Q and A-Two Questions

Only two topics of real intrest. Blogging will be more limited till the season starts.


Q: What do you make of the Vikings stadium situation?

A: It will get taken care of in the next three years. There is no way the state lets the Vikings leave. Thier popularity with TV ratings is off the charts. All legislators in swing districts that allowed it would be voted out of office.

A new Vikings stadium would enhance the fan experience in several ways. 1. Unlimited space for tailgating as opposed to the limited options at the dome. 2. Wider concourses-it takes fifteen minutes to exit at the end of a game. 3. More bathrooms, so fans miss less of the game. 4. More food choices at concessions. 4. Better seats- wider and perhaps more comfortable.

A new Vikings stadium would help the team by increasing revenue with more suites, and increased parking revenue for the team.

A new Vikings stadium would help Anoka County by 1. A 1.6 billion dollar public works project.
2. A possible Super Bowl which would bring hundreds and millions of dollars to the community. 3. The shoping associated with Northern Lights. 4. Off-season concerts. 5. Increased property value for those in the area.

A Viking stadium solution is needed in the Minnesota State Legislature in 2007 for these reasons.

Q: What do you make of the Vikings Mini-Camp

A: I am surpised that Napoleon Harris is the First Team-Middle Linebacker. Harris seems to lack the insticts in pass coverage to be a successful Cover 2 LB. One thing that should be noted about Harris is that he had his most successful season in Oakland under current Vikings LB coach Fred Pagac. The Vikings seemed to heap a lot of praise on QB-Tavaris Jackson, especially Ryan Hoag and Koren Robinson. But a big-armed mobile QB like Jackson is the type of player who would shine in shorts, so that doesn't really tell us anything.

Q and A- Three Questions

Q: What are your comments about Fran Foley?

A: This is hard to evalute. I was not nuts about this year's draft for the giving it a C-, down from a B- in 2005. The Free Agent class while alright, didn't make me convinced the team will be much better in 2006. If he couldn't get along with people get rid of him. The bio thing doesn't help. I don't know what they're going to do as far as GM's go.

Q: What is your guess for Vikings Record in 2006?

A: Well I said they would win the Super Bowl in 2004- that feel flat due to Randy Moss and Matt Birk getting injured, and players like Chris Hovan, and Brian Williams not developing like I thought. Last year I said 9-7 and bingo 9-7. This year the drum roll please

I still think the Vikings will be 9-7. The Vikings are a medicore football team. Their Pass-Rush is unproven, and their LB core medicore, they also lack an exprienced NB. While thier O-line should be quite solid, the Vikings lack elite players at every offensive position. Combine this with the fact that Chicago is still-young and should be better on Offense with Brian Griese and Rex Grossman, and the Packers D improvements (Ryan Pickett, AJ Hawk, Charles Woodson), combined with a medicore Offensive probably in Detroit. I could see the Vikings going 3-3 in their division instead of 5-1. The Vikings schedule is also tough: At Sea, NE, at Was, Car.

It's true the Vikings Pass-Rush could be solid, making the Defense quite good, but the Offense is looking medicore as Brad Johnson is overrated for his play last year- The Vikings Offense was not that good in those games. The Vikings have too many questions to be considered more than a fringe playoff team as off today.

I am also concerned that veterans such as Pat Williams and Darren Sharper although still solid will take a step back. These were the Vikings two best Defenders in 2005.

If everything comes together 12 wins might be possible- (I.E. Pass-Rush, Matt Birk healthy, Troy Williamson, number 1 Running Back. But that's a lot of if's.

Q: Who will be the MLB next year?

A: Several Options being considered (EJ Henderson, Dontarrious Thomas, Napoloen Harris, Ben Leber). The Vikings don't know. I think if Chad Greenway could bulk up he would be the best option, as he seems to have the ability to make calls. EJ wouldn't be bad against the run, but his coverage liablities makes him a 2 down player in the cover 2. Dontarrious Thomas is the best fit on the roster for the D. He can run quite well, but seems an ideal fit on the weakside. I think Napoloen Harris should be moved to DE as a situational rusher or cut. He is inept in coverage, but his old LB coach that he had some success with in Oakland Fred Pagac is now with the Vikings. If I had to guess- I would say on opening day it is Dontarrious Thomas.

Final Draft Recap-Vikings

After the draft the Vikings made a couple of nice FA signings.

I really like the signing of Hank Baskett-WR New Mexico. Baskett is 6-3 won the state championship in the high jump, is physical at 225 pounds. Baskett has big hands, a great work ethic. A high character player. Why Baskett wasn't drafted was because although he has decent speed, he does not accelerate off the line of scrimmage fast. Baskett was in Mel Kiper's JR's top 25 seniors earlier this year.

I also like the signing of Charles Gordon- DB/WR Kansas is a terrific athelete with great ball skills. He is a great fit for the Cover 2 D. He has good quickness and leaping ability. Gordon is also a very good returner. He lacks speed techinque, and awareness at the DB position. But was considered a player before the season with All-American Potential.

Taurean Henderson of Texas Tech-RB- is maybe the most productive receiver out of the backfield in this class with 303 catches and 69 career td's. He has good quickness, running skills, and insticts to contribute as a 3rd down Rb and return man at the pro level. His lack of size and strength are what knocked him off the board.

Also keep an eye on Barrick Nealy of SW Texas State a good athelete who at 6-4 will either be tried at QB, or maybe transition to WR. Wendell Mathis ran for 1300 yards at Fresno State this past season with the vision and strength to compete for an NFL roster spot.

The Vikings also singed P John Torp who has the biggest leg for punters in the draft with good directional skills to provide insurance for Chris Kluwe.

So with all this what do I give the Vikings. I gave them a C- yesterday. They feel Artis Hicks will be the starting RG, and Chad Greenway the starting WLB. The Hicks trade was fine, along with the first two picks. While the Ryan Cook pick makes sense due to their need for power inside after last year, he was graded way down on draft boards. Tavaris Jackson although talented doesn't seem to be the type of player you pick as high as you do. Ray Edwards, I just don't see where he fits. The only way I see Greg Blue fitting in is on special teams, or as a third string SS, which no team really keeps.

This is why the grade of C- seems apt, though I like thier free agent class this is to evaluate the draft grade. The one thing I will say in the Vikings Defense is that they seem to shifted their strategy from the Dennis Green/Mike Tice model of taking the best player avalible to the New England model of targeting a limited number of players you think fits your system. So while Arizona will recieve high draft marks, it is New England who with their draft board of 50 players wins Super Bowls.