Sharrif Floyd and Kevin Williams

[PacificNorseWest]

What Floyd did at Florida was only relevant to him getting drafted. At this point though, it doesn't matter his accolades with the Gators because he's in the NFL now and that other stuff means diddly.

It's easier to plug in veterans at a position because they already know schemes, tecniques, etc. There's little to no learning curve. You want your rookies to learn and develop and that starts in the playbook first. From there it needs to be carried to the field. Most of the time that doesn't happen in a week, but multiple. Floyd very well could be starting by mid-season, but I can totally see the rationale behind him not starting out of the gates.

[VikingLord]

It's the NFL. Remember even AD didn't start day 1 because of stubborn coaches who were taught how to coach by other stubborn coaches.

Maybe AD didn't start day 1 because being an effective, consistent player in the NFL takes more than just raw talent. The RB position requires skills that some would say AD still hasn't mastered, like blitz recognition and pickup and route running and receiving. Chester Taylor might not have been as purely talented as AD, but he did all of those things. I know we all want 1st rounders to step in and star from day 1, but maybe acknowledging that being a consistent performer as a pro is more complex, and difficult, than talent alone can provide, isn't such a bad thing. If Floyd really is a 3-technique tackle and his natural position is the same as Williams, maybe allowing him to sit and learn while Williams can show him the ropes isn't such a bad thing. Maybe, just maybe, doing it that way will allow Floyd to reach his potential as pro faster and give the Vikings more bang for their draft buck than simply throwing Floyd into the mix at a position he's not ideal to play just to get him on the field.

The draft always has been, and always will be, more about the future than the present. Teams that draft to plug immediate holes are usually the ones struggling year after year even though they get a shot at the most talented players. Being a solid pro is about more than talent. It takes time and experience and for most, less pressure while they learn the ropes.

[Purple bruise]

Maybe AD didn't start day 1 because being an effective, consistent player in the NFL takes more than just raw talent. The RB position requires skills that some would say AD still hasn't mastered, like blitz recognition and pickup and route running and receiving. Chester Taylor might not have been as purely talented as AD, but he did all of those things. I know we all want 1st rounders to step in and star from day 1, but maybe acknowledging that being a consistent performer as a pro is more complex, and difficult, than talent alone can provide, isn't such a bad thing. If Floyd really is a 3-technique tackle and his natural position is the same as Williams, maybe allowing him to sit and learn while Williams can show him the ropes isn't such a bad thing. Maybe, just maybe, doing it that way will allow Floyd to reach his potential as pro faster and give the Vikings more bang for their draft buck than simply throwing Floyd into the mix at a position he's not ideal to play just to get him on the field.

The draft always has been, and always will be, more about the future than the present. Teams that draft to plug immediate holes are usually the ones struggling year after year even though they get a shot at the most talented players. Being a solid pro is about more than talent. It takes time and experience and for most, less pressure while they learn the ropes.

Great points. And add to that AD was dinged up in college and coming to a team with an established, very gifted and effective back in Taylor.
Those stupid, stubborn, old coaches did manage to let him play in 14 of 16 games though.

[Mothman]

Maybe AD didn't start day 1 because being an effective, consistent player in the NFL takes more than just raw talent. The RB position requires skills that some would say AD still hasn't mastered, like blitz recognition and pickup and route running and receiving. Chester Taylor might not have been as purely talented as AD, but he did all of those things. I know we all want 1st rounders to step in and star from day 1, but maybe acknowledging that being a consistent performer as a pro is more complex, and difficult, than talent alone can provide, isn't such a bad thing. If Floyd really is a 3-technique tackle and his natural position is the same as Williams, maybe allowing him to sit and learn while Williams can show him the ropes isn't such a bad thing. Maybe, just maybe, doing it that way will allow Floyd to reach his potential as pro faster and give the Vikings more bang for their draft buck than simply throwing Floyd into the mix at a position he's not ideal to play just to get him on the field.

All excellent points, although it's worth mentioning that AD had 19 carries in his first game. A rookie can still make a significant contribution even if he doesn't start immediately. Does anybody doubt that Floyd will get to play in the Vikes first game or that he'll get a fair amount of time playing if he's doing a great job?

Great points. And add to that AD was dinged up in college and coming to a team with an established, very gifted and effective back in Taylor.
Those stupid, stubborn, old coaches did manage to let him play in 14 of 16 games though.

... and if I remember correctly, he missed the other 2 due to injury.

[Demi]

Oh yeah, *robot voice while slobbering purple kool aid* Coaches are always right. They are unquestionable geniuses, as are front office members. Why do we even discuss these things, we can simply rewrite history later that all decisions were correct, and those that weren't were made for the right reasons. The Vikings will win a super bowl with Ponder, because QBs don't matter as much as people think. Skol Vikings. Patterson and Floyd should ride the bench for 7-10 weeks because they need to learn the game regardless of whether they are superior players. Yay Vikings.

