The countdown of the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2018 continued last night on NFL Network with the players ranked 70-61.
70. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
69. Fletcher Cox, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
68. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
67. Telvin Smith, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
66. Jurrell Casey, DT, Tennessee Titans
65. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings
64. Richard Sherman, CB, San Francisco 49ers
63. Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
62. Micah Hyde, S, Buffalo Bills
61. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Los Angeles Rams
New to the Top 100:
Zach Ertz
Stefon Diggs
Micah Hyde
14 of the 40 players revealed so far are on the list for the first time.
The only thing that's kept Diggs from making the list before this year is injuries. When he's on the field he's been one of the most explosive receivers in the league since his rookie season of 2015.
In describing teammate Geno Atkins, Andre Smith said that he was "Quick as a hiccup." I'm not quite sure why that has tickled me like it has.
Fletcher Cox was #38 on the 2017 list. His drop to #69 is shocking. He should be moving up the list rather than falling 31 spots.
Ndamukong Suh has made the list every year that he's been in the league, 2011-18. That also happens to be every year that there's been a Top 100 List. Here are Suh's rankings:
2011: #51
2012: #13
2013: #40
2014: #40
2015: #24
2016: #40
2017: #55
I find the fact that Suh was ranked #40 on three occasions is the most remarkable thing about his rankings run.
This was a strong week for defensive tackles.
Next week: 60-51!
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Monday, May 14, 2018
2018 NFL Draft First Round Signing Tracker
I can't say this enough. The 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement brought sanity to the signing of rookies. The wage slotting based on draft position has made negotiations a breeze. Other than a few details each rookie's first NFL contract was determined the moment he was drafted. In the pre-CBA days teams often didn't start negotiating rookie contracts until July. Now, nearly all of those negotiations are done by July. The Philadelphia Eagles have signed their entire rookie class. It helped that there are only five players in that rookie class and that none was a first round pick. It's still impressive to have that chore complete in early May. The Minnesota Vikings had seven of their eight draft picks signed before the draft was a week old. Their first round pick, cornerback Mike Hughes, is their only unsigned rookie. I imagine that next week's first full-team OTA is the team's hoped-for deadline for the completion of that negotiation. It's a great new rookie negotiation world. An indication is a tracker of the 2018 NFL Draft first round signings.
1. Cleveland Browns-Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
2. New York Giants-Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
3. New York Jets-Sam Darnold, QB, USC
4. Cleveland Browns-Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
5. Denver Broncos-Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
6. Indianapolis Colts-Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame-Signed
7. Buffalo Bills-Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
8. Chicago Bears-Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
9. San Francisco 49ers-Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
10. Arizona Cardinals-Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA-Signed
11. Miami Dolphins-Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Vita Vea, DT, Washington
13. Washington Redskins-Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama-Signed
14. New Orleans Saints-Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA-Signed
15. Oakland Raiders-Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
16. Buffalo Bills-Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech-Signed
17. Los Angeles Chargers-Derwin James, S, Florida State
18. Green Bay Packers-Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
19. Dallas Cowboys-Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State-Signed
20. Detroit Lions-Frank Ragnow, C/G, Arkansas-Signed
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Billy Price, G, Ohio State
22. Tennessee Titans-Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
23. New England Patriots-Isaiah Wynn, G/T, Georgia
24. Carolina Panthers-DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
25. Baltimore Ravens-Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
26. Atlanta Falcons-Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
27. Seattle Seahawks-Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
28. Pittsburgh Steelers-Terrell Edmonds, S, Virginia Tech
29. Jacksonville Jaguars-Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
30. Minnesota Vikings-Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
31. New England Patriots-Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
32. Baltimore Ravens-Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Two of the Top-10 and seven of the first round picks are signed. Pre-2011 CBA, those would be impressive totals for the middle of July.
