2016-2017 Vikings Offseason Thread

[TheLeviathan]

Well, might as well start one right?

[Mike Sixel]

apparently, since vikings journal is about to die....

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

So do we root for a loss to the Bears so we have a slightly higher pick in each round 2-7?

 

Or root for a win out of spite for the Eagles?

 

I'm leaning spite....

[Vanimal46]

Honestly I'd rather see a loss and go 7-9. Probably won't turn the game on to watch. 

[Mike Sixel]

I just want:

 

no one injured

to see Treadwell play

 

And no, I doubt I will watch it.

[TheLeviathan]

Good call on Treadwell.  I want to see him on pretty much every snap.  

 

Here's a few I'll add:

 

* David Morgan in as a blocking tight end on every running play

* Alexander and Waynes getting extensive time at CB

[Vanimal46]

Unfortunately Alexander went on IR last week. 

But Waynes/Morgan/Treadwell do need to play every snap to see what they can do. 

Do you play Bradford in a meaningless game? 

[TheLeviathan]

I hadn't heard that about Alexander, huh.  

 

And yeah, I play Bradford.  Try to help the team feel good offensively heading into the offseason if nothing else.

[Mike Sixel]

If they think Heineke has ANY chance, I'd play him, but if Treadwell is playing, I'd probably play Bradford half the time....

 

Frankly, I think they just need to trust what they saw (when they picked him) on film more, but maybe he is just that bad in practice...he has also been hurt, supposedly.

[TheLeviathan]

I'd like to see Bradford working with the wide receivers one more time.  

 

Alright, free agent targets - who ya got?

 

I put Zeitler at the top of my list.  I'm not ready to say anything about OT until I see the market, but I think Zeitler will be available and he's perfect for RG.

[snepp]

Play Bradford, and ditch the entire dump-off offense for a week. They've got nothing to lose (except Bradford's health when he gets pummelled of course).

[Mr. Brooks]

I wouldn't play Bradford.

If he shreds his knee like Teddy did, then we are screwed going into 2017.

 

And Treadwell, the few times we've seen him this year, the defenders have run his routes better than him. Maybe he's improved over the last few weeks.

[TheLeviathan]

So much for seeing Treadwell....

[snepp]

 

So much for seeing Treadwell....

 

We did get to see some bonus Jarius Wright before he's not on the team anymore.

[TheLeviathan]

Yeah, I was not happy seeing that cheap TD go to a guy not even on this roster in the summer.  Give it to the kid, give him something to be excited about.

[TheLeviathan]

Alright, my WAY too early draft wish list:

 

45: RB Alvin Kamara

76: C/G Pat Elfein

88: DT Jaleel Johnson

110: OT Taylor Moton

119: TE Sprinkle

142: OG Jordan Morgan

 

Just my initial thoughts, have to watch some more on the late round guys, but I think Kamara will be there when the Vikes pick.  I think passing on him would be a huge mistake.

[nicksaviking]

 

 

Or root for a win out of spite for the Eagles?

 

I'm leaning spite....

 

In the NFL I have a much harder time rooting for any team that isn't my team. I find reasons to dislike nearly all of them. Still, of all the NFC East teams, the Eagles are probably the one I dislike the least.

 

Watching Bradford in the last game makes me think a creative passing attack is possible with him. The team should have a load of FA money, they have to throw nearly all of it at the line don't they? They tried last year but I think they have to try again. That probably mean they have to try to bring Kalil back as much as I don't think he's a big benefit. I'd love to find a way to put Kalil at RT and find a new and improved LT.

[TheLeviathan]

I think our line next year probably looks like this:

 

Kalil-Boone-Berger-Zeitler-Rookie

 

I'm simply not sure there is a better LT than Kalil.

[Vanimal46]

Lots of coaches getting the axe this year.

 

As far as Vikings coaches go, I'd be willing to bet Zimmer and Shermer stays; Sporano hits the road. Before the season it was viewed as a strength to have 4 former HCs on one staff. In reality, it looks like there were too many cooks in the kitchen.

