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I don't know if anyone else has caught wind of the most recent Pro Football Talk mock draft but I had to share what is an intriguing read:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... draft-1-0/

Mike Florio has us selecting the following players during the first round:

23. Vikings: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia.
25. Vikings (from Seahawks): LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame.

As an avid follower of mock drafts, I haven't come across such an audacious assumtpton as of yet.

Selecting Geno Smith, a dual threat QB is in line with a point I recently made, with the league following the athletic modernisation at the position. The former West Virginia product would certainly be capable of running the read option to a certain degree of success. However, having already acquired Cassell as a back up, will too much pressure cause for a Ponder crumble? I'm not sold on the idea, though he does appear to be a phenomenal prospect and as the old saying goes.. "pick the best player available, regardless of position".

Loving the Te'o pick though. I've previously mentioned that paired with a respectable citizen in Chad Greenway, all discrepancies will be ironed out and will shore up the position for years to come. I believe people place too much emphasis on recorded drill times, the guy will be better on Sunday than in a pair of gym shorts. His recent private work out, showcased on NFL Network in whic he partook in purely football related drills looked fantastic. Could do much worse, he shows a lot of promise.

While it is amusing, PFT's mock draft is nothing more than an exercise in generating site traffic. The reason it looks so audacious is simply because it is. Mike Florio is not only a Viking fan, but a huge WVU fan, consistently dedicating whole articles to their players.

Because I follow the site pretty closely for no other reason than they get information quicker than ESPN and NFL.com is hardly even an excuse for a news source, I know more about Pat White than I would ever care to. Florio consistently writes about White, detailing every step of his non-career. The same with Smith, it started when WVU and Baylor had that shoot-out last season and Smith had like 6 TDs. Florio wrote a huge long article how he and his son "stood on the sideline, soaking up the nuances of the game" or some garbage like that.

I love that site, but I take anything that guy writes with a huge grain of salt. He thinks he's a little more in tune with the NFL than he really is.

ViciousBritishVike wrote:
23. Vikings: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia.
25. Vikings (from Seahawks): LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame.

As an avid follower of mock drafts, I haven't come across such an audacious assumtpton as of yet.

Selecting Geno Smith, a dual threat QB is in line with a point I recently made, with the league following the athletic modernisation at the position. The former West Virginia product would certainly be capable of running the read option to a certain degree of success. However, having already acquired Cassell as a back up, will too much pressure cause for a Ponder crumble? I'm not sold on the idea, though he does appear to be a phenomenal prospect and as the old saying goes.. "pick the best player available, regardless of position".

I have a hard time believing Geno will fall that far. There are too many QB-needy teams ahead of the Vikings and QBs always seem to go "higher" than they're expected. If he does fall that far, I have an even harder time thinking the Vikings select him. After all the offseason chatter from execs and coaches about how Ponder is "the guy" they turn around and draft a quarterback with their first pick? Sorry, I don't see it. It would be a pretty big surprise, to say the least.

Loving the Te'o pick though. I've previously mentioned that paired with a respectable citizen in Chad Greenway, all discrepancies will be ironed out and will shore up the position for years to come. I believe people place too much emphasis on recorded drill times, the guy will be better on Sunday than in a pair of gym shorts. His recent private work out, showcased on NFL Network in whic he partook in purely football related drills looked fantastic. Could do much worse, he shows a lot of promise.

What private workout? Do you have a link?

I am curious to see how he performs at his pro day (tomorrow). A 40 in the 4.58-4.75 range will be very helpful to prove he's a three-down player. I did a quick search of the top MLBs in recent history and few ran a slower 40 than T'eo (most were in the 4.5-4.65 range, actually), though I did not factor in height/weight. However James Laurinaitis ran a 4.82 and he was selected 35th overall. He's an every-down MLB and a top 'backer in the league.

23. Vikings: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia.
25. Vikings (from Seahawks): LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame.

This first one here is almost laughable.

The second one, it's a real possibility--and that's not funny at all.

ViciousBritishVike wrote:I don't know if anyone else has caught wind of the most recent Pro Football Talk mock draft but I had to share what is an intriguing read:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... draft-1-0/

Mike Florio has us selecting the following players during the first round:

23. Vikings: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia.
25. Vikings (from Seahawks): LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame.

As an avid follower of mock drafts, I haven't come across such an audacious assumtpton as of yet.

Selecting Geno Smith, a dual threat QB is in line with a point I recently made, with the league following the athletic modernisation at the position. The former West Virginia product would certainly be capable of running the read option to a certain degree of success. However, having already acquired Cassell as a back up, will too much pressure cause for a Ponder crumble? I'm not sold on the idea, though he does appear to be a phenomenal prospect and as the old saying goes.. "pick the best player available, regardless of position".

Loving the Te'o pick though. I've previously mentioned that paired with a respectable citizen in Chad Greenway, all discrepancies will be ironed out and will shore up the position for years to come. I believe people place too much emphasis on recorded drill times, the guy will be better on Sunday than in a pair of gym shorts. His recent private work out, showcased on NFL Network in whic he partook in purely football related drills looked fantastic. Could do much worse, he shows a lot of promise.

Mike Florio could not possibly be any less intelligent, or any worse at his job. I wouldn't read to much into what he said.

With that said, I would HATE to see Geno Smith go to the Vikings, dude is exactly what I want the Vikings to NEVER have, an Athletic pocket passer with an accurate arm.

Hahaha. I love to read Florio on PFT, but his mock drafts are always terrible.

I would love to get Geno Smith and would take him in a second. But, like others have stated, no way he lasts. If he's not gone in the top ten he'll be gone by 15.

