ESPN's Vikings "Position by Position Outlook"

[dead_poet]

Significantly more, even coming off a torn ACL.

Simpson will probably get a another one or two year deal making similar money. Some team out there will overpay Maclin. Probably around at least 5m per from 2-5 years.

I'd be surprised if Maclin gets more than a one-year "prove it" contract coming off his ACL. Probably re-ups with Philly.

[dead_poet]

Edited to include today's spotlight: offensive tackles.

Note: I'm really curious to see how this unit responds to a change in blocking style (zone to power). I haven't read any analysis on this yet. Anyone offer up any thoughts?

[Texas Vike]

Edited to include today's spotlight: offensive tackles.

Note: I'm really curious to see how this unit responds to a change in blocking style (zone to power). I haven't read any analysis on this yet. Anyone offer up any thoughts?

No thoughts on that difference, but I do wonder why the writer is choosing, except for QB, the positions that are least in need of a fix. There just isn't much to say about any of the positions that he has "analyzed" so far, except, "they are set at this position".

[Crax]

but I do wonder why the writer is choosing, except for QB, the positions that are least in need of a fix.

Doing the easy ones first, hoping people will keep coming back(more clicks) to see the ones that are more interesting

[mosscarter]

wouldn't take simpson to the gallows for a dui millions of people have them (including our beloved former president george w.). its the drugs that are concerning and the fact he likely broke probation.

[chicagopurple]

give Simpson a little more time and money and he will end up running over some little kid. we dont need him.

[Texas Vike]

Doing the easy ones first, hoping people will keep coming back(more clicks) to see the ones that are more interesting

He's running the risk of losing this fish due to not setting the hook soon enough… just not enough to entice return visits for me. Seems unnecessary to even write about RB and OT, IMO. Maybe I'm just a picky fish.

[S197]

Has Childs ever played a snap? He's no reason to let any proven receivers get away because we have no idea what he can do. I wasn't happy about us giving Simpson a first chance (which I know is really his second overall), but after this year I think he deserves one and only one second chance with us. DUI is no laughing matter though, so I say that with considerable reservation. One more slip up and I'd be happy to slam the cell shut on him myself.

Nope, not even a preseason game. Blew his knee out in a scrimmage.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Edited to include today's spotlight: offensive tackles.

Note: I'm really curious to see how this unit responds to a change in blocking style (zone to power). I haven't read any analysis on this yet. Anyone offer up any thoughts?

It is a curious decision. I am a fan of the zone blocking scheme. Kalil and Sullivan fit the zone scheme to a T. However, Loadholt is grossly missed cast in it. I think a power man scheme can work. Who knows? Maybe it will allow Adrian to just run without him trying to be so patient. If we do run a power man scheme, we have to upgrade the guard spot.


Regardless of what happens offensive line scheme wise, my biggest hope is that Matt Kalil will bounce back immensely. This past year was a disappointment for him and for fans of playing ability (me).

[dead_poet]

Regardless of what happens offensive line scheme wise, my biggest hope is that Matt Kalil will bounce back immensely. This past year was a disappointment for him and for fans of playing ability (me).

Me too, though it seemed like he was getting better towards the end there. Hopefully he uses that momentum to have a great season. Glad to hear Davidson is apparently returning. Continuity should help and Davidson is a pretty darn good position coach.

[Eli]

I'd like to see the Vikings re-sign J'Marcus Webb as a backup OT. I was skeptical at first about Webb, but I think he played well in Loadholt's absence. None of the backups the Vikings have had at OT in recent years inspire much confidence - guys like DeMarcus Love, Patrick Brown and Kevin Murphy are all practice squad level players.

[dead_poet]

I'd like to see the Vikings re-sign J'Marcus Webb as a backup OT. I was skeptical at first about Webb, but I think he played well in Loadholt's absence. None of the backups the Vikings have had at OT in recent years inspire much confidence - guys like DeMarcus Love, Patrick Brown and Kevin Murphy are all practice squad level players.

The same could be said about Webb. He's a turnstile. Every time I saw him enter the game the very next play the defender got past him. I was higher on Love than I ever was with Brown, Murphy or Webb. But there's a reason these guys aren't starting. We absolutely need tackle depth, so I'm not sure we're in a great position to be picky. It wouldn't be a bad idea to grab a late-round developmental guy.

As far as FAs, Rams' Roger Saffold may reach free agency. He'd be a good swing guy. Played mostly tackle but did very well in the run game when he switched to guard. Might be priced out of our league, though. A more realistic "next tier" option would be Jason Fox, Winston Justice and Anthony Collins. We might have a good shot at Collins, actually, as he's a Bengal. He also has ties to Jerome Simpson (he was at Simpson's house when Simpson got in trouble for having drugs delivered). He'd be an upgrade "swing" tackle over any of the others. Though he's kind of a knucklehead.

[Webbfann]

wouldn't take simpson to the gallows for a dui millions of people have them (including our beloved former president george w.). its the drugs that are concerning and the fact he likely broke probation.

I wouldn't take them to the gallows but I'd let them sit in jail a while for repeat offenses. Unlike DUI its not often that people die because someone smoked a joint.

[dead_poet]

Edited with today's installment

[Mothman]

The same could be said about Webb. He's a turnstile.

That sums up Webb's game in a word and it's word I heard associated h with him often when he was with the Bears. The Vikings need to find someone better than Webb to be their top backup tackle.

Regarding today's entry: it's rare for this board to come close to 100% agreement about anything but I suspect we could come close when it comes to the need to replace Johnson and upgrade the left guard spot. Goessling said the Vikes might use a mid-round pick on a guard and that wouldn't surprise me at all. However, depending on the talent available, I wouldn't mind if they used a relatively high pick on the position. Good blocking is crucial, especially for a team that has a premier running back and issues at QB.