Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
***OFFICIAL*** 2013 MINNESOTA VIKINGS SEASON THREAD (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Beo
- Start date
skol asylum
Footballguy
Dont watch college ball at all. Hate that Teddy collapsed under the pressure at his pro day. Hopefully Turner and Zimmer can coach him up. Seems like a pretty good kid.
CanadianNFLJunkie
Footballguy
At the cost of just a 4th rounder to move 8 spots and back again into the 1st round to get a QB ahead of Houston is a smoooooth move. I love it.
Norv will make Teddy a stud. That's SEVEN first round picks in three years that we have!!
Norv will make Teddy a stud. That's SEVEN first round picks in three years that we have!!
snogger
Footballguy
Have to say, to get Bridgewater at 32 was a great move by Speilman. 
Before Bridgewater's very poor showing at the Pro Day workout he was slated to go top 5. Based on what I've read he explains the reasoning as not wearing a glove like he normally does. During a private workout with the Vikings he wore the glove and reportedly threw much better.
Had they chosen Manziel there would have been pressure on the staff to start him day one. Now they let him learn from the sideline.
No way Ponder beats him out for #2, so hopefully Cassel can stay healthy for 4 to 8 games so he isn't rushed in before he is ready.
Before Bridgewater's very poor showing at the Pro Day workout he was slated to go top 5. Based on what I've read he explains the reasoning as not wearing a glove like he normally does. During a private workout with the Vikings he wore the glove and reportedly threw much better.
Had they chosen Manziel there would have been pressure on the staff to start him day one. Now they let him learn from the sideline.
No way Ponder beats him out for #2, so hopefully Cassel can stay healthy for 4 to 8 games so he isn't rushed in before he is ready.
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
Those picks have me excited about the coming year. We needed LB badly and Bridgewater will be good.
Any chance Barr steals some of AP's red zone touches??
Any chance Barr steals some of AP's red zone touches??
Last edited by a moderator:
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I knew that Zimmer likes to bring pressure from the outside LB spot, but I didn't think that Barr would be the guy that would fit that role. They're going to know better than me if that's true, obviously, so I like that pick.
My body was shunting blood flow to my private areas when it looked like they might be able to get Manziel, but Bridgewater is as good of a consolation prize as there was.
Great start.
My body was shunting blood flow to my private areas when it looked like they might be able to get Manziel, but Bridgewater is as good of a consolation prize as there was.
Great start.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I think the latest he was going to go was to Dallas.
Not really a reach. He just has some question marks.
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
I agree...a lot of people had him going to the Titans, so they had to stay above 11.
mozzy84
Footballguy
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Daniel Jerimiah had Barr as his #6 rated player. He had Bridgewater as his #11 rated player. Props to DJ for not going with the crowd and dropping Bridgewater on the basis of his pro day.
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
So, any chance they package their two 3's and move into the second, or do they sit tight and possibly trade down in the third?
massraider
Footballguy
Jeremiah might be the best draft guy out there now. Level-headed, doesn't follow the herd as much.
Johnny Bing
Footballguy
War room etiquette? Do you think once the Vikings called Seattle for that 32nd pick and made an offer, does Seattle call Houston and say hey MN wants to move up what are you offering? Knowing both teams are in need of a QB, and Seattle is smart enough to know MN is moving up for the QB.
Or maybe not that obvious, does Seattle call Houston and say we are getting some action to move up and we are going to pull trigger anything you want to offer?
Or maybe not that obvious, does Seattle call Houston and say we are getting some action to move up and we are going to pull trigger anything you want to offer?
massraider
Footballguy
8 home games at UMinn, away at Chi and GB?
Don't forget your gloves, Teddy!
Don't forget your gloves, Teddy!
John 14:6
Jesus is Lord!
I'm glad they got Bridgewater instead of Manziel. Not that I know much of anything, but I think Bridgewater will be a better long term QB than Manziel...I knew that Zimmer likes to bring pressure from the outside LB spot, but I didn't think that Barr would be the guy that would fit that role. They're going to know better than me if that's true, obviously, so I like that pick.
My body was shunting blood flow to my private areas when it looked like they might be able to get Manziel, but Bridgewater is as good of a consolation prize as there was.
Great start.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Sure there's a chance if there's a guy they know they like.
If you go by the trade value chart (not really sure how much that's used anymore, but it's a decent guide for we lay people), the two 3rds get them somewhere around the 23rd pick in round 2.
