RB/WR Rankings

Well Micheal Bennett doesn't make the top 25 RB's in Pro Football Weekly due to injury as he is certainly injury prone he has played 19 of 32 games the last two years. Although his last healthy year he averaged a very good 5.1 yards per carry, with 5.0 last year. I would think Randy Moss would open things up quite a bit for Bennett. So maybe you would look at 4.5 as being good, if he can start 12 games. As far as other RB's go

1. LT is clearly the best as stated by PFW his vision and cutting are so-good, he could be productive on a terrible O-line, he is the only one I would say that about.

They went Portis, J.Lewis, P.Holmes, A. Green, C. Martin, C.Dillion, E. James, D.McAllister, T.Barber, S.Alexander, F.Taylor.

I would go P.Holmes-second just due to the similar traits to LT though he is in decline, then I am not sure I think Jamal Lewis due to his physical running style could begin to wear down, but he can't really be tackled by one guy, then Portis has a great combo of vision, speed, and quickness though he wasn't as productive with a less productive O-line, I think Ahman Green due to the loss of Wahle and Rivera will take a step back, I would rank C Mart ahead of Green just for productivity though I see him slipping a bit. I think Edge is somewhat a product of Peyton, this is why Dominic Rhodes was productive. I like Corey Dillion and would probably rate him 5th. Deuce runs too upright, this is why he doesn't dominate. This is somewhat similar to Shaun Alexander who has a much better line than Deuce. Taylor is boom or bust due to injuries. I consider Bennett about the 19th best back in the NFL, he has benefitted from good lines in a way Thomas Jones hasn't. I would still put heading into 05' Julius Jones, Mcgahee, Kevin Jones, and Brian Westbrook ahead of him. I would also due to durablity put him behind Rudi Johnson, and just slightly behing Chris Brown.

I like Mewelde Moore but would need to see a greater body of work to really compare him, based on what I saw, I loved his vision and cutting to the point, I think he could be as good as any Rookie RB last year, in fact he reminds me of Preist Holmes.


PFW goes Moss, Harrison, and Owens. I would agree with this top three. Especially due to Owens contract squablles. Nate Burleson is ranked 26th. I would put Nate behind for sure Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, Andre Johnson, Hines Ward, and Javon Walker. After this I think it Burleson could equal anyone else on this list. This is due to his hands, and route-running. For instance, although he is a better player, I am not nuts about Joe Horn's age to go with his knees. I see age as taking down Jimmy Smith, Isaac Bruce, Eric Moulds, Keyshawn Johnson, Rod Smith, and Keenan McCardell. I wonder how Mushin Muhammand got so productive in his early 30's, so fast. Darrell Jackson has poor hands, Donald Driver is losing quickness, Anquan Boldin is coming off an injury. I can'r really say Burleson is going to be less productive than Derrick Mason, or Lavernus Coles. Micheal Clayton, Reggie Wayne, and Roy Williams are players that should also shoot up this list. So I think Burelson could go for 1200 yards, 10 scores, and challenge for the Top 10-12 by the end of the season. Travis Taylor I think could be a candidate to turn his career around with a new team ala Jimmy Smith, though he isn't that physically gifted, but I think Taylor could turn into a Reggie Wayne type very good complent WR. Troy Williamson will be a big time deep threat, and develop into the second coming of Jerry Porter. PFW top 10 Moss, Harrison, Owens, C.Johnson, T.Holt, H.Ward,D.Mason, L.Coles, C.Chambers, J.Horn. -Heading into this season I would place Burleson as the 17th best receiver in Football, behing these 10 A.Johnson, J.Walker, D.Branch, R.Williams, R.Wayne, A.Boldin.

I should probably delete the Last Post

But since I am in Summer School now and quite busy till about the time I will get back from Milwaukee next Sunday. So be it. So here a few real quick thoughts.

. Travis Taylor could be a good NFL receiver this year, from everything I am hearing.

. Micheal Bennett I am still not sold on despite his 9.91-100 M which would have placed him 5th at the last Olympics. I don't know that he is a powerful enough back to run against 8 man fronts, and even though I think Taylor, Williamson, and Burleson can all be pretty good, I don't know that they are going to command coverage to create the running lanes, Randy Moss did for Bennett.

. Antoine Winfield said he would be disappointed if the Vikings aren't in the TOP 5 on Defense. For me anything approaching medicore would be acceptable, or just the ability to make stops with the game on the line.

. I think Chad Morton would be a good investment, though I don't agree with Peter King that he would make a 2 victory defense for a team. He wasn't all that great before he got injured. It could have been an off year last year, or it could have been a fluke his last year with the Jets.

