Vikings are occasional dabblers in free agency. There's only two "big-ticket" free agents on the current roster.
Kirk Cousins
Riley Reiff
Even though Cousins is one of the bigger (most expensive) free agents of recent years and he's a quarterback. Two "big" free agents on a roster of 80, or even 53, isn't much.
Michael Pierce was the Vikings' biggest free agent of the 2020 offseason but he's a COVID opt-out.
Only two players (Brett Jones and Mark Fields) were added through trades. Both were of the conditional 7th-round pick variety. With Rick Spielman calling the shots, draft trades are many. So many that it'd take too damn long to break them down here.
The 2013 and 2016 drafts have become no-shows. That's always disappointing and potentially franchise-wrecking. 2013, in particular, was disappointing. Three first-round picks.
Sharrif Floyd
Xavier Rhodes
Cordarrelle Patterson
Sharrif Floyd's NFL story should've been much different. A surgical hack-up ended his career. Xavier Rhodes was great for a few years and then he suddenly wasn't. Cordarrelle Patterson was fun but, my goodness, learn to run a route. 2016 is considered a bust simply because of the first round pick, Laquon Treadwell. I just don't think that he ever recovered from the brutal broken ankle that he had at Mississippi. Pre-injury, he looked explosive. He wasn't Julio Jones explosive, so few are, but he looked a lot like Michael Thomas does now. That's pretty good. Justin Jefferson has shown more promise in a handful of training camp practices than Treadwell ever showed in four years. Other than Treadwell, the Vikings did get some production from the 2016 draft.
Mackensie Alexander
Kentrell Brothers
David Morgan
Stephen Weatherly
Jayron Kearse
None stuck around for a second deal, I wish that Weatherly had, but each made at least a modest impact during time in Minnesota.
While the 2013 and 2016 drafts produced no players that are currently on the roster, it's important to remember that Adam Thielen (2013) and C.J. Ham (2016) arrived as undrafted free agents in those years.
At the other end of the draft-impact spectrum was the 2015 draft. Only Eric Kendricks and Danielle Hunter remain. Anthony Harris remains as an undrafted free agent. That's significant in terms of quality. Stefon Diggs and Trae Waynes were also part of this draft class. I wish that Diggs was still around but he sure made an impact while he was in Minnesota. Waynes might not have played to his 11th pick of the draft status but he was a quality starting corner for most of his five years with the Vikings. The 2015 draft was a high impact draft. I just wish that the class had stayed together longer, especially Diggs.
Only 10 of the 82 players (Michael Pierce and Cameron Smith are on reserve lists) on the current Vikings' roster were with the team prior to 2017. That's about 12.2%. This is a young team.
I'm pretty sure that I'll be revisiting this after the September 5 roster-trimming.
Friday, August 28, 2020
Pro Football Hall of Fame Selectors
The recent selections of the senior, coach, and contributor finalists have the Pro Football of Fame on my mind. Actually, as with football in general, it doesn't take much to get the Pro Football Hall of Fame on my mind. Yesterday, it was announced that Tony Dungy was approved to fill an at-large vacancy on the Hall’s Selection Committee. His addition to the roster of voters follows that of Bill Polian and Lisa Salters earlier this month. That's three new voices and opinions. It's good to have some new voices and opinions. With Salters, Polian, and Dungy the Selection Committee now includes the following.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Selectors
Senior/Coach Selection Committee
Pro Football Hall of Fame Selectors
| Pro Football Market | Media Member, Outlet |
| Arizona | Kent Somers, Arizona Republic |
| Atlanta | Darryl Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution |
| Baltimore | Scott Garceau. 105.7 The Fan/WMAR-TV |
| Buffalo | Vic Carucci, Buffalo News |
| Carolina | Darin Gantt, ProFootballTalk |
| Chicago | Dan Pompei, The Atlantic |
| Cincinnati | Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com |
| Cleveland | Tony Grossi, ESPNCleveland.com/WKNR Radio |
| Dallas | Rick Gosselin, Talk of Fame Network |
| Denver | Jeff Legwold, ESPN/ESPN.com |
| Detroit | Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press |
| Green Bay | Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette |
| Houston | John McClain, Houston Chronicle |
| Indianapolis | Mike Chappell, Fox 59/CBS 4 |
| Jacksonville | Sam Kouvaris, Florida Times-Union |
| Kansas City | Terez Paylor, Yahoo |
| Los Angleles (Chargers) | Eric Williams, Sports Illustrated |
| Los Angleles (Rams) | Howard Balzer, Sports Illustrated |
| Miami | Armando Salguero, Miami Herald |
| Minnesota | Mark Craig, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune |
| New England | Ron Borges, Talk of Fame Network |
| New Orleans | Jeff Duncan, The Athletic |
| New York (Giants) | Bob Glauber, Newsday |
| New York (Jets) | Gary Myers, Author |
| Oakland | Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange |
| Philadelphia | Paul Domowitch, Philadlephia Daily News |
| Pittsburgh | Ed Bouchette, The Athletic |
| San Francisco | Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Seattle | Mike Sando, The Ahtletic |
| Tampa Bay | Ira Kaufman, JoeBucsFan.com |
| Tennessee | Paul Kuharsky, ESPN.com |
| Washington | Jarrett Bell, USA Today |
| PFWA | Mary Kay Cabot, The Cleveland Plain Dealer |
| At-Large | John Clayton, ESPN Seattle |
| At-Large | Jason Cole, FanSided.com |
| At-Large | John Czarnecki, FOX Sports |
| At-Large | Tony Dungy, NBC Sports (Hall of Famer) |
| At-Large | Dan Fouts, Broadcaster (Hall of Famer) |
| At-Large | Clark Judge, Talk of Fame Network and Yahoo Sports Radio |
| At-Large | Peter King, NBC Sports |
| At-Large | James Lofton, CBS Sports (Hall of Famer) |
| At-Large | Alex Marvex, SiriusXM |
| At-Large | Bill Polian, Sirius XM (Hall of Famer) |
| At-Large | Sal Paolantonio, ESPN |
| At-Large | Lis Salters, ESPN Monday Night Football |
| At-Large | Jim Trotter, NFL Network |
| At-Large | Charean Williams, Pro Football Talk |
| At-Large | Barry Wilner, Associated Press |
***
Senior/Coach Selection Committee
Dan Pompei
Rick Gosselin
Jeff Legwold
| John McClain |
| Ron Borges Frank Cooney
Bill Polian Contributor Committee Rick Gosselin
|
Jarrett Bell
John Clayton
Peter King
Sal Paolantonio
Jim Trotter
Charean Williams
When I first became somewhat aware of the Hall of Fame selection process the list of selectors was all sports writers for newspapers across the country. In that sense, it's a little startling to see a selector from something called JoeBucsFan.com. It's a new day in sports coverage. It's been that way for a while and I'm finally catching up. It wasn't too long ago that all of the selectors were male. So, that's a refreshing change. Three of 48 is still a ridiculous ratio. If it were up to me, I'd swap out some of the longest-standing members with some real football historians. I'd start with a few from the Pro Football Researchers Association and pepper in Michael MacCambridge, Kristine Setting Clark, John Turney, and TJ Troup. It'd be nice to bring in some people that have passion and appreciation for the entirety of pro football's history. But that's just me.
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Pro Football Hall of Fame Contributor Finalist
Last week, Drew Pearson and Tom Flores were announced as the senior and coach finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021. This week, Bill Nunn Jr. was selected as the contributor finalist. The Pittsburgh Steelers brought Nunn in as a part-time scout in 1967. He was a full-time scout the next year. By 1970 he was the Assistant Director of Player Personnel. He "retired" in 1986 but continued to consult on Steelers' drafts until his death in 2014.
Bill Nunn Jr. is one of the most interesting men in the history of the NFL. His life in the league is one that he didn't really seek. His father was a newspaper man. William Nunn Sr. was the managing editor of the Pittsburgh Courier. The Courier was the one of the most influential black publications in the nation. Junior played basketball at West Virginia State. He was good. The Harlem Globetrotters recruited him. Instead, he joined his father at the Courier. He started as a sports writer, moved up to sports editor, and then managing editor after his father's retirement in the mid-1960s. Like his father, he was a newspaper man.
The Courier started selecting a Black College All-America Team in 1950. Bill Nunn Jr. selected this team. This was a significant thing for players and colleges that didn't get much national attention. The Courier and Nunn played host to an All-America banquet that brought the top black college players to the city every year. His connection to these colleges and the reciprocated appreciation grew with each year.
From their founding in 1933 to the late 1960s, the Pittsburgh Steelers were terrible. Imagine any woebegone NFL franchise of recent years. That was the Steelers for their first 40 years. The franchise with no direction began to find some in the late 1960s. One of the moves that triggered change was taking note of a newspaper man in their own city. Founder Art Rooney, but mostly team President Dan Rooney, decided that they had to draft better players. One area that the NFL had rarely touched in it's history, and the AFL was finding success, was the black colleges. Bill Nunn Jr. had the knowledge and the connections that the Steelers lacked. In today's language, the Steelers had found themselves a "cheat-code." Nunn was hired as a part-time scout in 1967. Art Rooney Jr., who was leading the player personnel department at the time, wasn't happy about a new voice in the room, even on a part-time basis. Rooney Jr. and Nunn Jr. hit it off immediately and Nunn was a full-time Steelers scout in 1968. It can be said that the great Steelers teams of the 1970s wouldn't have had L.C. Greenwood (Arkansas AM&N), Mel Blount (Southern), Ernie Holmes (Texas Southern), John Stallworth (Alabama A&M) and Donnie Shell (South Carolina State) on their roster if they didn't have Nunn in their building. That's more than a third of one of the best defenses in league history. The Steelers never looked at those colleges, didn't know those colleges, and wouldn't have known those players. Maybe Pittsburgh would've still rattled off four Super Bowl wins but I doubt it. They would've been a very different team.
One of my favorite Nunn stories was this one told by Art Rooney Jr. about the drafting of Stallworth.
"One of our BLESTO scouts had written up a really good report on Stallworth, and we sent Bill down there to go check him out," Art Rooney Jr. said. "Bill pulled a coup. He came back with this film of Stallworth. Nowadays, everyone has film on everyone. But back then, getting a film on someone was a big deal. Well, we all sat down and watched the film and Stallworth was the greatest thing in the world. Noll wanted to draft him in the first round.
"We ended up getting really lucky. At the Senior Bowl, they moved him to defensive back and he didn't play real well. It was almost like we paid the Senior Bowl to do that. We drafted Lynn Swann [from Southern California] because he went to a bigger school in the first round and Jack Lambert in the second round. We didn't have a third-round pick that year and then we got Stallworth in the fourth round. It was all because of Bill and that film he got."
Bill Nunn Jr. was a "cheat-code" for the Steelers.
Pro Football Hall of Fame-wise, something had to give with the architects of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers. Their drafts were ridiculous. For obvious reasons, most eyes go to the 1974 draft.
1. Lynn Swann
2. Jack Lambert
4. John Stallworth
5. Mike Webster
Undrafted: Donnie Shell
-five Hall of Famers in a single draft year.
From Joe Greene in 1969 to the undrafted signing of Donnie Shell in 1974, the Steelers added 10 Hall of Fame football players to their roster. Maybe one day, L.C. Greenwood makes it 11. That's just crazy drafting. It's no wonder this team won four Super Bowls. Even without the creation of the Contributor category someone had to go to Canton for this. The Contributor category was introduced specifically to address this sort of Hall of Fame-worthy team-building work. The Steelers had three men that did the foot-work and draft-work that built this dynasty. Art Rooney Jr, Dick Haley, and Bill Nunn Jr. Three Rooneys in the Hall of Fame might be too many Rooneys. Dick Haley could/should get a shot in the future. I'm glad that Bill Nunn Jr. is the first one tapped for Canton. His story is remarkable. He opened the door to the Historically Black Colleges. He was an inaugural member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. That's a pretty unique honor for a man that never played or coached college football. His impact on college football and the NFL was great. Hall of Fame-great. It's important to remember that he's not assured of induction next summer. He still needs to get 80% approval from all 48 Hall voters on the eve of Super LV.
Congratulations to the Nunn family on this much-deserved honor.
Bill Nunn Jr. is one of the most interesting men in the history of the NFL. His life in the league is one that he didn't really seek. His father was a newspaper man. William Nunn Sr. was the managing editor of the Pittsburgh Courier. The Courier was the one of the most influential black publications in the nation. Junior played basketball at West Virginia State. He was good. The Harlem Globetrotters recruited him. Instead, he joined his father at the Courier. He started as a sports writer, moved up to sports editor, and then managing editor after his father's retirement in the mid-1960s. Like his father, he was a newspaper man.
The Courier started selecting a Black College All-America Team in 1950. Bill Nunn Jr. selected this team. This was a significant thing for players and colleges that didn't get much national attention. The Courier and Nunn played host to an All-America banquet that brought the top black college players to the city every year. His connection to these colleges and the reciprocated appreciation grew with each year.
From their founding in 1933 to the late 1960s, the Pittsburgh Steelers were terrible. Imagine any woebegone NFL franchise of recent years. That was the Steelers for their first 40 years. The franchise with no direction began to find some in the late 1960s. One of the moves that triggered change was taking note of a newspaper man in their own city. Founder Art Rooney, but mostly team President Dan Rooney, decided that they had to draft better players. One area that the NFL had rarely touched in it's history, and the AFL was finding success, was the black colleges. Bill Nunn Jr. had the knowledge and the connections that the Steelers lacked. In today's language, the Steelers had found themselves a "cheat-code." Nunn was hired as a part-time scout in 1967. Art Rooney Jr., who was leading the player personnel department at the time, wasn't happy about a new voice in the room, even on a part-time basis. Rooney Jr. and Nunn Jr. hit it off immediately and Nunn was a full-time Steelers scout in 1968. It can be said that the great Steelers teams of the 1970s wouldn't have had L.C. Greenwood (Arkansas AM&N), Mel Blount (Southern), Ernie Holmes (Texas Southern), John Stallworth (Alabama A&M) and Donnie Shell (South Carolina State) on their roster if they didn't have Nunn in their building. That's more than a third of one of the best defenses in league history. The Steelers never looked at those colleges, didn't know those colleges, and wouldn't have known those players. Maybe Pittsburgh would've still rattled off four Super Bowl wins but I doubt it. They would've been a very different team.
