The Vikings went into the draft with 8 picks and made that many picks after it was all said and done. There were 5 trades made by the Vikings during the draft. Most of them during the sixth round which I don't want to discuss since they were annoying. The third round trade with the Dolphins was easily the most beneficial of them all. Rick flipped the third round pick for a sixth and two picks next year
They added two big receivers, two linebackers, a cornerback, a tight end, safety and offensive tackle.
The practice of grading a draft within the first year of the picks being made is ludicrous but I'm going to do it anyway.
After
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Vikings Draft, Day 3
The Vikings first pick on the day was number 121 overall.
Willie Beavers, Offensive Tackle from Western Michigan
I've never heard of him, nor seen a game including his team. Considering that one of the top rated players was still available at this pick (DT Andrew Billings) I was surprised they went with a tackle. It gives a little more depth to the position and means that there's one more player who will be under contract past this year, which is good considering that there are a bunch of 1 year deals on the O - line. I'll give this pick a C+
Next came #160
Linebacker Kentrell Brothers from Missouri
This was another depth, future player pick up. No one picked in the fifth stuck out to me as better option and getting year to be coached and watching Greenway, Barr and Kendricks could be very beneficial. I'll give this pick a B
Rest of the picks after the break
Willie Beavers, Offensive Tackle from Western Michigan
I've never heard of him, nor seen a game including his team. Considering that one of the top rated players was still available at this pick (DT Andrew Billings) I was surprised they went with a tackle. It gives a little more depth to the position and means that there's one more player who will be under contract past this year, which is good considering that there are a bunch of 1 year deals on the O - line. I'll give this pick a C+
Next came #160
Linebacker Kentrell Brothers from Missouri
This was another depth, future player pick up. No one picked in the fifth stuck out to me as better option and getting year to be coached and watching Greenway, Barr and Kendricks could be very beneficial. I'll give this pick a B
Rest of the picks after the break
Peace Garden Stars
Congratulations to all the young men joining the NFL this weekend!
So much of the focus goes toward the first round picks, and rightly so considering the ascribed value of those picks. But that's only 32 or in this case 31 of the 250+ to be selected before Saturday is done.
Likewise, so much of the attention this year has gone toward Carson Wentz. It's been said and will be said again that a North Dakota boy is almost assured to never reach the height that he did. But he isn't the first and won't be the last.
Two years ago, Billy Turner was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Then Marcus Williams went to the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
Last year Kyle Emanuel was selected by the San Diego Chargers. Also, John Crockett joined the Green Bay Packers.
This year Carson Wentz was the #2 overall pick. Then in the fifth round Connor McGovern and Joe Haeg were both selected.
Two years ago people may have thought it was a mirage. A rare instance. Then it happened again last year and now all the action this year. But this year may be the most special of the three. Find out why after this.
So much of the focus goes toward the first round picks, and rightly so considering the ascribed value of those picks. But that's only 32 or in this case 31 of the 250+ to be selected before Saturday is done.
Likewise, so much of the attention this year has gone toward Carson Wentz. It's been said and will be said again that a North Dakota boy is almost assured to never reach the height that he did. But he isn't the first and won't be the last.
Two years ago, Billy Turner was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Then Marcus Williams went to the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
Last year Kyle Emanuel was selected by the San Diego Chargers. Also, John Crockett joined the Green Bay Packers.
This year Carson Wentz was the #2 overall pick. Then in the fifth round Connor McGovern and Joe Haeg were both selected.
Two years ago people may have thought it was a mirage. A rare instance. Then it happened again last year and now all the action this year. But this year may be the most special of the three. Find out why after this.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Vikings Draft Day 2 reaction
I went in to the draft thinking that the Vikings should draft a QB in the second if one of the top 5 was still available. Well Connor Cook was, but they skipped on that. Not the worst thing since they want to build around Teddy but if not QB then Offensive line or maybe even Safety. It would make even more sense in real time since one of the top rated Safeties was still available when they selected.
But they went Cornerback.
A 5'10" corner who apparently didn't play too much in the slot. He went to Clemson and they've had a squad the last few years which is a testament to coaching but I don't like this pick.
Zimmer is a defensive guy and has had a history of working well with DB's but this is not a top need this year or even looking toward's next season.
When considering positional need and the spot at which he was chosen I'm giving it a C-.
Thankfully, Draft Friday night goes 2 rounds deep and I'll hit on the third round briefly.
But they went Cornerback.
A 5'10" corner who apparently didn't play too much in the slot. He went to Clemson and they've had a squad the last few years which is a testament to coaching but I don't like this pick.
