Special Reminder: The VU NCAA Fantasy Tourney: by Mr. Cheer Or Die

We did this last year and had a blast. I confess to know nothing about NCAA basketball but the NCAA tourney is as much America as the Super Bowl. You have to participate!

Therefore, the first fifty entrants are hereby cordially invited to join The VU's Private Group in the Yahoo! Sports Yahoo! Sports Tournament Pick'em.

In order to join the group, just go to the game front page and click on the "Sign Up" button to create your team. After completing registration, or if you already have a team, click the "Create or Join Group" button and follow the path to join the VU's existing private group. Then, when prompted, enter the following information...

Group ID#: 94801
Password: winter

Remember, the league is limited to the first fifty people who sign-up. Good luck everyone!

Kiss the Blarney Stone, Or Something Like That

This will be my last entry for the week (I expect Vikes Geek will have an entry coming for Friday). On Friday I will be in St. Paul celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. The Boy® will be performing with his Irish dance school, Rince na Chroi, at various venues all day. We aim to have a magnificent time without even trying. At any rate, this entry is going to try and cover a lot of ground.....so bear with me.

There was also a time in recent memory in which the Vikings use to have fun without even trying. Let's go back to the 2000 Minnesota Vikings

The setup: Veterans Jeff George and Randall Cunningham played well enough in 1999 that the Vikings finished 10-6 and won a playoff game.

The swap: In the off-season, Minnesota allowed both players to depart and handed the starting reins to Daunte Culpepper, who had no career pass attempts after being taken in the first round of the 1999 draft.

The upshot: Culpepper started all 16 games, threw for 33 touchdowns and led the Vikings to an 11-5 record, a division title and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game (41-0, doh!). He also made the first of his two Pro Bowl appearances.

Also during that time period from 1999 to 2004, Culpepper and wide receiver Randy Moss teamed on fifty-three touchdown passes. That’s the most in team history and more than doubles the runner-up total of twenty-six by Warren Moon and Cris Carter.

It is time to set some new records. And to establish new records, we need to look ahead a bit. And that begins with addressing the quarterback of the future. Yes, Big Bad Brad (BBB) can guide this team for the coming season, and possibly the next. But the team needs to look long term.

I had a tête-à-tête with VU regulars Milwaukee Mark and The Commish in the middle of the week. We spoke about the so called “Big Three� in the coming draft: Matt Leinart, Vince Young, and Jay Cutler.

Milwaukee Mark wants the team to do whatever necessary to move up and draft the Vanderbilt quarter back, Jay Cutler, who has all the tools the NFL looks for in a QB.

The Commish on the other hand says that all 3 have a good pedigree. Leinart is by far the most proven. But The Commish wouldn't trade up to the top five as it would cost the team too much.

I can see either. I mean, if they truly want to get a QB this year, why not do whatever necessary to grab one of the “Big Three� and HOPE they pan out? Remember '99 when like five QBs went in the top 12? Only Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper are still in the league and considered starters? The rest (Tim Couch, Akili Smith, and Cade McNown) are out of the league or riding pine. In order to maneuver into position to grab one of the “Big Three� the Vikings would be giving up a lot for one guy. And then cross their collective fingers.

Or, do they keep their picks and wait until the 2nd or 3rd and hope to land a unknown type and get lucky? Look no further than the great readers of the VU to come up with some solutions in this regard:

My guess is that the Vikes go after Bowling Green's QB Omar Jacobs, who is said to be ideal for the offensive system that Childress wants to install. He might be a reach in the mid-second round (where the Vikes will have the 48th & 51st picks), but it wouldn't shock me to see the Vikes pull a Jason Campbell and take him anyway.

Posted by J. Ryan at March 14, 2006 02:02 PM

So, let’s flush out Jacobs a bit. And see if ol’ J.R. is all that and a bag of chips in regards to assessing talent and earn the VU Mel Kiper award for the week. From Footballfutures.com:

In his first year as a starter, Jacobs had one of the greatest years of any quarterback in college football history. He completed 66.9% of his passes for 4,002 yards, and 41 touchdowns. The most impressive stat though, was that he only threw 4 interceptions on 462 passes. The 41 touchdowns led the nation, and was also a MAC record. The 41/4 TD/INT ratio is the best ever in Division 1A. He’s not just a pure pocket passer either. Jacobs managed to rush for 300 yards and four more scores. He racked up quite a few post season awards for his awesome sophomore season. Omar was named to various All-American lists, was voted MVP of the GMAC Bowl, and was named MAC offensive player of the year. He was a marked man this year, and defenses came up with better ways to defend his talent. He still had a very good season, finishing with 2,591 yards and 26 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, while completing 60.7% of his passes.