One of my favorite Nunn stories was this one told by Art Rooney Jr. about the drafting of Stallworth.
"One of our BLESTO scouts had written up a really good report on Stallworth, and we sent Bill down there to go check him out," Art Rooney Jr. said. "Bill pulled a coup. He came back with this film of Stallworth. Nowadays, everyone has film on everyone. But back then, getting a film on someone was a big deal. Well, we all sat down and watched the film and Stallworth was the greatest thing in the world. Noll wanted to draft him in the first round.
"We ended up getting really lucky. At the Senior Bowl, they moved him to defensive back and he didn't play real well. It was almost like we paid the Senior Bowl to do that. We drafted Lynn Swann [from Southern California] because he went to a bigger school in the first round and Jack Lambert in the second round. We didn't have a third-round pick that year and then we got Stallworth in the fourth round. It was all because of Bill and that film he got."
Bill Nunn Jr. was a "cheat-code" for the Steelers.
Pro Football Hall of Fame-wise, something had to give with the architects of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers. Their drafts were ridiculous. For obvious reasons, most eyes go to the 1974 draft.
1. Lynn Swann
2. Jack Lambert
4. John Stallworth
5. Mike Webster
Undrafted: Donnie Shell
-five Hall of Famers in a single draft year.
From Joe Greene in 1969 to the undrafted signing of Donnie Shell in 1974, the Steelers added 10 Hall of Fame football players to their roster. Maybe one day, L.C. Greenwood makes it 11. That's just crazy drafting. It's no wonder this team won four Super Bowls. Even without the creation of the Contributor category someone had to go to Canton for this. The Contributor category was introduced specifically to address this sort of Hall of Fame-worthy team-building work. The Steelers had three men that did the foot-work and draft-work that built this dynasty. Art Rooney Jr, Dick Haley, and Bill Nunn Jr. Three Rooneys in the Hall of Fame might be too many Rooneys. Dick Haley could/should get a shot in the future. I'm glad that Bill Nunn Jr. is the first one tapped for Canton. His story is remarkable. He opened the door to the Historically Black Colleges. He was an inaugural member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. That's a pretty unique honor for a man that never played or coached college football. His impact on college football and the NFL was great. Hall of Fame-great. It's important to remember that he's not assured of induction next summer. He still needs to get 80% approval from all 48 Hall voters on the eve of Super LV.
Congratulations to the Nunn family on this much-deserved honor.
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
AP Top 25
This will be a different sort of college football season. That won't stop the Associated Press from ranking the best college football teams. Some of the ranked teams will be playing this season. Some won't. The AP is doing their thing and ranking them all. Here's their Top 25.
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Clemson (38)
2. Ohio State (21)
3. Alabama (2)
4. Georgia
5. Oklahoma
6. LSU (1)
7. Penn State
8. Florida
9. Oregon
10. Notre Dame
11. Auburn
12. Wisconsin
13. Texas A&M
14. Texas
15. Oklahoma State
16. Michigan
17. USC
18. North Carolina
19. Minnesota
20. Cincinnati
21. Central Florida
22. Utah
23. Iowa State
24. Iowa
25. Tennessee
Despite residing in some of hottest COVID spots in the nation, the SEC, ACC, Big 12, American Athletic, Conference USA and Sun Belt are bulling ahead with football-playing plans.
The Big Ten, Pac-12, Mid-American and Mountain West conferences have decided to sit out the 2020 college football season. If it's considered a questionable thing to have 30-50 thousand students on campus maybe they shouldn't have about 100 of their fellow students play football on that same campus.
So, the following teams currently residing in the AP Top 25 won't be playing football.
2. Ohio State
7. Penn State
9. Oregon
12. Wisconsin
16. Michigan
17. USC
19. Minnesota
22. Utah
24. Iowa
Who knows? Maybe the conference and college decision-makers that decided to sit out the 2020 college football season change their minds in the coming weeks. If this country continues with it's half-ass effort in dealing with a global pandemic, that possibility is remote. It'll be interesting to see how long the non-playing football teams hang with the teams that are playing football.
I was really looking forward to Cal football this season. The Golden Bears have improved each season since Justin Wilcox was hired as head coach. This is the best I've felt about the program since the first half of the Jeff Tedford years. This year was going to be a fun one. This AP poll had Cal at #37 with 11 votes. The Golden Bears usually don't tickle the Top 25 until they've danced through the early part of their schedule. I hated seeing the Pac-12 season canceled but it was the right decision. You can't play football if the campus isn't a safe place to be for all students.
I wish the teams that are playing football the best of luck on a questionable decision during a very different and difficult college football season.
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Clemson (38)
2. Ohio State (21)
3. Alabama (2)
4. Georgia
5. Oklahoma
6. LSU (1)
7. Penn State
8. Florida
9. Oregon
10. Notre Dame
11. Auburn
12. Wisconsin
13. Texas A&M
14. Texas
15. Oklahoma State
16. Michigan
17. USC
18. North Carolina
19. Minnesota
20. Cincinnati
21. Central Florida
22. Utah
23. Iowa State
24. Iowa
25. Tennessee
***
Despite residing in some of hottest COVID spots in the nation, the SEC, ACC, Big 12, American Athletic, Conference USA and Sun Belt are bulling ahead with football-playing plans.
The Big Ten, Pac-12, Mid-American and Mountain West conferences have decided to sit out the 2020 college football season. If it's considered a questionable thing to have 30-50 thousand students on campus maybe they shouldn't have about 100 of their fellow students play football on that same campus.
So, the following teams currently residing in the AP Top 25 won't be playing football.
2. Ohio State
7. Penn State
9. Oregon
12. Wisconsin
16. Michigan
17. USC
19. Minnesota
22. Utah
24. Iowa
Who knows? Maybe the conference and college decision-makers that decided to sit out the 2020 college football season change their minds in the coming weeks. If this country continues with it's half-ass effort in dealing with a global pandemic, that possibility is remote. It'll be interesting to see how long the non-playing football teams hang with the teams that are playing football.
I was really looking forward to Cal football this season. The Golden Bears have improved each season since Justin Wilcox was hired as head coach. This is the best I've felt about the program since the first half of the Jeff Tedford years. This year was going to be a fun one. This AP poll had Cal at #37 with 11 votes. The Golden Bears usually don't tickle the Top 25 until they've danced through the early part of their schedule. I hated seeing the Pac-12 season canceled but it was the right decision. You can't play football if the campus isn't a safe place to be for all students.
I wish the teams that are playing football the best of luck on a questionable decision during a very different and difficult college football season.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Laboratory Kerfuffle
Navigating a global pandemic had been going smoothly for the NFL. The positive test rate was ridiculously small, less than a single percent. The players were doing great. They were respecting their teammates, their families, their teammates' families, their community, and the rules that were put in place. Like the fans of football, the players want a complete season. The best way to have a season is to be smart, wear a mask!, and do what needs to be done. The smooth sailing hit rocky waters this past weekend when 77 tests from 11 teams came back positive. The Minnesota Vikings were one of those teams and had 12 of the positive tests.
Eight players tested positive.
Eric Kendricks
C.J. Ham
Ezra Cleveland
Jalyn Holmes
Alexander Hollins
Dillon Mitchell
Kenny Willekes
Nakia Griffin-Stewart
One coach tested positive.
Ryan Ficken
As well as three staff members.
Mike Zimmer was planning to run the team through the first game-like situations of training camp on Sunday. He was going to put his young team through two simulations of the last 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. Real hitting, live play-calling, real-time stuff. For a season without preseason games, this was a very significant practice. Zimmer was now going to have to do this without his starting middle linebacker and fullback as well as six players that he probably wanted to see. Seeing as he already knows what he has in Kendricks and Ham, this practice was likely more important for the six youngsters, especially rookies Ezra Cleveland, Kenny Willekes, and Nakia Griffin-Stewart.
Instead of seeing a full-team practice, Zimmer was forced to put his team through a medical and availability scramble drill and a practice without eight players. As the coach said when grilled on the situation by the media during a Zoom conference call, it was better that it happened now than during the season. It was a learning experience.
It turned out that it was much more than a learning experience. The whole thing was a laboratory kerfuffle from the start. BioRefence Lab should've known that there was a problem before they threw 11 teams into disarray. I've worked in an analytical lab for over 30 years. I've worked on the chemistry side of testing rather than biology but the only real differences between the two are the reagents and instruments used. BioReference Lab has the COVID testing contract with the NFL. I imagine that it's a real sweet contract for them. I'm sure that being able to sample, analyze, and return results in less than a day was what sealed the deal. Seriously, collecting thousands of sample from all over the country, getting the samples to only five labs, preparing and analyzing the samples, returning results within 24 hours, and repeating the process every single day is a remarkable accomplishment. It really is. Still, they should not have reported the 77 positive results last weekend. There were too many things that should've raised doubt about those results. This sort of testing is all about reliability and accuracy. It's more important than the quick turnaround of results. What good is a quick result if it isn't accurate? There were red flags all over those 77 positive tests. Here's what BioReference Laboratories had to say about their laboratory kerfuffle.
“On August 22, BioReference Laboratories reported an elevated number of positive COVID-19 PCR test results for NFL players and personnel at multiple clubs. The NFL immediately took necessary actions to ensure the safety of the players and personnel. Our investigation indicated that these were most likely false positive results, caused by an isolated contamination during test preparation in the New Jersey laboratory. Reagents, analyzers and staff were all ruled out as possible causes and subsequent testing has indicated that the issue has been resolved. All individuals impacted have been confirmed negative and informed.”
Jon R. Cohen, M.D., Executive Chairman of BioReference Laboratories
So, according to Dr. Cohen, the New Jersey laboratory experienced contamination during test preparation but reagents, analyzers, and staff were ruled out as sources of that contamination. Seeing as reagents, analyzers, and staff are the only ways to contaminate a sample in the laboratory, how were these samples mysteriously contaminated? On a conference call with NFL reporters Monday afternoon, Patti Walton, an independent medical adviser to the league who is also director of laboratory services and occupational health at Williamson Medical Center in Tennessee, was more helpful than Dr. Cohen. Walton said that BioReference performed a root cause analysis of this weekend’s errors to determine where the contamination and testing failure may have originated. The belief is this weekend’s contamination occurred as genetic material from PCR testing swabs was transferred to the analyzer machine for testing. Dr. Cohen, that would make staff the source of the contamination. With the minute amounts of sample being handled it doesn't take much of one little thing to contaminate a whole bunch of things, like a sweep of the samples sent from 11 different teams. Mistakes happen everywhere and anyone can make them. Even in labs. The key is recognizing those mistakes before they become even bigger mistakes. Red flags should've been flying all over BioReference's New Jersey lab Saturday night. The league's pristine testing record through several weeks was one reason to question a sudden explosion of positive tests. Seeing the explosion at only one of BioReference's five labs is another. Don't these labs communicate? 11 of the NFL's 32 teams were hit with these positive tests and all 11 were tested in New Jersey. These positive tests should've been seen as probable false positives immediately. The samples should've been re-analyzed before the positive test tally hit 20. One or more of the lab's staff caused the contamination but the real mistake was made by those that reported suspicious results. Having worked in analytical labs for as long as I have, I've never understood how labs let this sort of thing happen. Hell, it doesn't take 30 years in a lab to know that this wasn't handled properly. The analysts should've been suspicious of the results. The supervisors should've been suspicious. The lab managers should've been suspicious. Dr. Cohen should've been suspicious. Those false positive results should never have left the building without confirmation. And Mike Zimmer should've been able to put the entire team through two fourth quarter simulations on Sunday.
Monday, August 24, 2020
Another Stab At The Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster
Through a few weeks of training camp, press conference comments, rep counts, a smattering of practice highlights, and no actual games I've made some roster decisions for the team that I follow. With the Minnesota Vikings' potential 53-man roster constantly on my mind here's another stab at the football players that might be on it.
2020 Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster
Offense (25 Players)
Quarterbacks (2)
Kirk Cousins
Sean Mannion
I've never been a fan of keeping only two quarterbacks on the active roster. It doesn't take much for the third quarterback to be as critical to the team as the backup quarterback. Losing Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford before a season was a week old reinforced those feelings. It seems that the way of the present NFL is two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and a developmental quarterback on the practice squad. Personally, I'm more fond of rookie Nate Stanley or Jake Browning than Sean Mannion but I'm not in the quarterback room. Rumor has it that Mannion is an excellent #2 in the quarterback room.
Running Backs (3)
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Mike Boone
The biggest question concerning the Vikings' running backs is probably whether Ameer Abdullah is one of them.
Fullback (1)
C.J. Ham
Receivers (6)
Adam Thielen
Justin Jefferson
Olabisi Johnson
K.J. Osborn
Tajaé Sharpe
Chad Beebe
The receivers have become the most challenging position group to project. There are three certainties. Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and Olabisi Johnson. I've seen some moaning about Jefferson not having earned much run with the first team. I believe that's partly due to Johnson's improving play and the team's desire to not just hand things to their rookie. I also believe that Jefferson is more ready to make an early impact than any Vikings rookie receiver since Percy Harvin. It's been said for a couple years that Chad Beebe just needs to stay on the field. Well, he needs to stop dropping passes when he's on the field. Nothing drives me more crazy than receivers with shaky hands. That's your job! Beebe can get open. He just has to catch the damn ball. I'm beginning to think that K.J. Osborn has replaced Beebe as the fourth receiver most assured of a roster spot. I liked him for the roster mostly as a returner. He may have a receiving role as well. Beebe, Tajaé Sharpe, and Alexander Hollins are the top contenders for the final one or two roster spots. I'm close to swapping Beebe for Hollins.
Tight Ends (3)
Kyle Rudolph
Irv Smith Jr.
Tyler Conklin
With the team's use of multiple tight ends it wouldn't be shocking if four tight ends make the roster. If a fourth does emerge, Brandon Dillon and rookie free agent Nakia Griffin-Stewart are the contenders.