[TheLeviathan]

I think the coaching staff will stay largely the same.  This team has some needs for sure, I'd rank them like this:

 

1) LT

2) RT

3) RG

4) RB

5) DT

6) Blocking TE

7) CB

8) LB

 

I think Kalil is the best bet for LT.  You could consider ponying up for Reilly Reiff as your RT or use the draft. 

 

I think this team has to use one of it's top 3 picks on a RB.

[nicksaviking]

 

I think our line next year probably looks like this:

 

Kalil-Boone-Berger-Zeitler-Rookie

 

I'm simply not sure there is a better LT than Kalil.

 

Zeitler would be good, well I would assume. Amatures such as myself judging O linemen seems silly regardless of Profootball Focus or any other kind of analytical study, but if those in know say he's good, fine by me. The Vikings do chase Zimmer's old Bengals that's for sure.

 

I have to think there will be a lineman or two who will be a cap casualty who may still be useful. I'm really surprised Sporano didn't get more out of this unit considering that he was hyped as a line guru. We've seen plenty of teams make do with make-shift lines, why couldn't the Vikings? Was it because Sporano couldn't get these guys on the right page? Or was it because Spielman put guys on the roster who no one could mold into useful pieces? I'm feeling like it's more likely the 2nd.

 

Spielman's done some rally nice things, but the things he's missed on are really, really starting to pile up and become worrisome.

[nicksaviking]

 

apparently, since vikings journal is about to die....

 

And I feel bad, I should visit more often.

 

It's just so hard. It seems like the football fans that aren't interested in baseball are so much more difficult to engage in a civilized discussion.

[Mr. Brooks]

I think the coaching staff will stay largely the same. This team has some needs for sure, I'd rank them like this:

 

1) LT

2) RT

3) RG

4) RB

5) DT

6) Blocking TE

7) CB

8) LB

 

I think Kalil is the best bet for LT. You could consider ponying up for Reilly Reiff as your RT or use the draft.

 

I think this team has to use one of it's top 3 picks on a RB.

I'd add a WR to that list. I don't think Patterson will be back, it only takes 1 team to think they can improve him as a wr and make him a big offer.

 

With Diggs versatility, we could go a couple directions.

We could get a slot guy, or get a big outside WR and play Diggs from the slot.

[TheLeviathan]

I considered putting WR on the list, but I think we need to plan on Diggs-Thielen-Treadwell as the top three.  There could still be room for Patterson to stay.

[nicksaviking]

I'd bet league interest in Patterson will be based on his return skills and I'd guess the Vikings will be the top suitor.

[TheLeviathan]

I think Patterson comes back here as well, unless someone promises him a much larger role and he takes the bait.

[snepp]

I would prefer to see Patterson return. A creative offensive gameplan can find plenty of ways to put his skillset to use, even if he doesn't improve much as a route-running receiver.

[Mr. Brooks]

I considered putting WR on the list, but I think we need to plan on Diggs-Thielen-Treadwell as the top three. There could still be room for Patterson to stay.

Well the coaching staff thinks so little of Treadwell, that he couldn't even see the field in a meaningless for both teams week 17 game.

I don't think he should be in any plans for next year. If we get anything from him, consider it a bonus.

[TheLeviathan]

You only have so many roster spots though. If you retain Patterson you do need to count Treadwell. If you think Treadwell is a bust you have to trade him.

[Mike Sixel]

I am hoping they:

 

1. Sign Reiff to play RT.

2. Sign Zeitler or someone else to play RG

3. Sigh....sign Kalil to play LT (yuck, but who is better)

4. Cut Peterson

5. Draft an OG or OT in round 2

6. Draft a DT or RB in round 3

7. Draft a DT or RB in round 4

8. Draft DB or LB with their other picks

9. Finally win a playoff game, if not, Spielman should be gone.