Monthly archive: April, 2012

Where Tannehill Comes Back Into Play

April 26, 2012, by 3 comments

Things have been awfully quiet on the Ryan Tannehill front over the last week or so, and thus trade rumors and speculation between the Dolphins and the Vikings has also come to a halt.

A few moments ago, however, Daniel Wolf of National Football Authority tweeted that his “contacts have confirmed” that the Dolphins are once again sniffing around the Vikings third overall selection in an attempt to ensure Tannehill wears a marine mammal on his helmet next year.

One thing is for sure, there is a big market out there for the Vikings top pick, and it is looking increasingly possible that they could hold an auction and possibly land a blockbuster deal that boosts their draft power this year and next.

Report: Both Browns And Bucs Have Talked To Vikings

April 26, 2012, by No comments yet

As we continue to frantically gather tea leaves with hopes of successfully reading them, here is yet another interesting nugget of news.

Both the Cleveland Browns (#4) and the Tampa Bay Bucs (#5) have spoken with the Vikings regarding a trade up to the three spot to grab running back Trent Richardson, according to Charley Casserly.

Either of these scenarios could prove to be ideal for the Vikings.  They could move back picking up extra selections while also getting a chance at either Matt Kalil or Morris Claiborne.

Claiborne Chatter Picking Up On Final Day

April 26, 2012, by 3 comments

Even though the day has arrived in which the Vikings will make their true intentions known regarding the third overall selection in the Draft, there is still time for subterfuge.

One interesting report floating around right now comes from Viking Update.  They sent out this tweet saying that LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne’s people were spotted in New York with Vikings gear in tow.  This could be a sign of things to come, but it also wouldn’t be totally unreasonable to expect this is just more smoke.

If the Vikings do not plan on selecting Claiborne, however, then they are doing a darn good job of making it seem that way.  Nearly every media typ is starting to waver when it comes to Matt Kalil being the pick including Michael Lombardi who says the Vikings are “focused” on Claiborne with hopes of getting an offensive tackle in the second round.

Coin Toss: Mock Draft Matchup

April 26, 2012, by 4 comments

This week’s Coin Toss segment comes a little earlier due to the subject matter of the “debate” coupled with the fact that the 2012 NFL Draft is tonight. There is no real argument this week. Instead, we thought it would be fun to list both of our final mock drafts side by side for comparison and have you all vote on which one you think will have the most correct picks. After the draft is over, we will follow up and report back with whose mock was actually more accurate. Alright, so no back-and-forth banter this week. Just check out our first round picks and then participate in the poll below.

Team

1. Indianapolis
2. Washington
3. Minnesota
4. Cleveland
5. Tampa Bay
6. St. Louis
7. Jacksonville
8. Miami
9. Carolina
10. Buffalo
11. Kansas City
12. Seattle
13. Arizona
14. Dallas
15. Philadelphia
16. New York Jets
17. Cincinnati
18. San Diego
19. Chicago
20. Tennessee
21. Cincinnati
22. Cleveland
23. Detroit
24. Pittsburgh
25. Denver
26. Houston
27. New England
28. Green Bay
29. Baltimore
30. San Francisco
31. New England
32. New York Giants

Adam’s Picks

Andrew Luck, QB
Robert Griffin III, QB
Matt Kalil, OT
Trent Richardson, RB
Morris Claiborne, CB
Justin Blackmon, WR
Kendall Wright, WR
Ryan Tannehill, QB
Fletcher Cox, DT
Riley Reiff, OT
Luke Kuechly, MLB
Melvin Ingram, DE
Michael Floyd, WR
Mark Barron, S
Michael Brockers, DT
Quinton Coples, DE
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
David DeCastro, G
Amini Silaolu, G
Dontari Poe, DT
Whitney Mercilus, DE
Stephen Gilmore, CB
Jonathan Martin, OT
Chandler Jones, DE
Reuben Randle, WR
Nick Perry, DE
Courtney Upshaw, OLB
Harrison Smith, S
Cordy Glenn, G
Janoris Jenkins, CB
Shea McClellin, OLB
Doug Martin, RB

