Vikings 2012 Season: Gentlemen, We Are Hosed

[Beauner]

I wouldn't be too upset taking Claiborne at #3 instead of Kalil. We have to face Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford 6 times a year with a non-existent secondary. Adding a talent like Claiborne could only help.

Agreed.
I think this is a deeper draft at tackle than it is at CB. If we aren't able to trade down I would have 0 issue with either one at #3.
I like Blackmon a lot, but I don't think we should take him at #3, especially since Alshon Jeffery is working his way back towards the top of the 2nd round and has some phenomenal ability and great size for a deep threat/Sidney Rice style receiver.

In my ideal situation we would trade down with either Tampa Bay or St. Louis, who supposedly both really like Trent Richardson and think he'll be gone to Cleveland if they don't move up. This would put us picking 5th or 6th. If we trade down with Tampa to #5 we would still be all but guaranteed Matt Kalil or Morris Claiborne (Cleveland will not take Kalil at #4 with Joe Thomas at LT, IMO they would go Blackmon if Richardson is off the board). If we move down to 6 it will be Kalil (Tampa is reportedly shopping Talib and would draft Claiborne to replace him if they can't get Richardson).

Trading down to #5 or #6 would likely gather us another 2nd round pick if both teams actually covet Richardson like they supposedly do. That would mean 3 picks in the top 38 picks. Meaning we could go Kalil/Claiborne #5/6, then Jeffery #35 (our 2nd rounder) and Mike Adams or Janoris Jenkins at 37/38 (both are guys who are probably top 15-20 talents but have had some "character issues" in the past that has dropped them out of the first round). Last week I would have said Harrison Smith (safety from Notre Dame) but I think he's going to go late in the first round now just to give the Vikings a middle finger.

[Bushwood Gopher]

Vikings signed Bengals WR Jerome Simpson to a one year deal. I believe he also received a 3 game suspension from the league today for violating its substance abuse policy.

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

another troubled project.

[Snowcool08]

I'm guessing that means we won't be using the #3 pick on Blackmon. It's down to Kalil and Claiborne.

[Bushwood Gopher]

I'm guessing that means we won't be using the #3 pick on Blackmon. It's down to Kalil and Claiborne.

I would think that's a fair assessment of the situation. Though logic and what this team does don't always go hand in hand.

[Tee09]

McShay seemed pretty convinced the Vikings will take Claiborne earlier this afternoon.

[Bushwood Gopher]

McShay seemed pretty convinced the Vikings will take Claiborne earlier this afternoon.

Maybe Spielman needs somebody around Winter Park he can beat at backgammon.

[Beauner]

I'm guessing that means we won't be using the #3 pick on Blackmon. It's down to Kalil and Claiborne.

I would think that's a fair assessment of the situation. Though logic and what this team does don't always go hand in hand.

I would be shocked if the Vikes took Blackmon at 3. 5 or 6? Maybe. But if we stay at 3 its Claiborne or Kalil. If we trade down to 6 it is Kalil. Trade to 5 and it is likely Kalil or Claiborne.

[Handyman]

Yeah unless someone throws them a chance to get a tackle at a lower pick along with Claiborne it is Kalil or bust. It is the right pick for the teams needs and it was the pick everyone wanted anyways.

[sunbone]

McShay seemed pretty convinced the Vikings will take Claiborne earlier this afternoon.

Maybe Spielman needs somebody around Winter Park he can beat at backgammon.

Agreed, but I think checkers is more likely the game for those two.

[Slap Shot]

At this point I'm not convinced of anything, even though I was sure it would be Kalil for a few months. I don't think it's Claiborne but taking Blackmon short of a trade wouldn't surprise me anymore even if I am not enamored with the idea.

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

judgement day is almost here.

[ScoobyDoo]

At this point I'm not convinced of anything, even though I was sure it would be Kalil for a few months. I don't think it's Claiborne but taking Blackmon short of a trade wouldn't surprise me anymore even if I am not enamored with the idea.

Maybe it's none of those three. That wouldn't shock me either.

