Assessing the Roster

[Mothman]

Okay, the season is over so Phase 2 of rebuilding the Vikes into a contender has officially begun. What does the team need to get better? Where do they need to improve? Post your roster thoughts!

My take (please pardon the inevitable typos)...:

QB: It looks like it's probably still Ponder's job to lose. They need to add a a more viable backup (preferably a veteran) and a young QB with the potential to develop into a quality starter. In other words, a young QB who might be able to seize the job if Ponder if Ponder doesn't do so in his third season.

RB: This is clearly a team strength. Peterson is amazing, Gerhart is a good backup and they need to re-sign Felton, who proved his value this season.

TE: Rudolph had a productive season and was great in the red zone. I think he needs to work on creating more separation from defenders and continue developing as a blocker but he's a good starter and could become a great tight end. Ellison's a solid backup. Carlson was a huge disappointment. I suspect he'll get another shot next season but I wouldn't mind it if they released him and looked elsewhere for another TE.

WR: Personally, I see this as the biggest need area on the team. I'll be a bit disappointed if more than 3 of this year's WRs return, although I suppose a case can be made for bringing back 4. Harvin's a terrific weapon when healthy and Wright showed he can be a playmaker so they should both be back. What's needed most is a bigger WR who is a real threat on the outside. Jenkins can settle into a zone and make a few plays here and there but his value is limited. Neither Aromashodu or Burton should be on the team next year. That leaves Simpson, who never seemed to be 100% healthy this season and who might still be able to become a decent outside option. However, after watching him run route after route too short and show pretty questionable pass-catching skills this season, I'd rather see Harvin, Wright and a whole new crew of WRs next season. If anybody else returns, I think I'd prefer Jenkins to Simpson.

OL: Assuming Loadholt is re-signed, the team is set at the starting tackle positions and with Sullivan at center. That leaves the guards who, like Loadholt, can be frustrating to watch but who had their share of good plays amidst erratic performances this season. It seems unlikely to me that the Vikings will try to upgrade both guard positions, especially since they're clearly trying to develop Fusco into a good starter. Hopefully, they will bring in some good competition for Johnson and Fusco. I'm not sure if Schwartz will stick around and the other backups are nondescript enough that I'm not sure what to say about them.

DL: The DEs are another team strength, even if Allen didn't repeat his spectacular 2011 numbers. Inside, Williams is still a good starter but is getting older and Guion/Evans are merely adequate at the other DT spot. They need to draft a DT, probably in the first few rounds.

LB: I consider this one of the of the team's biggest need areas, right behind WR. Greenway's a strong starter but they need to upgrade the other OLB spot and Brinkley is merely adequate as a starter. They need a real impact player in this group and they'd desperately need to improve their depth.

DB: Winfield's age makes this a priority, although the "old man" keeps chugging along and he had an excellent season. Robinson was a nice addition and Harrison Smith made a genuine impact at safety. I like the addition of Jefferson too. He's not great but he can play and he's young enough to still have upside. If Cook can stay on the field, the CBs don't look bad at all for next year but another injection of talent at the position is still necessary. The depth has to improve and Winfield won't play forever.

Sanford showed a real nose for the ball this year. he;s an opportunistic, enthusiastic player and I think he has a place on the team as a backup. neither he or raymond really seized the other starting safety position though so that remains an position in need of a solution.

The Vikes appear set at kicker and punter. Kluwe needs to be more consistent and all Walsh needs to do is keep up the good work!

Overall, the team showed they can win with their shortcomings at guard, LB, WR, in the secondary, etc. but if they're going to take the next step, they need to make upgrades, particularly in the passing game.

[Dark]

Almost perfect assesment. I think we need someone that can stop those screen/dump/shovel passes. Last night when nobody was open, Rodgers would just dump the ball of to Harris and he would run the ball another 20 yards. I've been seeing that all season but especially last night.

