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Spielman: Wife says don't come home if Vikings pick CB

Over the past several years Minnesota Vikings the general manager Rick Spielman has displayed somewhat of a position fetish.

Four times in the past six seasons, Spielman has spent a first or second-round pick on a cornerback. Three of those corners have been first-rounders, including Mike Hughes in 2018.

The desire to stockpile corner talent makes sense given the position's importance in coach Mike Zimmer's defense.
Many in Minnesota, however, are sick of bulking up a position of strength while glaring needs elsewhere sit unattended too. Even Spielman's wife has had enough of the GM's corner-craze.

"Everybody has angst [this time of year]," Spielman said Tuesday, via the team's official website. "My wife ... she said, 'If you draft another corner, don't come home. You can just stay at the office.'"

Like every man with a habit, Spielman predictably left himself an out.

"Although there's some pretty good corners that we like in the first round," he noted.

The Vikings sit at No. 18 overall in Thursday's first round. They've widely been connected with offensive linemen, given the obvious need.

Spielman insisted, however, that he won't force an offensive lineman selection based only on need.

"I understand where everything is, but I also understand that if we have a guy that we think is a Pro Bowl talent, and for some reason that guy falls to us at 18, how do you not take that player? Plus, you have to balance out the depth at each position, too," Spielman said. "If there's a unique situation where a Pro Bowl caliber player falls to you at 18 and you're taking a lesser-talent player, I think you're going to make a mistake."

Best player available is a standard draft practice that Spielman is touting. The GM had just better hope that Pro Bowl talent on his board Thursday night isn't a corner or he might be sleeping on a couch in his office for a while. (NFL.com)

 

He was an outstanding player hope the Vikings put him in the ring of the honor!

 

I just read this the Vikings play the Seahawks in the pre-season WTH and then play them again Monday Night at Seattle,this is just INSANE!!!!!

 

Vikings Select N.C. State C Garrett Bradbury

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Thursday drafted center Garrett Bradbury out of North Carolina State with the 18th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. Bradbury is the first interior offensive lineman selected by the Vikings in a first round since guard Randall McDaniel in 1988.

 

EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings used their first pick of the 2019 NFL Draft to bolster their offensive line.

From the 18th overall spot, Minnesota drafted N.C. State center Garrett Bradbury.

The Charlotte native started the final 39 games of his career, including 13 in 2018. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors in response to a senior campaign that also included the big man scoring a rushing touchdown.

Bradbury won the Rimington Trophy, an award given to the nation’s best center. Vikings center Pat Elflein, drafted 70th overall in 2017, also was a Rimington Trophy recipient.

 

Here are five things to know about the Vikings newest offensive lineman:

1. Versatility is key

Interestingly, Bradbury actually enrolled at N.C. State as a tight end. He made the transition to guard in 2015, but that season he contributed mainly on special teams.


When given the starting opportunity in 2016, Bradbury seized the opportunity, playing 87 percent of the Wolfpack’s offensive snaps. The following season, he shifted inside to center and received the program’s Bo Rein Award for a “vital contribution in an unsung role” and helped N.C. State rank second among Power 5 schools with just 13 sacks allowed in 13 games.

Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman and Head Coach Mike Zimmer refrained from committing to a position for Bradbury in Purple.

“The most important thing right now is getting the best football players we can get in,” Spielman said during a press conference with Twin Cities media members.

“The one thing I know is that he doesn’t play corner,” Spielman added with a laugh two days after joking that his wife had told him not to come home if Minnesota drafted a corner in the first round this year.

2. Protecting the passer

Over more than 900 snaps in 2018, Bradbury didn’t allow a single sack of quarterback Ryan Finley. He was charged with just two pressures allowed on 457 pass attempts during the regular season.

Bradbury anchored an offensive line that helped Finley rack up 3,789 passing yards, and receivers Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers each surpassed the 1,000-yard mark.

3. Bradbury as a blocker

Bradbury helped Wolfpack running back Reggie Gallaspy II rush for 1,091 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.


NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who told Vikings.com’s Mike Wobschall earlier this week that he had “penciled in” Bradbury for Minnesota, evaluated Bradbury’s run-blocking ability.

“In the run game, he uses his quickness to consistently reach and cut off defenders. He takes good angles up to the second level, and he can adjust in space,” Jeremiah said. “Overall, Bradbury will be a steady, reliable starter, and I see very minimal risk.”

Jeremiah moved Bradbury up 13 spots from 35th to 22nd overall in his post-combine listing of top 50 draft-eligible prospects.

4. Standing out in Indy

In addition to participating in the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl, Bradbury garnered attention in the timing and testing drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Bradbury clocked in at 4.92 seconds in the 40-yard dash, good enough for third-fastest among offensive linemen. He also showed his speed in the 3-cone drill, topping his position group with a time of 7.41 seconds.

Bradbury’s 34 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press ranked second among offensive linemen.

5. Team-first mentality


Bradbury went from a redshirt freshman to team captain and the top center in FBS.

When asked about individual accomplishments, however, the linemen illustrated his humility.

Bradbury credited his comrades in the trenches, nicknamed the “Band of Brothers,” for his success when accepting the Rimington Trophy.

“Individual honors for the offensive line are kind of any oxymoron,” Bradbury said in December. “Everything starts and ends as a group. It’s weird to take credit for an individual award.”

 

Looks like a good pick for the Vikings,a true center cause Pat Elflein could not handle pass rushers up the middle Kirk Cousins got to be loving this,for the Vikings second round is wide open another O-linemen would be nice but it's wide open so anything can happen

 

Im thinking they go defense. Maybe an OLB, I don't know. Its not easy getting in Spielmans mind and predicting what he might do. Its a good thing tho that Mr. Kubiak is involved.

