And then dealt that one I guess?Moved down 20 spots and picked up a 7th.
Spielman wanted 10 picks so he's going to make sure he gets them. The problem is quantity does not beat out quality in the NFL. He does pretty good in the first round or two but becomes questionable in later rounds every year. Having said that I do like the Yankey pick!Vikings keep trading back so they can dominate the 7th round.
Boy I really do like this draft though. A lot of high upside guys. The nice thing is they finally have a coaching staff that will be able to help them reach their full potential.
Agreed. Let Zimmer bring in multiple late round DBs and see if he can turn one or two into capable starters.I am willing to give Zimmer a little leeway if he is finding DBs late in the draft because DBs are his area of expertise. We shall see.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS AGREEING TO TERMS WITH VIKINGSOFFENSE: TE AC Leonard, WR Kain Coulter, OT Antonio Richardson, C Zac Kerin, OT Pierce Burton, OT Matt Hall, G Austin Wentworth, RB Dominique Williams, WR Erik Lora, WR Donte Foster, G Conor Boffeli.
DEFENSE: NT Isame Faciane, DE Jake Snyder, DE Tyler Scott, DE Rakim Cox.
If the Vikings are winning some games I think they'd love to sit Teddy longer than that; all season if necessary. If he outplays Cassel and earns the job, great!Having Harrison Smith back at full speed will really help. I wish we could've landed Brock Vereen from the Gophers. Hate that he went to the Bears.2014 should be a fun year, if not a winning one.. The first 5 weeks are daunting to say the least
IMO, short of an injury to Cassel, Bridewater takes over either week 6 at home vs. the Lions, or week 9 at home vs. Washington.
I am not sure AC Leonard can be considered a replacement for a traditional TE even if wins a spot on the team. His build is closer to being that of a fullback than an TE. He might not be able to run the ball like Marcel Reece but he has similar dimensions.I really like the signing of AC Leonard. I had him ranked as the 4th best receiving TE of the draft class prior to the draft.
He has some troubled history, which is why he was not drafted. But he ran the fastest time of all TE at the combine at 4.5. Colt Lyerla was the only other TE there to run sub 4.7 Soft hands good receiver not known for his blocking.
If he can stay out of trouble this gives the Vikings an option should they let Rudolph walk in free agency. So that could help in future negotiations with Rudolph also.
Not saying he can block in line. If he makes the team it would be as a move TE option.I am not sure AC Leonard can be considered a replacement for a traditional TE even if wins a spot on the team. His build is closer to being that of a fullback than an TE. He might not be able to run the ball like Marcel Reece but he has similar dimensions.I really like the signing of AC Leonard. I had him ranked as the 4th best receiving TE of the draft class prior to the draft.
He has some troubled history, which is why he was not drafted. But he ran the fastest time of all TE at the combine at 4.5. Colt Lyerla was the only other TE there to run sub 4.7 Soft hands good receiver not known for his blocking.
If he can stay out of trouble this gives the Vikings an option should they let Rudolph walk in free agency. So that could help in future negotiations with Rudolph also.
Bridgewater will compete with Matt Cassel (and perhaps Christian Ponder) for the job and Zimmer said that the rookie will have a chance to show he’s ready to be the man from the first week.
And, as you’d expect after they traded back into the first round to get him, the Vikings would prefer that Bridgewater prove to be the best option.
“Teddy will play when we feel like he’s ready, if he’s the best guy, which we hope that he will be,” Zimmer said, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We always want to have competition.”
Yes, of course they hope Bridgewater will be the guy and that he will be better than Ponder and Cassell. That isn't saying much.Bridgewater will compete with Matt Cassel (and perhaps Christian Ponder) for the job and Zimmer said that the rookie will have a chance to show he’s ready to be the man from the first week.
And, as you’d expect after they traded back into the first round to get him, the Vikings would prefer that Bridgewater prove to be the best option.
“Teddy will play when we feel like he’s ready, if he’s the best guy, which we hope that he will be,” Zimmer said, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We always want to have competition.”