Offensive Line (10)
Riley Reiff
Dakota Dozier
Garrett Bradbury
Pat Elflein
Brian O'Neill
Ezra Cleveland
Rashod Hill
Dru Samia
Oli Udoh
Aviante Collins
The offensive line isn't shaping anything like I was expecting. I thought that second-round pick Ezra Cleveland would start his left tackle career immediately. Riley Reiff would slide to left guard. Like many, I thought that Pat Elflein's Vikings career was nearing an end after two years of mostly struggles. The only thing about the offensive line that's played out as I expected were the automatics. Brian O'Neill is the right tackle. Garrett Bradbury is the center. The Vikings decision-makers have decided that right guard could be Elflein's new home. Dakota Dozier has apparently won the competition with Aviante Collins and perhaps Cleveland for the left guard job. The Vikings' 2020 offensive line appears to be Reiff, Dozier, Bradbury, Elflein, and O'Neill. For now. I wouldn't be surprised if Dozier is a placeholder for Cleveland. The rookie is making the jump to the NFL and a new position without OTAs and a messed-up training camp. That's an adjustment that takes time even in the best of times. O'Neill didn't start until Week 6 of his rookie season. Improved play from Elflein will be key to the effectiveness of this offensive line. On paper, I think that the group is improved from last year. They are a year more experienced with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and offensive line coach Rick Dennison. O'Neill is inching toward elite status. Bradbury now has a year of NFL experience and weight training. I also think that it helps that Bradbury, Dozier, and Collins spent a lot of time together during a hacked-up and restrictive offseason. I also think that the offensive line depth is much improved. I want to find a place for rookie Kyle Hinton. I think that he has a bright future as a Vikings guard.
Defense (25 Players)
Defensive Ends (5)
Danielle Hunter
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Jalyn Holmes
D.J. Wonnum
Kenny Willekes
Danielle Hunter is one of the best defensive ends in the game. Ifeadi Odenigbo has the tough task of replacing of replacing Everson Griffen. I like Odenigbo but I'm sure going to miss the fun and excitement of Griffen. I'd like to see the rookies D.J. Wonnum and Kenny Willekes emerge, especially Wonnum. For now, Jalyn Holmes has been first up in place of Hunter. He apparently looks more comfortable at end than he ever did at tackle. Eric Yarbrough and Anthony Zettel could challenge for a roster spots but I'm going with the rookies Wonnum and Willekes.
Defensive Tackles (5)
Shamar Stephen
Armon Watts
Jaleel Johnson
Hercules Mata'afa
James Lynch
The defensive tackle group changed greatly when free agent nose tackle Michael Pierce decided to opt out this season for COVID health concerns. From the rave reviews he's received from the coaches, Shamar Stephen will take over the starting nose tackle job. He should be a better fit there than he was last year at three-technique. Before Pierce was signed and after he opted out, I've been a fan of Armon Watts and Jaleel Johnson as the defensive tackles. They'll certainly have some run together but for now it looks like Johnson will pair with Stephen as the starters. Hercules Mata'afa appears to have the edge over rookie James Lynch in providing three-technique depth. Mata'afa will probably be the first off the bench on obvious passing downs.
Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph were the defensive line leaders for so long. Their departure this offseason leaves a leadership void. For purely talent reasons, Danielle Hunter is the obvious leader but he's such a quiet, reserved person. His presence in the defensive line is much like that of Harrison Smith in the back of the defense. Michael Pierce seems to have the personality to lead but now he's not available. I'm thinking that Hunter continues as a quiet leader and Idaedi Odenigbo perhaps as a more vocal one.
Linebackers (5)
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Eric Wilson
Ben Gedeon
Troy Dye
For about 2/3 of the defensive snaps, Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks are the Vikings linebackers. Eric Wilson emerged as the team's third best linebacker after an injury to Ben Gedeon gave him an opportunity late last season. I'm not sure what to think of Gedeon's status with the team. He ended last season on IR with concussion concerns. He's been on the PUP list since the start of training camp. If he isn't ready for the season his roster spot could be taken by recently signed Hardy Nickerson Jr or undrafted rookie Jordan Fehr. I was a big fan of Troy Dye's game at Oregon. I think that he has a future with the team.
Cornerbacks (6)
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney
Holton Hill
Cameron Dantzler
Kris Boyd
Harrison Hand
The cornerback competition has been fun. It gets more fun each day. I might be putting a lot of faith in rookie corners Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, and Harrison Hand but I really like their potential. Some national talking heads see the Vikings cornerback position as a weakness. They honk about the team losing their top three corners from last season. They fail to also honk about the unfortunate fact that the Vikings corners didn't play all that great last season. I see this young, talented cornerback group as a potential strength. Holton Hill has probably been the most consistent and impressive corner through camp. He and Mike Hughes appear to be the starters with the base defense. Third-round pick Dantzler has gotten more camp buzz than first-round pick Gladney. It's in nickel where the corner fun really begins. Three weeks from the opener, my guess is that Hill and Gladney will be on the outside with Hughes in the slot. I think that Mike Zimmer and the defensive coaches are going to have some fun with their young, talented corners. I expect a lot of corner rotation, a lot of mixing and matching. I love this cornerback group.
Safeties (4)
Harrison Smith
Anthony Harris
Steven Parker
Josh Metellus
Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris are the best safety pair in the league. Judging from the recent pickup of Steven Parker and bringing in some veteran safeties for tryouts, I don't think that coaches have complete confidence in backing up Smith and Harris with rookies. Josh Metellus seems to be getting more significant reps than fellow rookie Brian Cole II so I'll go with Metellus as the fourth safety.
Special Teams (3 Players)
Kicker
Dan Bailey
Punter
Britton Colquitt
Long Snapper
Austin Cutting
There it is until the next Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster projection.
2020 Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster
Offense (25 Players)
Quarterbacks (2)
Kirk Cousins
Sean Mannion
I've never been a fan of keeping only two quarterbacks on the active roster. It doesn't take much for the third quarterback to be as critical to the team as the backup quarterback. Losing Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford before a season was a week old reinforced those feelings. It seems that the way of the present NFL is two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and a developmental quarterback on the practice squad. Personally, I'm more fond of rookie Nate Stanley or Jake Browning than Sean Mannion but I'm not in the quarterback room. Rumor has it that Mannion is an excellent #2 in the quarterback room.
Running Backs (3)
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Mike Boone
The biggest question concerning the Vikings' running backs is probably whether Ameer Abdullah is one of them.
Fullback (1)
C.J. Ham
Receivers (6)
Adam Thielen
Justin Jefferson
Olabisi Johnson
K.J. Osborn
Tajaé Sharpe
Chad Beebe
The receivers have become the most challenging position group to project. There are three certainties. Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and Olabisi Johnson. I've seen some moaning about Jefferson not having earned much run with the first team. I believe that's partly due to Johnson's improving play and the team's desire to not just hand things to their rookie. I also believe that Jefferson is more ready to make an early impact than any Vikings rookie receiver since Percy Harvin. It's been said for a couple years that Chad Beebe just needs to stay on the field. Well, he needs to stop dropping passes when he's on the field. Nothing drives me more crazy than receivers with shaky hands. That's your job! Beebe can get open. He just has to catch the damn ball. I'm beginning to think that K.J. Osborn has replaced Beebe as the fourth receiver most assured of a roster spot. I liked him for the roster mostly as a returner. He may have a receiving role as well. Beebe, Tajaé Sharpe, and Alexander Hollins are the top contenders for the final one or two roster spots. I'm close to swapping Beebe for Hollins.
Tight Ends (3)
Kyle Rudolph
Irv Smith Jr.
Tyler Conklin
With the team's use of multiple tight ends it wouldn't be shocking if four tight ends make the roster. If a fourth does emerge, Brandon Dillon and rookie free agent Nakia Griffin-Stewart are the contenders.
Offensive Line (10)
Riley Reiff
Dakota Dozier
Garrett Bradbury
Pat Elflein
Brian O'Neill
Ezra Cleveland
Rashod Hill
Dru Samia
Oli Udoh
Aviante Collins
The offensive line isn't shaping anything like I was expecting. I thought that second-round pick Ezra Cleveland would start his left tackle career immediately. Riley Reiff would slide to left guard. Like many, I thought that Pat Elflein's Vikings career was nearing an end after two years of mostly struggles. The only thing about the offensive line that's played out as I expected were the automatics. Brian O'Neill is the right tackle. Garrett Bradbury is the center. The Vikings decision-makers have decided that right guard could be Elflein's new home. Dakota Dozier has apparently won the competition with Aviante Collins and perhaps Cleveland for the left guard job. The Vikings' 2020 offensive line appears to be Reiff, Dozier, Bradbury, Elflein, and O'Neill. For now. I wouldn't be surprised if Dozier is a placeholder for Cleveland. The rookie is making the jump to the NFL and a new position without OTAs and a messed-up training camp. That's an adjustment that takes time even in the best of times. O'Neill didn't start until Week 6 of his rookie season. Improved play from Elflein will be key to the effectiveness of this offensive line. On paper, I think that the group is improved from last year. They are a year more experienced with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and offensive line coach Rick Dennison. O'Neill is inching toward elite status. Bradbury now has a year of NFL experience and weight training. I also think that it helps that Bradbury, Dozier, and Collins spent a lot of time together during a hacked-up and restrictive offseason. I also think that the offensive line depth is much improved. I want to find a place for rookie Kyle Hinton. I think that he has a bright future as a Vikings guard.
Defense (25 Players)
Defensive Ends (5)
Danielle Hunter
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Jalyn Holmes
D.J. Wonnum
Kenny Willekes
Danielle Hunter is one of the best defensive ends in the game. Ifeadi Odenigbo has the tough task of replacing of replacing Everson Griffen. I like Odenigbo but I'm sure going to miss the fun and excitement of Griffen. I'd like to see the rookies D.J. Wonnum and Kenny Willekes emerge, especially Wonnum. For now, Jalyn Holmes has been first up in place of Hunter. He apparently looks more comfortable at end than he ever did at tackle. Eric Yarbrough and Anthony Zettel could challenge for a roster spots but I'm going with the rookies Wonnum and Willekes.
Defensive Tackles (5)
Shamar Stephen
Armon Watts
Jaleel Johnson
Hercules Mata'afa
James Lynch
The defensive tackle group changed greatly when free agent nose tackle Michael Pierce decided to opt out this season for COVID health concerns. From the rave reviews he's received from the coaches, Shamar Stephen will take over the starting nose tackle job. He should be a better fit there than he was last year at three-technique. Before Pierce was signed and after he opted out, I've been a fan of Armon Watts and Jaleel Johnson as the defensive tackles. They'll certainly have some run together but for now it looks like Johnson will pair with Stephen as the starters. Hercules Mata'afa appears to have the edge over rookie James Lynch in providing three-technique depth. Mata'afa will probably be the first off the bench on obvious passing downs.
Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph were the defensive line leaders for so long. Their departure this offseason leaves a leadership void. For purely talent reasons, Danielle Hunter is the obvious leader but he's such a quiet, reserved person. His presence in the defensive line is much like that of Harrison Smith in the back of the defense. Michael Pierce seems to have the personality to lead but now he's not available. I'm thinking that Hunter continues as a quiet leader and Idaedi Odenigbo perhaps as a more vocal one.
Linebackers (5)
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Eric Wilson
Ben Gedeon
Troy Dye
For about 2/3 of the defensive snaps, Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks are the Vikings linebackers. Eric Wilson emerged as the team's third best linebacker after an injury to Ben Gedeon gave him an opportunity late last season. I'm not sure what to think of Gedeon's status with the team. He ended last season on IR with concussion concerns. He's been on the PUP list since the start of training camp. If he isn't ready for the season his roster spot could be taken by recently signed Hardy Nickerson Jr or undrafted rookie Jordan Fehr. I was a big fan of Troy Dye's game at Oregon. I think that he has a future with the team.
Cornerbacks (6)
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney
Holton Hill
Cameron Dantzler
Kris Boyd
Harrison Hand
The cornerback competition has been fun. It gets more fun each day. I might be putting a lot of faith in rookie corners Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, and Harrison Hand but I really like their potential. Some national talking heads see the Vikings cornerback position as a weakness. They honk about the team losing their top three corners from last season. They fail to also honk about the unfortunate fact that the Vikings corners didn't play all that great last season. I see this young, talented cornerback group as a potential strength. Holton Hill has probably been the most consistent and impressive corner through camp. He and Mike Hughes appear to be the starters with the base defense. Third-round pick Dantzler has gotten more camp buzz than first-round pick Gladney. It's in nickel where the corner fun really begins. Three weeks from the opener, my guess is that Hill and Gladney will be on the outside with Hughes in the slot. I think that Mike Zimmer and the defensive coaches are going to have some fun with their young, talented corners. I expect a lot of corner rotation, a lot of mixing and matching. I love this cornerback group.
Safeties (4)
Harrison Smith
Anthony Harris
Steven Parker
Josh Metellus
Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris are the best safety pair in the league. Judging from the recent pickup of Steven Parker and bringing in some veteran safeties for tryouts, I don't think that coaches have complete confidence in backing up Smith and Harris with rookies. Josh Metellus seems to be getting more significant reps than fellow rookie Brian Cole II so I'll go with Metellus as the fourth safety.
Special Teams (3 Players)
Kicker
Dan Bailey
Punter
Britton Colquitt
Long Snapper
Austin Cutting
There it is until the next Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster projection.
Sunday, August 23, 2020
Some Football Thoughts
Here are some of my recent football thoughts.
1. The Zoom press conferences that have peppered the Minnesota Vikings' training camp have been wonderful. It hasn't been just the head coach, coordinators, quarterback staples. These conferences have included a variety of players. From the reclusive Riley Reiff to Holton Hill to Adam Thielen. It's been fun.
2. What isn't fun with these Zoom press conferences are some of the questions. That includes just about every question from Chris Tomasson. I've always felt that he should be writing for a tabloid rather than a beat writer for a sports team.
3. Speaking of stupid questions. Vikings rookie receiver Justin Jefferson was asked how he's dealing with the lack of preseaon games, how he can replicate in practices the game-like conditions of those games. As a rookie, Jefferson has never played in an NFL preseason game. His football experience is only training camp practices and football season. The ramp up to the 2020 NFL season has been his football normal. Other than all the testing, masks, and distancing.
4. Hopefully, Adam Thielen is as good at evaluating football talent as he's been at catching footballs. He told Mike Zimmer that third-round rookie corner Cam Dantzler is going to be a good one.
5. Maybe it's a little bit of falling for what's "shiny and new" but I'm so excited to see the Vikings' cornerback group this year. It sounds like Mike Hughes and Holton Hill are emerging as the starting corners in the base defense and some combination of Hughes, Hill, Jeff Gladney, and Cameron Dantzler in nickel. Many national talking heads are pointing to this group as a potential weakness. After all, the top three corners of a year ago left this offseason. I think that this talented, young group is going to be a strength. It's not like the departed corners played all that great last year. The talking heads never mention that little nugget.
