The 2011
season had ended with a miserable record of 3-13. We as fans had to wonder what
are on earth is the organization going to do to get the ship moving north.
The
philosophy was conveyed strongly in 2012 that the youth movement is going to
occur. It did at that as the Vikings drafted 10 players and 8 of those cracking
the final 53. The eight not only made the final roster of 53 they contribute
heavily. A new starting left tackle, Matt Kalil along with starting safety,
Harrison Smith.
The team released
veteran kicker, Ryan Longwell in favor of a 6th round draft choice,
Blair Walsh and look how that turned out.
The names
Rhett Ellison, Robert Blanton, Josh Robinson, Jarius Wright, Audie Cole represented
themselves well. Greg Childs goes out for the season and Trevor Guyton was cut
in camp. What a draft class and I hope for 2013 to go as well.
The team
ends 10-6 and now the pressure to get better is building as the opponents in
2013 will be very tough. The Vikings plays the Super Bowl Champion, Baltimore
Ravens in Baltimore along with the rest of that division for something to think
about for fans.
The combine
is over with plenty of talent shown for GM’s and the team coming up in the
April draft.
The 2013
season is really not that far away. What
is the Vikings plan? Is the team going to go through free agency a little if at
all, or will the draft produce players for the Vikings future?
This week
has been full of fans I’ve talked to concerned after the trade of Percy to
Seattle. What receivers do we have left?
It seemed
like the Percy talk was nonstop with the fans and the radio I listen to. I am
finding more people after things settled down ok with Harvin leaving. I have
mixed feelings only based on his talent.
It was being
talked about and before fans could get over that news the announcement of the
release of Antoine Winfield came. This news really caught me off guard. I know
he was due 7 million plus this season but still shocked me.
I know it is
a business and Antoine is not getting any younger but I will still miss
watching him play in Purple. I have to be honest this hurts more than the
Harvin saga. Life will go on and so will I but I have not enjoyed watching a
defensive player like I did Winfield.
He is short
in stature at 5’9 inches and weighs 180 but he play so much bigger. If every
player played with the heart he has this already awesome sport would be that
much better.
How many
times did we hear commentators remark how Winfield would take a big tight end
down? Antoine was the best tackler we had in some time and will be missed.
I will go as
far as he might just be one of the best free agents in recent history the
Vikings signed. If you ever got to meet him you would see the smile of a man
who cared for his fans and I will always be thankful to what he brought to the
state of Minnesota. Good Luck Antoine in your future you will be missed.
The Vikings
had 10 free agents on their own team and thus far has done a nice job of retaining
them.
The
resigning of Jerome Simpson I liked. He was out the first 4 games last season
so I am excited to see how he does in 16 games. He has the speed and jumping
ability so will he use this to his advantage?
The Jerome
Felton coming back is huge especially if he can continue his contributions in
helping Adrian break the 2500 mark this year.
Erin
Henderson and Jamarca Sanford coming back as well helps keep the defense
together. Erin I am most happy for. He has come the hard way being an undrafted
rookie and working his way to a starter. Jamarca I love on special teams and
his big hits when he plays safety.
I trust Rick
Spielman and the rest of the organization as I know there are a lot of nervous
fans out there after watching Harvin and Winfield leave. I can’t wait to see
the answers one way or the other with free agency or the draft.
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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