Would you make this trade?

[MichaelWinicki]

No.

Not Jenkins plus two draft picks.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

Minn would have to eat the 5 million signing bonus. I don't think there is any way around that in the NFL.

Damn........All these frikkin cap rules do is muddy the waters to make trades almost impossible these days.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

No.

Not Jenkins plus two draft picks.

Jenkins and a 3rd?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Jenkins and a 3rd?

That's a little closer AH.

 

[Wulfman]

We also have to consider what Callahan wants to do with our running game this year, to say nothing of being able to pass protect. We need players specific to the scheme. Guys who can get out and pull some, play on the move. Going to be running alot of the old stretch play this year. Something Callahan has been known for for a very long time going back to his days at Wisconsin. Also think it fits Murrey to a tee. One cut. Get outside and cut back to the middle or continue taking it outside. Have to have the lineman capable of running it though.

This is the very reason I think a trade for another center is unlikely, no matter who it is. Callahan has been given a lot of leeway in making personnel decisions on the line, and has been recruiting people that he believes will be good in his system. And yet, they went through free agency and the draft and were content to keep the guys we had on the roster. I'm convinced it's because Callahan believes we have someone on the roster who can start and play effectively in his scheme. He may prove to be wrong, but I'm thinking he knows more about it than we do.

One other thing: one injury and Mike Jenkins is on the field as a starter again, since they're not going to move Scandrick from the slot. Not willing to sacrifice that security against the passing attacks we'll have to face.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

Im probably going to get hammered for this as many do not share my same optimism. IMO we are two players away from being able to legitimately compete for a Super Bowl spot.

1....The center position. This is why I think we need to make a move for a proven commodity.


2...." And this is where I get hammered" We need to PRAY that we hit a homerun with Matt Johnson at safety. IMO the road is paved for him to be honest. Church is a nice player in run support, not so much in coverage. IMO he is alot like Elam.

Pool I see as slightly more than a Jag. A good, solid veteran that you want to keep on your roster. Knows his way around a defensive backfield and can be a benefit to a team as depth and in dime but not someone you want starting all 16 games and playoffs.

This is why I say the road ahead is kind of paved for Johnson.

I have this gut feeling,....with NO hard evidence to back it up whatsoever,....that we did in fact hit a homerun with Johnson. Lets hope this is true.

If that is indeed the case,..........that only leaves center as a primary weakness. LETS GO GET ONE!

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

This is the very reason I think a trade for another center is unlikely, no matter who it is. Callahan has been given a lot of leeway in making personnel decisions on the line, and has been recruiting people that he believes will be good in his system. And yet, they went through free agency and the draft and were content to keep the guys we had on the roster. I'm convinced it's because Callahan believes we have someone on the roster who can start and play effectively in his scheme. He may prove to be wrong, but I'm thinking he knows more about it than we do.

One other thing: one injury and Mike Jenkins is on the field as a starter again, since they're not going to move Scandrick from the slot. Not willing to sacrifice that security against the passing attacks we'll have to face.

Now these are all excellent points. Much better than the crowd who just say...." NO!! YOUR PLAYING MADDEN!" Thank you.


I do however feel that a guy like Sullivan would fit our scheme like a glove though.

Myself,...I kind of like Kowalski out of the guys currently on the Team. BUT something tells me that Callahan still may have some good ties to Badger football, seeing Alvarez is still the AD. Can get some input on Nagy. Saw what Nagy did last year in limited opportunities.

Like I say,...I like Kowalski,....but if we do not make a trade I could easily see our opening day starter at center being Bill Nagy.

 

[xwalker]

Im probably going to get hammered for this as many do not share my same optimism. IMO we are two players away from being able to legitimately compete for a Super Bowl spot.

1....The center position. This is why I think we need to make a move for a proven commodity.


2...." And this is where I get hammered" We need to PRAY that we hit a homerun with Matt Johnson at safety. IMO the road is paved for him to be honest. Church is a nice player in run support, not so much in coverage. IMO he is alot like Elam.

Pool I see as slightly more than a Jag. A good, solid veteran that you want to keep on your roster. Knows his way around a defensive backfield and can be a benefit to a team as depth and in dime but not someone you want starting all 16 games and playoffs.

This is why I say the road ahead is kind of paved for Johnson.

I have this gut feeling,....with NO hard evidence to back it up whatsoever,....that we did in fact he a homerun with Johnson. Lets hope this is true.

