Vikings 2005 Draft Class

After doing a little research it is now for sure, the Vikes 2005 NFL Draft Class is the worst in team history. Here is who Minnesota drafted. Marcus Johnson is the only player left on the team and who knows if he will make it through Vikes Training Camp.


Round One (#7): Troy Williamson, WR
Round One (#18): Erasmus James, DE
Round Two (#49): Marcus Johnson, OG
Round Three (#80): Dustin Fox, SS
Round Four (#112): Ciatrick Fason, RB
Round Six (#191): CJ Mosley, DT
Round Seven (#219): Adrian Ward, CB

Oh yeah, don’t forget the Vikes traded Randy Moss prior to this draft.

Vikes Cut James

Today the Vikings announced that they waived defensive end, Erasmus James. This is not too surprising considering James barely saw the field as a Viking. James had three operations on his left knee in a little over a year.

James was the Vikes second FIRST round pick in 2005. The first, of course, was Troy Williamson. It is looking more and more like Mike Tice is an idiot. Trade Randy Moss and draft a receiver that can’t catch and an injury prone defensive end. Good job!

In reality it’s not James’ fault he got hurt so often and that his NFL career was non-existent, hence the college photo of him. It was hard to find one of him actually suited up as a Viking. Even though it’s not his fault, he will forever be remembered as part of the WORST Minnesota Viking draft classes EVER!

Losing James is no biggie for the Vikes. Newcomer, Jared Allen and Ray Edwards will be the starters at defensive end in 2008 for Minnesota. Brian Robison and likely Jayme Mitchell will back them up.

Vikes Start OTA’s

The Vikes started their first Organized Training Activities (OTA) on Monday. Three players were noticeably missing, all for different reasons.

Left tackle, Bryant McKinnie was absent due to the fact that he was in Miami thanks to his trail for assaulting a man outside a nightclub. I assume McKinnie walks, but he will be suspended by the NFL. It’s not his first offense. Remember the Love Boat?

The scariest thing about the whole deal is that Artis Hicks filled in for McKinnie.

Also missing was Viking center, Matt Birk. Birk is basically holding out for more money. He is in a contract year and he wants an extension before the season starts. Chilly and Zygi want to let the year play out. This could be interesting. If the Vikes had any depth at center, I’d expect them to trade Birk, but they don’t. One of last year’s undrafted rookies, Dan Mozes and rookie John Sullivan are the backups. It will be interesting to see what the Vikes do.

Backup running back, Chester Taylor had a family emergency so he also missed the first of the OTA’s. That’s alright, we have Adrian Peterson.

For Viking rookies like Tyrell Johnson (pictured) this was their first experience training with the whole team.

AD: Unstoppable

Only 116 days until we get to watch Adrian “All Day” Peterson run wild on the Packers. Click the play arrow and try not to get too jacked up!

Vikes 2008 Training Camp Dates

Last year I made the voyage to Mankato to watch Minnesota Vikings Training Camp and I’m strongly considering doing it again this year.

The Vikes announced the 2008 Training Camp Dates, they are as follows:

July 23 – Players report
July 25 – Training Camp begins
August 8 – vs. Seattle (preseason)
August 15 – Break camp at Mankato
August 16 - @ Baltimore (preseason)
August 18 – Practice at Winter Park

If you have never been before, I strongly recommend attending Vikes Training Camp. I thought it was awesome!

Vikes 2008 Depth Chart

With the NFL Draft complete and the Vikings likely done making Free Agent additions, here is the likely Vikes 53 man roster. Starters are in bold and new additions are in italics.

Quarterback:
Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, John Booty

Halfback:
Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Maurice Hicks

Fullback:
Thomas Tapeh, Naufahu Tahi

Wide Receiver:
Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, Bobby Wade, Aundrae Allison, Robert Ferguson, Martin Nance, Jaymar Johnson

Tight End:
Vinsanthe Shiancoe, Jim Kleinsasser, Jeff Dugan

Offensive Tackle:
Bryant McKinnie, Ryan Cook, Marcus Johnson

Guard:
Steve Hutchinson, Anthony Herrera, Artis Hicks

Center:
Matt Birk, John Sullivan

Defensive End:
Jared Allen, Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, Erasmus James, Ellis Wyms

Defensive Tackle:
Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Fred Evans, Letroy Guion

Linebacker:
EJ Henderson, Chad Greenway, Ben Leber, Heath Farwell, Derrick Pope, Vinny Ciurciu

Cornerback:
Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin, Marcus McCauley, Charles Gordon, Benny Sapp

Safety:
Darren Sharper, Madieu Williams, Michael Boulware, Tyrell Johnson

Kicker:
Ryan Longwell

Punter:
Chris Kluwe

Long Snapper:
Cullen Loeffler

The Vikings will likely start four players that are new to the team. Jared Allen (Chiefs) instantly teams up with Kevin & Pat Williams to make an elite NFL defensive line, Bernard Berrian (Bears) teams up with 2nd year player, Sidney Rice giving the Vikes a decent set of receivers, Madieu Williams (Bengals) teams up with Darren Sharper to improve the Vikes safety position and the Vikes get younger at fullback with Thomas Tapeh (Eagles).

Allen will replace Kenechi Udeze, Berrian replaces Troy Williamson, Williams replaces Dwight Smith and Tapeh replaces Tony Richardson. All are upgrades. Allen and Berrian are HUGE upgrades!

Even with Adrian “All Day” Peterson, the Vikings 2008 season will come down to quarterback play. Many have no faith in Tarvaris Jackson, but for some reason I still think he can be good. Not Tom Brady good, but good enough that with a solid defense and the best running back in the league that he can lead his team to the playoffs.

Only 129 days until the Vikes season begins!