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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Vikings Offseason Report
        
(Message started by: StegRock on Mar 1^st, 2007, 8:21am)

Title: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Mar 1^st, 2007, 8:21am

Another not-so-big surprise, but... it is noteworthy if not for, at least, the fact that this may be the wind-up of a great "underdog" story of a career... From "The REAL Feed":

VIKINGS CUT QUARTERBACK JOHNSON (http://www.sportinglife.com/nfl/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/07/03/01/GRIDIRON_USA-Minnesota_Johnson.html)
Sporting Life: NFL (01.03.2007 05:28)
Quarterback Brad Johnson lost his starting job with the Minnesota Vikings in December.

Does this mean Tarvaris Jackson becomes "the guy"? Something tells me that they'll bring a vet in... [smiley=thinking.gif]

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by DirkDiggler on Mar 1^st, 2007, 11:18am

on 03/01/07 at 08:21:36, StegRock wrote:

Not surprising news..... the question is who ends up with the job? Jeff Garcia? Schaub? Or, is the rumor true the Chiefs are shopping Trent Green......? Trade for Garrard or Leftwich?

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by captainpurple on Mar 1^st, 2007, 8:25pm

on 03/01/07 at 11:18:03, DirkDiggler wrote:

Not surprising news..... the question is who ends up with the job? Jeff Garcia? Schaub? Or, is the rumor true the Chiefs are shopping Trent Green......? Trade for Garrard or Leftwich?

I assume you dont think Tavaris wins the job next fall. I tend to disagree. I don't think he'll be a McNabb, mind you....closer to Vick [smiley=doh.gif]....but right now Childress seems pretty happy to let TJ fight Bollinger for the starting spot next year.

That's right now...mind you. Dont be suprised to see the Vikings go QB at #7 (Quinn) and let him compete with the other two youngsters in camp.

But to round back to your question, if the Vikings bringing in any of those QBs, I'd think it'd have to be Garcia. Too expensive for Garrard/Leftwich & Schaub. Green looked terrible post-concussion.

[smiley=twocents.gif]

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by Callie on Mar 1^st, 2007, 10:15pm

Schaub is tied up at home, and I would expect Garcia to go to Tampa Bay. If not, to Oakland.

Edit: I should have said why I think Garcia will go to TB or OAK. He wants to START somewhere.

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by Tony_O on Mar 4^th, 2007, 1:19pm

The Vikings add a TE and a LB...From "The Real Feed"

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/wires/03/03/2020.ap.fbn.vikings.free.agents.0116/index.html

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by Tony_O on Mar 7^th, 2007, 6:00pm

Wade the former Bear goes to the Division Rival Vikings.... From "The Real Feed"

http://www.sportinglife.com/nfl/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/07/03/07/GRIDIRON_USA-Minnesota_Wade.html

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Mar 15^th, 2007, 4:48pm

This is one of these quiet signings that could have a big impact... sooner or later... They need a (long-term) quarterback. This is worth tucking away in your back pocket! From "The REAL Feed":

Report: Vikings agree with Henson; Scott will visit (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2799107&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines)
ESPN: NFL (15.03.2007 03:10)
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a contract with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Henson on Wednesday.

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by Larsen89 on Jul 4^th, 2007, 12:24pm

Perhaps this will shed a "little" light as to why I picked Rice at #117, much more realistic (cough cough Henry @ #4) ::) (right MC?) ... Just joking Steg, don't blow a gasket... ;D (still to early!!!!) ;)

Everyone believes in someone, mine is Rice, period. And I'll pick him again right around there. It was recommended I pick Williamson, why (see article below, and also if you were a fan of the Vikings, you pretty much got sick of his drops last year) ...Should have went w/Wade probably.... or better yet Tarvaris Jackson!!!!!! That might have given the StegMaster a heart attack!!!!!!! ;) (ha ha) Happy 4th to all!!!!

Enjoy the article.....

Know Your Role

Viking Update Staff:

Posted Jul 4, 2007

Troy Williamson has dropped many passes similar to the one he wasn't looking at in the photo above. Does his big contract and third-year expectations automatically make him a starter when the season opens? Not by a long shot.

