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Old 12-28-2007, 03:31 PM   #1
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Purple Free-time Eaters - '61 Expansion Dynasty

Hey guys. I know I'm new to this community, but after being inspired by Izulde's fantastic Dolphins dynasty (props to you, man.), I couldn't resist entering the NFL with the '61 expansion Vikings. And I have plenty of free-time at the minute... So, who knows if anyone will read this, but let's go.

Quote:
Vikings introduce Stephen Tanner as new GM

By Donnie Weinstein

Silence settles over the room as Max Winter clears his throat. Seated on his right is Robert Rombach, the Minnesota Vikings head coach, and on his left is an unknown man with pale skin and a bushy but well-trimmed red beard. The press focus their attention on him, and Winter continues.

"This 1961 season will feature the first appearance of the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. We feel we have a strong coaching set-up in place, and they have assembled a team we feel can compete as well as any expansion team could be expected to. However, we wanted one guy at the top of that. Stephen Tanner may come from a soccer background, but we are confident he will continue his transition to football seamlessly."

The Vikings must truly have confidence in Tanner, as he was confirmed as General Manager with full control of staff and roster management. Tanner will also have the opportunity to contribute on play-calling and organising the gameplans if he so desires. But how does head coach Romabch feel?

"I am happy for the opportunity to work with the Vikings franchise, and am fully prepared to operate in whatever set-up I am asked to." Rombach said.

A tall man with no shortage of red hair, Tanner looks every inch the Viking that Minnesota adopted for their franchise. With a background in mostly European sports like soccer and rugby union, he may not have seemed the obvious choice. However, he is confident of the job he has ahead of him.

"How could I pass this opportunity up? Minnesota is a new team with all the potential in the world. I may have missed their first draft and roster picks, but I will be in place for this season and very much look forward to having a positive impact on the team in both the immediate and long-term futures."

Tanner becomes the first general manger of the Vikings. He has a roster mixed with established talent such as quarterback George Shaw, the first overall draft choice Tommy Mason and veterans like right end Don Joyce. The Vikings are not expected to achieve much in their first year and can afford to blood youngsters like Mason and third-round pick Fran Tarkenton.

"He (Tanner) is a great guy with a lot of upside, who was too good for us to pass up," Winter said. "It was not an easy decision because he is not very experienced, but we're a young franchise and a young GM can take us forward a long way."

Let the four Superbow losses ensue!

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Old 12-28-2007, 06:11 PM   #2
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
A look at the 1961 Vikings by Position:

Code:
Shaw, George 3 QB 7 54 54 1 yr. Tarkenton, Fran 10 QB R 34 86 6 yrs.
How do I pick here? Shaw is a sure short passer, and an established low-risk decent quality QB. But... Tarkenton is Tarkenton, he's got all the upside in the world and well, he's Tarkenton. Need to sign a mentor though.

Code:
Caleb, Jamie 26 RB 3 20 28 4 yrs. Mason, Tommy 31 RB R 39 57 6 yrs. Mayberry, Doug 37 RB R 21 44 2 yrs. McElhenny, Hugh 46 RB 10 27 27 2 yrs.
Mason isn't great at seeing the hole, and his speed isn't great. However, his elusiveness is enough to put him in a league above the others. Caleb will run 3rd downs. Mayberry will return punts, and Mason is the best kick returner in the league and has high endurance.

Code:
Hayes, Ray 40 FB 2 23 58 1 yr. Jones, Willie 36 FB 3 10 29 1 yr. Triplett, Mel 29 FB 7 60 60 2 yrs.
Hayes is a strong blocker and has the potential to be a good blocker. Triplett is just a finished article for blocking and a catching fullback. Hayes is a strong third down runner, so he'll start on third behind Triplett.

Code:
Smith, Gordon 87 TE R 17 40 5 yrs.
Okay blocking potential, and I don't exactly have much competition for him.

Code:
Williams, A.D. 89 FL 6 24 24 1 yr. Middleton, Dave 82 SE 7 27 27 1 yr. Murphy, Fred 85 SE 2 14 22 1 yr. Reichow, Jerry 88 SE 6 43 43 4 yrs.
The receiving set on this team is pretty dire. Williams has some big-playability, but little else. Reichow's route-running and ability to hold onto the ball makes him the natural split-end. Fred Murphy's hands place him in the slot, whilst Mayberry's catching ability lands him the fifth receiver slot.

Code:
Lapham, Bill 53 C 4 18 24 1 yr.
Pass blocking is good, but there is no strength to him. A starting centre is a priority for next year.

Code:
Huth, Jerry 62 LG 6 31 31 3 yrs. Rabold, Mike 74 LG 3 28 41 3 yrs. Petersen, Ken 61 RG R 12 44 1 yr.
Huth has no pass blocking talent, but is otherwise decent. Petersen is raw, and Rabold has enough all-round talent to start.