If that is indeed the case,..........that only leaves center as a primary weakness. LETS GO GET ONE!

I would add RG to that list. With Bernadeau on the PUP and Nagy practicing at Center, it appears that it could be Leary and Arkin at RG to start TC.

 

[xwalker]

Now these are all excellent points. Much better than the crowd who just say...." NO!! YOUR PLAYING MADDEN!"


I do however feel that a guy like Sullivan would fit our scheme like a glove though.

Myself,...I kind of like Kowalski out of the guys currently on the Team. BUT something tells me that Callahan still may have some good ties to Badger football, seeing Alvarez is still the AD. Can get some input on Nagy. Saw what Nagy did last year in limited opportunities.

Like I say,...I like Kowalski,....but if we do not make a trade I could easily see our opening day starter at center being Bill Nagy.

I like Kowalski also. I didn't see any problems with his play last year in the limited snaps that he received. The problem is that he is on the PUP and has had an ankle injury since May. That's over 2 months of no heavy lower-body workouts for a guy that needs all the size/strength that he can get.

 

[DFWJC]

Do the Vikings have two good centers?
Otherwise, I don't see why they would consider this.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

I would add RG to that list. With Bernadeau on the PUP and Nagy practicing at Center, it appears that it could be Leary and Arkin at RG to start TC.

I would agree. But much like Johnson,...I have a gut feeling that position will also take care of itself in camp. Think it will eventually come down to Bernadeau and Leary with Bernardeau winning out after a good stiff competition. But if I were him I wouldnt get too comfortable. Going to be more than one guy hot on his behind,....and thats a GOOD THING! Competition breads excellence.

I also do not believe that Bernadeau will be starting for us for all that long. Maybe this year and part of next. I see him much more as a decent bridge player able to hold down the fort until someone more talented can take over.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

Do the Vikings have two good centers?
Otherwise, I don't see why they would consider this.

Did some reading on a couple of their boards. They have a young G/C that the team is pretty high on named Fusco. From what Ive read he's a mean sucker, a real battler with good size. Also read that he is more of a natural center than he is a guard.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

I like Kowalski also. I didn't see any problems with his play last year in the limited snaps that he received. The problem is that he is on the PUP and has had an ankle injury since May. That's over 2 months of no heavy lower-body workouts for a guy that needs all the size/strength that he can get.

Agreed. I thought he did very well in limited opportunities. In fact I thought he looked much better than Costa! Even though thats not saying a whole lot...LOL

Dont get me wrong,...its not that I hate Costa. The guy is a real battler, seems to give it everything he's got. A " TRY HARD" guy. But you can only play to the maximum of your ability and at this level his ability simply isnt enuff. I think the staff likes his heart, his effort, and are REALLY in his corner because of those things. But.....they know.

There is no shame in giving everything you have and still coming up short. Its the players who are blessed with great ability but for whatever reason do not have the work ethic to put it to good use that a staff will always have a problem with. And rightfully so.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Selected: Round 6, Pick 21, Overall Pick 187 by Vikings

Age / DOB: (26) / 8/8/1985

Vikings signed C John Sullivan to a five-year, $25 million contract extension. ESPN 1500 Twin Cities' Tom Pelissero reports the deal includes $10 million guaranteed. It's an impressive haul for a player who mostly struggled during his first three years in the league before turning the corner this season. Sullivan has graded out as Pro Football Focus' second best center through the season's first 14 weeks. Sat, Dec 17, 2011 03:15:00 PM

Name: John Sullivan
College: Notre Dame
Height: 6034
Weight: 301
40 Yrd Dash: 5.35
20 Yrd Dash: 3.03
10 Yrd Dash: 1.80
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 30
Broad Jump: 08'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.55
3-Cone Drill: 7.62

Comment: John Sullivan has been a solid starter in the middle of the Vikings offensive line since his second year in the league in 2009. Sullivan doesn't have great size but is athletic, intelligent and a tough competitor. He has active hands and good initial quickness to gain leverage at the point of attack. He understands angles and body positioning on combination blocks. Sullivan doesn't have natural strength to anchor versus powerful bull rushers but is often aided by physical guards in pass protection. He can be effective on the second level with good agility and balance to stay connected. John Sullivan is an excellent young center that should continue to improve in 2011.

