2020 Flea Flicker All-Rookie Team

I’m probably picking an All-Rookie Team simply because the Minnesota Vikings had the league’s best rookie. Justin Jefferson. 

2020 All-Rookie Team

Offense

WR  Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

 TE   Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

 OT  Mekhi Becton, New York Jets

  G    Michael Onwenu, New England Patriots

  C    Lloyd Cushenberry, Denver Broncos

  G    Jonah Jackson, Detroit Lions

 OT  Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR  Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers

 QB  Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

 RB  Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

 RB  Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

Defense

DE  Chase Young, Washington Football Team

DT  Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers

DT  Javon Kinlaw, San Francisco 49ers

DE  D.J. Wonnum, Minnesota Vikings

LB  Kenneth Murray, Los Angeles Chargers

LB  Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens

LB  Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers (S)

CB  Cam Dantzler, Minnesota Vikings

CB  Jeff Gladney, Minnesota Vikings

   S  Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

   S  Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts

Special Teams

  K  Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills

  P   Tommy Tonsend, Kansas City Chiefs

KR  Isaiah Rodgers, Indianapolis Colts 

PR   James Proche, Baltimore Ravens

***

Four Vikings might be a little homer-ish but it’s my rookie team. Jeff Gladney and Cam Dantzler played well as rookies. There came a time this season when I was more comfortable with them being on the field than I ever was last season with Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. D.J. Wonnum played well until he may/may not have hit a “rookie wall” the final weeks of the season. With or without purple shades, he impressed me more than any other rookie edge rusher not named Chase Young. 

Throwback Thursday: All-Time Minnesota Vikings All-Rookie Team

The Minnesota Vikings made a record 15 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite it being a hacked-up run-up to a hacked-up season several rookies either earned significant playing time or were forced into it. Three of those rookies, one in particular, quickly proved that they belong. Here’s a look at some of the best rookies in Minnesota Vikings franchise history.

Quarterback
Fran Tarkenton-1961

Fran Tarkenton got his rookie season rolling early when he led the Vikings to a win over the Chicago Bears in the first game in franchise history. He's in the Hall of Fame and an easy choice here. Christian Ponder and Teddy Bridgewater are the only other quarterbacks to play significant roles as rookies. So, Tarkenton easily takes it.

Running backs
Adrian Peterson-2007
Chuck Foreman-1973

Easy choices. Each took home rookie of the year awards. Each was an immediate difference-maker.

Receivers
Randy Moss-1998
Justin Jefferson-2020

Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson each had one of the best rookie receiver seasons in NFL history. Randy Moss scored an NFL rookie record 17 touchdowns. Jefferson’s 1,400 receiving yards is only topped by the 1,473 yards posted by Bill Groman in the first season of the AFL. Randy Moss was a runaway rookie of the year choice. Justin Jefferson should be.

Tight end
Joe Senser-1980

Joe Senser's 4-year career was way too short but it started well. 42 catches and 7 TDs.

Tackles
Gary Zimmerman-1986
Korey Stringer-1995

Ron Yary probably would've made this team if it wasn't for Bud Grant's "rookies aren't ready to start" philosophy. Gary Zimmerman was great. So was Korey Stringer. His life and career ended way too soon. Zimmerman played two seasons in the USFL before he became an NFL rookie so he was a "seasoned" rookie.

Guards
Randall McDaniel-1988
Marcus Johnson-2005

Randall McDaniel is an automatic choice. Marcus Johnson takes the other spot by default as he's the only other guard in Vikings history to play a significant role as a rookie. Ed White would probably get the nod if Bud Grant started rookies.

Center 
Mick Tingelhoff-1962

Tingelhoff started every game in his 17-year Hall of Fame career. That streak started with his rookie season.

Defensive ends
Carl Eller-1964
Danielle Hunter-2015

Carl Eller is an easy choice. Danielle Hunter's 6-sack debut season earned him the other end spot. Chris Doleman would probably be paired with Eller if he hadn't started his NFL career as an outside linebacker.

Defensive tackles
Alan Page-1967
Keith Millard-1985

Alan Page is an automatic choice. Even Bud Grant couldn't keep Page on the bench as a rookie. Keith Millard was an immediate force in the middle of the Vikings line. 11 sacks as a rookie. Like Gary Zimmerman, Millard wasn't a raw NFL rookie after a short stint in the USFL.

