Louis Villaume
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Posts about Vikings roster moves
The Grinch Who Stole the First Round
Posted by: Louis Villaume Updated: April 23, 2010 - 5:21 PM
Christmas Eve always is met with great anticipation, children struggle with going to bed knowing that the next day would bring presents, joy, and fulfillment of the year long expectation started with the end of the previous holiday. In Dr. Suess' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the Whos of Whoville awoke to find their trees, decorations, presents, and food gone .. stolen by the Grinch.
Last night's decision to pass on the 30th selection was an Xmas that wasn't. Vikings' fans in the know, and even those not, may have uttered a curse or two following the alteration of their celebration. Under the tree of 2010 could have been safety Taylor Mays, a USC grad, who is described as having all the tools of a Joey Browner. Many others felt Chris Cook, from Virginia, would fill the need at cornerback (even with the acquisition of Lito Sheppard). Further, fans lamented that passing of later chosen Patrick Robinson, a CB from Florida State.
Certainly there are plenty of presents sill remaining besides Mays and Cook. Among these possibilities at the 34th selections includes Jimmy Clausen, the Notre Dame quarterback defined as 'most ready' for the NFL. Of course, seeing that Clausen chose not to attend the Green Room, it is apparent that his draft status was never considered first round by the NFL teams that do the selecting. Others include: RB Toby Gerhart of Stanford,"the Great White Hope"; DT Linval Joseph of East Carolina; DT Terrence Cody of Alabama; OT Charles Brown; DE Everson Griffen of USC; and highly rated LB Sergio Kindle of Texas.
We are quick to forgive Vikings' management, much like the Whos would forgive the Grinch, as we have been rewarded by their draft diligence the last few years. Not since Troy Williamson, Demetrius Underwood, and others has there been a blatant poor selection. Most of us have been happy with Phil Loadholt, Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson, and other selections of the present regime. So we wait...
At 5 PM today we will learn if that wait was worth it. We will sing our songs, hold hands, and celebrate as the Vikings select their first pick. We fans are split on needs, from defensive back to defensive tackle, quarterback to running back, or my personal preference, a guard, And the Grinch will return, hopefully bearing the gift of an earlier 4th round selection and the awaited 34th selection to take place minutes after the day begins.
The question is .. does anyone know the words to the Who's song? No, not Roger Daltry and his raspy version of his 70s hits, but rather the song that tells us Christmas does not come in a box (30th pick).
Vikings Golden Anniversary Draft
Posted by: Louis Villaume Updated: April 17, 2010 - 1:26 PMFifty years of drafts. It began in 1961 with the selection of running back Tommy Mason from Tulane. That first year the Vikings also selected quarterback Fran Tarkenton of Georgia in the third round. As the new franchise struggled in the early years, their draft picks were causal to the futility. Only 1964 first round pick DE Carl Eller from Minnesota was considered significant. Then in 1967 the Vikings landed a slew of talent with the three first round selections of RB Clinton Jones, WR Gene Washington, and DT Alan Page. Then came the real change to whom the Vikings would become. In 1968 the Vikings selected OT Ron Yary from USC; and in 1969 chose OG Ed White of California with their first pick in the second round. The Vikings then had the foundation for their four Super Bowl visits.
In the first forty-nine years the Vikings have used their first first-round pick a total of three times to select an offensive lineman. Those three players were Yary, Randall McDaniel (1988), and Bryant McKinnie (2002). Considering that OL make up over 20% of all every down starters on a football team, Minnesota's percentage of 6.1% is paltry. In the year 2010, at this the 50th NFL draft for Minnesota, most are hoping for the gift of an offensive lineman. Of course, with the success of 2009, the Vikings have been relegated to the 30th selection, followed by the 62nd, 93rd, 128th, and two 5th round picks at 161st and 167th. There are more picks, but rare is a 6th or 7th rounder of value.
A look at the last ten years of drafting suggests good picks often, but also great picks lost. A quick review, with Vikings picks bold and missed picks to follow....
2009 WR Percy Harvin 22nd, OT Michael Oher 23rd, DB Vontae Davis 25th.
2008 S Tyrell Johnson 43rd, RB Matt Forte 44th,WR DeSean Jackson 49th.
2007 RB Adrian Peterson 7th, DB Darrell Revis 14th, WR Sidney Rice 44th.
2006 LB Chad Greenway 17th, DB Antonio Cromartie 19th.
2005 WR Troy Williamson 7th, DB Antrel Rolle 8th, DE DeMarcus Ware 11th, Shawne Merriman 12th, OT Jammal Brown 13th, DE Erasmus James 18th, OT Alex Barron 19th, DE Marcus Spears 20th, DB Fabian Washington 23rd, QB Aaron Rodgers 25th, WR Roddy White 27th.
