I really think the first few picks are great... the last couple were just depth moves. I'll have more on it later when I get a chance to evaluate it.
1. On Cook: Zimmer said Cook is a ?very talented back? who the Vikings believe will help improve their ability to run the ball more effectively and score more points.? Stephenson said the Vikings expect a little bit of a transition for Cook but believe in his talent.? ?I think typically college backs coming into the NFL, the biggest learning curve is in the passing game, you know, picking up blitzes, protection, just more mental work,? Stephenson said. ?This guy has all of the physical tools you definitely want at that position, which is why we went up and got him. Now he is a little bit rough around the edges in terms of pass protection and had some fumbling issues that we need to get cleaned up, but I have no doubt that [running backs coach] Kennedy [Polamalu] will do a great job of getting him ready.? 2. On Elflein: Zimmer said the Vikings are likely to start working with Elflein at center, the position he played in 2016, but like what he did previously at guard. ?I think he can play either,? Stephenson said. ?Obviously he is not the biggest guy in there, and typically you line up some of those guys inside more at center, but this guy has compensating factors in the way that he plays and it allowed him to be a very good guard at Ohio State in 2015.? 3. On Johnson: Zimmer said Johnson will ?probably be a swing guy.? ?He?s more of a power rusher than he is a speed, quick kind of rusher,? Zimmer said. ?He?s very explosive coming out of his hips, very strong at the point of attack.? Stephenson said the Vikings were able to take advantage of the proximity of Iowa when they were assessing Johnson. ?I went there myself, early in camp and watched him practice,? Stephenson said. ?He is a big man. He is strong. He is athletic. We feel that he has value. He will fit in well in that D-line room and let the chips fall where they may.? 4. On Gedeon:? Zimmer said he thinks that Gedeon can play inside or outside linebacker and contribute significantly on special teams. ?I like the way he plays, I like the way he?s physical at the point of attack, very instinctive,? Zimmer said. ?Our linebackers all kind of have to play all the different spots. If we have to move some guys around, we will. ?? ?I?ve watched him quite a bit and this guy is a football player, he loves to play the game and those are the kind of guys we?re looking for here,? Zimmer added.
Cook and Murray could be awesome looks like the O-line on paper looks to be better,time to the step up its a young team i've been waiting i hope Pat Elfein is the center,cause last year Joe Berger showed a lack muscle at time....now its long wait to the first pre-season games
Vikes won't use 5th-year option on Teddy Bridgewater... The Minnesota Vikings will not exercise the fifth-year option on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday. The move comes as Bridgewater continues to rehab his brutal knee injury suffered last summer. The quarterback dislocated his knee and tore his ACL. The option on Bridgewater's option would have been worth more than $12 million, a bargain rate for a starting quarterback, but the Vikings couldn't guarantee it due to the quarterback's injury. The injury places Bridgewater's NFL future in limbo. This offseason, Mike Zimmer admitted he wasn't sure if Bridgewater would be able to play again. While the coach hopes the quarterback can remain a Viking, it's anyone's best guess when or if Bridgewater will ever return to the promise he showed his first two seasons. The 24-year-old signal-caller is likely to start the final season of his rookie contract on the physically unable to perform list. If he doesn't come off the PUP list for the entire 2017 season, his contract would toll and add another year in Minnesota, Rapoport previously reported. With Sam Bradford, whom the Vikings traded for after Bridgewater's injury, also entering the final year of his contract, the quarterback situation in Minnesota could be murky heading into 2018. The Vikings did exercise the fifth-year option on linebacker Anthony Barr on Monday.
boy what a mess huh...can Teddy ever come back hope so,Sam Bradford I do not believe he is the Vikings franchise qb even though he did play very well,but in next year draft hope the Vikings can find a franchise qb
The QB situation is a mess... the future is highly in doubt. I just hope Sam has a fantastic season and stays healthy... I cant imagine what will happen if Bradford would happen to go down. _______________ Too bad they didn't target a QB this year in the draft... and that really makes no sense considering the QB situation.
now that is the one million dollar question if he can stay healthy,if he gets hurt its an another lost year
SPIELMAN on Treadwell:"He's been outstanding, determined to show he's a 1st round pick. We're seeing signs of [why we drafted him] now."
time to show them what you got...breakout year and be a red zone target for Sam Bradford or is it bust city ? time to show em you can git the job done
I really like E. Lee and hoped he'd land in Buffalo. He may need a year on the PS, but I think he'll develop nicely. I've heard that next year's draft will be much better with QB prospects. I'm not wishing this on you guys, but if the Vikes suck next year, then you may be able to take someone better than any QB in this draft. (It's also why I'm happy with Bills trade down with KC - we have an extra first in '18.)