Code:
Alderman, Grady 1 LT 2 43 71 7 yrs. Youso, Frank 75 RT 4 39 45 2 yrs.
Alderman has scary potential on pass blocking and endurance, which is enough to land him the starting spot and likely a place on the line for all those seven years. Youso is a career backup who will get his chance to start.

Code:
Mircer, Mike 6 K R 24 49 2 yrs.
I don't seem to have a punter. Mercer has a lot to do to justify a starters job next term, with low to average skills across the board.

Code:
Leo, Jim 96 LDE 2 14 22 2 yrs. Denton, Bob 71 RDE 3 30 44 4 yrs. Joyce, Don 95 RDE 11 45 45 1 yr. Marshall, Jim 70 RDE 2 34 54 7 yrs. Shields, Lebron 76 RDE 2 17 28 1 yr.
Leo hits hard and nothing else. Denton reads plays well, and hits pretty hard on his decent rush. Joyce is a shut-down run defending end, but cannot rush the passer. Marshall is the only player on the team with pass rushing talent, and that lands him a starting spot.

Code:
Bishop, Bill 94 LDT 10 39 39 1 yr. Prestel, Jim 73 LDT 3 47 63 5 yrs. Culpepper, Penguin 97 RDT 7 33 33 1 yr. Dickson, Paul 93 RDT 3 28 40 7 yrs.
Prestel is a set starter, with his run-stuffing talent and decent play reading. Dickson hits scary hard, and his play-reading and pass rush make him the logical starter for the 4-3.

Code:
Grecni, Dick 51 MLB 2 8 15 1 yr. Hawkins, Rip 56 MLB R 22 61 5 yrs. Rubke, Karl 90 SLB 5 37 37 1 yr. Osbourne, Clancy 54 WLB 5 45 45 2 yrs. Stonebreaker, Steve 52 WLB R 23 72 3 yrs.
Hawkins is raw, but has great ability to read and hit the passer. Osbourne is great on the run, but has 0 endurance. Rubke and Stonebreaker (I just love his name) land the starts, with Osbourne cycling in.

Code:
Haley, Dick 44 LCB 3 19 31 1 yr. Johnson, Gene 41 LCB 3 13 24 1 yr. Morris, Jack 43 LCB 6 23 23 1 yr. Pesonen, Dick 49 RCB 2 14 23 1 yr.
Haley and Morris get the start, as they can sense the ball. But these guys are all terrible at anything else, and they'll be relying on the safeties alot.

Code:
Lamson, Chuck 25 SS R 24 56 4 yrs. Mostardi, Rich 48 FS 2 38 61 1 yr. Rowland, Justin 23 FS 3 17 24 1 yr. Sherman, Will 34 FS 11 37 37 1 yr. Sumner, Charlie 20 FS 8 60 60 2 yrs.
Mostardi heads to cornerback to cover our weakness there, falling to a 33/55. Lamson has good defensive skills, and Sumner has good diagnosis.

It's going to be a mixed bag this year, with weaknesses at corner and receiver. With strengths at RB and QB, as well as a developing MLB, we should be okay for a decent (6-9 wins) season and a mid-level pick.
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Old 12-28-2007, 07:11 PM   #3
surlyc
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Exhibition

Minnesota sold 59,400 season tickets for the season out of a capacity of 64,000.

Exbition Week 1 Signings
QB Shawn Reeves (1 year, $30k - Rookie FA)
-Okay 3rd stringer, signed to be just that. Okay general skills.

TE Walt Crittenden (1 year, $30k - Rookie FA)
-Okay hands and ability to get downfield and hold it. Can't block though.

P Wilie Renfrow (1 year, $30k - Rookie FA)
-His direction is good, and his other skills are okay. Very raw though.

C Gerald Prill (1 year, $30k - Rookie FA)
-His long snapping is enough to earn him a spot. Decent potential for pass blocking, just a complete absence of run blocking.

Oakland 20 Minnesota 24
We start with a win. George Shaw is 15-20 for 154 yards and a TD to state his claim for that starting spot. The pass rush had 5 sacks (Jim Marshall had two) and the line didn't give any up. Tommy Mason (25 yards on 13 carries, 2 TD, 2 fumbles) struggled, but Jamie Caleb (71 yards on 20 carries, 1 fumble) picked up the slack somewhat. Rip Hawkins had 7 tackles (3 assists) Dick Haley had an interception. Not ground breaking stuff, but steady.

Crittenden is concussed and misses a week.

Exhibiton Week 3 Signings
TE Brent Downs (1 year, $30k - Rookie FA)
-Has a little blocking potential.

