#87, Braden Jones, TE (6031, 260, 4.55-4.76) Southern Illinois
 
Personal:  Born April 20, 1983. His parents are Dr. Larry and Janet Jones. His father is a family practitioner in Harrisburg, IL. He played RB, WR, TE and S in high school, leading his team to a 14-0 record and 3A title his senior year. Was also second in the state long jump (22’-10”).

College:  Enrolled at Northwestern in 2001 but never played that year after getting in a fight while visiting his brother at Vanderbilt. Jones suffered a head injury when Vandy player Doug Wolford knocked him to the ground and punched him while unconsious. Injuries sustained in that incident kept him off the football field for six months and he was subsequently granted a medical redshirt year. Started at strongside linebacker in 2002 (missing one game with a bruised shoulder), recording 76 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss, 2 forced fumbles and one pass breakup. In March of 2003, he pled guilty to misdemeanor battery charges and unlawful use of a driver’s license stemming from an incident at a fraternity party. He was put on court supervision. He came back to start 4-of-13 games that fall with 39 tackles and 1 PBU. Was Academic All-Big Ten in 2002 and 2003. He left the team in the spring of 2004 after reportedly being arrested for attempting to rob a taxi that he didn’t have money to pay for. He returned to the team in the fall but was dismissed for good after getting into another altercation that led to an October 2004 conviction for battery. Within two weeks of that, he spent 37 days in a rehabilitation program for alcohol and anger management.

Jones transferred to Southern Illinois in 2005 and moved to tight end. Caught 16-188 (11.8 avg.) with 2 TDs; also blocked 2 kicks and returned a fumble for a score. Finished his college career at SIU by leading the team with 32 catches for 521 yards (16.3 avg.) and 7 touchdowns in 2006; earned first-team All-Gateway Conference honors.. Was a college roommate of rookie free agent running back Arkee Whitlock at SIU. Posted a 3.6 grade-point-average as a biology major and plans to eventually attend medical school.

Ran a 4.58 and 4.60-second 40-yard dash at SIU’s pro day. Posted a 1.58 10-yard dash, 2.62 20-yard dash, did 20 reps at 225 pounds, recorded a 39-inch vertical jump, a 10’6” broad jump, a 4.28 20-yard shuttle time a a 7.19 3-cone drill time. He was also timed in 4.55 in another workout at SIU in Carbondale, IL.

Pro:  Signed a three-year contract with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2007 draft. He was brought in for an individual workout by the Packers. One mock draft on PackerReport.com had Jones projected as a possible third-round pick to Green Bay. Wanted to play for the Green Bay Packers or the Vikings, but chose the Vikings when the Packers drafted a tight end (Clark Harris).

Positives:  Intelligent person who understands the game of football. Instinctive player. Very good athlete. Good hands. Catches the ball nicely, plucks it with his hands out away from his body. Can compete for the ball among defenders. Shows good technique as a blocker; bends his knees, plays with leverage and sustains his blocks well at times. Tough, physical and aggressive. Has played on defense in the Big Ten, knows how to tackle, and should be able to contribute on special teams. Hard worker. Will put in the time. Has kept out of trouble since transferring to SIU and shows signs of maturing.

Negatives:  Had at least five documented off-field incidents while at Northwestern that demonstrated a lack of respect for the law, poor judgment, questionable character and immaturity. He does not have great size and strength as a blocker. Is still learning the position, having only played tight end the past two seasons. A little tight in the hips. Doesn’t always run clean, crisp routes. More fast than quick or maneuverable. The after-affects from prior concussion are at least a minor concern.

Summary:  Jones made a very favorable impression on the coaching staff during its rookie minicamp. He showed good pass-catching ability and speed the position has been lacking for the Vikings. Jones very likely would have been drafted, perhaps even in the early-to-middle rounds, had he not had the character issues from his days at Northwestern. If that nonsense is behind him, he has a very good chance to make the team and even contribute as a rookie, especially with his ability on special teams.

What they said:

“Still growing into the position and has upside as a TE prospect. Physically has the ability to play at the next [NFL] level.” - Nolan Nawrocki, Pro Football Weekly.

“[Former Northwestern coach] Randy Walker gave me a second chance, and he did everything and more for me. I think he saw a good kid who made mistakes. He tried to help me, but it comes to a point where it looks bad for the program. Eventually I had to grow up. I was immature and making poor decisions.” - Jones, on his past.

