Future Plan
Don't buy into these ideas that we need to change Teddy's throwing motion or
that we are a couple players away from a championship ... as that is all a bunch
of hog wash. You'd be better off just replacing your place kicker with an
expected level of excellence regardless of ability. We should no longer
accept levels of substandard play ... is that direct enough for you?
The Minnesota
Vikings won the 2015 NFC North division title because of the plan put in place
by Rick Speilman, Mike Zimmer and Norv Turner ... in no particular order of
importance.
These three have found a way to trust themselves collectively ... and have long
since shelved their egos for the greater good ... known as team. We are
all collectively very lucky to have found this combination and we hope
their bond grows and grows. They have withstood incredible set backs, only
to rely upon each aspect of their plan to survive. This is clearly
different from our sordid past.
In regard to the upcoming draft, the prime focus will be on our number 1 pick,
selecting in the 23rd spot. Knowing that Mr. football was selected at 22
and Bridgewater was selected at 32, the Vikings should seriously consider
unloading this pick ... as some pure talent is sure to drop through the ranks
like A. A. Ron Rodgers did ... meaning value to a high 2nd round pick franchise
... willing to deal additional picks. As this Vikings franchise is
well aware ... hope, for another franchise ... is worth a great deal and many
are now willing to replicate Spielman's success. We
need to continue to look at cards to upgrade over some of the lingering effects
of the prior regime.
In regard to our offensive line, neither Sullivan or Loadholt can be counted on
as part of our future. Sullivan's back is a huge question mark and
Loadholt has been unavailable for the better part of two years. Joe Berger & Mike
Harris played well enough but upgrade potential ... especially long term
solutions ... is apparent. Fusco, as a poster child for the prior regime
... does not look to be a long term solution. Hot and cold Kalil is not a
cost benefit ... especially long term ... due in part to his draft order.
Shepard, Easton, Kerin & Sirles provided much needed depth but were the bulk
of these moves to be considered reactions, or long term solutions.
What Stephon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendrick & T. J. Clemmings
represent is a fierce game of poker where Speilman & Zimmer took the
opportunity of looking at additional cards to seriously upgrade their poker hands. This methodology has paid
off handsomely and there is absolutely nothing that should prevent them from
continuing in this same aggressive manner ... as the benefits throughout other
franchises are apparent by their moves. Except for Cleveland ... everyone
has prospered ... and no one will ever be allowed to forget the prime carrot
that Emmitt Smith was a Viking draft pick.
We need fresh candidates at offensive tackle, guard and center that provide long
term solutions. We need to have Chad Greenway's replacement at line backer
... someone to pair with Kendrick's and Barr. We can also use a dominate
upgrade along the defensive line however great defensive ends are very hard to
come by. We need to seriously upgrade our competition at safety. We
need a new place kicker and we need to upgrade our depth everywhere to fill-in
the needs of our departing free agents. This is the reality.
As for free agency, there is zero confidence in signing any high dollar
athlete. These contract only work out for the individual ... not the
franchise. This franchise now has the benefit of seeing what the draft can
do and has become patient in regard to signing high dollar headaches.
This franchise also has serious long term investments on our own roster to
consider first. We need to balance the equation being very careful not to
overpay for our own athletes versus shipping them out for future draft
considerations. The key is to identify these player/agent positions early
... well before the perspective due dates ... to key on internal value versus
trade value. Harrison Smith should now be under his long term deal ... and
because his is not ... he should be a prime candidate to be dealt for picks. A one year
investment only in his regard is a huge mistake. If he wants out of
this title ... we should give him his wish.
Priority Free agent signings include: Ellison, Line, Thielen, Bykowski.
The rest should only be considered if available as bargains only.
There are also several players
under contract that want to be apart of a shot at this upcoming title.
Some will be willing to renegotiate a much more reasonable salary for a term
beyond a non-guaranteed 1 year deal that could be yanked from under their
feet. This Vikings franchise is in the drivers seat ... a far cry from the
past where players seemed to hold all the cards. It sounds bad but it is
in fact very good for the players as it is the franchises foundation that means
everything ... not individual-agent-greed.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: January 20, 2016
