Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to the
Views and Personal Photos on the Vikes from the Inaugural Hall of Fame fan.
Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to theOn Monday, my friend and Vikings game-day buddy, The Commish, sent me a link about Antrel Rolle.
It was a interesting read. A young man actually approaches his next stage in life with the kind of vigor not usually seen today. A class act, no doubt. A career in Vikings purple, though, is in doubt. But to quote from the story:
"While these interviews can be extremely repetitive I knew going in that since I'm different than the rest of the guys, I needed to do something that would stand out in these interviews. So I did what just about every other kid fails to do — I dressed up for a job interview. I donned a full suit, just like I would if I was interviewing for a job at a Fortune 500 company. Everyone else showed up in sweat suits. I showed in a suit.
I present myself professionally. Some may look at it as me being a pretty boy and that's fine because you'll never see me look raggedy — especially for a million dollar job interview! Why more don't view it this way I don't know. I talked it over with my mother and my DB coach and both agreed that I'm not the average Joe Blow walking the street."
I wouldn't mind seeing Rolle come to the Vikes. He could learn from Smoot, Winfield, and Sharper. He could fulfill a role at safety. But I just don't see it happening.
I've posted version 1.0 of my Mock Draft (silly as all these Mock Drafts are!) to the right. Currently, I have the Vikes holding true to all the pre-season hype and drafting Derrick Johnson from Texas. The great unknown is whether Mike Tice wants to deal with yet another young linebacker.
My dark-horse candidate might surprise you. Since I believe the players the Vikings covet (Braylon Edwards, Mike Williams, Ronnie Brown, and Cedric Benson) will already be off the board by pick #7, I will throw out yet another running back for consideration and debate.
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams from Auburn.
As I have spoken to ever since the Randy Moss trade, the Vikings can now expect eight men in the box on a regular basis. There is no other receiver within the Vikinmgs line-up to keep the strong safety honest like Moss did.
Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore are too injury prone to run the 25-30 times a game Tice is now expected to deploy. Onterrio Smith could be the big, banging back but he can't seem to ignore the bong.
Carnell has a great feel for the game and was one of college football’s top playmakers this past season. He fights for every yard and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He makes up for his lack of ideal size with a great combination of speed and agility. Williams reminds one of Clinton Portis.
The Vikes could then trade either Smith or Bennett to shore up the defense a bit more. Carnell would be the featured back with Moe Williams serving as the 3rd down specialist once again. Either Bennett or Smith would spot Carnell with Moore serving as insurance for an injury to one of the top two backs.
Since the Vikes will be a run-focused team this coming season, they need to hold onto four backs.
And since there will be two Williams (Pat and Kevin) featured on defense, why not two Williams (Carnell and Moe) on offense.
Now it's your turn to either rip my Mock Draft or rip my dark-horse candidate. Use the Comments field below.
Posted by maasx003 at March 29, 2005 10:10 AM | TrackBackWhile I have no doubt that Tice would love to draft 10 running backs, I don't think that Cadilac shows up on the Vikes board at number 7. THere are just too many pressing needs.
Also it is important to note that Red is trying to save face after the Moss trade by making some good defensive signings (that could have been made had Moss still been here too). He is not going to let them take another running back when the fans will collectively say "we have four good running backs".
Unless they trade two of Bennett, SOD or MeMo, I would expect that your DJ pick sounds better. (Remember Tice is also enamored with young inexperienced speed at LB)
I would expect a trade before an RB pick. I guess the question is who would be the takers of that pick and what would they be willing to give up?
Posted by: J. Lichty at March 29, 2005 09:28 AMI love Derrick Johnson at #7. Now, how do we get Troy Williamson? Will he be there at #18? TW is the answer to keeping the safties honest. He can flat out fly! DJ and TW in the first round, party at my house!!
Posted by: Sammy at March 29, 2005 09:43 AMJL: Agree totally. But I would not be surprised if a RB is taken with the #7 if all other options are gone. I guess, I'm hoping that we don't pass on a #7 overall pick just to trade down and save some cash. Uhg!
Posted by: Brian Maas at March 29, 2005 09:55 AMSammy: I can't even think about #18 yet! But the masses do seem to be clamoring for Troy Williamson. I could live with that! If for nothing else...the party!
Posted by: Brian Maas at March 29, 2005 09:56 AMI would promote SOD to the starting back, and draft the best reciever available at pick 7. I believe he can be a proven starter behind the Vikes offensive line. Need to sit him down, and put the fear of God into him regarding reefer, and the possible of a chance to be a star in the NFL, which equals big dollars. The Vikes have always had at least one good reciever to keep defenses honest..Moss, Cris Carter, Anthony Carter, Rashad, etc. Get another or get ready for a lot of 3 and outs.
Posted by: Les Steckel at March 29, 2005 10:02 AMLes: First, get rid of that moniker!!! 1984 is erased from my memory because of that Bozo!
While I agree that SOD is probably the best all-around back the Vikes currently have, I don't think we can trust him. And I can't see the Vikes going WR at #7 if Edwards and Williams are already gone....which they will be. So that leaves defense or RB. Either way, they win.
Now, if I had my choice at #7 then I'd like Edwards first, followed by Johnson, then Williams in that order. A stud WR will produce the first year. LB's take a year or two but we can't pass on Johnson. But if Edwards and Johnson are already gone and Williams is on the board....by all means, I hope the Vikes take him.
Posted by: Brian Maas at March 29, 2005 10:33 AMWho is still on the board at #7 will depend on whether 2 QBs go in the top 6 picks...once considered a lock, that likelihood is fading- not a good thing for the Vikings since QB is nowhere in their 1st round mindset.
IF Rodgers and Smith went in the top 6 (and all teams currently holding one of those picks need a QB...Tennessee the only exception unless McNair retires) the Viking options increase. If one or both QBs slip out of the top 6, that'll make things tougher for the Vikes. Originally, I assumed 2 QBs and at least 2 RBs would be gone in the top 6...leaving only 2 picks ahead of #7 to gobble up Edwards, Williams, and DJ...meaning at least one of them would be there at #7. That won't be the case if those QBs slide for whatever reason.
There is now the possibility that both top WRs, all 3 top RBs, and DJ become the first 6 picks- which would be a buzz kill for the Vikings as then they'll likely feel like they're reaching a bit to make someone like Troy Williamson or Antrel Rolle the #7.
btw who takes the chance with Matt Jones of Arkansas...and what position do they plan for him?
Posted by: SiteWolf at March 29, 2005 12:08 PMSW: The Vikes could gamble on Jones in the later rounds (6th or 7th). I'd then project him as a future TE ala Antonio Gates. He's big, like Tice, and has TE written all over him and could help spread the field and take heat off the RBs. If he had played for Maryland, instead of Arkansas, then Tice would already have him signed!
Posted by: Brian Maas at March 29, 2005 12:56 PM