[Bushwood Gopher]

At this point I'm not convinced of anything, even though I was sure it would be Kalil for a few months. I don't think it's Claiborne but taking Blackmon short of a trade wouldn't surprise me anymore even if I am not enamored with the idea.

Maybe it's none of those three. That wouldn't shock me either.

That's the thing with the Vikings--regardless of what happens it will be entertaining. They could miss the podium. They could take a guy at #3 overall who's graded out in the 2nd round (why not? they did last year with Ponder at 12). It wouldn't even shock me if they did something totally asinine like drafting Ryan Tannehill or Trent Richardson, two non-need positions. I haven't been this excited to watch the draft in a long time!

[Five-HoleFrenzy]

One of the draft "experts" went out of his way to more or less plead with the Vikings to take Kalil. He likened it to a test where the one question was what is 2 plus 2 and the asnwers are A.3, B.4, C.5, and D.6,000. Well he has the feeling that the local squad is going to overthink it and choose D instead of B. I think he might be right and like Bushwood says it should be worth it to watch for the entertainment value because taking it seriously just isn't worth getting all worked up about it.

Even as I say that I'm not going to get worked up about it...I will...It's inevitable.

[sunbone]

At this point I'm not convinced of anything, even though I was sure it would be Kalil for a few months. I don't think it's Claiborne but taking Blackmon short of a trade wouldn't surprise me anymore even if I am not enamored with the idea.

Maybe it's none of those three. That wouldn't shock me either.

That's the thing with the Vikings--regardless of what happens it will be entertaining. They could miss the podium. They could take a guy at #3 overall who's graded out in the 2nd round (why not? they did last year with Ponder at 12). It wouldn't even shock me if they did something totally asinine like drafting Ryan Tannehill or Trent Richardson, two non-need positions. I haven't been this excited to watch the draft in a long time!

I think my favorite Vikings first round pick of all time would have to be Dmitrius Underwood.

[Five-HoleFrenzy]

At this point I'm not convinced of anything, even though I was sure it would be Kalil for a few months. I don't think it's Claiborne but taking Blackmon short of a trade wouldn't surprise me anymore even if I am not enamored with the idea.

Maybe it's none of those three. That wouldn't shock me either.

That's the thing with the Vikings--regardless of what happens it will be entertaining. They could miss the podium. They could take a guy at #3 overall who's graded out in the 2nd round (why not? they did last year with Ponder at 12). It wouldn't even shock me if they did something totally asinine like drafting Ryan Tannehill or Trent Richardson, two non-need positions. I haven't been this excited to watch the draft in a long time!

I think my favorite Vikings first round pick of all time would have to be Dmitrius Underwood.

Hard to disagree with that.

[Snowcool08]

Apparently the Senate finance committee decided to take out the electronic pulltabs options and replace it with racino, which essentially killed the bill (and they knew it would). Genius.

[gopher6]

Apparently the Senate finance committee decided to take out the electronic pulltabs options and replace it with racino, which essentially killed the bill (and they knew it would). Genius.

Welcome to a cold Omaha!!!

[ST]

Apparently the Senate finance committee decided to take out the electronic pulltabs options and replace it with racino, which essentially killed the bill (and they knew it would). Genius.

Just got finished watching the Senate finance committee arguments online. It passed by a 9-5 vote to the next committee. To further explain, they did not remove the electronic pulltab option, they just amended the bill to give either pulltabs and charitable gaming an option or racino. Now I think that if they move forward with Racino, the bill will be dead being that they don't have to votes for it.

[Snowcool08]

Apparently the Senate finance committee decided to take out the electronic pulltabs options and replace it with racino, which essentially killed the bill (and they knew it would). Genius.

Just got finished watching the Senate finance committee arguments online. It passed by a 9-5 vote to the next committee. To further explain, they did not remove the electronic pulltab option, they just amended the bill to give either pulltabs and charitable gaming an option or racino. Now I think that if they move forward with Racino, the bill will be dead being that they don't have to votes for it.