2004 DE Keneche Udeze 20th, RB Steven Jackson 24th, DB Ahmad Carroll 25th.
2003 (the year of the blunder) DT Kevin Williams 9th, QB Byron Leftwich 7th, OT Jordan Gross 8th, LB Terrell Suggs 10th, DB Marcus Trufant 11th, DB Troy Polamalu 16th, RB Willis McGahee 23rd, TE Dallas Clark 24th, RB Larry Johnson 27th.
2002 OT Bryant McKinnie 7th, DB Roy Williams 8th, TE Jeremy Shockey 14th, DT Albert Haynesworth 15th.
2001 RB Michael Bennett 27th, WR Reggie Wayne 30th, QB Drew Brees 32nd, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch 34th.
2000 DT Chris Hovan 24th, LB Keith Bulluck 30th, LB Rob Morris 28th, WR Dennis Northcutt 32nd, DE John Engleberger 35th, OT Chad Clifton 44th, DT Fred Robbins 55th, DE Michael Boireau 56th, DB Deon Grant 57th.LB Marcus Washington 59th, OL Brad Meester 60th.
In my humble opinion, the 2010 Draft needs to address offensive line and defensive back. Throughout our history we have neglected these two position despite the fact that they are nine of the twenty-two regular positions.
Further, the Vikings have a track record that includes some great picks. I hope that we can include 2010 with years like 1961, 1967, 1998, 2003, 2006, 2007, and maybe 2009. Included in those years is Mason, Tarkenton, Washington, Page, Randy Moss, Matt Birk, Williams, EJ Henderson, Nate Burleson, Chad Greenway, Cedric Griffin, Ray Edwards, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Phil Loadholt.
That would be a better present than years like: 2005 Troy Williamson, 2004 Keneche Udeze, 1995 Derrick Alexander, 1994 DeWayne Washington, 1989-1992 when we had no 1st rounders, and many more. The list of missed All-Pros and needed position players is too extensive to review in full.
The draft is only a few days away. The excitement has begun to grow. It has grown enough to bring me away from my passion for the Twins in this early Spring, and re-focused my sport love for football. 2009 was very close indeed. Dominating the Saints and Cowboys showed we are not far away form the prize. A solid draft in 2010 could be the difference.
Skol.
Top Ten Reasons Vikings Will Win vs. Saints
Posted by: Louis Villaume Updated: January 22, 2010 - 4:28 PMThe Top 10 reasons it will be the Vikings and not the Saints heading to the Super Bowl in 2010.
10. The Saints defense. It was the first game of the season when the Saints won 45 to 27 over the Lions. Only later would I learn just how wrong it is to give up that many points to Detroit. Then, the Dolphins would score 34, mostly in a single half. The Redskins 30, which was about 20 more than average. The Saints are not winning by defense.
9. The 40 omen. This is the 40th NFC Championship. Our new quarterback, Brett Favre, just turned 40. Gives you goose bumps, doesn't it? I remember when George Blanda quarterbacked as a 38 year-old. I thought that was ancient.
8. The 0-39 streak. The Saints, along with the aforementioned Lions, are the only two teams in the NFC that have never won an NFC Championship. This is the Vikings 8th try, while New Orleans is 0-1. Makes you almost content with losing four Super Bowls. Almost.
7. Chris Kluwe. Kluwe is wise. Kluwe learns from mistakes. Last year when the Vikings won in New Orleans on Monday Night Football, Reggie Bush performed a Billy "White Shoes" Johnson show on the Vikings kick coverage. After watching him perform masterfully against the Cowboys, I am expecting Kluwe to avoid Bush.
6. MNF. Last year's game against the Saints had fans partying all day to prepare. As someone who has partied with the people of New Orleans, I can state that it would easily rival Packers fans. They were obnoxious, they were loud. They chanted "Who Dat". And we won. That game was the best preparation for this one possible.
5. Childress and Staff. Not so much for their play calling, but for adding Phil Loadholt, Percy Harvin, and Brett Favre to our offense in 2009. We are far better. And people are always grateful when you pick them up at the airport, should one do that.
4. The Hurricane. No, not the effects of Katrina, I am not going there. It was that drink that I had too many of... people in New Orleans drink a lot! Maybe the reason teams never win it all in Louisiana is that they party too much. This atmosphere is not counducive to winning Championships. Fun, but not dedicated.
