There is no sure thing in the NFL first round. Even the first draft pick overall.
I think that's interesting the story they are talking about on ESPN. Jacksonville was talking with the Vikes, delaying them and their trade talks with Baltimore. Worked out for Jacksonville.
They took the wrong player? I don't think so. This is a player they had targeted and really wanted. They slid a few spots because I think some opportunistic teams had definite targets that they quickly went after.
You don't can Tice because of that. You look at how it was decided to pick him, who had input on the pick and who chose him, the position coaches who coached him.
No coach is infallible. I thought that Tice had final veto power, but there were people like Tice, Studwell, McCombs, and the head scout who helped make the pick. Besides, he can't be bad if we ended the season winning the last three games of the year.
Versatile athlete who joined the program as an outside linebacker, shifting to strong safety in 1999 before moving back to linebacker the following year...A hard worker on the field and in the weight room, he sets the tone for his teammates, pushing them to get the most out of their skills...Posted 249 tackles (143 solos) with eight sacks for minus 54 yards, 30 stops for losses of 96 yards, four forced fumbles, six quarterback pressures, 12 pass deflections and an interception while starting 29 games during his career.
a sure-tackling OLB who can blitz & spy the QB (ahem ... culpepper), and was quick enough to be moved to s-safety in college? me likesthis pick alot.
not a defensive rookie of the year, but he'll thrive in ed donatell's defense that features sharper and a ready-to-explode marques anderson.
then again, 2003 will be donatell's last season in GB. somebody will pick him up to be their HC.
I had a feeling that the Vikes may pick EJ Henderson. Gives Biekert a backup that can learn, plus with a thin crop of linebackers it gives them a young linebacker who can go with Claiborne.
I just thought of this. I wonder if Randy Moss was running the draft. Isn't his motto "I'll play hard when I want to play hard." Maybe that's translated to picking in the draft. "We'll draft when we want to draft."
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY Notes: Redshirted in 1998. Played every game the last four seasons and started 42-of-46. Had 28 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks in '99, when he started every game. Recorded 35-7-4 in 2000 and 36-11-5 in '01, when his only nonstart was because of an ankle injury. Started 13-of-13 games in '02, making 61-14-7. Was a lesser-known heading into the Senior Bowl, but he left Mobile as one of the hottest names.
Positives: Good hands, athletic ability, quickness and speed. Plays hard, shows some burst and closes on the quarterback. Good worker and leader. Long, 34?:-inch arms. Is coming on and also can play defensive end in some schemes. Modest, yet confident in his ability.
Negatives: Gets neutralized and struggles shedding blocks. Plays too tall, loses leverage and has average lateral movement, rush skills and athletic ability. Is stiff and not sudden, plays without much knee bend and gets out of position with inside pass-rush moves. Average leverage, strength, production and football intelligence.
Summary: Undersized tackle with the speed to play end, he should be one of the top 10 defensive linemen drafted, and could be a first-rounder.
MEL KIPER A rising performer all year, Williams has seen his stock elevate as the Oklahoma State program has emerged as one of the better defensive units in the Big 12, if not the nation ... While his individual number might not suggest it, Williams was a vital cog in the Cowboys' back-to-back upsets of in-state rival Oklahoma. He has shown over his career in Stillwater that he comes up big in the key games, and doesn't shy away from the top competition. He started the year under the radar, but his performance merited positive comments throughout 2002, and the number of those taking notice grew steadily during his senior campaign. He is quick and physically gifted from a talent perspective -- there are few peers when you compare him to others on a physical level. Williams is a productive 300-pound tackle, not just someone used to clog the interior and take up space. Down in Mobile he emerged as one of the top two or three players at the Senior Bowl practices. There is no question that over the last eight months he improved his draft position as much as any top echelon prospect available this year.