.I sure hope Rob Brezenki gets a contract extension, this week. I am not quite sure what to make of the other front office resturcting including the promotions of Kevin Warren-formerly of the Lions and Rams to VP of Business, and bringing back Lester Bagley to be VP of Public Relations.

. I am thinking of spending 2 to 3 days at Mankato this summer. Here's a link of the Training Camp Schedule

http://vikings.scout.com/2/388047.html

.I think Travis Dorsch after leading NFL Europe in punting could beat out Darren Bennett. I think their Placekicking situation is still a mess, with Edinger not able to kick off, and Elling struggling to make field goals.

. The Vikings will be much more agressive on Defense this year, and this is a guarntee. Does this mean they will be a lot better? Not really. But you will see a lot more blitzes, and Corners left on Islands.

. I should probably comment on Randy Moss' Kerry Collins comment. I don't know that Chad being a Raider fan prefers Collins to Culpepper. I can see why Randy Moss might think Collins is a better QB and the 41-0 has something to do with it. I don't know that either are great at mentally running a offense. I like Culpepper much more under pressure. Both have good size and arm strength. I think Culpepper is a more accurate passer. So the differences are Culpepper has superior atheltic ability, and is a better leader since he isn't on his 4th team. But if Randy Moss can catch 20 TD's about what I expect, and Kerry Collins throws about 40 about what I expect. I expect Culpepper between 30 and 35 TD's with about 4 rushing TD's. I think yards will be pretty equal in 2005. But the Vikings have a medicore D compared to an atricious D in Oakland so this is why I think the Vikings go 10-6 and the Raiders 8-8. I think if Both QB's have equal talent at the WR position, Culpepper is superior.

. If Corey Chavous and Brian Williams want to pout, cut em'. Williams is going to be gone after next year anyway, and I think Ken Irvin and Adrian Ward can do the job at Nickel and Dime back, and I think Wille Offord should start at SS anyway.

. 10 weeks till Gopher FB at Tulsa-from Thursday, 11 weeks till Street Moss and the Oakland Raiders at New England from Thursday, and 12 weeks from this Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Metrodome.

What I have said about the Vikings

May 17- " I just don't see the Vikings as better than a 10-6 team."

May 3-" Division Break Down

1. Vikings- The Packers have made a step back, as Wahle and Rivera are huge losses on the O-line, and they don't have anyone to replace them. Also Brett Favre will probably keep losing a step. The Vikings seem to have the most talent on both sides of the Ball. They look like a 10-6 team."

May 10- My comments on the NFC playoffs go as follows.

"
2005 NFC Playoffs-8 Months Away

MN vs Dal- I am going to say the Mike Tice Era ends here in fine fashion- 24-20
STL vs Atl- Atl would still probably be able to manhandle the Rams, the Rams won't turn the ball over as much though-31-28

Phil vs Dal- Dallas ain't that good-Phil 31-13
Car vs Atl- Homefield helps them prevail late-Car-16-13

Phil vs Car- They get their revenge-Phil 24-14

Super Bowl XL- Phil vs Ind- I haven't broken down the AFC, the Colts just seem like a good choice, but I like Phil-27-24"

I think the fact that Daunte Culpepper is a fringe Pro-Bowl QB, with an above average o-line, and decent skill position players. I think Burelson really is best suited as a number 2 WR, which is the same as Marcus Robinson, or Travis Taylor, and probably what Troy Williamson will develop into. I think Micheal Bennett is an above-average running back, but not one that is going to control the ball. This equates to a middle of the road offense.

As far as Koren Robinson goes he had a DUI with a .191 BAL, so I don't know if teams are going to actively pursue him right away. I would be very surprised if the Vikings do.

Saying the Vikings don't need a number 2 receiving option wasn't refering to Kleinsasser. What it was refering to was players like Randy McMicheal or Bubba Franks in that they are no better than number 2 receiving options on an offfense. As I have stated the Vikings have enough pass-catchers of this ilk, so a blocking stud like Kleinsasser would be of more value to the Vikings, if HEALTHY!!!! than Randy McMicheal or Bubba Franks.

Looking at the 2000 Balitmore Ravens as a team to the point to towards the Vikings.

Here are how I see them comparing.

1. They both have good CB's in Winfield and Smoot for the Vikings compared to Duane Starks, and Chris McAllister for the Ravens. The argument could be made that the Vikings actually have better depth at CB.

2. Darren Sharper and Corey Chavous vs Kim Herring and Rod Woodson- All these guys are best against the best. Herring wasn't all that great a player. Sharper and Woodson at this stage of his career would be a wash. So they are about even here.

3. Linebacker is where I see the issues the Ravens had Ray Lewis who would dominate with the space that was created for him by the massive DT's where the Vikings have a smart Sam Cowart in the middle, and raw atheletes on the outside. Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper in 2000 are vastly superior to Donatarrious Thomas and Nap Harris.

