LB and DB

[PurpleKoolaid]

Ok so why is Cole considered so slow? Too slow to play MIKE? Have you seen who we have had playing that posostion the past 6 years or so? Not really slow (but then not that much faster then Cole) but they just never knew HOW to play that postion. Its why i kinda wish we had gotten Urlacker.

[Delaqure]

Jimminy Christmas guys can we please have ONE topic that doesn't contain Ponder?

[mondry]

Depending on how the draft goes, I can even see them selecting a LB, CB and DT with the first 3 picks and then selecting a WR in the 3rd round. I think good receiving prospects like Aaron Dobson, Ryan Swope and Stedman Bailey could still be available there and if the Vikes want to roll the dice, Da'Rick Rogers will probably be available in the 3rd or 4th round too, although that gets back to character issues.

Jim

I wouldn't be opposed to that, as I've said before I think a better defense, particularly one that can get off the field quickly is nearly as useful to a power running offense as improved passing would be. The only downside is it'd be a really good idea to start developing that high draft pick WR to go in line with about when Jennings might be wearing out. Of course you could say that about K.will and the DT position as well so I'm back to BPA of those 6 positions hahaha.

[Demi]

Ok so why is Cole considered so slow? Too slow to play MIKE? Have you seen who we have had playing that posostion the past 6 years or so? Not really slow (but then not that much faster then Cole) but they just never knew HOW to play that postion. Its why i kinda wish we had gotten Urlacker.

Yeah they were more traditional middle linebackers. We need a cover 2 linebacker. Cole doesn't fit that role either. But from the small amount of snaps we saw him, he looked like he had more instincts and a better grasp then either Brinkley or EJ showed when it came to coverage skills. He might not be fast, or quick, but if he can be where he needs to be it won't matter. And EJ/Jasper might have had faster timed speed, but when it came to dropping into their zone they were a liability.

Whether it's Cole, or a draft pick, it'll be an instant upgrade in coverage over what we've had since Childress took over. And hopefully someone we can keep around for a decade.

[mansquatch]

I actually wouldn't be shocked if they move Henderson to MLB and then draft one of the OLB in this year's class. OLB has more potential in this year's class than MLB and Henderson, IMO, is better suited to play MLB anyways.

CB is a huge issue, the tender on AJ Jefferson scares me, he showed potential last year. I suspect we'll see at least 2 picks at that position if they do not add any FA. The paper thing comment is right on the money. Right now they are in dire straights and no one is really talking about it. If AJ gets picked up, who is next man up? That scenario scares the crap out of me. Hopefully it scares Spielman as well.

I think a trade in the 1st round is not out of the question, most likely down to get more picks. Beyond that, I think BPA will be a factor, but this draft is so deep they can go in a ton of different directions. That is why i wonder if they'll trade to get more day 1/day 2 picks.

[losperros]

I wouldn't be opposed to that, as I've said before I think a better defense, particularly one that can get off the field quickly is nearly as useful to a power running offense as improved passing would be. The only downside is it'd be a really good idea to start developing that high draft pick WR to go in line with about when Jennings might be wearing out. Of course you could say that about K.will and the DT position as well so I'm back to BPA of those 6 positions hahaha.

It depends on what the Vikings want for a WR. If they want a starter, especially one that stretches the field and can make catches anywhere on the field, the best guys will be gone by R3. I hope the Vikings pick a WR within the first two rounds. They need it. Of course, they need a LB, CB and DT too.

BTW, I like Da'Rick Rogers a lot as a player, but his character issues would make Alec Ogletree blush.

[The Breeze]

Is it generally accepted that Cole is not a good fit for Cover 2?

If so, the obvious question is: why was he drafted?

[TeamChaplain]

Being bright isnt always a sure thing for a NFL player....look at Ponder.

if anything Ponder might be too smart.. too analytical... look at his academic record before you bash his intelligence.

[Arma]

I'm an FSU fan as well but I could be objective. I seen no reason to pick him 12th. I thought he was 2nd round prospect who projected as a future Chad Pennington down the line. I think EJ Manuel is better and Manuel is probably a 2nd rounder. I agree with the Vikings giving Ponder another year (maybe not a full 16 games depending on his play) as not every QB is Matt Ryan or Andrew Luck, but he needs to drastically improve. We cannot have stretches like last year where he was arguably the worst QB in the NFL.

There are some people here though who seem to have not gotten over the fact that the Vikings reached for him and let that cloud their judgement.

I still don't see him ever being an elite QB, but those are so rare. At the absolute best maybe he's a Gannon or Romo. If Ponder starts #### the bed (again) I'll be the first on the #TankForTeddy (Bridgewater) campaign.

Last year our "absolute best" was to go 8-8. There's a reason I rarely make predictions for the NFL, especially regarding a player's ceiling, as everyone develops different. Sorry just a pet peeve of mine that people like to pigeon hole players into what they'll become instead of just watching them develop into their own QB. And if they don't keep improving go to the next players.

ANYWAY for those who think Cole could be something, that's about as far fetched as Childs coming back and contributing anything meaningful. Cole is way too slow to be a MLB in the Cover-2 scheme, I've had enough of watching us throw out slow MLB (as much as I loved EJ it was maddening watching him in coverage at times). Cole can have all the football smarts, but he still needs to be able to go from point a to point b.

Is it generally accepted that Cole is not a good fit for Cover 2?

If so, the obvious question is: why was he drafted?

That's a great question. But as with many 7th round picks there is little to no expectations they will even see the field in their career. Probably just a shot in the dark at a very minimal LB group hoping Cole might somehow strike gold.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Cole made a few good plays. Last year I wanted him in the much more then Jasper.

[Arma]

Cole made a few good plays. Last year I wanted him in the much more then Jasper.

Doesn't mean we should go into our season having a big ? in arguably the most important part of the Cover-2 Scheme.

[jackal]

I am rooting for Cole I love to see a late draft pick or undrafted guy make it big ..

not only is it a good story, its good for the Vikings as well..

[Mothman]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 91391.html

The Vikings are in need of a starting middle linebacker.

What’s the story? The Vikings opted to let last year’s starter Jasper Brinkley move on. That created a very important opening.

It’s unlikely the Vikings will make much if any push at 34-year-old free agent Brian Urlacher. So now it looks as if the draft will be the place to find a possible playmaker (LSU’s Kevin Minter? Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o?) to sandwich between Chad Greenway and Erin Henderson.

Wanted most: a guy who can play all three downs, show solid coverage skills in the nickel and be an instant communicator.

What Frazier said: “Without question, we need leadership. That guy has to be an extension of our defensive coordinator, Alan Williams. He’s got to be able to not only run our defense, but communicate, get guys lined up, earn the respect of his teammates. … It can be scary [to turn that over to a rookie]. But it depends on the rookie. You have to measure the maturity and how far along that guy is and make your call.”

[Eli]

Yeah, that's a lot to ask of any rookie MLB. I don't imagine there are more than two or three guys in this year's draft class that can reliably just step into that role in week 1. And I seriously doubt that anyone has identified those two or three guys with any degree of certainty yet.

[Mothman]

Yeah, that's a lot to ask of any rookie MLB. I don't imagine there are more than two or three guys in this year's draft class that can reliably just step into that role in week 1. And I seriously doubt that anyone has identified those two or three guys with any degree of certainty yet.

... if that degree of certainty is even possible with any of the MLB's in this (or any) draft class! Rookies are always a gamble.

I'm not sure if we can take Frazier's comment as an indication that the Vikings actually intend to turn the MLB duties over to a rookie but that certainly seems to be the direction the arrow is pointing at the moment.