THE WAR ROOM Vs. the run: Is durable and experienced. Is quick, explosive, powerful and athletic. Is a one-gap penetrator with improved size. Still lacks great bulk. Plays too high, losing power, at times. Must use hands better to disengage blockers. Finds the ball quickly once through the line, and is athletic enough to change directions and chase it. Can be extremely disruptive. Grade: 8.3.
Pass rush: Is an athletic, quick and explosive pass rusher. Changes directions quickly in the backfield. Shows above-average burst to the quarterback. Is a powerful tackler with good pop. Has some big-play flair. However, lacks power-rush moves. Must use hands better to disengage blockers. Grade: 8.0.
Initial quickness: Shows good initial burst off the snap. Is at his best in one-gap situations. Gets consistent penetration because of anticipation and quick first step. Grade: 8.4.
Run/pass recognition: Has terrific diagnostic skills. Locates the ball quickly once through the line. Changes directions and pursues better than most defensive tackles. Grade: 8.3.
Pursuit/tackling: Has excellent chase ability; has the speed and agility of a defensive end. Makes a lot of plays on the move, and changes directions quickly. Is a solid tackler with good short-area power. Grade: 8.2.
Bottom line: Williams was a durable, productive starter for four seasons at Oklahoma State. He is a hustling, athletic tackle who improved his draft value with a strong senior season -- he also added nearly 20 pounds in the last year but maintained his agility and explosiveness. Williams could play a one-gap defensive tackle position or move to end -- or rotate between both spots.
Eric "E.J." Henderson Middle/Outside Linebacker University of Maryland Terrapins 6:00.7-245 Aberdeen, Maryland
Strong athlete with good quickness, balance, agility and body control...Learns schemes easily and calls defensive assignments...Very strong and physical with his hands, using them with force to shed as he does not allow blockers to get into his body...Has superb field vision and anticipation skills, showing a smooth change of direction as he flows to the play...Has excellent sideline range, using his instinctive nature to get an explosive jump on the ball... Shows above average hand reflexes to deflect the pass or intercept the ball...Has the speed to cover the tight ends and slot receivers, showing determination and awareness in zone coverage...Very disruptive on the blitz, powering through blocks while generating a quick closing burst on the quarterback...Above average inline tackler who follows through his hits with power...Contributes on special teams, serving as the right guard on the punt unit...Has the quickness to play outside...Attacks the line well...Stout and leveraged at the point of attack, showing the strength needed to stack and control blocks...The most decorated defensive player in school history, E.J. boasts a mantelpiece filled with trophies from his Terps career...The Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) and Bednarik Trophy (top defensive player in college) winner is a strong, agile defender with an uncanny knack for getting to the ball...Finished his career with 473 tackles (329 solos), 17.5 sacks for minus 107 yards and 62.5 stops for losses of 207 yards while starting 36 of 46 games...His 473 tackles are topped only by Eric Wilson’s 481 (1981-84) on the school’s career-record list...His 62.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage broke the old school all-time record of 45 by Aaron Thompson (1998-2001) while his 207 yards in losses surpassed the previous Maryland career mark of 206 yards by Mike Corvino (1979-82)...His 17.5 sacks rank eighth in Terps annals.
Nate Burleson SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 3, PICK 7, OVERALL PICK 71 WR | (6-0, 197, 4.54) | NEVADA-RENO By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Well-schooled receiver whose father played in the CFL. Partial qualifier in 1999. Started every game in 2000 and caught 57 passes for 921 yards and eight touchdowns, with a long of 80 yards. Missed two-plus games after dislocating his shoulder vs. Louisiana Tech in '01. However, in nine starts, he caught 53-737-2 with a long reception of 91 yards. Caught 138-1,629-12 with a long of 95 and ran 22-120-1 in 12 games in '02. Was a Biletnikoff finalist, a first-team American Football Coaches Association All-American and first-team All-Western Athletic Conference.