Zimmer is a defensive guy and has had a history of working well with DB's but this is not a top need this year or even looking toward's next season.
When considering positional need and the spot at which he was chosen I'm giving it a C-.
Thankfully, Draft Friday night goes 2 rounds deep and I'll hit on the third round briefly.
Local Pride
I'm a North Dakota kid. It's home for me, and one of the best partitions of land in the world. Those who come from the space between Minnesota and Montana are tough. We're strong. We're as flawed as people from each and every other part of the world but we're a certain kind of special. We have long memories for those who become exceptional and those who disparage us.
Last night one of our native sons became the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Carson Wentz, the kid from Bismarck, ND. The kid who played at little NDSU. Was drafted second over all. The second of 256 players to be selected by the 32 NFL teams over the 3 days span of the draft.
He's made history. Whatever happens from here is important for him and for all of us Nodaks. He represents the state in a way that no one ever may again. But he's already made history.
Sure Josh Duhamel has had success as an actor in Hollywood, coming from Minot but he didn't lead the state's main university's football team to it's fourth and fifth national championships.
We know the people who come from our towns and make it big.
There were few, if any, native borns who didn't have their eyes fixed on a tv last night to watch the event happen.
It's a proud moment for his family, for the city of Bismarck and for each and very born North Dakotan. It may never happen again, nor can we expect it to but we celebrate the accomplishment and know that Philly may have just become the second most popular NFL football team in the state.
He's a Bison. He's an Eagle. But before that he was a North Dakotan and after his career is over he will still be a North Dakotan.
We're proud of you Carson. Now get out there and shut up all the detractors who don't give us the respect we deserve!
Last night one of our native sons became the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Carson Wentz, the kid from Bismarck, ND. The kid who played at little NDSU. Was drafted second over all. The second of 256 players to be selected by the 32 NFL teams over the 3 days span of the draft.
He's made history. Whatever happens from here is important for him and for all of us Nodaks. He represents the state in a way that no one ever may again. But he's already made history.
Sure Josh Duhamel has had success as an actor in Hollywood, coming from Minot but he didn't lead the state's main university's football team to it's fourth and fifth national championships.
We know the people who come from our towns and make it big.
There were few, if any, native borns who didn't have their eyes fixed on a tv last night to watch the event happen.
It's a proud moment for his family, for the city of Bismarck and for each and very born North Dakotan. It may never happen again, nor can we expect it to but we celebrate the accomplishment and know that Philly may have just become the second most popular NFL football team in the state.
He's a Bison. He's an Eagle. But before that he was a North Dakotan and after his career is over he will still be a North Dakotan.
We're proud of you Carson. Now get out there and shut up all the detractors who don't give us the respect we deserve!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Vikings Draft recap - round 1
The Tread is on the tires.
The Well is surely full.
We got the man I wanted all along. Laquon Treadwell is a Minnesota Viking.
I think I just heard someone say "Super Bowl home boi." Oh wait, that was just in my head.
The rounds not done and I'm hoping that GM Spielman can find a way to get back into the first round but if not it's already a success.
Prisoner of the moment, looking at it within minutes of the pick I'm giving it an A+.
14 - 2 just got a little bit more likely & we didn't even have to give up four picks to get him...
If anything else happens or comes to mind it'll be below the fold!
The Well is surely full.
We got the man I wanted all along. Laquon Treadwell is a Minnesota Viking.
I think I just heard someone say "Super Bowl home boi." Oh wait, that was just in my head.
The rounds not done and I'm hoping that GM Spielman can find a way to get back into the first round but if not it's already a success.
Prisoner of the moment, looking at it within minutes of the pick I'm giving it an A+.
14 - 2 just got a little bit more likely & we didn't even have to give up four picks to get him...
If anything else happens or comes to mind it'll be below the fold!
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Vikings Draft Compendium
I've now completed the 7 round, 8 pick Vikings draft in 5 separate posts. Since I did the work to break it down that much I'm going to go a little further and do the work to bring it all together. In that exercise I went from the bottom to the top. I know that most of the attention goes to the first round so I'm going to lead off with that and if interested keep going and see the rest of the picks as I see them hopefully happening. For the top 3 rounds I'll give some alternative possibilities.
I'm keeping it brief here but if you want more of a deep take a look at the five previous posts.
Round 1 - #23 overall
Wide Receiver - Not another 5'10" slot guy or even a speedster but a 6'2"+ receiver to take the number 1 spot.
