Lets open the floor to all rumors, hunches, and dreams. If u think something is possible for the vikings lets hear it. im talkin trades, possible free agents available and of course possible draft day moves. I still feel that the needs i said in the "possible fixes" bulletins need addressing.

udeze has luekemia?!?!

yeah... i heard that. it's prolly going to put a priority on DE for the Vikes in the draft and/or FA...

This is unfortunate, and you're probably right about the draft. DE was a need going in, but they may have looked QB or WR. I think it's almost inevitable they take a DE now.

Does anyone have a good breakdown of Lawrence Jackson?
He would be the obvious choice IMO to replace Udeze via the draft.

Below is something I wrote on LJ for an article I did last week...it might help you.

5. Lawrence Jackson, USC - Lawrence Jackson was a 4-year starter at USC and combines immense strength with good speed, all of which makes him one of the top DE prospects. He has a great first step off the edge and amazing ability to beat offensive tackles with apparent ease. Has proven himself as a relentless rusher of the quarterback who doesn't fall for pump fakes and has also remained healthy throughout his entire time at USC. He isn't the best against the run, as his lateral movement tends to let him down and he will need to bulk up a little. Another very good prospect who we expect to be able to contribute as a rookie.

How would he be different from Udeze?
Was Udeze a better prospect?

He was a bust.

does childress now pursue Jared Allan or other prime FA DEs? or does he use the draft to address this?

The Chiefs will tag Allen, so don't even go there. However, there are some good pass rushers who will be available in FA, and you can start looking at the Titans roster to begin with because they will need to use their tag on Haynesworth if they don't sign him before FA starts.

Both Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy are good young pass rushers, UFAs, and both are only 26. Bobby McCray from the Jags is another player who will command interest, although he had a down year this year. Chris Clemons of the Raiders is someone who many might overlook, but he had 8 sacks playing part-time. Another passing down DE is Greg White from the Bucs. These are all pass rushers, and it is also important to remember the first 3 come from teams with other well established DL...Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch in Tennessee...and Stroud and Henderson on the Jags that other teams had to account for too, so that could cause some skewing of the numbers...or it might not.

The best fits at DE might be available later Jeremy Thompson and Jason Jones are likely mid-rounders who will be productive, and Brian Johnston late in the 2nd day will be good after a year in a NFL weight program.

the vikings have cap room so do they approach Crumpler and one of the elite OT to anchor the right side of the line for some serious money?

Crumpler would really help out TJack

allen might get franchised tagged

QUOTE (Defender42 @ Feb 18 2008, 1:53:11 AM) *
the vikings have cap room so do they approach Crumpler and one of the elite OT to anchor the right side of the line for some serious money?



Crumpler's knee injury is chronic. I don't think he would be a very wise investment for most teams, and especially a team that plays on artificial turf.

wat ur sayin then nyyjones is address te in the draft. wat is ur guys take on Sean Locklear to replace the RT deficency? And also one more question wat is Cester Taylor's value in a trade to a team like the Cowboys?

Dwight Smith cut... only Sharper and Eric Frampton are under contract for next year. Hamlin got tagged and the rumor is Madieu (sp?) Williams will be sought after. Safety and DE are appearing as the primary needs in FA and the draft. The Vikes still need another WR and the thought is of over-paying Berrian... this will be a very tricky offseason for the Vikes.
I'd be surprised if the Boys are truly interested in Taylor... We should look to get a DB in return for him if in fact he goes to Dallas. My guess is that the Vikes FO is holding out for someone to give up a first day pick... preferrably a 2nd. Not sure if he'll garner that kind of respect though...

Tyrell Johnson in the 2nd, Josh Barrett in the 3rd, Bobbie Williams or Jarmaul George in the 7th at Safety, Jackson or Harvey at DE in the 1st, Jerome Simpson, Jordy Nelson or Paul Hubbard at WR in the 3rd or 4th, Harper in the 5th/6th, Jaymar Johnson in the 6th/7th. There will be some Colston type steals late at WR.

