Vikings Filling Needs Quickly

Started Wednesday, 25 March, 2005, Finally Finished 34 April, 2005 as the draft kicks off

This is a pre-draft article.

This has been a crazy offseason for the Minnesota Vikings. I don't want to cover most of the 'action' yet but I did want to talk about the Vikings needs and how they are filling those needs.

There's a lot to cover with this team and to be honest, different people see the needs differently. Because of that, I asked a Brad S., a Vikings fan with great football knowledge, to share his expertise as well when it came to looking at what's needed by the Vikes.

Disclaimer: I asked Brad to share his thoughts on the team's needs and have not read his material as I write mine. I respect Brad's opinions and did not want to taint my opinions with his insight. He completed his analysis before I did so all I know is he sent three messages called "Rating the Offseason (Offense)", "Rating the Offseason (Defense)", and "Rating the Offseason (Special Teams)" so I broke down my thoughts in the same blocks.

Rating the Offseason (Offense)

Don's Take

Offensively, the Vikings were stacked last year. Burleson emerged and rumors of trading Micheal Bennett proved the Vikings were deep at that position. The quarterback position looks solid and the loss of Gus Frerotte to Miami was quickly covered by the return of ex-Viking Brad Johnson. The offensively line seems to be the biggest need and I suspect we'll see some draft picks to restock the line. There's still a lot of time left for the Vikings to improve an already-good offense so I'm not concerned. Did you think I'd skip wide receiver? Well, I'm writing this before the draft and honestly, I really don't think they HAVE to draft a wide receiver. However, I will say that I pity the guy who will undoubtedly be compared to Randy Moss for his entire career. It's too bad. If the Vikings do draft a wide receiver, I wish the young man luck in dodging the Randy comparison.

Brad's Take

Offense, so far about a C for work to improve Traded Moss, the top 1 or 2 wideout in the league, but this is actually a plus to moral, but a minus to Offense prowness. Kept Wiggins, good move, can be a key player with Kleinsasser. Gives them potential for a great option pass system. To improve they need to... commit to one running back and make him the focus, RBC will not work. Get a WR to replace Moss as deep speed threat. This will need to be in the Draft, not FA. Burleson should be the #1, new draft #2, Robinson #3. Robinson seems best suited to be a situational WR, not a starter. Need depth on the line, too many injuries weaken the line.

 

Rating the Offseason (Defense)

Don's Take

For me the D was an enigma in 2004. The D was not good in 2003 and things did not get better. Oddly enough, the team that excelled at collecting turnovers disappeared only to be replaced by guys who couldn't even carry Fred Smoot's equipment. The real problem with 2004 was the unexplained drop off from the previous year. Maybe 2005 will show us which team was the fluke. I know Vikings fans are hoping a return to the ball-hogging 2003 defense. You can bet that former Redskin Fred Smoot will light a fire in the D's house. It will be wild to watch. But Fred's not the only addition. The Vikings seriously addressed their defensive woes this offseason by picking up three great defensive additions. Look whom they picked up: #1 free agent tackle Pat Williams ex-Packer safety Darren Sharper Of course, all-pro cornerback Fred Smoot

Brad's Take

Defense Currently a C Offseason activities an A- Line fair. Added a DT will help, need more depth LB fair/poor, no stamina for season. Harris big questions. Lost Claiborne, not sure that hurts except maybe some leadership, but they did not seem to have it last year anyway. Need to address in Draft, second pick in 1st round or 2nd round depending on LB depth. Secondary, fair/poor, seemed confused and dazed at times in 2004. Big, good moves in offseason. Smoot and Sharper big pluses. We should have a top 10 secondary if coached right. Still need to get another quality LB in draft or trade. And Depth, Depth, Depth. We could be a 10 top defense if done right. One Offense Note Gardner trade seems unnecessary, not sure what they want unless they plan to trade a WR as well. Final thoughts Offense needs to get back to have a top 5 producing RB and work more at using Daunte's scambling skills with option passes and boot legs. Get the people that can produce in the open and let them get the yards. Use the vertical pass as an option, not as the primary goal of every play. Defense, just make it better, we should be playing to get field postion, not limiting them to just 3 points each time they go down the field. Oh and keep them to 3 when they do get down the field, too many times they broke for 6 when it should have been 3.

