Draft Control
Control of the 2012 draft is firmly in the hands of the
Cleveland Browns, not the Minnesota Vikings, unless Indianapolis wakes up and
selects RG3, which they already announced that they would not do ... but
stranger things have happened in the NFL. When the 2012 #3 pick is on the
clock tonight, the Cleveland Browns will be on the clock using both the Vikings
time allotment and their full time allotment ... to make their final franchise life or
death decision on Trent Richardson ... the future of their franchise.
Trent Richardson, the key to 2012 draft, in many ways is far
superior to Adrian Peterson. He’s an every down back, in the mold of
Emmitt Smith that doesn’t have to learn how to catch the ball or give up his
spot on an obvious passing down, as Richardson is a dominant blocking
back. Richardson has darting 360 degree quickness that Adrian Peterson
resolves with power. What separates Richardson is in his willingness to
take on a decoy ... an additional offensive threat ... and forgo that additional
blocker, meaning that he's quite comfortable beating his man, using the "GO
STRATEGY", which counter's Peterson’s attrition-power-ball "CHESS
STRATEGY" ... adored by Chilly. Could our future legendary backfield
include the names Richardson & Gerhart. Adrian Peterson is a known
quantity whereas Richardson is the wild card on which dynasties are
formed. Cleveland is drooling all over these facts.
As
time expires on the Vikings clock (Kevin Williams), Cleveland's bluff will be
called into the realm of Eli Manning. Regardless of what might happen, the
only name that should be on that #3 selection is the name Trent Richardson,
regardless of who picks it. As old Stone-Faced-Bud-Grant repeatedly said, "You select the best
available player regardless of need or want". After the Vikings time
expires, the Hovering Buc's will completely unhinge the Browns ... which clearly
knows the price. In regard to Justin Blackmon, the player that the Browns
want you to believe that they will be selecting at #4 tonight ... well either
they've resolved themselves where the Vikings price is too high for Richardson
... or they are flat out lying. Now peer into your crystal ball ... which
one do you think they are doing? Do you believe that a team desperate
for blue chip offensive talent is going to pick a receiver (Blackmon)? You
need to look no further than the recent series of Detroit Lion busts selecting
receivers. It's not so much that it will happen but rather it points to
the risk in selecting a receiver as your blue chip offensive talent. The
only question is ... it is going to take a man to call this bluff ... what do we
have in Rick Spielman?
Understanding why Cleveland would be willing to trade the #4,
#22 & #67 pick to move up one measly spot to select Richardson is counter
intuitive however it has been clearly explained in the commentary Belly
Hunger & Need vs. Want vs. Covet.
It's now draft day,
and there are now four (4) clear suitors ... the most notable of all being the
Buc's ... right on the other side of the Browns at pick #5. They are so close to
Trent Richardson that they can actually taste that relished pick. Kalil
will still be available at both pick #4 & #5 however it's the deal on the
table with the Buc's that is the only thing that Rick Spielman should be
considering at this juncture. Without the trade, the Buc's are certain to
lose out on their two most coveted prospects ... which they are not going to let
happen. Really, it all
comes down to the deal.
As for the Raven's and Steeler's, there isn't a team in the league that's going
to trade with you to select Hightower ... maybe the best defensive player to
come out in 15 years. With the #22 pick, could the Viking's be consider
the implementation of that 3-4 defense with Hightower in the middle with EJ's
little brother, with Greenway & Griffen on the ends? Oh, that's right,
no body wants Hightower.
With successive 3rd & 4th picks (#66 & #67) in the 3rd round, might
there be another trade available to move up into the 2nd round? Could
there be a 10-12 year starter available at left guard to package with the likes
of Kalil?
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date:
April 26, 2012
