Speculation

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.

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.

Roster Expansion Is An Interesting Twist

April 25, 2012, by 6 comments

We failed to mention this earlier because so much other stuff was going on this week, but I wanted to be sure to come back to the news that broke earlier this week regarding roster limits.

The NFL announced recently that the offseason roster limit has increased from 80 players to 90.  Teams will be required to decrease to 80 players after the third preseason game, and then down to 53 on “Cut Day” after the final preseason game.

This is interesting news and could have a huge impact on strategies this year, and especially in the future.

The most obvious thing to note is that just before the season begins, the free agency market will be flooded with about 1,184 more players.  While many names could very well be no-names, this only increases the odds that teams make some signings just before week one… or shortly thereafter.

Secondly, this increases the importance of scouting and visiting with prospects considered to be later round “sleepers” or undrafted free agents with potential.  Teams will get a chance to look at ten more players in the preseason, and they are going to want to maximize the potential behind that by filling the roster to the brim with as much talent as they possibly can.

Then there is the issue of free agency.  The increased roster size may help aging veterans get a shot in training camp with a team when they previously weren’t worth giving up a roster spot for.  Conversely, teams will be going crazy to bring in undrafted free agents when the Draft ends and quarterbacks seem highly likely to be targeted even more.

Fourth, it could decrease the amount of reps taken by starters and roster locks in training camp and in the preseason.  After all, there are 10 more guys that now need reps.  This could be good from a wear and tear standpoint, but could also be viewed as a negative from a preparation standpoint.

The increase, overall, should be viewed as a positive by teams.  There is a lot of value in being allowed to develop a first-hand file on 10 extra players per year, even if they don’t stand a chance of making the team.

Watching Spielman’s Presser

April 24, 2012, by 4 comments

Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman held a pre-Draft press conference Tuesday and he touched on a number of hot topics.

The whole thing can be viewed by clicking here.

I have watched it a few times now, and here are my notes:

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