1. Cleveland Browns-Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
2. New York Giants-Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
3. New York Jets-Sam Darnold, QB, USC
4. Cleveland Browns-Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
5. Denver Broncos-Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
6. Indianapolis Colts-Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame-Signed
7. Buffalo Bills-Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
8. Chicago Bears-Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
9. San Francisco 49ers-Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
10. Arizona Cardinals-Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA-Signed
11. Miami Dolphins-Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Vita Vea, DT, Washington
13. Washington Redskins-Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama-Signed
14. New Orleans Saints-Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA-Signed
15. Oakland Raiders-Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
16. Buffalo Bills-Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech-Signed
17. Los Angeles Chargers-Derwin James, S, Florida State
18. Green Bay Packers-Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
19. Dallas Cowboys-Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State-Signed
20. Detroit Lions-Frank Ragnow, C/G, Arkansas-Signed
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Billy Price, G, Ohio State
22. Tennessee Titans-Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
23. New England Patriots-Isaiah Wynn, G/T, Georgia
24. Carolina Panthers-DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
25. Baltimore Ravens-Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
26. Atlanta Falcons-Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
27. Seattle Seahawks-Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
28. Pittsburgh Steelers-Terrell Edmonds, S, Virginia Tech
29. Jacksonville Jaguars-Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
30. Minnesota Vikings-Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
31. New England Patriots-Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
32. Baltimore Ravens-Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Two of the Top-10 and seven of the first round picks are signed. Pre-2011 CBA, those would be impressive totals for the middle of July.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
An Early Stab At The Vikings 53-Man Roster
It's a little early to do a 53-man roster projection. It's also May. It's the sort of thing that's done in May.
Quarterbacks
8 Kirk Cousins
3 Trevor Siemian
1 Kyle Sloter
Cuts: Peter Pujals
Running backs
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Latavius Murray
32 Roc Thomas
30 C.J. Ham-fullback
Cuts: Mack Brown, Mike Boone, Johnny Stanton-fullback
The competition for the third running back spot could be one of the most entertaining and interesting of training camp. That competition looks like it'll be centered around undrafted free agents Roc Thomas and Mike Boone.
Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
11 Laquon Treadwell
17 Kendall Wright
13 Stacy Coley
Cuts: Tavarres King, Cayleb Jones, Brandon Zylstra, Jeff Badet, Korey Robertson, Jake Weineke, Chad Beebe
Everything is wide open after the top four. The Vikings could go with six receivers but I'm holding that roster spot for another position group.
Tight ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
89 David Morgan
83 Tyler Conklin
Cuts: Blake Bell, Josiah Price, Tyler Hoppes
This biggest question at tight end is whether three or four will be on the roster.
Offensive line
71 Riley Reiff
62 Nick Easton
65 Pat Elflein
63 Danny Isidora
74 Mike Remmers
75 Brian O'Neill
69 Rashod Hill
79 Tom Compton
73 Colby Gossett
76 Aviante Collins
Cuts: Josh Andrews, Storm Norton, Cornelius Edison, Dieugeot Joseph, Cedrick Lang, Chris Gonzalez
The offensive line was much improved last year but it still has a long way to go. The good thing is that the Vikings finally have some depth. It wasn't all that long ago that the starting five were marginal NFL talents and the backups probably shouldn't be in the league. This year there is good competition. Especially at (right) guard.
Defensive line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Sheldon Richardson
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Brian Robison
94 Jaleel Johnson
60 Jalyn Holmes
91 Stephen Weatherly
90 Tashawn Bower
Cuts: Ifeadi Odenigbo, Ade Aruna, Dylan Bradley, Curtis Cothran, Jonathan Wynn
The defensive end depth competition should the running back competition as the most entertaining and interesting of training camp. It's definitely the most competitive.
Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
50 Eric Wilson
57 Devante Downs
51 Hercules Mata'afa
Cuts: Kentrell Brothers, Antwione Williams, Reshard Cliett, Garrett Dooley, Brett Taylor
I have a hard time putting Kentrell Brothers on the cut list. I have just as hard time leaving Hercules Mata'afa off the 53-man roster. While I like the talent of the linebackers that I have on the roster the tremendous lack of experience after Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks is frightening. Ben Gedeon and Eric Wilson are entering their second year in the league. Devante Downs and Mata'afa are rookies.
Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
23 Terence Newman
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
37 Holton Hill
Cuts: Marcus Sherels, Horace Richardson, Trevon Mathis, Craig James
The Vikings have never gone six deep at the corner position like this. It's brutal to not have Marcus Sherels on the roster.
Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
34 Andrew Sendejo
41 Anthony Harris
27 Jayron Kearse
Cuts: Jack Tocho, Tray Matthews
Kicker
7 Daniel Carlson
Cuts: Kai Forbath
Kai Forbath's stay with the Vikings was in jeopardy as soon as Daniel Carlson was selected in the fifth round.
Punter
4 Ryan Quigley
Long snapper
I am real glad that I'm trimming the Vikings roster only as an offseason exercise. The coaches will have some tough decisions to make.