TheCoolerOne wrote:While it is amusing, PFT's mock draft is nothing more than an exercise in generating site traffic. The reason it looks so audacious is simply because it is. Mike Florio is not only a Viking fan, but a huge WVU fan, consistently dedicating whole articles to their players.

Because I follow the site pretty closely for no other reason than they get information quicker than ESPN and NFL.com is hardly even an excuse for a news source, I know more about Pat White than I would ever care to. Florio consistently writes about White, detailing every step of his non-career. The same with Smith, it started when WVU and Baylor had that shoot-out last season and Smith had like 6 TDs. Florio wrote a huge long article how he and his son "stood on the sideline, soaking up the nuances of the game" or some garbage like that.

I love that site, but I take anything that guy writes with a huge grain of salt. He thinks he's a little more in tune with the NFL than he really is.

Ah, now that explains it, thanks for clarifying. I'm relatively new to the site and practically spend all of my time on the Rumor Mill, though NFL.com/ESPN are usually my first choice sources for information. Admittedly, PFT is fastest but I find the official sites usually provide the more interesting/informative articles.

.. Even I myself thought the pick forecast was slightly out of the blue.

As for Geno himself, with a mass overhaul up in Western New York and a genuine exodus at the QB position (coaches have even struggled to name players behind Jackson on the presumed depth chart), I can't see him falling past Buffalo.

dead_poet wrote: I have a hard time believing Geno will fall that far. There are too many QB-needy teams ahead of the Vikings and QBs always seem to go "higher" than they're expected. If he does fall that far, I have an even harder time thinking the Vikings select him. After all the offseason chatter from execs and coaches about how Ponder is "the guy" they turn around and draft a quarterback with their first pick? Sorry, I don't see it. It would be a pretty big surprise, to say the least.
What private workout? Do you have a link?

I am curious to see how he performs at his pro day (tomorrow). A 40 in the 4.58-4.75 range will be very helpful to prove he's a three-down player. I did a quick search of the top MLBs in recent history and few ran a slower 40 than T'eo (most were in the 4.5-4.65 range, actually), though I did not factor in height/weight. However James Laurinaitis ran a 4.82 and he was selected 35th overall. He's an every-down MLB and a top 'backer in the league.

Unfortunately not, it was carried out under the guidance of NFL.com's Mike Mayock, I believe in Cal last week. I managed to catch a snippet whilst streaming Total Access the other day. I do thoroughly value his opinion though, vast knowledge and hands on experience with the game and the evidence was on display for all to see.

Having checked NFL.com earlier, I see that another analyst has us picking Te'o with the second first round pick, Charley Casserley. I'd be thrilled if these assumptions are proven to be correct.

RandallioCobb18 wrote:Mike Florio could not possibly be any less intelligent, or any worse at his job.

Sure he could. You want to see how? Head on down that top menu bar at PFT and take a stroll to ProBasketballTalk. Some of the "writing" on there is so atrocious and unpolished that it's shocking and borderline offensive that someone is actually getting paid for it. ProBaseballTalk is pretty good, though.

TheCoolerOne is right, Florio is a WVU and Vikings fan. WVU is obvious but his Viking fandom comes through from time to time (talking about his articles, nevermind the weekly KFAN appearances on PA's morning show ). So ya, that article is like a perfect storm of fandom/wishful thinking/bias/whatever. He probably couldn't help himself.

I'm also not really psyched on the idea of drafting Te'o, but it does seem kind of inevitable doesn't it?

HornedMessiah wrote: Sure he could. You want to see how? Head on down that top menu bar at PFT and take a stroll to ProBasketballTalk. Some of the "writing" on there is so atrocious and unpolished that it's shocking and borderline offensive that someone is actually getting paid for it. ProBaseballTalk is pretty good, though.

TheCoolerOne is right, Florio is a WVU and Vikings fan. WVU is obvious but his Viking fandom comes through from time to time (talking about his articles, nevermind the weekly KFAN appearances on PA's morning show ). So ya, that article is like a perfect storm of fandom/wishful thinking/bias/whatever. He probably couldn't help himself.

I'm also not really psyched on the idea of drafting Te'o, but it does seem kind of inevitable doesn't it?

Vikings need at MLB + Acclaimed Notre Dame MLB who could easily be available when they pick?

Yes, there is a certain inevitability about it.

Mothman wrote: Vikings need at MLB + Acclaimed Notre Dame MLB who could easily be available when they pick?

Yes, there is a certain inevitability about it.

Except for the fact that the Bears have the same need and they pick before us.

What we do at LB is an intriguing issue...but I'm not certain they have to get the MLB this season. If there is not what they consider a franchise guy when they pick I'd think it would be just as valuable in the long run to get a stud OLB and have Erin play MLB this season.
As long as they upgrade that unit it's a step in the right direction IMO.

The Breeze wrote:Except for the fact that the Bears have the same need and they pick before us.

They could definitely end up taking Te'o or another MLB, although like the Vikings, there are several other positions they could choose to address in R1. It will be interesting. If one of the top two guards fell to them, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go that route. I don't think they're done addressing their o-line this offseason.

What we do at LB is an intriguing issue...but I'm not certain they have to get the MLB this season. If there is not what they consider a franchise guy when they pick I'd think it would be just as valuable in the long run to get a stud OLB and have Erin play MLB this season.

As long as they upgrade that unit it's a step in the right direction IMO.

I agree but I don't think they're too keen on making Henderson their every down MLB so with several good prospects at that position available in this draft, I'm guessing they will take a shot at finding the MLB this year.

Taking Geno Smith wouldnt be a mistake. BPA. And no matter what Fraizer or Spielman say, if Ponder does bad this year, he is gone.

We need a good LB. Teo is a good LB. Pretty much a no brainer.

The one thing I have faith in with the Vikes is the draft this year. I expect our picks wont at the same place as they are now.

Oh god.