Agreed..Then again, all he has to do is show he can hit a target down the field at 50 yards to beat out Cassel, and complete a 10 yard slant to beat out Ponder so the bar isn't all that highYes, of course they hope Bridgewater will be the guy and that he will be better than Ponder and Cassell. That isn't saying much.Bridgewater will compete with Matt Cassel (and perhaps Christian Ponder) for the job and Zimmer said that the rookie will have a chance to show he’s ready to be the man from the first week.
And, as you’d expect after they traded back into the first round to get him, the Vikings would prefer that Bridgewater prove to be the best option.
“Teddy will play when we feel like he’s ready, if he’s the best guy, which we hope that he will be,” Zimmer said, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We always want to have competition.”
But notice there is no timetable on that quote. "When he is ready" does not even come close to "week 1 starter".
Besides Teddy and Barr I think Crichton will be a beast and our eventual starting LDE in a couple years when Robison starts to decline. Yankey will be our starting LG maybe as early as this year. I also think Exum has a shot of turning into our starting SS and Mckinnon will be an extra playmaker under Norv Turner ala Sproles. A very strong draft with as many as 5 starters in it in my opinion. What I am hoping for is to finally hit on a late round CB. We have tried so many times and failed. Maybe James or Price could turn into our Richard Sherman or Verner CB gem in the later rounds.Other than Barr and Teddy I'm not overly excited about this draft from a needs standpoint, but one thing's for sure...Spielman and Zimmer wanted a more athletic team and they took some huge strides in that direction. I trust that Zimmer has a vision for this defense and took some guys that might not appear to be needs from the fans view, but are players that fit what he wants to do. Odds are it's going to take a year or two of drafts and FA to get him the guys he wants, but I haven't been this excited about Vikings football since #4.
I think we and the Wilf's are going to get a first hand lesson in the value of good coaching...this is the start of the next generation of Vikings football, and it will be glorious.
Rob Rang rated Richardson as a 2-3rd round and 8th overall OT prospect.by Andrew Krammer
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Notebook_Bridgewater_is_the_third_QB_Zimmer_says_but_for_how_long051614?t=2
'First-round talent'
Antonio Richardson waited last week for a call that never came.
Richardson, 22, went undrafted last week and is one of the Vikings' 16 rookie free agents that worked out at Winter Park on Friday. At a hulking 6'6", 336lbs, Richardson, otherwise known as 'Tiny,' looks to have everything a team would want in a tackle.
But Richardson, who had three offensive line coaches across the last three seasons, reportedly had a number of red flags that irked scouts, including conditioning and technique problems. He also had knee surgery after his sophomore season in 2012, missed the following spring last season and wasn't as effective as a junior in 2013.
He watched himself tumble down draft boards as injury concerns arose around what he called 'cartilage issues' with his knee.
"I was [aware of the issues]," Richardson said. "But it was one of those things like the issues were going to go on either way. I wanted to leave where I could get the best doctors and medical treatment and I felt I did that. "
The Vikings liked him enough to offer him a contract after the draft, but not to take him with any of their 10 picks. Minnesota needs offensive line depth, particularly at swing tackle, where Richardson could make an impact if he stands out.
"I was very surprised [that I didn't get drafted.] But I'm a strong individual," Richardson said. "It didn't shake me. Family told me, you're the same player you were in 2012 and 2013, a first-round talent."
Quick study
David Yankey was a unanimous first-team All-American left guard last season for Stanford, so it's no coincidence that's where he's getting the bulk of his work in Minnesota.
Yankey, 22, was taken with the 145th overall pick by the Vikings last week and has seen the lion's share of his reps come at guard Charlie Johnson's spot during the team's rookie minicamp.
"Number one, I like his toughness and physicality," Zimmer said. "You know he's pulled 100 times with the guards with the powers when he was at Stanford. We're going to look at him more this weekend. We're playing him all over the place right now but after this weekend we'll look at him more."
Yankey has only two more days to absorb as much as he can before he goes back to Stanford, which is on the quarters system, to finish up his degree and graduate. He'll miss most of the Vikings' OTAs in late May and early June, but may get a visit from offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, whose son, Nick, was a teammate of Yankey's with the Cardinal.