Linebackers
Anthony Barr-2014
Eric Kendricks-2015
Matt Blair-1974

Anthony Barr has been an impact playmaker since his rookie season. Eric Kendricks edges out Jeff Siemon. It took about a month for Kendricks to force his way into the starting lineup. With each game he gets better at this job. Matt Blair played his way into the starting lineup as a rookie and became a defensive cornerstone.

Cornerbacks
Jeff Gladney-2020
Cameron Dantzler-2020

Rookie cornerbacks don’t jump right into a Mike Zimmer defense. It takes a while for them to learn the nuances of the techniques and schemes. Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney were forced to learn on the run. Injuries kept Dantzler from starting every game. Gladney started 15 games. There were bumps along the way but both look like they’ll be defensive cornerstones for a while. 

Safeties
Joey Browner-1983
Harrison Smith-2012

Joey Browner and Harrison Smith are two of the best safeties in Vikings franchise history. Browner gets the nod despite not starting a single game at safety as a rookie. He was a dynamo on special teams. Smith was a defensive force from the start.

Kicker
Blair Walsh

Blair Walsh's best season was his first season. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Punter
Bobby Walden-1964

Bobby Walden led the NFL in punting as a rookie.

Returner

Cordarrelle Patterson-2013

Cordarrelle Patterson edges Percy Harvin. Patterson was All-Pro as a rookie and has been the league’s best kick returner ever since. 

Minnesota Vikings’ Mock Draft

Chad Graff and Dane Bugler of the Athletic recently got together for a guess at each of the ten picks that the Minnesota Vikings currently hold in the 2021 NFL Draft. I like Graff’s coverage of the Vikings and I like Bugler’s coverage of the draft. Here are Bugler’s very early guesses at the Vikings’ 10 picks.

1. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (6-7, 265)

It’s early but Gregory Rousseau is currently “the pick” for me if it isn’t an offensive lineman. He hasn’t played defensive end long. He was a receiver in high school and he opted out this year as a redshirt sophomore. When Mike Zimmer dreams of a defensive end he’s probably dreaming of Rousseau. He’s ridiculously skilled with ridiculous size. 

3a. Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee (6-5, 335)

I can’t imagine the Vikings sitting out the second round. I’m certain that Rick Spielman will either trade down in the first and add a second round pick or trade into the second round with the extra picks that he has in the third and the fourth. The former is probably the most likely. As the picks stand now, offensive line should be the pick and Trey Smith is a very good player to pick. Depending on what they do with Riley Reiff, the Vikings may need as many as two guards. 

3b. Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh (6-2, 290)

Jaylen Twyman is one of the most intriguing players in the draft for me. Improving the play at three-technique is right there with offensive line as the Vikings’ greatest need. Alabama’s Christian Barmore is probably considered the best defensive tackle in this draft. He has ideal size and a real knack for messing things up in the offensive backfield. Twyman might be rated right with Barmore if he hadn’t opted out this year. 

It’s too early in the draft process for me to know much about the players that Bugler mocked for the Vikings in the later rounds. 

4a. Tyler Gillespie, FS, Missouri (6-0, 210)

4b. Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan (6-0, 185)

4c. Garrett Wallow, LB, TCU (6-2, 226)

5a. Josh Ball, OT, Marshall (6-8, 305)

5b. D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan (5-9, 184)

6. Even McPherson, PK, Florida (5-11, 185)

7.  Feleipe Franks, QB, Arkansas (6-6, 236)

I like what I’ve read on Tyler Gillespie and D’Wayne Eskridge. They have become players to watch.

One thing that truly stood out among the players that Bugler mocked to the Vikings is the height of some of the players. 

-a 6’7” defensive end

-a 6’5” guard

-a 6’8” tackle

-a 6’6” quarterback

Draft season has started.  

College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021

The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced yesterday the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021. The Class, including 11 First Team All-America players and two coaches, will be officially inducted during the 63rd NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 7. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the global pandemic so the Hall of Fame Classes of 2020 and 2021 will be inducted together in a jumbo induction celebration. 

