Thread: Vikings Offseason

So here is my take on important things for the Vikes to do this offseason:

1. Keep Felton and Loadholt. You're going to have to pay out the ear for Phil (5M a year I'm guessing) but I probably give that to him. This line played WAY too well to be broken up. Felton shouldn't be too expensive and really was excellent last year.

2. Pursue Dannell Ellerbe - love this guy and I think LB is the team's number one priority this offseason. Or should be. I know people will bring up WR, but give me a LB first. Especially if we keep Percy around.

3. Keep Percy around. Unless you're blown away by a deal, this guy is too dangerous to move for what you would likely get. Judging by the Brandon Marshall deal, we're just not likely to get what I think he's worth. So keep him.

4. I'd also call in on Levitre and Vasquez - either of them would only help more. They're very good and football still starts up front.

5. I'd try to land one of the big safeties - Delmas, Goldson, or Phillips. Smith is a beast, let's give him a partner back there that can come close to matching his talent.

6. Draft LB or DL as your top priorities in the first. WR is a better 2nd or 3rd round option. I'd come out of this draft's top 5 picks with something like this: 1 OL, 1 DT, 1 LB, 2 WR, and 1 DB.

Just my thoughts.

I feel it could all come down to one thing: Has Ponder proven that he can be "The Man"? I do like your Ellerbe suggestion (certainly an area that needs improving).

For better or worse Ponder is going to be the starter for us in 2013. I wouldn't mind in bringing Flynn to compete with him if the price is right, or drafting a guy like Landry Jones if he slips to the 3rd round. (Keep in mind if Jones came out last year he was an easy top 15 pick)

I agree Dave but I don't think they bring anyone near that level in - I think they are aware of the fanbase's uncertainty and don't want to feed them anything more to question Ponder.

I think its a different "NFL" these days, you need two solid QB's that can both play at a "starter's" level, **** having zero back up last season literally screwed us when it mattered most.

A guy like Landry or Flynn isn't nesc an upgrade, but they can at least push Ponder if he struggles, this team has WAYYY to much other talent to be dealing with a Ponder/Webb 1/2 or the likes moving forward. Hopefully they bring in someone who can compete.

Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave

I think its a different "NFL" these days, you need two solid QB's that can both play at a "starter's" level, **** having zero back up last season literally screwed us when it mattered most.

A guy like Landry or Flynn isn't nesc an upgrade, but they can at least push Ponder if he struggles, this team has WAYYY to much other talent to be dealing with a Ponder/Webb 1/2 or the likes moving forward. Hopefully they bring in someone who can compete.

I can help but agree more. When I think back to this past season and envision the Webb performance against Green Bay in the first round, it makes my stomach turn somersaults.

I'm all about a better backup, I just don't think we get one.

I'd rather they concentrate on D and WR than anything else this year, assuming they keep Loadholt.

Ideally, they'll keep Loadholt.
Ideally, they'll keep Harvin, but I think he gets traded. I would consider taking a later 2nd this year, if it comes with a first next year. If Ponder stinks it up, having a high first and another first should get you to one of the elite QBs next year. If Ponder is good, then they can fill in DE and CB with the two picks next year.....which they'll need to do if they don't get a CB/S/DT/DE this year.

Assuming spielman will not sign expensive FAs, there are OGs and DTs that could come in and start, and not break the bank. I think he goes that way, but lots of WRs are being re-signed right now, so that could be tough. I don't think any of the 2nd tier LBers are all that good. I don't think he'll spend the money on a top CB or S. If they lose Loadholt, I think they'll sign a 2nd tier OT.

In the draft, DT and WR (if not elite at WR) is deep, so if they can trade down from the first pick to an early 2nd, and get a third or early pick next year, I'd do that. There are a coupld of players I'd stay at 23 for, but I think they'll be gone.

The priority has to be DL, LB, WR.....they have one legit LB, and need at least one DT. They have one legit WR if they let Harvin go, maybe.

Given that Marshall landed a third, I think the odds of Harvin landing a late second and a first is something far less than remote.

Originally Posted by TheLeviathan

Given that Marshall landed a third, I think the odds of Harvin landing a late second and a first is something far less than remote.

Marshall was traded from Denver to Miami in 2010 for 2 2nd round picks. Then Chicago acquired him from Miami last offseason for 2 3rd round picks.

I think the Vikings could probably get a 2nd round pick for Harvin and perhaps a 2nd pick for 2014 that would depend on Harvin's health or playing time (A 4th that could become a 3rd?).

Harvin traded to Seattle...that was quick.

We got a 1st and 7th for Harvin. WAY more then I thought we would. 2 1st rounds picks will be nice. We can sign Mike Wallace and still draft a WR and LB in the first round.

Receiving a first rounder was huge. And Gernzy was right, having the two first rounders will be big, allows for a lot of flexibility and "creativity" (if the Vikings practice such a thing).

I think we also got a 3 or 4 next year to.

hate to see a talent like that off the roster, but they were NOT going to pay him top dollar. So, great value, imo. Now they need to pick well. I predict they deal one of those first rounders for a 2nd this year, and first next year.....

yeah, I'd go for Wallace now. Wright wasn't a bad replacement for Harvin. There's a drop off there, but it is easily replaced with Wallace stretching the field. Then they use their two first rounders to get another wideout and help at DT...


Either that or they can use one of them and get Cruz.

Harvin's 531 YAC (out of 677 total--an ABSURD ratio for a WR) made Christian Ponder a bad QB instead of a terrible one--which he was even with AP.

I am not sure that people are really understanding how vital he was. Now if the Vikings are really going to make Ponder the backup or something, then maybe it is a different story. But I am pretty damn concerned about AP producing at 80-90% of his 2012 output and no Percy Harvin around if indeed Christian Ponder is going to be the QB. There's just no recipe for success there. They will NOT return to the playoffs next year.

Originally Posted by Shane Wahl

Harvin's 531 YAC (out of 677 total--an ABSURD ratio for a WR) made Christian Ponder a bad QB instead of a terrible one--which he was even with AP.

I am not sure that people are really understanding how vital he was. Now if the Vikings are really going to make Ponder the backup or something, then maybe it is a different story. But I am pretty damn concerned about AP producing at 80-90% of his 2012 output and no Percy Harvin around if indeed Christian Ponder is going to be the QB. There's just no recipe for success there. They will NOT return to the playoffs next year.

Yeah, they had best have some serious plans to be players in the free agent market for someone like Jennings or Wallace while hoping they strike gold in the draft or Peterson will need to run for 4000 next year against 10 man fronts to make them competitive.

Originally Posted by Shane Wahl

Harvin's 531 YAC (out of 677 total--an ABSURD ratio for a WR) made Christian Ponder a bad QB instead of a terrible one--which he was even with AP.

I am not sure that people are really understanding how vital he was. Now if the Vikings are really going to make Ponder the backup or something, then maybe it is a different story. But I am pretty damn concerned about AP producing at 80-90% of his 2012 output and no Percy Harvin around if indeed Christian Ponder is going to be the QB. There's just no recipe for success there. They will NOT return to the playoffs next year.

Maybe not. I lost all hope when Harvin went down, yet they were able to enjoy good success without him. Now if I'm wrong and Ponder actually develops into a top 20 QB, it will be a good 2013.

Originally Posted by Hornhead

Now if I'm wrong and Ponder actually develops into a top 20 QB

Such sky high expectations we're setting.

"If he can somehow slip into the top 2/3 of players at his position."