“He didn't have to give me a chance, taking someone who was in trouble repeatedly. He took a risk. I owe him a lot.” - Jones, on SIU head coach Jerry Kill.

“He had some immaturity issues 2 1/2 years ago. He has straightened his act out, and he's doing a fantastic job in the last two-plus years.” Jones’ agent, Chris Schuering.

“I had a list of teams that I thought would be great fits for me based on the type of offense they run. Green Bay and Minnesota were at the top of my list. After the Packers drafted a tight end in the seventh round, Minnesota went to the top. Of course I would have liked to have been drafted, but it's more important to be in a good situation, where you can actually make the roster, than just to be drafted.” - Jones, on signing with the Vikings.

“It's great that we're both going to the same team. We're good friends, and it will be nice to see a familiar face.” - Jones, on going to training camp with college teammate Arkee Whitlock.

The following item appeared on ProFootballTalk.com recently:

WARREN TALK RAISES EYEBROWS

A league source tells us that, at the personnel big-wig meetings being held in Dallas, Vikings general counsel Kevin Warren gave a presentation regarding the procedures for screening potential front-office employees. The talk featured discussion regarding interview procedures, background checks, and related techniques for making good hiring decisions.

The irony? Warren's team hired Fran Foley to be the V.P. of player personnel in 2006, and only a few months later misstatements contained in his biography brought him down.

"People were cracking up," said the source.

Rather ironic indeed.  However, just to clarify on the history of the brief but infamous Fran Foley era in Minnesota.  While misstatements on his bio got most of the negative press, they weren't what "brought him down."  Had he been any good at his job, he would not have been dismissed.  But the fact was that he was simply a disasterous hire.  In the short time he was there he alienated virtually everyone in both the scouting department and the coaching staff.  Foley became intoxicated with the power and probably blew his one chance at running a NFL team by quckly becoming a tyrant.

#47, Arkee Whitlock, RB (5092, 203, 4.42-4.68) Southern Illinois

SCOUT'S HONOR:  Should Vikings trade for Faneca?

Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro offensive guard Alan Faneca has requested a trade and vowed that he will not return to the team after this season.

(Steelers Bio)(TimesOnline.com)

If there’s one position of need entering the offseason that the Vikings have been unable to address, either via free agency or the draft, it would the offensive line. They’re set on the left side with tackle Bryant McKinnie, guard Steve Hutchinson, and at center with Matt Birk. But they could upgrade at right guard (Artis Hicks) and right tackle (Ryan Cook or Marcus Johnson).

Thus, speculation about the Vikings as a potential trade partner is at least worth disussing.

First of all, if there’s a guard in the league who’s been any better over the past five years than Hutchinson, it would be Faneca. He’s a powerful, tenacious, initiator on the offensive line and is equally adept blocking in the running game or on pass protection. He’s a superb technician and a real student of the game.

The former first-round pick (26th overall) by the Steelers in 1998, became a starter midway through his rookie season and earned his fifth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl in 2006.  He is arguably the finest offensive guard in the game today.

The likelihood of the Steelers simply trading him are still quite remote, but the thought of teaming Faneca with the aforementioned offensive line would be incredible, at least on paper. And, it is the offseason, so we must at least cover all the bases.

Pros:

First and foremost, the Vikings have plenty of cap room to meet Faneca’s contract demands. They set precedence when they inked Hutch last season and wouldn’t have any problem stepping up to pay him.

They also have an extra third-round pick in next year’s draft to play with. They may also have an existing player or two, especially on defense, that could be part of a trade package. Plus, Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin would be very comfortable with just about any potential player involved having been with the Vikings as their defensive coordinator a year ago.

The trifecta in favor of making a play for Faneca is the obvious fact that they have need at the position. And, just like Hutchinson, he fits the same “impose-your-will-on-the-opponent” mentality that Brad Childress wants the Vikings to have on offense. Add to that the desire to put as many quality players around young quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to increase his chances to succeed, and you have three solid reasons to make the move.

Cons:

Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple to make a trade in the NFL. The Steelers have to want to make a deal, too. And few teams are interested in trading away players of Faneca’s caliber. The likelihood of them even fielding offers will not occur until they’ve tried to do everything they can to work things out peacefully with the player. (But it is getting ugly rather quickly).

The Steelers know that Faneca will play for them this season. He has no other choice if wants to be paid at all. They have no sense of urgency to weaken their own offensive line at this stage of the season for players and/or draft picks that won’t likely provide as immediate contributions to their success in 2007.

