Vikings Gamble Again at Draft

And why shouldn't they gamble? They spin and they win. Since yesterday's pick was a wide receiver, I'm sure we will hear many comparisons to Randy Moss. But you do not have to go back to 1998 to see a winning pick. When the Vikings selected Adrian Peterson, they gambled and won. And based on the number 296, they won big. Choosing Peterson worked.

Because they do win, the Vikings continue to gamble with Percy Harvin, a 'troubled' wide receiver from Florida with immense potential. Can you blame the Vikings? They are able to make it when other teams fail.

Somehow, the Vikings make it work while other teams struggle. The Vikings have spun the wheel and won with Moss, Culpepper, and Peterson. Those are the first three names that instantly come to mind. Whatever the Vikings do, other teams cannot replicate. After Minnesota, Moss & Culpepper moved on to failure and success. Moss couldn't integrate in Oakland and Culpepper couldn't establish himself in Miami. Before leaving Minnesota both were all-stars.

Sorry, like their careers, I wandered. Let's get back to the point: the NFL draft. When the offseason started, the Vikings had to address quarterback and wide receiver. With Rosenfels and Harvin, the Vikings have made moves (I don't think addressed them but have made an effort). With the big needs addressed, the Vikings were able to continue. With the rest of the seven (7) rounds, the Vikings moved their focus to defensive by drafting these players:
Loadholt, Phil OL 6'8" 332 Oklahoma
Allen, Asher CB 5'10" 194 Georgia
Japer Brinkley ILB 6'2" 252 South Carolina
Sanford, Jamarca FS 5'10" 214 Mississippi

I don't know much about them yet, but I'll learn and like you, I'll see what's next.

Bleed on,
Don Ackerman

Vikings Schedule Announced & It's Good News!

In the NFL, it's not whom you play but when you play them. The Vikings schedule lays out perfectly in my eyes. Sure, it's no fun to start your season with two road games but it's great to play two rebuilding teams. Here is the 2009 Vikings schedule with my comments:

Sep. 13 (Sun.) 12:00 at Browns Winnable road game in a rabid environment

Sep. 20 (Sun.) 12:00 at Lions The Lions continue to rebuild and a focused Vikings club can win

Sep. 27 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. 49ers The Whiners could be change to Winners but early in the year, they should be getting a grip. This is a good time to play them at home

Oct. 05 (Mon.) 7:30 vs. Packers This helps keep the Vikes focused and the Vikings are honored with a Monday night matchup

Oct. 11 (Sun.) 12:00 at Rams Week 5 and a rebuilding Rams team can easily provide a road W

Oct. 18 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Ravens Back home to face a tough team

Oct. 25 (Sun.) 12:00 at Steelers Back-to-back against tough AFC opponents but deep enough into the season to be ready

Nov. 01 (Sun.) 12:00 at Packers The weather will be bearable this early in the year and provides a solid test before the bye

Nov. 08 (Sun.) Bye week Time to access the team and heal. Did I say I like this schedule?

Nov. 15 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Lions A trap-game at home after a week of rest. This will test the focus but is a possible W

Nov. 22 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Seahawks Still at home and there's time to gauge this team using the bye week

Nov. 29 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Bears A month at home can't hurt a club

Dec. 06 (Sun.) 3:15 at Cardinals Just as the weather chills in Minnesota, the Vikings get to chance to head west. This could be a test to the playoff mettle of the Vikes

Dec. 13 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Bengals Home again and today this looks like another winnable game. If AZ is tough, this is a week to rebound

Dec. 20 (Sun.) 7:20 at Panthers A playoff test awaits but it's late in the year and you want to be ready for the playoffs

Dec. 28 (Mon.) 7:30 at Bears NFC North Divisional title game? I think the NFL hopes so!

Jan. 03 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Giants Again the Giants and this year a repeat of last year. This battle could determine a playoff spot. Another great playoff primer or playoff test

This schedule lines up nicely with a mix of home and away. What do you think?