Pre Camp Discussion: Minnesota Vikings

Sgt John · 05-25-2008, 02:47 AM

We shall start off with a great article about the improvements to the Vikings defense.

Quote:

Vikings' Frazier has plenty to work with
May 23, 2008
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Leslie Frazier finished up his first season as Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator knowing there was plenty of work to be done.

His group was once again good against the run, but a soft pass rush and some injuries in the secondary made them the worst team in the league against the pass.

As the offseason progressed, Frazier's job got easier and easier by the month. The Wilf family tapped its billion-dollar bank account in March, shelling out $13 million in guaranteed money to Cincinnati safety Madieu Williams to replace Dwight Smith.

Then in April, the Vikings made a blockbuster trade for defensive end Jared Allen and made him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL with a whopping $31 million guaranteed.

Minnesota then capped the month by using its first pick in the draft to take safety Tyrell Johnson in the second round. They also added depth with safeties Benny Sapp and Michael Boulware and linebacker Derrick Pope.

The additions seem to have addressed every considerable weakness on the defense and have given Frazier plenty of new toys to play with heading into this season.

"Those guys are going to be great additions to what we're trying to get accomplished, not only the guys who are going to start but the depth as well. ... So it's been an exciting offseason," said Frazier, who was also promoted to associate head coach. "Now we have to carry that over to the real thing. You can have it on paper, but you've got to be able to produce on the football field, and I think we'll be able to do that."

On Thursday, the Vikings wrapped up a four-day "voluntary" week of practice that gave Frazier his first glimpse of how all the new faces will fit in with a proud veteran nucleus including safety Darren Sharper, tackles Kevin and Pat Williams and cornerback Antoine Winfield.

"They have a great nucleus of guys that were here and have been successful over the last couple of years," Williams said. "It's up to guys like myself and Jared Allen to come in and just try to insert ourselves and try to find what our niche is in the defense, go out and execute, and play along with those nine other guys."

The gregarious Allen, for one, likes how it looks.

"I look good in purple. That's what I keep hearing," Allen quipped. "It really highlights my eyes and my facial features."

On top of the color coordination, Allen's skills as a pass rusher will make life much easier on an overworked secondary that often had to cover receivers for five or even six seconds last season, a lifetime in today's NFL.

Now Frazier won't have to call as many blitzes from his linebackers, allowing Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson and Ben Leber to drop back into coverage and plug some of the holes down the field that Brett Favre, Todd Collins and Donovan McNabb found so easily last season.

"I'm excited. I think all of our coaches are (excited) to work with the caliber guys that we have, solid football players and good people," Frazier said. "It's exciting, very exciting."

Williams figures to be an upgrade at safety from Smith and Johnson is a highly touted prospect that many scouts had rated as the best safety in the draft.

"They have a track record of being great players," Greenway said of Allen and Williams. "They've put it on the table on Sundays and they've been rewarded handsomely. Out here, you can tell why they're so good. They get their work in. They're around here. They know what they're doing. They're vocal."

For now, Frazier is using these "organized team activities" to introduce the new faces to the established core and get everyone comfortable with each other.

"All the teams I've been on that were very successful, that was the intangible that really got us over the top," Frazier said. "Whether it was in Indianapolis when we won a Super Bowl or in Chicago when we won a Super Bowl, we had great chemistry in the locker room, not just talent. So the OTAs give you a chance to develop that, also to find out a little bit about your teammates."

catman · 05-25-2008, 11:48 AM

Now all the Vikes need is a QB that can manage a game and they should be OK.

Sgt John · 05-25-2008, 05:17 PM

Many pundits are saying this is the year that Tarvaris Jackson turns the corner. I still dont see it to be honest. I see flashes of what he could be, but the guy just strikes me as an outstanding backup QB.

I think youve got your QB already on the roster in the person of John David Booty. I never miss a chance to say I hate USC, but I think Booty is going to turn into a fine QB for your Vikes, one that wont lose games, occasionally will actually win you one, and will let the running game and defense do the work.

Coachnorm · 05-25-2008, 05:42 PM

Q: Talk about Erin Henderson. Are there some similarities with his brother?
A: There are. First of all, they definitely look like brothers when you see them in appearance. But he’s a very cerebral guy. He has good athletic ability, but the fact that he can really comprehend information and then carry it onto the field, that’s what has been very impressive about him, and we’re really looking forward to when we put the pads on and see him move around and see how he contacts. We’ve been very pleased with him.
Q: There was talk about him getting drafted in the third or fourth round and then you sign him in free agency. Is there any reason why?
A: You know what? We were surprised. I was talking with our linebackers coach just about that. We watched him move around and do some things and we felt like on tape, we had a draftable grade on him, and when he slipped the way he did, it just kind of defaulted to us, but we’re glad to have him. I think he’s going to be a fine addition to what we are trying to accomplish.