Ever since the day the Vikings traded away Randy Moss, questions at wide receiver have been much more common than answers. Nate Burleson was supposed to be the go-to guy, but buckled under the strain of being the top dog at wide receiver and, when he became a restricted free agent, the Vikings lowered the compensation they would need to get in return to just a third-round pick – all but assuring that he would be gone.

There were hopes that Troy Williamson, taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 that the Vikings got in exchange for Moss from the Raiders, would be the answer. He clearly has not. So where does the team currently stand and, if we were to get games going now instead of a month from now, who would be in line to be the starters? There may be no easy answer to that question.

If you ask most fans, they would likely assume that Williamson and rookie Sidney Rice would be the logical contenders. Williamson is entering his third season, when a staggering amount of wide receivers make the leap from being part-time contributors to posting numbers that will be more of a reflection of their career production. Rice is a big-play rookie who has the ability to be a scoring threat the Vikings passing game has lacked each of the last two years.

But depending on whose depth chart you look at, neither Williamson or Rice could be starters when the season opens. There is a growing feeling that Bobby Wade, who has already been anointed as the team’s slot receiver, could be on the field when the team is in two-receiver sets – joined by Billy McMullen. In just their fifth seasons, Wade and McMullen are among the most experienced veterans among the Vikings receiver corps and, because of that, may get the first shot of nailing down starting jobs.

While the firm belief around Winter Park is that Williamson will have a breakout season and Rice will progress faster than most rookies, as it currently stands, there may be a chance that neither of them opens the season as starters and may have to earn their way past Wade and McMullen

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Jul 4^th, 2007, 6:34pm

I don't know what this proves in general, no less vis-a-vis your pick #117 in the "Huddle".

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by MordecaiCourage on Jul 4^th, 2007, 7:13pm

on 07/04/07 at 12:24:46, Larsen89 wrote:

Perhaps this will shed a "little" light as to why I picked Rice at #117, much more realistic (cough cough Henry @ #4) ::) (right MC?) ...

If you are referring to my man love of Jennings last year in light to your man-love for Rice this year...then right!! ;)

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by Larsen89 on Jul 5^th, 2007, 9:28am

on 07/04/07 at 18:34:47, StegRock wrote:

I don't know what this proves in general, no less vis-a-vis your pick #117 in the "Huddle".

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Jul 5^th, 2007, 4:18pm

Oh,... woe is me... over being constantly misunderstood... because dudes' objectivity can't overcome their defensiveness. :'(

Understand that the key word there is "proves". I see what it "says", Larsman. But, if your claim is that that article tips the fantasy scales (all by itself) in favor of Rice over Williamson, Wade or even that guy McMullen and, moreover, that's the best you could scounge up to make your case, it's not particularly convincing.

That having been said, (as administrator of this site) I'm not so into, nor persuaded by, cut-and-pasted articles. It's like a scholar binding the bibliography/works cited and handing it in as a paper in lieu of writing a paper based on his or her own ideas and hypotheses, which, to wit, were formed by using one's mind to process/filter the readings. You believe in the guy, Larsman, so use whatever articles and information you can get your hands on and, then, lay YOUR argument on me.

And, that's my point regarding "proof" (in both the lay sense and strict logical sense). "News" articles aren't (supposed to even be) making an argument per se. A news article is mere information. It's not (supposed to be) meant to "prove" anything. It's what you do with the information that matters. And, it seems to me that from the "information" contained in that very article you've cut-and-pasted there an argument can be made both for and against Rice, and, for that matter, Williamson, Wade and McMullen. The distinction between "information" that presents "facts" (regardless of accuracy) and "argument" that presents "proof" (regardless of soundness) is an important one... in life and, surely, no less fantasy football.

I want people to think things through and lay their takes on us. That's what's going to make this site great. That's what's going to separate us from the pack... in the long run. During debates, cutting-and-pasting and linking to articles and whipping out one-liners I can find at any of a plethora of other FF sites. Let's kick it up a notch here on "the Gridiron".

