2012 Draft... one to remember?

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Originally Posted by tastywaves

I hope this is a priority this offseason and I like the combination of adding a proven WR in FA and a pick in the draft.

Harvin is a wild card, I hope we get him back, but his time here might be done. What makes him good is also what makes him vulnerable to injuries, I doubt this gets better as he ages, but it could. Either way, I like the way he plays the game and would like to see him stay with MN.

Simpson has been a letdown and we may be better served trying to bring more potential into the lineup if we do indeed target a WR with FA and the draft. Harvin will also play into this decision.

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I've paid pretty close attention to how they have been using Simpson of late. Like Berrien, they aren't using him on deep routes but rather on the intermediate routes. I'm wondering, like Berrien, does he suck at those?

It isn't unheard of for guys to be only good at one area.....Randy Moss has never excelled at anything other than 7, 8 and 9 routes and I'm being pretty liberal with the 7 routes.

I'd like to see us add a guy like Bowe to run the 4, 5, 6, and 7 routes with Simpson back at the 7, 8 and 9 routes with a Percy/Wright guy working the 1, 2, 3, 4's and Rudy between the hashes 10 - 30 yards out next year.

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Originally Posted by singersp

I remember Jackson & a other players that looked damn good in TC too. How did that pan out again?

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How many people look bad in training camp? It is full of optimism and trying to find the diamonds in the rough along with polishing the diamonds you already have. Plus they are only playing against themselves and not competing against another team. Once we start to compete against other teams, that is when we start seeing the flaws of our players and how they don't measure up to the other team.

It is all part of the circle of life (football).

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Originally Posted by snowinapril

How many people look bad in training camp? It is full of optimism and trying to find the diamonds in the rough along with polishing the diamonds you already have. Plus they are only playing against themselves and not competing against another team. Once we start to compete against other teams, that is when we start seeing the flaws of our players and how they don't measure up to the other team.

It is all part of the circle of life (football).

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As always, top shelf old friend. Top shelf indeed.

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Originally Posted by kevoncox

I think I have been pretty standard on my criticism of Rick thru good or bad. I don't think he is a good GM. I think he has an eye of talent on the defensive side of the ball but cannot put together an offense to save his life. In his tenure here, he has drafted good offensive players. Harvin, Peterson, Khalil. I would give you Rice as well. That's just not enough production for all the picks spent.

As for the coaching staff. I have given Fraiser my support for day 1. I didn't understand why everyone was ready to fire the guy when he had 1 season with a horrendous team and we were in several games last season despite starting a rookie QB, no OTAs, a fresh coaching change, and new playbook

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Probably the fairest assessment of both Spielman and Frazier that as been posted here in a while. I disagree a little on Spielman, but I can concede that we haven't gotten enough return on our investment with picks. I believe that had a lot to do with the ridiculous power structure in place before in the absence of a real GM, and I think that it will continue to get better now.

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Originally Posted by Marrdro

Still?

Sure the Chiller had alot more to day than Leslie does now, but I still think that after the Foley fiasco, he and Spielman worked well together.

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yup, I still and always will believe that. I don't remember Spielmanflying down to meet Percy prior to the draft. I also do not remember Rick personally escorting Brett from Mississippi to Minneapolis. I believe Spielman had input, but if Childress wanted something, it was ultimately his decision. That said I think Rick did a fantastic job running his first draft as the man in charge. 3 pro bowl caliber picks, LT, S, K. and 2 more making big contributions now at CB, and WR. We had so many holes to fill there is no way we should be where we are this year.

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Originally Posted by marshallvike

yup, I still and always will believe that. I don't remember Spielmanflying down to meet Percy prior to the draft. I also do not remember Rick personally escorting Brett from Mississippi to Minneapolis. I believe Spielman had input, but if Childress wanted something, it was ultimately his decision. That said I think Rick did a fantastic job running his first draft as the man in charge. 3 pro bowl caliber picks, LT, S, K. and 2 more making big contributions now at CB, and WR. We had so many holes to fill there is no way we should be where we are this year.

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Good post. I actually think he did a good job leading up to last year as well. Show me a team that hits on every pick. Heck, for that matter show me a team that hits on 50% of them consistently.

DraftHistory.com

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Originally Posted by Marrdro

Good post. I actually think he did a good job leading up to last year as well. Show me a team that hits on every pick. Heck, for that matter show me a team that hits on 50% of them consistently.

DraftHistory.com

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I agree that 2011 wasn't terrible. However, it will get a D+ from me because of the drafting of Ponder at spot 12. I don't care who is flying off the board. I don't care if there is a run on players, you stick by your board. Isn't that Rick's saying?

Rudolph in 2nd = A
Ballard in 4th = B
Raymond in 6th = A because of value
Reed = B

2012 seems to be the best draft class the Vikings have had in quite awhile. Let's not give too many back slaps until the Vikings are championship contenders. We have at least a year or two to go.

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Originally Posted by NodakPaul

I don't buy that. It is easier IMHO to mess up an early draft pick than a late one because the expectations are higher. Picking somebody in the top ten who turns out to be a bust or even just OK is a failure, and it happens to a couple teams every year. How did Kuechly turn out this year? Or Gilmore?

And you also keep ignoring the movement in the draft - something that was done very well. Had we just sat on our picks and drafted BPA every time I could see where you are coming from. But we targeted certain players and moved around to get them at the best value. Isn't that what you keep saying we should be doing with the QB position? We did it very well at other positions of need.

I agree that I want to see him duplicate the success, and I get that you don't have faith that he can do it again. But that doesn't take away from the fact that he did very well this year. Maybe he was a one year wonder, maybe not. But it was still a good draft and like it or not Spielman deserves some credit for it.

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Terrible....he is only leading the league in tackles :)

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Originally Posted by kevoncox

Terrible....he is only leading the league in tackles :)

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Kook is a baller.