‘Tis the season for Head Coaches on terrible teams to start to worry about their job security. Leslie Frazier is one of the lucky few. Sure, the Vikings were absolutely abysmal this season, but honestly, we all kind of anticipated that. The majority of us knew that Donovan McNabb was done. The offensive line was starting to get old and out of shape (of course Bryant McKinnie looked quite a bit better in Baltimore than Charlie Johnson did in Minnesota). The secondary isn’t anything to get excited about and with Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Jay Cutler in the division, that’s not an option. These reasons are why Frazier will get a chance to coach this team again in 2012. The Vikings expected to go through some growing pains. And they have.
The Vikings have some quality pieces. So, turning this thing around might not be as bad as some might think. Adrian Peterson is one of the best in the game when healthy. Hopefully, the torn ACL doesn’t rob him of his skill. Jared Allen just missed the all-time single season sack record with Brian Robison on the other side of the line. Granted, Robison had 8.0 sacks, but how many of those were because of Allen? I’d say most of them. Percy Harvin is electric with the ball in his hands, but he needs help, too. There is no longer a player the caliber of Sidney Rice lining up on the opposite side of the field. Kevin Williams is still an anchor on the defensive line, but didn’t look the same this year without his retired partner in crime, Pat Williams.
So what direction does Minnesota go this off-season? Step one is to figure out if Christian Ponder is the answer. I know, Minnesota spent their first rounder on the Florida State product just last year. Ponder was a reach. We all knew it then and we still know it now. Ponder had himself a respectable rookie season. He had his moments where it looked like maybe it wasn’t such a reach. There were also moments where Joe Webb looked like a better option. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, first round rookie salaries no longer cripple an organization with millions and millions of guaranteed dollars going to players who have yet to prove a thing at the professional level. It is much easier for a franchise to move on quickly if it so desires.
With a player the caliber of Robert Griffin III sitting on the board at number three, the Vikings at least need to do their due diligence. Does that mean that they give up on Ponder already and take a QB in round one for the second year in a row? Not necessarily, but they should at least look into it. Who else would the Vikings consider? Obviously if Matt Kalil falls to them, the Vikings will snatch him up. As the draft moves closer, the Rams may be taking bids for teams to move up and select the Heisman trophy winner out of Baylor (Griffin III), which would allow the Vikings to select the Left Tackle of the future. If Kalil is not there the next viable option is Morris Claiborne, CB/LSU. Claiborne is the type of player that could walk into training camp next summer and walk out with a starting postion. He has the size, footwork, play making ability and football IQ to make an immediate impact in Minnesota’s secondary. Claiborne is the type of player you expect to cover the Calvin Johnson’s and Greg Jennings.
If cornerback is not the way Minnesota goes, then perhaps the defensive end out of UNC, Quinton Coples, would be the guy. He’s a physical freak and a plus pass rusher. Jared Allen would appreciate not seeing as many double teams. The only other player I could see Minnesota reaching for at number three is Justin Blackmon, WR/Oklahoma State. Blackmon would probably be considered a reach if the Vikings took him, but the talent and potential is undeniable. He is the big playmaking receiver that would take a lot of pressure off the entire offense.
As I said earlier, Minnesota has the pieces to turn around this franchise quicker than many might expect. One big key is the health of Adrian Peterson. While its been said that the Vikings expect him back and at full strength by opening day 2012, those of us who watch the game know that it is very unlikely that he will be 100 percent by then. Will he be serviceable? Of course he will. And, if he’s not, Toby Gerhart has proven that he can shoulder the load for a bit. That said, the Vikings need a healthy Peterson to make some noise. He is the heart and soul of this offense. When he goes, they go. Leslie Frazier is hoping Peterson is ready to go on opening day. That way, he doesn’t have to worry about Black Monday next year.
First of all, I must admit for the first time on this site that I was wrong. Unfortunately for all of us this is most likely the first of many. So, the Jags didn’t lay down to the Colts yesterday. Silly Maurice Jones-Drew and his quest to crush the competition for AFC rushing supremacy. Jones-Drew out-rushed the nearest competitor, Ray Rice of Baltimore, by 240 yards. He had almost 2000 yards from scrimmage this year. Could you imagine if he had been supported by any sort of a passing attack? Wow, just wow. With 25 carries for 169 yards, the Jags didn’t need anything from Blaine Gabbert (which is good, because the vaunted Jacksonville passing attack gained a whopping 71 total yards for the game). Did I mention it was the Colts too? That team is bad and they showed it again yesterday.