Both Faneca and Hutchinson play left guard. Who would switch to right guard? Will he sign for what Hutch got, especially when other lesser players got even more in this year’s free agent market? What does it say to Hutchinson and others if the Vikings were to pay him even more? The move also seems rather inconsistent with the direction the team is taking of building through the draft for the long term. So overall, there are legitimate chemistry concerns from the Vikings’ perspective.

The quadrangular on the negative side is that the Vikings wouldn’t be the only team in the market to pick up a player of Faneca’s stature. The Arizona Cardinals for one would be a logical suitor, as well. The Steelers’ former offensive coordinator (Ken Whisenhunt) and offensive line coach (Russ Grimm) are in the Valley of the Sun now with their new team even more desperate for O-line help than the Vikings.

Liklihood:

A longshot for sure, but so was the Vikings getting Hutchinson a year ago.

SCOUT'S HONOR:  Rice or Jarrett?

The feedback is in. We’ve read all the info that’s out there. We’ve watched the video clips – over six different clips on both players. The Vikings drafted South Carolina WR Sidney Rice at pick No. 44, ahead of Southern California WR Dwayne Jarrett. Was it the right choice?

We think yes. And so did most of you.

In the tale of the tape, they’re very similar. Jarrett is a half-inch taller and about 15 pounds heavier. Rice has better separation quickness, speed and leaping ability.

Productivity, both were solid producers at the college level.

We think Jarrett is a fine receiver. He’s big, runs good routes, shows good hands, makes clutch catches, knows how to utilize his size against defenders, runs pretty well after the catch and was very productive in college. In fact, he has drawn comparisons to the player he’ll be replacing in Carolina in Keyshawn Johnson, and flashes some Cris Carter-type skills at times.

On the downside, Jarrett is primarily going to be a possession receiver at the pro level. Many of his catches were contested even in college and he will struggle to gain separation against NFL defensive backs. There are also some concerns about his judgment and character, and, he very likely was among 90 or so players taken off the Vikings’ draft board for that reason.

There are some knocks on Rice regarding his maturity as well. However, he has shown nothing but the right hard-working attitude since being drafted and it should be noted that he is still only 20 years old.

After that, there are few glaring negatives on Rice as a football player. He’s tall with long arms and fine leaping ability and can compete for the ball effectively. He’s not blazing fast but he’s fast enough and clearly quicker ramping up to speed, into and out of his cuts, and running after the catch than Jarrett. He is a natural eye-hand athlete with exceptional athleticism, body control and excellent hands. He can pluck the ball, make the acrobatic catch and make things happen after the catch. Rice isn’t nearly as fast or explosive but flashes some Randy Moss-type characteristics as a pass catcher.

We think Jarrett has a lower ceiling than Rice and might be about as good as he can be, with some questions about how good he can be at the faster speed pro level. Both are capable of stepping in and contributing early in their pro career.

For the Vikings, they needed a pure outside receiver with good hands, some size, the ability to get downfield, run effectively after the catch and be a threat in the red zone. With that in mind, we think Rice was the better player for the Vikings.

Here’s what you said:

“When [South Carolina] was in the red zone, USC coaches needed Rice because he was able to catch ball while defender kept pressure. His body could change in any position before he caught the ball.”

“I know that Jarrett could possibly be a good player in NFL but his character or work ethics are still uncertain.”

“I think Rice has more upside than Jarrett but might take longer.”

“Jarrett will get off to a mildly faster start but Rice will end up having a better second half of season than Jarrett.”

“I think Rice's numbers will be better than Jarrett's as his career progresses.”

“Rice. I dont think Jarret is another Mike Williams but he won’t be a game breaker. He is too slow, too big and will become a possession receiver.”

“Rice, while raw, has the size and speed to do it all. He needs to add a little bulk, but he has way more upside, where I think Jarrett is about tapped out as far as getting better.”

“I think Rice will be every bit as effective in the red zone as Jarrett. He has great leaping ability and hands. Look at the video clips, man.”

“Jarrett is going to have a hard time getting open in the NFL so he would not make [Tarvaris] Jackson’s job any easier. I think a WR that is able to go up and get a ball in the air would be more helpful.”

“Jarrett is a possession receiver, which is just a nice way of calling the guy slow.”

“For the long term, Rice is the better pick.”