Ok that clears it up. I was just following the action on Twitter and that's not always the most accurate of sources.

[gopherguy13]

So... Another step forward?

[Kelor]

It would be interesting to find out how many on this board frequent Vikings games. If you don't actually attend the games, why do you care if they play here or Carson City?

[ST]

Yes, but with two funding options, and one not popular with the house, this looks like it is going to get interesting. Sounds like this will come down to house/senate committee to see if there is an agreement that can be reached between the two funding sources, charitable gaming/racino.

[gopherguy13]

It would be interesting to find out how many on this board frequent Vikings games. If you don't actually attend the games, why do you care if they play here or Carson City?

Move out of Minnesota and they won't be covered by the local media, and they won't be on TV [nearly as much]. Not our team if they are playing in Carson City.

*Someone who hasn't been to a Vikings game in about 3 years.

[h8red]

It would be interesting to find out how many on this board frequent Vikings games. If you don't actually attend the games, why do you care if they play here or Carson City?

Move out of Minnesota and they won't be covered by the local media, and they won't be on TV [nearly as much]. Not our team if they are playing in Carson City.

*Someone who hasn't been to a Vikings game in about 3 years.

More people might go if it wasn't in such a dump of a stadium like the dome- horrible lighting, horrible acoustics, horrible smell, just damn horrible all the way around. I'd rather sit in bleachers at Eden Prairie to watch the Vikes than go to the dome.

[rowshkex]

The dome is just fine people. It's not NICE, but it sure is fine.

[Kelor]

The dome is just fine people. It's not NICE, but it sure is fine.

You are exactly right. If they want something better, they can pay for it their damn selves. The dome is actually a relatively decent place to watch a football game.

[Slap Shot]

You don't have to argue for taxpayer funding to call a spade a spade. Outside of decent sight lines the Dome is a complete dump and the game experience is atrocious, If it were better I would not limit myself to just one game per year.

[Don Adams Wheel of Justice]

If they want something better, they can pay for it their damn selves.

You're aware that this will never happen, correct? Your choices are a taxpayer financed stadium or no NFL team. Choose wisely.

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

put carpet in the gopher baseball locker room at the dome a couple years back.the dome is a dump.

[Hobey Baker]

The dome is just fine people. It's not NICE, but it sure is fine.

The place is a dump. It has served its time and purpose. Time for a new stadium that has more leg room, shorter ailes, luxury seating, club levels, restaurants, better food, more bathrooms, bigger concourses and maybe a retractable roof.

[Kelor]

If they want something better, they can pay for it their damn selves.

You're aware that this will never happen, correct? Your choices are a taxpayer financed stadium or no NFL team. Choose wisely.

Pretty simple choice if the flat broke state is rational. Does a midsize market state need every major sports team? Not to mention the fact we have a major university athletic program here too.

[Armadillo]

The dome is just fine people. It's not NICE, but it sure is fine.

The place is a dump. It has served its time and purpose. Time for a new stadium that has more leg room, shorter ailes, luxury seating, club levels, restaurants, better food, more bathrooms, bigger concourses and maybe a retractable roof.

And full sized beds with massage function and a personal attendant to fluff you.












...and your pillow.

[psych]

The dome is just fine people. It's not NICE, but it sure is fine.

The place is a dump. It has served its time and purpose. Time for a new stadium that has more leg room, shorter ailes, luxury seating, club levels, restaurants, better food, more bathrooms, bigger concourses and maybe a retractable roof.

And full sized beds with massage function and a personal attendant to fluff you.












...and your pillow.

[dryfly]

The dome is just fine people. It's not NICE, but it sure is fine.

The place is a dump. It has served its time and purpose. Time for a new stadium that has more leg room, shorter ailes, luxury seating, club levels, restaurants, better food, more bathrooms, bigger concourses and maybe a retractable roof.

And full sized beds with massage function and a personal attendant to fluff you.












...and your pillow.

Nice avatars that lady has... wonder if they are real or virtual?

[The Rube]

They are real. She jokes about them all the time. That image was actually altered and re-released showing LESS cleavage/smaller hoo-has.