[dead_poet]

Almost perfect assesment. I think we need someone that can stop those screen/dump/shovel passes. Last night when nobody was open, Rodgers would just dump the ball of to Harris and he would run the ball another 20 yards. I've been seeing that all season but especially last night.

Our linebackers are liabilities in coverage. Every single one of them.

[LA Viking]

Our linebackers are liabilities in coverage. Every single one of them.

This has been true for so long though - at least through Childress's tenure. Could it be more than the players?

[LA Viking]

I think we should possibly take a look at TJ Yates or possibly Flynn to give Ponder a run at QB. I am just not impressed with the QB class this year (man, if only we waited one more year to draft a QB...).

I hope Carlson is gone. Worthless.

We need two new guards IMO.

WR position probably needs all new faces except Wright (who still has a lot of work). Assuming Harvin is gone.

[VikingPaul73]

Here is the current vikings 2013 FA list along with my comments. As Mothman pointed out there are still lots of holes to fill (not as many as last offseason but still plenty) so sometimes you need to keep a guy that you know isn't the answer at the position, simply because there's no way to fill all the holes in a single draft.

Player Pos Status 2012-2013 Team New Team Years Dollars Signed

Erin Henderson LB UFA Minnesota TBD -- needs to be upgraded, but not the most glaring need. If not addressed in FA or the draft, sign for another 1-2 year contract at low cost. If demands are too high, let him walk.

Devin Aromashodu WR UFA Minnesota TBD -- let him walk

Matt Asiata FB RFA Minnesota TBD -- meh

Joe Berger C UFA Minnesota TBD -- I guess keep for depth if price is right

Jasper Brinkley LB UFA Minnesota TBD -- see EH

Jerome Felton RB UFA Minnesota TBD -- would like to see him stay, sign him

A.J. Jefferson CB RFA Minnesota TBD -- he is a RFA. I know a lot of people on this board don't like him, but I think he's decent and a solid 4th corner. Would like to see the vikings keep him

Phillip Loadholt T UFA Minnesota TBD -- he's getting better. Not a great RT but decent enough. Sign him

Tyrone McKenzie LB RFA Minnesota TBD -- no idea who this is

Marvin Mitchell LB UFA Minnesota TBD -- meh

Jamarca Sanford S UFA Minnesota TBD -- keep him if you can sign him to backup S money.

Geoff Schwartz G UFA Minnesota TBD -- would like to see him sign another 1 year contract and try to oust Johnson. If they draft a better LG, Schwartz would be good for depth

Andrew Sendejo S RFA Minnesota TBD -- never heard of him

Marcus Sherels CB RFA Minnesota TBD -- keep him for right price. I liked him on ST

Jerome Simpson WR UFA Minnesota TBD -- hmmmm, this is a tough one. He certainly didn't impress but they are so weak here they need to keep him. At least for 1 more year until they can better address the position. Plus he was injured so maybe next year he can be adequate

Kevin Williams DT UFA Minnesota TBD -- he needs to retire a VIKING!!! 4 more years!

[VikingPaul73]

Kevin Williams isn't a FA.

well, the vikings have an option to extend him for 2 years at $17 million. Most people think this won't happen and the Vikings will try to re-structure his contract.

[PurpleMustReign]

Kevin Williams isn't a FA.

That's what I thought too.

Is Jenkins still under contract? Maybe that will be the team's excuse to keep him around (which, IMO, isn't the end of the world assuming we upgrade our WRs).

[BGM]

QB: It looks like it's probably still Ponder's job to lose. They need to add a a more viable backup (preferably a veteran) and a young QB with the potential to develop into a quality starter. In other words, a young QB who might be able to seize the job if Ponder if Ponder doesn't do so in his third season.

I agree. I don't know if McLeod Bethel-Thompson is a viable #3, but the Vikings are desperate for a real backup. Is Matt Moore an option? Is Barkley going to fall to #21? Are there any backup QB in the mid rounds of the draft worth considering?