If they can find a great player at OG, CB, WR, or Safety, I'm all for it.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
The Vikings didn't even need a smokescreen to get Manziel or Bridgewater in this draft. If I had a dollar for every time a commentator said that Norv Turner type QB is "a big prototypical pocket passer that pushes the ball downfield", I would be a rich man. Anyone who actually listened to Norv talk about what he attributes he was looking for in a QB back in March should have realized that the scope wasn't that narrow.
Last edited by a moderator:
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Definitely. All that talk about a "Norv kind of guy" was nonsense.
I'm looking at you, Rotoworld.
jurb26
Footballguy
Doesn't feel like a reach at all to me. Barr is going to be a star in the NFL. I love the pick.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Barr looks to be a little bit Jason Taylor and a little bit Justin Tuck.
cstu
Footballguy
Didn't like what I saw watching him and was disappointed they didn't take Gilbert, but Barr is drafted on upside assuming he hasn't reached his potential.
jestertj
Footballguy
Am I the only one that sees this as screaming out he's gonna be a fumbler?snogger said:Have to say, to get Bridgewater at 32 was a great move by Speilman.
Before Bridgewater's very poor showing at the Pro Day workout he was slated to go top 5. Based on what I've read he explains the reasoning as not wearing a glove like he normally does. During a private workout with the Vikings he wore the glove and reportedly threw much better.
Had they chosen Manziel there would have been pressure on the staff to start him day one. Now they let him learn from the sideline.
No way Ponder beats him out for #2, so hopefully Cassel can stay healthy for 4 to 8 games so he isn't rushed in before he is ready.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Kind of. Zimmer views linebackers a bit uniquely.
The basic idea for his defense is that the front four "hold the line" while the linebackers attack from the outside. That's the role he seems to want Barr to fill. Kind of like the Von Miller type role.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
I believe so. He will likely be used primarily as a pass rusher at least at first. So the Vikings have some depth now to rotate with Griffen, Robison, Barr can even play undertackle (he did in UCLA).
I like Shazier a bit better than Barr who is still learning the position but I trust Zimmer on this and perhaps Barr has a higher upside as an all around LB.
Here is a nice article by Carl Knowles about how the Vikings may use him-
John 14:6
Jesus is Lord!
I don't know if it's been mentioned here yet, but every year the KFAN morning show (The Power Trip) does a mock draft up to the Vikings' pick the day of the draft. Paul Allen, the Vikes' PA announcer, picked Barr for them. When it happened, everyone else on the show and many on Twitter blasted him. They thought he was out of his mind...
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Yeah I definitely saw Barr as a possibility. http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=688643&page=23#entry16777073
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Looking at Barr's usage as a FB before he was moved to defense, he caught several passes. So he may have some natural catching ability that you don't see with a LB that often. He was not used much in coverage at UCLA but more as a pass rusher. So that remains to be seen and may take awhile. Even if he is used almost exclusively as a pass rusher he still adds depth and speed to the rotation and maybe he is better in coverage than I thought.
Matthew Fairburn on Barr prior to last season-
Matthew Fairburn on Barr prior to last season-
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Minnesota Vikings 2014 NFL Draft: Mike Zimmer On Anthony Barr
By Eric J. Thompson http://www.dailynorseman.com/2014/5/8/5697702/minnesota-vikings-2014-nfl-draft-mike-zimmer-discusses-anthony-barr
Mike Zimmer is a defensive coach, so you know he'd be excited about the Minnesota Vikings choosing defense with the team's first pick in his tenure.
It may not have been what many Vikings fans were expecting, but Zimmer shared GM Rick Spielman's enthusiasm of drafting Anthony Barr with the #9 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Zimmer led his press conference with a big statement about Barr: "This kid is a full grown man".
Zimmer is excited to take someone with Barr's talent level and make him better. "He's still learning a lot of different things and we'll be able to teach him a lot," Zimmer explained. Coach Zimmer repeatedly praised Barr's intelligence and character throughout the press conference.
The potential to play Barr in a lot of different roles on the Vikings defense was a big selling point for Zimmer. "Without trying to tell too many things, I think we can use him in a few different positions."
Zimmer anticipates that Barr will be used as a Sam Linebacker in the base package and will be a blizter in sub packages, intimating that Barr will be a three-down linebacker.
Next there were two assumptions that Zimmer quickly dispelled:
It's true that Zimmer thinks Barr will play the Sam Linebacker in his scheme. Chad Greenway has been in the "Sam" role in the Vikings defense for the past several years, but Zimmer clarified that "Sam" and "Will" are different in his scheme than with the previous regime in Minnesota. Barr will be used much more to rush that passer while Greenway will likely play on the other side in a more traditional weakside linebacker role. "Chad can play anything," Zimmer explained. "I've watched him play for a long time and he can be effective anywhere on the field."