Quarterbacks
8 Kirk Cousins
3 Trevor Siemian
1 Kyle Sloter
Cuts: Peter Pujals
Running backs
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Latavius Murray
32 Roc Thomas
30 C.J. Ham-fullback
Cuts: Mack Brown, Mike Boone, Johnny Stanton-fullback
The competition for the third running back spot could be one of the most entertaining and interesting of training camp. That competition looks like it'll be centered around undrafted free agents Roc Thomas and Mike Boone.
Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
11 Laquon Treadwell
17 Kendall Wright
13 Stacy Coley
Cuts: Tavarres King, Cayleb Jones, Brandon Zylstra, Jeff Badet, Korey Robertson, Jake Weineke, Chad Beebe
Everything is wide open after the top four. The Vikings could go with six receivers but I'm holding that roster spot for another position group.
Tight ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
89 David Morgan
83 Tyler Conklin
Cuts: Blake Bell, Josiah Price, Tyler Hoppes
This biggest question at tight end is whether three or four will be on the roster.
Offensive line
71 Riley Reiff
62 Nick Easton
65 Pat Elflein
63 Danny Isidora
74 Mike Remmers
75 Brian O'Neill
69 Rashod Hill
79 Tom Compton
73 Colby Gossett
76 Aviante Collins
Cuts: Josh Andrews, Storm Norton, Cornelius Edison, Dieugeot Joseph, Cedrick Lang, Chris Gonzalez
The offensive line was much improved last year but it still has a long way to go. The good thing is that the Vikings finally have some depth. It wasn't all that long ago that the starting five were marginal NFL talents and the backups probably shouldn't be in the league. This year there is good competition. Especially at (right) guard.
Defensive line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Sheldon Richardson
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Brian Robison
94 Jaleel Johnson
60 Jalyn Holmes
91 Stephen Weatherly
90 Tashawn Bower
Cuts: Ifeadi Odenigbo, Ade Aruna, Dylan Bradley, Curtis Cothran, Jonathan Wynn
The defensive end depth competition should the running back competition as the most entertaining and interesting of training camp. It's definitely the most competitive.
Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
50 Eric Wilson
57 Devante Downs
51 Hercules Mata'afa
Cuts: Kentrell Brothers, Antwione Williams, Reshard Cliett, Garrett Dooley, Brett Taylor
I have a hard time putting Kentrell Brothers on the cut list. I have just as hard time leaving Hercules Mata'afa off the 53-man roster. While I like the talent of the linebackers that I have on the roster the tremendous lack of experience after Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks is frightening. Ben Gedeon and Eric Wilson are entering their second year in the league. Devante Downs and Mata'afa are rookies.
Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
23 Terence Newman
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
37 Holton Hill
Cuts: Marcus Sherels, Horace Richardson, Trevon Mathis, Craig James
The Vikings have never gone six deep at the corner position like this. It's brutal to not have Marcus Sherels on the roster.
Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
34 Andrew Sendejo
41 Anthony Harris
27 Jayron Kearse
Cuts: Jack Tocho, Tray Matthews
Kicker
7 Daniel Carlson
Cuts: Kai Forbath
Kai Forbath's stay with the Vikings was in jeopardy as soon as Daniel Carlson was selected in the fifth round.
Punter
4 Ryan Quigley
Long snapper
47 Kevin McDermott
I am real glad that I'm trimming the Vikings roster only as an offseason exercise. The coaches will have some tough decisions to make.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
10 Thoughts
Here are 10 football thoughts that have been banging around my head recently.
1. CBS Sports went with a shaky clicker this week that read: "Five questions QB Kerry Collins must answer in his first season with the Vikings."
I don't know about the five questions for Collins but I do have one question for CBS. When did the Vikings sign Kerry Collins?
2. I've been reading Upton Bell's Present At The Creation: My Life in the NFL and the Rise of America's Game. Bell is the son of former NFL commissioner Bert Bell so he's been right there for nearly all of the league's history. The junior Bell had his own career in football as a scout for the Baltimore Colts, GM of the New England Patriots, and owner of a WFL team. It's a terrific, informative read and this comment by Bell on a transitioning 1970s NFL has stuck with me.
"The league was going from a football organization that does business, to a business organization that does football."
