Changes

For about three-and-a-half games Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Dalvin Cook was one of the most promising, young, offensive playmakers in the league. He was one of the reasons that Kareem Hunt hasn't already been handed the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Early in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions Cook's knee did what it shouldn't without being contacted by an opponent. He tore his ACL and is on the shelf for the remainder of the season. It's a very sad end to a brilliant rookie season just as it was getting started.

The Vikings offense of recent seasons was wildly inconsistent. They had some explosive moments but more often than not they didn't worry defenses too much. Cook's versatility and ability to get loose at any moment gave defenses a lot of worries. He could run, catch, and block so his presence on the field gave whoever was playing quarterback a lot of options and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur a lot of flexibility in his play-calling. It showed on the field. An inconsistent offense had become explosive. In the first three games of this season the offense gained nearly 500 yards in two of them. The Vikings offense ran through Cook. His season-ending injury changes that.

So where does the loss of Dalvin Cook leave the Vikings? Latavius Murray was signed during free agency. Before the Vikings lucked into Cook in the draft Murray was expected to be the team's top ball-carrier this season. He had some nice moments the last two seasons as the top back for the Oakland Raiders. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 when he ran for 1,066 yards. He doesn't provide the explosive talent that Cook provides but he can be effective. Murray's a big back with very good speed. He can contribute in the passing game as a receiver and protect the quarterback as a blocker. Sometimes it looks like he moves side-to-side a little too much, juking rather than running. This running style got him to where he is so why change it now?

Murray isn't the only running back that the Vikings need to step forward. Jerick McKinnon will get an increased opportunity. He's smaller and quicker and a little more explosive. He's a nice change of pace. C.J. Ham was a running back before the Vikings moved him to fullback in the offseason. He may see a few more touches. Veteran Stevan Ridley was signed this week to take Cook's place on the roster. Ridley looked like he was headed to stardom when he ran for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012 for the New England Patriots. A couple of knee injuries resulted in a career slide.. He's been more journeyman than productive runner in the years since. He's a bigger back at 5'11'' and 220 lbs. He's only 28 so maybe he still has some juice. The Vikings will field a committee of runners with Murray first up to lead it. They might not present the breakaway concerns to a defense that Cook did but they can all fit into the spread-like offense that Shurmur created with Cook in mind. They don't have to line up in the "I" and run downhill. They can line up next to a shotgun quarterback and move around the formation. They are a versatile group of runners so the Vikings offense can remain versatile. They just have to present enough of a "grind-it-out" running threat that defenses can't just forget about the run altogether. There will be a change. The Vikings running game might not he as explosive as it was in the first three weeks but it can be productive.

Black College Hall of Fame Finalists

On Thursday the Black College Hall of Fame announced the 25 finalists for their Hall of Fame Class of 2018. The list includes 22 players and three coaches.

PLAYER FINALISTS (22 Players)

• Joe “747” Adams (QB, Tennessee State University, 1977-1980)
• Coy Bacon (DL, Jackson State University, 1964-1967)
• Dwaine Board (DE, North Carolina A&T State University, 1975-1978)
• Emerson Boozer (RB, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1962-1965)
• Harold Carmichael (WR, Southern University, 1967-1970)
• Raymond Chester (TE, Morgan State University, 1966-1969)
• Hugh Douglas (DE, Central State University, 1991-1994)
• Earl “Air” Harvey (QB, North Carolina Central University, 1985-1988)
• Thomas Henderson (LB, Langston University, 1971-1974)
• James Hunter (DB, Grambling State University, 1972-1975)
• Henry Lawrence (OL, Florida A&M University, 1970-1973)
• Greg Lloyd (LB, Fort Valley State University, 1983-1986)
• Leo “Lincoln Locomotive” Lewis (RB, Lincoln University, 1951-1954)
• Frank Lewis (WR, Grambling State University, 1967-1970)
• Robert Mathis (LB, Alabama A&M University, 1999-2002)
• Tyrone McGriff (OL, Florida A&M University, 1976-1979)
• Timothy Newsome (RB/KR, Winston Salem State University, 1976-1979)
• John Taylor (WR, Delaware State University, 1982-1985)
• Everson Walls (DB, Grambling State University, 1977-1980)
• Johnny Walton (QB, Elizabeth City State University, 1965-1968)
• Erik Williams (OL, Central State University, 1987-1990)
• Roynell Young (DB, Alcorn State University, 1976-1979)