Zimmer also clarified that nobody on his defense will simply be handed the starting job. He expects everyone on his team to compete for their roles. "[barr] is like a fawn. He's just learning some of these things...but at the same time it's not like he's raw." Zimmer believes that the part of Barr's game that needs the most improvement is when he lines up away from the line of scrimmage in base packages since Barr doesn't have a ton of experience with it. The Vikings coach even dropped some draft buzzwords about Barr, saying that his new linebacker has "great hips, great feet, and a great first step coming off the line of scrimmage".
Zimmer finished the press conference with more large praise for Barr. "I've never had anyone with his size and speed. Not even back in my Dallas days." He thinks that Barr can be used in a similar manner that the Denver Broncos use Von Miller in their defensive scheme.
It might not be the pick many of us wanted, but it certainly appears that the Head Coach and General Manager were in lockstep with the selection of Anthony Barr. Barr is obviously in good hands with the defensive-minded Zimmer and should be getting a lot of first-team looks during Training Camp in August.
By Eric J. Thompson http://www.dailynorseman.com/2014/5/8/5697702/minnesota-vikings-2014-nfl-draft-mike-zimmer-discusses-anthony-barr
Mike Zimmer is a defensive coach, so you know he'd be excited about the Minnesota Vikings choosing defense with the team's first pick in his tenure.
It may not have been what many Vikings fans were expecting, but Zimmer shared GM Rick Spielman's enthusiasm of drafting Anthony Barr with the #9 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Zimmer led his press conference with a big statement about Barr: "This kid is a full grown man".
Zimmer is excited to take someone with Barr's talent level and make him better. "He's still learning a lot of different things and we'll be able to teach him a lot," Zimmer explained. Coach Zimmer repeatedly praised Barr's intelligence and character throughout the press conference.
The potential to play Barr in a lot of different roles on the Vikings defense was a big selling point for Zimmer. "Without trying to tell too many things, I think we can use him in a few different positions."
Zimmer anticipates that Barr will be used as a Sam Linebacker in the base package and will be a blizter in sub packages, intimating that Barr will be a three-down linebacker.
Next there were two assumptions that Zimmer quickly dispelled:
- Barr was going to take Chad Greenway's place in the defense.
- Barr will (not) be handed the starting job since he was such a high draft pick.
It's true that Zimmer thinks Barr will play the Sam Linebacker in his scheme. Chad Greenway has been in the "Sam" role in the Vikings defense for the past several years, but Zimmer clarified that "Sam" and "Will" are different in his scheme than with the previous regime in Minnesota. Barr will be used much more to rush that passer while Greenway will likely play on the other side in a more traditional weakside linebacker role. "Chad can play anything," Zimmer explained. "I've watched him play for a long time and he can be effective anywhere on the field."
Zimmer also clarified that nobody on his defense will simply be handed the starting job. He expects everyone on his team to compete for their roles. "[barr] is like a fawn. He's just learning some of these things...but at the same time it's not like he's raw." Zimmer believes that the part of Barr's game that needs the most improvement is when he lines up away from the line of scrimmage in base packages since Barr doesn't have a ton of experience with it. The Vikings coach even dropped some draft buzzwords about Barr, saying that his new linebacker has "great hips, great feet, and a great first step coming off the line of scrimmage".
Zimmer finished the press conference with more large praise for Barr. "I've never had anyone with his size and speed. Not even back in my Dallas days." He thinks that Barr can be used in a similar manner that the Denver Broncos use Von Miller in their defensive scheme.
It might not be the pick many of us wanted, but it certainly appears that the Head Coach and General Manager were in lockstep with the selection of Anthony Barr. Barr is obviously in good hands with the defensive-minded Zimmer and should be getting a lot of first-team looks during Training Camp in August.
Last edited by a moderator:
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Given their schedule, I think they're looking at being about 3-8/4-7 by the time the Panthers game rolls around, I think week 13 is when we see Bridgewater start.
MAN they have a brutal start.
MAN they have a brutal start.
Last edited by a moderator:
Biabreakable
Footballguy
Hartman: Vikings GM Spielman kept eye on Barr for quite a while
Article by: SID HARTMAN , Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/258572391.html
The Vikings’ first-round pick of UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr was no surprise to me, since the word around the NFL was that General Manager Rick Spielman and company became impressed with him last season when they watched the 6-4, 255-pounder put on a defensive show against Washington with seven tackles and a sack.
