PHP's "Way Too Early But I Love It" 2016 Mock Offseason

[The Breeze]

Maybe the issue is that it's more appropriate to have this info in the draft forum along with all the scouting reports that DP has been compiling.
I enjoy looking ahead at how this team can continue to improve all season long...it makes watching college ball more interesting.
But it really is more of a specialized topic at the moment....at least until the season is over.
I know no one is ready for the season to be over yet.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Maybe the issue is that it's more appropriate to have this info in the draft forum along with all the scouting reports that DP has been compiling.
I enjoy looking ahead at how this team can continue to improve all season long...it makes watching college ball more interesting.
But it really is more of a specialized topic at the moment....at least until the season is over.
I know no one is ready for the season to be over yet.

Right but it's an entire mock offseason so what we do in house and in free agency doesnt entirely pertain to a draft thread either. I've been putting these on here for years now and just because I posted it a few weeks "early" guys are getting bent out of shape like I'm overlooking our current season. Man I didnt think people would be getting so sensitive over something so simple

[PurpleMustReign]

Guys I simply did this for fun and to enlighten the board of what lies ahead. I feel like some are acting like I stole their best friend.

I will sacrifice my best friend if you can promise the Vikings will win the Super Bowl.

Don't let it bother you man... I love your posts. Idk why some are so snooty about it.

[The Breeze]

Right but it's an entire mock offseason so what we do in house and in free agency doesnt entirely pertain to a draft thread either. I've been putting these on here for years now and just because I posted it a few weeks "early" guys are getting bent out of shape like I'm overlooking our current season. Man I didnt think people would be getting so sensitive over something so simple

I wouldn't have thought so either....but I think I understand that there is some emotional hyper focus on curb stomping the Pack on Sunday, justifiably so.
It makes most everything else a side topic by default.
Doesn't matter to me though.....just suggesting a way that might resolve it quickly.
I'm sure this is all Jordy's doing...he just wants a schism on the board so the Packers have xtra ju-ju sunday night.
I haven't got to use the word schism since Childress was here.

[808vikingsfan]

Calling yourself out doesn't make it right.

The Vikings are contenders!..Makes no damn sense to me. Nothing but respect for PHP, but that doesn't change my opinion. It ain't that serious, but c'mon...Just seeing "2016...offseason" depresses me. Mindset.

I never once thought of this thread or the subject as disrespectful toward the current season. In fact, with all the upcoming college bowl games, this actually may be an appropriate time to start one of these. I don't follow college football much but I do watch a few bowl games. I now have players to key on with the names that are being mentioned in this thread.

[slapnut19]

I completely disagree. First of all, getting BOTH Andre Smith and Alex Boone are as unrealistic as it gets. One is 29 and one is 28. Phil is 29 and Sully is 30. So we aren't really getting any younger. They will both probably want more money than Phil and Sully both so basically we're getting one year younger, paying these guys a boat load of money and HOPING they will succeed in Norvs blocking scheme.

Also, Iupati has struggled this year vs the pass. Not as much vs the run but big money guys in FA just aren't ever worth it IMO. They haven't paid off as of late. Everyone is just hoping we land another Steve Hutchinson again but there aren't a whole lot of them out there. Especially in free agency.

Sorry but your scenario is a pipe dream pal.

pipe dream? sorry don't want to offend, you do realize you just laid out an entire offseason and it's still dec 2015? as for boone and smith, yes they will cost money, but how much are we spending on sullivan and loadholt to not play this year? and next year they are due to make around 15 mil combined, but can be cut to give us 13 mil in cap space. imo the biggest issue with this team is o line and some major changes need to happen asap. this team needs to invest heavily in a oline that #1 can stay on the field, and #2 protect our duo of teddy and peterson.

[Texas Vike]

PHP

I enjoy these offseason mocks, but I agree that the timing of this one is bad. Not a big deal, but it does explain some of the sentiments expressed in this thread. We are focused on and interested in finishing this season strong. Looking beyond it may seem dismissive of this season's team and our chances to do something significant.

I had decided to not post in the thread until February, but the dialogue regarding the timing of a thread focused on next season spurred me to comment. I'll withhold my observations on the content until after this season is over for the Vikings.

[Perhaps a better approach would be to make a thread in the Draft/ College board regarding players to watch in upcoming bowl games. It seems like you know enough about CFB to compile a very interesting list of players to watch for (including when they play) with the photos and all the bells and whistles your mock threads are known for (which I enjoy, BTW). You could even inject thoughts on potential places in the draft you think the Vikings might want to select them? Just a thought.]

[IIsweet]

PHP, this is AWESOME !
I have also been looking at mock drafts and free agency lists for weeks now. Was really looking forward to your list.
It's something that we're intrigued by and enjoy doing. I really like your lists.
If people complain, don't open it. Seems simple to me.
This is a great topic for fans that enjoy doing this.
I think that the OL though is the topic of the offseason. I really like your FA and first go at draft picks.
I will have to throw some others out there soon. But very well done and thought out.
I can appreciate the time that you spent on this.

[IrishViking]

Good looking post. I don't see why everyone is getting all bent out of shape about the timing. I really appreciate the work you put into this.


As for the Oline. I am torn, On the one hand I want to go for broke and invest like crazy in it.