Minnesota 26 Pittsburgh 24
Defence wins matches. While the offence managed 62 yards rushing yards and 162 passing, the defence picked up four interceptions (one of which Dick Haley returned for a 45 yard TD) and a fumble recovered for a 81 yard TD by A.D. Williams. Shaw stunk out as Fran Tarkenton (4-5 21 yards) earned a shot at starting the last two preseason games.

Baltimore 10 Minnesota 23
Baltimore didn't show up, and the Vikings responded by shutting them down. Chuck Lamson had two interceptions for 30 yards and Bob Denton enjoyed two sacks, whilst the rushing attack contributed 212 yards to roll on over the Ravens.

Minnesota 24 Dallas 20
Fran Tarkenton was 24-34 for 301 yards (1 TD, 3 picks) for a passing attack that stuttered slowly into action. Tommy Mason and Jamie Caleb shared 101 yards and two TDs, while the defence had five sacks (Jim Prestel 2.5, Bob Denton 2.0). While Tarkenton struggled, he did lead a fourth quarter, 14 point double drive to win the match and that wins him the starters role for the new season.

Final Updates

Frank Youso goes down with an elbow injury, and is doubtful. Rip Hawkins suffers a hamstring injury, but will soldier on. All in all, a deceptively competant preseason. Here's hoping the defence can continue to trouble the passer, whilst shutting down the run.

Signing
RT Kris Chodzinski (1 year, $30k - Rookie FA)
-Has some potential blocking, but he's only really cover.
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Old 12-28-2007, 07:51 PM   #4
Izulde
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Thanks for the praise and I'm glad I inspired this dynasty I love historical dynasties in all kinds of sports.

FWIW, Tarkenton is still a solid QB in his 16th season in my dynasty. While he only has one All-Pro appearance to his credit (2nd Team All-Pro in 1970) and has never been to the Super Bowl, he's thrown for 52,334 yards (2nd All-Time to this point), with a career 317 TD-167 INT ratio, 59% career completion %, and a 144-121 career record.

The problem is, the Chargers have never given him any decent receivers to throw to, so he's never broken the 4,000 yard mark, though he did have 3,000+ yards 8 seasons in a row (1966-1973).

Hopefully you'll be able to do better than San Diego did with him.
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Old 12-30-2007, 05:55 PM   #5
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
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I hope so too.

The Regular Season

Minnesota 9 Washington 35
Fran Tarkenton went 14-40 for 126 yards (1 interception) as the offence produced 190 yards. The defence gave up 358 yards and 5 TDs, including four 70+ yard TD drives. No red-zone catches, only Tarkenton had a red-zone rush, and 3 third downs were converted all game. Mike Mercer was 3/3 with a 49 yard effort as the lone bright spark in a frustrating day.

Carolina 9 Minnesota 31
Fran Tarkenton has 15-23 for 199 yards (1 TD, 1 interception) and Tommy Mason (20 carries for 69 yards) and Jamie Caleb (76 yards on 11 carries) rushed Carolina into the ground. The Vikings visited the red zone five times and came away with three TDs and a field goal. Jim Marshall had 1.5 sacks, whilst Charlie Sumner returned an interception, one of three team picks, for 38 yards.

George Shaw signs a 2-year, $320k deal to stay in Minnesota for at least another year. "The competition between George and Fran is important to the development of this franchise" said offensive co-ordinator, Harry Shuger.

Chicago 14 Minnesota 17

Fran Tarkenton was 20-25 for 190 yards (1 TD, 2 int.), WR Fred Murphy grabbed all 5 passes thrown to him for 96 yards (1 TD) and Tommy Mason had 58 yards on 18 carries (1 TD) as the offence continued to stuggle. However, with two minutes left in the third quarter Chicago rushed the ball, but Paul Dickson broke through and knocked the ball loose. Steve Stonebreaker scooped the ball up and returned it 57 yards for a game-winning TD. I love my defence sometimes, when it turns up we stand a chance against most teams.

Minnesota 20 Buffalo 0
Like that. The defence churns up 7 sacks (Jim Marshall had 3.5, Bob Denton 2.0), 3 forced fumbles of which 2 were recovered, and 3 interceptions. George Shaw returned with 16-20 for 130 yards (1 TD) and Tommy Mason returned a punt 56 yards for a TD to supplement his 76 yards on 23 carries. Buffalo never reached the red-zone, and utilised 3 QBs who went a combined 16-40 for 151 yards. The Vikings offence was nothing more than passable, but Jim Marshall lead the defence to their first ever NFL shutout.