6. I keep thinking about Harrison Smith's response when asked about the demise of the Vikings' defense. "I didn't know we were supposed to be bad."
7. It looks like the Vikings' decision-makers are circling in on an offensive line that looks like this.
I was expecting a different guard duo but I'm looking forward to seeing this group come together.
8. I can't help but question the decision of the Las Vegas Raiders to christen their new stadium "Death Star." Owner Mark Davis went with “Welcome to the Death Star, where our opponent’s dreams come to die." The opponents are going to find an exhaust port that's two meters wide. And it won't be hard. It's like hunting womp rats in a T-16. Davis should've gone with something that wasn't blown up by it's opponents. Twice.
9. US Bank Stadium is still the best stadium in the NFL. Or anywhere.
10. The NFL stressed the need for all teams to be on a level playing field if they were to play through this global pandemic. Especially if some areas of the country are being so damn stupid about it. Mike Zimmer's right. It isn't a level playing field if some teams get to have fans in their stands while other teams, most teams, don't. Judging by the number of fans without masks at the Chiefs practice yesterday, having teams allow any fans could be a disaster. There's just too much stupid running through this country.
11. I have no problem with the selection of Drew Pearson and Tom Flores as the senior and coach finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I have no problem with their likely induction next summer. I do have a problem with the voters on the Senior committee apparently closing the door on deserving players from the league's early decades. At best, Lavvie Dilweg, Ox Emerson, and Al Wistert (to name three) should've made it to Canton long ago. At worst, they deserved to be part of the Centennial Class. The fact that they weren't part of that Class is a sad statement on their Hall prospects going forward.
1. The Zoom press conferences that have peppered the Minnesota Vikings' training camp have been wonderful. It hasn't been just the head coach, coordinators, quarterback staples. These conferences have included a variety of players. From the reclusive Riley Reiff to Holton Hill to Adam Thielen. It's been fun.
2. What isn't fun with these Zoom press conferences are some of the questions. That includes just about every question from Chris Tomasson. I've always felt that he should be writing for a tabloid rather than a beat writer for a sports team.
3. Speaking of stupid questions. Vikings rookie receiver Justin Jefferson was asked how he's dealing with the lack of preseaon games, how he can replicate in practices the game-like conditions of those games. As a rookie, Jefferson has never played in an NFL preseason game. His football experience is only training camp practices and football season. The ramp up to the 2020 NFL season has been his football normal. Other than all the testing, masks, and distancing.
4. Hopefully, Adam Thielen is as good at evaluating football talent as he's been at catching footballs. He told Mike Zimmer that third-round rookie corner Cam Dantzler is going to be a good one.
5. Maybe it's a little bit of falling for what's "shiny and new" but I'm so excited to see the Vikings' cornerback group this year. It sounds like Mike Hughes and Holton Hill are emerging as the starting corners in the base defense and some combination of Hughes, Hill, Jeff Gladney, and Cameron Dantzler in nickel. Many national talking heads are pointing to this group as a potential weakness. After all, the top three corners of a year ago left this offseason. I think that this talented, young group is going to be a strength. It's not like the departed corners played all that great last year. The talking heads never mention that little nugget.
6. I keep thinking about Harrison Smith's response when asked about the demise of the Vikings' defense. "I didn't know we were supposed to be bad."
7. It looks like the Vikings' decision-makers are circling in on an offensive line that looks like this.
| LT | Riley Reiff |
| LG | Dakota Dozier |
| C | Garrett Bradbury |
| RG | Pat Elflein |
| RT | Brian O'Neill |
I was expecting a different guard duo but I'm looking forward to seeing this group come together.
8. I can't help but question the decision of the Las Vegas Raiders to christen their new stadium "Death Star." Owner Mark Davis went with “Welcome to the Death Star, where our opponent’s dreams come to die." The opponents are going to find an exhaust port that's two meters wide. And it won't be hard. It's like hunting womp rats in a T-16. Davis should've gone with something that wasn't blown up by it's opponents. Twice.
9. US Bank Stadium is still the best stadium in the NFL. Or anywhere.
10. The NFL stressed the need for all teams to be on a level playing field if they were to play through this global pandemic. Especially if some areas of the country are being so damn stupid about it. Mike Zimmer's right. It isn't a level playing field if some teams get to have fans in their stands while other teams, most teams, don't. Judging by the number of fans without masks at the Chiefs practice yesterday, having teams allow any fans could be a disaster. There's just too much stupid running through this country.
11. I have no problem with the selection of Drew Pearson and Tom Flores as the senior and coach finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I have no problem with their likely induction next summer. I do have a problem with the voters on the Senior committee apparently closing the door on deserving players from the league's early decades. At best, Lavvie Dilweg, Ox Emerson, and Al Wistert (to name three) should've made it to Canton long ago. At worst, they deserved to be part of the Centennial Class. The fact that they weren't part of that Class is a sad statement on their Hall prospects going forward.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Minnesota Vikings' Offensive Line?
The decision-makers of the Minnesota Vikings are closing in on their starting offensive line for the 2020 NFL season. Those decision-makers expect to come out of this weekend with their starting five players in place. Here's what offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak had to say on the topic.
"I think that we have a pretty good feel for our people. We need to sit down as a group, listen, see what our defensive guys think about our guys up front. Listen to [Vikings offensive line coach] Rick [Dennison], listen to [Vikings assistant offensive line coach Phil {Rauscher]."
What I like seeing in the above statement is the inclusion of the opinions of the defensive coaches. When it comes to making roster decisions on a particular position group it makes sense to talk with the people that have to go against that position group. I just can't recall hearing a coach talking about actually doing so. I like it. This offense-defense collaboration to reach a conclusion that's best for the entire team reminds of some comments that I heard often after the 2019 NFL Draft. While scouting Clemson's ridiculously talented defensive line, defensive line coach Andre Patterson kept seeing a center from North Carolina State handle the likes of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence. Patterson went down the hall to the offensive coaches to make sure that they were looking at Garrett Bradbury.
Anyway, practice reps, statements from coaches, and general speculation leads one to believe that the Vikings' starting offensive line will look like this.
So much for my months-long speculation, during a hacked-up offseason, of the five starters. I hit on only two of the five. If I'd missed on accurately placing Brian O'Neill and Garrett Bradbury I'd have no business following or thinking about football. Ever.
Seeing Pat Elflein among the starters probably causes a riotous meltdown among many Vikings fans. After two seasons of struggles, I'm sure that they've seen enough of him. Right guard will be the third line position for Elflein. He had a promising rookie season at center. He often struggled during an injury-hampered second season at center. He had a very rough season last season at left guard. His critics have become numerous. I admit, I was hoping for a shift this year to what I thought could be a strong offensive line future in Minnesota. After all, isn't something new and shiny better than something old and ordinary? I can tap the breaks on the new and shiny and consider the possibility that right guard could be "his" position. I know that I was thrilled with his third-round selection in 2017. I know that he played well as a rookie. I know that his second season was a wash from the start due to an offseason of surgeries and rehab. Maybe the real Pat Elflein is more like the rookie that impressed and the Ohio State stalwart. It's also promising that he established himself as an Ohio State offensive line stalwart at right guard. Maybe that's the position that he was meant to play. Elflein at right guard might not be shiny but it is new.
Left guard has really been the only offensive line position in doubt. Dakota Dozier appears to be the leader over Aviante Collins and second-round pick Ezra Cleveland. Dozier doesn't spark memories of Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson. Those Hall of Famers are two of the best to ever play the left guard position. The Vikings don't need their current left guard to be a future Hall of Famer. It'd sure be nice but they just need him to be at least average and work in smooth coordination with his linemates. It's a group thing and the group has to be good. Otherwise, Kirk Cousins doesn't play every game and the Vikings need him to play every games. All 19 of them!
It's important to remember that the five offensive line starters in August might not be the starters in September, or October, or February. Brian O'Neill didn't become the starting right tackle until Week 6 of his rookie season. Cleveland has been compared to O'Neill since he was drafted. There are similarities but a big difference is that Cleveland is switching positions from tackle to guard. O'Neill was the right tackle from draft day to year 3. Maybe, left guard eventually clicks for Cleveland and he replaces Dozier. It would be a welcoming site to have a player with early-round draft talent work his way into the starting offensive line. If Elflein plays right guard like he played left guard maybe Dru Samia takes over before Cousins is killed. Until or unless there's a change it looks the Vikings' 2020 offensive line is going to Reiff, Dozier, Bradbury, Elflein, and O'Neill. I can't wait to see the group on the field.
"I think that we have a pretty good feel for our people. We need to sit down as a group, listen, see what our defensive guys think about our guys up front. Listen to [Vikings offensive line coach] Rick [Dennison], listen to [Vikings assistant offensive line coach Phil {Rauscher]."
What I like seeing in the above statement is the inclusion of the opinions of the defensive coaches. When it comes to making roster decisions on a particular position group it makes sense to talk with the people that have to go against that position group. I just can't recall hearing a coach talking about actually doing so. I like it. This offense-defense collaboration to reach a conclusion that's best for the entire team reminds of some comments that I heard often after the 2019 NFL Draft. While scouting Clemson's ridiculously talented defensive line, defensive line coach Andre Patterson kept seeing a center from North Carolina State handle the likes of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence. Patterson went down the hall to the offensive coaches to make sure that they were looking at Garrett Bradbury.
Anyway, practice reps, statements from coaches, and general speculation leads one to believe that the Vikings' starting offensive line will look like this.
| LT | Riley Reiff |
| LG | Dakota Dozier |
| C | Garrett Bradbury |
| RG | Pat Elflein |
| RT | Brian O'Neill |
So much for my months-long speculation, during a hacked-up offseason, of the five starters. I hit on only two of the five. If I'd missed on accurately placing Brian O'Neill and Garrett Bradbury I'd have no business following or thinking about football. Ever.
Seeing Pat Elflein among the starters probably causes a riotous meltdown among many Vikings fans. After two seasons of struggles, I'm sure that they've seen enough of him. Right guard will be the third line position for Elflein. He had a promising rookie season at center. He often struggled during an injury-hampered second season at center. He had a very rough season last season at left guard. His critics have become numerous. I admit, I was hoping for a shift this year to what I thought could be a strong offensive line future in Minnesota. After all, isn't something new and shiny better than something old and ordinary? I can tap the breaks on the new and shiny and consider the possibility that right guard could be "his" position. I know that I was thrilled with his third-round selection in 2017. I know that he played well as a rookie. I know that his second season was a wash from the start due to an offseason of surgeries and rehab. Maybe the real Pat Elflein is more like the rookie that impressed and the Ohio State stalwart. It's also promising that he established himself as an Ohio State offensive line stalwart at right guard. Maybe that's the position that he was meant to play. Elflein at right guard might not be shiny but it is new.
Left guard has really been the only offensive line position in doubt. Dakota Dozier appears to be the leader over Aviante Collins and second-round pick Ezra Cleveland. Dozier doesn't spark memories of Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson. Those Hall of Famers are two of the best to ever play the left guard position. The Vikings don't need their current left guard to be a future Hall of Famer. It'd sure be nice but they just need him to be at least average and work in smooth coordination with his linemates. It's a group thing and the group has to be good. Otherwise, Kirk Cousins doesn't play every game and the Vikings need him to play every games. All 19 of them!
It's important to remember that the five offensive line starters in August might not be the starters in September, or October, or February. Brian O'Neill didn't become the starting right tackle until Week 6 of his rookie season. Cleveland has been compared to O'Neill since he was drafted. There are similarities but a big difference is that Cleveland is switching positions from tackle to guard. O'Neill was the right tackle from draft day to year 3. Maybe, left guard eventually clicks for Cleveland and he replaces Dozier. It would be a welcoming site to have a player with early-round draft talent work his way into the starting offensive line. If Elflein plays right guard like he played left guard maybe Dru Samia takes over before Cousins is killed. Until or unless there's a change it looks the Vikings' 2020 offensive line is going to Reiff, Dozier, Bradbury, Elflein, and O'Neill. I can't wait to see the group on the field.
Friday, August 21, 2020
A Year-by-Year Look At The Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Finalists
This week's announcement of Drew Pearson as the senior finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 got me thinking about the history of the senior finalists.
The senior finalist was known as the "old-timer candidate" until 1990.
Here's a year-by-year look at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Finalist.
Those elected are indicated in CAPS.
1972 – ACE PARKER
1973 – Ole Haugsrud
1974 – TONY CANADEO
1975 – No senior candidate selected.
1976 – RAY FLAHERTY
1977 – BILL WILLIS
1978 – TUFFY LEEMANS
1979 – Marshall Goldberg
1980 – Lou Creekmur
1981 – RED BADGRO
1982 – GEORGE MUSSO
1983 – Mac Speedie
1984 – ARNIE WEINMEISTER
1985 – FRANK GATSKI
1986 – DOAK WALKER
1987 – JOHN HENRY JOHNSON
1988 – Lou Rymkus
1989 – Henry Jordan
1990 – BOB ST. CLAIR
1991 – STAN JONES
1992 – Willie Galimore
1993 – Dick Stanfel
1994 – LEROY KELLY
1995 – HENRY JORDAN
1996 – LOU CREEKMUR
1997 – Jerry Kramer
1998 – TOMMY McDONALD
1999 – BILLY SHAW
2000 – DAVE WILCOX
2001 – NICK BUONICONTI
2002 – GEORGE ALLEN
2003 – HANK STRAM
2004 – BOB BROWN, Bob Hayes
2005 – BENNY FRIEDMAN, FRITZ POLLARD
2006 – JOHN MADDEN, RAYFIELD WRIGHT
2007 – GENE HICKERSON, CHARLIE SANDERS
2008 – Marshall Goldberg, EMMITT THOMAS
2009 – BOB HAYES, Claude Humphrey
2010 – DICK LeBEAU, FLOYD LITTLE
2011 – CHRIS HANBURGER, LES RICHTER
2012 – JACK BUTLER, Dick Stanfel
2013 – CURLEY CULP, DAVE ROBINSON
2014 – RAY GUY, CLAUDE HUMPHREY
2015 – MICK TINGELHOFF
2016 – KEN STABLER, DICK STANFEL
2017 – KENNY EASLEY
2018 – ROBERT BRAZILE, JERRY KRAMER
2019 – JOHNNY ROBINSON
2020 – Cliff Branch, HAROLD CARMICHAEL, JIMBO COVERT, Roger Craig, BOBBY DILLON, LaVern Dilweg, Ox Emerson, Randy Gradishar, CLIFF HARRIS, WINSTON HILL, Cecil Isbell, ALEX KARRAS, Verne Lewellen, Tommy Nobis, Drew Pearson, DONNIE SHELL, DUKE SLATER, MAC SPEEDIE, ED SPRINKLE, Al Wistert
With the exception of 1975, at least one senior finalist has been chosen every year since 1972. Prior to the giant Centennial Class of 2020, there had been 52 senior finalists. 47 of those finalists were inducted, or eventually inducted, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That left five senior finalists that failed to eventually make it to Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
Ole Haugsrud
Marshall Goldberg
Mac Speedie
Lou Rymkus
Willie Galimore
Mac Speedie, after being the senior finalist in 1983, finally made it as a member of the Centennial Class.