College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021

Players:

Harris Barton-OT, North Carolina (1983-86)

David Fulcher-DB, Arizona State (1983-85)

Dan Morgan-LB, Miami (FL) (1997-2000)

Carson Palmer-QB, USC (1998-2002)

Tony Romo-QB, Eastern Illinois (1999-2002)

Kenneth Sims-DT, Texas (1978-81)

C.J. Spiller-RB/KR, Clemson (2006-09)

Darren Sproles-RB, Kansas State (2001-04)

Aaron Taylor-OT, Notre Dame (1990-93)

Andre Tippett-DE, Iowa (1979-81)

Al Wilson-LB, Tennessee (1995-98)

Coaches:

Rudy Hubbard-83-48-3 (63.1%); Florida A&M (1974-85)

Bob Stoops-190-48-0 (79.8%); Oklahoma (1999-2016)

Congratulations to the new College Hall of Famers.

Some Class notes from the National Football Foundation press release:

Players:

1 NFF National Scholar-Athlete (Barton)

1 Heisman Trophy winner (Palmer)

4 Unanimous First Team All-Americans (Morgan, Sims, Spiller, Taylor)

6 Consensus First Team All-Americans (Fulcher (2), Palmer, Sims, Taylor, Tippett, Wilson)

3 multi-year First Team All-Americans (Fulcher (2), Sims (2), Taylor (2))

5 winners of college football major awards:

Morgan-Butkus, Badnarik, Nagurski

Palmer-Heisman

Romo-Walter Payton

Sims-Lombardi

Taylor-Lombardi

1 member of a national championship (Wilson)

5 conference players of the year (Barton, Morgan, Palmer, Romo (3), Spiller)

7 first-round NFL Draft picks (Barton, Morgan, Palmer, Sims, Spiller, Taylor, Wilson)

1 school with it’s first-ever Hall of Fame player (Eastern Illinois-Romo)

Coaches:

2 national championships (Hubbard (1), Stoops (1))

Most wins in school history (Stoops)

8 national coach of the year honors

Wild Card Thoughts

The NFL packed six games into Wild Card weekend. Here are some thoughts on those games.

Indianapolis Colts-Buffalo Bills

1. A couple coaching decisions by Colts head coach Frank Reich may have been the difference in this game. In the middle of the second quarter, the Colts had a fourth-and-goal from the 2. Reich chose to go for the touchdown rather than the chip-shot field goal. The Colts didn’t get that touchdown. After a Colts touchdown early in the fourth quarter cut the Bills lead to eight points, Reich chose to go for a two-point conversion. The Colts didn’t get that two-point conversion. Those decisions took four potential points off the board in a game that the Bills won by three points. For what it’s worth, I liked the fourth down decision at the time. I didn’t like the decision to go for two. 

2. It might simply be due to pregame expectations but the Colts impressed me more than the Bills. The Colts controlled this game. They held the ball much longer and moved the ball and chains more consistently. They had a single unproductive possession. The Bills had three three-and-outs. If the Colts finished drives they’re probably rolling into the Divisional Round. On two drives, the Colts held the ball for 11:55, ran 22 plays, gained 115 yards. They drove to the Bills’ 1-yard line on the first and the 15-yard line on the second. They scored no points. 

Los Angeles Rams-Seattle Seahawks

1. Isn’t it amazing that even a supposedly elite quarterback can look pedestrian when he’s constantly harassed in the pocket. Russell Wilson looked pedestrian and he’s supposed to be elite. These talking heads should remember that when they bash quarterbacks that play behind pedestrian, at best, offensive lines. Um, Kirk Cousins comes to mind. 

2. Many talking heads were damn near ready to hand the MVP award to Wilson in September. It’s good that they wait for the season to end before they decide such things. 

3. Some viewers probably considered this game a tough watch. I like defensive games. This was a good defensive game. The Rams defense was excellent and they were forced to do a lot of it without Aaron Donald. Russell Wilson was often running for his life. 

4. I sure do like seeing the Seattle Seahawks lose. That team and fan base with a name pilfered from another always feels so entitled. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Washiington

1. This was supposed to be an easy game for the Buccaneers. Washington didn’t make it easy. Taylor Heinicke played great. 

2. There was a time when I thought that Heinicke had a chance to be the Vikings quarterback. Or at least compete for the job. Then he put his foot through a window a couple days before the start of training camp. It cost him a season and he just wasn’t the same. Maybe his quarterbacking window is open again. 