And if you think the stadium won't be built, I have some functioning brain cells from Barry Alverez I can sell you.

[psych]

The dome is just fine people. It's not NICE, but it sure is fine.

The place is a dump. It has served its time and purpose. Time for a new stadium that has more leg room, shorter ailes, luxury seating, club levels, restaurants, better food, more bathrooms, bigger concourses and maybe a retractable roof.

And full sized beds with massage function and a personal attendant to fluff you.












...and your pillow.

Nice avatars that lady has... wonder if they are real or virtual?

Avatar? Why thank you, good sir.

[dryfly]

They are real. She jokes about them all the time. That image was actually altered and re-released showing LESS cleavage/smaller hoo-has.

And if you think the stadium won't be built, I have some functioning brain cells from Barry Alverez I can sell you.

Per stadium ... I only know one thing for sure ... If we get a stadium the tax payers will be paying for it somehow somewhere because Ziggy sure as hell won't be [he might bring some money but it will be somebody else's money - NFL credits or borrowed against a potentially bankruptable entity far from his personal 'corporate firewall']. They are almost always paid for with OPM.

[dryfly]

Avatar? Why thank you, good sir.

LOL... :new_keyboard_icon:

[Bushwood Gopher]

They are real. She jokes about them all the time. That image was actually altered and re-released showing LESS cleavage/smaller hoo-has.

And if you think the stadium won't be built, I have some functioning brain cells from Barry Alverez I can sell you.

And if you think those are real, I have some....

[The Rube]

They are real. She jokes about them all the time. That image was actually altered and re-released showing LESS cleavage/smaller hoo-has.

And if you think the stadium won't be built, I have some functioning brain cells from Barry Alverez I can sell you.

And if you think those are real, I have some....

She's always had them, since the Party Of Five days. For once, I think that those are real. Yeah, I know. It's like finding a unicorn mating with Nessie.

[Bushwood Gopher]

They are real. She jokes about them all the time. That image was actually altered and re-released showing LESS cleavage/smaller hoo-has.

And if you think the stadium won't be built, I have some functioning brain cells from Barry Alverez I can sell you.

And if you think those are real, I have some....

She's always had them, since the Party Of Five days. For once, I think that those are real. Yeah, I know. It's like finding a unicorn mating with Nessie.

I remember the episode of PO5 where she had the work done during one of the commercial breaks. My buddy and I joked about it for years!

[Armadillo]

Avatar? Why thank you, good sir.

If you actually looked like Jennifer Love Hewitt and approached me in a Tampa bar, there's a fighting chance my wife would've been miffed with my actions.

[Bushwood Gopher]

Behind the scenes draft stuff from ESPN's Andrew Brandt, who used to be Green Bay's cap guru among other things. The Rodgers story is quite interesting, as is the Favre/Moss/Ted Thompson angle. I won't spoil the little nugget at the end either.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/78400 ... t-war-room

[Gopherguy05]

So one of the big controversies yesterday was when AP, Greenway and Sullivan came into the House chambers to glad-hand the reps and pander hard for the stadium. Apparently several of the reps ran up to AP like they were 4 and he was Elmo.

Alice Hausman, who is a rep from St. Paul and used to be mine until I moved was over heard saying, "This is so disgusting I can't stand it" talking about the reps who ran up to the players to shake their hands.

1500 put the quote up on facebook, and its scary to see some of the responses from the Pro-stadium crowd. Whether you are pro or anti-stadium, its just scary to see these are a representative slice of the Pro-stadium population. Some of the sickening responses:
this is why women should stay in the kitchen

douche bag
Alice...really? Do us a favor..after the stadium passes, announce your resignation
Then move from the state.
Alice should move to Ethiopa, or somali..i heard there arent a lot of billionaires there...
Judging by Alice's picture, she's just upset the stadium isn't for the Lynx.
Alice Hausman !!! Move to Iowa !!! They don't have Pro sports !!! That Goes For all you F***s !!! Move to a state that does not have Pro sports !!! Then you will have nothing to complain About !!! .. Get this thing Passed !!! Stadium !!! Stadium !!! Stadium !!!
Alice go back to wonder land u dike!!!!pass the bill

Got to love the idiots in this state. And before someone tried to paint this the wrong way, I'm actually pro-stadium if we can do it using racino or some other similar means....

