tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post111119803579521460..comments2023-10-30T09:37:03.456-05:00Comments on Vikes Geek: New Additionsvikes geekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06530336385552424416noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-1111433063150115202005-03-21T13:24:00.000-06:002005-03-21T13:24:00.000-06:00Anony,You are correct. The Vikings did pick up so...Anony,<BR/><BR/>You are correct. The Vikings did pick up some short-termers, but that worries me less than if they had signed for big money. The contracts mesh with the ages of the players signed, giving the Vikings room to rebuild as necessary. At a minimum, it's nice to have some solid veterans for a change.<BR/><BR/>The Vikings have not addressed the kicking game in free agency, but that is no real surprise. Aside from the oft-injured Joe Nedney, there were few kickers of note available in free agency. The Vikings were wise to pass on Nedney given their need for a dependable, healthy kicker. It would not surprise me if the Vikings drafted a kicker with their 18th pick. Tice said he would never take a kicker in the first round--and that is the conventional wisdom--but when it is your achilles heal and there is no other solution it might be worth the high selection.<BR/><BR/>VGvikes geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06530336385552424416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-1111432717269260722005-03-21T13:18:00.000-06:002005-03-21T13:18:00.000-06:00AJJ,I would not call it a "stretch" for the Viking...AJJ,<BR/><BR/>I would not call it a "stretch" for the Vikings to play the 3-4 either, but if they do, KW might find himself moving back rather than moving to end. The Vikings put Williams inside for two reasons: (1) they needed some help stopping the run and (2) he was not the best option at either end. And that latter concern was with Mixon and nobody playing the two ends. Now that the Vikings have Udeze and a reliable Johnstone entrenched at the end positions, using Williams at end is even less appealing. If the choice is between Williams at end or at one of two middle linebacker slots in the 3-4, the Vikings almost certainly would opt to remain in the 4-3. If, on the other hand, Williams sheds ten pounds, picks up the necessary speed, and learns pass-rushing techniques more complimentary to defensive end, that thinking might change.<BR/><BR/>I entirely agree regarding E.J. He had a fair number of tackles, but few for losses. He also appeared to be more of a responding player than an initiator. And I still cannot get over his dropback move on the goal line in the playoffs. That showed me all I needed to know to confirm my season-long impressions that he is simply not ready to play middle linebacker. And he may not even be prepared to play outside.<BR/><BR/>VGvikes geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06530336385552424416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-1111432235921521062005-03-21T13:10:00.000-06:002005-03-21T13:10:00.000-06:002005er,We will not know the actual salary floor un...2005er,<BR/><BR/>We will not know the actual salary floor until the NFL's annual Spring audit is complete. The expectation, however, is that the floor will jump to approximately $73 million.<BR/><BR/>VGvikes geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06530336385552424416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-1111327811041388152005-03-20T08:10:00.000-06:002005-03-20T08:10:00.000-06:00The Vikings now have five new starters on defense....The Vikings now have five new starters on defense. Of those, three (Pat Williams, Sam Cowart and Darren Sharper) are not long term answers because of age. Fred Smoot will be good for a long while and Napoleon Harris also (if he turns out to be good at all).<BR/><BR/>So the Vikings still have some work to do on defense in the draft. They have some good young linebackers, even if, like E. J. Henderson, they aren't quite ready right now. But sometime in the next year or two the Vikings need to draft long term replacements for Pat Williams and Darren Sharper.<BR/><BR/>On offense, the wide receiver position is unsettled. The team should address that this year in the draft (Braylon Edwards or Mike Williams at 7 or Troy Williamson or Mark Clayton at 18). Also they need a guard.<BR/><BR/>The big issue unaddressed so far in free agency is the kicking game.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-1111325463500830502005-03-20T07:31:00.000-06:002005-03-20T07:31:00.000-06:00I agree that the vikings will probably not go to a...I agree that the vikings will probably not go to a 3-4 defense but I don't think it is a stretch for this team. Pat Williams is an ideal tackle for a 3-4 which would allow Kevin Williams, whom I regard as a perfect pass rushing end for a 3-4 to go outside along with the size speed and strength of Udeze on the other side. I don't think it will happen but it isn't beyond logic.<BR/><BR/>On another note, anyone who takes the starting position of middle linebacker for the Vikes next year will look better, even if it is E.J. The problem that I really saw started with the line. We had no penatration for the run at all which put our middle linebacker on an island by himself. With Pat Williams literally plugging the holes, the middle linebacker can play a lot more relaxed style of football and therefore make a lot better decisions. I honestly believe it started with having Chris "I don't care" Hovan losing his starting job to Spencer "Who the hell am I" Johnson. Kevin Williams is awsome at what he does, pass rushing, we needed someone to plug the holes and we got it. Now I truly believe if these guys gel, there is no ceiling to what they can do for next year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com