3. I like Tony Dungy as a broadcaster. I like Tony Dungy in general so it’s hardly a surprise that I like him as a broadcaster.

Baltimore Ravens-Tennessee Titans

1. Lamar Jackson finally wins a playoff game. Why was that such a steaming narrative? Winning in the playoffs is supposed to be a difficult thing. Despite winning an MVP award last season, Jackson is just getting started on his career. It’s a team game and he’s a big reason that the Ravens are playing in the second round in consecutive years. 

2. Lamar Jackson sure is a fun player. 

3. Perhaps a key development for the Ravens moving forward was the production of receiver Marquise Brown. The Ravens needed that from him all season. 

4. This game was complete in less than 3 hours. Blink during a Ravens-Titans game and you might miss an entire quarter. 

5. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel might spend the entire offseason thinking about his decision to punt on 4th-and-2 from the Ravens 40 with 10 minutes to play in the 4th quarter. His team was down 17-13. They have Derrick Henry. Far more often than not he can just lean into the line and gain three yards. If there was a turning point in this game that decision might’ve been it. 

Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints

1. It felt like the telecast of the game on Nickelodeon got more attention than the game itself.

2. Perhaps the Bears would’ve been more competitive on offense if Javon Wims hadn’t seen a pass drop through his hands. Actually, Wims never saw the pass drop through his hands because he didn’t see the ball into his hands. It’s the first rule of pass catching. Look the ball into your hands. It was a sure touchdown if Wims had done the one thing that a receiver has to do. The 40-yard yard toss was probably the best of the game for Mitchell Trubisky. Catch it and the game is tied 7-7 late in the first quarter. Maybe it’s a different game. Maybe not. 

3. It was good to see Michael Thomas playing football again. 

Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Congratulations Cleveland. It’s been a while. 

2. Another decision to punt on fourth-and-short in the fourth quarter. I thought this was the playoffs. A win-and-go-home affair. Why were a couple coaches (Mike Vrabel and Mike Tomlin) so passive?

Congratulations to the four teams moving on to the Divisional Round. 

One other football thought:

There’s always idiotic trade speculation in professional sports. This Deshaun Watson trade speculation is among the most idiotic. To quote Texans beat writer John McLain, “It’s not happening!” Even giving it a fraction of a second of thought is a waste of time. 

Minnesota Vikings Post-Season Bookkeeping

The Minnesota Vikings’ season ended early. Again. No playoff fun. There’s no real down time in the NFL. There’s always a next game. Without the playoffs, it’s on to the 2021 season for the Vikings and they’ve done some things since they played their final game. That was only a week ago.

The 2021 to-do list started with the signing of players that finished the 2020 season on the practice squad to future/reserve contracts.

Zack Bailey, OL

Jake Bargas, FB

Blake Brandel, OT

Jake Browning, QB

Brandon Dillon, TE

Tae Hayes, CB

Luther Kirk, S

Nate Stanley, QB

Cordrea Tankersley, CB

Despite knowing better, I annually pause a bit when I see these future/reserve signings include players that  were just drafted. Weren’t they just signed to multi-year rookie deals? They were but they were released from those contracts before they were added to the practice squad. So, 2021 draftees Blake Brandel and Nate Stanley had to be re-signed. 

Before the start of the new league year on March 17, and resulting free agency, the Vikings will be forced to make some tough/interesting roster decisions due to significant salary cap issues. Until then, the most significant team moves will involve the coaches. That starts with the offensive coordinator. Gary Kubiak revealed last week that he’s contemplating his NFL future. He’s spent four decades in the league as a player and coach. He’s had some serious health issues. He may decide that he’s done. Then again, he may decide that he’s not done. Despite not being in the loop, my guess is that it’s 50-50. The reports that he’s done were premature. My primary preference is for Kubiak to return as offensive coordinator. My secondary preference is for him to return to the adviser role that he had in 2019 while Kevin Stefanski coordinated the offense and called the plays. Kubiak really seemed to enjoy that remove from the gameday stress and responsibilities. That year and that role may have renewed his passion for the game. I’d like to see him advise new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in his first year as an offensive coordinator. If Gary Kubiak does retire, his son is at the top of my list to replace him. 

