Next Three Years

[jackal]

I think we will overtake the Division in the Next two years(if not this year)

We need to get it done in the next three before Peterson runs out of gas IMO..

I think We draft a two defenders in the first three picks and a wide out

We will have a great OL this year.. they have played together for over a year

Our pass defense without Winfield worries me the most.. Our LB core worries me the second most..

Our defensive line could use better DT's (Willams is great,but past his prime)

[CapDB7]

I think the Bears need a clear out of an aging team and feel that they will regress further before improving. I'm not a Cutler fan.

The Lions had a ridiculously bad year in 2012 but I don't see why as they have a decent enough roster. A flashback to the not so long ago bad years? Maybe. They will improve.

Packers are always going to be a 10+ win team with Rodgers at QB. They seem to draft well and that's a formula that can give continued success.

For us to progress to division winners it would take RS to have another draft as good as last years. I can't see it being too easy but the pieces are falling into place for us with our positions of need being the same positions that are deep in the draft this year.

At best I can see us and the Lions trying to pip the Packers but a lot depends on Ponders continued progression and ADs consistency.

[Eli]

I think we will overtake the Division in the Next two years(if not this year)

Potentially. A lot can happen in two years. I have my reservations about this upcoming year, though. Too many holes to fill in the draft alone, and a giant question mark at QB. The Packers aren't going anywhere soon. As long as they have Aaron Rodgers and a stable situation at head coach and GM, they'll just reload the surrounding talent as necessary. A couple of good drafts and the Packers could stay atop the NFC North for years.

We need to get it done in the next three before Peterson runs out of gas IMO.

Not really. Unless you're worried about Peterson never earning a ring, which is a different conversation. Nobody goes to and wins a Super Bowl today on the back of a star running back, so the sooner the Vikings become a competitive passing team, the sooner their chances will become of winning a championship. Having Peterson in his prime is a great asset, but it's certainly not a requirement.

I think We draft a two defenders in the first three picks and a wide out.

I agree.

We will have a great OL this year.. they have played together for over a year

All in all, I think the Vikings have a fairly good line, but not a great one. Unless they find an immediate starter at guard in the draft, it will be the same as last year. The biggest thing that can happen would be for Fusco to take a major step forward in his level of play, and I don't think anyone can say whether that will happen.

Our pass defense without Winfield worries me the most.. Our LB core worries me the second most..

The secondary, even with Winfield, would have been worrisome.

Our defensive line could use better DT's (Willams is great,but past his prime)

Well, you only get so many draft picks each year. They'll be lucky to find an upgrade at DT if they address their more pressing needs at WR, LB, and CB in the early rounds.

[jackal]

Eli thanks for commenting ..

I know its a passing league but Peterson is a freak of biblical proportion .. He might be enough with Ponder improving; to take us all the way..

I agree though that Ponder of last year not enough..

With Greg Jennings, Wright, and Rudolf if Ponder is serviceable NFL QB that still leaves a little short on offense.. Especially if Rudolf or Jennings

gets hurt..

That means pick 23 or 25 will have to go for Allen, Patterson, or Austin

That should be enough to beat any team with a good defense helping..

I have a feeling are Pass Defense will be a lot less effective without Winfield..

A stud DT might clear up enough OL pressure to let Jarad Allen and Robison go nuts ...

so that means WR DT first round .. DB or LB second round CB in the third for depth

[PacificNorseWest]

I have my reservations about this year, but I'm definitely on the same page as you. In a few years, this division could very well be Minnesota's for a couple consecutive years.

I think they're close now, but it all hinges on an inconsistency and that would be Christian Ponder. I'm with you about wanting to make another great run for the SB while AP is in his prime. Even with him, you never know win that window will slam shut.

This year, to me, is a tryout for Ponder. You hope it works so the Vikings don't get setback any further, but if it doesn't work then it's probably time to jump back on that Free Agent, veteran quarterback carousel.

[Mothman]

I have my reservations about this year, but I'm definitely on the same page as you. In a few years, this division could very well be Minnesota's for a couple consecutive years.

I think they're close now, but it all hinges on an inconsistency and that would be Christian Ponder. I'm with you about wanting to make another great run for the SB while AP is in his prime. Even with him, you never know win that window will slam shut.

I think we'd all like to see them win a Super Bowl with AD in his prime. An extraordinary, high-character player like that deserves a Super Bowl ring.

I agree with you that it all hinges on inconsistency but I disagree that it hinges on the singular inconsistency of Ponder. While QB play is obviously very important, I believe championship success hinges first and foremost on team-building and the Vikes haven't built a championship roster yet. Consider last season: they won 10 games with erratic performances from their QB, their o-line, their defense, their WRs, etc. The team was successful but inconsistent as a whole, not just at QB. The one area where they truly excelled was running the football. Improve the defense (especially down the middle), improve the receivers and pass blocking, get more out of Ponder and a Super Bowl win this coming season wouldn't even be out of the question. It would be a surprise but it's not out of the question.