05.12.07

DT Howard Green (6022, 330, 5.04-5.30) Lousiana State

What they said:
"True widebody in the middle of the line with excellent upper-body strength.  Can be overpowering when he stays low and plays with leverage." -the late Joel Buchsbaum, PFW
"A run-stuffing 300-pound interior presence who can maintain his feet and really hunker down in the middle of the defensive front.  Green is capable of working on the nose, doing a real good job of controlling the oppositions overland attack.  While he can operate iin a read-contain situation, don't expect Green to provide much in the way of a pass rush.  A solid, albeit one-dimensional performer." -Mel Kiper

05.11.07

 SCOUT’S HONOR: Why Spielman’s first draft could be Vikings best ever! 

The 2007 draft marked the 28th NFL draft that we’ve followed from the Vikings perspective.  During that time there have been several regimes in charge with different dynamics involved in making the decisions from the Vikings’ War Room on draft day.  In that context, we think this was the BEST VIKINGS DRAFT EVER (well, since 1980, anyway).

For lack of a better term (and we regret using this), there is always a “Triangle of Authority” when it comes to decision-making on draft day.  That triumvirate has the following roles involved:  1) Ownership, 2) Scouting, and 3) Coaching.

The most effective result can come when all three of those elements are really good at what they do and are working together in harmony to utilize what it is they each bring to the process.

1.  Ownership is usually represented by a General Manager (or someone who assumes such a role), who makes the ultimate decisions in slotting the team’s draft board, who to involve or not involve in that process, and the timing/process/pace of decisions made when the team is “on the clock.”

2.  The scouting department has spent their entire year eating, breathing and sleeping scouting.  They watch their existing team play each week but spend most of their time criss-crossing the country evaluating college prospects.  Their role in the draft process is invaluable, especially if you have good scouts.  To lock them out of the process is to accept something less than what’s possible.

3.  The head coach and his staff need to be involved because as coaches they have relevant input into how players will respond to their coaching.  It is always best if the coaches are “on board” with the players selected so they have ownership in helping players succeed.  They’re also usually experienced football people who can also evaluate talent.  But they haven’t been doing it all year long like the scouts have, so it is healthier for their “buy in” on players than for them to be driving the evaluation process.

Over the years the Vikings have had plenty of dysfunction when it comes to this goal of a healthy balance and involvement of all interested parties.

During the Mike Lynn era, you had an effective decision-maker in Lynn who almost always simply deferred to his adept scouting department.  It was that scouting department that brought in players like LB Scott Studwell (9th in 1977), TE Joe Senser (6th in 1979), TE Steve Jordan (7th in 1982), QB Wade Wilson (8th in 1981), SS Joey Browner (1st in 1983), CB Carl Lee (7th in 1983), DE Chris Doleman (1st in 1985), OT Gary Zimmerman (USFL in 1986), WR Anthony Carter (USFL in 1986), NT Henry Thomas (3rd in 1987), OG Randall McDaniel (1st in 1988).  None of those players were "picked" by Mike Lynn, they were brought in by veteran personnel guys like Jerry Reichow, Frank Gilliam and a lot of veteran scouts.

The one time Lynn really ventured out on his own was the Herschel Walker trade – a complete disaster for the franchise.

During Lynn's reign, you also didn’t have as much ownership in the players picked by the coaches during that time, which probably led to more misses in the early-middle rounds on players because there wasn’t as much loyalty to making that player succeed.

So Remarkable Mike wasn’t afraid to make a deal, wasn’t afraid to make a decision and wasn’t afraid to stick his neck out.  But he didn’t inspire enough input and involvement from the coaches, and he ignored virtually all of them to mortgage the future of the franchise for one player in what goes down as perhaps the worst trade ever in NFL history.

When Lynn left the building he handed the reigns over to Roger Headrick, who essentially gave the power to the head coach, Dennis Green.  During that time, Denny hit some home runs.  LB Ed McDaniel (5th in 1992), RB Robert Smith (1st in 1993), OT Korey Stringer (1st in 1995), and of course WR Randy Moss (1st in 1998) and QB Daunte Culpepper (1st in 1999).  But Denny’s ego got the best of him in thinking he could coach anyone to success when he foolishly reached for DE Demitrius Underwood (1st in 1999), on a pick largely driven by the input of his coaches and individual workouts.