4. Defensive Tackle- Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa, who are primarily just space eaters backed up by a decent Larry Wesbster, to go against the space-eating Pat Williams with the penetrating Kevin Williams. The Vikings actually have more pass-rush ability here.

5. Defensive End- The seasoned veterans Rob Burnett and Micheal McCrary who served their function in this defense. Burnett as a run-anchor/pass-rusher., and McCrary as a pass-rusher. Burnett in fact had 10.5 sacks in 2000. The Vikings have talented but more raw players, so it is hard to evaluate here. But if Erasmus James plays like I think he can, this could be close.

Overall-The big difference between these teams is in the linebacking core, and I can't evaluate how well the Vikings will play together in 2005. Balitmore's offense was Jamal Lewis running behind Jonathan Ogden backed up by Preist Holmes. In fact their leading receiver was no joke Qadry Ismail.

As far as kickers go, I don't think Aaron Elling is all that bad, but he had that bad pre-season last year. I think this is sufficent answer to Chad's post, which I appreciate.

PFW Preview and Other Thoughts

Peter King picks the Vikings to win the NFC as did former CNNSI writer Duane Cross last year. I said the Vikings would win the Super Bowl, I fell short due to Randy Moss's injuries the last 3/4 of the season. If Randy Moss had been healthy and the Vikings played like he did on Offense with him healthy, then I really believe they would have made a run at a World title. It should be noted though that Peter King is more known as a beat writer than a Scout per say. If Scouts.INC over at ESPN insider picked the Vikings too make it to the Super Bowl, I would take notice. Pro Football Weekly is another outfit that makes me take notice, when they say something. Dr.Z is pretty good, but he also said Randy Moss would not be the 20st best receiver in the 1998 draft. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/events/1998/nfldraft/news/1998/04/14/z_picks/. How you can say something so stupid about a 6'5 receiver with 4.2 speed, who was dominate at the College level?

King picked a Jacksonville team to make the Super Bowl last year, that didn't make the playoffs, and a Seattle team that wouldn't have made the playoffs any other year.

PFW tidbits here is where Vikings went overall in their total mock draft. This is if hypothetically, you were going to build a 10 team, 27 player league, 22 starters, and 5 specialists.

8. Daunte Culpepper
34. Kevin Williams
47. Antonie Winfield
107. Matt Birk
109. Bryant McKinnie
144. Darren Sharper
152. Corey Chavous
217. Nate Burleson
221. Jim Kleinsasser

Side Note: Randy Moss-Number 10. Surpise: No Fred Smoot, or Pat Williams

PFW Top 50 Player Rankings. Best players in league regardless of position.

3. Randy Moss
10. Daunte Culpepper
44. Antoine Winfield.

Comments on position rankings.

QB- I would put Brady at 1 due to playoff superiority instead of Manning, so switch PFW'S rankings. I agree with McNabb at three. I am in limbo on number 4 as they have Brett Favre over Daunte Culpepper. If you look at their playoff game and stats this is no contest in Daunte Culpepper's favor. I thought maybe Favre got the edge because of his ability to perform down the stretch as he did in the Metrodome on Christmas Eve. I had sold Culpepper short in this area before, but I might have been wrong. Culpepper against the Giants last year through a bad pick with the game on the line, leading to a loss. Since he one time had Charles Tillman rip the ball out of Randy Moss' hands in Chicago. The Defense blew games at GB and INDY in 2004. He did throw that ill-advised pass to Micheal Boulware costing them against Seattle. Then against Green Bay at home, Matt Birk got that bad penalty. Culpepper has led them to late wins on the road at Houston, and Detroit. So looking at the playoff game last year vs Green Bay, I would rate for the 2005 Season, Daunte Culpepper ahead of Brett Favre.

TE- Jim Kleinsasser is rated 8th as a tight end, granted he is coming off injury. This is a tough position to evaluate. The seven guys ahead of Jimmy K are all clearly better pass--catchers (T. Gonzales, A.Crumpler, J.Shockey, A.Gates, T.Heap, R. McMicheal, and B.Franks), though Kleinsasser is a superior blocker to all of them. The question than comes down to value to a team. I would rather have Kleinsasser than McMicheal of Franks, on the Vikings due to the fact that they already have a pass-catching TE in Jermaine Wiggins, and the Vikings don't really need a second receiving option like those guys. So if one were to start a team from stratch, I think Kleinsasser's tremendous value in blocking would add more to a team than either McMicheal of Franks as receivers more than blockers. So I would have Jimmy K at 6.

I figure this is a good place to stop for the night, as Erik will be happy. More tommorrow, I think.