What to do at Left Tackle?

[Mike Sixel]

 

I think it says the most about our QB and offensive coordinator. I guess being a decoy while Sam completes a bunch of 4 yard dink and dunks doesn't intrigue Jeffrey much.

 

the accuracy of that statement hurts....

[SF Twins Fan]

 

I think it says the most about our QB and offensive coordinator. I guess being a decoy while Sam completes a bunch of 4 yard dink and dunks doesn't intrigue Jeffrey much.

 

I don't know if that's all that accurate of a statement.  Bradford threw for 3,877 yards last year in only 15 games.  If you take his average yardage per game for 16 games he had the 12th most passing yards at 4,135.  5th place only had 200 passing yards more than him at 4,386.  Plus you add in the fact he was traded for roughly 10 days prior to his first start and had absolutely no offensive line or run game to balance out the offense.  Give him the offseason to prepare with the WR's and TE's with a better offensive line and he should do even better.

[Vanimal46]

I think it says the most about our QB and offensive coordinator. I guess being a decoy while Sam completes a bunch of 4 yard dink and dunks doesn't intrigue Jeffrey much.

Yeah... It will be interesting to see what the game plan looks like next season. It's a bit hazy now, but I thought when they were playing out of their minds the first 5 weeks Bradford was throwing moderately deep passes. Then the 2nd half of the year happened. Dink, dunk. Dink, dunk. Frustrating to watch.

[Vanimal46]

Kalil signs a 5 year, $55.5 MM contract with the Panthers. $25 MM guaranteed.

 

My message to Panthers fans: Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[Mr. Brooks]

I don't know if that's all that accurate of a statement. Bradford threw for 3,877 yards last year in only 15 games. If you take his average yardage per game for 16 games he had the 12th most passing yards at 4,135. 5th place only had 200 passing yards more than him at 4,386. Plus you add in the fact he was traded for roughly 10 days prior to his first start and had absolutely no offensive line or run game to balance out the offense. Give him the offseason to prepare with the WR's and TE's with a better offensive line and he should do even better.

Where did he rank in yards per completion?

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Where did he rank in yards per completion?

 

I believe he was 19th, but that doesn't really prove anything. Here's a list of QB's with a higher yards per completion average that didn't make the playoffs:

 

https://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/player-passing-yards-per-attempt-statistics/2016/

 

1. Cousins

2. Luck

3. Brees

4. Mariota

5. Rivers

6. Dalton

7. Winston

8. Palmer

 

The Giants and Texans both made the playoffs even though they had worse numbers. I'm also going to go back to every QB on the list above Bradford, with the exception of Dak Prescott, had been with the same team for at least 2 years. Prescott also had all offseason, training camp and preseason to play with his team.

[Mr. Brooks]

I believe he was 19th, but that doesn't really prove anything. Here's a list of QB's with a higher yards per completion average that didn't make the playoffs:

 

https://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/player-passing-yards-per-attempt-statistics/2016/

 

1. Cousins

2. Luck

3. Brees

4. Mariota

5. Rivers

6. Dalton

7. Winston

8. Palmer

 

The Giants and Texans both made the playoffs even though they had worse numbers. I'm also going to go back to every QB on the list above Bradford, with the exception of Dak Prescott, had been with the same team for at least 2 years. Prescott also had all offseason, training camp and preseason to play with his team.

That is yards per attempt. I can't find individual ranks in yards per completion, but the Vikings were 31st as a team.

 

I'm not sure there is a direct link between familiarity and yards per completion, but all I can do is hope you are right.

I just don't see the dink and dunk approach as a viable championship offense. I hope they take and complete much more down the field this year.

[Mr. Brooks]

I hope the Reiff signing is to move back to LT, where he was roughly league average for 4 years, and not at RT where he was awful last year.

[Loosey]

 

I have a buddy with mutual friends of Kalil.  Apparently the Panthers figure is ridiculous.  Like $30M+ guaranteed.  And supposedly 5 years and $55M for the contract.  Which explains why the Vikings passed.  Because they aren't insane.   

 

That is just going off of what he heard from his friend.  So third hand knowledge here, but that is a WAY OVERPAY in my opinion.  I was hoping like 3 years and MAYBE $30M with about $15M guranteed.  Oops.

I think my Buddy's source was slightly better than DaveW's?

[TheLeviathan]

 

I hope the Reiff signing is to move back to LT, where he was roughly league average for 4 years, and not at RT where he was awful last year.

 

And it's a better way to spend your money.  RT we can probably work someone in more cheaply.

[Mike Sixel]

They just signed perhaps the only OT worse than Clemmings last year......

[nicksaviking]

I guess he was decent as a RT prior to moving to LT last year. Hopefully he can still perform. Or kick inside to guard.

 

I'd like it if we knew how the free agent discussions go. How much does Spielman get Zimmer, Sherman and Sporano involved?

[Mike Sixel]

It was an exaggeration on my part.....you were a better blocker than Clemmings last year, Nick.

[nicksaviking]

 

It was an exaggeration on my part.....you were a better blocker than Clemmings last year, Nick.

 

No I just figured you had looked at some numbers on Profootball Focus or something. If he was bad it wouldn't surprise me, I don't know how good he is, in fact I barely remember him at all. But he can't be all that good if the Panthers gave a terrible deal to Matt Kalil instead.

 

I'd gladly accept a Phil Loadholdt caliber player for RT right about now. Can he do that?