Green also reached for a lot of early-round picks on players with questionable attitudes or character thinking he could get the most out of them.  Guys like NT James Manley (2nd in 1996), CB Antonio Banks (4th in 1997), LB Kivuusama Mays (4th in 1998), DT Fred Robbins (2nd in 2000), DE Michael Borieau (2nd in 2000) and CB Eric Kelly (3rd in 2001) were all need-driven reaches and disappointing picks.  As more and more time went by during Green’s tenure with the Vikings, he wrestled more and more control in personnel decisions away from the scouts and the results got worse and worse.  At the end, a solid scouting department had become grossly underutilized and was very discouraged.

Then came the Mike Tice era.  The tide shifted back to the scouting people as Frank Gilliam essentially ran the team’s draft in 2002.  However, Tice telegraphed the team’s desire for North Carolina State DT Ryan Sims so obviously that the Chiefs traded up a notch to grab him.  The Vikings “settled” for OT Bryant McKinnie (which turned out a lot better than Sims), but it was clearly an "old school" draft in a new, high-technology environment.  Reaching for need-driven picks in the second- (LB Raonall Smith) and third-round (SS Willie Offord) were also poor choices, although CB Brian Williams in the fourth round turned out much better than either of them.

Scott Studwell was the pseudo-GM the next three years, working together with Tice and Rob Brzezinski.  The result was better value at each pick and just about zero need-driven reaches.  Some good-to-excellent players were brought in during that time, including DT Kevin Williams (1st in 2003), LB E.J. Henderson (2nd in 2003), WR Nate Burleson (3rd in 2003) and DE Darrion Scott (3rd in 2004).  The jury is still out on some of the other higher picks from that time but Studwell could still look pretty good on a few other players.

Lacking from those drafts, however, was confidence while on the clock – the passing in round one when Williams was picked was utterly embarrassing.  And overall there was very little dynamic to the team’s draft.  They pretty much sat tight and waited for their picks to come to them.  Which more than once enabled teams to grab players they had targeted just ahead of them.

Then, of course, there was the Fran Foley draft in 2006.  As far as the picks go, they might turn out fine.  The players actually taken all seem to have promise, but the manner in which the team’s board was set up and the way the draft itself was run was baffling.  The Ryan Cook pick (2nd) and the trade for Tarvaris Jackson (2nd) were very questionable and Foley did not seem to have a good feel for the overall flow of the draft at all.  He gave away points in the deals he made and came off as desperate and panicky.  Prior to the draft there was virtual mutiny within Winter Park with the entire scouting department fearing they would all be fired by Foley once the draft was over.  During the post-draft press conference, you could hardly get Studwell or head coach Brad Childress to even look at Foley, their body language screaming of distain for this guy.

As you know, Foley was gone within the week.

Enter Rick Spielman.  Very likable.  Very media savvy.  A good person.  A person of character and integrity.  A relentlessly hard worker.  And a lot better football guy than he’s gotten credit for.  Now maybe behind the scenes there remains conflict at Winter Park, but from external appearances and how the team ran their draft this year, it does not look like it.  This was the the best-run draft by the Vikings in the past 25-plus years!

Why?  Because the Vikings drafted solid value with each pick, filling needs for the most part, but never reaching to do so.  In that respect, it looked like a Scott Studwell draft and a strong draft from the scouting department perspective.  How their board was set was very solid, and that's a credit to Studwell and the college scouts and to Speilman for building a consensus to stack that board and stick to it on draft day.  It also reflected the positive involvement of the coaching staff, in that the coaches had a lot of buy in with virtually all of their picks.  They were very involved in the process, they had personally met them, worked them out and gauged their fit for their system and coaching style.

Then there was the dynamic of the draft itself.  Spielman and Childress did a nice job in communicating with the media without telegraphing clearly what they would do.  But most of all, Speilman showed a deft touch for the overall feel of the draft in the trades he made on draft day.

He moved down just a few slots in the second round, still got a key player at a need position in WR Sidney Rice, and picked up an extra pick in the fourth round.  Having the extra pick in his pocket, he moved up in Round Four to target DE Brian Robison, an ideal fit for their scheme.  He then parlayed that extra fourth-round pick into a third-round pick from Denver next season, while picking up an extra sixth- (LB Rufus Alexander) and seventh-round (WR Chandler Williams) pick.  For the past 20-plus years, that’s the kind of draft maneuvering someone else always did, but never the Vikings.