Vikings filled some major voids with the signings of Madieu Williams and Thomas Tahep. I dont care much for berrian though. With the depth of WR in the draft we should just wait for the draft

Williams is a solid pick up for sure. Did they sign Berrian yet? As a bears fan you guys are gonna pay #1 money to a #2 wr. Good luck with that.

That they did. He will, however, open up more lanes for Peterson...until he gets hurt again...I do hate to say that, however, I did predict that with his upright running style, and the speed/size of NFL defenders, he just leaves himself vulnerable every time he touches the ball. Very few runners of his type have long careers, and he already showed he's not invincible. I do like the other moves the Vikes made in FA, and they've set themselves up to use their No1 on a DE in all likelihood now.

Vikings Offseason Checklist
Safety----check----Madeiu Williams signed
FB------check-----a young Thomas Tapeh signed
WR1-----check----Bernard Berrian signed (for more than i would have preffered)
WR2----- ------needs to be addressed either by late 1st day pick or by bringing back Ferguson
TE------ ------needs addressing; im liking the look the draft is giving
OT----- ------needs addressing; prime draft prospects
Depth!!!---- ------draft
Actaully sign some good FAs this year-----check---- Williams!!!, Tapeh!!!!, and Berrian

Not too bad so far it is starting to look like childress is putting the pieces together

The signing of Berrian almost ensures that chili won't address WR til 3rd or later, but Sidney Rice should be able to step into that 2nd role putting Wade in his best position on O (slot receiver).
It's hard to say where the Vikes prime needs in the eyes of the FO until we see who's coming in for workouts and such... but IMO DE and CB will end up being the targets in the first two rounds. Though I'd like to see Davis, Bennett, Carlson or Rucker in Vikings purple...

Cornerback isnt a pressing need McCually will continue to develop. Cedric Griffin will too. WInfield is good for a year or 2 still. I think vikings wait to address CB. I used to agree but S is much more important that CB

You're right. Chili has to do well this year or he is done. Much like Nolan in SF. Produce or get fired!

Referring to NYjones coment about upright runners. Is McFadden just as much an upright runner? Does he just seem thinner to me then AD or is he actually smaller?

McFadden is a much more upright runner if u watched his games and then watched AP run some.

wookie which DE do u favor in the 1st round check out my mock draft and leave a comment for me

Yes, yerckson3420. Worse yet, after listening to Mike Mayock point out how his legs go dead once someone hits him, that is strike two against him...and, McFadden, despite people trying to change his habits, continues to carry the rock in his left hand, even when running right...if that doesn't change, he'll become a fumbling machine in the NFL...so that's strike 3. I do not like McFadden as a top 10 RB, at all. Is he dangerous...damn right he is...every time he touches the ball he could go all the way. I just have this feeling about him. I had nearly the same feeling last year about Peterson, but he at least really runs with toughness and authority, something McFadden has never been accused of. Perhaps because of McFadden's softness he'll last longer. I almost wonder if he "makes" his legs go dead, kind of "de-cleating" himself so his knees don't get torn up when he gets hit. Still, there's a strike 4, and that's his character issue. So I would not use a top 10 pick on him no matter how desperate I was...besides, I like the kid out of Illinois, Mendenhall better.

i like steward he runs hard and delivers a hit at the point of attack

wat de should the vikings take that could possibly be available?

because of farve's departure and the loss of key players from the bears and lions the Vikings are looking strong in the north. If we can find a premiere DE i think the Vikings can make a pretty good run at the playoffs maybe even the Super Bowl

Super Bowl? Not with your QB. I personally don't believe he'll ever be a QB that will take you to the promised land. Everyone likes to talk about his potential. Heck, I've seen a lot of coaches fired because of QBs with a lot more potential than I see in this kid. A fine person, I'm sure, but he's no NFL QB.

look at the giants u dont need a thrilling QB just one that can make someplays and the vikings have more play makers on both sides of the bal then the giants do

I am a firm believer of a team can win 1 super bowl in a great while with a good O-line and a great defense. But to have a contender every year you do need QB that is better than tjack.

true but i never promised that we would be the patriots just a could team that can compete with the league

More "play makers?" Really? Other than Peterson and Taylor on offense...name one. You can't possibly mean the hands of stone WR you just signed...or could you? In the long run, I believe Chicago fans will be happy you took the bum off their hands. I'll allow that your Oline is very nice.