[Mike Sixel]

I think so. Newton held the ball a lot longer than Bradford. 

 

I'd guess Remmers will be in the middle zone of RTs. Which, compared to the last two years, is like having the best RT ever out there.

[Mr. Brooks]

I guess he was decent as a RT prior to moving to LT last year. Hopefully he can still perform. Or kick inside to guard.

 

I'd like it if we knew how the free agent discussions go. How much does Spielman get Zimmer, Sherman and Sporano involved?

Just to nitpick, you have that backwards.

He was league average at LT his first 4 years. Terrible last year at RT.

[Mr. Brooks]

And it's a better way to spend your money. RT we can probably work someone in more cheaply.

Yeah, and you can find sleeper RT's in round 2 or 3 of the draft. Harder, if not impossible, to find those at LT.

[TheLeviathan]

From a little bit of reading, it sounds like Remmers was solid last year.

 

I'll take solid.

[SF Twins Fan]

Now the Vikings just need to draft an OT and OG in the upcoming draft for some depth. It's nice they're actually addressing these needs this offseason and hopefully they pan out.

 

What does everyone think of Eddie Lacy?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Now the Vikings just need to draft an OT and OG in the upcoming draft for some depth. It's nice they're actually addressing these needs this offseason and hopefully they pan out.

 

What does everyone think of Eddie Lacy?

 

Meh. Get me a pass blocking/pass catching RB.....

 

Joe Mixon in teh draft, if they feel he's forgivable....

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Meh. Get me a pass blocking/pass catching RB.....

 

Joe Mixon in teh draft, if they feel he's forgivable....

 

Yea. I was just reviewing his career numbers and they're terrible. Joe Mixon is an interesting option and I wonder how far he'll fall in the draft.  I'd really like Dalvin Cook, but not sure we'd have enough to trade up for him. 

[TheLeviathan]

I maintain Kamara will be the best back out of this draft.

 

This is a very deep draft for RBs, I wouldn't want to spend a single red cent on Eddie Lacy.

[TheLeviathan]

I will say this, replacing Kalil and whatever scrub at RT with Reiff and Remmers will make the Vikings MUCH more physical up front.

 

That's a good thing.

[DocBauer]

One thing I like about about Reiff and ReMyers both is that they are only 26-27. They are versatile and experienced but still young with multiple years ahead of them. And honestly, their best years should be ahead. These may be quick fixes in the short term, but could also prove to be long term fixes as well.

 

As poor as Clemmings has played at times, we have to remember he came in very inexperienced and with rough edges. He was considered a talented prospect who needed some time but was thrust in to a starting role way too early. Guard or tackle, there is potential there. I also like Sirles, still only 26 I believe, as a solid and versatile backup who may yet develop. Not sure about Easton or Kerin just yet, but I've seen some good things from both of them to think each has a chance to be at least solid backup options. I thought Beavers was a solid and interest developmental player but thought we reached when we took him.

 

The whole point being, I think the OL got better these past couple of days, and it is shaping up to a pretty young unit with upside, especially when you figure at least two more selections in the draft should join them.

[Vanimal46]

Meh. Get me a pass blocking/pass catching RB.....

 

Joe Mixon in teh draft, if they feel he's forgivable....

Joe Mixon is the last guy on Earth I'd want on this team. Let's move on from anyone who has a past hitting women or children.

[Mr. Brooks]

One thing I like about about Reiff and ReMyers both is that they are only 26-27. They are versatile and experienced but still young with multiple years ahead of them. And honestly, their best years should be ahead. These may be quick fixes in the short term, but could also prove to be long term fixes as well.

 

As poor as Clemmings has played at times, we have to remember he came in very inexperienced and with rough edges. He was considered a talented prospect who needed some time but was thrust in to a starting role way too early. Guard or tackle, there is potential there. I also like Sirles, still only 26 I believe, as a solid and versatile backup who may yet develop. Not sure about Easton or Kerin just yet, but I've seen some good things from both of them to think each has a chance to be at least solid backup options. I thought Beavers was a solid and interest developmental player but thought we reached when we took him.

 

The whole point being, I think the OL got better these past couple of days, and it is shaping up to a pretty young unit with upside, especially when you figure at least two more selections in the draft should join them.

I'm going to have to disagree on Clemmings. He wasn't just bad, he was like the worst ever.

The guy we saw last year has no future as a football player.

 

I do think Sirles and Easton could be solid players though.

[Mr. Brooks]

Joe Mixon is the last guy on Earth I'd want on this team. Let's move on from anyone who has a past hitting women or children.

Thank you.

Some crimes are just unforgivable in my opinion.

He beat a woman so badly, he broke several bones in her face. That is not a "mistake". That is who he is as a person.

It's true that all humans make mistakes, but there are still some behaviors that no decent person would ever do, and I think this falls into that category.

[TheLeviathan]

There are plenty of good RBs, we don't have to even look at Mixon.

 

Clemmings might make a really solid guard.

[DaveW]

I think my Buddy's source was slightly better than DaveW's?

More accurate this time

[DaveW]

I will say this, replacing Kalil and whatever scrub at RT with Reiff and Remmers will make the Vikings MUCH more physical up front.

 

That's a good thing.

Yeah this is a very good start to the off season. The line doesn't look to be world beaters, but doesn't have to be. If they could be mearly "average" they could be an 11-12 win team next year with this defense.