I say none of that in defense of Ponder, who clearly has to be better, but just to say that even if he took a major step forward, I think the team around him would still have to get better to be championship-caliber. I don't believe the Vikes are just a QB away from being NFL champs. In fact, even though their defense helped them win quite a few games last year, it also had some significant shortcomings that showed up at inopportune times and would be likely to show up again during a playoff run.

If the team is going to win a Super Bowl (or more!) in the next 3 years, they need to accomplish several things. They have to put together a more formidable passing game. That starts with Ponder but goes beyond him too. They have to improve on defense, both against the run (which means addressing the defensive tackle and middle linebacker positions effectively) and against the pass. To be successful in those endeavors, they will need to address the pending situation with their defensive line, which could literally make or break their Super Bowl chances in the coming years. Kevin Williams is still a good player but his effectiveness is diminishing. There are question marks next to him on the inside and on the outside, the team's top 3 DEs are all in the final year of their contracts and two of them are over 30. How the Vikes address that line will have a HUGE impact on their future.

Ponder's important to their future but they have a number of serious decisions to make that are either going to propel them toward a championship or pull them back into mediocrity.

[PacificNorseWest]

Fair enough. Good evaluation. I agree.

[Mothman]

Fair enough. Good evaluation. I agree.

Thanks! That took me forever to type.

[losperros]

I say none of that in defense of Ponder, who clearly has to be better, but just to say that even if he took a major step forward, I think the team around him would still have to get better to be championship-caliber. I don't believe the Vikes are just a QB away from being NFL champs. In fact, even though their defense helped them win quite a few games last year, it also had some significant shortcomings that showed up at inopportune times and would be likely to show up again during a playoff run.

I completely agree with your assessment, Jim. Let's say that Ponder becomes an elite QB or even that he completely flops, all all the other problems still exist and there are plenty of them. What's worse is that they exist in a multitude of areas, more than the free agency and draft can handle this year, in my view. I'm hoping the Vikings can finally become a consistent playoff caliber team within the next three years, let alone one that can actually make it to the Super Bowl.

[ViciousBritishVike]

I think we will overtake the Division in the Next two years(if not this year)

We need to get it done in the next three before Peterson runs out of gas IMO..

I think We draft a two defenders in the first three picks and a wide out

We will have a great OL this year.. they have played together for over a year

Our pass defense without Winfield worries me the most.. Our LB core worries me the second most..

Our defensive line could use better DT's (Willams is great,but past his prime)

Totally in agreement, via removing certain headaches (no pun intended) and strengthening in the correct areas, it seems as though we are progressing at a faster rate than our division rivals. The Bears are a prime example, aging with a history of OL issues, how do they opt to strengthen? Sign Jermon Bushrod, with a history of getting beaten all too easily down low, say hello to Jared. The Pack have just lost their best receiver and I believe that the Lions are pinning their hopes on a supposedly rejuvenated Reggie Bush. Ultimately, I expect a return to irrelevancy, with Stafford's arm practically falling off due to overuse (non Quagmire sense, after he discover porn, haha).

I think you've underestimated Peterson's longevity, I don't see him slowing down for a good while yet but admittedly, deeper playoff runs need to occur sooner rather than later.

Draft assumption is spot on, I'm hoping our first rounders are used on a WR and secondly a LB, in that precise order. Thus shoring up two of our most problematic positons.

Consistency on the O-Line has lead to a very dependable group and as for the defensive backfield, issues would have arisen regardless of the Winfield cut, I still think he'll be back anyway. If this isn't the case, I certainly think acquiring an experience vet would be wise, taking up the role of leader.

Although past his best, Williams is still productive and I worry more so about his partner. Love the kid out of UNC, don't think we'll go that direction in the draft though.

Oh and Mothman, as always, great impetus, your efforts are always appreciated (:

[RandallioCobb18]

Totally in agreement, via removing certain headaches (no pun intended) and strengthening in the correct areas, it seems as though we are progressing at a faster rate than our division rivals. The Bears are a prime example, aging with a history of OL issues, how do they opt to strengthen? Sign Jermon Bushrod, with a history of getting beaten all too easily down low, say hello to Jared. The Pack have just lost their best receiver and I believe that the Lions are pinning their hopes on a supposedly rejuvenated Reggie Bush. Ultimately, I expect a return to irrelevancy, with Stafford's arm practically falling off due to overuse (non Quagmire sense, after he discover porn, haha).