On the other hand I know that Sullivan and Load will be back and while not future HoF the play will improve with them back so then I think maybe we pick up one solid FA or invest in a blue chipper and call it good. But then again, we do that and the injury bug hits us again and people will be livid over us not investing enough.

I also agree on Harris. He has been a bright spot this year and I think that a OL group of Kalil, Fusco, Sullivan, Loadholt, Harris, and yet to be named FA or talent draft pick would be a solid group to work with.

[Pondering Her Percy]

PHP, this is AWESOME !
I have also been looking at mock drafts and free agency lists for weeks now. Was really looking forward to your list.
It's something that we're intrigued by and enjoy doing. I really like your lists.
If people complain, don't open it. Seems simple to me.
This is a great topic for fans that enjoy doing this.
I think that the OL though is the topic of the offseason. I really like your FA and first go at draft picks.
I will have to throw some others out there soon. But very well done and thought out.
I can appreciate the time that you spent on this.

Thanks man I appreciate it. Looking forward to your insight on some FAs and draft picks!!!

[Pondering Her Percy]

Good looking post. I don't see why everyone is getting all bent out of shape about the timing. I really appreciate the work you put into this.


As for the Oline. I am torn, On the one hand I want to go for broke and invest like crazy in it.

On the other hand I know that Sullivan and Load will be back and while not future HoF the play will improve with them back so then I think maybe we pick up one solid FA or invest in a blue chipper and call it good. But then again, we do that and the injury bug hits us again and people will be livid over us not investing enough.

I also agree on Harris. He has been a bright spot this year and I think that a OL group of Kalil, Fusco, Sullivan, Loadholt, Harris, and yet to be named FA or talent draft pick would be a solid group to work with.

Thanks man I appreciate the feedback. This is my biggest thing with the OL too. I'm so torn on what to do. Sully and Loadholt are both very good lineman when healthy. But at the same time, its tough to rely on them due to their injuries.

I think Harris is a must keep and he's the only one of the 5 set to hit FA. When you add in a FA and a draft pick or two, it gives us pretty solid depth. Plus add in Berger, Clemmings and even Shepard who gets some time here and there.

I don't think it is necessary to invest a high pick in them. You can definitely draft good OL out of rounds 2-5

[Pondering Her Percy]

pipe dream? sorry don't want to offend, you do realize you just laid out an entire offseason and it's still dec 2015? as for boone and smith, yes they will cost money, but how much are we spending on sullivan and loadholt to not play this year? and next year they are due to make around 15 mil combined, but can be cut to give us 13 mil in cap space. imo the biggest issue with this team is o line and some major changes need to happen asap. this team needs to invest heavily in a oline that #1 can stay on the field, and #2 protect our duo of teddy and peterson.

I understand where you're coming from and I want to improve the offensive line just as much as anybody but when was the last time a team paid $6-8 each or more for TWO big time FA's in the same offseason. I think it's definitely possible that we could sign one of them but there is no way we are signing both. Its just not realistic.

[mansquatch]

Guys I simply did this for fun and to enlighten the board of what lies ahead. I feel like some are acting like I stole their best friend. It has nothing to do with over-looking the current season. It's just that I'm always looking ahead to see who can make this team better. I view other boards and there are mock offseasons that were put up 6 weeks ago. Some are getting a little too bent out of shape about it. If it bothers you that much, I'll take it down for goodness sake.

I am very dissapointed that you neglected to add pro-Favre comments sprinkled amidst your post such that Jim would have a meltdown and completely derail the thread. Other than that, I stick to my previous assessment and salute your work. I do still disagree on your proposed handling of the OL, but that is hardly something to piss in your holy water about. (Now Jim's holy water is a different story!)

Troll on my friends, troll on!

[The Breeze]

I think what Jerry Jones did a coupla seasons ago (o-line) was pretty ballsy and it has payed big dividends.....
I don't necessarily fully trust Spielman when it comes to this task.
He's drafted some good guys obviously, but what the whole unit really appears to lack is any real 'nastiness'. Even the guys with above average talent, including Phil and Sully, strike me as a bit soft in the way they play.
There definitely needs to be an increase in talent, as mentioned up thread
I don't know how you go about measuring or cultivating that nasty streak. I do believe there is a definite tone that can be set by a coach.
Like the way a Mike Tice seems to get the most out of guys wherever he goes.
-
Just throwing stuff out there...but I think the line troubles are kinda multifaceted and I'd really like to see a coaching change there. A coach with a better eye/grasp for talent who could be valuable in the draft process. I don't know what influence Davidson has in that area...but I'm completely unimpressed with the result, and injuries are not the real issue IMO.
I'm trying to think of how many O-lineman the Vikes have drafted and developed who have been to a pro-bowl since the great line of the Green era and can only think of McKinnie.
I'm probably wrong about that....but the reality is that they have been as bad/unlucky, or whatever, with handling this group as they have the QB position.
I shudder to think of what kind of offenses would have been fielded in the last 8 years if AD wasn't on this team.
It's THE #1 priority this off season IMO.

[IIsweet]

Gotta add, what's the crush on Pitt and Stanford players?
As much as I like the Garnett pick, Stanford OL have been busts lately, other than DeCastro.
Quite a few very good interior OL in the draft this year.