Projected 53 man roster with actual cuts - 8/31/12

Highlighted players have already been cut. Red highlighting is on IR


Offense

QB           C. Ponder              J. Webb                  S. Rosenfels           M. Bethel-Thompson

RB           A Peterson            T. Gerhart              L. Hilliard            J. Todman              D. Coleman

FB           J. Felton                R. D’Imperio          M. Asiata  

WR1       J. Simpson              M. Jenkins            E. Arceneaux        D. Aromashdou         A.J. Love        G. Childs

WR2       P. Harvin                S. Burton                J. Wright           K. Taylor         B. Walters              K. Jorden

TE            K. Rudolph             J. Carlson         R. Ellison           A. Reisner              M. Shuler

LT            M. Kalil                   D. Love                   K. Murphy

LG           C. Johnson             C. DeGeare        T. Holmes               G. Cook

C              J. Sullivan               J. Berger                Q. Saulsberry

RG           B. Fusco         G. Schwartz         A. Pasztor              B. Buche

RT            P. Loadholt            P. Brown                L. Horn

Defense

LDE         B. Robison             D. Reed                  E. Owusu

DT           K. Williams             C. Ballard               T. Guyton               A. Jacobs

NT           L. Guion                F. Evans                   Chase Baker          T. Powell

RDE         J. Allen                   E. Griffen               N. Reed        J. Charleston

SLB          C. Greenway         L. Dean                   S. Elimimian

MLB        J. Brinkley              T. McKenzie          A. Cole

WLB        E. Henderson        M. Mitchell            T. Nielsen         C. Paredes

LCB         A. Winfield            B. Burton               M. Sherels           C. Gatewood     Nick Taylor

SS            M. Raymond        R. Blanton            E. Frampton                        

FS            H. Smith           J. Sanford             A. Sendejo

RCB         C. Cook           J. Robinson        R. Jones          C. Carr          Z. Bowman         B. Felder           C. Stroud

Special Teams

K              B. Walsh

P              C. Kluwe

LS            C. Loeffler

Ponder, progressing or regressing?

Four practices into training camp doesn't paint too good of a picture for any team, but people and stats will start to pop out. And with all eyes on the development of 2nd year quarterback Christian Ponder, his numbers are under the 'scope.

The first two practices, Friday and Saturday, were in shells. Ponder collectively went 28/31 (90%)  in 11 - on - 11's those two days. It showed the chemistry that he will likely have with Rudolph, Simpson and Harvin. This was a great start to training camp and showed great progress from last year.

The last two practices, Monday and Tuesday, were in full pads. Ponder collectively went 15/22 (68%) in 11 - on - 11's those two days. A significant drop from the previous two days, however 68% is still a good completion rate and is likely due to getting used to wearing the pads again. However, two passes today were reminiscent of McNabb throwing them into the ground last season. Frazier says this early in training camp, there's no need to panic after a drop in performance. I agree with that, but with strong hopes of a positive 2012/13 season, much of that rides on how Ponder plays.

There's much more time to make a true determination on Ponder and whether or not he's making progress or regressing in his 2nd year. From observations already made via tape or through reports, Ponder has made progress in the off season and is looking more confident than last year which I'm largely attributing to the reworked O-line with the addition of Kalil, Loadholt looking solid so far, Johnson looking great and more natural at the LG position and the competition for RG with two quality players. As well as the great chemistry he is building with Simpson, Harvin and Rudolph. I'm with the major hoping it's progress, but if it's regression I still don't think we'll beat out(or lose out) the Jaguars for the #1 pick.

Depth of the Vikings WR position - Updated 8/5/12

So as of right now, the depth at the WR position on the Vikings roster is at 11, being that A.J. Love was cut the other day. Greg Childs will also be on the IR for the season most likely. And it is likely that that number will be trimmed down to 5, maybe 6. Those on the roster currently are Percy Harvin, Michael Jenkins, Jerome Simpson, Jarius Wright, Greg Childs, Stephen Burton, Bryan Walters, Kerry Taylor, Kamar Jorden, Devin Aromashodu and Manny Arceneaux.