Positives: Good athlete who runs very good, sharp routes, is quick into and out of his breaks and knows how to drop his weight. Motions are quick and smooth. Good technique. Above-average to good hands. Knows how to get open and makes things happen. Has good character and is a leader. Superproductive. Adequate size. Decent route-runner. Excellent leaper with a 42½-inch vertical.
Negatives: More quick than fast. Is an inconsistent receiver downfield. Likes to catch on his knees and uses his body too much. There is some wasted movement in his routes. Lacks bulk. Pass-friendly offensive system helped pad his statistics. Lacks burning speed.
Summary: Will have a hard time converting his college production to the pro level. Could be greatly helped by a strong speed showing.
With their first pick today, the Vikes take Onterrio Smith RB Oregon.
Notes: High school All-American. Played in eight games as a true freshman at Tennessee in '99, when he rushed for 189 yards and four touchdowns, averaging just more than six yards per carry, with two catches for 25 yards and a score. Dismissed from the team for rules violations. Transfer redshirt in 2000. Started just one game but split time in '01 with Seahawks 2002 second-round draft pick Maurice Morris and carried 161-1,007-7, caught 8-63, threw a TD pass and returned 12 kickoffs for 338 yards with a touchdown. Started 10-of-10 games in '02 as a fourth-year junior, carrying 244-1,141-12. Caught 13-78 and returned seven kickoffs for 175 yards.
Positives: Fluid, natural runner who can lower pads and deliver a blow and make defenders miss. Is agile, quick and instinctive and plays bigger than his size. Has a good center of gravity, good power, instincts, vision, skills and top ability and can break long runs and make big plays. Superb athlete with excellent running skills.
Negatives: Sometimes runs into the man to beat in the open field. May be better inside in traffic. Character is a big concern. Needs work in the passing game and on blocking. Must improve focus and attention to detail.
Summary: Great natural athletic ability, but his character will affect where he is drafted. He must stay out of trouble to have success at the next level.
Great picks all the way down the line. I still think they could have got someone better in round one but E.J. Henderson. Joppru, and Onterrio Smith more than make up for that. Burleson the WR was ranked 11th best on the board. Not bad for where they drafted him. He was ranked right behind that Kelley Washington of TN.
I knew who he was. He played at Minnetonka actually. I thought Houston had drafted him, I was just wondering if we had traded for him. I see a few more Minnesota guys have been drafted, Sobieski to Buffalo and Lehan to Cleveland.
Eddie Johnson SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 6, PICK 7, OVERALL PICK 180 P | (6-3, 232, 5.2) | IDAHO STATE By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Punted and was the backup quarterback at Orange Coast Community College (Calif.) in '99 and 2000. Averaged only 38.0 yards per punt in 1999 and 40.0 in 2000, but was an All-Big Sky punter and NCAA Division I-AA All-American in '01, when he averaged 46.3 yards on 49 punts with 10 inside the 20 and no blocked kicks. In '02, averaged 46.2 yards on 51 punts with 15 inside the 20, eight touchbacks and no blocked kicks.
Positives: Has plus-size, good hands and a very strong leg. Holds on placement kicks. Conventional right-footed punter. Backup quarterback in junior college who can throw. Gets the ball off quickly with a touch-to-toe time in the 1.31 to 1.35 range. Good hang time but can also pooch. Has some toughness and is a member of a boxing club. Also kicks off and has a powerful leg to kick into and out of endzone.
Negatives: Benefited from high altitude and indoor kicking. All games were indoor or in good weather. Doesn't hit the coffin corner with consistency.
Summary: Johnson is one of the best punting prospects available because he has a powerful leg and has improved accuracy.
Mike Nattiel SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 6, PICK 17, OVERALL PICK 190 OLB | (5-11, 228, 4.6) | FLORIDA By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Nephew of former Florida WR Ricky Nattiel, a late first-round pick of the Broncos in 1986. Played in every game the past three years. Started one game in '99, seven in 2000, eight in '01 and every game in '02. Had 35 stops in 1999; missed all of spring drills after undergoing shoulder surgery in January, then had 61 stops and two picks in 2000. Collected 66 tackles, six passes broken up and an interception in '01; and 136-6-0 in '02, when he played on the strong side.
