It's finally here!
Day 1 of the NFL draft has arrived -- we are going to have to wait until this evening for the selections to begin -- and with it the intrigue regarding the Vikings' 30th pick in the first round only builds.
On Wednesday, the buzz was that the Vikings might end up taking Florida quarterback Tim Tebow with their first selection. Today, a writer who does one of the most respected mock drafts around has a different thought. Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News has the Vikings taking Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen at No. 30.
Writes Gosselin: "The Vikings were hoping a cornerback would slide to them but instead hit the jackpot with the slide of Clausen. He gives them their QB of the future when Brett Favre finally does retire, probably in 2011."
While I think there are definitely members of the Vikings organization who like Clausen, there is one point I've raised about this in recent weeks. Clausen, unlike Tebow, is probably ready to run a pro style offense. But there are questions about his maturity and that could be a real issue -- especially if Brett Favre returns (as we all expect).
Favre is well-liked and respected by many of his teammates, but he has never been considered the mentoring type when it comes to young quarterbacks (see Rodgers, Aaron). If Clausen comes to Minnesota with any type of attitude other than one that says "I am a rookie and I'd like to learn as much as possible," it could have negative results in the Winter Park locker room.
Favre isn't the type who would put up with any antics (attitude) from a young quarterback and if a guy did get out of line the results could be a quarterback who goes from over-confident to no confidence by the time the veteran is done with him.