the qb situation is a mess will Teddy ever make a full recovery and play again???,can Sam Bradford stay healthy and injury free..questions questions a lot of questions
The Vikings didn?t have a first-round pick in last week?s draft, but they still secured first-round talent with the selection of Dalvin Cook in the second round. Expectations are likely to be high for Cook, even in his rookie season, as the Vikings look to improve on offense in 2017. The good news is Cook has the ability to fulfill those expectations. Here are 3 reasons why Cook can be a huge difference for the Vikings; _______ 1. A big play waiting to happen Regardless of his standing on the depth chart and the number of touches he earns, Cook can make an impact at any time because he can score from anywhere on the field. In three years at Florida State, Cook tallied 22 scores of 20 yards, 16 of 30 yards and 11 of 40 . That is the kind of home run-hitting production the Vikings offense lacked in 2016, particularly in the running game. Stat: Cook averaged 7.0 yards per offensive touch at Florida State. _______ 2. Poised for a fast start The Vikings are set to have a full and talented backfield in 2017. Jerick McKinnon returns, Cook was drafted and Latavius Murray was signed in free agency. But Murray underwent a procedure on his ankle and should be back for training camp, which could open up practice reps for Cook immediately. A substantial amount of first-team and second-team reps in the offseason program, including 10 organized team activities (OTAs) and the mandatory minicamp in June, could put Cook on the fast track to learning the Vikings offense and prepare him to contribute right out of the gate in September. Note: Florida State has had a slew of talented running backs over the past 30 years, but Cook was the first to break the 1,000-yard barrier in his first season with the team. _______ 3. Running game on the rise Head coach Mike Zimmer has made no bones about it this offseason ? he wants his offense to be able to run the ball in 2017. ?Being able to run the ball in the fourth quarter to win football games is important,? Zimmer said last Saturday. ?It allows your defense to play better. You can control the time of possession, you can control the flow of the game. A lot of times when you go three-and-out offensively and there?s three passes, that?s a quick possession. I think this adds to the way we want to play the game.? Cook can help the offense achieve Zimmer?s vision. After cracking the 1,000-yard mark in his first season with the Seminoles, Cook rushed for 1,691 yards on 229 carries and 1,765 yards on 288 carries in the next two seasons, scoring 19 times on the ground in each of his final two seasons on campus. Stat: Cook averaged 5.42 yards per carry in the 4th quarter for Florida State in 2016.
I want the Vikings to have a balanced attack Cook has a shot at being really good,but they got to be careful not to put all there eggs in one basket...i'm expecting big things from the passing game,Diggs being healthy and having a good year Rudolph putting up amazing numbers and Treadwell BREAKOUT year and being the awesome red zone target I believe you to be and the other wr Adam T spelling here he was really good seems like the real deal....PLEASE INJURY BUG STAY THE HECK AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
On paper the Vikings have definitely improved. Your right, they have to stay healthy, but they also have to execute and play with heart, blood & guts if they expect to improve on an 8-8 season.
its all about execution and being a tough football team...it was CP that wore 84 now its Bucky Hodges is wearing the no. 84 enough of the disrespect RETIRE no. 84 Randy Moss is one the greats wrs.
Among the top-tier running backs in this year's draft class, Florida State standout Dalvin Cook represented the great unknown. Asking a position coach this time of year for clarity is often unreliable. Relentless optimism underscores the period between early May and August -- before any of a player's true flaws are revealed to his NFL coaches. However, Vikings running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu is expecting success. "I've always been around young men who are learning their way," Polamalu told the Star-Tribune. "I have a feel for the support system they need. Dalvin is serious. He's got a kid on the way any day. It's early, but I believe he wants to be great." Cook added: "I feel like we're off to a great start. We're off to something special." The story, which traces Polamalu's winding journey into coaching, is well worth your time (Kennedy is the uncle of Steelers legend Troy). For now, it should also give Vikings fans hope that they'll have a formidable two-headed monster in the backfield this season more than willing to replace Adrian Peterson. While Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey are in position to have a larger impact during their first year, Cook and Latavius Murray have the opportunity to reshape what has been a fairly standard approach to the running game in Minnesota over the last decade. Together, with Polamalu, the tandem could produce a refreshingly different brand of football if the offseason optimism persists.
How did he do during the rookie camp? Im a huge FSU fan and this kid is gonna be great...he will be the home run threat AP was every time he touches the ball
I sure hope he pans out... I think he will. I'm very pleased with the pick. I havnt seen the rookie camp yet, but I'll dig something up on the inter net. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for dropping by.
First Look at Vikings' Draft Picks Shows RB Cook's Zest, Elusiveness It's Vikings rookie mini-camp weekend, which features all of their draft picks in action along with many undrafted free agents and tryout invitees.? KSTP?Sports was at Winter Park on Friday, and talked with running back?Dalvin?Cook, center Pat?Elflein, and tight end Bucky Hodges. Elflein, who played guard at Ohio State in 2014 and 2015, said he'll start out playing center. But will continue to learn all the guard calls -- the Vikings love offensive lineman with position flexibility. Cook was asked if his goal is to start September 11 vs. New Orleans, and merely responded that he just wants to make the team and do what he can to help the Vikings win. Hodges, a sixth-round pick, gushed about how much pride he takes in wearing No. 84 because of his admiration for Randy Moss.