Alternatives
Lineman - The best one available, either offense or defense.
Linebacker - This is maybe the fourth spot of need on the team but am holding off on Safety until later
I'm keeping it brief here but if you want more of a deep take a look at the five previous posts.
Round 1 - #23 overall
Wide Receiver - Not another 5'10" slot guy or even a speedster but a 6'2"+ receiver to take the number 1 spot.
Alternatives
Lineman - The best one available, either offense or defense.
Linebacker - This is maybe the fourth spot of need on the team but am holding off on Safety until later
Vikings Draft - Stage 5
Well, it's finally time to lock in on the position that I think should be addressed at 23. Because of the value of a first round pick I'm going to do three possibilities, like I did with the second round pick but in more detail. It could be perceived as a cop out to locking in on one position but the draft is hard to predict and combining that with the importance of first picks I don't want to lock myself into one position.
I hope the Vikings are able to draft a best player available and fill one of the needs on the team.
So with the 23rd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft the Vikings will hopefully draft either a Lineman, Receiver or linebacker, but not in that order so you'll just have to go on to see the A, B & C.
I hope the Vikings are able to draft a best player available and fill one of the needs on the team.
So with the 23rd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft the Vikings will hopefully draft either a Lineman, Receiver or linebacker, but not in that order so you'll just have to go on to see the A, B & C.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Vikings draft - stage 4
We're a few minutes under 8 days to the draft. I've gone through the bottom six picks and finally have gotten to the second round.
That has been plenty of action by other teams but none yet by the Purple. Getting into the top of the draft there are more potential fits then guys who could be excluded. I've already repeatedly noted the areas which could use attention, and will do so again next Thursday pre draft before my make my prediction of the first round but I think now is the right time to firmly eliminate some positions.
Running back
With the Texan Terminator still at the top of the position I don't think a running back needs to be added at all during this draft and especially not in the top rounds. As others have already identified, running back is one, if not the only position where there are more capable players then there are starting positions in the league. So maybe bringing one in as an URFA would bare dividends for the team down the road but not with the 8 picks currently in possession.
That has been plenty of action by other teams but none yet by the Purple. Getting into the top of the draft there are more potential fits then guys who could be excluded. I've already repeatedly noted the areas which could use attention, and will do so again next Thursday pre draft before my make my prediction of the first round but I think now is the right time to firmly eliminate some positions.
Running back
With the Texan Terminator still at the top of the position I don't think a running back needs to be added at all during this draft and especially not in the top rounds. As others have already identified, running back is one, if not the only position where there are more capable players then there are starting positions in the league. So maybe bringing one in as an URFA would bare dividends for the team down the road but not with the 8 picks currently in possession.
Hello Mr. Thibodeau
We got our guy.
I wouldn't have minded Jeff van Gundy or Mark Jackson but from the first time I thought about Sam Mitchell not being with the team past game 82 I wanted TT. I wanted his attitude and I wanted his defensive mentality.
Listening to Paul Allen on the Fan recently he kept saying that defense is all about effort and I don't disagree with him but players want to play. I think, hope and want Thibs to bench players who won't put in the effort on both ends of the floor. Just consistently keeping teams to 100 points or less would be an improvement. That's not a lofty goal but would add at least 5 wins to the team next year.
We got our guy and the off season has just begun. 50 - 32. Lets go!
I wouldn't have minded Jeff van Gundy or Mark Jackson but from the first time I thought about Sam Mitchell not being with the team past game 82 I wanted TT. I wanted his attitude and I wanted his defensive mentality.
Listening to Paul Allen on the Fan recently he kept saying that defense is all about effort and I don't disagree with him but players want to play. I think, hope and want Thibs to bench players who won't put in the effort on both ends of the floor. Just consistently keeping teams to 100 points or less would be an improvement. That's not a lofty goal but would add at least 5 wins to the team next year.
We got our guy and the off season has just begun. 50 - 32. Lets go!
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Breaking the Silence
Elephant in the room, there are two sports topics that I have been hesitant to address so far but even with everything going on in the sports world the last few days I think it's time to go off on them.
Namely, the Twins and the Wild.
I don't want to pile on but I'm also not looking to ignore issues and just be positive. Well, here goes nothing.
Namely, the Twins and the Wild.