I think you've underestimated Peterson's longevity, I don't see him slowing down for a good while yet but admittedly, deeper playoff runs need to occur sooner rather than later.

Draft assumption is spot on, I'm hoping our first rounders are used on a WR and secondly a LB, in that precise order. Thus shoring up two of our most problematic positons.

Consistency on the O-Line has lead to a very dependable group and as for the defensive backfield, issues would have arisen regardless of the Winfield cut, I still think he'll be back anyway. If this isn't the case, I certainly think acquiring an experience vet would be wise, taking up the role of leader.

Although past his best, Williams is still productive and I worry more so about his partner. Love the kid out of UNC, don't think we'll go that direction in the draft though.

Oh and Mothman, as always, great impetus, your efforts are always appreciated (:

Pretty wishful thinking on your part, if Greg was truly our top WR we would have gave him what he wanted.

He's a fav of mine and I wish him well. (Except on gamedays.) But to say he was still our best WR by the time he left is simply not true.

[mansquatch]

The NFL turns very, very fast, so IMO, the question is next year and the rest is unknown.

The Packers are still a one man show. If Rogers is healthy they will compete for the division. However, their defense is basically Clay Mathews and ???. Until that changes they will win games, but they are going to have a hard time winning in the playoffs past the 1st round. Also, if Rogers’s goes down they will fall apart.

Bears are about to enter a rebuild phase, I just do not think they know it yet. Their defense was a shadow of its former self and now they do not have Lovie or Urlacher. Cutler will probably flake out on them before long. This season will be very interesting for them, I predict they will be at the bottom of the division unless the new regime is full of miracle workers.

Lions are a giant question mark, but right now their offseason is showing that their salary cap management is very bush league. If they do not sort that out they will struggle to remain relevant.

For the Vikes, Ponder’s continued development is critical as is the emergence of some WR and overall an actual passing game. I think they are on the right track here. They also need to address the middle of the defense as well as add another piece or two to the Seconardary. Still, this defense was dominating last year at times. The Brinkley departure isn’t a big deal, but the loss of Winfield leaves a disconcerting hole. IMO if they can add one big playmaker on Defense this year, that would be huge. I don’t care where he plays although I’d prefer MLB.

[RandallioCobb18]

The NFL turns very, very fast, so IMO, the question is next year and the rest is unknown.

The Packers are still a one man show. If Rogers is healthy they will compete for the division. However, their defense is basically Clay Mathews and ???. Until that changes they will win games, but they are going to have a hard time winning in the playoffs past the 1st round. Also, if Rogers’s goes down they will fall apart.

Bears are about to enter a rebuild phase, I just do not think they know it yet. Their defense was a shadow of its former self and now they do not have Lovie or Urlacher. Cutler will probably flake out on them before long. This season will be very interesting for them, I predict they will be at the bottom of the division unless the new regime is full of miracle workers.

Lions are a giant question mark, but right now their offseason is showing that their salary cap management is very bush league. If they do not sort that out they will struggle to remain relevant.

For the Vikes, Ponder’s continued development is critical as is the emergence of some WR and overall an actual passing game. I think they are on the right track here. They also need to address the middle of the defense as well as add another piece or two to the Seconardary. Still, this defense was dominating last year at times. The Brinkley departure isn’t a big deal, but the loss of Winfield leaves a disconcerting hole. IMO if they can add one big playmaker on Defense this year, that would be huge. I don’t care where he plays although I’d prefer MLB.

The Pack are not going to go very far without Rodgers but that can be said about every Starting QB in the league, or almost everyone Starting QB at least. Except the difference is our WRs are fantastic.

Not that we dont need drastic improvement to the D (Cause we do) but I believe the Packers had the 11 Ranked Scoring D in the league last year. (Far from a
one man show), what if Nick Perry take that second year leap? What if Casey Hayward improves upon his good year last year? Not to mention Sam Sheilds impressive year last year, and the extremely promising Davon House. Were far from perfect and we need to improve on the line but our secondary is looking good. BTW we also get Bishop back, and DJ Smith looked pretty damn good before the injury if I say so myself.

Ponder really needs to develop sooner rather than later or he may set you guys back a few years, the shelf life for Rbs is a short one, and AP is one of the most over worked backs in the game.

I agree with you on the Bears, spot on IMO, I wouldnt write the Lions off just yet, they were in almost every game they played this year, they just couldnt get it done when it counted.

[Captain]

The next three years all depend on how Ponder plays next year. If he takes the next step then we're set for the foreseeable future. If he doesn't, then we're stuck in this limbo state we're in now

[PurpleKoolaid]

is a crap shot. We only have a few solid players now, and they aernt all sogned for 3 years. And we the out with the old, in with the new, we could be weaker in 3 years.