First Quarter Statistics



Well, Shaw came in and showed Tarkenton up a bit. But I don't especially mind that if we're winning, and Tarkenton has plenty of time yet. Mason and Caleb do a passable job, but I am concerned about Reichow. Not sure why no-one passes to Williams.. ah, apparently he's got an attitude problem. Definitely not good enough to tolerate that from him. I'm happy enough with my defence, Stonebreaker who seems to have some skill behind that name. At 3-1, there can’t be too many complaints… but there’s a long way to go yet.
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Old 12-30-2007, 06:06 PM   #6
bulletsponge
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TX
hopefully you can get the Vikes to win a superbowl
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Old 12-30-2007, 06:22 PM   #7
surlyc
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Detroit 21 Minnesota 14

Shaw picked up a knock last week, and Fran Tarkenton returned with 16-24 for 151 yards (1 TD, 1 int.). It all started well, with a 14-0 lead at half-time. Where the hell was Rombach’s excellent motivation?

Minnesota 16 Seattle 23

Another 4th quarter meltdown. George Shaw was 27-40 for 287 yards and Jerry Reichow caught all ten passes thrown his way for 94 yards for a 16-3 lead. Then it went terribly wrong.

New England 10 Minnesota 41

George Shaw 20-26 for 260 yards (5 TD, 1 int.) had a rating of 131.4 to lead the offence to 387 yards, and the defence contributed another 5.0 sacks (Jim Marshall 2.5, Jim Prestel 1.0, Rich Mostardi 1.0). 100% red-zone conversion and 8/14 3rd down conversion were other positives.

Minnesota 17 San Francisco 23

Minnesota dominates the game, with George Shaw 32-54 for 312 yards (1 TD) but somehow the 49ers sneak home.





Those fumbles of Mason's are starting to be a worry. The pass defence seems to be declining as well, and the season could go either way now at 4-4.

Last edited by surlyc : 12-30-2007 at 06:23 PM. Reason: Bloody smileys!
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Old 01-01-2008, 11:24 AM   #8
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Vikings Re-Signing:
RCB Rich Mostardi (2 yrs, $120k)

Green Bay 47 Minnesota 14

Bart Starr's Packers move to 9-0 as Paul Hornung rushed for 5 TDs. Shaw was sacked five times and the Vikings just couldn't match the Packers dominance.

Minnesota 24 Miami 7

The 1-8 Dolphins, however, are a different story. George Shaw has 26-32 for 237 yards and another 2 TD, and Tommy Mason rushes 107 yards on 24 carries (1 TD).

Bad news. Paul Dickson damages his ACL and is out for the year, while 5-5 has Minnesota bottom of the NFC north.

Arizona 15 Minnesota 30

The 8-2 Cardinals produce 380 yards of offence, more than 100 more than the Vikings, but 100% red-zone scoring (2 TD, 3 field goals) punished their wastfulness.

Minnesota 27 Chicago 0

Fran Tarkenton comes in with 25-30 for 277 (3 TD, 1 int.) and endures five sacks as he leads the team to a dominant win. Jack Morris (6 tackles) has 2 interceptions and the defence forced four fumbles and recovered three.

Triplett is concussed and will miss three weeks.

Minnesota 10 Detroit 18

Detroit all but end Minnesota's playoff hopes with a win that takes them to 9-4 in possession of the final wildcard, and drops Minnesota to 7-6. Despite a tired attempt from the offence, DE Jim Marshall shone with 4.0 sacks for 21 yards, 4 tackles and a block. George Shaw was 16-37 for 130 yards (1 TD) and Tommy Mason had 57 yards on 10 carries. Charlie Sumner had his 4th interception of the year.

New Jersey 24 Minnesota 23

New Jersey's red zone efficiency was the difference as DE Jim Marshall's 2.0 sacks, Tommy Mason's 13-66 yards (1 TD) and George Shaw's 20-33 for 245 yards (1 TD, 1 int.) were in vain.

Minnesota 14 Green Bay 37

511 yards against 157 was the difference as Green Bay improved to 15-0 with only Chicago to go. At least Paul Hornung only had 1 TD this time. Silver linings, maybe?

St. Louis 7 Minnesota 24

George Shaw was 24-34 for 220 yards (2 TD, 1 int.) and Tommy Mason 24-82 yards (1 TD) on an offence that produced 310 yards. Jim Marshall has 2.0 more sacks, including a forced fumble, and Will Sherman had a 39 yard interception as St. Louis didn't reach the red zone once.