I don't want to pile on but I'm also not looking to ignore issues and just be positive. Well, here goes nothing.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Getting a wrap on it
The last 24 hours in the sports world have been a whirlwind. Kobe retired. Golden State broke Chicago's single season win record. Then the Rams flipped the draft on its head and gave Tennessee an obnoxious number of picks to move up. As I already highlighted, the Timberwolves went out with a bang and have started moving toward the next heads of team and organization. Now the NFL schedule is about to be released which is awesome since the Purple are moving back in doors come August. All that and the WNBA draft is happening right now.
But how do we get a wrap on it from this region?
I'll get to that in just a second
But how do we get a wrap on it from this region?
I'll get to that in just a second
Closing Statement
144 - 109
Quick poll, who do you think scored which? Your options are the Timberwolves and the Pelicans.
Spoiler alert: The Timberwolves won
If this were the Wolves of old they would have folded like an origami flower but instead of enjoying a 50% increase in wins from last season and leave their games in the locker room they closed out with the best effort of the season and one of the best in the history of the franchise.
Shooting 65% with other 46% from 3 and 82% from the line. yeah, they were on fire.
The negatives will point to the fact that New Orleans is little more then a D-league team at this point but they hammered them in a way that they have not done all season and good to great teams win games emphatically that they are supposed to beat.
But as per usual, more after the jump
Quick poll, who do you think scored which? Your options are the Timberwolves and the Pelicans.
Spoiler alert: The Timberwolves won
If this were the Wolves of old they would have folded like an origami flower but instead of enjoying a 50% increase in wins from last season and leave their games in the locker room they closed out with the best effort of the season and one of the best in the history of the franchise.
Shooting 65% with other 46% from 3 and 82% from the line. yeah, they were on fire.
The negatives will point to the fact that New Orleans is little more then a D-league team at this point but they hammered them in a way that they have not done all season and good to great teams win games emphatically that they are supposed to beat.
But as per usual, more after the jump
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Farewell Jelly Beans
A great player's last game is tonight. It's been the talk for much and I don't feel like perpetuating it but since he is from the team formerly from the lakes it does fall within the local angle. Instead of saying anything of the player I'm going to go a different direction, see for yourself if you so please.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Vikings Draft - Stage 3
Well we've reached rounds 4 and 3 now.
As a recap, through the rounds I've already addressed I have the Vikings picking a Defensive Lineman, Wide Receiver, Cornerback and Offensive Lineman. The team needs that I still think they could benefit from addressing through the earlier picks are Linebacker, Safety, Wide Receiver with new additions being Punter and Quarterback.
Before you start yelling at the computer or in your head let me explain a bit.
I like Teddy. I think he has enough ability to win the super bowl but I don't want the Purple to refuse to strengthen the position if it sees a guy worth taking at the pick that they have, possibly even up in the first round. But no spoilers, so don't automatically assume that's the direction I'm going to go when draft day comes around and I address round 1.
As far as punter goes, I didn't address it in the early rounds and I don't want to be drafted at all. Jeff Locke is not the answer for the position but it absolutely needs to be a position that is included in the rookie free agent class. To this point and after this I don't want to a list any particular player but there's a local angle that would fit the need - Ben Lecompte. He won't be drafted because he's a punter from NDSU but he was one of, if not the best punter in the country last year regardless of division. I want the best for the team so hopefully they bring in him or someone else to compete and beat out JL.
Now onto pick talk
As a recap, through the rounds I've already addressed I have the Vikings picking a Defensive Lineman, Wide Receiver, Cornerback and Offensive Lineman. The team needs that I still think they could benefit from addressing through the earlier picks are Linebacker, Safety, Wide Receiver with new additions being Punter and Quarterback.
Before you start yelling at the computer or in your head let me explain a bit.
I like Teddy. I think he has enough ability to win the super bowl but I don't want the Purple to refuse to strengthen the position if it sees a guy worth taking at the pick that they have, possibly even up in the first round. But no spoilers, so don't automatically assume that's the direction I'm going to go when draft day comes around and I address round 1.
As far as punter goes, I didn't address it in the early rounds and I don't want to be drafted at all. Jeff Locke is not the answer for the position but it absolutely needs to be a position that is included in the rookie free agent class. To this point and after this I don't want to a list any particular player but there's a local angle that would fit the need - Ben Lecompte. He won't be drafted because he's a punter from NDSU but he was one of, if not the best punter in the country last year regardless of division. I want the best for the team so hopefully they bring in him or someone else to compete and beat out JL.
Now onto pick talk
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Sioux don't suck
Yeah, Yeah I know they changed it to "Fighting Hawks" but that wasn't even the best of the options to remascot. To that end I'm still calling UND, the Fighting Sioux.