I think it's clear that Harvin and Simpson are locking up two of the roster spots. The question is, who should the remaining 3 to 4 be? Training camp is going to be crucial in determining this. But I think we can start to make some projections. Jarius Wright has been impressing since his college days and I've seen lots of people already giving him a roster spot. So that will be three.
One concern I have is with Jenkins. Videos I've seen and reports I've read say he doesn't look healthy, that he's sluggish, not really shinning out on the field. I understand that he has the most experience in the WR group, but is that worth keeping him around? I personally would say no. The team as a whole wishes to get younger and stronger, and Jenkins is counter productive on both counts at this point. So scratch him.

Greg Childs tore both right and left Partellar tendons on 8/4/12 so he will out for the entire season, resulting that he will not turn out to be the steal of the draft. That means one, maybe two WRs will make the roster. So lets start...

Bryan Walters was an off season signing from the Chargers to provide depth at the position. Nothing super impressive has come from him thus far in training camp. Kamar Jorden has hurt his wrist, which was wrapped heavily on 8/4/12 and has a good chance of making the practice squad. Walters will likely be cut due to talents on the rest of the roster.

This leaves Stephen Burton, Devin Aromashodu and Manny Arceneaux whom are all returning receivers from last year. We have one, maybe two spots on the roster remaining. Stephen Burton has has just started to practice to show if he has made significant progress from last year or not. Manny showed some progress in practice so far, reports saying that he appears to have improved his route running and not being just a deep threat, which is a positive thing. At the same time, Ponder and Aromashodu showed some chemistry last season. With recent practices, Arceneaux might beat out Aromashodu for a roster spot, leaving the final spot for Aromashodu or Burton. Being Burton has just started practice, I'm going to say Aromashodu will likely make the last roster spot, unless Burton really flashes in the coming weeks. But still a good chance he'll remain on the practice squad.

So my final WR depth chart would look like this:
Percy Harvin
Jerome Simpson
Jarius Wright
Greg Childs (IR for the season)
Manny Arceneaux
Devin Aromashodu

Practice Squad:
Stephen Burton
Kamar Jorden

However, if it is determined to have 6 on the roster, I believe that Jenkins will remain on the roster also. If it isn't expanded to 6, I believe that Musgrave will want to keep Jenkins due to their history from the Falcons and him being the longest veteran on the receiver depth position. If this happens, I believe that Arceneaux will be replaced by Jenkins unless he continues to really perform, then it will likely be Aromashodu.

While we still don't have a clear #1 receiver outside of Harvin, it's good to at least have some young talent on the team that does show some promise of growth for our young QB. However, having that lack of a #1 could result in the Vikings taking a close look at Woods or Allen in next years draft.

Rebuilding the Vikings

So I've been idle for a while and will likely be quite idle in the coming months as I decided to return to college. But hopefully I will still be able to contribute to this blog while still working full time and going to school full time, as I still bleed purple.

But in my absence, I've still been reading a number of articles related to the Vikings. And I've seen a theme in a few of them. That drafting Matt Kalil was a mistake! Many people felt that being in the NFC North, Morris Claiborne would have been the better option with the QB/WR combos in this division. Saying that getting Kalil to protect (the mediocre) Ponder is like putting an (pick something expensive) in/on/around (pick something worthless). I still feel that giving Ponder his new WR's and new protection could be the deciding factor if he is a legit QB or not. I personally have some faith in him. But if I'm proved wrong, it is likely that Frazier is out the door and a new HC would love to have Matt Barkley tossing the ball for him. But none the less, if Ponder stays or a new HC gets a new QB, Kalil is still going to be an important cornerstone to the rebuilding process of the Vikings. And if Ponder pans out and our secondary still seems like swiss cheese, Dave Amerson will likely be there for us to draft.....