Jacobs is the complete package at quarterback. He’s tall, strong, and athletic. He has a very good arm, and can easily make all the throws. His mobility is very impressive too. When things break down, he can leave the pocket and throw on the run, or tuck it and make something happen with his feet. He has displayed poise in the pocket, though at times he has left the pocket a little early.

There really aren’t too many flaws in Jacobs’ game. The biggest is his throwing mechanics, specifically his release point. Jacobs releases the ball at about shoulder height. He doesn’t get the ball up high enough. He negates his height advantage by throwing the ball that low, and it will result in tipped passes in the NFL. The only other issue would possibly be his experience, as he's a red shirt junior, and this is only his second season as a starter.
Omar Jacobs is the latest in the line of MAC QB’s to develop into legitimate NFL prospects. He will need some coaching in the NFL to fix his mechanics, but other than that, he has everything needed to be a star at the next level. He has all the talent to develop. He should have stayed in school to work on his mechanics and further develop, but he is in the draft. There are some talented signal callers ahead of him, but Jacobs has the talent to really develop at the next level. He could still hear his name called on the first day of the draft.

Man, that sure sounds familiar to a dude that came out of Central Florida, doesn’t it? But what it does say is the Vikings have options should they decide to pass on the “Big Three� and dig a bit deeper. That way, they can use that first round pick on getting LenDale White, a offensive lineman, or a linebacker. They can then package a deal to move up, if necessary, to grab Jacobs. Or Jacobs just falls to them in the second round.

Push comes to shove, and I have to opt for the more sure thing.....moving up to grab one of the “Big Three�. Even though, as The Commish alludes to, that may then take away the ability to get a good RB, LB, OL or safety. Double edged sword.

Leave it to the Vikes to once again make the draft a can't miss show.

More on the Purple Pants

I got a lot of e-mail like the following this week in regards to the purple pants thread:

Hey, I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your website, and I think it is very well done. I've been a Vikings fan since 1974, though I have never lived in Minnesota. I was born in Louisville, KY and now work and reside in Houston, TX. But one thing has been constant for me - I've remained a Viking fan for over 30 years (and God knows they are often very difficult on their fans). Your website provides a lot of interesting information about the team that I simply can't get here in Houston (where they constantly mull over whether to pick Vince Young or Reggie Bush). Keep up the great work!

As for the purple pants in the Vikings uniform - I am completely FOR IT! I really like the look of dark pants with a white jersey (such as what the Bears, Chargers, Jaguars, and Eagles do for example). However, I don't wish to see purple jerseys worn with purple pants. Purple jerseys with white pants at home, and white jerseys with purple pants on the road - that would look the best in my opinion. No more boring white on white on the road. Actually, I don't care for monochromatic uniforms (including white on white). I'd prefer to see the Browns always wear the orange pants, for instance. When the University of Texas wears their road uniforms, they are dressed in head to toe white. They look more like nursing uniforms rather than football uniforms. And about 10 years ago, I remember the Colts wore blue pants with white jerseys for maybe 3 games and then canned them. Not sure why. But I thought they complimented the NFL's most bland uniform.

Anyway, I say yes to the purple pants. But don't mess with the helmet.

Regards,
Greg S.
Houston, TX

After sleeping on it, I have to agree with Greg. I do think the purple pants complimenting the white jerseys for the road uniforms would become an instant classic. And I totally agree that purple on purple for home would become the laughing stock of the league. And by the looks of the poll from Wednesday, most of you agree.

And I should let you know that the Vikings e-mailed me to let me know these two polls are being tracked by Steve LaCroix, Vikings vice president of sales and marketing, who confirmed that the team is redesigning its uniform but would neither reveal details nor comment on the Enemy Paper report that the design includes purple pants to be worn at home with purple jerseys.

So, a weekend chore for you....promote the two polls reposted below to all your friends and Vikings related message boards. These polls may very well decide the final outcome!!!!

Coming Next Week

I'll be speaking with a Miami Dolphins fans about the trade and post as a podcast.

Posted by maasx003 at March 16, 2006 1:26 AM