This is the very thing that has worried me about Roger Goodell's reign as commissioner. I hadn't thought of my concerns in such a precise manner but it's so obvious. Football has become an afterthought to the NFL's business. Expansion of the brand has become more important than the play on the field. Bell saw this transition taking shape in the 1970s and it truly set sail when Paul Tagliabue defeated Jim Finks in the commissioner vote to replace Pete Rozelle in 1989. Prior to Tagliabue, every President/Commissioner of the NFL had been a football man first. Finks would've continued that. Instead, a Washington lawyer in Tagliabue and a marketing executive in Goodell have led the league for the last thirty years. It's a damn shame.
3. The Minnesota Vikings signed Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata'afa as an undrafted free agent soon after the draft. He immediately became the most intrguing player on the Vikings roster. At about 6'2" and 250 lbs he won't be playing defensive tackle in the NFL. He probably shouldn't have been playing it in college but he wrecked game plans. It's likely that he went undrafted because teams had no clue as to where to play him. The Vikings currently list him as a linebacker. It's likely that he'll line up all over the front seven. He should also make a significant impact on all of the special teams units. I saw him play in college a few times and he was a blast to watch. Except when he played against Cal. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Vikings coaches have in mind for him.
4. When LeBron James mentioned recently that he takes breathers while the game continues around him, the media and fans barely noticed. For the past two decades Randy Moss has been roasted for his "I play when I want to play" comment. In his Hall of Fame bid earlier this year it was the one repeated criticism of his career. For most it was the only criticism of his career. At least it wasn't enough to keep Moss out of Canton in his first year of eligibility.
5. I still can't believe that Kirk Cousins is the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.
6. After the Vikings selected Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson in the fifth round beat writer/controversy-seeker Chris Tomasson was immediately on the phone with incumbent kicker Kai Forbath. Tomasson was quick to mention on social media that Forbath hung up on him. Vikings coaches and players hate talking to Tomasson during the best of times. I've been thinking about this sort of poor timing quite a bit recently. The media has spent days hashing, rehashing, and hashing again Ben Roethlisberger's thoughts on the Steelers drafting of his possible/eventual heir in Mason Rudolph in the third round. No player wants to have their playing mortality thrust into their face. Especially right after their employer has hired their possible successor. What's wrong with giving the player some time? Is creating that drama more important than some decent courtesy? Stupid question.
7. During this time of the year it's easy to point to the rookie wage slotting as the best thing to come out of the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement. There's really nothing to negotiate so the rookie contract agreements are a breeze. The Vikings had seven of their eight draft picks signed before the draft was a week in the past. First round cornerback Mike Hughes is the only unsigned draft pick. The agents for first round picks can always find something to haggle over (usually the offset language). Pre-2011, we saw negotiations with rookies often starting in July. Now, nearly every draft pick is signed before July. It's beautiful.
8. Hercules Mata'afa might be the most intriguing player in Vikings training camp. The most intriguing training camp competition might be the battle for the third running back job. That battle might come down to two undrafted players. Mike Boone and Roc Thomas.
More from Upton Bell.
9. In his book, Bell ranked his Top 10 quarterbacks in league history.
1. Johnny Unitas
2. Tom Brady
3. Dan Marino
4. John Elway
5. Joe Montana
6. Otto Graham
7. Peyton Manning
8. Sammy Baugh
9. Roger Staubach
10. Terry Bradshaw (with Aaron Rodgers closing in fast on the top ten)
Lists like this are obviously one opinion, or a collection of opinions. These lists are supposed to be fun but they often stoke fury. I like seeing these lists from someone like Upton Bell. As a scout, personnel director, and general manager it was his job to judge and give opinions on football talent. He's seen more than most and he knows more than most. Bell added that when he ranks quarterbacks he thinks like a scout and looks at them like a personnel director. Will this quarterback make my team better? Will he help my team win a title? That's a little different than someone that bases their opinions solely on numbers.
I found it funny that Bell felt like he had to defend his inclusion of Otto Graham. Anybody that understands what Graham did in his incredible 10-year career doesn't need to have his inclusion as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play explained. 10 Championship games in 10 years with seven wins. No quarterback has done anything like that.
It's real clear after reading Bell's chapter on the quarterbacks that he has Unitas and Brady and then everybody else.