WR: Personally, I see this as the biggest need area on the team. I'll be a bit disappointed if more than 3 of this year's WRs return, although I suppose a case can be made for bringing back 4. Harvin's a terrific weapon when healthy and Wright showed he can be a playmaker so they should both be back. What's needed most is a bigger WR who is a real threat on the outside. Jenkins can settle into a zone and make a few plays here and there but his value is limited. Neither Aromashodu or Burton should be on the team next year. That leaves Simpson, who never seemed to be 100% healthy this season and who might still be able to become a decent outside option. However, after watching him run route after route too short and show pretty questionable pass-catching skills this season, I'd rather see Harvin, Wright and a whole new crew of WRs next season. If anybody else returns, I think I'd prefer Jenkins to Simpson.

This seems like a strong draft class for WRs this April. Also, has there been any news about Greg Childs? I know his return to form after such a devastating injury is a huge long shot, but before he went down I was hoping he and Wright would become the future WR stars of the franchise. If he could come back and be a consistent contributor, it would make an already sterling draft one of the best ever for the Vikings.

OL: Assuming Loadholt is re-signed, the team is set at the starting tackle positions and with Sullivan at center. That leaves the guards who, like Loadholt, can be frustrating to watch but who had their share of good plays amidst erratic performances this season. It seems unlikely to me that the Vikings will try to upgrade both guard positions, especially since they're clearly trying to develop Fusco into a good starter. Hopefully, they will bring in some good competition for Johnson and Fusco. I'm not sure if Schwartz will stick around and the other backups are nondescript enough that I'm not sure what to say about them.

A quality LG would make this OL one of the best in the league. I seem to recall someone mentioning Andy Levitre from the Bills as a quality possibility as an FA signing.

DL: The DEs are another team strength, even if Allen didn't repeat his spectacular 2011 numbers. Inside, Williams is still a good starter but is getting older and Guion/Evans are merely adequate at the other DT spot. They need to draft a DT, probably in the first few rounds.

Unfortunately, Ballard is looking more like a situational/back-up guy. His teammate at Iowa (Karl Klug - local kid from SE MN) had a great rookie year and a typically less great sophomore season for the Titans (7 sacks his rookie season, 3.5 this season). Trade possibility? He's 6-3, 275 and might be just the kind of player to be a replacement for Kevin Williams.

LB: I consider this one of the of the team's biggest need areas, right behind WR. Greenway's a strong starter but they need to upgrade the other OLB spot and Brinkley is merely adequate as a starter. They need a real impact player in this group and they'd desperately need to improve their depth.

The Vikings need for a MLB is their biggest, IMO. The MLB spot was a glaring weakness this season. I would venture to say that with a quality starter in the middle, this becomes a Top 10 defense against both the run and pass. As for OLB, Connor Barwin of the Texans is an FA. He's played in a 3-4, but could he make the transition to a 4-3? Philip Wheeler from Oakland might be a nice signing as well.

Sanford showed a real nose for the ball this year. he;s an opportunistic, enthusiastic player and I think he has a place on the team as a backup. neither he or raymond really seized the other starting safety position though so that remains an position in need of a solution.

A good safety to pair up opposite Harrison Smith would make the defensive backfield a strength for the first time in a LONG while. But are there any FAs worth pursuing? Kenny Vaccaro might be an intriguing draft possibility.

[petev_sj]

The 2013 Draft will be one those rare years where the team can just choose the Best Player Available. Yes there are needs at WR and LB, but I would much rather the team go through FA to get those players then drafting them.

[S197]

Nice write up Jim, I agreed with most of your thoughts. I too would take Jenkins over Simpson, I think he's shown himself to be a solid #3/#4. I'm not all that pleased with Jefferson, his coverage skills are okay but his tackling is very poor and that's not what you want in a corner, especially in cover 2. DT could use some competition but I think there are bigger needs, Ballard showed good pressure as of late and Evans made that key goal line stop. I hope WR, LB, CB are addressed early in the draft or free agency, those are the biggest holes IMO.

