Thread: Healthy draft picks will help Vikings win

[size=13pt]Sid Hartman: Healthy draft picks will help Vikings win[/size]

The return of Erasmus James to the field gives coach Brad Childress his full complement of top-drafted talent, something he hasn't had until now.

By Sid Hartman, Star Tribune

Last update: August 26, 2007 – 12:51 AM

One reason I believe the Vikings will be much improved this year is that they should have all their recent first-round draft choices available....

It was good to see them all healthy & playing. I'd have loved to see some QB sacks with some of the penetration they had, but watching Henderson drill Hasselbeck into the ground was quite soothing.

I tried to watch for James to see how he looked. I am not sure how many plays he had, but the few I saw he looked lethargic. Maybe I missed something.

"UffDaVikes" wrote:

I tried to watch for James to see how he looked. I am not sure how many plays he had, but the few I saw he looked lethargic. Maybe I missed something.

i saw that too, he looked like he was scarred of going all out

"UffDaVikes" wrote:

I tried to watch for James to see how he looked. I am not sure how many plays he had, but the few I saw he looked lethargic. Maybe I missed something.

Nope, you didn't miss anything.
Right now, Edwards is clearly the better option.
I would think James' impact will be apparent post bye week, at best.
Rewound TIVO to focus on him virtually every play he was in...he played like a guy who didn't want to re-injure himself; hard not to understand.
That said, I'm not sure he's near 100% yet...I didn't see it.

"tb04512" wrote:

"UffDaVikes" wrote:

I tried to watch for James to see how he looked. I am not sure how many plays he had, but the few I saw he looked lethargic. Maybe I missed something.

i saw that too, he looked like he was scarred of going all out

I seen him slip to the ground once. And get pancaked another time i believe. Didn't look very fast off the snap either.

isn't this the same story for any team?

"UffDaVikes" wrote:

I tried to watch for James to see how he looked. I am not sure how many plays he had, but the few I saw he looked lethargic. Maybe I missed something.

He was also playing against arguably the best tackle in the NFL.... who also happens to hold everytime a speed rusher like James has him beat, and never gets held for it. If you have the game recorded, go back and watch, he gets held really badly anytime he makes a good move.

Also it's his first game back, I think he'll have a much better game against the inferior Falcons line, plus he'll be more comfortable being back on teh field.

Sean Locklear playing on the opposite side of the line isn't that great of an opponent.

Erasmus got 16 plays, had a few pushes toward the QB. He did look a little slow coming off the line, but he will start playing faster with more reps. Good to have all our horses out on the field.