Positives: Very tough and competitive player who likes to fly around and play football. Quick, active and very aggressive. Has sideline-to-sideline range vs. the run and a special-teams personality.
Negatives: Lacks size and bulk strength. Must be freed up and not playing head up over a blocker, because he lacks the size and strength to take on a big man. Goes so hard he is not always under control and will overrun plays and miss tackles because he can't break down and tackle low when he is going so hard. Is just average in coverage. Has some hesitation in his play.
Summary: Active, aggressive, undersized 'backer who is limited by his size but could make it as a backup and special-teams player and eventually earn a chance to compete as a regular.
Keenan Howry SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 7, PICK 7, OVERALL PICK 221 WR | (5-9, 178, 4.62) | OREGON By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Started eight games as an 18-year-old freshman in 1999. Started every game in 2000 and won All-Pacific-10 honors in '01 as a receiver and punt returner despite playing with a separated left shoulder. Caught 29 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns in 1999; 52-780-5 in 2000; and 49-647-8 in '01. Also returned 36 punts for 282 yards (7.8-yard average) in 2000 and 32-465-2 (14.5) in '01. Started 12-of-13 games in '02, catching 40-784-5 with a long of 84. Averaged 19.6 yards per catch. Carried eight times for 79 yards.
Positives: Quick, nifty, shifty, aware and productive punt returner and receiver. Adjusts to the ball quickly. Good athletic ability, agility and elusiveness. More quick than fast. Very tough and has very good football intelligence. Good competitor and warrior. Tough. Maximizes size and talent. Fine returner with receiver skills. Has some make-you-miss qualities.
Negatives: Does not have great size or top-end speed. Not very explosive in and out of breaks. Tiny body. Size is a huge concern. Might not be more than a No. 3, slot receiver.
Summary: Has all the qualities you look for in a return man and could develop into a solid slot receiver.
I didn't know about Johnson. Sounds like he could be a good punter who can kick off, and give a weapon with his arm possibly. He gives the Vikings the option to keep Anderson as their kicker. Smith could be a good running back for us. Seemed a bit strange that they took the number of receivers that they did, but receiver did seem to be a deep position for this somewhat weak draft. It will be interesting to see who they sign as free agents.
I'm not sure where we'll be. I have to look at how the other teams did. Detroit will be better with a new coach. Chicago should be better. Green Bay will always be tough with Favre. I think we have a really tough schedule this coming season too. We'll just have to see.
i've always been amazed & saddened by the number of star QBs who are "cursed" with unhealthy sons: esiason, marino, flutie, rypien, kelly, and now dilfer.
and the odd part is that their wives are usually fitness trainers too.
I know all that. None of that justifies what the Vikings did in the first round though. They needed a sure thing.
TMK,
Not disagreeing with the pick, just the way it happened.
There is no sure thing in the NFL first round. Even the first draft pick overall.
I think that's interesting the story they are talking about on ESPN. Jacksonville was talking with the Vikes, delaying them and their trade talks with Baltimore. Worked out for Jacksonville.
They took the wrong player? I don't think so. This is a player they had targeted and really wanted. They slid a few spots because I think some opportunistic teams had definite targets that they quickly went after.
They were obviously trying to trade down, but got no takers so they slid a couple picks to save money and took the wrong player .
Time will tell. I think he was a good pick. Worth #7 or #9 (depending on how you look at it) I don't know.
You don't can Tice because of that. You look at how it was decided to pick him, who had input on the pick and who chose him, the position coaches who coached him.
You don't can Tice because of that.
Especially if Tice had no say in the matter. Who has the final say in the draft for the Vikes? McCombs?
Tice. It was in the paper the other day. His randy ratio bullshit to his letting anderson go in favor of brien to this bullshit. Tice is clueless!
