CURTain Call

[The Gopher]

CURTain Call
Written By: "The" Curt 4074


Introduction:
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/vikings5gq.gif
Well, the Vikings playoff hopes were dashed by there own unspectacular play. Completely choking against the Steelers, and then lit up by a suspect QB in Kyle Boller. This just disappoints me. I think the Vikings screwed up big time this year, but the biggest question is,how good where they? I will also focus on the Draft, Upcoming Free Agency, and the Vikings coaching situation.

How Good were the Vikings?

That is a very good question. This was a team that went 9-7 (5-1 Divisional), a solid record nonetheless, a winning season, and 2nd place in the NFC Norris. The Vikings Rode a 6 game winning streak, based largely on a resurgent defense, and the the Vikings offense having numerous short-field situations.

But who exactly did the Vikings beat this year?

Wow, another great question! Well here is the list:
New Orleans (3-13)
Green Bay (2) (4-12)
Detroit (2) (5-11)
Chicago (11-5)
New York (11-5)
St. Louis (6-10)
Cleveland (6-10)

What an unimpressive list. Rather dejecting now that I have looked at it. The Vikings beat up on the have-nots of the NFL and were consistently over-matched against playoff contenders. New York is the team's only legitimate win against a playoff team. A great effort by the Vikings defense and special teams were the reason they won this game, and is the only real notch on the Vikings belt. But they beat the bears! True, But the Bears team they faced in week 17 was not the bears team they faced earlier in the year. This bears team trotted out 4th and 5th stringers, and even lined up their 3rd string center at Nose tackle on several plays.

But they can't control their schedule! True, and the Vikings did go out and beat the teams they were supposed to, only losing to one team with a losing record (Baltimore). I'd like to throw in one more stat, just to really drive home this point, The Vikings strength of Victory (.382) is only better than 4 NFC teams (St. Louis, Arizona, Atlanta and Detroit).

Let me get this clear, my intent is not to bash the Vikings season, but only to point out the fact, that the Vikings may have more problems than we really imagined, and at least one of those problems has already been addressed (head coach).


Who? Brad Childress, WHO?, Brad Childress WHO?...
(A Mike Jones reference for those wondering WTF I'm talking about)
http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/ill/sports/varsity/auto_action/BradChildress.jpg http://www.nndb.com/people/471/000022405/mcgraw_p.jpg

The Viking have decided on who their next Head coach will be. There selection is the Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brad Childress. While he looks like a broke-ass Dr. Phil impersonator, he comes with a solid resume. He is largely credited for the development of NFL Icon Donovan McNabb, and The Vikings Front office must be hoping he can do the same for Daunte Culpepper. Childress was the most attractive of all the coaching candidates surfacing this off-season, and Zygi Wilf has moved quickly to address the Vikings biggest need, Coaching.

The Vikings will likely be going after a new offensive Coordinator, and one name that has surfaced is the Colts' Assistant Coach/QB's coach, Jim Caldwell. I'm not really in favor of going young in the Offensive Coordinator slot, and would much rather see someone with more experience at the position (never should have let Linehan go) I don't mind having a rookie head coach, or a rookie offensive coordinator, but I'm not a big fan of having both.

The Off-season, An Early Look.

The Vikings Free Agents to - be this year are as followed:

Unrestricted:


Micheal Bennett (RB)

Ralph Brown (CB)

Corey Chavous (SS)

Sam Cowart (MLB)

Paul Edinger (K)

Tonui Fonoti (OG)

Melvin Fowler (C)

Saun Hill (QB)

Lance Johnstone (DE)

Keith Newman (OLB)

Willie Offord (SS)

Koren Robinson (WR)*

Raonall Smith (OLB)

Brian Williams (CB)

Moe Williams (RB)

Corey Withrow (C)

*Vikings have the right to Match an offer to Robinson, but do not receive compensation if they decline.