Time will tell as far as how the picks actually turn out.  But we’re convinced that as long as Adrian Peterson stays healthy, this is going to go down as a solid, solid draft.  Peterson is the kind of talent that could have gone No. 1 overall in many drafts.  Like any draft, there's some boom-or-bust potential with just about any pick.  But Rice and CB Marcus McCauley are first-round talents.  Robison and WR Aundrae Allison were second-round values on many draft boards.  Alexander, QB Tyler Thigpen and Williams all have a better-than-even chance to make the team as backups as rookies.  Time will tell what potential they have beyond that.  But as far as HOW this draft was run, we say kudos to you, Rick Spielman.

05.07.07

  SCOUT’S HONOR: Grading the draft-day trading

You’ve all heard about the famed trade value chart, right? It’s the chart that assigns a point value to every single draft slot in the entire draft. Supposedly it is from that chart that teams are able to swing complex deals on draft day as the clock is ticking.

Legend has it that Jimmy Johnson “invented” the trade chart when he was with the Dallas Cowboys. Our sources tell us that in fact it came from an unknown scout in the trenches. Either way, it’s become the authoritative guide for trading.

Coming off this year’s Vikings’ draft, VP of Player Personnel Rick Spielman engineered one of the team’s more dynamic drafts in recent history and pulled the trigger on a handful of draft-day trades. Here’s a breakdown of how he did in relation to the trade value chart:

Round 2: Trade down with Atlanta Falcons.
Falcons got:
CB Chris Houston (Pick No. 41) – 500 points
Total Points: 500
Vikings got:
WR Sidney Rice (Pick No. 44) - 470 points
Pick No. 121 – 54 points
Total Points: 524
Slight Advantage: Vikings

Round 4: Trade up with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Vikings got:
DE Brian Robison (Pick No. 102) – 92 points
Total Points: 92
Buccaneers got:
DB Tanard Jackson (Pick No. 106) – 84 points
LB Adam Hayward (Pick No. 182) – 20 points
Total Points: 104
Slight Advantage: Buccaneers

Round 4: Trade down with Denver Broncos.
Broncos got:
DT Marcus Thomas (Pick No. 121) – 54 points
Total Points: 54
Vikings got:
LB Rufus Alexander (Pick No. 176) – 22.4 points
WR Chandler Williams (Pick No. 233) – 1.5 points
2008 3rd-round pick – 100 points (if Denver is a contender; 115 points if Denver is average; 125 points if they do badly in ’07)
Total Points: 123.9-148.9
Huge Advantage: Vikings

So the total tally from Spielman’s draft-day deals would be a point-for-point exchange of 739.9-to-658 – advantage Vikings. But in the end games on the field aren’t won or lost based on trade value chart points, are they? The final analysis will depend on the pro careers of Rice, Robison, Alexander, Williams and that third-round draft choice in 2008 vs. Houston, Jackson, Hayward and Thomas. We report. You decide.

05.04.07

  Scout's Honor:  Spielman learned from experience with Dolphins

One of the biggest criticisms of Vikings' VP of Player Personnel Rick Spielman when he came to the Vikings having been with the Miami Dolphins previously was the A.J. Feeley trade, which didn't work out for the Dolphins.

At the time, the Dolphins' offense was built around the running game and the workhorse talents of Ricky Williams.  Then Williams abruptly "retired" and left the Dolphins over a barrel with no feature running back and a young, unproven quarterback at the helm.

If there was a theme from this year's Vikings' draft it was to add playmakers on offense to surround young, talented, but inexperienced Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback.  The Vikings already had a pretty good running game with Chester Taylor being a 1,200-yard back last season and an extremely strong offensive line, particularly in left tackle Bryant McKinnie, left guard Steve Hutchinson and center Matt Birk.  But the addition of Adrian Peterson makes an already strong running game far more explosive.  Peterson is a threat to go the distance just about anytime he touches the ball.  If Peterson gets defenses on their heels, then Taylor will just pound away at them and bleed yardage and time off the clock.  If Taylor is pecking away, the change-of-pace to Peterson will be like putting the tape on fast forward.

There are still some question marks on the right side of the offensive line, but overall you couldn't possibly support a young quarterback much better in the running game than the Vikings have done in drafting Peterson.

In the passing game, Spielman and the team's personnel department have dramatically infused potential playmakers for Jackson to throw the ball to.  With all due respect to veteran quarterback Brad Johnson from a year ago, it seemed like virtually every passing play they had in the playbook came up about two yards short of the first-down marker.  Jackson's arm will NOT be a limitation.