Vikings Re-Signing:
FB Ray Hayes (2 yrs, $90k)

Code:
1961 Summary for Minnesota Vikings Year 1961 Record 8-8 Winning Pct. .500 All-Time 8-8 Winning Pct. .500 Playoffs 0-0 Playoff Visits 0 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Robert Rombach Record 8-8 Winning Pct. .500 Off. Coord. H. Shuger Def. Coord. S. Fleming Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 27.4 13 Rushing Yards 93.5 23 Yards Per Carry 3.42 32 Pass Attempts 32.9 21 (T) Completions 20.9 14 (T) Completion Pct. 63.6 9 Passing Yards 207.5 16 Yards Per Attempt 6.30 12 (T) Yards Per Catch 9.91 16 Total Yardage Gained 289.8 17 3rd Down Conversions 40.4 13 Points Per Game 20.7 12 (T) Pass Rush Pct. 11.6 23 (T) Pass Defense Pct. 55.6 13 Turnovers 22 6 (T) Turnover Margin +13 4 Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 26.1 18 Rushing Yards 111.7 18 Yards Per Carry 4.28 26 Pass Attempts 34.7 21 (T) Completions 21.2 21 Completion Pct. 61.1 17 Passing Yards 218.4 21 Yards Per Attempt 6.30 19 Yards Per Catch 10.31 19 Total Yardage Gained 315.1 21 3rd Down Conversions 38.5 18 (T) Points Per Game 18.1 11 (T) Pass Rush Pct. 14.4 21 Pass Defense Pct. 44.9 9 (T) Turnovers 35 2 Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 9 at WAS 35 2 31 CAR 9 3 17 CHI 14 4 20 at BUF 0 5 14 DET 21 7 16 at SEA 23 8 41 NED 10 9 17 at SFO 23 10 14 GBY 47 11 24 at MIA 7 12 30 ARI 15 13 27 at CHI 0 14 10 at DET 18 15 23 NJY 24 16 14 at GBY 37 17 24 STL 7 Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 3 G. Shaw QB 373 240 2332 6.25 18 5 92.2 10 F. Tarkenton QB 154 95 988 6.42 7 6 79.1 **Team --- 527 335 3320 6.30 25 11 88.4 $$Opp --- 555 339 3495 6.30 19 19 76.3 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 273 925 3.39 7 10 26 J. Caleb RB 104 336 3.23 2 2 **Team --- 438 1496 3.42 9 25 $$Opp --- 418 1787 4.28 13 24 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD Front Office Football 2007 88 J. Reichow WR 130 79 965 12.22 7.42 4 8 82 D. Middleton WR 94 49 454 9.27 4.83 6 5 85 F. Murphy WR 76 45 555 12.33 7.30 3 4 89 A. Williams WR 61 38 517 13.61 8.48 2 2 40 R. Hayes FB 31 26 112 4.31 3.61 1 1 31 T. Mason RB 29 25 131 5.24 4.52 0 1 29 M. Triplett FB 33 25 192 7.68 5.82 2 0 81 B. Downs TE 22 16 112 7.00 5.09 3 2 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 25 C. Lamson S 77 28 0.0 1 2 7 77.0 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 71 20 0.5 1 3 5 76.3 43 J. Morris CB 67 9 0.0 0 3 8 79.1 56 R. Hawkins ILB 64 31 1.0 1 1 2 76.4 20 C. Sumner S 64 31 2.0 1 4 15 85.4 44 D. Haley CB 58 15 0.0 0 3 14 80.5 48 R. Mostardi CB 54 13 2.0 0 1 8 76.9 70 J. Marshall DE 48 22 17.0 14 0 1 81.6 73 J. Prestel DT 48 13 4.0 12 0 0 80.8 54 C. Osborne OLB 32 12 0.0 0 0 0 64.8 93 P. Dickson DT 31 8 0.5 2 0 0 80.3 71 B. Denton DE 27 11 5.5 12 0 0 81.5 97 P. Culpepper DT 20 11 1.0 6 0 0 80.9 95 D. Joyce DE 19 15 2.0 5 0 0 82.5 34 W. Sherman S 19 5 0.0 1 2 1 82.8


Superbowl:
Arizona (15-5) 20 Cleveland (17-2) 17
Poor 15-1 Cleveland.

Season Awards
NFL MVP - RB Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns
Coach of the Year - B.J. Washington of the Cleveland Browns
Legend of the Game - K Lou Groza of the Cleveland Browns
Offensive Player of the Year - RB Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns
Defensive Player of the Year - LDE Willie Davis of the Green Bay Packers
Offensive Rookie of the Year - RB Albert Barrow of the Baltimore Ravens
Defensive Rookie of the Year - SS Phil Nugent of the Denver Broncos
Well done to SS Charlie Sumner, who was named All-League Second Team Safety after a great year.


Stay tuned for the Weinstein post-season review.
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Old 01-01-2008, 02:30 PM   #9
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
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Quote:
Rombach departs as Vikings GM Tanner begins shakeup

by Donnie Weinstein

Stephen Tanner's promised shakeup of the Minnesota Vikings began Monday with the firing of Head Coach Robert Rombach.

Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Harry Shuger and Defensive Coordinator Sammy Fleming also departed.