A look to the 2012 Vikings

The Vikings have done well this off season. Remaining patient and signing people that will contribute to the team. There were some questionable picks in the draft, and big gambles on signing a TE and G that were out all of 2011 due to injury and a WR that was recently released from jail for drug related offenses and will be suspended for the 1st 3 games of the season. But all that aside, Kalil should add strength which this offensive line has lacked for some time now. Johnson admittedly feels more comfortable at guard and this will allow him to move to the LG position as Kalil will take over LT duties immediately. Sully has shown competency as a C but we also brought in as an UDFA a very good C prospect in Saulsberry. Signing Schwartz will allow him to compete for the RG position and if Loadholt continues to show inconsistency, maybe even the RT position. In that case, Berger and Fusco will likely compete for the RG position. All in all, this should give Ponder a bit more protection to help him develop with his new receivers. Speaking of receivers, I mentioned the Vikings signed Jerome Simpson who will have to sit a 3 game suspension at the start of the season but after that, he will provide a big body outside receiver that the Vikings have needed. I'm sorry, but Jenkins did not impress last year and showed that he is expendable. In addition to that signing, the Vikings drafted two Razorback WRs in the 4th round in Jarius Wright and Greg Childs. Starting with Wright, he is a small bodied, quick slot receiver. But why draft a slot receiver when we already have Harvin? In a passing league, it's like to see more 3 and 4 receiver sets allowing Wright and Harvin to provide a dual threat and major mismatch in the middle of the field. Wright also has the the potential to take over some the returning duties from Harvin, allowing Harvin to focus on his role as the primary receiver at this point. Then a few picks after Wright, the Vikings drafted Greg Childs. There's enough out there about the connection between Wright and Childs since elementary school so I won't elaborate on that. But what Childs does give us is another big bodied receiver at 6'3", 220 lbs. His draft stock was hurt when he tore his patellar tendon. At a time, he was projected as being a potential first round pick but his injury caused him to slip into the 4th round, providing a steal, but very risky pick. However, he appeared fully healed at his pro day running 4.41 40 time and having a 40 1/2 inch vertical. Additionally, he has shown the mechanics required in a receiver to have a productive pro career. To see much of this, look to his 2009 and 2010 seasons. Childs has the potential to turn into the Number 1 receiver the Vikings have been looking for. But if not, he will still provide a quality target for Ponder if he is to remain healthy and the Vikings can attempt to get their #1 receiver in the 2013 draft. The Vikings also have two other down field threats in Rudolph and Carlson at TE, but again Carlson is a high risk considering his shoulder injury that had him sidelined for the entire 2011 season. It's questionable if he'll ever reach his full potential. But Rudolph has been developing with Ponder and the Rudolph/Carlson sets that we'll likely see will provide as much of a mismatch in the midfield as the Wright/Harvin tandem. If Childs and/or Simpson provide the big deep threat #1 receiver we've been looking for, that will allow the Vikings to focus on the defense in the 2013 draft. The Vikings did bring in some talent to the defense, particularly the secondary. They traded back into the 1st Round to select S Harrison Smith. While I think we night not have had to trade up to get him, non the less it's a position in dire need. Smith will immediately be a starter and it's being said that he'll likely start in the FS position. This will also Raymond and Sanford to complete the SS spot and allow Blanton to be groomed into a S spot while providing some nickle safety coverage against TE's in the league. CB Josh Robinson was selected in the 3rd round and touted to have also been a steal as he was a 2nd round prospect. He is a blazing fast corner that can contribute in the return game as well. He is a good prospect that could be a starter in a year as he develops under Winfield. He does struggle in the man coverage, which doesn't matter much at this point as the Vikings run mostly zones, but that will need to change in the future to more man and press coverages in this league. As I mentioned, if Childs or Simpson pans out into a #1 receiver for Ponder, we can turn our focus to the defense next draft. I won't be mocking any 2013 draft until the middle of the season at the lease, but more likely later in the season towards the end. But one way it could go is to draft a lock-down CB in the 1st to provide us with the option to move more towards man coverage or addressing the lack of a run-stuffing NT or ILB. We did address the ILB position with Audie Cole, but he will likely be more of a good backup and package player. The D line did get some depth with the versatile Trevor Guyton, who was slated by many as a potential 3rd round pick so what a steal the Vikings got in the 7th round, who will be allowed to compete for a roster spot. All in all, the Vikings did improve on the roster but this doesn't necessarily mean they're improve their record. I feel confident that they will, but we're no play off caliber team at this point. You never do know how draft picks will turn out and I'm basing this on the idea that Spielman's idea of how to approach the draft in picking motivated, positive young men will improve the team. I see the Vikings going 5-11 this coming season, understanding that we are still in rebuilding mode and potentially one season away from being a contender. This is part of the fun of the NFL!