Tice has the final say in all draft decisions.
No coach is infallible. I thought that Tice had final veto power, but there were people like Tice, Studwell, McCombs, and the head scout who helped make the pick. Besides, he can't be bad if we ended the season winning the last three games of the year.
Bottom line all we can do is support the draft pick. I hope Williams is a boon for this team. Sign him and lets play.
Well, there goes Woolfolk Wolvie. Lets see who GB picks.
Interesting that the Packers take Barnett. I wonder where Bailey will go.
... the Packers take Barnett ...
DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!
Nick Barnett, OLB
6'2", 236#
Oregon State
Versatile athlete who joined the program as an outside linebacker, shifting to strong safety in 1999 before moving back to linebacker the following year...A hard worker on the field and in the weight room, he sets the tone for his teammates, pushing them to get the most out of their skills...Posted 249 tackles (143 solos) with eight sacks for minus 54 yards, 30 stops for losses of 96 yards, four forced fumbles, six quarterback pressures, 12 pass deflections and an interception while starting 29 games during his career.
I had a feeling that the Vikes may pick EJ Henderson. Gives Biekert a backup that can learn, plus with a thin crop of linebackers it gives them a young linebacker who can go with Claiborne.
At least they got the pick in on time. Henderson is not a bad pick either.
E.J. is one of the very best available.
I just thought of this. I wonder if Randy Moss was running the draft. Isn't his motto "I'll play hard when I want to play hard." Maybe that's translated to picking in the draft. "We'll draft when we want to draft."
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
Notes: Redshirted in 1998. Played every game the last four seasons and started 42-of-46. Had 28 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks in '99, when he started every game. Recorded 35-7-4 in 2000 and 36-11-5 in '01, when his only nonstart was because of an ankle injury. Started 13-of-13 games in '02, making 61-14-7. Was a lesser-known heading into the Senior Bowl, but he left Mobile as one of the hottest names.
Positives: Good hands, athletic ability, quickness and speed. Plays hard, shows some burst and closes on the quarterback. Good worker and leader. Long, 34?:-inch arms. Is coming on and also can play defensive end in some schemes. Modest, yet confident in his ability.
Negatives: Gets neutralized and struggles shedding blocks. Plays too tall, loses leverage and has average lateral movement, rush skills and athletic ability. Is stiff and not sudden, plays without much knee bend and gets out of position with inside pass-rush moves. Average leverage, strength, production and football intelligence.
Summary: Undersized tackle with the speed to play end, he should be one of the top 10 defensive linemen drafted, and could be a first-rounder.
MEL KIPER
A rising performer all year, Williams has seen his stock elevate as the Oklahoma State program has emerged as one of the better defensive units in the Big 12, if not the nation ... While his individual number might not suggest it, Williams was a vital cog in the Cowboys' back-to-back upsets of in-state rival Oklahoma. He has shown over his career in Stillwater that he comes up big in the key games, and doesn't shy away from the top competition. He started the year under the radar, but his performance merited positive comments throughout 2002, and the number of those taking notice grew steadily during his senior campaign. He is quick and physically gifted from a talent perspective -- there are few peers when you compare him to others on a physical level. Williams is a productive 300-pound tackle, not just someone used to clog the interior and take up space. Down in Mobile he emerged as one of the top two or three players at the Senior Bowl practices. There is no question that over the last eight months he improved his draft position as much as any top echelon prospect available this year.
THE WAR ROOM
Vs. the run: Is durable and experienced. Is quick, explosive, powerful and athletic. Is a one-gap penetrator with improved size. Still lacks great bulk. Plays too high, losing power, at times. Must use hands better to disengage blockers. Finds the ball quickly once through the line, and is athletic enough to change directions and chase it. Can be extremely disruptive. Grade: 8.3.
Pass rush: Is an athletic, quick and explosive pass rusher. Changes directions quickly in the backfield. Shows above-average burst to the quarterback. Is a powerful tackler with good pop. Has some big-play flair. However, lacks power-rush moves. Must use hands better to disengage blockers. Grade: 8.0.