Others that made it as a repeat senior finalist.
Lou Creekmur-missed it in 1980, made it in 1996
Henry Jordan-missed it in 1989, made it in 1995
Dick Stanfel-missed it in 1993 and 2012, made it in 2016
Jerry Kramer-missed it in 1997, made it in 2018
Bob Hayes-missed it in 2004, made it in 2009
Claude Humphrey-missed it in 2009, made it in 2014
Stanfel lived through being denied twice. He died a couple months before being named a finalist for a third time and about seven months before finally making it to Canton.
In nearly fifty years of senior finalists, only four have failed to make it to Canton.
Ole Haugsrud
Marshall Goldberg
Lou Rymkus
Willie Galimore
Marshall Goldberg has been denied twice. Ole Huagsrud, Lou Rymkus, and Willie Gallimore have been denied once. It was a mild surprise that none of the four, especially Goldberg, were in the running for the Centennial Class.
The Centennial Class changed the senior numbers dramatically. Ten finalists making it meant ten finalists not making it. Of the ten that didn't make it, Drew Pearson has a real good shot as the senior finalist for the Class of 2021. He's the first to be named a finalist in consecutive years.
If I were to be so bold as to rank the 13 senior finalists that have yet to make it to Canton, that ranking might look something like this:
1. LaVern Dilweg
2. Verne Lewellen
3. Ox Emerson
4. Al Wistert
5. Marshall Goldberg
6. Cecil Isbell
7. Cliff Branch
8. Randy Gradishar
9. Tommy Nobis
10. Roger Craig
11. Willie Gallimore
12. Lou Rymkus
13. Ole Haugsrud
I left Drew Pearson off the list simply because I think that he sails through the voting process on the eve of Super Bowl LV.
I'm usually of the opinion that the players that have been waiting the longest are the most deserving. Fritz Pollard, Benny Friedman, and Duke Slater should've each been a member of one of the first dozen Hall classes. The voters have skipped and continue to skip on several great players from the early decades of the NFL. The fact that it took a giant Centennial Class to finally get Slater into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is definitive proof that the voters aren't doing right by the "old-timers." Nearly all of the most-talked about snubs played in the 1960s and 1970s. Take care of the greats that have waited the longest. They are the most deserving.
The senior finalist was known as the "old-timer candidate" until 1990.
Here's a year-by-year look at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Finalist.
Those elected are indicated in CAPS.
1972 – ACE PARKER
1973 – Ole Haugsrud
1974 – TONY CANADEO
1975 – No senior candidate selected.
1976 – RAY FLAHERTY
1977 – BILL WILLIS
1978 – TUFFY LEEMANS
1979 – Marshall Goldberg
1980 – Lou Creekmur
1981 – RED BADGRO
1982 – GEORGE MUSSO
1983 – Mac Speedie
1984 – ARNIE WEINMEISTER
1985 – FRANK GATSKI
1986 – DOAK WALKER
1987 – JOHN HENRY JOHNSON
1988 – Lou Rymkus
1989 – Henry Jordan
1990 – BOB ST. CLAIR
1991 – STAN JONES
1992 – Willie Galimore
1993 – Dick Stanfel
1994 – LEROY KELLY
1995 – HENRY JORDAN
1996 – LOU CREEKMUR
1997 – Jerry Kramer
1998 – TOMMY McDONALD
1999 – BILLY SHAW
2000 – DAVE WILCOX
2001 – NICK BUONICONTI
2002 – GEORGE ALLEN
2003 – HANK STRAM
2004 – BOB BROWN, Bob Hayes
2005 – BENNY FRIEDMAN, FRITZ POLLARD
2006 – JOHN MADDEN, RAYFIELD WRIGHT
2007 – GENE HICKERSON, CHARLIE SANDERS
2008 – Marshall Goldberg, EMMITT THOMAS
2009 – BOB HAYES, Claude Humphrey
2010 – DICK LeBEAU, FLOYD LITTLE
2011 – CHRIS HANBURGER, LES RICHTER
2012 – JACK BUTLER, Dick Stanfel
2013 – CURLEY CULP, DAVE ROBINSON
2014 – RAY GUY, CLAUDE HUMPHREY
2015 – MICK TINGELHOFF
2016 – KEN STABLER, DICK STANFEL
2017 – KENNY EASLEY
2018 – ROBERT BRAZILE, JERRY KRAMER
2019 – JOHNNY ROBINSON
2020 – Cliff Branch, HAROLD CARMICHAEL, JIMBO COVERT, Roger Craig, BOBBY DILLON, LaVern Dilweg, Ox Emerson, Randy Gradishar, CLIFF HARRIS, WINSTON HILL, Cecil Isbell, ALEX KARRAS, Verne Lewellen, Tommy Nobis, Drew Pearson, DONNIE SHELL, DUKE SLATER, MAC SPEEDIE, ED SPRINKLE, Al Wistert
***
With the exception of 1975, at least one senior finalist has been chosen every year since 1972. Prior to the giant Centennial Class of 2020, there had been 52 senior finalists. 47 of those finalists were inducted, or eventually inducted, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That left five senior finalists that failed to eventually make it to Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
Ole Haugsrud
Marshall Goldberg
Mac Speedie
Lou Rymkus
Willie Galimore
Mac Speedie, after being the senior finalist in 1983, finally made it as a member of the Centennial Class.
Others that made it as a repeat senior finalist.
Lou Creekmur-missed it in 1980, made it in 1996
Henry Jordan-missed it in 1989, made it in 1995
Dick Stanfel-missed it in 1993 and 2012, made it in 2016
Jerry Kramer-missed it in 1997, made it in 2018
Bob Hayes-missed it in 2004, made it in 2009
Claude Humphrey-missed it in 2009, made it in 2014
Stanfel lived through being denied twice. He died a couple months before being named a finalist for a third time and about seven months before finally making it to Canton.
In nearly fifty years of senior finalists, only four have failed to make it to Canton.
Ole Haugsrud
Marshall Goldberg
Lou Rymkus
Willie Galimore
Marshall Goldberg has been denied twice. Ole Huagsrud, Lou Rymkus, and Willie Gallimore have been denied once. It was a mild surprise that none of the four, especially Goldberg, were in the running for the Centennial Class.
The Centennial Class changed the senior numbers dramatically. Ten finalists making it meant ten finalists not making it. Of the ten that didn't make it, Drew Pearson has a real good shot as the senior finalist for the Class of 2021. He's the first to be named a finalist in consecutive years.
If I were to be so bold as to rank the 13 senior finalists that have yet to make it to Canton, that ranking might look something like this:
1. LaVern Dilweg
2. Verne Lewellen
3. Ox Emerson
4. Al Wistert
5. Marshall Goldberg
6. Cecil Isbell
7. Cliff Branch
8. Randy Gradishar
9. Tommy Nobis
10. Roger Craig
11. Willie Gallimore
12. Lou Rymkus
13. Ole Haugsrud
I left Drew Pearson off the list simply because I think that he sails through the voting process on the eve of Super Bowl LV.
I'm usually of the opinion that the players that have been waiting the longest are the most deserving. Fritz Pollard, Benny Friedman, and Duke Slater should've each been a member of one of the first dozen Hall classes. The voters have skipped and continue to skip on several great players from the early decades of the NFL. The fact that it took a giant Centennial Class to finally get Slater into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is definitive proof that the voters aren't doing right by the "old-timers." Nearly all of the most-talked about snubs played in the 1960s and 1970s. Take care of the greats that have waited the longest. They are the most deserving.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach and Senior Finalist
On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Tom Flores and Drew Pearson were selected as finalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2021. The former Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders coach, Flores is the coaches finalist. The former Dallas Cowboys receiver, Pearson is the senior finalist. Each will learn their Hall of Fame fate in February on the eve of Super Bowl LV. Seeing as both have waited longer than they deserved and both were considered among the biggest snubs in the Centennial Class, I think that they sail through the voting process and into the Pro Football Hall Fame Class of 2021. But, that's just me.
Leading a team to two Super Bowl titles is often enough for a head coach to earn pretty quick entry into Canton. Flores did that. Yet, he's had to wait 26 years after coaching his final game. Despite a wildly successful coaching career, John Madden waited 28 years. Flores is still only at the finalist stage. It's closer than he's ever been and I think that he makes it but he isn't in the Hall. The voters that have kept him on the outside are still in that room. The knocks on Flores' coaching record have been that he inherited the team that Madden coached, Al Davis ran the Raiders show, and three poor seasons with the Seattle Seahawks to conclude his career. In 12 seasons, Flores coached six teams that won more than they lost. I've wavered on Flores as a Hall of Fame coach much like many of the voters obviously have. Finally, for me, it comes down to this. From 1980-85, Flores molded a ridiculous band of misfits into one of the best teams in the league. Throw out the 1981 season and they might've been the best team during that six-year stretch. They won two Super Bowls. They were serious Super Bowl contenders every year. He pulled Jim Plunkett out of the bust bin and coached him into a quarterback that could win big games. And Flores did this while his boss was giving Pete Rozelle and the league the middle finger and moving the franchise to Los Angeles. Winning two Super Bowls during that shit-show time is Hall of Fame work.
From reports, this was the list of coaching contenders.
Don Coryell
Tom Flores
Mike Holmgren
Buddy Parker
Clark Shaughnessy
Dick Vermeil
Drew Pearson. The only blemish on Drew Pearson's otherwise Hall of Fame career was the shove of Nate Wright in the 1975 playoffs. That illegal play made him and his pedestrian quarterback household names. Just kidding. Maybe. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, Pearson concerned me more than any other receiver in the league. He worried me more than any other player on the Dallas Cowboys not named Roger Staubach. That means that he was a really good football player. He was easily one of the best receivers in the league. His place on the 1970s All-Decade team has been telling the voters that for decades. I was stunned last year when Harold Carmichael was voted to the Centennial Class over Pearson.
If Hall of Fame voters compare the statistics of receivers from Pearson's day to those of today's receivers they should be no longer be Hall of Fame voters.
From reports, this was the list of senior contenders.
Ken Anderson
Cliff Branch
Roger Craig
Randy Gradishar
L.C. Greenwood
Chuck Howley
Joe Klecko
George Kunz
Stanley Morgan
Tommy Nobis
Drew Pearson
Ken Riley
While I agree with the selection of Pearson as well as the above names, I can't help but scream that there are still deserving players from the early decades of the league. Lavvie Dilweg, Ox Emerson, and Al Wistert to name three. Those three should've been inducted decades ago.
The selection of the contributor finalist is next. That decision should be made next week.
Speaking of the contributor finalist, the Hall of Fame's recent decision to add a contributor finalist each year for the next four years at the expense of a second senior finalist is absurd. I've seen some historians speculate that it's a move to get some more owners into the Hall. Maybe adding an owner or two or three will trigger a nice donation or two or three. I hate to think that this beloved institution is possibly dabbling in a little quid pro quo but it appears to track. There's really no other reason to boost the contributor (owner) tally at the expense of the senior players. The pool of deserving senior players is so damn deep. All of this year's senior contenders is more deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame than the next owner.
Congratulations and best of luck to Tom Flores and Drew Pearson.
Leading a team to two Super Bowl titles is often enough for a head coach to earn pretty quick entry into Canton. Flores did that. Yet, he's had to wait 26 years after coaching his final game. Despite a wildly successful coaching career, John Madden waited 28 years. Flores is still only at the finalist stage. It's closer than he's ever been and I think that he makes it but he isn't in the Hall. The voters that have kept him on the outside are still in that room. The knocks on Flores' coaching record have been that he inherited the team that Madden coached, Al Davis ran the Raiders show, and three poor seasons with the Seattle Seahawks to conclude his career. In 12 seasons, Flores coached six teams that won more than they lost. I've wavered on Flores as a Hall of Fame coach much like many of the voters obviously have. Finally, for me, it comes down to this. From 1980-85, Flores molded a ridiculous band of misfits into one of the best teams in the league. Throw out the 1981 season and they might've been the best team during that six-year stretch. They won two Super Bowls. They were serious Super Bowl contenders every year. He pulled Jim Plunkett out of the bust bin and coached him into a quarterback that could win big games. And Flores did this while his boss was giving Pete Rozelle and the league the middle finger and moving the franchise to Los Angeles. Winning two Super Bowls during that shit-show time is Hall of Fame work.
From reports, this was the list of coaching contenders.
Don Coryell
Tom Flores
Mike Holmgren
Buddy Parker
Clark Shaughnessy
Dick Vermeil
Drew Pearson. The only blemish on Drew Pearson's otherwise Hall of Fame career was the shove of Nate Wright in the 1975 playoffs. That illegal play made him and his pedestrian quarterback household names. Just kidding. Maybe. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, Pearson concerned me more than any other receiver in the league. He worried me more than any other player on the Dallas Cowboys not named Roger Staubach. That means that he was a really good football player. He was easily one of the best receivers in the league. His place on the 1970s All-Decade team has been telling the voters that for decades. I was stunned last year when Harold Carmichael was voted to the Centennial Class over Pearson.
If Hall of Fame voters compare the statistics of receivers from Pearson's day to those of today's receivers they should be no longer be Hall of Fame voters.
From reports, this was the list of senior contenders.
Ken Anderson
Cliff Branch
Roger Craig
Randy Gradishar
L.C. Greenwood
Chuck Howley
Joe Klecko
George Kunz
Stanley Morgan
Tommy Nobis
Drew Pearson
Ken Riley
While I agree with the selection of Pearson as well as the above names, I can't help but scream that there are still deserving players from the early decades of the league. Lavvie Dilweg, Ox Emerson, and Al Wistert to name three. Those three should've been inducted decades ago.