10. Bell's Best Coaches
1. Paul Brown
2. Don Shula
3. Bill Belichick
4. Bill Walsh
5. Vince Lombardi
6. Chuck Noll
7. Tom Landry
8. George Halas
9. Joe Gibbs
10. Tie-Bill Parcells and Curly Lambeau
And those are ten of my football thoughts on this Saturday in early May.
1. CBS Sports went with a shaky clicker this week that read: "Five questions QB Kerry Collins must answer in his first season with the Vikings."
I don't know about the five questions for Collins but I do have one question for CBS. When did the Vikings sign Kerry Collins?
2. I've been reading Upton Bell's Present At The Creation: My Life in the NFL and the Rise of America's Game. Bell is the son of former NFL commissioner Bert Bell so he's been right there for nearly all of the league's history. The junior Bell had his own career in football as a scout for the Baltimore Colts, GM of the New England Patriots, and owner of a WFL team. It's a terrific, informative read and this comment by Bell on a transitioning 1970s NFL has stuck with me.
"The league was going from a football organization that does business, to a business organization that does football."
This is the very thing that has worried me about Roger Goodell's reign as commissioner. I hadn't thought of my concerns in such a precise manner but it's so obvious. Football has become an afterthought to the NFL's business. Expansion of the brand has become more important than the play on the field. Bell saw this transition taking shape in the 1970s and it truly set sail when Paul Tagliabue defeated Jim Finks in the commissioner vote to replace Pete Rozelle in 1989. Prior to Tagliabue, every President/Commissioner of the NFL had been a football man first. Finks would've continued that. Instead, a Washington lawyer in Tagliabue and a marketing executive in Goodell have led the league for the last thirty years. It's a damn shame.
3. The Minnesota Vikings signed Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata'afa as an undrafted free agent soon after the draft. He immediately became the most intrguing player on the Vikings roster. At about 6'2" and 250 lbs he won't be playing defensive tackle in the NFL. He probably shouldn't have been playing it in college but he wrecked game plans. It's likely that he went undrafted because teams had no clue as to where to play him. The Vikings currently list him as a linebacker. It's likely that he'll line up all over the front seven. He should also make a significant impact on all of the special teams units. I saw him play in college a few times and he was a blast to watch. Except when he played against Cal. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Vikings coaches have in mind for him.
4. When LeBron James mentioned recently that he takes breathers while the game continues around him, the media and fans barely noticed. For the past two decades Randy Moss has been roasted for his "I play when I want to play" comment. In his Hall of Fame bid earlier this year it was the one repeated criticism of his career. For most it was the only criticism of his career. At least it wasn't enough to keep Moss out of Canton in his first year of eligibility.
5. I still can't believe that Kirk Cousins is the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.
6. After the Vikings selected Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson in the fifth round beat writer/controversy-seeker Chris Tomasson was immediately on the phone with incumbent kicker Kai Forbath. Tomasson was quick to mention on social media that Forbath hung up on him. Vikings coaches and players hate talking to Tomasson during the best of times. I've been thinking about this sort of poor timing quite a bit recently. The media has spent days hashing, rehashing, and hashing again Ben Roethlisberger's thoughts on the Steelers drafting of his possible/eventual heir in Mason Rudolph in the third round. No player wants to have their playing mortality thrust into their face. Especially right after their employer has hired their possible successor. What's wrong with giving the player some time? Is creating that drama more important than some decent courtesy? Stupid question.
7. During this time of the year it's easy to point to the rookie wage slotting as the best thing to come out of the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement. There's really nothing to negotiate so the rookie contract agreements are a breeze. The Vikings had seven of their eight draft picks signed before the draft was a week in the past. First round cornerback Mike Hughes is the only unsigned draft pick. The agents for first round picks can always find something to haggle over (usually the offset language). Pre-2011, we saw negotiations with rookies often starting in July. Now, nearly every draft pick is signed before July. It's beautiful.
8. Hercules Mata'afa might be the most intriguing player in Vikings training camp. The most intriguing training camp competition might be the battle for the third running back job. That battle might come down to two undrafted players. Mike Boone and Roc Thomas.
More from Upton Bell.