Also at risk of being fired was Head Scout Jeffrey Harper, but he remains the only man within the organisation not appointed by Tanner. The Vikings, who finished 8-8 last term, showed signs of struggling for creativity on both offence and defence and their new GM moved swiftly to install his own setup.

Tanner began work last season, overseeing the regular season but coming in after the initial staffing and roster judgements.

Reports within the organisation were that Rombach had fallen out with Tanner over his increasing interference in team matters which culminated in Tanner's decision that he would handle the college draft this year. The growing feeling of discontent ended with an emergency meeting afte the Vikings victory over the Rams during which Tanner informed Rombach and his staff of his decision.

"This team needs a fresh start next term and fresh ideas. It is now my job to work hard and fast to have a setup firmly in place before the start of next season." said Tanner.

Rombach was unavailable for comment.

Quote:
Minnesota Vikings 1961 Season Report Card
From Donnie Weinstein,
January 1962

With the Vikings first full NFL season done and gone it is time to look back and highlight both the positive and the negative aspects of that year. The Vikings were 8-8 this term and with 4 games to go were still in the playoff hunt, revealing a team with talent but plenty of room to grow.

Coaches
It seems somewhat pointless to rate the coaching in the aftermath of Tanner's decision to remove them, but here is a grade anyway. Robert Rombach puts alot of his coaching emphasis on motivating his players and that covers an amount of poor play calling. The coaching staff has developed certain individuals well (Tommy Mason has come along well, as has Gary Alderman) but the buck stops with Head Coach Rombach's poor play-calling, a lack of discipline in key moments and just not enough motivation in big games to cover that.
Grade D

Quarterback
Rombach is a cautious coach and that was reflected in the decision to stick with George Shaw. Shaw had a good year, but he is the safe choice over the explosive youngster Fran Tarkenton. After Tanner's decision to retain Shaw to compete with Tarkenton, Tarkenton did not receive much time. But what time he did have showed he may not be ready, but he has tremendous potential. That aside, Shaw looked after the ball well and produced a decent amount of offence. With very little in the receiving corps and a RB who couldn't hold the ball, Shaw managed well.
Grade B

Running Backs
First overall pick Tommy Mason had moments of pure class, but he fumbled too much early on. That improved as the year went on and the Caleb/Mason combination produced decent offence. They didn't receive much help from the line and there is plenty to work on next year. Ray Hayes and Mel Triplett were very good receivers, especially in the red zone and on 3rd down. Their blocking was good, and the two have alot of upside.
Grade C

Wide Recievers
Where? Jerry Reichow became Shaw's go-to guy and his catches reflect this. There are no playmakers here and this is a handicap to their QB potential. Look for the Vikings to go after a WR early in the draft next year.
Grade E

Tight Ends
Three rookies with potential, but they didn't produce a great deal. The team is awaiting a true starter who could help both the line and the receivers.
Grade E

Offensive Line
Alderman is developing into a rock on the left, but holes are appearing on the rest of the line. Of all the units on this team, the offensive line needs most attention and a combination of veteran free agents and careful draft picks would certainly help. The pass blocking has been okay but a young run attack needs more help from the line than they got and there is plenty of improvement to be made here.
Grade C

Defensive Line
The pass rush did well, with Jim Marshall leading with 17.0 sacks. The Minnesota defence were fourth in the league on turnovers and the season followed a pattern of turnovers=winning. Keeping the unit together is important and possibly injecting a little youth.
Grade B

Linebackers
A young unit, with two rookies starting all last year, but they are already starting to show results. The Stonebreaker-Hawkins combination are starting to gel well, and their performance will dictate the defence next year. Stonebreaker reads the game very well and Hawkins is a great pass rusher, so they may be well served switching. Need to ensure Clancy Osbourne stays around to play weak, and a mentor is needed for the young guys.
Grade B

Cornerback
Haley is the leader here, and his performance was good this year. Rich Mostardi was sometimes out of his depth after switching from safety, but his figures were solid considering the job he was asked to do. Jack Morris was very good from the nickel and deserves to be brought back. A top quality corner is needed to allow Mostardi to return to safety.
Grade C

Safeties
Sumner was an All-Pro and had a stellar year. Lamson led the team in tackles, as the pair had 6 interceptions and 22 passes defensed. Definitely a solid unit, with Will Sherman providing good backup in the dime. Depth is needed to cover Sumner and Lamson but injury free, Minnesota will be covered well here.
Grade B

Special Teams
Mercer and Renfrow were competant, but the big plus here was Tommy Mason who had a TD on both kick and punt returns. Haley and McElhenny had 60 tackles between them as well.
Grade B

Overall grade C
Staffing changes to come.