Initial quickness: Shows good initial burst off the snap. Is at his best in one-gap situations. Gets consistent penetration because of anticipation and quick first step. Grade: 8.4.
Run/pass recognition: Has terrific diagnostic skills. Locates the ball quickly once through the line. Changes directions and pursues better than most defensive tackles. Grade: 8.3.
Pursuit/tackling: Has excellent chase ability; has the speed and agility of a defensive end. Makes a lot of plays on the move, and changes directions quickly. Is a solid tackler with good short-area power. Grade: 8.2.
Bottom line: Williams was a durable, productive starter for four seasons at Oklahoma State. He is a hustling, athletic tackle who improved his draft value with a strong senior season -- he also added nearly 20 pounds in the last year but maintained his agility and explosiveness. Williams could play a one-gap defensive tackle position or move to end -- or rotate between both spots.
Eric "E.J." Henderson
Middle/Outside Linebacker
University of Maryland Terrapins
6:00.7-245
Aberdeen, Maryland
Strong athlete with good quickness, balance, agility and body control...Learns schemes easily and calls defensive assignments...Very strong and physical with his hands, using them with force to shed as he does not allow blockers to get into his body...Has superb field vision and anticipation skills, showing a smooth change of direction as he flows to the play...Has excellent sideline range, using his instinctive nature to get an explosive jump on the ball... Shows above average hand reflexes to deflect the pass or intercept the ball...Has the speed to cover the tight ends and slot receivers, showing determination and awareness in zone coverage...Very disruptive on the blitz, powering through blocks while generating a quick closing burst on the quarterback...Above average inline tackler who follows through his hits with power...Contributes on special teams, serving as the right guard on the punt unit...Has the quickness to play outside...Attacks the line well...Stout and leveraged at the point of attack, showing the strength needed to stack and control blocks...The most decorated defensive player in school history, E.J. boasts a mantelpiece filled with trophies from his Terps career...The Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) and Bednarik Trophy (top defensive player in college) winner is a strong, agile defender with an uncanny knack for getting to the ball...Finished his career with 473 tackles (329 solos), 17.5 sacks for minus 107 yards and 62.5 stops for losses of 207 yards while starting 36 of 46 games...His 473 tackles are topped only by Eric Wilson’s 481 (1981-84) on the school’s career-record list...His 62.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage broke the old school all-time record of 45 by Aaron Thompson (1998-2001) while his 207 yards in losses surpassed the previous Maryland career mark of 206 yards by Mike Corvino (1979-82)...His 17.5 sacks rank eighth in Terps annals.
With the Vikes third pick they take Nate Burleson WR out of Nevada.
Nate Burleson
SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 3, PICK 7, OVERALL PICK 71
WR | (6-0, 197, 4.54) | NEVADA-RENO
By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Well-schooled receiver whose father played in the CFL. Partial qualifier in 1999. Started every game in 2000 and caught 57 passes for 921 yards and eight touchdowns, with a long of 80 yards. Missed two-plus games after dislocating his shoulder vs. Louisiana Tech in '01. However, in nine starts, he caught 53-737-2 with a long reception of 91 yards. Caught 138-1,629-12 with a long of 95 and ran 22-120-1 in 12 games in '02. Was a Biletnikoff finalist, a first-team American Football Coaches Association All-American and first-team All-Western Athletic Conference.
Positives: Good athlete who runs very good, sharp routes, is quick into and out of his breaks and knows how to drop his weight. Motions are quick and smooth. Good technique. Above-average to good hands. Knows how to get open and makes things happen. Has good character and is a leader. Superproductive. Adequate size. Decent route-runner. Excellent leaper with a 42½-inch vertical.
Negatives: More quick than fast. Is an inconsistent receiver downfield. Likes to catch on his knees and uses his body too much. There is some wasted movement in his routes. Lacks bulk. Pass-friendly offensive system helped pad his statistics. Lacks burning speed.