The selection of the contributor finalist is next. That decision should be made next week.
Speaking of the contributor finalist, the Hall of Fame's recent decision to add a contributor finalist each year for the next four years at the expense of a second senior finalist is absurd. I've seen some historians speculate that it's a move to get some more owners into the Hall. Maybe adding an owner or two or three will trigger a nice donation or two or three. I hate to think that this beloved institution is possibly dabbling in a little quid pro quo but it appears to track. There's really no other reason to boost the contributor (owner) tally at the expense of the senior players. The pool of deserving senior players is so damn deep. All of this year's senior contenders is more deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame than the next owner.
Congratulations and best of luck to Tom Flores and Drew Pearson.
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
A Reunion?
Training camp typically brings daily tweaks to an NFL roster. That appears to be especially true during a training camp that followed no offseason workouts. The Minnesota Vikings made a roster tweak yesterday that triggered some fond football memories. Hardy Nickerson Jr. was signed to bolster a linebacker group that was lacking some depth. It wasn't Nickerson's three years and nine starts with the Cincinnati Bengals that triggered those memories. Nor was it his final year of college at Illinois. It was his three years at Cal and his father that brought back memories of Golden Bear football fun.
Hardy Nickerson Sr's time in Berkeley matched my own. Despite having a lot of shitty football teams in the 1980s, Cal had a lot of fine linebackers. Gary Plummer, Ron Rivera, Ken Harvey, David Ortega, and especially Hardy Nickerson. Noon starts were the norm in the 1980s. Now, TV has Cal games starting any day from Thursday to Saturday and at any time of the day or night. Game times are so varied that Cal actually offers a class that breaks it all down. Except for a rainy night slaughter at the hands of a Mark Rypien-led Washington State team, every Cal home game during my student days was under a noon sun. Despite mostly losses, the football games were a blast. The Golden Bears were a scrappy, gritty football team. "The Bear will not quit. The Bear will not die." They lost a lot in the 1980s but they were fun to watch. At least my last game as a student and Nickerson's last game as a player was a 17-11 Big Game win. Former Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp was the head coach. That easily explains all the damn grit and fight in those Cal football teams. Harvey and Rivera were higher draft picks but I always felt that Nickerson was the better college linebacker. He easily had the better NFL career.
Five Pro Bowls
4x All-Pro
1990s All-Decade
Hardy Nickerson Sr. is right there with Joe Roth, Wesley Walker, Tony Gonzalez, Deltha O'Neal, Aaron Rodgers, Marshawn Lynch, Marvin Jones, Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Keenan Allen, and Evan Weaver among my favorite Cal players that I have cheered from the Memorial Stadium stands. When his son chose to play linebacker for Cal, I was thrilled. Unfortunately, he played for the Golden Bears while Sonny Dykes was the head coach. Junior saw more wins than his father but Dykes didn't believe in defense, didn't care about defense, and sure didn't play much of it. Despite having some fine players on that side of the ball, Cal's defense during the Dykes years were just brutal to watch. It was the complete opposite of the 1980s Golden Bears. When Lovie Smith hired Hardy Nickerson Sr. to be his defensive coordinator/linebacker coach at Illinois, it was an easy decision for Junior to bolt there for his final season as a graduate transfer.
Now, Hardy Nickerson Jr. is with the Minnesota Vikings. It's a personal reunion. Even if it's a one-sided reunion. With the limited depth, he has an opportunity. Cornerback Marcus Sayles was released to make room for Nickerson. There's always a disappointing side to these roster tweaks. I was excited when the Vikings signed Sayles early in the offseason out of the CFL. His size and feisty, physical play reminded me of Antoine Winfield. I thought that he might have a shot at as the nickel corner. That shot appeared to become less likely when the Vikings added corners Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, Harrison Hand, and Nevelle Clarke during and after the draft.
Hardy Nickerson Sr's time in Berkeley matched my own. Despite having a lot of shitty football teams in the 1980s, Cal had a lot of fine linebackers. Gary Plummer, Ron Rivera, Ken Harvey, David Ortega, and especially Hardy Nickerson. Noon starts were the norm in the 1980s. Now, TV has Cal games starting any day from Thursday to Saturday and at any time of the day or night. Game times are so varied that Cal actually offers a class that breaks it all down. Except for a rainy night slaughter at the hands of a Mark Rypien-led Washington State team, every Cal home game during my student days was under a noon sun. Despite mostly losses, the football games were a blast. The Golden Bears were a scrappy, gritty football team. "The Bear will not quit. The Bear will not die." They lost a lot in the 1980s but they were fun to watch. At least my last game as a student and Nickerson's last game as a player was a 17-11 Big Game win. Former Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp was the head coach. That easily explains all the damn grit and fight in those Cal football teams. Harvey and Rivera were higher draft picks but I always felt that Nickerson was the better college linebacker. He easily had the better NFL career.
Five Pro Bowls
4x All-Pro
1990s All-Decade
Hardy Nickerson Sr. is right there with Joe Roth, Wesley Walker, Tony Gonzalez, Deltha O'Neal, Aaron Rodgers, Marshawn Lynch, Marvin Jones, Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Keenan Allen, and Evan Weaver among my favorite Cal players that I have cheered from the Memorial Stadium stands. When his son chose to play linebacker for Cal, I was thrilled. Unfortunately, he played for the Golden Bears while Sonny Dykes was the head coach. Junior saw more wins than his father but Dykes didn't believe in defense, didn't care about defense, and sure didn't play much of it. Despite having some fine players on that side of the ball, Cal's defense during the Dykes years were just brutal to watch. It was the complete opposite of the 1980s Golden Bears. When Lovie Smith hired Hardy Nickerson Sr. to be his defensive coordinator/linebacker coach at Illinois, it was an easy decision for Junior to bolt there for his final season as a graduate transfer.
Now, Hardy Nickerson Jr. is with the Minnesota Vikings. It's a personal reunion. Even if it's a one-sided reunion. With the limited depth, he has an opportunity. Cornerback Marcus Sayles was released to make room for Nickerson. There's always a disappointing side to these roster tweaks. I was excited when the Vikings signed Sayles early in the offseason out of the CFL. His size and feisty, physical play reminded me of Antoine Winfield. I thought that he might have a shot at as the nickel corner. That shot appeared to become less likely when the Vikings added corners Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, Harrison Hand, and Nevelle Clarke during and after the draft.
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Flea Flicker's Top 10 Backfields
While thinking about the Minnesota Vikings' depth chart, Dalvin Cook contract talk, and maybe a little fantasy football draft preparation I found myself thinking about some of the league's best backfields. That led to a longer look at each team's depth charts. That led to this list of the Top 10 Backfields.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson-QB
Mark Ingram
Gus Edwards
J.K. Dobbins
Patrick Ricard-FB
The Baltimore Ravens backfield is a little different due to the fact that the team's best runner might be the quarterback. Lamar Jackson ran for 1206 yards last year. He ran for 695 yards in seven starts as a rookie in 2018. Mark Ingram ran for more than 1000 yards in his first year with the Ravens. Gus Edwards ran for over 700 yards. Rookie J.K. Dobbins might be getting most of the running back carries by the end of the season. Patrick Ricard is a Pro Bowl fullback. The Ravens have a very unique running attack and their backfield is the best in the league.
2. Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Mike Boone
C.J. Ham-FB
Perhaps this ranking is influenced a bit by my Vikings fandom. Dalvin Cook is one of the best backs in the league. With his talent and Gary Kubiak's offense, he's an annual contender for the rushing title. He's terrific on screens. He can run routes. He can block. The only knock on his game through thee seasons has been his availability. He has to stay on the field. In Alexander Mattison, the Vikings have one of the best #2 backs in the league. His third-round selection on draft night was a surprise. His play as a rookie last season was a revelation. He's a load to bring down. His hurdle highlights are a reflection that he's more than a pounder. For two seasons, Mike Boone has been a preseason star. He finally got some regular season opportunities late last season. He showed that he's more than just a preseason star. He played some receiver in college so he can split out to provide some offensive versatility. C.J. Ham has emerged as one of the best fullbacks in the league.
3. New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara
Latavius Murray
Taysom Hill-QB/FB/whatever
Mike Burton-FB
The New Orleans Saints have a unique backfield. It starts somewhat traditionally with a terrific starter and an effective, change-of-pace backup. Then there's Taysom Hill. In the playoffs last year, Hill was the only Saints offensive player that could dent the Vikings defense. He kept the Saints in the game. They do not take that game to overtime without him. Hill is listed as a quarterback. Sean Payton thinks that he could potentially play the position full-time. Maybe he can. Maybe he can't. I do know that Hill can do a lot of different things on a football field. He can play tight end. He can play fullback. Whatever position he plays, he's a pain-in-the-ass for a defense.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert
Tevin Coleman
Jerrick McKinnon
Kyle Juszczyk-FB
The strength of the San Francisco 49ers' backfield is in the numbers and Kyle Shanahan's playcalling. Raheem Mostert emerged in the team's march to the Super Bowl but any of the backs could pace the ground game. Jerrick McKinnon has had two seasons of injury misery since he signed with the 49ers. Hopefully, he can finally make it to, and through, the season this year. A consideration of the 49ers run game has to include their receiver's role in it. Receiver sweeps and the threat of them are a schematic staple. Deebo Samuel was terrific as a rookie last season. Fellow rookie Jalen Hurd was injured before he could get started. Yesterday, he lost this season before it started. First-round rookie Brandon Aiyuk can do a lot of the running things that Samuel can do. An injury will keep Samuel out for a while so they'll need Aiyuk immediately. The 49ers brought in Tavon Austin to help cover for all of these injuries. The running ability of Samuel,Aiyuk, and Hurd if he can ever catch a break might worry defenses more than the running ability of their backs.
5. Buffalo Bills
Devin Singletary
Zack Moss
T.J. Yeldon
Taiwan Jones
Patrick DiMarco-FB
Perhaps this ranking is a little high. It's mostly about this group's potential. In two seasons the Buffalo Bills have built a very intriguing backfield. Devin Singletary really impressed me with his play in the playoffs. I expect a breakout season from him. Zack Moss was terrific at Utah. As a Cal fan, I'm relieved that he's now an NFL rookie. T.J. Yeldon and Taiwan Jones have had some flashes with other teams. One or both should provide options behind Singletary and Moss. Patrick DiMarco is one of the best fullbacks in the league.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson
Carlos Hyde
Rashaad Penny
Nick Bellore-FB
In three seasons, Chris Carson has bulled his way from seventh-round draft status, fended off high draft picks, and established himself as the top back on one of the best running teams in the league. He's a hard-running, impact back. Carlos Hyde was signed to add some veteran stability. Rashaad Penny was drafted in the first round to be the top back. Instead he's an effective, sometimes flashy, backup.
7. Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb
Kareem Hunt
Andy Janovich-FB
Nick Chubb nearly hit 1500 yards last seaon. He's good. I still don't like Kareem Hunt much but there's no denying that he's an impact football player. It's a luxury for the Browns to have a player that would start on most teams be the backup to one of the best backs in the league.
8. Indianapolis Colts
Marlon Mack
Jonathan Taylor
Nyheim Hines
Roosevelt Nix-FB
As with the Bills, I see the Indianapolis Colts as boasting one of the most intriguing, young backfields in the league. Marlon Mack has put together back-to-back strong running seasons. Rookie Jonathan Taylor might be an even better runner. Nyheim Hines is an excellent change-of-pace back. Roosevelt Nix is a Pro Bowl fullback.
9. New England Patriots
Sony Michel
Damien Harris
Lamar Miller
James White
Rex Burkhead
As is often the case with the New England Patriots, their backfield is one by committee. Sony Michel is probably the best of the bunch when healthy. He isn't healthy now. Damien Harris should be a more than capable fill in until Michel returns. Maybe even gets most of the carries after Michel returns. Lamar Miller was a nice insurance signing. James White and Rex Burkhead are very versatile, very capable backups.
10. Detroit Lions
Kerryon Johnson
D'Andre Swift
Bo Scarbrough
Nick Bawden-FB
I thought that the Detroit Lions had an interesting backfield before they used the 35th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft to select D'Andre Swift. Kerry Johnson is one of the better young running backs in the league. Swift has even greater potential. Bo Scarbrough is a solid #3.
Some of the backfields that just missed the cut:
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones
Jamaal Williams
A.J. Dillon
Josiah Deguara-FB
Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry
Darrynton Evans
Khari Blasingame-FB
I probably should've found a place on the list for this backfield. Derrick Henry is great. Darrynton Evans is a very intriguing rookie. I hated that the Vikings didn't have roster room for Khari Blasingame last summer. He could develop into a fullback star. Which means that few people know a thing about him.
Denver Broncos
Phillip Lindsay
Melvin Gordon
Royce Freeman
Jeremy Cox-FB
It might be strange, maybe even wildly irresponsible, to not include the backfields that are topped by Ezekiel Elliott, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and Josh Jacobs. This list is about each team's entire backfield. If based solely on "top of the depth chart" talent, one or more of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Oakland Raiders would make the Flea Flicker's Top 10 Backfields. As an entire backfield, those teams didn't make the cut. Or even the "just missed the cut."
1. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson-QB
Mark Ingram
Gus Edwards
J.K. Dobbins
Patrick Ricard-FB
The Baltimore Ravens backfield is a little different due to the fact that the team's best runner might be the quarterback. Lamar Jackson ran for 1206 yards last year. He ran for 695 yards in seven starts as a rookie in 2018. Mark Ingram ran for more than 1000 yards in his first year with the Ravens. Gus Edwards ran for over 700 yards. Rookie J.K. Dobbins might be getting most of the running back carries by the end of the season. Patrick Ricard is a Pro Bowl fullback. The Ravens have a very unique running attack and their backfield is the best in the league.
2. Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Mike Boone
C.J. Ham-FB
Perhaps this ranking is influenced a bit by my Vikings fandom. Dalvin Cook is one of the best backs in the league. With his talent and Gary Kubiak's offense, he's an annual contender for the rushing title. He's terrific on screens. He can run routes. He can block. The only knock on his game through thee seasons has been his availability. He has to stay on the field. In Alexander Mattison, the Vikings have one of the best #2 backs in the league. His third-round selection on draft night was a surprise. His play as a rookie last season was a revelation. He's a load to bring down. His hurdle highlights are a reflection that he's more than a pounder. For two seasons, Mike Boone has been a preseason star. He finally got some regular season opportunities late last season. He showed that he's more than just a preseason star. He played some receiver in college so he can split out to provide some offensive versatility. C.J. Ham has emerged as one of the best fullbacks in the league.