9. In his book, Bell ranked his Top 10 quarterbacks in league history.
1. Johnny Unitas
2. Tom Brady
3. Dan Marino
4. John Elway
5. Joe Montana
6. Otto Graham
7. Peyton Manning
8. Sammy Baugh
9. Roger Staubach
10. Terry Bradshaw (with Aaron Rodgers closing in fast on the top ten)
Lists like this are obviously one opinion, or a collection of opinions. These lists are supposed to be fun but they often stoke fury. I like seeing these lists from someone like Upton Bell. As a scout, personnel director, and general manager it was his job to judge and give opinions on football talent. He's seen more than most and he knows more than most. Bell added that when he ranks quarterbacks he thinks like a scout and looks at them like a personnel director. Will this quarterback make my team better? Will he help my team win a title? That's a little different than someone that bases their opinions solely on numbers.
I found it funny that Bell felt like he had to defend his inclusion of Otto Graham. Anybody that understands what Graham did in his incredible 10-year career doesn't need to have his inclusion as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play explained. 10 Championship games in 10 years with seven wins. No quarterback has done anything like that.
It's real clear after reading Bell's chapter on the quarterbacks that he has Unitas and Brady and then everybody else.
10. Bell's Best Coaches
1. Paul Brown
2. Don Shula
3. Bill Belichick
4. Bill Walsh
5. Vince Lombardi
6. Chuck Noll
7. Tom Landry
8. George Halas
9. Joe Gibbs
10. Tie-Bill Parcells and Curly Lambeau
And those are ten of my football thoughts on this Saturday in early May.
Friday, May 11, 2018
Post Draft Minnesota Vikings Roster
With the 2018 NFL Draft, undrafted free agent signings, and rookie tryouts in the past the Minnesota Vikings roster, by my count, sits at 90 players.
Quarterbacks
8 Kirk Cousins
3 Trevor Siemian
1 Kyle Sloter
6 Peter Pujals
Running backs
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Latavius Murray
30 C.J. Ham-fullback
31 Mack Brown
32 Roc Thomas
48 Johnny Stanton-fullback
44 Mike Boone
Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
11 Laquon Treadwell
17 Kendall Wright
13 Stacy Coley
12 Tavarres King
85 Jeff Badet
18 Korey Robertson
9 Jake Weineke
84 Chad Beebe
Tight ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
89 David Morgan
83 Tyler Conklin
81 Blake Bell
87 Josiah Price
86 Tyler Hoppes
Offensive line
71 Riley Reiff
62 Nick Easton
65 Pat Elflein
63 Danny Isidora
74 Mike Remmers
75 Brian O'Neill
69 Rashod Hill
79 Tom Compton
73 Colby Gossett
76 Aviante Collins
64 Josh Andrews
72 Storm Norton
67 Cornelius Edison
Defensive line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Sheldon Richardson
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Brian Robison
94 Jaleel Johnson
60 Jalyn Holmes
91 Stephen Weatherly
90 Tashawn Bower
95 Ifeadi Odenigbo
61 Ade Aruna
92 Dylan Bradley
72 Curtis Cothran
78 Jonathan Wynn
Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
40 Kentrell Brothers
50 Eric Wilson
57 Devante Downs
51 Hercules Mata'afa
56 Antwione Williams
43 Reshard Cliett
58 Garrett Dooley
45 Brett Taylor
Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
23 Terence Newman
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
37 Holton Hill
35 Marcus Sherels
24 Horace Richardson
46 Trevon Mathis
36 Craig James
Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
34 Andrew Sendejo
41 Anthony Harris
27 Jayron Kearse
39 Jack Tocho
38 Tray Matthews
Kicker
7 Daniel Carlson
2 Kai Forbath
Punter
4 Ryan Quigley
Long snapper
47 Kevin McDermott
Quarterbacks
8 Kirk Cousins
3 Trevor Siemian
1 Kyle Sloter
6 Peter Pujals
Running backs
33 Dalvin Cook
25 Latavius Murray
30 C.J. Ham-fullback
31 Mack Brown
32 Roc Thomas
48 Johnny Stanton-fullback
44 Mike Boone
Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
19 Adam Thielen
11 Laquon Treadwell
17 Kendall Wright
13 Stacy Coley
12 Tavarres King
16 Cayleb Jones
15 Brandon Zylstra85 Jeff Badet
18 Korey Robertson
9 Jake Weineke
84 Chad Beebe
Tight ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
89 David Morgan
83 Tyler Conklin
81 Blake Bell
87 Josiah Price
86 Tyler Hoppes
Offensive line
71 Riley Reiff
62 Nick Easton
65 Pat Elflein
63 Danny Isidora
74 Mike Remmers
