Training Camp

[dead_poet]

@Andrew_Krammer: Undrafted #Vikings rookie RB Bradley Randle carries with him a 'Hulk' mentality and just happy to have the NFL chance http://t.co/K0jcCVomlC

[The Breeze]

I'm hoping Randle makes the team....he seems to have a shine. I'll be watching his stock during the preseason.

As for Wright vs Simpson, I think Wright is the real deal and having him with a healthy Childs would have been quite interesting given their history. Simpson is a bit of an enigma AFAIC. I think he can be special if he really wants it. Yeah, let's hope the competition creates the ideal environment.


CP84 will get plenty of shots IMO. As long as he can handle his deal at the LOS he'll get open on go routes and slants. I don't care if he starts or not as long as they don't rush him beyond his capacity. I think we have a solid group at WR now, and that includes the guys lower on the depth chart.....

[losperros]

For me, it's just too early to say. He certainly did more to earn it last year than Simpson but at this point in the summer, without a preseason game even under their belts, I don't think anybody competing for a position has earned one yet. I hope Wright is the mix though and if he is, I'd love to see Simpson raise his game and fight for the job and I'd love to see Patterson working hard to take it from both of them! That kind of competition can only be good for the team.

I couldn't agree more. The "either/or" stuff isn't really important now. What would be really cool is if Wright, Simpson, and Patterson all come through. That's the best case scenario and it would certainly benefit Ponder, AD, and even Jennings (who wouldn't have to make every catch).

One of the things I would absolutely love to see from the Vikings offense this upcoming season is a formidable passing game to go along with Peterson's unbelievable running.

[King James]

Me, personally I want to see Patterson on the outside rather than Jarius Wright and Simpson. Or let him rotate with CP. I like Jarius Wright and I think he is performing better than Simpson but Simpson has the better chance of succeeding outside than Jarius Wright. Not taking away anything from Jarius Wright because we know he can go deep and catch it, but I don't know how he would fare against bigger corners.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I would love to see this kid get a chance. And would take almost anything for Toby.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Simpson was a bad FA grab (lets hope Carlson doesn't turn out to be one of the worst of all time). The things I see from Patterson, I want him on the field as much as possible. No more of this keeping the best players on the sideline.

[Eli]

Simpson was a bad FA grab (lets hope Carlson doesn't turn out to be one of the worst of all time). The things I see from Patterson, I want him on the field as much as possible. No more of this keeping the best players on the sideline.

Patterson does nobody any good if he can't run routes. They'll throw him some bubble screens and slants and try a couple of home run bombs, maybe some reverses, but I don't expect him to be on the field for more than maybe 15-20% of the plays. If Jarius Wright comes on strong this season, it will likely be even less. Patterson will get his chance in due time.

[Arma]

Me, personally I want to see Patterson on the outside rather than Jarius Wright and Simpson. Or let him rotate with CP. I like Jarius Wright and I think he is performing better than Simpson but Simpson has the better chance of succeeding outside than Jarius Wright. Not taking away anything from Jarius Wright because we know he can go deep and catch it, but I don't know how he would fare against bigger corners.

Simpson was terrible last year, even without the back problems he's not a great 'X' receiver by any means. Jarius on the other hand just isn't a slot player, he featured every position at Arkanas and excelled in all areas in route running. Jarius was also our best deep threat last season, to me it's not question he should be our #2.

Hopefully him and Childs can get back together on the field again, that'd be a sight.

[Demi]

Patterson does nobody any good if he can't run routes. They'll throw him some bubble screens and slants and try a couple of home run bombs, maybe some reverses, but I don't expect him to be on the field for more than maybe 15-20% of the plays. If Jarius Wright comes on strong this season, it will likely be even less. Patterson will get his chance in due time.

Doesn't seem built to replace Harvin as a scat back either. Has there been any word of even considering him there, ever?

Definitely be happy if this new back works out. Seem enough of Toby, more than enough. You can find guys who can block, and still be an actual threat to make a play now and then. Need more than a plodding not much more than a power back there if AD isn't going to step up and improve in the third down role.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Patterson does nobody any good if he can't run routes. They'll throw him some bubble screens and slants and try a couple of home run bombs, maybe some reverses, but I don't expect him to be on the field for more than maybe 15-20% of the plays. If Jarius Wright comes on strong this season, it will likely be even less. Patterson will get his chance in due time.

Couple things. Last year they said Wright wasn't even close to being ready. Couldn't run routes, could do this, couldn't do that. Then, I think, PH got hurt, Wright came on, and made them all look stupid. He is twice the WR Simpson was. Unless Simpson really improved this offseason, even a green Patterson is going to give more then Simpson ever gave too it. You can only get so many PI calls.

[dead_poet]

I would love to see this kid get a chance. And would take almost anything for Toby.

If anything would happen to AD, Toby is solid insurance/backup/#2 that could likely start for other teams (Jets, for example). Randle is not a lead-back. Not sure anyone else on the roster could fill in adequately (Asiata may not even make the 53). It'd be a good story if Randle could carve out a Mewelde Moore role in a year or two, or carve out a niche as a gunner or other special teams role. At 5'7, he's pretty small (shortest guy on the team by three inches!).

[PacificNorseWest]

I don't see him as a legitimate starter anywhere. He's only an ok backup in my opinion, but that's probably because he's backing up perhaps the greatest of all-time.

[mansquatch]

IMO they need to develop a back up. Gerhart is most likely gone next year. They are not going to pay him a big contract and he wants/desreves to start somewhere else. In that respect Randle could be a boon.

[PurpleKoolaid]

IMO they need to develop a back up. Gerhart is most likely gone next year. They are not going to pay him a big contract and he wants/desreves to start somewhere else. In that respect Randle could be a boon.

That's why I hope they get rid of Toby while he might be worth something, and give this Randle kid a chance right away. They ALWAYS have these big FB/TE types on the roster anyways. If anything were to happen to AD, they could just rotate. Its not like putting Randle in will be putting them in a worse situation at blocking then AD is at that spot. He has a chance at being such a versatile RB and not just a big slow RB.

[Mothman]

Toby's not a bad pass protector but he does make you long for Taylor and Moore. Both were amazing blockers and pass catchers and did more than 3 yards and a cloud of dust when handed the ball.

For the most part, Toby has done more than that too. His average per carry was down last year but he also had fewer touches than ever before. The one season in which he saw extended action, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry, which is very good indeed.

He's no Chester Taylor but I think he's under-appreciated by many Vikings fans.