When are they doing the fitting for super bowl rings anyway?

[King James]

Since the Vikings have yet to win a super bowl I think it wouldn't hurt to take some risks. Because nothing our coaches have done in the past seasons got us a super bowl ring so???????????

[Mothman]

Since the Vikings have yet to win a super bowl I think it wouldn't hurt to take some risks. Because nothing our coaches have done in the past seasons got us a super bowl ring so???????????

Risks, eh? Maybe they should keep Williams and Floyd on the bench and just start Guion and Evans. That would be much riskier!

[dead_poet]

Risks. eh? Maybe they should keep Williams and Floyd on the bench and just start Guion and Evans. That would be much riskier!

They could always sign Randy Moss.

Clearly teams that do risky things are the ones that make it to the Super Bowl year after year. Truthiness.

[King James]

They could always sign Randy Moss.

Clearly teams that do risky things are the ones that make it to the Super Bowl year after year. Truthiness.

No no no, clearly the Vikings have an elite coaching staff so no changes need to for changes in their gameplan. Our coaches are so brilliant, they know exactly who to sign, who to start, and who to bench. Having Joe Webb as our back-up last year, I couldn't think of any better prominent back-up QB. Not to mention he as great speed, boy is Frazier smart or what by switching Webb to WR. Maybe we should sign Usain Bolt he has plenty of speed himself.

I knew Frazier was the one as soon as he chose to sign McNabb back in 2011. Ponder couldn't have backed up a better QB!! Somebody please give coach Frazier coach of the year. It's been long over due. Give all the past coaches coach of the year as well! All of them had the best gameplan in the NFL.

I was wrong to doubt Frazier because again, im just a fan. The Vikings are 0-4 in super bowls, but it doesn't matter because our coaches makes the best gameplans and personnel decisions in the NFL!!!!

[dead_poet]

No no no, clearly the Vikings have an elite coaching staff so no changes need to for changes in their gameplan. Our coaches are so brilliant, they know exactly who to sign, who to start, and who to bench. Having Joe Webb as our back-up last year, I couldn't think of any better prominent back-up QB. Not to mention he as great speed, boy is Frazier smart or what by switching Webb to WR. Maybe we should sign Usain Bolt he has plenty of speed himself.

I knew Frazier was the one as soon as he chose to sign McNabb back in 2011. Ponder couldn't have backed up a better QB!! Somebody please give coach Frazier coach of the year. It's been long over due. Give all the past coaches coach of the year as well! All of them had the best gameplan in the NFL.

I was wrong to doubt Frazier because again, im just a fan. The Vikings are 0-4 in super bowls, but it doesn't matter because our coaches makes the best gameplans and personnel decisions in the NFL!!!!

You silly biscuit. Cheer up. Here's a picture of some shaved llamas.

[Mothman]

Oh yeah, *robot voice while slobbering purple kool aid* Coaches are always right. They are unquestionable geniuses, as are front office members. Why do we even discuss these things, we can simply rewrite history later that all decisions were correct, and those that weren't were made for the right reasons. The Vikings will win a super bowl with Ponder, because QBs don't matter as much as people think. Skol Vikings. Patterson and Floyd should ride the bench for 7-10 weeks because they need to learn the game regardless of whether they are superior players. Yay Vikings.

When are they doing the fitting for super bowl rings anyway?

No no no, clearly the Vikings have an elite coaching staff so no changes need to for changes in their gameplan. Our coaches are so brilliant, they know exactly who to sign, who to start, and who to bench. Having Joe Webb as our back-up last year, I couldn't think of any better prominent back-up QB. Not to mention he as great speed, boy is Frazier smart or what by switching Webb to WR. Maybe we should sign Usain Bolt he has plenty of speed himself.

I knew Frazier was the one as soon as he chose to sign McNabb back in 2011. Ponder couldn't have backed up a better QB!! Somebody please give coach Frazier coach of the year. It's been long over due. Give all the past coaches coach of the year as well! All of them had the best gameplan in the NFL.

I was wrong to doubt Frazier because again, im just a fan. The Vikings are 0-4 in super bowls, but it doesn't matter because our coaches makes the best gameplans and personnel decisions in the NFL!!!!

There's certainly no shortage of over-the-top histrionics around here lately.

[Mothman]

You silly biscuit. Cheer up. Here's a picture of some shaved llamas.

That cheered me up!

[The Breeze]

I see your lamas and raise you one sure tackling alpaca:

[dead_poet]

I see your lamas and raise you one sure tackling alpaca:

Get that guy(?) a jersey.

[Texas Vike]

Get that guy(?) a jersey.

This thread FINALLY found its reason for being.