5 Vikings Players Facing Pivotal Seasons

[Mothman]

Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press writes about 5 players with much to prove this fall:

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_236 ... source=rss

The players; John Carlson, Chris Cook, Letroy Guion, Jerome Simpson and Erin Henderson.

It's interesting... not only is this a pivotal year for players like the 5 listed above (some of whom are on one year contracts), this season could have a huge impact on the roster for next season. Depending on how this season goes, who the Vikes choose to re-sign, who chooses to re-sign with the Vikes, etc. the 2014 Vikings might look very, very different from the 2013 version. Between 2013 and 2014 we could see significant changes all over the team, especially on defense.

[Purple bruise]

Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press writes about 5 players with much to prove this fall:

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_236 ... source=rss

The players; John Carlson, Chris Cook, Letroy Guion, Jerome Simpson and Erin Henderson.

It's interesting... not only is this a pivotal year for players like the 5 listed above (some of whom are on one year contracts), this season could have a huge impact on the roster for next season. Depending on how this season goes, who the Vikes choose to re-sign, who chooses to re-sign with the Vikes, etc. the 2014 Vikings might look very, very different from the 2013 version. Between 2013 and 2014 we could see significant changes all over the team, especially on defense.

I have a hunch that in this, his final contract year, will be a "pivotal" one for J. Allen. Unless he just kicks butt I suspect that the Vikes will not have the cap space or the willingness to resign him. If he leaves I think that he might end back up in KC who I also believe will have a very good year.
I would hope that he has a good year and some how would take a diminished amount to resign with the Vikes but if he leaves I could see them resigning Robison and moving Griffin or even Floyd to fill the void.
Sorry if I sort of "hijacked" this topic

[dead_poet]

If he leaves I think that he might end back up in KC who I also believe will have a very good year.

I'm not so sure. Allen has no love for ownership over there. But, as the case these days, it'll all come down to $$. But I'd be really shocked if he ended up back in KC.

"His name was Carl Peterson," Allen said on Wednesday when he was asked why he wanted out of town. "You can write that in caps. Obviously I guess I had a problem with Clark (Hunt), too, because he chose Carl over me."

He added: "My biggest thing was, 'Listen, I never lied to you guys. I show up and I bust my tail for you. Please don’t lie to me.' After so many times of hearing they’re going to take care of you and they don’t and hearing the words Carl had to say about me, it’s tough to give it your all for somebody like that."

But he didn't stop there. After ripping the Chiefs' front office, Allen went on to praise Minnesota, where he has 44 1/2 sacks in in three seasons and three games this year. He told the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

"I should probably thank (Peterson)," Allen said. "He did me something awesome by not signing me back when we tried to do an extension. I'm at a great organization now. The [Vikings owners] Wilfs are phenomenal. The contract I was going to sign, this one is 10 times more than that one. I'm just truly blessed to be in Minnesota."

That's a strong statement. Allen is saying he is "blessed" to play for a team that missed home games last year because the roof of the Metrodome, the Vikings' old dumpy stadium, collapsed under snow, and has spent years trying to convince taxpayers to contribute to the cost of a new stadium. If he'd rather play there than Arrowhead, his distaste for the Chiefs must run deep.

http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives ... fs-anymore

[Mothman]

I have a hunch that in this, his final contract year, will be a "pivotal" one for J. Allen. Unless he just kicks butt I suspect that the Vikes will not have the cap space or the willingness to resign him. If he leaves I think that he might end back up in KC who I also believe will have a very good year.
I would hope that he has a good year and some how would take a diminished amount to resign with the Vikes but if he leaves I could see them resigning Robison and moving Griffin or even Floyd to fill the void.
Sorry if I sort of "hijacked" this topic

LOL! No worries. You touched on one of the things I referred to in my original post anyway. The Vikes have a lot of players coming up on the end of their contracts or with one year contracts and Allen is one of them.

[Funkytown]

No mention of Ponder and his pivotal season? Sorry, I had to throw that in there because everyone is crying about it.