Make YOUR case... [smiley=coolit.gif]

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by cwhams on Jul 5^th, 2007, 11:34pm

[quote author=StegRock
I want people to think things through and lay their takes on us. That's what's going to make this site great. That's what's going to separate us from the pack... in the long run. During debates, cutting-and-pasting and linking to articles and whipping out one-liners I can find at any of a plethora of other FF sites. Let's kick it up a notch here on "the Gridiron".
[smiley=coolit.gif][/quote]

Insightful look into the workings of the mind Stegrock. I like to read articles, but I starting to see where you are going with this site. Outstanding. :)

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by Philly on Jul 6^th, 2007, 11:35am

Well, I'll offer my opinion on Rice, as I scouted him very heavily during his days as a Gamecock. There are few receivers with hands as good as Rice's (and that includes Calvin Johnson). This is important as Tarvaris Jackson is not the most accurate of the passers in the league. This will help separate him from the Troy Williamsons who have not been able to make even the routine catch look routine.

Rice also has ideal size to become a red zone target, much like Marcus Robinson was able to do back in 2004 for the Vikes. However, Billy McMullen has that size as well, plus more NFL experience than Rice. McMullen was a highly touted guy coming out of college and just never put it together while with the Eagles.

One of the knocks against Rice is his attitude. He's a bit of a prima donna and didn't have the best work ethic while at South Carolina.

Honestly, with the Vikes having Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson toting the rock behind a very solid O-line... AND a still-green QB... I don't know that any of the Vikes receivers will be anything better than a #3 FF WR during the season.

As an aside, a guy who I like as a real sleeper on the Vikes is Todd Lowber. He's a big, fast receiver out of Ramapo College (even the Vikes official website has his college wrong: "Rampo") who is a track/basketball guy making the conversion to receiver. Not many of those conversions work, but I think Lowber has a shot... he's got blazing speed and is learning to play WR fairly quickly (he's never played organized football before, but he received offers from about 6 NFL teams following the NFL draft).

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by cwhams on Jul 6^th, 2007, 7:48pm

I like Rice in possibly year two or three of his NFL career, if he makes it that long. I perceive him as entirely to fragile to handle an NFL hit...the book on him is that he shys away from catches over the middle and can be roughed up out of the blocks.

He has the height, not the size to make the starting cut in year one...now that he does not have to worry about the books and can concentrate on the weight room and football only, he has the potential, down the line, to be a good one. Takes a huge leap of faith to pick up this guy this year...especially as pointed out earlier with an unproven QB.

It still makes an interesting pick. :o

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Jul 30^th, 2007, 2:56pm

Peterson IN... That's BIG... From "The REAL Feed":

NFL Wire Notes | No. 7 pick Peterson signs with Vikings (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2003812252_nfl30.html?syndication=rss)
The Seattle Times: Seahawks (30.07.2007 03:43)
Adrian Peterson already is the biggest star on the Minnesota Vikings offense. So it's no wonder that the team can't wait to see him finally...

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 18^th, 2007, 3:57am

Vikes are a little desperate at wideout... Yous think there's any hope here??? This LOCAL report currently tops "The REAL Feed (http://www.fantasyfootballer.com/newsstand.htm)":

Ex-Packer Ferguson eyes the Vikings (http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_6654003?nclick_check=1)
St. Paul Pioneer Press: Football (18.08.2007 02:11)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - After being released by the Green Bay Packers, veteran wide receiver Robert Ferguson is looking for a new NFL home - and if he has his way, he might not have to travel too far.

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 23^rd, 2007, 10:49pm

Wade looking to stop wading and, finally, break through... according to "The REAL Feed":

Five years in, Vikings' Wade finally gets big chance at wide receiver (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/NFL/2007/08/23/4441295-ap.html)
SLAM! Sports NFL (23.08.2007 16:58)
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Bobby Wade has all of 101 catches and two touchdowns after four seasons in the NFL.

Wade's a nice sleeper [smiley=sleepers.gif] right now... [smiley=yes.gif]

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 27^th, 2007, 4:33pm

No links yet... But, I just heard it on ESPN's NFL Live... QB Kelly Holcombe to the Vikes!!!

Title: Re: Vikings Offseason Report
Post by Tony_O on Aug 27^th, 2007, 5:27pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp07/news/story?id=2993466

Here you go Steve.....