Restricted Free Agents:


Nate Burleson (WR)

Exclusive Rights Free Agents:


Adam Golberg (OG)

Here is my Short list of the Guys that the Vikings should be keeping, along with a brief explanation (if necessary):

Keep- Burleson, Golberg, Withrow (Need a solid back-up for Birk), Brown (Solid Dime Corner), Cowart, Edinger, Fonoti (Lot's of potential, very big man, could be dominant), Lance Johnstone (sack leader 3 years running), Kieth Newman (Best LB on the roster), Offord (should be the new starting Safety), Koren Robinson, (amazing turnaround, Vikes need to keep this kid), Brian Williams (Keep him as the #2, demote Smoot to the Nickel or trade him),

Let Go: Chavous (too old, on the decline.. time to go younger at the position), Bennett (It's time for him to move on), Moe Williams (will likely retire), Fowler (Said he wants to start), Saun Hill, Raonall Smith (been mediocre and injured for too long, Vikes can do better).

My Draft Rant

Now, I really won't get into who I think the Vikings will pick very much, (although RT McNeil would be a solid pick, or trade up for Hawk) But i will get into who the Vikings won't pick.

The Vikings will not take a first round RB! The Vikings have young, talented backs on there roster right now, and with the promising free agent crop and money to burn, the Vikings will be looking for veteran help at the position, not another guy with potential. Look for Edge or Jamal Lewis to become a Viking over the off-season. Quote me.

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/1770/norunningback0mc.png

[Guy On Couch]

As much as I like Maroney, I completely agree that the Vikes shouldnt pick him up because of the FA crop this year. I would love to see The Edge come here, his style of running is perfect for this team. I don't want Jamal Lewis here though, I just don't like the guy for some reason. He's a good back but he's not a guy I want to see here.

[Rockbo]

Another fine article from Curt. Pretty much sums up the entire Vikings thread right now. I agree with a ton of it with the obvious exception of the part about Withrow being a solid back-up. But then again that's a personal thing between Cory and I. Unfortunately I was recently spotted outside his house with an aluminum baseball bat, so now I have another restraining order against me. :chuckle: Hey, I just wanted to see if he would hit some ground balls with me. So what if I didn't have my glove and it was midnight. :D

[twisted tre]

I do agree with a lot of your points but what I disagree with is if a guy like maroney is available I think there'd be a lot of pressure from the fans to pick him being a guy that went to MN ... but guess it all depends on who they pick up in free agency.. personally I'd like to see them trade up to get Hawk

[l.a. no-teamers]

Curt, that's good stuff man.. I laughed out loud at the fact that u had to explain that Mike Jones reference - because I was wondering wtf u were talking about at first, so nice job reading my mind lol

[peter4vikes]

Will Birk be back? And if so, do we stick with him? I'd like to see MN take Eslinger, that center from the Minnesota Golden Gophers. That kid can play.

[The Gopher]

Birk will be back next season, and I think the Vikings should welcome him back with open arms, his talent can fix a lot of hole on the Vikings offensive line...


BUT, I think they should take Eslinger as an insurance policy on Birk who has been injured quite frequently. Also, the Vikings will need a center of the Future, and Birk should be ready at this point in his career to groom his replacement ... (say over a period of 3 years)

[Rockbo]

I'm not worried about Matt Birk's health. He said on KFAN that he expects to be 100% before the first minicamp. I was very relieved to see him squatting down and snapping the ball to Kluwe on the sidelines during our last game against the Bears. Birk said his 1st hip replacement was a total success and the other hip was done by the same doctor. He said the recovery on this one has been just as smooth. :cooldude:

My only concern with Matt Birk is whether or not he fits into Childress' plans. Our new coach has scrapped just about everything he has gotten his hands on so far. Whether it worked well or not. He came in with a list of his own guys for coaches, I'm sure he has a list of his own player names as well. :nono:

[nyGiants4life]

Heh, nice article Curt. Nice reference to Mike Jones, I love it. I never realized how weak the teams were that the Vikings lost to. I do think that if Culpepper comes back strong around Week 5 or 6 that you can push for the playoffs. Brad Johnson is pretty consistent though, I mean, didn't he win a Super Bowl a few years back :p? If Udeze comes back strong (he was injured all year, right?) I think this defense could be nasty and Johnson can lead a team on offense with little mistakes, just have to have a running game, something that was not there consistently. Also, I do not know what happened in that Baltimore game, but it made me happy because Giants clinched, but Kyle Boller looked pretty good? Could next year be his breakout year?

[Tiki Tiger]

I enjoy reading Curtain Call, they are a team i am most definately interested in!