Those impressions remained with Spielman. The word is that Barr, who during his only two seasons at linebacker after earlier playing fullback with the Bruins, made 149 tackles and 23½ sacks while have to carry a big load for the 10-3 Bruins.
Compare Barr’s tackle totals with that of No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, the South Carolina defensive end who went to Houston and had 94 tackles over his past two seasons, or Khalil Mack, the Buffalo outside linebacker who went fifth to the Raiders and had 194 tackles. Barr also had 41.5 tackles for loss, while Mack had 40 and Clowney had 35.
Spielman made it clear that defense, and not a quarterback, would be the theme of the 2014 draft, with plenty of quality quarterbacks to pick from in the later rounds of the draft. Contrary to what some media outlets predicted, there was no plan to take a quarterback early because when you finish near the bottom of the league and lose five games in the final minutes, it is pretty obvious you need help on defense.
The Vikings eventually traded up into the final pick of the first round, selecting Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The lessons of a similar draft in 2012 — which had a number of high-profile, first-round quarterbacks — came in the third round when the Seattle Seahawks grabbed Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson at 75th overall and the Philadelphia Eagles selected Nick Foles 88th overall out of Arizona.
The Vikings had six quarterbacks ranked on their board, and they offered Seattle a second- and fourth-round pick (Nos. 40 and 108 overall) to move up to No. 32 and grab Bridgewater — at one time touted by some draft analysts as a possible No. 1 overall pick — who they hope will have success similar to Wilson or Foles.
Wilson, of course, has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league and won the Super Bowl last season. Wilson threw for 3,357 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year — three more TDs than Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck, the 2012 No. 1 overall pick, threw for in his second season. Foles was statistically the best quarterback in the NFL with a 119.2 rating, passing for 2,891 yards, 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
The past few drafts have proved that great quarterbacks can be available at any time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting to me that somehow Sid knows the Vikings had 6 QB on their board when they made their offer to Seattle. Spielman may have been trying to trade up for Bridgewater with the Eagles earlier on in the draft from what I have heard as they perhaps knew that Cleveland was trading up for a QB?
If so then after the Browns drafted Manziel perhaps the Vikings were not concerned about another team moving up for Bridgewater?
I would have been happy with Bridgewater at pick 8. I think he is the best QB from this group. Moving around the way the Vikings did, I would not have been able to just wait on Bridgewater like that if he were the only QB the Vikings liked. But if they liked 6 of them like Sid says then it makes a bit more sense. Of course I wonder who those other 5 QB are and if the Vikings will draft one of them later on.
Article by: SID HARTMAN , Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/258572391.html
The Vikings’ first-round pick of UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr was no surprise to me, since the word around the NFL was that General Manager Rick Spielman and company became impressed with him last season when they watched the 6-4, 255-pounder put on a defensive show against Washington with seven tackles and a sack.
Those impressions remained with Spielman. The word is that Barr, who during his only two seasons at linebacker after earlier playing fullback with the Bruins, made 149 tackles and 23½ sacks while have to carry a big load for the 10-3 Bruins.
Compare Barr’s tackle totals with that of No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, the South Carolina defensive end who went to Houston and had 94 tackles over his past two seasons, or Khalil Mack, the Buffalo outside linebacker who went fifth to the Raiders and had 194 tackles. Barr also had 41.5 tackles for loss, while Mack had 40 and Clowney had 35.
Spielman made it clear that defense, and not a quarterback, would be the theme of the 2014 draft, with plenty of quality quarterbacks to pick from in the later rounds of the draft. Contrary to what some media outlets predicted, there was no plan to take a quarterback early because when you finish near the bottom of the league and lose five games in the final minutes, it is pretty obvious you need help on defense.
The Vikings eventually traded up into the final pick of the first round, selecting Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The lessons of a similar draft in 2012 — which had a number of high-profile, first-round quarterbacks — came in the third round when the Seattle Seahawks grabbed Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson at 75th overall and the Philadelphia Eagles selected Nick Foles 88th overall out of Arizona.
The Vikings had six quarterbacks ranked on their board, and they offered Seattle a second- and fourth-round pick (Nos. 40 and 108 overall) to move up to No. 32 and grab Bridgewater — at one time touted by some draft analysts as a possible No. 1 overall pick — who they hope will have success similar to Wilson or Foles.