Summary: Will have a hard time converting his college production to the pro level. Could be greatly helped by a strong speed showing.
Hey Machias, long time no see.
Where you been keeping yourself?
Nate Burleson I believe is the brother of Gophers basketball player Kevin Burleson.
With their first pick today, the Vikes take Onterrio Smith RB Oregon.
Notes: High school All-American. Played in eight games as a true freshman at Tennessee in '99, when he rushed for 189 yards and four touchdowns, averaging just more than six yards per carry, with two catches for 25 yards and a score. Dismissed from the team for rules violations. Transfer redshirt in 2000. Started just one game but split time in '01 with Seahawks 2002 second-round draft pick Maurice Morris and carried 161-1,007-7, caught 8-63, threw a TD pass and returned 12 kickoffs for 338 yards with a touchdown. Started 10-of-10 games in '02 as a fourth-year junior, carrying 244-1,141-12. Caught 13-78 and returned seven kickoffs for 175 yards.
Positives: Fluid, natural runner who can lower pads and deliver a blow and make defenders miss. Is agile, quick and instinctive and plays bigger than his size. Has a good center of gravity, good power, instincts, vision, skills and top ability and can break long runs and make big plays. Superb athlete with excellent running skills.
Negatives: Sometimes runs into the man to beat in the open field. May be better inside in traffic. Character is a big concern. Needs work in the passing game and on blocking. Must improve focus and attention to detail.
Summary: Great natural athletic ability, but his character will affect where he is drafted. He must stay out of trouble to have success at the next level.
Great picks all the way down the line. I still think they could have got someone better in round one but E.J. Henderson. Joppru, and Onterrio Smith more than make up for that. Burleson the WR was ranked 11th best on the board. Not bad for where they drafted him. He was ranked right behind that Kelley Washington of TN.
GO VIKINGS!
Uhh, we didn't get Joppru. Did we?
I had misinformation. Houston drafted him.
I knew who he was. He played at Minnetonka actually. I thought Houston had drafted him, I was just wondering if we had traded for him. I see a few more Minnesota guys have been drafted, Sobieski to Buffalo and Lehan to Cleveland.
Round #6 pick by the Vikes....
Eddie Johnson
SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 6, PICK 7, OVERALL PICK 180
P | (6-3, 232, 5.2) | IDAHO STATE
By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Punted and was the backup quarterback at Orange Coast Community College (Calif.) in '99 and 2000. Averaged only 38.0 yards per punt in 1999 and 40.0 in 2000, but was an All-Big Sky punter and NCAA Division I-AA All-American in '01, when he averaged 46.3 yards on 49 punts with 10 inside the 20 and no blocked kicks. In '02, averaged 46.2 yards on 51 punts with 15 inside the 20, eight touchbacks and no blocked kicks.
Positives: Has plus-size, good hands and a very strong leg. Holds on placement kicks. Conventional right-footed punter. Backup quarterback in junior college who can throw. Gets the ball off quickly with a touch-to-toe time in the 1.31 to 1.35 range. Good hang time but can also pooch. Has some toughness and is a member of a boxing club. Also kicks off and has a powerful leg to kick into and out of endzone.
Negatives: Benefited from high altitude and indoor kicking. All games were indoor or in good weather. Doesn't hit the coffin corner with consistency.
Summary: Johnson is one of the best punting prospects available because he has a powerful leg and has improved accuracy.
And....
Mike Nattiel
SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 6, PICK 17, OVERALL PICK 190
OLB | (5-11, 228, 4.6) | FLORIDA
By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Nephew of former Florida WR Ricky Nattiel, a late first-round pick of the Broncos in 1986. Played in every game the past three years. Started one game in '99, seven in 2000, eight in '01 and every game in '02. Had 35 stops in 1999; missed all of spring drills after undergoing shoulder surgery in January, then had 61 stops and two picks in 2000. Collected 66 tackles, six passes broken up and an interception in '01; and 136-6-0 in '02, when he played on the strong side.