[gopher_fan_in_sue_land]

I see you are 29, you should understand there are idiots everywhere and there have been for as long as man walked this planet. The internet just provides more opportunity for idiots to speak out.

That said, I don't see why the Representative in question felt the need to denegrate the action of her colleagues for glad handing with these Vikings players. I am guessing that she looks for the very same reaction from her constituents when she is on the campaign trail and embraces it with open arms. Funny how it now becomes disgusting when it applies to professional athletes, but is perfectly acceptable in politics.

[Handyman]

Yeah she can be a fan of a player and not support a stadium.

[Bladepuller]

Racino? Me thinks that that was an act of guerrilla politics. My two in St Paul both have been saying racino & Arden Hills, but then that is an easy position to take & both are all for the easy way out. Racino makes it unpalatable for the DFL (tribal $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) so that the GOP isn't then seen as the party that couldn't muster enough support and the villian when the Vikings leave. Brilliant.
Shame on both sides for all the posturing and rhetoric. Quit playing games and just vote.

[Bushwood Gopher]

NFL Network just reported that we traded our #3 pick to Cleveland

[Orion]

NFL Network just reported that we traded our #3 pick to Cleveland

Did we get more than magic beans?

[McMac]

NFL Network just reported that we traded our #3 pick to Cleveland

Great move. The Browns reported they are moving up to take Trent Richardson, and in exchange we got their 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks.

[Orion]

NFL Network just reported that we traded our #3 pick to Cleveland

Great move. The Browns reported they are moving up to take Trent Richardson, and in exchange we got their 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks.

they must have been worried we would trade with someone else. There is no way we would have taken Richardson. Win Win for us.

[Handyman]

Yeah Cleveland must have got word of another team looking to move badly to get Richardson otherwise they just overreacted big time.

My guess is the next move the Vikes make is to try and get another second round pick.

[McMac]

Yeah Cleveland must have got word of another team looking to move badly to get Richardson otherwise they just overreacted big time.

My guess is the next move the Vikes make is to try and get another second round pick.

I think at this point, they try and trade down to TB for more picks. TB will take Claiborne for sure, and we can still snag Kalil and a lot of picks.

[Bushwood Gopher]

NFL Network just reported that we traded our #3 pick to Cleveland

Great move. The Browns reported they are moving up to take Trent Richardson, and in exchange we got their 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks.

Agreed, and I have to say this is a borderline fleecing considering we were never going to take Richardson anyway. Cleveland must have been worried we were going to do a deal with Tampa.

Has Spielman been reading Sun Tzu?

[Bushwood Gopher]

Wow. We fleeced someone else, got to the podium in time and made a great pick in taking Matt Kalil. I'm impressed Spielman.

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

they should have held tampa hostage and got a 3rd instead of a fourth.

[Five-HoleFrenzy]

No complaints here. They exceeded my expectations with the moves.

[Bushwood Gopher]

they should have held tampa hostage and got a 3rd instead of a fourth.

Tampa moved down so they obviously didn't want anyone badly enough to stay where they were much less move up.

Absolutely no complaints from me on Day 1. They have massively exceeded my (albeit low) expectations already. Time to mine for gold in the next couple rounds. By my count we have 7 picks remaining from now through the 4th round.

[Armadillo]

Wait...the Vikings didn't horribly eff up a draft?

Is this the apocalypse?

[dxmnkd316]

Spielman looks like a genius right now. There's still time to screw up though.

[gopherguy06]

Vikings trade 2nd round and 4th round for Ravens 1st Round. Select ND S Harrison Smith, considered to be the second best S out there.

[gopherguy06]

No picks in the second. I like the move as he could push to be a starter.

