vikings/nfl

Nice column, Chip.

This is getting to be worse than the 10 hrs of the pre-game show before the Superbowl. The "Poker playing" is for teams that want a player, that is on the radar of another team that is picking ahead of them. The Vikings are not in that position. Everyone knows who is going 1 and 2. The Vikes have only 2 choices. 1 they pick Kalil, and get that LT for Ponder's blind side for the next 10 yrs, or 2. They trade that pick to someone like Miami for extra picks, and hope that the LT they get is readt to start the upcoming season. BUT!!! if they trade, Kalil will be gone at #8. The hope that Cleveland will trade, to me, is all hype. The Browns know that the Vikes want Kalil, and they are safe to pick whoever they want at 4. The Browns are not interested in Kalil, and I don't believe that they are willing to draft a QB, at #4, that is not going to be starting for them for the next 2-3 years. Unless the Dolphins , have fallen head over heels for the A&M QB, and are crazy enough to give away the farm, for the #3 pick. The Vikes NEED TO DRAFT KALIL. Besides, if the Dolphins really want that guy, he will still be there at #8. STOP THE DRAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO VIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot of interest in who they draft, but few care where they play?

I don't like the term "safe" pick. It implies mediocrity. I would rather see the Vikings take Kalil at 3, and if there's somebody else they really want trade up with their multitude of scraps from the last 3 rounds.

What difference does it make? After this season the Vikings will go by way of the Lakers, and North Stars. And that is sad.

If we trade down to 8 who takes Kalil? Jacksonville seems like the only threat, we'd need a subsequent trade in place with them to move up to 7. If Kalil is gone by 7 that means we land Claiborne or Blackmon. I guess it depends on the willingness of Jacksonville to trade, and how high on Kalil they are vs Blackmon and Claiborne. If Jacksonville was willing to trade we could still get our man and come out ahead...but it seems unlikely. Take Kalil at 3 and be happy.

the other piece of this puzzle that encourages a trade down (IMO) is the alleged depth of this draft. If there really are an unusually high number of 'great prospects' to be snagged in the 2nd/3rd round, that is added justification to trade down (past cleveland which is a total no brainer).

Key statement - "Don't overthink it". Which is exactly why Spielman scares me.

The only thing between us and Kalil is Spielman trying to impress everyone with his brilliant strategy and football knowledge. Scary indeed.

I agree people...1. Kalil is a safe pick 2.Linkster is right about Ricky 3. Kalil will be gone by rd. 5-6 4. Henrik is right..thanks to the "bozo" politicians that got the state of Minnesota in trouble from day one with their tax crap...and they will go down in history as the ones that allowed the vikes to leave and the majority of the state of Minnie's children and grandchildren for generations to come will be pucker fans..gee...maybe Minnesota can hook up with Wisconsin and be "like them".. 5.purplelw right on....