COACH FINALISTS (3 Coaches)

• Bill Hayes (Head Football Coach, Winston Salem State 1976-1987, North Carolina A&T 1988-2003)
• Arnett “Ace” Mumford (Head Football Coach, Jarvis Christian 1924-1926, Bishop College 1927-1929, Texas College 1931-1935, Southern University 1936-1961)
• Joe Taylor (Howard University 1983, Virginia Union 1984-1991, Hampton University 1992-2007, Florida A&M University 2008-2012)

The Class of 2018 Inductees will be announced on October 25, 2017. They will be honored during the Black College Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on February 10, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Black College Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by former Grambliing quarterbacks and quarterbacking pioneers Doug Williams and James Harris. The goal is to preserve the rich history and honor the greatest players, coaches, and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. College football is better because of those colleges. It's a damn shame that there was ever a need for them.

Throwback Thursday: Great Vikings Receivers

The Minnesota Vikings inducted Ahmad Rashad into their Ring of Honor last weekend. He's the 23rd member and third receiver in the exclusive club. I have very fond memories of Rashad's playing days. His talent in general and pass-catching in particular had much to do with receiver becoming my position of choice. John Gilliam and Jim Lash were the earliest Vikings receiver duo that I really remember. I have fuzzy recollections of Gene Washington and John Henderson but I didn't understand the game well enough for their play to be a sound part of my "live" Vikings memories. The 1976 offseason brought the players to Minnesota that would solidify the receiver's position in my mind and heart. They obtained Rashad from the Seattle Seahawks in an historically one-sided trade and they drafted Sammy White out of Grambling in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft. Rashad and White were a fun, exciting receiving pair. White was an explosive playmaker from the start. Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl, All-Pro. Rashad was the reliable, chain-moving veteran. Even with an all-timer at quarterback in Fran Tarkenton the Vikings had been a grind it out on offense, win it on defense sort of team. That changed when Rashad and White joined the team. In his record-breaking career, Tarkenton's best pass-catching duo were available for only his last three seasons. From the very beginning of my football days pass-catching was key to me. The simple act of catching a football. It's a beautiful art that seems to elude some receivers, even some supposedly great receivers (Terrell Owens). That's why Rashad was so important in my football evolution. He had terrific hands. It was great to see how a receiver should be. It's a talent Cris Carter took to a whole other level. In my years as a Vikings fan I've enjoyed a fun run of receivers. Here's a Flea Flicker Top-10 of those receivers. A couple are among the best the game has ever seen.

1.   Cris Carter

2.   Randy Moss

3.   Anthony Carter

4.   Sammy White

5.   Jake Reed

6.   John Gilliam

7.   Gene Washington

8.   Percy Harvin

9.   Paul Flatley

10. Hassan Jones

One of my great receiving disappointments as a Vikings fan was the too early departure of Sidney Rice. An injury didn't help his stay in Minnesota but his bolting to Seattle in free agency was jarring. Percy Harvin ended up there as well. Maybe the Seahawks were still pissed about the Rashad trade. 

It's way too early in their Vikings careers to make a definitive judgement on them but Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen have been a dynamic pass-catching duo. Both could find their way to a place on this list. Speaking of duos, here are a few of the Vikings' best.