 

[Wulfman]

Now these are all excellent points. Much better than the crowd who just say...." NO!! YOUR PLAYING MADDEN!" Thank you.


I do however feel that a guy like Sullivan would fit our scheme like a glove though.

Myself,...I kind of like Kowalski out of the guys currently on the Team. BUT something tells me that Callahan still may have some good ties to Badger football, seeing Alvarez is still the AD. Can get some input on Nagy. Saw what Nagy did last year in limited opportunities.

Like I say,...I like Kowalski,....but if we do not make a trade I could easily see our opening day starter at center being Bill Nagy.

I like Kowalski as well, but his injury hurts his chances. I've also heard that they're planning to initially play him at guard, with Nagy backing up at center. Not that they won't get opportunities at both positions, mind you, but that says a lot to me about who will have a legitimate chance to unseat Costa.

Having said that, Nagy may show more than anyone expects. Let's remember that despite being a part-time player in college and only a seventh-round draft pick, he was the starter at the beginning of the season, and was doing a decent job until he broke his leg. That's the kind of injury that shouldn't have any lingering effects, and a whole offseason in Woicik's strength program may have made a huge difference.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

I like Kowalski as well, but his injury hurts his chances. I've also heard that they're planning to initially play him at guard, with Nagy backing up at center. Not that they won't get opportunities at both positions, mind you, but that says a lot to me about who will have a legitimate chance to unseat Costa.

Having said that, Nagy may show more than anyone expects. Let's remember that despite being a part-time player in college and only a seventh-round draft pick, he was the starter at the beginning of the season, and was doing a decent job until he broke his leg. That's the kind of injury that shouldn't have any lingering effects, and a whole offseason in Woicik's strength program may have made a huge difference.

Good points. I only have one real concern with Nagy besides his inexperience and draft status,....but its a BIG ONE.


Here it is.........I , the Avenging Hayseed, am thee biggest Wisconsin Badger fan on Planet Earth! LOL Live and breath Badger football when The Cowboys arent on. I can tell you as a matter of FACT that the Badgers are considered to be in the very top handful, if not the absolute best, weight training programs in the country. Nagy was a fifth year senior for U.W. Yet after going thru their weight training program for that long he isnt all that strong, AT ALL.

This tells me he may just be maxed out already. His body simply does not have it within him to ever be all that strong no matter how and how much he lifts. Hope that isnt the case but the evidence looks pretty strong that it is. Woicik is the very best,........but unless he is going to start shooting Nagy up with steroids LOL he is always going to be somewhat on the weak side for an O lineman. Sometimes all you can do is all you can do.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If we can get a quality center

You don't think we have at least one on the roster now?

 

[xwalker]

I like Kowalski as well, but his injury hurts his chances. I've also heard that they're planning to initially play him at guard, with Nagy backing up at center. Not that they won't get opportunities at both positions, mind you, but that says a lot to me about who will have a legitimate chance to unseat Costa.

Having said that, Nagy may show more than anyone expects. Let's remember that despite being a part-time player in college and only a seventh-round draft pick, he was the starter at the beginning of the season, and was doing a decent job until he broke his leg. That's the kind of injury that shouldn't have any lingering effects, and a whole offseason in Woicik's strength program may have made a huge difference.

I think they want to get some "tape" of Nagy at Center. They have "tape" of Kowalski at Center last year, but none of Nagy.

Also, the eventual game-day backup Center is going to have to prove in TC that he can play both Center and Guard. IMO, Kowalski was significantly better at Center than at Guard during very limited snaps there last year.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

You don't think we have at least one on the roster now?

I'll answer even though it wasnt directed at me...

One that is capable of getting us through the season and performing good enuff to " help" keep us in the hunt? YES...we do.

One that can come in and be the glue of our interior O line, make the correct line calls, keep it together when we are playing for our playoff lives in front of a hostile Philly crowd , in the cold, at the end of the season? NOPE.

Least thats my opinion anyway.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

I'll answer even though it wasnt directed at me...

One that is capable of getting us through the season and performing good enuff to " help" keep us in the hunt? YES...we do.

One that can come in and be the glue of our interior O line, make the correct line calls, keep it together when we are playing for our playoff lives in front of a hostile Philly crowd at the end of the season? NOPE.

Least thats my opinion anyway.

We have one that can be at least as good as Sullivan ... no....two, yes!


We're you makng fun of our Centers, No.....We're you making fun of our Centers...Yes.