Q: What are your expectations for Chad Greenway this year? Are 20 or 30 tackles more this year doable for him you think?
A: I think the sky is the limit for Chad. Just watching him move around and things he’s done this offseason in the conditioning program, he looks like a totally different player. I thought he had a good first year. Some people say it wasn’t his rookie year, but in a lot of ways it was his rookie year. I think he’s going to be a very good player for us this season, and he’ll be tremendously improved. I really believe that.

catman · 05-25-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt_John

Many pundits are saying this is the year that Tarvaris Jackson turns the corner. I still dont see it to be honest. I see flashes of what he could be, but the guy just strikes me as an outstanding backup QB.

I think youve got your QB already on the roster in the person of John David Booty. I never miss a chance to say I hate USC, but I think Booty is going to turn into a fine QB for your Vikes, one that wont lose games, occasionally will actually win you one, and will let the running game and defense do the work.

I have some friends that think that Gus Frerotte will be the starting QB about 4 weeks in next season. I agree that Booty could be the QB of the future for the team.

Sgt John · 05-25-2008, 08:24 PM

I forgot about that guy......

You know Catman.....I remember this team once that had a stellar running game and defense that got a journeyman vet under center and won a super bowl....

Miller · 05-25-2008, 09:28 PM

I'm trying to stash Booty in some dynasty leagues. Just picked him up at the end of the 5th in Zealots, shocked he was there still.

Sgt John · 05-25-2008, 09:40 PM

A wise choice on your part

Hammered · 05-25-2008, 10:56 PM

I don't care who is at QB as long as he throw the deep ball, to open up the run for Peterson.


05-25-2008, 11:48 AM	#2
catman Baseball "Expert" Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 7,697 vCash: 65602 Donate	Now all the Vikes need is a QB that can manage a game and they should be OK. __________________ "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans..." John Lennon


05-25-2008, 09:28 PM	#7
Miller Who Me? Admin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 15,948 vCash: 37543252 Donate Blog Entries: 28	I'm trying to stash Booty in some dynasty leagues. Just picked him up at the end of the 5th in Zealots, shocked he was there still. __________________ Banner by Mark Clapper

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05-25-2008, 05:17 PM	#3
Sgt John Genibus Nitito Canus Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 6,694 vCash: 290001 Donate Blog Entries: 4	Many pundits are saying this is the year that Tarvaris Jackson turns the corner. I still dont see it to be honest. I see flashes of what he could be, but the guy just strikes me as an outstanding backup QB. I think youve got your QB already on the roster in the person of John David Booty. I never miss a chance to say I hate USC, but I think Booty is going to turn into a fine QB for your Vikes, one that wont lose games, occasionally will actually win you one, and will let the running game and defense do the work.


05-25-2008, 05:42 PM	#4
Coachnorm Bloggin' Outlaw Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 12,205 vCash: 173950 Donate Blog Entries: 14	Q: Talk about Erin Henderson. Are there some similarities with his brother? A: There are. First of all, they definitely look like brothers when you see them in appearance. But he’s a very cerebral guy. He has good athletic ability, but the fact that he can really comprehend information and then carry it onto the field, that’s what has been very impressive about him, and we’re really looking forward to when we put the pads on and see him move around and see how he contacts. We’ve been very pleased with him. Q: There was talk about him getting drafted in the third or fourth round and then you sign him in free agency. Is there any reason why? A: You know what? We were surprised. I was talking with our linebackers coach just about that. We watched him move around and do some things and we felt like on tape, we had a draftable grade on him, and when he slipped the way he did, it just kind of defaulted to us, but we’re glad to have him. I think he’s going to be a fine addition to what we are trying to accomplish. Q: What are your expectations for Chad Greenway this year? Are 20 or 30 tackles more this year doable for him you think? A: I think the sky is the limit for Chad. Just watching him move around and things he’s done this offseason in the conditioning program, he looks like a totally different player. I thought he had a good first year. Some people say it wasn’t his rookie year, but in a lot of ways it was his rookie year. I think he’s going to be a very good player for us this season, and he’ll be tremendously improved. I really believe that.


05-25-2008, 08:24 PM	#6
Sgt John Genibus Nitito Canus Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 6,694 vCash: 290001 Donate Blog Entries: 4	I forgot about that guy...... You know Catman.....I remember this team once that had a stellar running game and defense that got a journeyman vet under center and won a super bowl....


05-25-2008, 09:40 PM	#8
Sgt John Genibus Nitito Canus Premium Member Forum Leader Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Taylor, TX Posts: 6,694 vCash: 290001 Donate Blog Entries: 4	A wise choice on your part


05-25-2008, 10:56 PM	#9
Hammered Delivery Boy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 47 vCash: 13832 Donate	I don't care who is at QB as long as he throw the deep ball, to open up the run for Peterson.