Wilson, of course, has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league and won the Super Bowl last season. Wilson threw for 3,357 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year — three more TDs than Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck, the 2012 No. 1 overall pick, threw for in his second season. Foles was statistically the best quarterback in the NFL with a 119.2 rating, passing for 2,891 yards, 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
The past few drafts have proved that great quarterbacks can be available at any time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting to me that somehow Sid knows the Vikings had 6 QB on their board when they made their offer to Seattle. Spielman may have been trying to trade up for Bridgewater with the Eagles earlier on in the draft from what I have heard as they perhaps knew that Cleveland was trading up for a QB?
If so then after the Browns drafted Manziel perhaps the Vikings were not concerned about another team moving up for Bridgewater?
I would have been happy with Bridgewater at pick 8. I think he is the best QB from this group. Moving around the way the Vikings did, I would not have been able to just wait on Bridgewater like that if he were the only QB the Vikings liked. But if they liked 6 of them like Sid says then it makes a bit more sense. Of course I wonder who those other 5 QB are and if the Vikings will draft one of them later on.
Sweetness_34
Footballguy
Because picking a QB that has average arm strength is the way to go when you plan to play in the cold outdoors in Minny, GB and Chi every year. And of course, they wanted Bridgewater only after they failed to trade up for Johny Manziel
Last edited by a moderator:
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Alber Breer said that the Vikings didn't offer anywhere close to what the Browns offered the Eagles. Maybe the Vikings could have gotten Manziel but to go from 40 to 22 would most likely have cost them their 1st next year. I like Manziel but there is a certain amount of risk with him. I am glad they did not sell the farm to get him. BTW: Sports science tested Bridgewater ball velocity it was 54 MPH better than what Bortles achieved in the same test.
Last edited by a moderator:
BigJim®
Footballguy
Going into the draft seemed like LB/QB/CB were the most glaring needs. I was disappointed last night when viewing Barr as a DE, but I like the pick based on Zimmer's quotes intending to use him at LB. On Bridgewater, man those film clips showing his inaccurate ducks were U-G-L-Y, but 10,000 passing yards can't be a fluke and I'm very optimistic Turner can coach Teddy up to his capabilities. Nice draft so far.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
That the Vikings were trading up for Manziel is speculation from my understanding of it. Did Spielman ever say they were trading up for Manziel? Or are people just making that up?
I have seen it mentioned they were trying to trade up for a QB but not that the QB was Manziel.
I have seen it mentioned they were trying to trade up for a QB but not that the QB was Manziel.
sports_fan
Footballguy
54 MPH faster? That doesn't sound right.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
A comma might help there.
I just want to say that the lazy analysis about Norv Turner and Coryell offense being only suitable to deep passing game is pretty played out by now. This is one of the few flaws people can point to in Bridgewaters game because he was so good in other aspects.
I will just say the easy connect the dots of Norv + Gun QB is the only option. Turner himself said that the most important QB quality is their accuracy and taking the easy throws that are there. That last bit is something Manziel did not do, take the easy play when it was there. But it is pidgeonholing Norv Turner as somehow limited in the type of game plan and players he can utilize in his offensive system. That is Naive.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Biabreakable
Footballguy
So listening to Spielmans press conference- http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/videos/Spielman-on-Teddy-Comes-Through-Under-Pressure/aecbe807-f3d8-4d8f-862a-bf250def5d1d
8:50 of this video he is asked directly if he was looking to trade up for Manziel at pick 22.
Speilman says "That's all the speculation, and anything we do, I am going to keep it internal."
So as far as we know he may have been looking to move up for Bridgewater there. But was outbid by the Browns, who took Manziel. After seeing Manziel gone perhaps they felt comfortable with sticking with their offer and trying to move up. Or perhaps they already had the deal with Seattle agreed upon for that price, so that was the basis of the offers they were making for higher picks. Settling for the bird in hand once their player fell to that spot.
Nerves of steel waiting out the whole round in my opinion.
8:50 of this video he is asked directly if he was looking to trade up for Manziel at pick 22.
Speilman says "That's all the speculation, and anything we do, I am going to keep it internal."
So as far as we know he may have been looking to move up for Bridgewater there. But was outbid by the Browns, who took Manziel. After seeing Manziel gone perhaps they felt comfortable with sticking with their offer and trying to move up. Or perhaps they already had the deal with Seattle agreed upon for that price, so that was the basis of the offers they were making for higher picks. Settling for the bird in hand once their player fell to that spot.
Nerves of steel waiting out the whole round in my opinion.
i read Minny's outdoors for two years. what happens after that? is it back to indoors?
skol asylum
Footballguy
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Jerick McKinnon is a workout freak but did the Vikings need to go there with good CBs on the board and no 4th round pick?
Similar threads