To get to the point, UND won the college hockey national championship tonight. I'm not a UND backer or much of a hockey fan but this is the biggest story of the day in the region. Undoubtedly they're still celebrating in Grand Forks and Tampa. Why the finals were in Tampa is a mystery to me but it probably comes down to $$$ and that's beside the point any way.
After a 15 year drought of championships in Hockey, it's good for those kids, the university and the state as a whole to be at the pinnacle of a second college sport this school year (the other being NDSU, in FCS football).
I'm not going to make like I saw the game, because I was busy all day and didn't see a minute of it. I heard most of the third period on the radio but hockey on the radio is not awesome. That is to say that this isn't about a particular play or player but just about the fact that they got over the hump and finally got another trophy.
Being a born and raised North Dakotan I'm always positive on good things happening in the Peace Garden State. I don't like the Sioux but winning a championship is a good thing so I'm happy for em and for us.
Not that they have for a long time in hockey but to a level not reached in a long time, the Sioux don't suck. As I said already, good for them!
I have a little more to say after the jump.
To get to the point, UND won the college hockey national championship tonight. I'm not a UND backer or much of a hockey fan but this is the biggest story of the day in the region. Undoubtedly they're still celebrating in Grand Forks and Tampa. Why the finals were in Tampa is a mystery to me but it probably comes down to $$$ and that's beside the point any way.
After a 15 year drought of championships in Hockey, it's good for those kids, the university and the state as a whole to be at the pinnacle of a second college sport this school year (the other being NDSU, in FCS football).
I'm not going to make like I saw the game, because I was busy all day and didn't see a minute of it. I heard most of the third period on the radio but hockey on the radio is not awesome. That is to say that this isn't about a particular play or player but just about the fact that they got over the hump and finally got another trophy.
Being a born and raised North Dakotan I'm always positive on good things happening in the Peace Garden State. I don't like the Sioux but winning a championship is a good thing so I'm happy for em and for us.
Not that they have for a long time in hockey but to a level not reached in a long time, the Sioux don't suck. As I said already, good for them!
I have a little more to say after the jump.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Breaking the cycle
I've heard the phrase "24 hour news cycle" at different times, about different circumstances but in today's internet world, with instant access to so many different news sources and facts I don't think it is a 24 hour cycle anymore. I think it's more apt to call it a breaking news cycle with the latest headline being all that matters.
Well I have to go back 2 full days for this but can't skip out on giving my 10 cents on a certain subject that I'm sure you've all heard about by now but may not have given much thought about.
Let me start from the beginning. Two nights ago the Minnesota Timberwolves played against the Golden State Warriors, out in California. Being a weeknight game, out on the West Coast and having to be up early for work, made it so that I couldn't stay up to see the game but I watched the first half and took a close look at the box score in the morning.
Early in the game, Minnesota got down as much as 17 points. By the end of the first half they closed the gap to nine points and by the end of the fourth were able to knot it up and force overtime. In OT they out scored the Warriors by 7 and pulled off the biggest win of the year.
I'm not going to over blow the significance of the win, but I also don't want to under rate it. So an attempt at sports related balance and more after the break.
Well I have to go back 2 full days for this but can't skip out on giving my 10 cents on a certain subject that I'm sure you've all heard about by now but may not have given much thought about.
Let me start from the beginning. Two nights ago the Minnesota Timberwolves played against the Golden State Warriors, out in California. Being a weeknight game, out on the West Coast and having to be up early for work, made it so that I couldn't stay up to see the game but I watched the first half and took a close look at the box score in the morning.
Early in the game, Minnesota got down as much as 17 points. By the end of the first half they closed the gap to nine points and by the end of the fourth were able to knot it up and force overtime. In OT they out scored the Warriors by 7 and pulled off the biggest win of the year.
I'm not going to over blow the significance of the win, but I also don't want to under rate it. So an attempt at sports related balance and more after the break.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Vikings Draft - Stage 2
So working on up from the bottom of the seventh round I think the Vikings would benefit from going defensive line and wide receiver. That would create competition at some important areas while allowing for the remainder of the draft to bring in guys to strengthen other areas of the team.
As mentioned before, I'm completely ignoring the likelihood of Spielman making trades with some of the picks.
The two picks I want to speculate about today are number 198, from the sixth round and 160, from the fifth round.
I'll get to it just across the divide.
As mentioned before, I'm completely ignoring the likelihood of Spielman making trades with some of the picks.
The two picks I want to speculate about today are number 198, from the sixth round and 160, from the fifth round.
I'll get to it just across the divide.
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