On the defensive side though, your line is barely average, and I'm being quite generous...your LBs are average...your best CB is 30, and you just signed an injury prone S with much fanfare.

I'm not going to tell you the Giants will win the SB again this year, but you have a long way to go before you can say your team has all these supposed "play makers." I'll tell you one thing, if I were a Viking fan, I'd be holding my breath every time AP touches the ball because his running style leaves him extra vulnerable to a career ending injury, and he's already been injured once. I hope that doesn't happen because I love watching him play, but his style does scare me. If he did go down, your whole team would be in a shambles, IMO, even with Taylor. That's because even though he's a good player in his own right, Taylor is not nearly as dangerous as AP with the ball in his hands, and defenses will quickly tighten things up and force your QB to beat them. Even with AP that still might happen, especially against the better defensive teams.

Before Udeze's situation was known, you guys were projected to take either a QB, WR, or DE in the 1st round, and his illness almost makes DE a priority now. Edwards is young, and perhaps he can improve on his 5 sacks, but if you do have any play makers on D, they won't show up until you can find a couple of guys who can get to the QB consistently...that's why the Giants won. Your had two DL tied for the team lead with 5 sacks, and now one of them is ill. The Giants had 3 DL with 9 or more sacks in the regular season, and a fourth with 5.5. You don't have any defensive play makers, because you don't have a rush to put the pressure needed on opposing QBs to allow your "play makers" to be so...if they even exist, as you suggest.

It's way too early to judge this kid, what if Steve Young, Vinny Testaverde, Doug Williams, heck Bradshaw got judged based on less 2 fulls years as starters, look at the numbers, they'd all be busts by that method.

Nyjones u already named AP and Taylor on offense. But seriously could Berrian really be a QB with no consistent QB. Even when he was signed he commented on the fact that it would be a benefit to have one consistent QB week in and week out. QBs have different spins velcities and game plans than the other ones that are in the league how can you be consistent dealing with that. Our offensive line is decent?!?! Look at the pro bowlers on the line. Hutchinson, McKinney, and Birk. Those guys are top notch. Yes the right side needs tweaking. A OT in the draft to get rid of Cook out there should help remedy that. And what are you smoking when it comes to the D-Line the Williams tandem in the middle. NO ONE COULD RUN ON THE VIKINGS WITH THOSE TWO IN THE MIDDLE. In fact those two were double teamed alot. And still they were a destructive force. Both made the pro bowl. No the Vikings dont have the elite DEs that other teams have but they should improve. How do figure Shaper has the most interceptions in the league since 2000 if he isnt a play maker? How does he make the pro bowl with out being a playmaker? Griffin was in his second year and proved himself to be a threat and to improve much in the future. winfield is old yes but he still can play with the best. Thomas Tahep is a young Tony Richardson and will be a future prennial pro bowler. And that tendon that AP tweaked isnt because of his running style but because of a understretched and isolated area. This tendon got stretched when he got foot tackled.

I am going to disagree with you here, bcdrama. I do not believe Jackson will ever be a quality NFL QB that can take his team to the SB, much less win it, and I don't care if he has Jerry Rice reincarnated, and Marvin Harrison as his WRs (Neither of which Berrian will ever approach as a WR). At best, I see him as a stop gap backup. Sorry if nobody agrees with me here, but like I said before, I've seen a lot of coaches fired for holding onto QBs with a lot more potential, and skills than I see in Jackson. True his WRs have not been the best, but they were better than some teams, and his Oline is among the best, and that's what catches my eye. With the protection he receives he should have much better numbers...heck, even I could get open now and then, and I'm in my 50s. You have to be able to read the D, see the field, and make a decision in a reasonable amount of time, and he's had more than most get...sorry, but I just don't think he'll make it.