3. Superdome experience. The Vikings played and won last year in the Superdome. Brett Favre won his Super Bowl with the Packers there. It is safe to say every Viking player has enjoyed their time in the Superdome. Call it a home away from home.
2. Who Dat Syndrome. At first it was catchy, like the Icky Shuffle. The it was familiar, like the electric glide of LT. Now, it feels more like Rain Man. Without the ability to count numbers.
And the number one reason the Vikings will win on Sunday ....
1. Destiny. Seriously, think about it... Remember when you were watching us lose to the Eagles last year in the Dome? Now fast forward to the team that just beat the Cowboys 34-3. That type of change is not human. The addition of Favre transformed us to the mystical. Nothing can stop us now. There is no point in denying what will be.
A Special Kind of Hero
Posted by: Louis Villaume Updated: September 23, 2009 - 7:19 PMThe 2009 season has been highlighted by Brett Favre's coming to Minnesota. However, another signing this season of great significance was the March 6th deal made with Heath Farwell. Farwell signed a three year deal for just under eight million dollars, with 3.25 million guaranteed. Considering he spent the 2008 season recovering from a torn ACL, some might question the amount spent on this special teamer. Afterall, he made only $435,000 in 2007, and 1.41 million in 2008, before the injury. But he is worth every penny.
Heath Farwell, from San Diego State, is the Vikings Special Teams leader. He was awarded the Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2006 and 2007 by his teammates. When he went down with an injury in the first preseason game last year many grew concerned about the special teams coverage for 2008. And they were right. The Minnesota Vikings set an NFL record by allowing 7 returns for touchdown. Farwell was missed.
Heath had 27 tackles in 2006 and 30 in 2007. After sitting out last year, he has six tackles already in two games. At that pace, Farwell will easily set a career record for tackles. In the first two games of the season the Vikings have covered 13 returns of kickoff by their opponents, with an average of 18.2 yards per return. That is good. On punts, three returns have netted seven yards. Unfortunately, Josh Cribbs was a fourth return that went 67 yards for a touchdown in Week One.
Covering kicks has been something of a nightmare for Minnesota for as long as I can remember. Maybe as far back as when Joey Browner was on special teams. With Heath Farwell signed for at least a few years, some fans can look to coverage of kicks as a chance to hit someone, instead of imminent disaster. Farwell wants the chance to show he can also play linebacker, hence he shopped himself to a few teams prior to the March signing. The ACL concerns probably scared away the Browns and Patriots, the two most publicized teams that showed interest. Whatever the reason, we are thankful.
Heath Farwell doesn't get too many opportunities playing special teams only. But if you watch real close for number 59 on kick coverage, you will find he makes his opportunities very special.
A Special Kind of Hero
Posted by: Louis Villaume Updated: September 23, 2009 - 7:19 PMThe 2009 season has been highlighted by Brett Favre's coming to Minnesota. However, another signing this season of great significance was the March 6th deal made with Heath Farwell. Farwell signed a three year deal for just under eight million dollars, with 3.25 million guaranteed. Considering he spent the 2008 season recovering from a torn ACL, some might question the amount spent on this special teamer. Afterall, he made only $435,000 in 2007, and 1.41 million in 2008, before the injury. But he is worth every penny.
Heath Farwell, from San Diego State, is the Vikings Special Teams leader. He was awarded the Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2006 and 2007 by his teammates. When he went down with an injury in the first preseason game last year many grew concerned about the special teams coverage for 2008. And they were right. The Minnesota Vikings set an NFL record by allowing 7 returns for touchdown. Farwell was missed.
Heath had 27 tackles in 2006 and 30 in 2007. After sitting out last year, he has six tackles already in two games. At that pace, Farwell will easily set a career record for tackles. In the first two games of the season the Vikings have covered 13 returns of kickoff by their opponents, with an average of 18.2 yards per return. That is good. On punts, three returns have netted seven yards. Unfortunately, Josh Cribbs was a fourth return that went 67 yards for a touchdown in Week One.
Covering kicks has been something of a nightmare for Minnesota for as long as I can remember. Maybe as far back as when Joey Browner was on special teams. With Heath Farwell signed for at least a few years, some fans can look to coverage of kicks as a chance to hit someone, instead of imminent disaster. Farwell wants the chance to show he can also play linebacker, hence he shopped himself to a few teams prior to the March signing. The ACL concerns probably scared away the Browns and Patriots, the two most publicized teams that showed interest. Whatever the reason, we are thankful.
Heath Farwell doesn't get too many opportunities playing special teams only. But if you watch real close for number 59 on kick coverage, you will find he makes his opportunities very special.
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