On 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