75 Brian O'Neill
69 Rashod Hill
79 Tom Compton
73 Colby Gossett
76 Aviante Collins
64 Josh Andrews
72 Storm Norton
67 Cornelius Edison
78 Dieugot Joseph
68 Cedrick Lang
59 Chris Gonzalez
68 Cedrick Lang
59 Chris Gonzalez
Defensive line
97 Everson Griffen
93 Sheldon Richardson
98 Linval Joseph
99 Danielle Hunter
96 Brian Robison
94 Jaleel Johnson
60 Jalyn Holmes
91 Stephen Weatherly
90 Tashawn Bower
95 Ifeadi Odenigbo
61 Ade Aruna
92 Dylan Bradley
72 Curtis Cothran
78 Jonathan Wynn
Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
42 Ben Gedeon
40 Kentrell Brothers
50 Eric Wilson
57 Devante Downs
51 Hercules Mata'afa
56 Antwione Williams
43 Reshard Cliett
58 Garrett Dooley
45 Brett Taylor
Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
23 Terence Newman
20 Mackensie Alexander
21 Mike Hughes
37 Holton Hill
35 Marcus Sherels
24 Horace Richardson
46 Trevon Mathis
36 Craig James
Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
34 Andrew Sendejo
41 Anthony Harris
27 Jayron Kearse
39 Jack Tocho
38 Tray Matthews
Kicker
7 Daniel Carlson
2 Kai Forbath
Punter
4 Ryan Quigley
Long snapper
47 Kevin McDermott
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Throwback Thursday: Then And Now
The evolution of an NFL team's roster has always fascinated me. When I started following the Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s their roster, and the rosters of most teams, didn't changed much from year to year. In this era of free agency and a need for immediate returns a roster can change drastically in a single year. It might be better to look at last year's Vikings lineup compared to this year's lineup (I'm sure that I'll doing that in the coming months) but I was recently thinking about the changes that have taken place since Mike Zimmer became the head coach in 2014. Here's a comparison of the 2014 Vikings starters to the expected 2018 starters. Then and now.
2014
Offense
Defense
2014 was the year that Roger Goodell took from Adrian Peterson. He started the opener and that was it. The Vikings ground game was carried by Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon the rest of the way. It was also the year that an early-season injury to quarterback Matt Cassel opened the door for rookie Teddy Bridgewater. At least on offense, there were some things didn't go as planned in 2014.
2018
Offense
Defense
Only Kyle Rudolph remains on offense. Adam Thielen was on the roster but he was just beginning his climb up the roster. Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Anthony Barr, Xavier Rhodes, and Harrison Smith are the heart of the current defense and have been with Zimmer from the beginning. Joseph and Barr came in with their coach. Griffen, Rhodes, and Smith were happily inherited.
Four seasons have passed since Zimmer kicked off his Vikings career. It probably takes a few seasons, more accurately a few offseasons, for a new head coach to get something close to the team that he wants. Zimmer might finally be getting close to that team, the defense in particular. Four seasons is an NFL career for the majority of the players trying to make it. Nearly every NFL team changes considerably over four years. Especially if a coaching change is involved. It can be fun and interesting to look back at the evolution of a team. What's changed and what's stayed the same.
2014
Offense
| WR | Greg Jennings |
| TE | Kyle Rudolph |
| LT | Matt Kalil |
| LG | Charlie Johnson |
| C | John Sullivan |
| RG | Joe Berger |
| RT | Phil Loadholt |
| TE | Rhett Ellison |
| WR | Jarius Wright |
| QB | Matt Cassel |
| RB | Adrian Peterson |
Defense
| DE | Everson Griffen |
| DT | Sharrif Floyd |
| DT | Linval Joseph |
| DE | Brian Robison |
| LB | Chad Greenway |
| LB | Jasper Brinkley |
| LB | Anthony Barr |
| CB | Xavier Rhodes |
| CB | Captain Munnerlyn |
| S | Harrison Smith |
| S | Robert Blanton |
2014 was the year that Roger Goodell took from Adrian Peterson. He started the opener and that was it. The Vikings ground game was carried by Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon the rest of the way. It was also the year that an early-season injury to quarterback Matt Cassel opened the door for rookie Teddy Bridgewater. At least on offense, there were some things didn't go as planned in 2014.
