2007 NFL Draft Recap

Gudy - Brad Childress has been to me a lesson in patience. As one who follows sports rather obsessively, I tend to be on the uber-hyper-critical side of things when it comes to a team's front office and coaching. On the wings of a rebuke from a few of my more tame friends, I adopted a three year grace period for new head coaches. Brad Childress has made me question that more than a few times. But I'm willing to bite the bullet. He's still got two years to prove himself, and riding on the eternal optimism of the draft, I'm willing to enter the middling year of said grace period. With that said, let's look at the initial impression that Pluckytown had of the 2007 draft.

Pick 1 (#7 overall) - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

Gudy - Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe we landed Peterson with the #7 overall pick. He was second on my overall draft board, right behind Calvin Johnson, and just a tick in front of LaRon Landry. This is absolutely exciting to me. We needed to have a more dynamic offense. Well, if we draft a QB, he's got a learning curve, and who's he going to throw to? If we draft a WR, he's going to have a learning curve, and who's going to throw to him? Running back is the most natural position in the NFL. There is far less thinking to do as a RB, because you just grab the ball and run. Peterson can do that. I'm frankly not concerned about his injury history, and from what it looks like, he's also stellar at catching passes out of the backfield, which, if it's true, is perfect for Childress's dink-and-dunk offense that we saw last season.

Kamp - I agree...to a point. I'm happy to have Adrian be the new AP in town (following in the illustrious footsteps of Anthony Peeler...OK, he needs a new nickname). However (you knew there was a however), my enthusiasm is tempered until I see that he can stay healthy. Most of his injuries seem to be just freak things that shouldn't affect his long-term career, but at the same time, there seem to be some people that just attract injuries. For instance, the other guy writing on this article.

Gudy - Collarbones heal. Plus, we have the advantage of having Cedric Taylor in the backfield, so that Peterson won't have to carry a full load during his first year. I imagine that they'll alternate series, or something like that. Either way, he's much better than any alternative we would've had at #7.

Pick 2 (#44 overall) - Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina

Kamp - I hate doing comparisons to existing players because so often that doesn't do justice to the rookie. After all, they're their own player and have to blaze their own path. That being said, I'm going to compare Rice to two existing players. His body is reminiscent of Plaxico Burress: tall and thin. There are concerns about Rice being able to get off the line on a hard jam. If he's able to handle the punishment, the physical tools (speed, height, agility) all seem to be there for him to be a very good player. Being from South Carolina and going to the Vikings, Troy Williamson also springs immediately to mind. However, he played in the run and gun Spurrier offense. I hope he can put it all together and help out the passing offense, because we all know the Vikings need it. I have to admit, though, that I was pulling for them to pick Jarrett at this point.

Gudy - I'm going to disagree with you here and say that I was much happier getting Sidney Rice than Dwayne Jarrett. Rice, even about a month ago, was going in the late first round on some people's draft boards. He's got the physical tools to really succeed, and I would venture that he'll easily be a better WR than Williamson. I'm not about to give up on Williamson either. It's not his fault the Vikings reached for him. I think Rice was the perfect guy to draft to take the focus off of Troy and let him develop at a slower rate. Jarrett is known as a good route runner, but it's also just as easy to see him as a product of the USC system. I think he'll be good, but I don't see Jarrett being a star in this league, where Rice at least has that kind of potential.

Kamp - I would point out that Jarrett also was projected as a late first-round pick in the weeks leading up to the draft, so your point is essentially moot there. I also am not ready to give up on Williamson. The rule of thumb that I've always heard with receivers is that you give them three years to develop. If after their third year they still haven't gotten it, it's time to let them go. Williamson is entering his third year in the league, so he'll be closely watched to find out if he's worth keeping around.

Pick 3 (#72 overall) - Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State

Gudy - I didn't know much about McCauley going into this draft at all. I've read that he had first round potential, but that an injury sidelined him last season, and he played tentatively once he came back. That makes me a tad bit nervous. But what I have heard is that McCauley can hold his own in coverage. If that's the case, we can use him in nickel situations, and move Antoine Winfield to the line of scrimmage and blitz him, at which he is TERRIFIC. If McCauley is capable of doing this, it gives our defense an entirely new dimension, and also takes pressure off both the secondary during passing situations and the D-line, because the opposing team will also have to account for Winfield. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but if that's a possibility, then we'll have a great D again.

Kamp - The gigantic concern is if he can regain his confidence. It really sounds like that's what he's lost after his injury. Corner is one of the positions on the field where you have to be nearly egotistical to truly be successful. If he can regain that confidence, he's a good to great value at this position, especially when you factor in the need for secondary help.

Gudy - For a third round pick with first round talent, I think the confidence issue was an acceptable risk for the Vikings, especially considering the revolving door their CBs were last season (aside from Winfield....Fred Smoot, I'm looking at you).

Pick 4 (#102 overall) - Brian Robison, DE, Texas

Kamp - Robison had a large drop-off in production his last season at Texas. If he can gain some strength without losing any of his quickness, he'll be better against the run and still be effective in pass rush situations. With the exception of the first pick in the draft where the Vikings took the best athlete available to them, the Vikings have been able to fill holes on their team. The lack of a pass rush was a huge problem for a team that allowed opponents to gain large yardage through the air. Hopefully, with Erasmus James coming back from injury (and hopefully avoiding bad penalties), Udeze in a put-up-or-shut-up year, and Robison joining the group, we'll see some improvement.

