2015 Offseason - Free Agent/Draft Tracker

[Pseudo Everything]

Out of curiosity, why?

Watched a lot of Big Ten football over the past many years. I see Schreff strictly as an OG in the NFL. Made my mind up at the Gopher-Hawkeye game this year. So if you're drafting Schreff at #11 you're taking an OG. I would never take an OG at #11. There will be better players on the board at #11 and you're much more likely to get an OG of comparable value in the 2nd.

[dead_poet]

Watched a lot of Big Ten football over the past many years. I see Schreff strictly as an OG in the NFL. Made my mind up at the Gopher-Hawkeye game this year. So if you're drafting Schreff at #11 you're taking an OG. I would never take an OG at #11. There will be better players on the board at #11 and you're much more likely to get an OG of comparable value in the 2nd.

Interior protection shouldn't be devalued. I subscribe to the theory that interior pressure is slightly > edge pressure for QB disruption. Stud guards can make as much impact as stud tackles even though salaries haven't quite matched up.

[The Breeze]

Another point of emphasis, for me on the line, is the need for a legit center prospect. I think Sullivan is beat up and will be in decline soon. I would be happy if they found a guy in this draft, rather than put it off too long.

[dead_poet]

Another point of emphasis, for me on the line, is the need for a legit center prospect. I think Sullivan is beat up and will be in decline soon. I would be happy if they found a guy in this draft, rather than put it off too long.

Then Cameron Erving is your guy. Start him at LG for a few years then move him to center. But Sully was still solid last season. He just needs to avoid any more concussions. If he does, he probably has at least 4-5 more solid years in him. Birk played until he was 36 I believe. Sullivan will be 30 in August.

[Mothman]

We're a little over half an hour from the "kick off" of free agency. what's the over under on how many minutes/hours after that it takes before someone starts freaking out that the Vikes aren't active enough?

On a more serious note, if we're going to hear about a quick signing by the Vikes that doesn't involve re-signing one of their own players, it seems likely it will be Boling. It will be interesting to see if that happens.

[dead_poet]

We're a little over half an hour from the "kick off" of free agency. what's the over under on how many minutes/hours after that it takes before someone starts freaking out that the Vikes aren't active enough?

Minutes? You give us credit that we're that patient.

On a more serious note, if we're going to hear about a quick signing by the Vikes that doesn't involve re-signing one of their own players, it seems likely it will be Boling. It will be interesting to see if that happens.

Agreed. I don't expect much happening on the Vikings front today, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be hoping (for some reason). It's exciting because...FOOTBALL!

Boling and maybe Hill are the only two I can see outside of our own guys today. Second wave will probably be a bit more active.

[The Breeze]

Then Cameron Erving is your guy. Start him at LG for a few years then move him to center. But Sully was still solid last season. He just needs to avoid any more concussions. If he does, he probably has at least 4-5 more solid years in him. Birk played until he was 36 I believe. Sullivan will be 30 in August.

That's the kind of guy I like...a guy who can paly a couple of spots.
I think Sully's play is not an issue but the concussion thing is. I don't know how one goes about avoiding it for long at the center spot.
If Yankey can play guard/tackle and they get a young guy who can go guard/center.....I would really like this lines future.

[Mothman]

Minutes? You give us credit that we're that patient.

Agreed. I don't expect much happening on the Vikings front today, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be hoping (for some reason). It's exciting because...FOOTBALL!

I know... I can't believe how eager i am to find out if the Vikes are going to sign a guard! I keep watching the clock.

Boling and maybe Hill are the only two I can see outside of our own guys today. Second wave will probably be a bit more active.

I forgot about Hill. That deal could happen quickly too.

[Mothman]

That's the kind of guy I like...a guy who can paly a couple of spots.
I think Sully's play is not an issue but the concussion thing is. I don't know how one goes about avoiding it for long at the center spot.

Where 330+ lb. men are constantly bopping you around? That does seem difficult.

[mosscarter]

patient for what reason? there are hardly any big names out there and the vikes appear to be standing still.

[Pseudo Everything]

Interior protection shouldn't be devalued. I subscribe to the theory that interior pressure is slightly > edge pressure for QB disruption. Stud guards can make as much impact as stud tackles even though salaries haven't quite matched up.

Fair point. I think Miami breaking the bank for Suh has a lot to do with getting pressure on Brady up the middle rather than allowing him to step up in the pocket to avoid the edge rushers like he's usually been able to do.

Maybe in the future the trend will be for more value placed on interior OL versus the OTs. Trends do change over time and that has certainly be the case with RB position and also the S position. Historically safeties had not been taken very high in the draft but that changed over the past several years. Maybe the same will be true for the OG position.

As for the present term I don't think we are at the point were teams value OGs to the point they are willing take one in the top 15. It's still much easier to find an OG who can handle a bull rusher versus an OT who can handle a speed guy off the edge. The draft history backs that up. I went back 30 years and there are only 5 OGs taken in the top 15:
2013 John Cooper #7 - Cardinals (injured first year; not sure what he did last year)
2013 Chance Wormack #10 - Titans (a disappointment so far)
1997 Chris Naeole #10 - Saints
1995 Ruben Brown #14 - Bills
1986 John Rienstra #9 - Steelers

That's it.

Is Brandon Schreff really that good of a player to justify #11 overall?

[dead_poet]

Just so you guys know, the Saints just traded Jimmy Graham and a 4th to Seattle for Max Unger and a 1st.

[The Breeze]

Does anyone offer Ponder a contract? If so who?

I'm thinking Arizona or maybe Denver?

Or does he get left out til after the draft?

[The Breeze]

Just so you guys know, the Saints just traded Jimmy Graham and a 4th to Seattle for Max Unger and a 1st.

Wow. Max Unger is the starting center....and a 1st? That's a big weapon for Wilson now.

[CbusVikesFan]

patient for what reason? there are hardly any big names out there and the vikes appear to be standing still.

I think Rick does not like the cannonball approach. He would rather dangle his toe in the "pool" first.