Offseason update: Minnesota Vikings

[Rastak]

Harv, as many often say the MN OL needed time to jel. Birk didn't play the year before, Hutch was new, Hicks was new and Cook was new.

None of them were rookies (besides Cook, who didn't start that many games), and only one was a second year player. Shouldn't a veteran be better able to handle that? Also, doesn't that speak well to the Packers OL--who had a first year starter at OC and 3 rookies with at least 10 starts each? Green Bay had 4 young guys that played extensively at the interior OL positions that all may have shown more last year than the likes of Cook and Johnson have. So, what makes the Vikings young guys more "talented?" Draft position?

My understanding is that Hicks had a very tough time with his footwork moving from LG to RG. Also, Marcus Johnson played pretty poorly. Ryan Cook had never played tackle before but didn't do too badly. I don't know if they'll be better or not but they difinately didn't take to the new offensive scheme last year.

[woodbuck27]

Vikings will be bad this year. Stuff happens. I think the worste move they did was drafting AP. I think he can be a solid RB with flashes of brilliance however there is NOBODY to throw the ball. Jackson more than likely will not make it and bollinger? C'mon. The difference between the Pack and the Vikes this year is the favre man Without him we would be in the same place.

Also it looks like Winfield is a little peved off.

Yup.

I was thinking the same thing a day ago (or without Favre) we would be alot similiar to the Vikings.

So after Favre at least Jackson will (if he plays most of 2007) have some seasoning over Rodgers. They do have a decent prospect at RB in A. Peterson.

An interesting watch in 2007 will be the Peterson Vs V. Morency (slash) Brandon Jackson watch.

The Vikings (like us) need a couple of WR's to come out of the woodpile.

I'm most concerned about the Packers at ther TE and FB spots and I don't expect to see much more than max protect out of these two positions.

[mngolf19]

McKinnie is proven, at least to some level. Hutch and Birk are proven. But they had not played together. The running game was pretty good as that is the first part to come along. Pass blocking usually takes longer to get. I don't give them any more leeway than-they should have it this year or they aren't up to hype. I don't think I ever said the Pack's OL was bad. I think they had to gel as well, and you will see this year if they are good or not.

[HarveyWallbangers]

My understanding is that Hicks had a very tough time with his footwork moving from LG to RG. Also, Marcus Johnson played pretty poorly. Ryan Cook had never played tackle before but didn't do too badly. I don't know if they'll be better or not but they difinately didn't take to the new offensive scheme last year.

I'm not saying they don't have a chance, but you could say the same for the Packers guys. Clifton, Tauscher, and Wells hadn't played in the ZBS. Colledge was a LT in college. Moll was a TE and then a OT. Neither was an OG. Colledge had to start at LT in spots because of Clifton injuries--which is tough for a rookie.

[HarveyWallbangers]

From my buddy, the Vikings fan:

I'm not a big fan of the current Kfan purple monkey. He is no .com tom. He was talking about Jason Carter last year like he was the next Steve Smith....i was more than disappointed when I actually saw him play. He's an athletic small guy that spent most of the year on the practice squad.

[Rastak]

From my buddy, the Vikings fan:

I'm not a big fan of the current Kfan purple monkey. He is no .com tom. He was talking about Jason Carter last year like he was the next Steve Smith....i was more than disappointed when I actually saw him play. He's an athletic small guy that spent most of the year on the practice squad.

I'll reply to both comments, I agree on your Pack OL comments. On Carter, he really did look good last year and I have no idea why he didn't get some playing time. Did your buddy actually watch ANY pre season games? How can he say he didn't look good? He faced 3rd string guys but HE LOOKED GOOD. Does that translate to the real NFL? Obviously we don't know that. Childress certainly didn't think so or he would have played him. But in the only action he saw he looked good....so what action did he see that made hinm think that? Some practices he attended?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Did your buddy actually watch ANY pre season games? How can he say he didn't look good?

He's a diehard. Watches every minute of every game--preseason and all. Loves the Vikes. He's the only Vikings fan that I have ever taken to a Packers game in Lambeau. Actually, besides you, he's the only one I would.

But in the only action he saw he looked good....so what action did he see that made hinm think that? Some practices he attended?

Well, he gets a gut feeling--just like we all do. He called Cedric Griffin being a solid player last year in preseason. Not to insult you, because you are great, but he doesn't like to hear the homerstic bull. On the other hand, he's not one of these types that likes to whine about the team or pretend he doesn't care. He could join the Optimistic Realists club.