Brett’s Picks

Andrew Luck, QB
Robert Griffin III, QB
Matt Kalil, OT
Trent Richardson, RB
Morris Claiborne, CB
Justin Blackmon, WR
Michael Floyd, WR
Ryan Tannehill, QB
David DeCastro, OG
Riley Reiff, OT
Fletcher Cox, DT
Melvin Ingram, DE
Luke Kuechly, MLB
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Kendall Wright, WR
Quinton Coples, DE
Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB
Jonathan Martin, OT
Peter Konz, C
Mark Barron, S
Mike Adams, OT
Janoris Jenkins, CB
Michael Brockers, DT
Cordy Glenn, OG
Stephen Hill, WR
Dontari Poe, DT
Nick Perry, DE
Dont’a Hightower, ILB
Reuben Randle, WR
Whitney Mercilus, DE
Harrison Smith, S

Did Ron Yary Spill The Beans?

April 26, 2012, by 2 comments

Let me start that I really recommend reading this interview at the Pioneer Press of which Hall of Fame lineman Rony Yary is the subject.

In the interview, Yary talks about the “hocus pocus” that is this idea that protecting a quarterback’s blind side is somehow more important than protecting his front.  He calls Matt Kalil a future Hall of Famer, slams Bryant McKinnie, and talks about the stadium position.

I’ll let you click that link and read about that stuff, but I want to highlight on specific line penned by Charley Walters.

“The Vikings asked Yary, 65, to fly to Minnesota for the draft, but he can’t because of the health of his middle son, Grant, 7, whose leukemia has resurfaced.”

First off, it is so sad to hear about the misfortune that has fallen upon the Yary family and we wish young Grant (nice choice of name) a speedy and permanent recovery.

Secondly, are the Vikings simply extending a courtesy invite to one of their most decorated former players or is there more motive behind the invite?  After all, why would they specifically invite Yary if they planned on selecting a cornerback from LSU?

Yary played for USC prior to his 14 seasons playing right tackle for the Vikings.  He was 6’ 5” and 262 pounds in his playing days.

USC left tackle weighs in at 295 pounds (give or take) and stands at 6’ 7”.

Simple invite?

Or hoping for an excellent P.R. opportunity and photo shoot?

Buffalo Represents Trade Partner, But Also Competition

April 26, 2012, by 3 comments

The other day, I went through a number of trade scenarios for the Vikings first round pick and I never once mentioned the Buffalo Bills who currently own the 10th overall pick.

It appears that may have been an oversight.

Charley Casserly reported via Twitter that the Bills “would like to” package the 10th pick with their second rounder to trade up and grab left tackle Matt Kalil.

This could represent an interesting twist in the Vikings first round fate.

On one hand, the Bills could represent an attractive trade partner for the Vikings if they were really willing to part ways with Kalil.  Buffalo would have to give up a lot more than their second rounder to move up to the three spot, but they may just covet Kalil enough to make Rick Spielman that offer he cannot refuse.  Any deal, of course, would still keep the Vikings in the top ten but would also likely drop them out of contention for one of the three players they admittedly covet.

Conversely, the Bills rumored interest in Kalil should plant some fear into Spielman’s mind.  If the Vikings trade back, they may risk losing out on Kalil completely if the Bills can find another trade partner slated ahead of the Vikings new position.  If Spielman covets Kalil above all other players, then the Bills just put a warning shot across the bow.

Soon, very soon actually, we will find out exactly how this will play out.

Welcome To Draft Day!

April 26, 2012, by 3 comments

Well, it is finally here!

Every football fan’s personal, weird version of Christmas morning arrives tonight and we are all anxious to see the Vikings unwrap that shiny new gift… or perhaps go the Chinese Auction route and trade around until they get the gift they like.

Anyways, we are here for you all day.

The blog will be updated as quickly and as often as we can kick out posts.  The Live Chat will begin about an hour before the Colts are officially on the clock.  Our Big Board and Trade Value Charts are posted.  Everything can be accessed by using the menu at the top of the screen.

We know you are looking forward to the first round of the Draft tonight, and we want you to know that we are just as excited and glad you chose to hang out with us during it.