Draft night at the Minneapolis Convention Center

The night was finally here after seemingly unending days and night of mock drafts. I for one hope the draft date moves back to April due as it just seemed like forever until May 8^th.

We arrived at the Minneapolis Convention Center with the first thing we see is hundreds of fans dressed in the most beautiful color in the world, purple. I heard the figure 6000 fans and I will say that does not shock me as the room was just packed.

We saw the signs for the draft party and just followed them until we reached our destination. The room was absolutely huge and already filled with fans and we were an hour early. The room was a little on the dark side with the lights that were on had a purple tint going. It really did have a cool effect. There were regular lights on around the edge of the room so it wasn’t total darkness.

The KFAN team of Paul Allen, Paul Charchian, Ben Leber and Pete Bercich did a tremendous job with the draft giving their input on the picks. A huge TV screen was overhead the cast of characters so the fans could watch the draft while also listening to the voice of the Vikings.

The crowd was getting antsier the closer number 8 pick was getting. Cordarrelle Patterson made an appearance on stage and was asked who he wanted the team to pick and he yelled out to the crowd “Johnny Football” that really got the crowd stoked.

The tension of who Minnesota would pick was peaking even more as Cleveland traded up to 8 switching with Minnesota and they take cornerback, Justin Gilbert leaving Vikings fans chant Johnny, Johnny.

The TV screen showed the words “The pick is in” and we see Commissioner Roger Goodell walk across the stage to make the announcement of the Vikes pick. The crowd stood as one in hopes and the name, Anthony Barr was called. I never headed a place go so quiet so fast in a long time. It was the most unreal feeling sitting at the party. I watched several fans pack up and leave the party.

It was a little later that Rick Spielman was on the TV screen and talking about the pick which drew a good amount of booing from the fans.

It seemed as time went on and the Vikings radio cast was talking up Barr it seemed to help quite a bit. My feeling coming into the draft was I felt totally sure the Vikes would go defense and not a quarterback so I was not disappointed when the pick was called.

The Barr stats are unbelievable along with his speed should make for an interesting story line in camp to see how he does.

I had a gut feeling the Vikes were not done and would move up again to the first round. It is amazing the connection the Vikings-Seahawks have and this time Seattle trades the last pick in the first round and the Vikes end up with their quarterback of the future.

I give the Vikes an A for the draft Thursday night and am continually impressed with how many first round picks the team has gotten over the last 3 seasons.

Overall it was great to have football back and sit in amidst thousands of crazy Viking fans. It is the most awesome feeling to be able to do this. It is not fun to hear booing but I did also understand people have a right to their opinion.

The rest of the draft this weekend should be fun to watch as the Vikings have so many needs. What will they do with the first 3^rd round pick Friday night?

Thanks for reading

Purplestick