 

I hope at 50 they can find a stud rb to back-up Dalvin Cook i forgot he has to be happy to,if they find a stud D-lineman go for it Olb Safety/cb Defensive end is a need they have to address,maybe the Vikings will trade down? who knows what they will they do

 

Can't believe it they did not pick Parris Campbell,81st pick who will they get Tricky Ricky did not draft Dalton Risner ( sp ),they traded the 81st pick WTF

 

I was hoping for a WR also... Treadwell isn't cutting it.

 

He must be trying to get his 10 picks,i really don't give a rats azz just pick will you is he outsmarting himself?

 

He's got 10 or 11 now, lol. He must be super confident their target will be available.

 

Saw so many descent players get picked they could have gotten him before this Alexander Matison ( sp ) don't know a lot about him but they need a big back he didn't look to big,i quess Treadwell is sticking around really Rick?

 

There still time to get another receiver, but they sure did let a few get away.

 

Here are five things to know about the Vikings newest running back:

1. Standing out at Boise State

Mattison ranked eighth in the country in rushing yards last season. His 17 touchdowns led the Mountain West conference and ranked seventh in FBS. He posted six 100-yard rushing games, including games against Utah State and Fresno State in which he surpassed 200 yards on the ground each time.


Mattison finished his collegiate career with 2,829 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns on 581 rushes. He added 60 passes for 511 yards and a score for the Broncos.

2. Spanish-speaking scholar

As a first-grader, Mattison joined the Dual Immersion Program at his school. He remained a part of the program through graduation and is a fluent Spanish speaker.

Mattison was faced with a decision of transferring to a high school more heavily recruited by Division I schools or remaining at San Bernardino High School (California). He opted against leaving the school – and Dual Immersion Program – and went on to graduate with a cumulative 4.7 GPA. He was named a 2016-17 Academic All-Mountain West team.

3. Multi-sport athlete

While attending San Bernardino High School, Mattison was twice named to the San Bernardino Sun First Team (2014-15). He racked up 2,017 and 2,057 yards on the ground as a junior and senior, respectively. Following his senior season, he was selected to play in the Inland Valley Football Classic.

Mattison won a league wrestling title at 195 pounds and as a junior was named all-league. He also ran track, winning the Mountain Valley League title in the 110 hurdles.

4. California kid

Mattison joins six other Vikings on the current roster who hail from California: LB Anthony Barr (San Pedro), LB Eric Kendricks (Fresno), QB Sean Mannion (Pleasanton), P Matt Wile (San Diego), TE Cole Hikutini (Elk Grove) and LB Derron Smith (Banning).


Mattison’s hometown is located just 31 miles from Smith’s hometown and 78 from Barr’s.

5. Faith-based

During high school, Alexander was consistently involved with his church, serving as an usher and media volunteer. He participated in the Power to Change Movement and was featured as a speaker at the Integrated New Families Opportunity graduation at Ecclesia Christian Center in 2015.

He credited his Christian faith for helping him and his family make it through difficult circumstances when he was young.

“I think part of the reason I did make it out was through a strong faith in God. We went to church every Sunday as a family,” Mattison said in October 2018. “Looking back at that, it’s the times you cherish the most; when you remember not wanting to go to church and now you wish you could be home to go to church with your family again. I would say faith played a big role in just keeping my head level and on the right path.” (Vikings.com)

 

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings added to their tight end depth Friday by adding Alabama’s Irv Smith, Jr., to the roster.

The 6-foot-2, 237-pound tight end helped the Crimson Tide win a national championship in 2017.

Here are five things to know about Smith:

1. College stats

Smith recorded 58 receptions for 838 yards (14.4 yards per reception) and 10 touchdowns in 38 games for Alabama. He had 33 receptions that gained a first down or scored a touchdown in college.

2. One last ride

The tight end had 44 receptions for 710 yards (16.1 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns in 15 games as a junior. He had 11 receptions gain 20 or more yards and was an All-SEC Second-Team selection.

3. Like father, like son


Smith’s father, Irv, was the 20th overall pick of the 1993 NFL Draft by New Orleans. The older Irv totaled 183 receptions for 1,788 yards and 15 scores in seven NFL seasons. He spent 1993-97 with the Saints before playing one season with San Francisco and closing his career in Cleveland.

4. Expert takes

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein had this to say about Smith in the pre-draft process:

“He has combination tight end talent but really flashes as a move blocker at fullback or wingback spots. His buildup speed sets him apart as a big, field-stretching option, and once he gets rolling after the catch … Smith offers Pro Bowl potential as a well-rounded tight end prospect.”

NFL Media draft expert Daniel Jeremiah had Smith as the 28th overall player in the draft.

5. Louisiana native

Smith was a four-star recruit out of Brother Martin High School, an all-male, Catholic, college preparatory school in New Orleans. He was a 2015 5A All-State Honorable Mention selection and chose Alabama over Texas and Texas A&M. (Vikings.com)

 

Vikings have nine choices Saturday




The Vikings selected two players Friday night, taking Alabama tight end Irv Smith in the second round and Boise State running back Alexander Mattison in the third round.

They got North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury in Thursday’s first round.

Minnesota is scheduled to make even more selections Saturday. It enters with nine picks on the third day.

The Vikings currently own the 120th (fourth round), 159th (fifth round), 190th (sixth round), 191st (sixth round), 193rd (sixth round), 204th (sixth round), 217th (seventh round), 247th (seventh round) and 250th (seventh round) choices.

 

Mattison looks very impressive on paper is he a Dalvin Cook clone? Irv Smith jr that pick is looking very interesting with Kyle Rudolph maybe we might see more two te sets,wr hope they can find one today