At 6'5", 313lbs, Yankey could provide the help the Vikings need at swing tackle as he also played both guard and tackle at Stanford.
"He may have to be a swing guy anyway," Zimmer said. "It's too early to make that determination."
Late hits
• Defensive end Scott Crichton, one of the Vikings' two third-round picks, said he's mostly used on the right side of the defensive line and has experience rushing the passer from the inside.
• Running back Jerick McKinnon, the other third-round pick, has played as a running back, defensive back and kick returner. If he's given the opportunity to return on special teams: "I definitely think I can contribute that way," McKinnon said.
• First-round pick Anthony Barr is just two years removed from switching to defense, but says the transition to the NFL has gone smoothly so far. Though his education has started with the basics: "Reading fullbacks and guards pulling, that's a little new," Barr said.
Maybe another long term rehab situation?http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1851178/antonio-richardson STRENGTHS: Combination of size, agility, patience and power. Shocking athleticism for his size. Well-proportioned with broad shoulders, long arms and tree trunks for legs. Richardson shows surprising quickness and balance off the snap in pass protection, sliding quickly left to properly protect the blind side.He latches on with strong hands and rides with the pass rusher before settling, squaring his shoulders and sustaining nicely by playing on the balls of his feet.
WEAKNESSES: Was bull-rushed into the quarterback multiple times in a marquee matchup against Jadeveon Clowney in 2013. Needs to be more technically consistent, as he'll get over-extended off the snap, and will at times stop his feet altogether, when asked to redirect in mirroring counter-moves.
Over-extends at times off the snap and doesn't exhibit consistent patience in pass protection, as he'll often reach to initiate contact when he should first establish his base, and then "catch" his opponent.
Compares To: Erik Williams, ex-Cowboys -- Like Williams, Richardson is a massive offensive tackle with the ability to re-route pass rushers and be a road-grader in the ground game.
--Rob Rang and Derek Stephens (2/3/14)
PLAYER OVERVIEW Nicknamed "Tiny," Richardson is, of course, quite the opposite at a massive 6-6, 332 pounds.Richardson signed with the Volunteers as the top overall prep prospect in Tennessee in 2010. He played in every game as a true freshman but didn't log a single start. As such, it surprised many when then-coach Derek Dooley elected to move steady senior Dallas Thomas inside to left guard in 2012 to hand Richardson the critical role of protecting Tyler Bray's blind side. The gamble on Richardson's potential and Thomas' versatility paid off as each earned Second Team All-SEC honors.
Richardson really opened eyes with an outstanding performance against South Carolina All-American pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney in 2012. While he wasn't as stellar in the rematch in 2013, Richardson still displayed the ability to hold his own against the SEC's top pass rushers while being a force in the ground game.
Richardson may possess the deepest and most impressive toolbox of all the tackles in the 2014 class in terms of natural ability and size/athleticism combination. Where he needs to improve is in his technical approach to the position, particularly when mirroring quicker pass rushers, as he too frequently over-relies on his hands and will forget to stay active with his feet.
There's no doubt that Richardson's freakish athleticism and size will draw consideration from NFL teams in the early rounds, but in order to be a first-round selection he must convince scouts that he is committed to improving technically.
We'll be the first team to play in their hometown Super Bowl.Looks like you guys are hosting Super Bowl LII, congrats!
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2014-05-20/2018-nfl-super-bowl-lii-52-minnesota-twin-cities-upset-new-orleans-indianapolis-eliminated
Ah no fully enclosed in glass.isn't this going to be an outdoor stadium? If it is, the NFL is dumb to try another cold weather city for a SB....just playing with fire for no reason. Oh well, I guess if a team can never win a SB, this is one way to get close to one.
Seems you are slightly The next 2 years will be played outdoors at the Minnesota Gophers stadium while the completely enclosed new stadium is built.isn't this going to be an outdoor stadium? If it is, the NFL is dumb to try another cold weather city for a SB....just playing with fire for no reason. Oh well, I guess if a team can never win a SB, this is one way to get close to one.