Positives: Very tough and competitive player who likes to fly around and play football. Quick, active and very aggressive. Has sideline-to-sideline range vs. the run and a special-teams personality.
Negatives: Lacks size and bulk strength. Must be freed up and not playing head up over a blocker, because he lacks the size and strength to take on a big man. Goes so hard he is not always under control and will overrun plays and miss tackles because he can't break down and tackle low when he is going so hard. Is just average in coverage. Has some hesitation in his play.
Summary: Active, aggressive, undersized 'backer who is limited by his size but could make it as a backup and special-teams player and eventually earn a chance to compete as a regular.
Keenan Howry
SELECTED BY MINNESOTA , ROUND 7, PICK 7, OVERALL PICK 221
WR | (5-9, 178, 4.62) | OREGON
By Pro Football Weekly
Notes: Started eight games as an 18-year-old freshman in 1999. Started every game in 2000 and won All-Pacific-10 honors in '01 as a receiver and punt returner despite playing with a separated left shoulder. Caught 29 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns in 1999; 52-780-5 in 2000; and 49-647-8 in '01. Also returned 36 punts for 282 yards (7.8-yard average) in 2000 and 32-465-2 (14.5) in '01. Started 12-of-13 games in '02, catching 40-784-5 with a long of 84. Averaged 19.6 yards per catch. Carried eight times for 79 yards.
Positives: Quick, nifty, shifty, aware and productive punt returner and receiver. Adjusts to the ball quickly. Good athletic ability, agility and elusiveness. More quick than fast. Very tough and has very good football intelligence. Good competitor and warrior. Tough. Maximizes size and talent. Fine returner with receiver skills. Has some make-you-miss qualities.
Negatives: Does not have great size or top-end speed. Not very explosive in and out of breaks. Tiny body. Size is a huge concern. Might not be more than a No. 3, slot receiver.
Summary: Has all the qualities you look for in a return man and could develop into a solid slot receiver.
Here is how I see the players we drafted doing during the season.
Williams- Starter at DT/DE, could be a great pick.
Henderson- Will compete for a starting spot but will probably be a back up.
Burleson- Will compete for the second starter spot. Maybe a Cris Carter type WR. I see him being the 3rd. WR. Maybe the slot WR.
Smith- Will be kick off/punt returner.
Johnson- Punter maybe kickoffs also.
Nattiel- Special teamer.
Howry- Will compete for return duties, project written on this guy.
Overall, I give the Vikings a B- on the draft. Could have been a B+ except for the bone head first round.
I didn't know about Johnson. Sounds like he could be a good punter who can kick off, and give a weapon with his arm possibly. He gives the Vikings the option to keep Anderson as their kicker. Smith could be a good running back for us. Seemed a bit strange that they took the number of receivers that they did, but receiver did seem to be a deep position for this somewhat weak draft. It will be interesting to see who they sign as free agents.
I see us getting a saftey from FA. Possibly Lassiter or Flowers (I think he is available).
All in all, I think this team should be improved over last year and they should have a good season. Off the cuff, I say anywhere from 8-8 to 10-6.
I'll have to go with 9-7 with a possible 1st round wild card loss. Still better than last year though. Hope is positive.
I'm not sure where we'll be. I have to look at how the other teams did. Detroit will be better with a new coach. Chicago should be better. Green Bay will always be tough with Favre. I think we have a really tough schedule this coming season too. We'll just have to see.
Oh come on TMK! Put the Purple Glasses on!! =)
thx,
Machias ... Where you been keeping yourself?
tmk,
Detroit ... Chicago ... should be better.
Well check back in 5 years and we'll find out.
This has got to be hell: http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0427/1545525.html
Way sad. I have a five year old too. :-(
Trevin Dilfer loses 40-day battle to heart disease