1. Cris Carter/Randy Moss

2. Cris Carter/Jake Reed

3. Cris Carter/Anthony Carter

4. Ahmad Rashad/Sammy White

5. Randy Moss/anybody with a pulse

Starting First Round Quarterbacks

Since the media and football fans started caring about such things there's been a debate as to when's the best time to start a rookie, first-round quarterback. The answer's actually quite easy. When he's ready. Sometimes a team's forced to start him early so he has to (hopefully) get ready on the go. Sometimes it takes while. Sometimes it doesn't happen at all. Due to DeShaun Watson's early success and Mitchell Trubisky starting this week, Monday Morning Quarterback's Albert Breer posted when all of the first round quarterbacks since 2000 got their first starts. It's interesting viewing.

2017
Mitchell Trubisky-5th game
Patrick Mahomes-???
DeShaun Watson-2nd game

2016
Jared Goff-10th game
Carson Wentz-1st game
Paxton Lynch-5th game

2015
Jameis Winston-1st game
Marcus Mariota-1st game

2014
Blake Bortles-4th game
Johnny Manziel-14th game
Teddy Bridgewater-14th game

2013
E.J. Manuel-1st game

2012
Andrew Luck-1st game
Robert Griffin III-1st game
Ryan Tannehill-1st game
Brandon Weeden-1st game

2011
Cam Newton-1st game
Jake Locker-17th game
Blaine Gabbert-3rd game
Christian Ponder-7th game

2010
Sam Bradford-1st game
Tim Tebow-14th game

2009
Matthew Stafford-1st game
Mark Sanchez-1st game
Josh Freeman-8th game

2008
Matt Ryan-1st game
Joe Flacco-1st game

2007
Jamarcus Russell-16th game
Brady Quinn-25th game

2006
Vince Young-4th game
Matt Leinart-5th game
Jay Cutler-12th game

2005
Alex Smith-5th game
Aaron Rodgers-49th game
Jason Campbell-26th game

2004
Eli Manning-10th game
Philip Rivers-33rd game
Ben Roethlisberger-3rd game
J.P. Losman-17th game

2003
Carson Palmer-18th game
Byron Leftwich-4th game
Kyle Boller-1st game
Rex Grossman-14th game

2002
David Carr-1st game
Joey Harrington-3rd game
Patrick Ramsey-5th game

2001
Mike Vick-8th game

2000
Chad Pennington-41st game

It's a surprise to be reminded that Carson Palmer, the first pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, was the last of the four first round quarterbacks that year to start. It's surprising mostly because of the quarterbacks that got their shot before him. It's a little less of a surprise to see that Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers had to wait a bit before starting but those waits made sense at the time. The New York Giants had Hall of Famer Kurt Warner as a place holder for Manning and the San Diego Chargers had future Hall of Famer Drew Brees keeping Rivers on the bench for a couple seasons. It's difficult to grasp now that a team with Brees in place found it necessary to add another quarterback with a top pick.

Everybody seems to want a set script for the development of every young quarterback. That simply isn't possible. Every quarterback is different. There are so many variables that impact his development. Some of those variables include the college offense in which he played, the coaches that coached him, how he fits his new offense, how he works with his new coaches, the talent around him, avoiding both minor and major injuries. Then there's his physical and mental makeup. Physical talent isn't everything. Too many top picks have proven that. A young quarterback's mental makeup is probably the most important variable of all.

Every quarterback and their situation is different. If he has what it takes to be great, and sustain that greatness, he'll take advantage of his opportunity when it comes.

Flea Flicker's Week 4 Power Rankings

There were more surprises in Week 4. Some due, or at least impacted, by injuries. The Kansas City Chiefs continued to keep the 1972 Miami Dolphins at least a little nervous. Here's how I see the teams after four weeks.