2018
Offense
| WR | Stefon Diggs |
| TE | Kyle Rudolph |
| LT | Riley Reiff |
| LG | Nick Easton |
| C | Pat Elflein |
| RG | Danny Isidora |
| RT | Mike Remmers |
| WR | Adam Thielen |
| QB | Kirk Cousins |
| RB | Dalvin Cook |
| FB | C.J. Ham |
Defense
| DE | Everson Griffen |
| DT | Sheldon Richardson |
| DT | Linval Joseph |
| DE | Danielle Hunter |
| LB | Ben Gedeon |
| LB | Eric Kendricks |
| LB | Anthony Barr |
| CB | Xavier Rhodes |
| CB | Trae Waynes |
| S | Harrison Smith |
| S | Andrew Sendejo |
Only Kyle Rudolph remains on offense. Adam Thielen was on the roster but he was just beginning his climb up the roster. Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Anthony Barr, Xavier Rhodes, and Harrison Smith are the heart of the current defense and have been with Zimmer from the beginning. Joseph and Barr came in with their coach. Griffen, Rhodes, and Smith were happily inherited.
Four seasons have passed since Zimmer kicked off his Vikings career. It probably takes a few seasons, more accurately a few offseasons, for a new head coach to get something close to the team that he wants. Zimmer might finally be getting close to that team, the defense in particular. Four seasons is an NFL career for the majority of the players trying to make it. Nearly every NFL team changes considerably over four years. Especially if a coaching change is involved. It can be fun and interesting to look back at the evolution of a team. What's changed and what's stayed the same.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
NFL's Top 100 Players: 80-71
NFL Network released the next block of ten players that make up their list of the Top 100 Players of 2018. Here are those ranked from 80-71.
80. Kevin Byard, S, Tennessee Titans
79. Marcus Peters, CB, Los Angeles Rams
78. Taylor Lewan, OT, Tennessee Titans
77. Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, New York Giants
76. Melvin Ingram, DE, Los Angeles Chargers
75. Kam Chancellor, S, Seattle Seahawks
74. Cameron Wake, DE, Miami Dolphins
73. Thomas Davis, LB, Carolina Panthers
72. Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans
71. Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
It was a big week for the Titans.
First time appearances:
Kevin Byard
Melvin Ingram
It's a bit of a shock that Ingram is new to the Top 100. I would've guessed that his first 10.5 sack season had put him on the list.
Through the first thirty players revealed, 11 have made the list for the first time. That feels like a youth movement. The old guys aren't just drifting away. Cameron Wake, Thomas Davis, and Delanie Walker are 36, 35, and 33 respectively.
Marcus Peters has played three seasons in the league. This is his third appearance among the Top 100. He also joins four players from last week's reveal as Top 100 players on new teams in 2018. Although Jimmy Garoppolo, one of the four from last week, switched teams during the 2017 season. That's significant movement among the most talented players in the game.
Zack Martin was ranked #58 last year. He should be moving up this list. Not down.
In the eight years of the NFL's Top 100 list no player has been "bleeped" more than Taylor Lewan was during his own segment this week.
Next week: 70-61!
80. Kevin Byard, S, Tennessee Titans
79. Marcus Peters, CB, Los Angeles Rams
78. Taylor Lewan, OT, Tennessee Titans
77. Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, New York Giants
76. Melvin Ingram, DE, Los Angeles Chargers
75. Kam Chancellor, S, Seattle Seahawks
74. Cameron Wake, DE, Miami Dolphins
73. Thomas Davis, LB, Carolina Panthers
72. Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans
71. Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
It was a big week for the Titans.
First time appearances:
Kevin Byard
Melvin Ingram
It's a bit of a shock that Ingram is new to the Top 100. I would've guessed that his first 10.5 sack season had put him on the list.
Through the first thirty players revealed, 11 have made the list for the first time. That feels like a youth movement. The old guys aren't just drifting away. Cameron Wake, Thomas Davis, and Delanie Walker are 36, 35, and 33 respectively.
Marcus Peters has played three seasons in the league. This is his third appearance among the Top 100. He also joins four players from last week's reveal as Top 100 players on new teams in 2018. Although Jimmy Garoppolo, one of the four from last week, switched teams during the 2017 season. That's significant movement among the most talented players in the game.
Zack Martin was ranked #58 last year. He should be moving up this list. Not down.
In the eight years of the NFL's Top 100 list no player has been "bleeped" more than Taylor Lewan was during his own segment this week.
Next week: 70-61!
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