Alvin Kamara
Latavius Murray
Taysom Hill-QB/FB/whatever
Mike Burton-FB
The New Orleans Saints have a unique backfield. It starts somewhat traditionally with a terrific starter and an effective, change-of-pace backup. Then there's Taysom Hill. In the playoffs last year, Hill was the only Saints offensive player that could dent the Vikings defense. He kept the Saints in the game. They do not take that game to overtime without him. Hill is listed as a quarterback. Sean Payton thinks that he could potentially play the position full-time. Maybe he can. Maybe he can't. I do know that Hill can do a lot of different things on a football field. He can play tight end. He can play fullback. Whatever position he plays, he's a pain-in-the-ass for a defense.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert
Tevin Coleman
Jerrick McKinnon
Kyle Juszczyk-FB
The strength of the San Francisco 49ers' backfield is in the numbers and Kyle Shanahan's playcalling. Raheem Mostert emerged in the team's march to the Super Bowl but any of the backs could pace the ground game. Jerrick McKinnon has had two seasons of injury misery since he signed with the 49ers. Hopefully, he can finally make it to, and through, the season this year. A consideration of the 49ers run game has to include their receiver's role in it. Receiver sweeps and the threat of them are a schematic staple. Deebo Samuel was terrific as a rookie last season. Fellow rookie Jalen Hurd was injured before he could get started. Yesterday, he lost this season before it started. First-round rookie Brandon Aiyuk can do a lot of the running things that Samuel can do. An injury will keep Samuel out for a while so they'll need Aiyuk immediately. The 49ers brought in Tavon Austin to help cover for all of these injuries. The running ability of Samuel,Aiyuk, and Hurd if he can ever catch a break might worry defenses more than the running ability of their backs.
5. Buffalo Bills
Devin Singletary
Zack Moss
T.J. Yeldon
Taiwan Jones
Patrick DiMarco-FB
Perhaps this ranking is a little high. It's mostly about this group's potential. In two seasons the Buffalo Bills have built a very intriguing backfield. Devin Singletary really impressed me with his play in the playoffs. I expect a breakout season from him. Zack Moss was terrific at Utah. As a Cal fan, I'm relieved that he's now an NFL rookie. T.J. Yeldon and Taiwan Jones have had some flashes with other teams. One or both should provide options behind Singletary and Moss. Patrick DiMarco is one of the best fullbacks in the league.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson
Carlos Hyde
Rashaad Penny
Nick Bellore-FB
In three seasons, Chris Carson has bulled his way from seventh-round draft status, fended off high draft picks, and established himself as the top back on one of the best running teams in the league. He's a hard-running, impact back. Carlos Hyde was signed to add some veteran stability. Rashaad Penny was drafted in the first round to be the top back. Instead he's an effective, sometimes flashy, backup.
7. Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb
Kareem Hunt
Andy Janovich-FB
Nick Chubb nearly hit 1500 yards last seaon. He's good. I still don't like Kareem Hunt much but there's no denying that he's an impact football player. It's a luxury for the Browns to have a player that would start on most teams be the backup to one of the best backs in the league.
8. Indianapolis Colts
Marlon Mack
Jonathan Taylor
Nyheim Hines
Roosevelt Nix-FB
As with the Bills, I see the Indianapolis Colts as boasting one of the most intriguing, young backfields in the league. Marlon Mack has put together back-to-back strong running seasons. Rookie Jonathan Taylor might be an even better runner. Nyheim Hines is an excellent change-of-pace back. Roosevelt Nix is a Pro Bowl fullback.
9. New England Patriots
Sony Michel
Damien Harris
Lamar Miller
James White
Rex Burkhead
As is often the case with the New England Patriots, their backfield is one by committee. Sony Michel is probably the best of the bunch when healthy. He isn't healthy now. Damien Harris should be a more than capable fill in until Michel returns. Maybe even gets most of the carries after Michel returns. Lamar Miller was a nice insurance signing. James White and Rex Burkhead are very versatile, very capable backups.
Kerryon Johnson
D'Andre Swift
Bo Scarbrough
Nick Bawden-FB
I thought that the Detroit Lions had an interesting backfield before they used the 35th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft to select D'Andre Swift. Kerry Johnson is one of the better young running backs in the league. Swift has even greater potential. Bo Scarbrough is a solid #3.
Some of the backfields that just missed the cut:
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones
Jamaal Williams
A.J. Dillon
Josiah Deguara-FB
Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry
Darrynton Evans
Khari Blasingame-FB
I probably should've found a place on the list for this backfield. Derrick Henry is great. Darrynton Evans is a very intriguing rookie. I hated that the Vikings didn't have roster room for Khari Blasingame last summer. He could develop into a fullback star. Which means that few people know a thing about him.
Denver Broncos
Phillip Lindsay
Melvin Gordon
Royce Freeman
Jeremy Cox-FB
***
Monday, August 17, 2020
Minnesota Vikings 80-man Roster
The Minnesota Vikings take the field today for the first padded practices of training camp. Football is finally here. Real football. Well, real practice football. Roster decisions, offensive line decisions will start being made based on this week's practices. It's an interesting, exciting time.
The Vikings continued with some roster-massaging last week and over the weekend. There was the unfortunate news that linebacker Cameron Smith will miss the entire due to a need for heart surgery. He had tested positive for COVID at the start of camp. It's believed that it might've been a false-positive. True or false, it was enough to require further tests and checks. Those revealed the need for open-heart surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve defect he's had since birth. True or false, the COVID test result likely saved his life. Smith will miss this season but it's expected that a complete recovery will allow him to continue his football career next year.
Offensive tackle Oli Udoh was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19. There was a time early in camp when the Vikings had eight players on the list. With Udoh being activated the team now has no players on the list. Even trainer Eric Sugarman has returned from his bout with the virus. Hopefully, no other person associated with the Vikings tests positive or lands on Reserve/COVID-19.
Safety Steven Parker was claimed off of waivers from the Miami Dolphins. Despite having only four starts and 14 games on his NFL resume, he provides some experienced depth behind starters Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris. Prior to Parker's addition only rookies backed Smith and Harris: sixth-round pick Josh Metellus, seventh-round pick Brian Cole II, and undrafted Myles Dorn. While I like the potential of all three rookies it's nice to have a player that's spent a little bit of time in NFL games.
Running back Tony Brooks-James has had to deal with the yo-yo experience that comes with being on the fringe of an NFL roster. The Vikings signed him to the practice squad late last season. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 12, 2020. He was released on August 8 and re-signed a week later. So, he'll be putting on the pads as a Minnesota Vikings running back today.
NFL roster-massaging comes with good news for some players and bad news for an often corresponding number of players. Linebacker DeMarquis Gates and offensive tackle Brady Aiello were on the disappointing side of the process. As was linebacker Quentin Poling. He had a brief stay in Minnesota. He was signed on August 8 and released today to make room on the roster for Steven Parker.
There will be some hitting in Eagan today. Football is fun.
In advance of those practices here's another look at the Vikings' 80-man roster.
Minnesota Vikings 80-man Roster
Offense (40 Players)
Quarterbacks (4)
8 Kirk Cousins
4 Sean Mannion
3 Jake Browning
7 Nate Stanley
Running Backs (5)
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison
23 Mike Boone
31 Ameer Abdullah
35 Tony Brooks-James
Fullbacks (2)
30 C.J. Ham
40 Jake Bargas
Receivers (10)
19 Adam Thielen
18 Justin Jefferson
81 Olabisi Johnson
11 Tajaé Sharpe
17 K.J. Osborn
12 Chad Beebe
15 Alexander Hollins
13 Dillon Mitchell
14 Quartney Davis
85 Dan Chisena
Tight Ends (5)
82 Kyle Rudolph
84 Irv Smith Jr.
83 Tyler Conklin
86 Brandon Dillon
89 Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Offensive Tackles (7)
71 Riley Reiff
75 Brian O'Neill
72 Ezra Cleveland
69 Rashod Hill
76 Aviante Collins
74 Oli Udoh
64 Blake Brandel
Guards (4)
65 Pat Elflein
73 Dru Samia
78 Dakota Dozier
68 Kyle Hinton
Centers (3)
56 Garrett Bradbury
61 Brett Jones
63 Jake Lacina
Defense (37 Players)
Defensive Ends (8)
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Ifeadi Odenigbo
57 D.J. Wonnum
79 Kenny Willekes
92 Anthony Zettel
90 Stacy Keely
52 Eddie Yarbrough
91 Jalyn Holmes
Defensive Tackles (6)
93 Shamar Stephen
96 Armon Watts
94 Jaleel Johnson
51 Hercules Mata'afa
66 James Lynch
60 David Moa
Linebackers (7)
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
50 Eric Wilson
45 Troy Dye
48 Blake Lynch
49 Jordan Fehr
Cornerbacks (10)
21 Mike Hughes
20 Jeff Gladney
24 Holton Hill
27 Cameron Dantzler
38 Harrison Hand
29 Kris Boyd
34 Nevelle Clarke
26 Nate Meadors
32 Mark Fields
36 Marcus Sayles
Safeties (6)
22 Harrison Smith
41 Anthony Harris
44 Josh Metellus
39 Brian Cole II
46 Myles Dorn
37 Steven Parker
Special Teams (3 Players)
Kicker
5 Dan Bailey
Punter
2 Britton Colquitt
Long Snapper
58 Austin Cutting
Active/Physically Unable To Perform
42 Ben Gedeon, LB
Reserve/COVID-19
No one!
Reserve/Non-Football Illness
59 Cameron Smith, LB
Reserve/Opt-Out
98 Michael Pierce, DT
The Vikings continued with some roster-massaging last week and over the weekend. There was the unfortunate news that linebacker Cameron Smith will miss the entire due to a need for heart surgery. He had tested positive for COVID at the start of camp. It's believed that it might've been a false-positive. True or false, it was enough to require further tests and checks. Those revealed the need for open-heart surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve defect he's had since birth. True or false, the COVID test result likely saved his life. Smith will miss this season but it's expected that a complete recovery will allow him to continue his football career next year.
Offensive tackle Oli Udoh was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19. There was a time early in camp when the Vikings had eight players on the list. With Udoh being activated the team now has no players on the list. Even trainer Eric Sugarman has returned from his bout with the virus. Hopefully, no other person associated with the Vikings tests positive or lands on Reserve/COVID-19.
Safety Steven Parker was claimed off of waivers from the Miami Dolphins. Despite having only four starts and 14 games on his NFL resume, he provides some experienced depth behind starters Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris. Prior to Parker's addition only rookies backed Smith and Harris: sixth-round pick Josh Metellus, seventh-round pick Brian Cole II, and undrafted Myles Dorn. While I like the potential of all three rookies it's nice to have a player that's spent a little bit of time in NFL games.
Running back Tony Brooks-James has had to deal with the yo-yo experience that comes with being on the fringe of an NFL roster. The Vikings signed him to the practice squad late last season. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 12, 2020. He was released on August 8 and re-signed a week later. So, he'll be putting on the pads as a Minnesota Vikings running back today.
NFL roster-massaging comes with good news for some players and bad news for an often corresponding number of players. Linebacker DeMarquis Gates and offensive tackle Brady Aiello were on the disappointing side of the process. As was linebacker Quentin Poling. He had a brief stay in Minnesota. He was signed on August 8 and released today to make room on the roster for Steven Parker.
There will be some hitting in Eagan today. Football is fun.
In advance of those practices here's another look at the Vikings' 80-man roster.
Minnesota Vikings 80-man Roster
Offense (40 Players)
Quarterbacks (4)
8 Kirk Cousins
4 Sean Mannion
3 Jake Browning
7 Nate Stanley
Running Backs (5)
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison
23 Mike Boone
31 Ameer Abdullah
35 Tony Brooks-James
Fullbacks (2)
30 C.J. Ham
40 Jake Bargas
Receivers (10)
19 Adam Thielen
18 Justin Jefferson
81 Olabisi Johnson
11 Tajaé Sharpe
17 K.J. Osborn
12 Chad Beebe
15 Alexander Hollins
13 Dillon Mitchell
14 Quartney Davis
85 Dan Chisena
Tight Ends (5)
82 Kyle Rudolph
84 Irv Smith Jr.
83 Tyler Conklin
86 Brandon Dillon
89 Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Offensive Tackles (7)
71 Riley Reiff
75 Brian O'Neill
72 Ezra Cleveland
69 Rashod Hill
76 Aviante Collins
74 Oli Udoh
64 Blake Brandel
Guards (4)
65 Pat Elflein
73 Dru Samia
78 Dakota Dozier
68 Kyle Hinton
Centers (3)
56 Garrett Bradbury
61 Brett Jones
63 Jake Lacina
Defense (37 Players)
Defensive Ends (8)
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Ifeadi Odenigbo
57 D.J. Wonnum
79 Kenny Willekes
92 Anthony Zettel
90 Stacy Keely
52 Eddie Yarbrough
91 Jalyn Holmes
Defensive Tackles (6)
93 Shamar Stephen
96 Armon Watts
94 Jaleel Johnson
51 Hercules Mata'afa
66 James Lynch
60 David Moa
Linebackers (7)
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
50 Eric Wilson
45 Troy Dye
48 Blake Lynch
49 Jordan Fehr
Cornerbacks (10)
21 Mike Hughes
20 Jeff Gladney
24 Holton Hill
27 Cameron Dantzler
38 Harrison Hand
29 Kris Boyd
34 Nevelle Clarke
26 Nate Meadors
32 Mark Fields
36 Marcus Sayles
Safeties (6)
22 Harrison Smith
41 Anthony Harris
44 Josh Metellus
39 Brian Cole II
46 Myles Dorn
37 Steven Parker
Special Teams (3 Players)
Kicker
5 Dan Bailey
Punter
2 Britton Colquitt
Long Snapper
58 Austin Cutting
Active/Physically Unable To Perform
42 Ben Gedeon, LB
Reserve/COVID-19
No one!
Reserve/Non-Football Illness
59 Cameron Smith, LB
Reserve/Opt-Out
98 Michael Pierce, DT
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Some Football Thoughts
Here are some of the football thoughts that have recently been bouncing around my head.
