With five (5) games to go, it is almost
100% certain that the Colts have a lock on the Andrew Luck bid. The Colts
would have to win 3-games for either the Rams or Vikings to overcome the Colts
Strength of Schedule (SOS). Looking at their final five games, I see two
possible victories at most, one of which would be an unexpected upset of a team
that is in desperate need of being knocked off that lofty perch.
Allow
me to be direct. There is absolutely no reason to believe that Peyton
Manning will play another down in the NFL. There are no guarantees in the
NFL or with a neck injuries. It is my hope that Peyton will return to the
NFL but there is a major difference between hope and reality. Personally,
I don't believe he will play another down. If there is a downside to
selecting Andrew Luck, I haven't seen it.
For
a trade of players and/or draft picks to happen between the Vikings & Colts
franchises for Andrew Luck's services, the Colts would need to be 99.9%
certain that Peyton Manning would be returning next year. Is there anyone
out there willing to back that 99.9% certainty? I don't think so.
As for the Ram's, they might pass on Andrew Luck, because they've already
drafted a franchise quarterback, however any team could reach for any player
that they covet.
The bottom line ... don't count on even a whiff of Andrew Luck unless the Viking
franchise is willing to make some sort of deal for him. Based upon our
recent draft acquisitions, trades, and overall personnel decisions, does anyone have any faith whatsoever
in our front office pulling off anything that would actually benefit this franchise. Trying to survive another Hershel Walker trade just isn't
in the cards. Our best bet lies in securing blue chip draft picks which
should be the focus of our resources. Championships are built within the
draft.
Now here is a common thought circulating within the Nation. We can play Ponder all the while
knowing
that we have our franchise quarterback Joe Webb simmering on the back burner?
That's right ... Joe Webb is our franchise quarterback. Maybe its time
that you say it too. Tell me, would you allow Adrian Peterson to simmer on that back
burner? How about Percy Harvin, or Jared Allen? When is Joe Webb
going to get his due? He is without doubt ... a winner!
We've played 0-5 Ponder. We've seen what he can do ... lose! Does he
need more time to learn how to lose some more in this league? Brain trust
says ... Yes! What if we were to determine in our last five games, all
playoff bound teams, that Joe Webb was actually our future? Prove me
wrong. What do you have to lose? Maybe by doing so we draft a left
tackle or that LSU corner phenomenon, thereby shoring up our weaknesses instead of
chasing our next franchise quarterback bust that will replace Ponder. When
is this franchise going to wake up?
At this point, what Ponder represents is hope, not reality. Even a blind
squire can find a nut or two. Guys like Shula, Walsh & Ryan knew
how to look beyond hope. We all know the excuse, that if the Vikings had a
secondary that Ponder would have won those games. Here's the thing.
It has never shown up on the field when it counted. This is the
reality. It can also be said that we don't have a secondary today because
of both Ponder, and to a greater extend McNabb. What they did was to
destroy that defense as its easy to kick a dog with a slobbering tired tongue hanging from its mouth. He's an easy target. To put it all in
perspective, our defenders can't afford to jump routes like the Packers.
Yeah, we have a field general ... a man standing there ... but he's incapable of
orchestrating the art. There is little doubt that Ponder is
super-super-smart however there are many men that are overwhelmed by the very thing
that makes them unique. Think of a deer staring into oncoming high
beams. In short, I'd rather have a blithering idiot that can make plays
within the cauldron rather than a "buffering-processor" with wheels
that is about to get buried into the grid iron.
So you don't see my point yet
... maybe it is time for the gods to take control of this too.
As for Everson Griffen, I've seen him used as a linebacker, a defensive end, a
tackle and a gunner. That's right a gunner, just like Joey Browner back in
the day. Maybe it's time to use him in his true calling ... as a strong
safety. We lost another two in the secondary this past weekend as their
backs got to our second level consistently. Maybe its time to go back old
school where this Griffen kid might get an opportunity or two label a couple
guys. His scanner looks like its working good. The question is, can
he cover a tight end? Does it matter as from what I've seen this year, no
one was able to cover the tight end. What I'd like to see Griffen do it
label that tight end, running back, or better yet, a quarterback or two.
Wouldn't that be special. This guy strikes me a someone carrying a bit of
field rage. I like that. "Tattoo you!"
Isn't this kid from SC, the same school that brought us Joey Browner, Jeff
Fisher, Ronnie Lott, and a guy name Dennis Smith. What a backfield.
Maybe this safety thing is in his SC blood line. Maybe its time to turn
over that rock. You haven't found that deep combination yet have
you? Again, the solution just might be standing right in front of
you. What I'd always believed is that it is always better to give than it
is to receive. Everson Griffen strikes me as a giver. "Tattoo
you!" Chris Doleman was drafted as a linebacker and turned into a
soon to be hall of fame defensive end. Maybe its time we turn a defensive
end into a hall of fame strong safety. "Tattoo you!"
The Viking Ghost
Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: November 29, 2011
