dead_poet wrote:Hasan's offseason take. Worth the read. He suggests a lot of what I do (a lot of the re-signs, going after Iloka), but varies in some areas (trading AD, keeping Josh Robinson, signing Jeffery etc.). I also question his plan for addressing the offensive line. He seems to favor making a splash in free agency at WR vs. the OL.
An Adrian-less Offseason Plan for the Minnesota Vikings, with Vikings Mock Draft
Why no mention of Audie Cole? Although he only mentions it in passing, I think going after Eric Berry would be pretty intriguing. I'm still sticking to my guns and saying taking Will Fuller in the 2nd is better than anyone we'll get in the 1st.
The SB Nation post is seriously funny. No changes to OL? Really? They think they are going to get Alshon Jeffrey?
I guess stranger things have happened, but those prediction are really awful.
My guess is there is almost no way they trade Adrian Petersen. As much as everyone is barking about his cap hit, he WAS the offense for most of the season last year. If he is gone, does anyone thing Jerrick Mckinnon/Asiata are going to match his production? Seems silly to let that go, especially when by most estimates, this team is on the verge of a SB window.
I doubt the Bears let Jeffrey hit the open market. I could be wrong there, but he is their best offensive weapon right now. His being on the market would be a major surprise IMO.
My prediction is they keep Wallace, possibly asking him to restructure. They will likely address the interior OL this offseason.
Safety beside Smith is another question and not one that is easily answered. Outside of QB, that is probably the hardest position to draft.
Winning is not a sometime thing it is an all of the time thing - Vince Lombardi
mansquatch wrote:The SB Nation post is seriously funny. No changes to OL? Really? They think they are going to get Alshon Jeffrey?
I guess stranger things have happened, but those prediction are really awful.
My guess is there is almost no way they trade Adrian Petersen. As much as everyone is barking about his cap hit, he WAS the offense for most of the season last year. If he is gone, does anyone thing Jerrick Mckinnon/Asiata are going to match his production?
I don't but I get the impression quite a few people may actually think otherwise. I doubt trading or cutting Peterson is even getting serious consideration from the Vikings this offseason. The only way I think that would happen is if someone came to them with an offer they felt they couldn't refuse.
Seems silly to let that go, especially when by most estimates, this team is on the verge of a SB window.
I doubt the Bears let Jeffrey hit the open market. I could be wrong there, but he is their best offensive weapon right now. His being on the market would be a major surprise IMO.
I agree. The only reason it even strikes me as a possibility is because he's missed a lot of time with injuries. However, I think they'll likely tag him or extend his contract. If he does hit the market, I think he'll end up being a more expensive investment than the Vikes will be willing to make.
What are your thoughts on who is going to be our backup QB this upcoming season.
Will they stick with Shaun Hill or will Taylor Heinicke take the next step this season.
If we go with Taylor Heinicke do we draft another QB in the late rounds?
halfgiz wrote:What are your thoughts on who is going to be our backup QB this upcoming season.
Will they stick with Shaun Hill or will Taylor Heinicke take the next step this season.
If we go with Taylor Heinicke do we draft another QB in the late rounds?
I'm guessing they'll stick with Hill this season but I'd prefer to see them go with Heinicke and add another young QB (if there's one available with sufficient upside).
Mothman wrote:
I'm guessing they'll stick with Hill this season but I'd prefer to see them go with Heinicke and add another young QB (if there's one available with sufficient upside).
I tend to agree. It would be a pretty big leap of faith for an organization to go with a second-year UDFA with zero NFL game experience as its primary backup. Especially when you have an experienced veteran on the roster. Who knows how many reps Heinicke even got throughout the season. If Heinicke is going to challenge anyone it'll probably be a late-round draft pick for the third spot. Given how well Heinicke performed last preseason it'd be pretty surprising to me if they drafted a quarterback before the sixth round.
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly
Hill has value. I suppose they could just make him a coach if he's interested, and add another QB to the roster, but I think it makes sense to keep him in the building.
Also the backup QB position has a different flavor when you view yourself as a contender. You want a guy who won't cost you games against average competition in case your QB goes down for 4 weeks. If we were an 8-8 team Hill would probably be gone.
My view of the offseason is this:
Restructure Wallace
Let AP Play out his contract
Extend Smith and Kalil
Acquire FA help on OL
If S available, pursue in FA
Draft Priorities:
OL talent (high and low, need starter and depth)
S (high to medium) hard to find good player at position
LB (medium to low) need 3rd LB
QB (medium to low) need project
DL (medium to low) more depth always good
Winning is not a sometime thing it is an all of the time thing - Vince Lombardi
That was interesting. I think I'd rather see Trattou over Crichton although both bodies of work is so small it's hard to tell. Trattou has at least made some plays, Crichton looks like a poor pick to date.
Also, I don't know that they get rid of Greenway. I think Zimmer likes him a lot and he does okay when he isn't asked to play every down.
I don't know that I want Zach Line back either. I like his versatility with being able to catch out of the backfield but his run blocking is rather inconsistent.
S197 wrote:
That was interesting. I think I'd rather see Trattou over Crichton although both bodies of work is so small it's hard to tell. Trattou has at least made some plays, Crichton looks like a poor pick to date.
Also, I don't know that they get rid of Greenway. I think Zimmer likes him a lot and he does okay when he isn't asked to play every down.
I don't know that I want Zach Line back either. I like his versatility with being able to catch out of the backfield but his run blocking is rather inconsistent.
Greenway is the leader of a young and probably the most important group on Zimmer's defense as well as a leader for the team in general as he's a team captain. He works the right way, he listens, he has good technique, and seems to have intelligence. Even if he can't get it done like he used to on the field in a starting role he can be an effective backup and I think there's significant value to him practicing with the younger guys.
Cliff wrote:
Greenway is the leader of a young and probably the most important group on Zimmer's defense as well as a leader for the team in general as he's a team captain. He works the right way, he listens, he has good technique, and seems to have intelligence. Even if he can't get it done like he used to on the field in a starting role he can be an effective backup and I think there's significant value to him practicing with the younger guys.
I couldn't agree more. As long is he isn't adamant about starting and getting a ton of snaps, which I don't think he is, he's a valuable member to this team.