Last edited by surlyc : 01-01-2008 at 02:31 PM.
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Old 01-01-2008, 03:25 PM   #10
nilodor
College Benchwarmer
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: calgary, AB
Good read so far, good luck!
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Old 01-01-2008, 07:57 PM   #11
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Quote:
Dugan is Vikings man

MINNESOTA (Rewters) - The Minnesota Vikings, a new expansion team to the Nation Football League, introduced Brian Dugan as its new head coach on Monday.

Dugan leaves the Oakland Raiders to go to the Twin Cities. He went 6-10 last year with an Oakland team struggling in key positions.

His contract at Oakland had expired following the season end, and Minnesota signed him to a 3 year, $740k contract.

"I promised to get a coaching setup in place that would help us win straight away." Vikings General Manager Stephen Tanner told a news conference in Minneapolis. "Brian is a tough guy who gets the best of his team, especially his defence, and that discipline is what this team needs. We need to unite behind Brian and give him the support he needs."

Dugan, who announced his decision to leave Oakland following a meeting on Sunday, said: "It's an honor and a privilege to be named the Minnesota Vikings head football coach."

When asked about the type of program he planned to run, the 60-year-old said: "Defence wins football games. A solid defence is the platform to a great offence, and with the offensive playmakers on this team a solid base could take us to the playoffs. We will do things the right way."

He succeeds Robert Rombach, who was sacked following just one year as Head Coach and an 8-8 season. He will be joined by Cedric Liotti who starts a 4 year contract as offensive coordinator and Darrin Kwiecinski, who will take over as assistant head coach and defensive co-ordinator.

Dugan is a defence-minded coach with a reputation for taking a hard line with problem players. Said Tanner "I don't want quitters on my team, and Dugan is not a quitter."

Asked if a Superbowl is achievable within three years, Dugan replied with a sardonic grin; "Ask me again in the playoffs."

The new staff:

Head Coach: Brian Dugan (60)
3 Years.
Motivation: Very Good
Discipline: Excellent
Off. Playcalling: Fair
Def. Playcalling: Very Good
Inj. Avoidance: Very Good

Seeing as I never call defensive plays, I think he could be a solid head coach for the next 3 years.

Offensive Coordinator: Cedric Liotti (37)
4 Years.
QB: Good
RB: Good
WR: Good
OL: Very Good
K/P: Poor
YT: Good

A solid addition, and at a yound age I have hopes he'll develop better on the skill positions. Time will tell if he'll see

out that contract.

Defensive Coordinator: Darrin Kwiecinski (57)
5 Years.
K/P: Average
DL: Good
LB: Average
DB: Very Good
YT: Very Good

Signed to work primarily on our defensive backs, he was the best of a bad bunch. I didn't pay much for him though, so he could be replaced next year (he actually looks like he could be a decent Head Coach, if a defensive minded one).

Scouting Director: Jeffrey Harper (63)
QB: Very Good
RB: Good
WR: Average
OL: Fair
K/P: Very Good
DL: Average
LB: Fair
DB: Very Good
YT: Average

Not keen on the average youth scouting, but there were no better scouts available so Harper stays for another year.

Retirements:

Hugh McElhenny leaves us but as he was angry and not very good, I think I can survive.

Free agency and the draft to come tomorrow, after work.
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Old 01-03-2008, 04:12 PM   #12
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Free Agency
The main goal in free agency is two wide receivers to complement my offensive playmakers, Mason and Tarkenton. A mentor for Tarkenton would be a big plus, and a mentor in all positions would be good, in addition to some offensive line pickups.

Upgrades in any position is a positive, but the OL and the WR corps are the priority.

Week 1
FB Ray Hayes (Re-sign: 300k, 3 yrs.)
Has alot of potential, and he and Triplett mean I have absolutely no worries over at least one position.
Week 2
QB Eddie LeBaron (150k, 1 yr.)
Finally I get my hands on a mentor for Tarkenton as he begins his first starting year.