1.   Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
2.   Green Bay Packers (3-1)
3.   Denver Broncos (3-1)
4.   Atlanta Falcons (3-1)
5.   Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
6.   Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
7.   Washington Redskins (2-2)
8.   Detroit Lions (3-1)
9.   Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
10. Carolina Panthers (3-1)
11. Minnesota Vikings (2-2)
12. New England Patriots (2-2)
13. Oakland Raiders (2-2)
14. Buffalo Bills (3-1)
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
16. Houston Texans (2-2)
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
18. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
19. Tennessee Titans (2-2)
20. Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
21. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
22. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
23. New Orleans Saints (2-2)
24. New York Jets (2-2)
25. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
26. Chicago Bears (1-3)
27. Miami Dolphins (1-2)
28. San Francisco 49ers (0-4)
29. Los Angeles Chargers (0-4)
30. Indianapolis Colts (1-3)
31. New York Giants (0-4)
32. Cleveland Browns (0-4)

Until next week. 

Week 4 (Vikings) Thoughts

These thoughts start with this little jab from a sign posted by College GameDay on Saturday.

"Dabo chews tomato soup."

It's been a couple days and that still kills me.

***

The Minnesota Vikings missed their chance to stay tied with the Green Bay Packers on top of the NFC North. They handed that honor to the Detroit Lions. The Lions left Minnesota with a 14-7 win.

What is it with the Lions? The Vikings have lost their last three games against this particular division foe. All three games felt as if some other force didn't want the Vikings to win. The Lions stole both games last year just when the Vikings appeared to have won both games. The Lions had a ludicrous number of late game heroics last year. The Vikings games were two of them. Then we had yesterday.

The good for the Vikings in yesterday's game was the defense. Actually, the defense was closer to great. Only three of the Lions 14 points were really on the defense. The other 11 points were made easier by Vikings offensive miscues on consecutive plays in the third quarter. Two plays. Two fumbles. That led to 11 Lions points. Other than that the Lions offense wasn't able to do much. About the only thing that the Vikings defense didn't do was take the ball from the Lions. They had some opportunities. Four Vikings defenders had interceptions in their hands. The Lions won the turnover battle 3-0 and won the game.

The Vikings have to blast through this current little problem with the Lions. The first step in doing so would be to end, often self-inflicted, miscues and to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

Late in the third quarter, instead of throwing to receiver Adam Thielen, wide open for a 21-yard touchdown, Case Keenum threw short and incomplete to running back Jerick McKinnon. Kai Forbath missed a 38-yard field goal on the next play.

That missed opportunity was minor compared to a miserable sequence that came a little earlier.

The most costly mistakes came on consecutive plays to start the second half. On 2nd-and-6 from the Lions 49 with some momentum the Vikings decided to get a little tricky. From a "wildcat" formation with Jerick McKinnon taking the snap they ran a read option. McKinnon looked to be keeping the ball after putting it in the belly of Dalvin Cook. It wasn't a clean fake and the ball was on the ground. The Lions recovered at the Vikings 47. That led to a field goal which cut the Vikings lead to 7-6.

The Vikings followed that miscue with their most costly miscue of the game. On 1st-and-10 from the Lions 18, Cook burst up the middle for 10. He might've taken it much further if it weren't for the knee injury that he suffered. Without any contact his knee gave way. He also lost the football. The Lions found it and gave their offense a very short field. A stunned Vikings defense was back on the field. The Lions soon had a touchdown and two-point conversion. That gave them a 14-7 lead without having to do a whole lot.

The loss of Cook for the game and perhaps for the season is a huge loss. It only took the rookie 3.5 games to show that he's a brilliant football talent. His diverse running, receiving, blocking talent fit perfectly with what the Vikings want to do. The offense works through and revolves around him. He will have an MRI done today to confirm the extent of the injury but the feeling around the Vikings doesn't seem positive.

Cook's injury boosts Latavius Murray to the front of the Vikings running game. He's talented. He's gained over 1,000 yards in the league, he's earned a Pro Bowl nod, and he was considered the Vikings top running option until they lucked into Cook in the draft.