While Gary Kubiak decides his coaching future, the Vikings did make some decisions on some other coaches. The following did not have their contracts renewed:

Marwan Maalouf, Special Teams Coordinator

Mark Uyeyama, Director of Competition Development

Don Capers, Senior Defensive Assistant

The Vikings’ special teams were horrible. Changes had to be made. A lot of the problems were with execution. That isn’t necessarily on the coaches. A lot of the problems were blindingly stupid mistakes. That does reflect coaching. A change had to be made. I believe that current assistant special teams coach Ryan Ficken deserves a shot at the job. I’ve seen Brayden Coombs mentioned as a possibility. He has a Cincinnati Bengals connection with Mike Zimmer. Perhaps former Vikings receiver coach George Stewart returns to Minnesota. However, his Chargers’ special teams may have been worse than the Vikings.

I always thought of Mark Uyeyama as the head strength and conditioning coach. Director of Competition Development feels like a ridiculously descriptive term for strength and conditioning coach. Whenever a person with strength and conditioning responsibilities is let go it seems to come after a season of injuries. The Vikings had a load of injuries this season. 

That Senior Defensive Assistant position was created for Dom Capers. That position probably leaves with him. 

So, here we are. With no playoff fun, the Vikings have taken the initial steps toward the 2021 NFL Season. The heavy work is yet to come. Until then, just for fun, here’s a knee-jerk, too-early look at a potential starting lineup for next year’s version of the Minnesota Vikings.

Offense

WR	Justin Jefferson
TE	Irv Smith Jr.
LT	Ezra Cleveland
LG	Draft pick
C	Garrett Bradbury
RG	Kyle Hinton
RT	Brian O’Neill
WR	Adam Thielen
QB	Kirk Cousins
RB	Dalvin Cook
FB	C.J. Ham

I’m running with the thinking that left tackle Riley Reiff is a salary cap casualty. It’s a tough call as he is coming off one of his best seasons. The Vikings simply can’t afford his scheduled contract. If Reiff is gone, Ezra Cleveland moves to the position that he played in college. Despite not seeing him play as a professional, I like the potential of 2020 sixth-round pick Kyle Hinton. I have him as a surprise starter in 2021. It’s January. It’s easy to make such a declaration in January. 

Defense

DE	Danielle Hunter
3T	Draft pick
NT	Michael Pierce
DE	D.J. Wonnum
LB	Anthony Barr
LB	Eric Kendricks
LB	Troy Dye
CB	Jeff Gladney
CB	Cam Dantzler
S	Harrison Smith
S	Josh Metellus

The Vikings must find a player that can be a disruptive presence from the three-technique position. If only Sharrif Floyd hadn’t had his career ripped from him by a surgical mishap. From inside and outside the Vikings must improve their pass rush. Getting Danielle Hunter back will help tremendously. Right now, defensive end or offensive line are my top picks for the Vikings’ first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. A first-round rookie could compete with 2020 draftee D.J. Wonnum to start opposite Hunter. I don’t think that they Vikings will be able to afford to re-sign linebacker Eric Wilson and safety Anthony Harris. 2020 draftees Troy Dye and Josh Metellus are next in line to replace them. Cameron Smith will also be in the linebacker competition. 

There’ll be a lot of fun and speculation over the coming months. 

Flea Flicker Wild Card Predictions

The 2020 NFL Playoffs are here with a “Super” Wild Card Weekend. Six games. Here’s a guess at the outcomes of those six games.

Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

This is probably the Wild Card game that interests me the most. I’d like to see more than one playoff game from both. Only one can win and I think that team will be the Bills. They appear to be playing their best football of the season right now. Whether through momentum/emotion or sheer talent they feel like the team riding the highest right now. 

Los Angles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Rams

I just want the Seahawks to lose. 

Washington Football Team @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Pick: Buccaneers 

I don’t see this game going any other way.

Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Ravens

My favorite Wild Card games are each day’s early game. After a few rocky games the Ravens are finally back to their imposing ways. I think that they handle the Titans better than they did last year.

Chicago Bears @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Saints

The sooner the Bears are out of the playoffs the better.

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Steelers

I keep flipping back and forth on this one. The Browns squeaked by a resting Steelers team in a must-win game last week. And they’ll be severely COVID impacted this week. But I don’t really trust the Steelers offense. If they’re on they can play with any team. I guess that I’m leaning Steelers playing better than they have due to a rested Ben Roethlisberger and it being a playoff game.