Nyyjones the left side and middle of that offensive line is among the best but on the right side Tjack was getting all kinds of pressure. That is part of the reason i push so hard for a OT in the second or with the first 3rd round pick to hold that Right side alittle longer. Tjack didnt even throw that many times. His progression this year should start to show. He came from a small school with an easy competition to deal with and dominated. It is a big leap from the level he played at to the NFL. If he isnt showing inprovement this next year ill admit he was a total waste and look for a future replacement. And who have u seen ge fired because of which QBS?

if the vikings sign Pope i dont think they draft another LB this year because Rufus Alexander should be healthy.If Wyms signs the Vikings have the option of waiting another year for a depth DT. If those two sign do the Vikings draft a WR or sign Ferguson to another year? Can the Vikings trade down and get more picks in the first while still gettin Laurence Jackson and who would they trade with? Last Question. Which TE and where in the draft do they take him at?

my question to you defender... how good do you think Robert Ferguson is?

i'd love to see anything out of Rufus this year, but i won't count on him being ready for primetime quite yet.

i hope they take either Davis or Bennett with the 47th pick.

i don't see it likely that a team would move up to our first round position, although we might see Chili do what he did last year and play some games in the second to garner another first day pick either this year or next.

Udeze's condition really puts us in a box for what our prime draft need is. Especially considering we keep missing out on UFA DEs. I wouldn't be against them making a significant move to acquire Julius Peppers if at all possible.

i think Ferguson would be a shaky to decent 4th receiver. He flashed last year with his limited time throughout the games.
I was just thinking that maybe a team that needs a WR like Tampa or Tennessee trading up to get either Malcom Kelly or the Jackson.
Pope is signed now and with Rufus i think the LB spot is pretty stable for now. I dont see the vikings drafting LB in the 1st day this year.
This week James Hall will be visiting but even if he signs i think the Vikings draft a DE in the 1st but not at pick 17 if they can help it. Juluis Peppers is all good and a solid pick-up but the Panther's want a first and another later pick. Would the Panthers be interested in trading Peppers for a 3rd round pick and Chester Taylor? I would feel pretty good about that. And then in the draft get Thomas Brown or a early second day back.
If the Vikings snag Nate Jones i think they sit good for at least one-two years at CB at least until Winfield starts talking retirement.
The more i think about TEs in this draft the more Bennet seems the best prospect. The guy is massive. A good block. HUGE across the middle. Good hands. And supposedly pretty smart. Davis only really had one remarkable year and that could be a bit of a caution for how is pro career might be.

Vikings signed Wyms and Sartz to contracts no need for DT depth or LB depth anymore

i'm assuming the Vikes are done with big name FA signings... there may be another signing or two after the june 1 cuts imo...

*i still look at LE being our prime draft need and our need falls perfectly with what talent is predicted to be picked around that first round slot. my favs include Jackson, Merling and Harvey.
*with the 47 i'm still set on a premier TE...
*depending on the moves made from here until the draft (and assuming Ryan Cook's progression is satisfactory with the staff) i'd like to see another WR/DT/CB/S for the two third rounders... the others not addressed being taken care of in the later rounds.

-i agree with wookie we need a DE im sold on Jackson. He had the most productive college career and he even recieved the double teams that Merling lacked throughout his career because of Gaines Adams on the other side.
I'd like to see the Vikings pick up some more picks by trading down a little in the 1st. Jackson should be there.
-once again the vikings should trade down a little and still score a decent TE. I will not be a Vikings fan if we draft Fred Davis. He is the most overrated player in the draft. He is a one year wonder. He couldnt catch the ball until this year and his blocking is par with the rest of the draftees. I like Bennet and Carlson.
-We signed 3 DT now this year in the 3rd the Vikings should approach it WR/S/CB

Defender do you remember who was the one who sold you on Jackson...

wat do u guys think is the best safety fit in minnesota

i favor tyrell jackson because of his fimilarity with the system.

Tyrell would be a good fit in a Cover 2. He's pretty versatile and is a terror in the box and good in coverage.