[WPoSforever]

If Stephen Hill is still there I would like to see them moved back up into the early second round.

[bearpaw28]

No picks in the second. I like the move as he could push to be a starter.

Based on the vikes putrid play at safety last season...HE WILL BE A STARTER...otherwise moving up to get him would make no sense. I like the move

[gopherguy06]

No picks in the second. I like the move as he could push to be a starter.

Based on the vikes putrid play at safety last season...HE WILL BE A STARTER...otherwise moving up to get him would make no sense. I like the move

I agree but there were lots of injuries and he will battle for it. I doubt they name him the starters ight away.

[Hobey Baker]

A good first day!!

[Handyman]

I am not a fan of the pick...but will reserve my judgement on if they make a move to get back into the second round. As badly as they needed a safety I am pretty sure this is not the guy they needed to take and not at that spot. (especially since the WRs most people want them to take will be there at 35)

We will see but I think it was a reach. I know NE was looking to get him but they are in a completely different position than we are.

The Kalil pick was an A+ though.

[Snowcool08]

If they spend most of the rest of their 10 picks only on DBs and OL, I would be happy. They might need to sprinkle in a Kirk cousins or Russell Wilson in round 4.

[Bushwood Gopher]

I am not a fan of the pick...but will reserve my judgement on if they make a move to get back into the second round. As badly as they needed a safety I am pretty sure this is not the guy they needed to take and not at that spot. (especially since the WRs most people want them to take will be there at 35)

We will see but I think it was a reach. I know NE was looking to get him but they are in a completely different position than we are.

The Kalil pick was an A+ though.

Completely agree. He might be a decent enough safety but it seemed like a reach moving up to take him.

[Beauner]

I loved the moves they made last night.
The Cleveland trade to move down 1 spot was brilliant. We got a 4th, 5th, and 7th round pick to move down 1 spot and still got who we wanted. Tampa Bay got a 4th to move down 2 spots.
I like the aggressiveness to move up to get Smith. He's a very good player and is definitely a need. I wouldn't be surprised if we package our 3rd rounder and a 4th rounder to move up into middle 2nd round now too if Alshon Jeffery is still there, or Janoris Jenkins if we want to take a risk (I would be OK with risking it on Jenkins now after the first 2 picks should be very safe because if his head is on straight he's the best CB in the draft IMHO).

That was the most interesting 1st round of the draft I've ever seen with all the trades.

[Gopherguy05]

It wasn't a reach. If the Vikings didn't trade up to get Smith someone else would have. There are only 2 safeties that can have immediate impact in the draft, and we got 1 of the two. All the draftniks have said there are no other safeties worth drafting until about the 6th round.

Spielman was on KFAN this AM and said the safety crop drops off so badly after Smith that they had 4 corners rated higher at safety then any of the remaining safeties in the draft. We have Winfield and Cook coming back...we needed a safety more then a corner. I think it was a great move.

[Handyman]

I dont trust any of these guys when they fixate on a player. Just because you are aggressive doesnt mean it is good. Besides New England I doubt anyone thought this guy was worth a first round pick and if they cant get in the right spot in the 2nd round they will miss out on some really good WRs.

My opinion is different if they have another pick in the second, but if they wasted their second round moving up to draft him than no I dont think it was worth their aggressiveness.

I would rather they draft a corner. (in response to what Spielman said) Cook didnt play and Winfield is on his last legs. It wont matter anyways I dont see our d-line getting enough pressure to help the backs anyways. It was the main reason I am glad they didnt draft Claiborne.

And NE moved to position themselves for him...but for NE it is a good move, for us I am not sure it was the right one. We will see what moves they make today to get back in a position to get one of the better WRs left and I will do a complete 180. If they ignore the skill positions in the higher rounds then my draft grade is not going to be as high as some of yours

[Hammy]

Let's be real... we could have put a tackling dummy out at Safety and it would be an upgrade.

The kid looks pretty mobile and seems to have some good ball hawking instincts. Two things that have been missing from that position in recent years. Seems like a pretty good move to me but I'm no Mel Kiper.