First and foremost, I am thrilled by the Vikings taking Matt Kalil with their first pick. I had been hoping all offseason the offensive line would be a top priority with the 1st pick. The 2011 season was hard to watch for a few reasons but one major problem came was the lack of protection for Christian Ponder. It seemed all we saw was Ponder receive the ball from center, and then next would be running for his life.
I talked to many fans who were hard on Ponder, but an opinion makes for a fun talked Monday. The Vikes have started to assemble a younger line and with Charlie Johnson moving to left guard and Kalil at left tackle. I believe an improvement has already been made.
The defensive back situation was addressed quite nicely with the addition of Harrison Smith from Notre Dame and his college teamate also taken by the Vikes in the 5th Round, Robert Blanton. College teammates in the backfield will be a neat story to watch in Mankato. The 3rd defensive back taken in the 3rd round, Josh Robinson, out of Central Florida excites me also after reading a fact in the combine. Robinson turned in the fastest time in the defensive backs that were there. Three young hustlers in the defensive backfield will be fun to watch how they can handle the other NFL speed they will be facing.
The wide receivers drafted with Jarius Wright in the 4th round and college teammate, Greg Childs, also taken in the 4th round. They both played at Arkansas University. This will be a neat story to watch in camp. Wright is being compared to Harvin, as he is a fast slot receiver. Childs is big and physical.
The 2 picks that surprised me along with many other fans I talked to came in the 4th round with Rhett Ellison, TE/FB out of USC. As I read he was even surprised when he got the call. The other surprise came in the 6th round when Blair Walsh's name was called. Walsh, kicker out of Georgia. I read the last time the Vikings drafted a specialist came in 2003. The Vikes drafted punter, Eddie Johnson that year. The only fair thing to do is give it time to see how these 2 pan out.
One fact I read, and I like is the Vikings coaching staff coached at the Senior Bowl, which allowed an advantage in seeing some of these guys more of an extended time.
Three universities had 2 players taken by the Vikings each. Notre Dame had Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton. Arkansas had the 2 receivers taken and finally USC had Kalil and Ellison.
The Vikings with Rick Spielman running his draft I offer my congrats to. You have made me one excited fan as you addressed needs and brought the team more speed.
A final note on the roster non draft related. Notre Dame has 5 players on the Vikings roster. The 2 tight ends, John Carlson and Kyle Rudolph, along with center John Sullivan. You might say the O-Line has a Notre Dame flavor to it. The 2 draft choices, Smith and Blanton round out this Fighting Irish theme.
Purple Stick
Nice draft review, I think it really benefited the Vikings in being able to coach the Senior Bowl. They were able to evaluate talent better. I really like Matt Kalil I feel he resolves the offensive line issue. He is probably the best left tackle we have had since Todd Steussie. The two recievers worry me just a little bit because they both really didn't have great college careers. They have a ton of raw talent and potential though. Harrison Smith, Blanton, and Robinson all will be a huge upgrade to our defense. I am of the belief the only way the Vikings will turn this all around is if the defense plays well. It will be a very interesting training camp this season, there will be many new faces.
ReplyDelete