Durango53
04-22-2004, 01:18 PM
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings are on the clock, and this time they're determined to not let it run out.
Yes, everyone else remembers their embarrassing draft-day error, but the Vikings don't mind looking back to last year.
That's because all seven players they chose were contributors on a 9-7 team that narrowly missed the playoffs, and five them of figure to see significant playing time in 2004.
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams was the headliner, in more ways than one. Williams, out of Oklahoma State, started all 16 games and ranked second in club history for sacks by a rookie with 10{.
He also, however, went with the No. 9 selection after Minnesota was supposed to have the No. 7. Knowing they could grab Williams a little lower, the Vikings tried to add a late-round pick or two and were in trade talks when their time limit expired and two other teams swooped in ahead of them.
"No question that we had egg on our face," owner Red McCombs said this week. "That could happen again. The bottom line is, we have to be as efficient as we can ... and I think we will."
Minnesota's front office has had a history of dysfunction, but a restructuring of the decision-making process before last year's draft -- having the entire coaching staff work together with the college scouting department -- paid dividends.
In addition to Williams, linebacker E.J. Henderson, wide receiver Nate Burleson, running back Onterrio Smith, linebacker Mike Nattiel and wide receiver/kick returner Keenan Howry all had varying degrees of success.
The Vikings are counting on that revamped approach, which includes a recommitment to the philosophy of drafting the best player available rather than on position need, to supply them with two or three more starters Saturday. They pick 19th in each round.
Coach Mike Tice and director of college scouting Scott Studwell and their respective staffs have been assembling their rankings this week. They're confident in the quality of talent available in the lower third of the first round -- enough that they've considered trading down to add a later pick.
They'll probably wind up keeping it, though, and here are some possibilities:
-- Vernon Carey, a guard who played on the same offensive line with the Vikings' first pick in 2002, tackle Bryant McKinnie, at Miami.
-- Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams, both linebackers from Miami.
-- Shawn Andrews, an offensive tackle from Arkansas.
-- Will Smith, a defensive end from Ohio State.
-- Antwan Odom, a defensive end from Alabama.
Defensive end and outside linebacker are Minnesota's most pressing needs, but a guard will be needed to take over for David Dixon once he retires -- probably after this season. And though they like Burleson and signed Marcus Robinson to go with Randy Moss, don't think the Vikings wouldn't snatch a wide receiver if there's one they like at No. 19.
"We've got the defensive coaches screaming that they need all the first three picks," McCombs said, "we've got the offensive coaches saying, 'We're just one player away and we've got the special teams saying, 'What about us?"
McCombs, who was absent last year because of an annual cattle sale he takes part in, will be at team headquarters in Eden Prairie this weekend. The sale is scheduled for the week after the draft this time.
"I feel really good about this year," McCombs said. "Our guys are kind of feeling their oats because they did so well last year."
I wonder how they are going to screw it up this year. They have such a good record going they have to make it 3 in a row....
Yes, everyone else remembers their embarrassing draft-day error, but the Vikings don't mind looking back to last year.
That's because all seven players they chose were contributors on a 9-7 team that narrowly missed the playoffs, and five them of figure to see significant playing time in 2004.
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams was the headliner, in more ways than one. Williams, out of Oklahoma State, started all 16 games and ranked second in club history for sacks by a rookie with 10{.
He also, however, went with the No. 9 selection after Minnesota was supposed to have the No. 7. Knowing they could grab Williams a little lower, the Vikings tried to add a late-round pick or two and were in trade talks when their time limit expired and two other teams swooped in ahead of them.
"No question that we had egg on our face," owner Red McCombs said this week. "That could happen again. The bottom line is, we have to be as efficient as we can ... and I think we will."
Minnesota's front office has had a history of dysfunction, but a restructuring of the decision-making process before last year's draft -- having the entire coaching staff work together with the college scouting department -- paid dividends.
In addition to Williams, linebacker E.J. Henderson, wide receiver Nate Burleson, running back Onterrio Smith, linebacker Mike Nattiel and wide receiver/kick returner Keenan Howry all had varying degrees of success.
The Vikings are counting on that revamped approach, which includes a recommitment to the philosophy of drafting the best player available rather than on position need, to supply them with two or three more starters Saturday. They pick 19th in each round.
Coach Mike Tice and director of college scouting Scott Studwell and their respective staffs have been assembling their rankings this week. They're confident in the quality of talent available in the lower third of the first round -- enough that they've considered trading down to add a later pick.
They'll probably wind up keeping it, though, and here are some possibilities:
-- Vernon Carey, a guard who played on the same offensive line with the Vikings' first pick in 2002, tackle Bryant McKinnie, at Miami.
-- Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams, both linebackers from Miami.
-- Shawn Andrews, an offensive tackle from Arkansas.
-- Will Smith, a defensive end from Ohio State.
-- Antwan Odom, a defensive end from Alabama.
Defensive end and outside linebacker are Minnesota's most pressing needs, but a guard will be needed to take over for David Dixon once he retires -- probably after this season. And though they like Burleson and signed Marcus Robinson to go with Randy Moss, don't think the Vikings wouldn't snatch a wide receiver if there's one they like at No. 19.
"We've got the defensive coaches screaming that they need all the first three picks," McCombs said, "we've got the offensive coaches saying, 'We're just one player away and we've got the special teams saying, 'What about us?"
McCombs, who was absent last year because of an annual cattle sale he takes part in, will be at team headquarters in Eden Prairie this weekend. The sale is scheduled for the week after the draft this time.
"I feel really good about this year," McCombs said. "Our guys are kind of feeling their oats because they did so well last year."
I wonder how they are going to screw it up this year. They have such a good record going they have to make it 3 in a row....