tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post3713011625864684805..comments2023-10-30T09:37:03.456-05:00Comments on Vikes Geek: Vikings' Gambles Result in Fewer Options and Lesser Returnvikes geekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06530336385552424416noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-26983644889206287672010-03-14T20:29:56.461-05:002010-03-14T20:29:56.461-05:00Well, VG, I see that LT just signed with the Jets....Well, VG, I see that LT just signed with the Jets. That option being closed, the Vikings are going to have to scramble a bit. You suggest that they will draft a running back fairly early, but as everybody knows, rookies rarely serve as effective third-down backs because they lack the necessary savvy. As for the "many solid restricted free-agent running backs" still available, who would you recommend at this point? It seems to me that the Vikings have painted themselves into a corner and can't easily escape it. Good luck next year. Maybe Brett will sense their incompetence and pack it in.Cabritohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06413035026045238243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-82987951976613466322010-03-11T15:41:33.814-06:002010-03-11T15:41:33.814-06:00Comet,
Clearly, that is the case with Taylor. I ...Comet,<br /><br />Clearly, that is the case with Taylor. I don't blame the Vikings for passing on Taylor on those terms and I don't blame Taylor for taking money not to get hit--though I think he will play plenty in Martz's system. My only qualm with how the Vikings handled Taylor is that they probably could have extended him for much less last year at this time and they opted not to. It's not the end of the Vikings' playoff hopes, but it does create another issue that the team will need to address.<br /><br />I, too, was displeased with Birk's play in 2008, but not so much so that I thought Sullivan was an upgrade. Nothing I saw in 2009 changes that opinion. But, looking ahead to 2010, I am comfortable enough with Sullivan at center not to worry about the position. The difficulty in 2009 was that Sullivan was not the only first-year starter on the line. Loadholt was a rookie, Herrera is still a work-in-progress and McKinnie is the worst best player at his position to ever walk the Earth. That made losing Birk, warts and all, all the more difficult.<br /><br />Good point on Sharper. Though Sharper had his qualms with how the Vikings approach defending with the safeties (not sure if that is an oxymoron), he had indicated a desire to return for the right price. The Saints happened to offer the right price and the perfect system and the match was made and both sides--Sharper and the Vikings--seemed fine with that at the time.<br /><br />VGvikes geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06530336385552424416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-17082462764092131042010-03-11T12:11:22.016-06:002010-03-11T12:11:22.016-06:00Birk was a revolving door in his last year as a Vi...Birk was a revolving door in his last year as a Vike. He was a big reason Philly clobbered the team in the playoff game at home. Sharper needs to freelance and Chilly the control freak isn't down with that in his system so regardless of how you view the front office Sharper was never staying here. Chester is all about the money, witness going to a crummy team to play in crummy weather and to back up Matt Forte. Vikes are not going to pay starter money to a 3rd down back, only a team as dumb as the Bears is going to do that.comet52https://www.blogger.com/profile/09260734558049028336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-75115196298281092492010-03-11T00:06:46.352-06:002010-03-11T00:06:46.352-06:00Cabrito,
I agree that LT is valuable beyond his m...Cabrito,<br /><br />I agree that LT is valuable beyond his mere presence on the field. AP could use the guidance of someone who's been there and done it. LT is that guy.<br /><br />I'm not overly enthused about any of the young running backs on the roster and suspect that the Vikings are not either. Suggesting that Young is a viable backup is preposterous and the team understands that, but the Vikings have had to make the claim to salvage some leverage in dealing with LT.<br /><br />I suspect that the Vikings will draft a running back either in the second or third round of this year's draft or tender one of the many solid restricted free agent running backs--the latter option being much more likely if LT opts to go elsewhere (though it is not clear where else he could go at this point).<br /><br />VGvikes geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06530336385552424416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268346.post-16590897391667046912010-03-10T11:14:50.674-06:002010-03-10T11:14:50.674-06:00It's possible, even likely, that the Vikings w...It's possible, even likely, that the Vikings will come to regret their decision to let Chester Taylor go. If they sign LT, obviously we'll just have to wait and see if he can serve as an adequate replacement. One thing I like about LT, though, is that he's a seasoned veteran, an all-time great, who can maybe provide some guidance to AP. The latter will be entering his fourth year in the league, but still plays much like a rookie at times. Perhaps LT can teach him a thing or two about running the ball, and especially about holding onto it.<br /><br />The question I wanted to ask of you, VG, was how serviceable some of the Vikings backup running backs might be in the future. Certainly Albert Young showed a lot of talent in the preseason last year, as did another player named Ian something (I forget his last name). Care to comment on the potential value of these two, and perhaps others? I realize that so-called "third-down backs" like Taylor need to have experience and savvy to be effective, hence the pressure to acquire someone like LT. But if AP should go down, is there any chance (in your view) that one of the younger players I mentioned could replace him? Just a thought.Cabritohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06413035026045238243noreply@blogger.com