For real though, I have high hopes for Cook. I really, REALLY hope he can step it up and stay healthy. I really, really hope so.

[Mothman]

No mention of Ponder and his pivotal season? Sorry, I had to throw that in there because everyone is crying about it.

The article mentions him but focuses on others. As for this thread... while the article focuses on just 5 Vikings, it's theme reminded me just how dramatically the team could change in the next year depending on what happens in the next 6 or 7 months.

2014 coud bring a new coaching staff and a new QB although I hope it doesn't come to that because it would indicate a disappointing 2013 season. We could see a new guard or two on offense, a new primary backup to Peterson, Simpson and Carlson may be gone...

On defense, in 2014 we could conceivably see as many as 6 new players starting in the front 7 with the possibility of change in the secondary as well. I doubt it will work out that way but Spielman's going to be facing a busy offseason in 2014 even if this season goes extremely well.

For real though, I have high hopes for Cook. I really, REALLY hope he can step it up and stay healthy. I really, really hope so.

If he does, and they re-sign him, I hope he continues to play great after that. He's been very unreliable thus far and if he finally puts together a great season and they invest in him based on that performance, they'll need him to keep delivering.

[Funkytown]

Well, I'm really hoping these guys step it up and prove themselves. Not only because it benefits us this year, but many years to come. The turnover is getting to be a bit much. I understand it's necessary, but the less spots we have to fill year in and year out means we are actually building a solid team with reliable guys. I'm all about reliability and consistency! I want all of these guys to step up, obviously, but I'm really pulling for Cook on this one!

[King James]

When healthy Chris Cook has proven he can hang in there and defend the top WRs. I know some fans complain about how he does have any INTs but that doesn't change the fact that he is actually a good defender. His focus this year should be staying healthy. He has the talent but staying on the field is a big question mark.

[headless_norseman]

Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press writes about 5 players with much to prove this fall:

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_236 ... source=rss

The players; John Carlson, Chris Cook, Letroy Guion, Jerome Simpson and Erin Henderson.

It's interesting... not only is this a pivotal year for players like the 5 listed above (some of whom are on one year contracts), this season could have a huge impact on the roster for next season. Depending on how this season goes, who the Vikes choose to re-sign, who chooses to re-sign with the Vikes, etc. the 2014 Vikings might look very, very different from the 2013 version. Between 2013 and 2014 we could see significant changes all over the team, especially on defense.

I know what this guy is trying to do/say, but really, the only player here that can be a difference maker of sorts, would be Carlson. But that's another passing game thread altogether.

[Mothman]

I know what this guy is trying to do/say, but really, the only player here that can be a difference maker of sorts, would be Carlson. But that's another passing game thread altogether.

I don't know about that. Cook certainly has the potential to be a difference-maker on defense. If you're talking about serious impact players... well I don't know if any of them have that kind of potential.

[S197]

I would add Fusco and Johnson to the list. Especially Fusco who was repeatedly subbed out for Schwartz last year.

[Mothman]

I would add Fusco and Johnson to the list. Especially Fusco who was repeatedly subbed out for Schwartz last year.

He's definitely a player with plenty to prove.

[King James]

I would also add Jarmarca Sanford to the list. Im guessing he will start next to Harrison Smith this year. Sanford was a guy a lot of people lost faith in but he really improved last season. Im still a Mistral Raymond fan but after seeing how good Sanford performed last year, I want to see more of him this season. A good performance from him and he may get an extension in the future,

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I would add Fusco and Johnson to the list. Especially Fusco who was repeatedly subbed out for Schwartz last year.

I am still upset that we let Geoff leave. Geoff was 10X better than Fusco. Watch Peterson's two longest runs of the season. Who was out there pulling for him? Geoff. Fusco blows.

[headless_norseman]

I don't know about that. Cook certainly has the potential to be a difference-maker on defense. If you're talking about serious impact players... well I don't know if any of them have that kind of potential.

My thinking when I answered that was along the lines of getting a bit of success from a 2 TE sort of offense with our improved WR corps. That's all.