A little more on the UDFA's

This is information from NFLDraftScout.com on some of the undrafted free agents that the Vikings have agreed to terms with. I think it's a good possiblity a couple of these could end up on the Vikings roster!

Iowa linebacker Tyler Nielsen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG1Ftl7hrHM (PFW Draft preview), Combine video on NFL.com
Projected Round: 5, 17th best OLB on NFLDraftScout.com
Overview: NFL scouts know Iowa linebackers will be athletic, hard-working, and well-coached, and Nielsen certainly fits the bill in all categories. The 2006 Iowa Gatorade high school Player of the Year waited patiently behind 2010 draft pick A.J. Edds (selected in the fourth round by Miami) and other veterans, but looked the part of a solid NFL prospect in 2010 when healthy. Nielsen redshirted in 2007, and then played special teams and a minor role on defense as a freshman (12 tackles) and sophomore (seven). He started the first eight games of the 2010 season on the strong side, making 42 tackles, 4.5 for loss, an interception, and four pass break-ups, but his season ended prematurely after he broke a vertebrae in his neck against Michigan (though he played through it for a game and a half before succumbing). Apparently Nielsen's neck had healed enough by April 2011, as he spent his last spring break hunting wild boars in Arkansas. His straight-line speed, change of direction ability, and strong open-field tackling proficiency makes him look as though he could wrestle down a boar, and makes him a similar value to Edds as a potential starting Sam linebacker in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme at the next level.
Analysis: Positives: Heady, well-coached player. Quick recognizing and reacting to run vs. pass when playing near the line. Cognizant of multiple routes when in coverage. Spends a lot of time outside the box in coverage, but he has the strength to hold the edge against large tight ends and linemen. Good quickness to attack ball carriers when playing near the line. Breaks down and wraps legs to make the stop. Excellent in coverage. Stays with tight ends and receivers in the slot with very good straight-line speed and change-of-direction ability for his size. Combination of size, length, and agility makes him a secure tackler in space. Could succeed as a free blitzer. Negatives: Height leaves him susceptible to cut blocks, so he must learn to defeat with his hands. Inconsistent getting off blocks from smaller offensive players, gets moved or out-positioned and forced to chase down plays from behind. Leaves his feet at times. Sometimes heads straight-on to quick receivers instead of anticipating their route. Needs to use his hands more violently to defeat blocks while coming after the quarterback at the next level.

Mississippi State center Quentin Saulsberry

Projected Round: 6-7

Overview: A four-year starter, Saulsberry wasn't highly recruited out of high school, choosing Mississippi State over Memphis. After redshirting in 2007 as a defensive lineman, he transitioned to the offensive side of the ball and earned the starting right tackle job as a redshirt freshman, starting every game in 2008. Saulsberry moved inside to left guard in 2009 as a sophomore, starting all 12 games. He again started every game in 2010 as a junior, starting at right guard (10 starts), center (2 starts) and left guard (1 start). Saulsberry again showed off his versatility in 2011, starting all 13 games at right guard (9 starts) and center (4 starts). Saulsberry lacks ideal size and strength and isn't overpowering, but he makes up for it with his tenacious playing style and feisty, competitive attitude. He takes pride in finishing his blocks and looks natural pulling and blocking in motion. Saulsberry is versatile with the skills set and experience to be a serviceable NFL guard, but his size and frame make him a center prospect for most teams, reminiscent of a poor man's Rodney Hudson and is the best interior line prospect in this class that no one seems to be talking about

Analysis: Strengths: Fires off the snap with explosive burst and no hesitation. Moves very well for a 300-pounder with above-average quickness and range. Does a nice job getting to the second level and blocking in space -- mobile and effective pulling. Has quick feet and bends well at the knee. Sits in his stance with good balance and a strong base. Extends his arms quickly at the point of attack and is aggressive with his hands -- strong, active punch. Works hard through the whistle with top a motor and nasty demeanor. Scrappy and physical with an intense playing style. Has a tenacious attitude and looks to eliminate defenders from the play -- love his aggressive nature and feisty mean streak.