1. In response to a global pandemic, the supposed leaders of this country employed a unique combination of doing nothing and doing the absolute wrong thing. It's been a disaster, a murderous disaster. Imagine if there was an actual plan. Like the NFL put in place. Or any of the sports leagues. Or New Zealand. The NFL had the benefit of a little bit of time. They had the opportunity to see what worked for the other sports. What those sports did right. What baseball did wrong. Bubbling the entire NFL wasn't and isn't realistic. So baseball was probably the best example. Baseball's stumbles probably helped the NFL more than basketball's and hockey's successes. One thing was very simple despite being so damn elusive to the idiot's leading this country, testing. The NFL and NFLPA knew from the start that the key to a 2020 football season was testing. The NFL and NFLPA disagree on just about everything but at least they mostly agreed on how to proceed during an unprecedented time. Above all, they agreed on the importance of testing. Lots and lots of testing.
2. Talk about idiots not taking a global pandemic seriously, I offer up Kemah Siverand. Due to COVID, as many as 10 players per team lost a shot at their football dream before they had a chance to step on an NFL field as an NFL player. Siverand found himself on the right side of those cuts with the Seattle Seahawks and proceeded to piss away his dream by trying to sneak a woman into training camp. Idiot.
3. I'm going to miss Everson Griffen. He was one of the most fun football players in all my years as a Minnesota Vikings fan. He was fun while he patiently waited four years behind Jared Allen. He was a blast for his six years as a leader of some terrific defenses. Talking heads scoffed when he was handed a big contract in 2014 despite never having been a full-time starter. But Vikings fans knew. They knew what he could do if given the opportunity. Griffen's first year as the Vikings' starting right defensive end was Mike Zimmer's first year as the head coach. It was a wonderful pairing. Even if Griffen had the unfortunate tendency to jump the snap on occasional third-and-longs. I'm going to miss Everson Griffen. I'm going to miss his laugh.
4. I don't really care that talking heads honk about cornerback troubles in Minnesota. I love the team's unproven talent.
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney
Holton Hill
Cameron Dantzler
Kris Boyd
Harrison Hand
Nark Fields
Nate Meadors
Nevelle Clarke
Marcus Sayles
The Vikings lost their top three corners from 2019 in free agency. Cornerback has been a team strength pretty much from the moment Mike Zimmer was hired. It wasn't a strength last season. Perhaps I'm such an optimist to the point of being a fool but I'd rather go with the talent and potential of a bunch of the above unproven youngsters than rely again on the fading corner play seen last year. It felt like the Vikings' corners had grown stale. Perhaps they needed a reboot. The position got it with new players and new coaches. I look forward to seeing these youngsters on the football field. Especially Jeff Gladney.
5. Speaking of loving the Vikings' secondary, I loved Harrison Smith's response to a talking head asking about the imminent decline of the Vikings' defense.
"I guess I've kind of been out of the loop – I didn't know we were supposed to be bad. So yeah, I guess that motivates me. Everybody takes things differently. People are going to say things no matter what, so I just try to play well. If you want to talk about it, that's cool; if you don't, that's cool. I think if we all just play well, then we'll win games, and you can say good or bad, and that's it."
"I didn't know we were supposed to be bad." -Classic.
6. George Kittle and Travis Kelce got paid. They deserved to get paid. Both game-tilters crept a little closer to the pay that modest receivers have been getting for a while.
7. So much for that dramatic Dalvin Cook holdout that everyone was predicting.
8. This is for the dipshits that see athletes only as a drain on society rather than a boost to it. Fresh off signing a big new contract, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will be buying a building for his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation to give inner-city Kansas City teenagers a safe place where they can study science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He's been rewarded for doing great in football and he's giving back. Thank you for trying to make your community a better place.
1. In response to a global pandemic, the supposed leaders of this country employed a unique combination of doing nothing and doing the absolute wrong thing. It's been a disaster, a murderous disaster. Imagine if there was an actual plan. Like the NFL put in place. Or any of the sports leagues. Or New Zealand. The NFL had the benefit of a little bit of time. They had the opportunity to see what worked for the other sports. What those sports did right. What baseball did wrong. Bubbling the entire NFL wasn't and isn't realistic. So baseball was probably the best example. Baseball's stumbles probably helped the NFL more than basketball's and hockey's successes. One thing was very simple despite being so damn elusive to the idiot's leading this country, testing. The NFL and NFLPA knew from the start that the key to a 2020 football season was testing. The NFL and NFLPA disagree on just about everything but at least they mostly agreed on how to proceed during an unprecedented time. Above all, they agreed on the importance of testing. Lots and lots of testing.
2. Talk about idiots not taking a global pandemic seriously, I offer up Kemah Siverand. Due to COVID, as many as 10 players per team lost a shot at their football dream before they had a chance to step on an NFL field as an NFL player. Siverand found himself on the right side of those cuts with the Seattle Seahawks and proceeded to piss away his dream by trying to sneak a woman into training camp. Idiot.
3. I'm going to miss Everson Griffen. He was one of the most fun football players in all my years as a Minnesota Vikings fan. He was fun while he patiently waited four years behind Jared Allen. He was a blast for his six years as a leader of some terrific defenses. Talking heads scoffed when he was handed a big contract in 2014 despite never having been a full-time starter. But Vikings fans knew. They knew what he could do if given the opportunity. Griffen's first year as the Vikings' starting right defensive end was Mike Zimmer's first year as the head coach. It was a wonderful pairing. Even if Griffen had the unfortunate tendency to jump the snap on occasional third-and-longs. I'm going to miss Everson Griffen. I'm going to miss his laugh.
4. I don't really care that talking heads honk about cornerback troubles in Minnesota. I love the team's unproven talent.
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney
Holton Hill
Cameron Dantzler
Kris Boyd
Harrison Hand
Nark Fields
Nate Meadors
Nevelle Clarke
Marcus Sayles
The Vikings lost their top three corners from 2019 in free agency. Cornerback has been a team strength pretty much from the moment Mike Zimmer was hired. It wasn't a strength last season. Perhaps I'm such an optimist to the point of being a fool but I'd rather go with the talent and potential of a bunch of the above unproven youngsters than rely again on the fading corner play seen last year. It felt like the Vikings' corners had grown stale. Perhaps they needed a reboot. The position got it with new players and new coaches. I look forward to seeing these youngsters on the football field. Especially Jeff Gladney.
5. Speaking of loving the Vikings' secondary, I loved Harrison Smith's response to a talking head asking about the imminent decline of the Vikings' defense.
"I guess I've kind of been out of the loop – I didn't know we were supposed to be bad. So yeah, I guess that motivates me. Everybody takes things differently. People are going to say things no matter what, so I just try to play well. If you want to talk about it, that's cool; if you don't, that's cool. I think if we all just play well, then we'll win games, and you can say good or bad, and that's it."
"I didn't know we were supposed to be bad." -Classic.
6. George Kittle and Travis Kelce got paid. They deserved to get paid. Both game-tilters crept a little closer to the pay that modest receivers have been getting for a while.
7. So much for that dramatic Dalvin Cook holdout that everyone was predicting.
8. This is for the dipshits that see athletes only as a drain on society rather than a boost to it. Fresh off signing a big new contract, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will be buying a building for his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation to give inner-city Kansas City teenagers a safe place where they can study science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He's been rewarded for doing great in football and he's giving back. Thank you for trying to make your community a better place.
Saturday, August 15, 2020
A Snapshot of Minnesota Vikings' Position Competition
The Minnesota Vikings revealed a snapshot of their current depth chart yesterday. The media was finally allowed to see team practices. 11-on-11 drills are only a step up from walk-throughs but it revealed where things currently stand at some of the most contested position groups. Next week, pads will be introduced. That will reveal much more. For now, this is what we have at the three of the most intriguing position competitions on the team.
Offensive line
This has been an area of concern since the days of Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk/John Sullivan, Anthony Herrera, and Phil Loadholt. The Vikings had a Hall of Famer on that line! A lot has changed. It's been about a decade since there was stability, consistency, proficiency on the offensive line. Finally, there appears to be some direction. Maybe.
First Team
LT Riley Reiff
LG Dakota Dozier*
C Garrett Bradbury
RG Pat Elflein
RT Brian O'Neill
Second Team
LT Rashod Hill
LG Ezra Cleveland
C Brett Jones
RG Dru Samia
RT Oli Udoh
The hearts of many Vikings fans sank a bit when they saw that Pat Elfein still ran with the first team. It's very important to remember that this was the dress rehearsal before the first real football practice on Monday. It's too early for tears and throwing things. Personally, I see the second team guards soon elevating to first team guards. But what do I know? However the offensive line shakes out, we can expect decisions soon.
“Probably after three days in pads or something like that.”-Mike Zimmer
I really like the potential future of the Vikings' offensive line. I expect Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, and Brian O'Neill to be cornerstone players at left tackle, center, and right tackle. I like the eventual outcome of future guard competitions between Dru Samia, Kyle Hinton, potentially Oli Udoh, and maybe even Elflein. Is there a future Hall of Famer among them? Who knows? I just know that there's potential on the Vikings' offensive for the first time in a long time.
Defensive tackle
While there will be significant competition for defensive tackle playing time, this position is far less complicated, or debated, than offensive line. Shamar Stephen was absent from yesterday's practice. From past and much more recent loving words from Mike Zimmer and Andre Patterson, Stephen will continue to play a prominent role in the interior of the Vikings' defensive line. He was the starting three-technique last year. It sounds like nose tackle is more his spot moving forward. Even more so after Michael Pierce's opt-out and the rescinded trade for P.J. Hall. With Stephen absent from yesterday's practice, it was Armon Watts at nose and Jaleel Johnson at three-technique. Personally, I like the two flipped but those are the two I like best to start in the middle. As the coaches have stated often lately, they like their defensive tackles to have position versatility. So, it may not matter much which player plays in which spot. And that's all we got from the defensive tackle competition. Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, and Jaleel Johnson top the depth chart.
Cornerback
This position will be fun. It's all youth and talent. Few things in football are more fun than youth and talent. As expected, Mike Hughes started outside in base and moved inside in nickel. First round pick Jeff Gladney sat out practice with a sleeve on his leg. Hopefully, that was only precautionary and isn't the slightest bit serious. I can not wait to see this rookie play some football. Holton Hill was the starter opposite Hughes. It remains to be seen if that was due to Gladney's absence. In nickel, Hughes moved inside and third-round rookie Cameron Dantzler and Hill were outside. Kris Boyd rotated with Dantzler. On the eve of padded practices, it appears that the corner depth chart looks something like this.
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney
Holton Hill
Cameron Dantzler
Kris Boyd
I'm excited to see a Vikings corner trio of Hughes, Gladney, and Hill. Sprinkle in a little Dantzler and Boyd to give offenses some different looks. I'm far more excited to see these young corners than if the Vikings had brought back any one or more of the veterans that left this offseason. With each day my confidence in these young corners grows. This is going to be fun.
So, that's a snapshot of some of the Vikings' most intriguing position competitions. It's so important to remember that it's only a snapshot of the first full squad practice on 8/14. It's not 9/13. There were no pads. There's no reason to freak out about Pat Elflein. Yet.
Offensive line
This has been an area of concern since the days of Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk/John Sullivan, Anthony Herrera, and Phil Loadholt. The Vikings had a Hall of Famer on that line! A lot has changed. It's been about a decade since there was stability, consistency, proficiency on the offensive line. Finally, there appears to be some direction. Maybe.
First Team
LT Riley Reiff
LG Dakota Dozier*
C Garrett Bradbury
RG Pat Elflein
RT Brian O'Neill
LT Rashod Hill
LG Ezra Cleveland
C Brett Jones
RG Dru Samia
RT Oli Udoh
Third Team
LT Blake Brandel
LG Aviante Collins*
C Jake Lacina
RG Kyle Hinton
RT Brady Aiello
*Aviante Collins rotated with Dakota Dozier at first team left guard
“Probably after three days in pads or something like that.”-Mike Zimmer
I really like the potential future of the Vikings' offensive line. I expect Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, and Brian O'Neill to be cornerstone players at left tackle, center, and right tackle. I like the eventual outcome of future guard competitions between Dru Samia, Kyle Hinton, potentially Oli Udoh, and maybe even Elflein. Is there a future Hall of Famer among them? Who knows? I just know that there's potential on the Vikings' offensive for the first time in a long time.
Defensive tackle
While there will be significant competition for defensive tackle playing time, this position is far less complicated, or debated, than offensive line. Shamar Stephen was absent from yesterday's practice. From past and much more recent loving words from Mike Zimmer and Andre Patterson, Stephen will continue to play a prominent role in the interior of the Vikings' defensive line. He was the starting three-technique last year. It sounds like nose tackle is more his spot moving forward. Even more so after Michael Pierce's opt-out and the rescinded trade for P.J. Hall. With Stephen absent from yesterday's practice, it was Armon Watts at nose and Jaleel Johnson at three-technique. Personally, I like the two flipped but those are the two I like best to start in the middle. As the coaches have stated often lately, they like their defensive tackles to have position versatility. So, it may not matter much which player plays in which spot. And that's all we got from the defensive tackle competition. Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, and Jaleel Johnson top the depth chart.
Cornerback
This position will be fun. It's all youth and talent. Few things in football are more fun than youth and talent. As expected, Mike Hughes started outside in base and moved inside in nickel. First round pick Jeff Gladney sat out practice with a sleeve on his leg. Hopefully, that was only precautionary and isn't the slightest bit serious. I can not wait to see this rookie play some football. Holton Hill was the starter opposite Hughes. It remains to be seen if that was due to Gladney's absence. In nickel, Hughes moved inside and third-round rookie Cameron Dantzler and Hill were outside. Kris Boyd rotated with Dantzler. On the eve of padded practices, it appears that the corner depth chart looks something like this.
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney
Holton Hill
Cameron Dantzler
Kris Boyd
I'm excited to see a Vikings corner trio of Hughes, Gladney, and Hill. Sprinkle in a little Dantzler and Boyd to give offenses some different looks. I'm far more excited to see these young corners than if the Vikings had brought back any one or more of the veterans that left this offseason. With each day my confidence in these young corners grows. This is going to be fun.
***
So, that's a snapshot of some of the Vikings' most intriguing position competitions. It's so important to remember that it's only a snapshot of the first full squad practice on 8/14. It's not 9/13. There were no pads. There's no reason to freak out about Pat Elflein. Yet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)