[losperros]

WR: Personally, I see this as the biggest need area on the team. I'll be a bit disappointed if more than 3 of this year's WRs return, although I suppose a case can be made for bringing back 4. Harvin's a terrific weapon when healthy and Wright showed he can be a playmaker so they should both be back. What's needed most is a bigger WR who is a real threat on the outside. Jenkins can settle into a zone and make a few plays here and there but his value is limited. Neither Aromashodu or Burton should be on the team next year. That leaves Simpson, who never seemed to be 100% healthy this season and who might still be able to become a decent outside option. However, after watching him run route after route too short and show pretty questionable pass-catching skills this season, I'd rather see Harvin, Wright and a whole new crew of WRs next season. If anybody else returns, I think I'd prefer Jenkins to Simpson.

I'd take Simpson over Jenkins in a heartbeat, mostly because of the upside (age, athleticism, etc.) and because of Jenkins' contract situation.

Anyway, yes, the Vikings need help at WR. I like some of the guys in the draft and believe there are several that can make immediate contributions. And some of them have good size, jumping ability, and hands. The Vikings need to add at least two more receivers, maybe even three.

I believe Spielman and his staff will definitely strengthen the offensive passing games with an upgrade in the WR corps, plus I believe they will add another QB, as you suggested. And no, Jim, not because YOU suggested it but because the team needs it.

DB: Winfield's age makes this a priority, although the "old man" keeps chugging along and he had an excellent season. Robinson was a nice addition and Harrison Smith made a genuine impact at safety. I like the addition of Jefferson too. He's not great but he can play and he's young enough to still have upside. If Cook can stay on the field, the CBs don't look bad at all for next year but another injection of talent at the position is still necessary. The depth has to improve and Winfield won't play forever.

Sanford showed a real nose for the ball this year. he;s an opportunistic, enthusiastic player and I think he has a place on the team as a backup. neither he or raymond really seized the other starting safety position though so that remains an position in need of a solution.

I think this is a highly underrated need. If the Vikings are going to continue to compete in the NFC North, then they better be able to stop the pass. They need better work from their D secondary and I'm hoping they look to both the draft and free agency for help. I love Antoine Winfield but he looked only fair against Green Bay, though much of that might be due to his injury. Even so, he can't play forever. The Vikings not only need better coverage plus more quickness from their D secondary, but it wouldn't hurt to have a ball-hawk or two back there as well.

On another note, they need LB help as well.

[VikingPaul73]

This seems like a strong draft class for WRs this April. Also, has there been any news about Greg Childs? I know his return to form after such a devastating injury is a huge long shot, but before he went down I was hoping he and Wright would become the future WR stars of the franchise.

I was wondering this myself. This is all I was able to find......well at least he is walking fine now!

http://www.sportsoverdose.com/topic/gre ... pdate.html

[Mercy Percy]

I think our biggest needs are

Wide Receiver

Linebacker

Corner back

D tackle

I think in that order is our biggest needs I think that Wide Receiver is so weak for us, Keep Wright Harvin start fresh
LB Greenway Is a lock but we could really use a better MLB Brinkley wasnt bad but we need a solid presence there.
Winefield is getting old and are going to need a replacement soon. We have decent depth with Cook, Jefferson, and Robinson however.
If Kevin Williams were to leave we would be in a world of hurt. I think that we really need to get a competent DT on the other side.

[saint33]

I disagree about the depth at lb, while I think we need two new starters, the combination of Mitchell as the primary versatile backup, two special teams demons in dean and mckenzie, and a developmental guy in cole is solid depth. Dean is also young, and I have liked him since joining the team, and I could see him developing on defense as well. He's undersized, but has very good instincts and has overachieved at every level he's played