Has the lower body strength to anchor in pass protection and uses leverage to his advantage. A hard worker on and off the field and strives to be the best he can be -- smart and tough. Put together an impressive collegiate resume as a four-year starter in the SEC with impressive experience and versatility, starting 50 games between four different positions -- right guard (19 starts), left guard (13 starts), right tackle (12 starts) and center (6 starts). Weaknesses: Doesn't have elite size or strength with limited growth potential. Has almost too much arm length (33 5/8), taking a bit longer to unwind off the snap. Tends to be too aggressive off the snap and will take himself out of the play. Misses too many blocking assignments because he plays undisciplined at times. Often caught lunging and overextends, struggling to stay under control. Not overpowering at the point of attack and lacks the natural girth to hold up at guard -- probably restricted to center where he has the least amount of college experience. NFL Comparison: Rodney Hudson, Kansas City Chiefs -- Dane Brugler

 

California defensive end Ernest Owusu
Projected Round: 7-FA
03/15/2012 - Cal Pro Day: Persistent rain showers limited the Cal Pro Day but that didn't stop a few underrated prospects from demonstrating legitimate NFL athleticism. Defensive end Ernest Owusu created a significant buzz early in the workout by posting 39 repetitions of 225 pounds in Cal'srenovated weight-room. Later, he demonstrated impressive straight-line speed for his 6-4, 277 pound frame, registering times in the 4.7s, according to a source onthe scene. As a point of comparison, Owusu, who was not invited to the Combine, ran nearly as well and lifted more than any defensive end in Indianapolis this year. Frankly, I was surprised Owusu wasn't invited to the Combine. He registered 30 tackles, including seven loss

and 4.5 sacks despite playing in a 3-4 defense. Owusu had stood outon tape earlier in the year, in my opinion. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

 

Hawaii linebacker Corey Paredes

Projected Round: Free Agency

03/08/2012 - Hawaii Pro Day: Corey Paredes was the surprise of pro day, with impressive results in the speed and jumping disciplines. He was scolded a few times for not locking his arms during the 225-pound bench press, but was only deducted one rep. He was credited with 27 reps. Paredes is awaiting follow-up calls from NFL teams in the hope of landing private workouts. "He'll be in Hawaii preparing for whatever comes next," agent Alan Cunanan said. - Stephen Tsai, The Warrior Beat

 

Diamond in the rough?

It was well known that the Vikings needed to add depth to the OL. Picking Kalil 4th overall solidified the left side of the line, allowing Johnson to move to LG where even he feels he is more comfortable. But I was a bit surprised, but not disappointed when the Vikings started trading some of their picks for picks in 2013. And while I feel we would have been better taking an offensive lineman with the 128th pick, there's nothing I can do about that. So it's no surprise that the Vikings are bringing in 3 offensive lineman as undrafted free agents. Then while I was plugging around on NFL.com, I came across this:

Mayock's Position Rankings

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock ranks his top five players by position for the 2012 draft. Check back regularly to see Mayock's latest updates to the lists.

Centers:
1. Peter Konz, Wisconsin, Drafted Round 2, Pick 23 (55th overall) by Falcons
2. Philip Blake, Baylor, Drafted Round 4, Pick 13 (108th overall) by Broncos
3. Ben Jones, Georgia, Drafted Round 4, pick 4 (99th overall) by Texans
4. David Molk, Michigan, Drafted Round 7, pick 19 (226th overall) by Chargers.
5. Quientin Saulsberry, Mississippi State

		Quientin Saulsberry is highlighted because he was undrafted. And because of that, the Vikings agreed to terms with him as an undrafted free agent. This could be a big news for an O-line that could use compentent back ups. We already got Mayock's number 1 OT with Kalil and number 2 S with Smith, now we have his number 5 C.