Two of their top three reception leaders from a year ago are gone -- Travis Taylor (57 catches for 651 yards and 3 TDs) and Jermaine Wiggins (46-386-1).  Nothing against those guys, but they can't be your leading receivers.  Taylor, who primarily played in the slot, could not consistently get separation from defenders.  And Wiggins, God bless the bad-bodied tight end who with great hands, but he probably couldn't break 5.0-flat over forty yards.  He was zero threat down the seam against opposing defenses.  That, coupled with Johnson's severely limited downfield passing ability made the Vikings one of the easiest offenses to defense in the entire league.

Before the draft, the Vikings signed a tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe who at 6-4, 250-pounds legitimately runs under 4.7.  They also added a more effective slot receiver in Bobby Wade who has the quicks to separate from defenders off the line of scrimmage and run after the catch.

Then came the draft.  Sidney Rice can be everything a young Marcus Robinson was in the red zone and has enough speed (4.47-4.53) to be a ligitimate outside receiver.  Aundrae Allison is also not lacking in stretch-the-field speed (4.37-4.46) or run-after-the-catch ability.  Chandler Williams is a little on the slot-receiver size once again, but he too has the jets at 4.42.

This is clearly the make-or-break year for Troy Williamson, but getting open wasn't really his problem last season.  Getting a throw to him or him actually catching it was the problem.  His pass drops were not the result of poor hands -- he can pluck the ball -- but more about confidence.  If new veteran receivers coach George Stewart can help him overcome that, and develop the other younger guys like Wade, Rice, Allison and Williams, the Vikings will be dramatically improved in their receiving corps.

Sure there are a lot of unprovens still, but from a talent and potential standpoint the passing offense could be better in '07 at virtually every key position -- quarterback, tight end and all three key receiver spots.

Spielman and the scouts have stocked the cupboard.  Now it's time to coach 'em up.

What to look for on Day Two

The Vikings picked up an extra fourth-round pick from Atlanta when they moved down just three spots in the second round.  They have their own pick (7th overall) and the 22nd in the round, as well.  That gives them ammunition to move up if they should target a player early on the Day Two. 

A possibility there is Syracuse S-CBTanard Jackson (6000, 195, 4.53), who's fine athlete and a nice fit for the Vikings' Cover-2 scheme.  He's also the top guy on our draft board going into the fourth round, carrying a high third-round grade.  Jackson could provide depth at both corner and safety, contribute on special teams and eventually compete for a starting job somewhere in the secondary.  Went to Tampa Bay at pick 106 (with pick acquired from Vikings)

Another prospect is Northern Illinois OT-OG Doug Free (6062, 324, 5.19), who is a little more finesse than mauler for his size but has starting-caliber potential at a position of possible need for the Vikings.  Went to Dallas at pick 122.

Two other players stand out in terms of overall value -- Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman (5106, 210, 4.42) and Delaware TE Ben Patrick (6040, 250, 4.75).  The Vikings might already be pretty well stocked at those positions, but we also have both players carrying high third-round grades.  Pittman went to New Orleans at pick 107.

The Vikings could still use a quality starter at right guard/tackle, an edge pass rusher, depth and size at defensive tackle, depth at linebacker and perhaps a developmental quarterback prospect.  As is, they have five picks and five needs.  Unless they package a couple picks to target a key player early, they could potentially bring viable prospects into the mix at every position mentioned.

Here are some players to watch while the talking heads blather on and on about yesterday:
OLB Steven Nicholas (6013, 232, 4.67) South Florida  Went to Atlanta at pick 109.
DE Brian Robison (6031, 259, 4.67) Texas  Vikings traded up to pick 102 to draft Robison!
OLB Rufus Alexander (6007, 228, 4.72) Oklahoma Vikings drafted Alexander in 6th round!
QB Isaiah Stanback (6023, 216, 4.58) Washington  Went to Dallas at pick 103.
DE Baraka Atkins (6044, 271, 4.69) Miami, Fla.  Went to Seattle at pick 120.
LB Zak DeOssie (6045, 250, 4.58) Brown  Went to Giants at pick 116.
QB Tyler Thigpen (6017, 223, 4.77) Coastal Carolina Vikings drafted Thigpen in 7th round!

04.29.07

Scout's Honor:  Quarterback job likely to remain in Jackson's hands

Scout's Honor:  Character counts