 

Rating the Offseason (Special Teams)

Don's Take

The special teams biggest gap was field goal kicker. Though Morten Andersen is a hall of famer in acuracy, his range is now suspect. Last year, it seems liked the Vikings' lack of kicking the long field goal was due to a lack of confidence in Andersen's range. I admit to lacking exact statistics on opportunities, but it seemed that especially late in the season, Mortensen's lack of range caused the Vikings to play very conserative instead of getting needed points. Besides kicker, the Vikings will need to look at punt and kick returners. Leading the team were Burleson and Campbell. If Campbell's resigned (he's an unrestricted free agent and his legal troubles are not helping his case), you can bet the Vikings will likely want to bring in a returner to replace two players who did pretty well fielding the ball. Thus far we haven't seen a moves in specials teams but I didn't expect anything so I'm not concerned. I've talked to wide receiver & kick returner Ryan Hoag, and I'm interested to see what he can do on the field.

Brad's Take

Current rating D Offseason efforts D Need to get some help in this area. I think the coaching is the big issue here. Too many mental mistakes, players out of position, etc.

 

What do you think? Please add your comments.

Tark's Draft Preview

Hello, Nation. Tark, the chosen one, here - ready to give the Draft preview According To Tark. Tark has given a lot of thought to this article, and hopes everyone agree with the picks. Just remember anything can change with the dreaded draft day trade. If all stays in check this should be a great draft, and the Vikes will add to their championship drive in 2005.

First, hats off to the Vikes for all their free agent acquisitions. Apparently when Tark wrote his last entry, some people at Winter Park took notice. What a defense! Smoot and Winfield on each side, Sharper and Chavious behind them, and big Pat Williams in the front. Tark is still waiting to comment on the linebacking corps. Cowart was a good pick up and Harris is still in the wings. Tark will have to wait and see how they gel. At any rate, this has been the most successful offseason in memory. Taylor was good pick up also, as our second or third receiver. So - way to fill the holes, guys! Keep it up on the draft.

Now on to the meat of the post. Tark is tired of searching all the mock drafts out there. Half have us taking Williams from U.S.C., and the other half have us taking the Defensive end from Wisconsin. then, there is that small crowd hoping we take the Linebacker from Texas. Well here is what Tark thinks should happen.

The Draft is deep in Cornerbacks and Receivers. Tark would like to see Mike Williams picked up at the #7 pick. That would solidify the Offense. The Moss trade would be a distant memory with that acquisition. Now here is where people think Tark is way off in left field. Tark would like to see the Purple get the kicker from Ohio State, Nugent, with the 18 pick. That's right, a Kicker.

Tark knows you all think I am crazy for this pick. Tark doesn't care. Nugent can win three games for the purple. Plus, putting some kickoffs in the end zone wouldn't be a bad thing also. The nation cries all the time when the kicks only get to the 10 or 20 yardline. Well - here is your answer. What could be better than starting at the 20 once in a while. This kid can also hit a few field goals from 50 yards plus. How sweet would that be - actually having a kicker you believe in that can get the job done. Kind of like having a Gramatica in his prime, or a Vinatieri. Sounds good, doesn't it. Kind of starting to see Tark's point of view, huh?

Then with the second round Pick, Tark believes that Pac-Man Jones from West Virginia will be there. He is listed at about the fourth spot on the chart for cornerbacks. He should be around.

Well that is Tark's choices for the first three picks.

All is good in Purple land. We have a great future. Tark will be attending the Draft party in full gear. Tark hopes to see all the crazies from section 237. Stop Tark and say hi or talk about ball. Tark is looking forward to a great draft party, and a wonderful season.

Skol,
Tark