It does not seem too long ago the trio of Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed were the featured receivers. The days of Randall Cunningham cocking his arm back and let the ball fly as far as could only to watch Moss track them down. Carter's amazing one handed catches along the sideline or even touchdowns. Those days are over and it seems the team has never been able to replace with a group that sticks together.
The Koren Robinson year where he went to the Pro Bowl as a return man even though his position was wide receiver and then departed. The Marcus Robinson surprsing release around Christmas time. Derrick Alexander coming from the Chiefs I was excited to have but he too did not stick around.
The one receiver I am truly disappointed in losing was Nate Butleson. He is having such a good career. I know he is a Detroit Lion but I always pull for him to succeed just not against the Vikings.
This season will be in my opinion one of the most exciting trainig camp battles to watch. I love the signing of Jerome Simpson. If anybody remembers last season his flip into the end zone after a touchdown catch making an ESPN highlight. It shows the athletic ability he brings along with the fact Simpson caught the medias eyes with some of his catches. Yes, I know he is out the first three games with his suspension but when he returns watch out. I predict he comes out of the gate with much to prove. The one year contract he signed will also be an incentive as he is playing for a long term contract in his future.
In Percy Harvin one word comes to mind. The word determined comes to mind amongst many. The respect I have for the hits he takes and keeps going. It is incredible the punishment he takes and still gets up. The amount of times teams have thought he was down only to watch as Harvin keeps on going. Another phrase comes to mind is "human pinball." Every touch Percy gets is a realistic chance to take it to the house. This will be the year for Percy who is the leader in this corp with the years of service with the Vikes.
I look for Michael Jenkins to have a bounce back season after ending last year on the injury list. I would love to see Jenkins be used as a possession type receiver. He is tall and could use his body to shield against the smaller defensive backs.
Stephen Burton a 2011 draft choice comes back for another season. He's got to come in with the mind set of getting another year to make the team. The team has given him another chance so now it is up to Stephen to show he belongs.
The amount of guys trying out for this position and with the three game suspension of Simpson to start the year has to give extra motivation for guys like Burton. He was a draft choice so he needs to know the team thought enough of him that he was taken. It was in the later rounds but still to know he was one of 250 or so players who were drafted in the 2011.It is up to Burton to step up when called on.
The list goes on as free agent Bryan Walters who came from San Diego Chargers comes here to seek a spot. Last season Walters had 3 catches alone when they played the Vikings. It must have shown management enough to want to bring him in. I am all for bringing in as much competition as possible.
Devin Aromashodu, I am pulling for to make it big this year. He showed signs last season of potential. He is quick and appears to have some good hands. I like him as a dark horse to be the man who steps up and have a break out season.
The drafting of college teammates Greg Childs and Jarius Wright out of the University of Arkansas I am excited to see what they think how different the pro level is verses college . Childs is the big target and Wright is Percy like being short and quick.
I am not going to predict who will make the final cut. In 16 days I will begin to watch the battles in this position. I feel this camp has brought in some truly gifted guys. To make for an obvious statement even if they do not make the team they are playing for a career in the NFL. I would never want to be a coach who has to cut talent.
Next up Running Backs
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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