It's easy to have problems with a game that your team doesn't win. In that regard getting blown out is sometimes better. It sucks but it's easier to put it behind you and move on. A game like this sticks with you more. The Vikings defense played great. The explosive Lions offense didn't do much at all. Although it must be pointed out that running back Ameer Abdullah was a handful. He was the Lions offense. 20 carries 94 yards. It was the best I've seen him play in the NFL. The Vikings offense didn't play well but they had opportunities to win. The Vikings have to stop making it easier for the Lions and harder for themselves. That's true for all opponents but Lions games have been a real problem of late. Three consecutive games have been right there for the Vikings to grab and control and they let it slip away. It cost them the playoffs last year. Hopefully it doesn't this year.

On the possession after the Lions grabbed their 14-7 lead, the Vikings offense tried to strike back immediately. Keenum threw deep to Laquon Treadwell. Lions corner Darius Slay clearly grabbed/prevented Treadwell from going up for the ball effectively. It was obvious pass interference. No call. Two plays later, on 3rd-and-8, Keenum threw to Stefon Diggs for the first down. There was clear pass interference by the Lion defender. This officiating crew is known to be especially stingy with penalty flags. I actually prefer that sort of game. I'd prefer a game in which flags are few and fairly aggressive pass defense is allowed. The problem is that this is not the NFL that is allowed or played. The rules call for defense like that played on Treadwell and Diggs to be flagged for pass interference. If every other officiating crew makes those calls this crew should as well. Consistency is important.

This loss stings. The potential loss of Cook for the season makes it sting even more. Football and injuries will always go together. The Vikings just have to deal with it.

I'd have some thoughts on the other games if I'd seen any of them. I had to get away for a bit.

After rehashing most of the Vikings missed opportunities I forgot all about the missed opportunity that was perhaps their biggest. With about four minutes to play in the game the Vikings had a first-and-goal on the Lions 8. Four plays and the Vikings didn't score. A score there and the game probably goes to overtime. With the way that the defense was playing I like their chances with two minutes to play. Even with Matthew Stafford and the Lions penchant for late game heroics. How could I forget about this missed opportunity?

Next week the Vikings travel to Chicago for a Monday division clash with the Bears.

Flea Flicker Week 4 Predictions

Week 4. It's the quarter-pole of the 2017 NFL season. Here are some predictions of this week's games.

New Orleans Saints @? Miami Dolphins (in London)
Pick: Saints
This is the second, way too early game of the season played in London. Hopefully it's better than the last one.

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Vikings
The Vikings have to stop, or even just slow, the Lions in the fourth quarter. They couldn't do either last year and lost both games.

Carolina Panther @ New England Patriots
Pick: Patriots
The Patriots are picking up steam. The Panthers are still trying to find their way.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets
Pick: Jaguars
Would the real Jaguars team please show themselves.

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans
Pick: Titans
If the Texans can play like they did in a near upset of the Patriots last week this game could be terrific.

Los Angeles Rams @ Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Cowboys
The Rams have been explosive under new head coach Sean McVay. The Cowboys can be explosive. Both defenses can be very sturdy. This is the sort of game that the Rams have to win to find a place at the big boy table.

Buffalo Bills @ Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Falcons
The Bills stunned the Broncos last week. That game was at home. I don't see them pulling off a similar shocker on the road.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Steelers
Both teams suffered stunning losses last week. Both teams are always up for this excellent rivalry.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
Pick: Tie
Will one of the Ohio teams finally get a win? The way this season is going for both teams this game will end in a tie.

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Giants
The Giants finally started doing some things right in the second half last week. Can it continue in Tampa Bay?

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
Pick: 49ers
Kyle Shanahan gets his first win as a head coach.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: Chargers
I'm going with the home team in their itty-bitty stadium.

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
Maybe those cute little Week 2 sideline celebrations of the Raiders were a little premature.

Indianapolis Colts @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seahawks
The Seahawks have struggled but it's hard to imagine them struggling in this game.

Washington Redskins @ Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Chiefs
If the Redskins play like they did against the Raiders last week this game could be outstanding. Through the first three weeks, the Chiefs are playing the best football in the league.

There it is.