Gudy - I just read an article on Robison in the Star Tribune. This guy is supposedly uber-competitive, and he's a world class athlete. He's already qualified for the Olympic tryouts in the shot put. I guess, either at the combine or some other time, he's put up identical numbers to Gaines Adams in the 40, bench press, and vertical jump. He's also faster in the 10 yard dash, which is probably more important for a D-Line player, since that's basically all they'll ever have to run. If he can get in a rotation with James and Udeze, and McCauley and Alexander can contribute, we may have actually improved our defense from last year, which would be superb.

Kamp - The competitiveness aspect of things is great news. Hopefully, he'll work hard and be pushing James and Udeze to improve the play of all three. The weakest points of the defense last year was pass rush and secondary. The team is definitely addressing both of those needs.

Pick 5 (#146 overall) - Aundrae Allison , WR, East Carolina

Gudy - I admit...I know nothing about Aundrae Allison. Hold on while I do some quick research. Ok...I'm back. Well, he looks like your classic prima donna burner WR. His top comparable was Santonio Holmes. All his positives were about his great speed and quickness, and his negatives focused on lack of strength, focus, and perceived work ethic. Apparently, in the "Culture of Accountability," the Vikings were not concerned about that last negative. It also looks like it's a case of just get a bunch of WRs in camp, throw them against the wall, and see who sticks. This is the first pick where we'll take a look to see who was available immediately after Allison. The one glaring thing that I see is that Troy Smith was taken at the end of the fifth round. I know we're ready to go to battle with Tarvaris Jackson, but maybe taking a flier on Smith would have at least provided an insurance policy, because Brooks Bollinger is currently our backup, and Drew Henson our #3. Other than that, I don't think I can find fault with this pick.

Kamp - At this point in the draft, I have no problem taking a flier on a guy that could be used as a kick returner. There might be a little bit of "see what sticks" in this pick, but that's OK. It's not like the Vikings used all of their first day picks on WRs. If he contributes on special teams, great. If he is able to successfully contribute on offense, bonus.

Gudy - In essence, I don't disagree with the pick, but the fact that we could've had Troy Smith is starting to bug me. I'll just have to let that pass, and see if Allison can make a contribution to the Purple. I guess my one remaining criticism is that that there are probably plenty of tall, fast guys we could try out as a kick returner. There are only so many big-time QBs who have played in a national championship game, regardless of what scouts think that player will be at the pro level.

Pick 6 (#176 overall) - Rufus Alexander, OLB, Oklahoma

Kamp - When it comes to personnel decisions, there's a place for the "measurables" of height, weight, strength and speed (see also: Sydney Rice), but I give a greater weight to production on the field--especially when that player is coming from a successful program in a large conference. I'm not a fan of the Sooners in the slightest (just the opposite, in fact), but even I have to admit that they're a successful program. Alexander was not only a part of the program, he excelled in it. By any measure, recording over 100 tackles in a college season, which is normally 25% shorter than an NFL season, is an indicator of a very good player. He doesn't have the greatest 40 yard dash time (4.81) or "ideal" height (6'), but he's produced at a high level. Great pick in the 6th round.

Gudy - I agree with you here. Depth is a good thing to be adding in the 6th round, and if they got an athlete who can succeed in a defensive-minded program on a big-time scale, then I'm all for it.

Kamp - It's interesting to me that what once was seen as one of the weakest parts of the defense (linebackers) is now one of the stronger positions with Henderson having a great season last year, the signing of Leber last year, the (hopeful) return of Greenway, and now Alexander. The one other thing I was hoping for on the defensive side of the ball was for an understudy to Pat Williams. I don't know how much longer he's going to be able to play at his recent level and he's a very important part of the defense.

Pick 7 (#217 overall) - Tyler Thigpen, QB, Coastal Carolina

Gudy - Hold on...research. Well, his top comparable is D.J. Shockley, which doesn't exactly inspire awe and wonderment. I will direct you to my comments above about Aundrae Allison. If we needed a QB, even to be a 3rd stringer, wouldn't it have been wiser to get Smith, as opposed to Tyler Thigpen? Unless you have big plans for Allison, I really don't see the point of this pick.

Kamp - I agree that I would rather have had Smith than Thigpen if for nothing else than name recognition. However, at the same time, Smith reminds me of Eric Crouch. Good physical talent. Won the Heisman. Probably won't do much in the pros.

Gudy - If that's the case, Baltimore fans really better hope that the Ravens have a contingency plan. Everything that I've read is pointing to Smith being the QB of the future for Brian Billick and friends.

Pick 8 (#233 overall) - Chandler Williams, WR, Florida International

Kamp - I really only have one thing to say about this guy: When you're trying to rebuild a team that has been mired in scandals and trying to bring in quality, character guys, do you really want to have a player whose claim to fame is being the best receiver in Florida International history, and oh yeah, he dove helmet-first into a Miami player lying on the ground during one of the worst on-field brawls in college football history. At best, he'll probably be a decent kick returner.

Gudy - It's really hard to over-analyze 7th round picks, but again with the Aundrae Allison argument. I'm really starting to be unhappy on losing out on Troy Smith, since he apparently is the QB of the future in Baltimore already. Arghh...it still was a good draft, but this is a tad bit frustrating.

Kamp - Again, I point out that Smith probably won't do much in the pros. We have a QB of the future (in theory) in TJ. I'm fine with him for now.