Combine over and now thoughts on the Vikes number 11 pick

The NFL combine is over and after watching every day and many hours I like what I saw out of a few future hopeful Vikings draft choices.

I do feel the draft does not always guarantee but since it is part of the game it is truly fun to speculate. The NFL draft consisting of 7 rounds and over 230 players is exciting but sometimes what is more exciting is seeing how the kids that are not drafted and come by way of undrafted rookie free agents.

I look at Tom Brady who was drafted in the 6^th round and the 199^th pick and now a shoe in for Hall of Fame when he is done. Do you ever wonder how many times teams look back and wonder what if we wound have taken him? I look at the undrafted players and give you 2 examples both former Viking players, John Randle and Mick Tingelhoff who were not drafted and now funny, Randle are in the Hall of Fame and Tingelhoff being enshrined this August. The list could go on for each team with draft busts or prizes as well as each team could list their undrafted free agents who made it big. Does anybody really know?

The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a 7 win season making progress however there is much room to improve. I did read Coach Mike Zimmer state there would not be much money spent in free agency rather the team would rather build through the draft. I would like to see the team go after one player in free agency and that is former 49ers guard, Mike Iupati. Yes, he would come at a huge price but I believe it would be worth it.

The team has had very good drafts in the last 3 seasons. There are 2 first round picks that are concerning but I do have hope they will figure it out. I speak of Matt Kalil and Cordarelle Patterson. Matt had a Pro Bowl rookie year and now is struggling and Patterson is blessed with athleticism but now must figure out how to use especially in getting open and running good routes. I have all the faith in the world this coaching staff will do what it takes to get it done.

The Vikings come in with the 11^th pick and with Coach Mike Zimmer’s defensive background I would bet my next pay check a defensive player will be taken. I will give you in order the positions and players I would like to see in purple.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Trae Waynes (Michigan State) He ran a 4.31 40 yard dash along with a 38 inch vertical jump and a 10’1” broad jump. He is 6’ tall and weighs 196 pounds. He is a bump and run specialists. The only concern is read is he grabs which may not translate as well into the NFL but again who better to have as a coach than Zimmer that can help this potential problem.

Jalen Collins (LSU) ran a 4.43 40 yard dash and has a 36” vertical jump. He has the rare triple with size, speed and strength. NFL Network has him compared to Terrence Williams from the NFL.

LINEBACKERS

Vic Beasley (Clemson) He most likely will be gone by 11 but if not this kid is an animal. He is 6’3” and playing at 235 in college came into the combine at 246.  He ran a 4.53, 40 yard dash with a 41 inch vertical and a 10’10” broad jump. He has been given the compliment as the best edge rusher in the draft.

Dante Fowler Jr (Florida) He ran a 4.6. 40 has a vertical jump at 32.5 and broad jump of 9.3. He is 6’3” and weighs 261. Fowler can play out of 2 or 3 point stance. He is blessed with long arms and is so athletic covering sideline to sideline. He is compared to last season rookie, Khlail Mack. I wanted Mack last year for the Vikings but after seeing what Anthony Barr did last season I was glad we took who we took but still wish Mack a good season and he did not disappoint the Oakland Raiders.

SAFETY

Landon Collins (Alabama)  I was not overly impressed by anyone else. Collins comes from a school that knows how to win. He ran a 4.53, 40 yard dash and has a 35” vertical jump. He is a tremendous run stopper. He also plays better when attacking rather than laying back in coverage. He did have a tendency to drop a few balls. I repeat myself by saying if Collins is the pick who better to have as a coach than Mike Zimmer.

WIDE RECEIVER

Kevin Smith (West Virginia) This man was my favorite player to watch in the combine in all positions. I was so amazed by him. I am doubtful he will still be there at 11 but if he is please turn the card in quickly before time elapses. Smith is the prototypical NFL receiver with his size. He is 6’3” and weighs 215. He ran a 4.35, 40 yard dash with a 36.5 vertical jump and 10.25 broad jump. He would be a true pleasure watching him haul in passes from Bridgewater.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Brandon Scherff (Iowa) He measures at 6”5” and weighs 319. Ho loves the weight room and I read where he could life your house. He has the measurable to play tackle but in the Vikings case would love to this weight lifting beast play at left guard.

RUNNING BACK

This obviously is the biggest area because of the uncertainty of Adrian Peterson’s future. I have read the same as I am sure you have about everything. I have no certainty just a feeling and that is I just don’t think Peterson will be in purple.

Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) He ran a 4.35, 40 yard dash, had 35” vertical and 10.5 broad jump. I am a Gopher fan and dislike the Badgers but as a football fan it was hard not be impressed with his gist of running. I read on NFL.com that Gordon is compared to ex Vikings back, Robert Smith. Oh would that be fun again. Gordon is 6’1” and weighs 215.

These are my thoughts on the combine. I know you all have your favorites and I encourage you to share your thoughts on who the Vikings should take. I say If Peterson does leave the Vikes should draft Gordon and if Peterson stays I would be happy with Waynes, Beasley or Kevin Smith.

I know the end of April can’t come soon enough. We have seen mock drafts and will see them until the day of the draft. I enjoy them for a while but then I need to be done and just watch the draft on TV. Who are the winners and who are the losers of the 2015 draft?

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

 

 

Vikes offseason update

The Minnesota Vikings along with the other 31 teams are in the offseason but in this league there is no real off season as news continues to flow.


VIKINGS PLAYER NEWS
Minnesota made a surprising pick up on Wednesday when the team announced they signed former Packer tight end, Brandon Bostick. Yes, the same man who will be always known to Packers fans as the player who cost them a trip to the Super Bowl when he let the onside kick go through his hands. Bostick is 6’3” and weighs in at 250 pounds. He played in 24 games for Green Bay with 9 catches for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. He now is the 5^th tight end on the Vikes roster with: Kyle Rudolph, Rhett Ellison, Chase Ford and Ryan Otten.  My hope is this move will come back to haunt the Packers


MY HOME TOWN INVOLVED WITH THE NEW STADIUM
Owatonna, Minnesota is home to Viracon, the company that is producing the glass. Yes, Owatonna is where I have lived the last 26 years as well.
Viracon was awarded the contract in January of 2014. They will be producing 190, 000 square feet of the exterior glass. This breaks downs to about 6500 square pieces of glass. The company is currently shipping 150-200 pieces each week and that will go on through December.
Each piece of glass is individually cut ns fabricated for the customer. There is nothing in stock which makes this company even neater to read and learn about.


VIKINGS LOGO IS IN CHAMPIONSHIP
There is a twitter you can follow, @BracketBattles. They have been running a fan vote for best logo. Minnesota Vikings are currently facing the Philadelphia Eagles in the championship with the Vikings in the lead by a large amount with Sunday the contest ending. Yes NHL, NBA, MLB are all involved. Minnesota beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round, and then the New Orleans Pelicans and most recently defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and now in the championship vs the Philadelphia Eagles. GO Vikings


HALL OF FAME WEEKEND BIG FOR MORE THAN ONE REASON
Mick Tingelhoff long overdue wait has paid off as Mick will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio on Saturday August 8^th. The Minnesota Vikings then take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame game on Sunday August 9^th at 7:00pm


NFL COMBINE THOUGHTS
The Adrian Peterson saga is one that just does not end either way. The draft is just around the corner. The speculation talk gets old and never seems to go away.
I am not a guy who does mock drafts although I love to read what people think. I say this after watching the Saturday combine all day Saturday. I say this if Peterson does not come back I will say the Vikings will take with the number 11 pick a running back. I would love to see Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) or Todd Gurley (Georgia) in purple. I know Gurley did not participate but with the amount of college football I do watch gives me the hope that Gurley would be the future.
If Peterson does come back I see the Vikings taking a safety or linebacker at 11 I would like to see Shaq Thompson who interviewed with Coach Zimmer this weekend and reports are it went good but Thompson said he would like to be in a linebacker position. The other player I would like to see and is a team need and that would be, Landon Collins, safety from the University of Alabama.
I truly enjoyed watching the receivers work out Saturday. I know at 11 I don’t believe 2 of the top receivers would be there. If you saw Kevin White’s workout you would love to see him at the next level. The man is a freak with size, speed and strength. The other would be former Alabama standout, Amari Cooper.
The draft is just a few weeks away and trades could be made to move up by teams. I turned the TV Saturday afternoon just shaking my head at White’s performance. I believe whoever gets him will be in for a treat.
Football is more than the game it is everything from combine to the draft to free agency to mini camps and then training camp. Football is 365 a year and I love it.


Thanks for reading
Todd Walkingstick
Go Vikes!!!!!