The big news from this week is that Bobby Mitchell (a 92/92 WR from Cleveland) turns down a big money offer from Minnesota to stay in Ohio. Damn it all, he was the only WR available in free agency above 40...
Week 3
C John Mellekas (3 yrs. $1.17m)
A quality centre for the heart of my line. Not only that, but he's a mentor so he should be around until he retires.
DE Don Joyce - Denver ($430k 2 yrs.)
I'm not devastated by the loss of Joyce. His best asset was run defence, which doesn't suit my 4-3 defence, and I can get a better pass rush without him.
Week 4
P Sam Baker ($330k, 2 yrs.)
A veteran punter, until I can find a decent rookie for the position.
TE Ron Kramer ($310k, 2 yrs.)
This disappointed one of my TE on the way out.. how sad. Kramer isn't a long term solution, but he's better than Smith.
DT Bill Bishop - Arizona ($140k, 1 yr.)
An experienced DT who was never going to be a starter in Minnesota. I wish him luck in Arizona, but he's no real loss.
Week 5
FS Will Sherman (Re-sign: $140k, 1 yr.)
Resigned as cover.
DE Bob O'Neil ($120k, 1 yr.)
A mentor for Jim Marshall and the new DE I will hopefully sign...
T Michael Evans ($390k, 2 yrs.)
A mentor for Alderman and the other tackle I will hopefully obtain.
Week 6
Ron Kosterlink ($140k, 2 yrs)
A new backup for Prestel, replacing Bishop, who has a real talent for the rush if it can be developed.
Week 7
WLB Karl Rubke - San Diego ($100k, 1 yr.)
Rubke is not happy at being behind the two talented rookie linebackers, and heads out to California.
Week 8
CB Johnny Bookman ($270k, 2 yrs)
A journeyman CB to help cover out horrible weakness at corner.
Week 9
RB Al Carmichael ($120k, 1 yr.)
A mentor for Tommy Mason.
Week 10
SLB Jim Furey ($100k, 1 yr.)
Finally, a mentor for Stonebreaker. Furey won't start except in a crisis, but hopefully he can develop my youngsters.
CB Dick Haley (Re-sign: $90k, 1 yr.)
Deserved to be brought back to play nickel after last year.

Amateur Draft

Draft time!

There are a few talented guys at the start of this draft, but I don't expect any to fall to me. Lance Alworth would be the guy we need, but he's a lock for a top three pick and I expect Roman Gabriel will compete with him for no. 1. Houston has the first pick and no QB, so I expect Gabriel will go first.

We're picking at #17 and to be honest, I don't see anyone I consider worthwhile at that spot right now. It's not really worth trading up, we'll see if it's possible or desireable to trade down once I see what's on the table. The aim is a WR, a CB, an OLman, and a K late on.

1. Houston - Gabriel, Roman, QB, North Carolina State
2. Jacksonville - Alworth, Lance, WR, Arkansas
3. Cincinnati - Buoniconti, Nick, ILB, Notre Dame
4. Miami - Green, Cornell, CB, Utah State
5. Seattle - Miller, Bill, WR, Miami, Florida
6. Carolina - Stratton, Mike, OLB, Tennessee
7. Atlanta - Buncom, Frank, OLB, Southern California
8. Tampa Bay - Edgerson, Booker, CB, Western Illinois
9. Baltimore - Sestak, Tom, DT, McNeese State
10. New England - Suci, Bob, CB, Michigan State
At this point I tried to trade up to get Sonny Bishop. Oakland, however, would have none of it and stuck where they were.
11. Oakland - Collins, Gary, WR, Maryland
12. New Orleans - Morrow, Tommy, S, Southern Mississippi
13. Washington - Bishop, Sonny, G, Fresno State
Because a team with a 80 & 65 guard combination need the best rookie guard.
14. Dallas - Bowie, Larry, G, Purdue
15. San Diego - Miller, Fred, DT, Louisiana State
16. Kansas City - Nieghbors, Billy, G, Alabama
17. Minnesota - Moore, Fred, DT, Oklahoma
My brain says to draft Gary Ballman from Michigan, the underrated WR. But my gut says not to, as he looks to have bust written all over him with his high combine, low bar ratings. In the end, I decide to take the best guy left on the board as an abundance of DL talent is never a bad thing.
18. Chicago - Olsen, Merlin, DT, Utah State
19. Buffalo - Pine, Ed, OLB, Utah
20. San Francisco - Jacobs, Ray, DT, Howard Payne
21. St. Louis - Erlandson, Tom, OLB, Washington State
22. Detroit - Perkins, Jim, T, Colorado
23. Tennessee - Gross, George, DT, Auburn
24. Denver - Montalbo, Mel, CB, Utah State
25. New Jersey - Birdwell, Danny, DT, Houston
26. New York - Ballman, Gary, WR, Michigan State
27. Philadelphia - Cutsinger, Gary, DE, Oklahoma State
28. Pittsburgh - Cadile, Jim, G, San Jose State
29. Indianapolis - Shorter, Jim, CB, Small College
30. Green Bay - Lassiter, Ike, DE, Small College
31. Cleveland - O'Bradovich, Ed, DE, Illinois
32. Arizona - Abruzzese, Ray, S, Alabama
33. Jacksonville - Bullocks, Amos, RB, Southern Illinois
34. Houston - Byers, Ken, G, Cincinnati
35. Miami - Miller, Al, ILB, Ohio
36. Seattle - Turner, Bake, WR, Texas Tech
37. Cincinnati - Andrie, George, DE, Small College
38. Atlanta - Carollo, Joe, T, Notre Dame
39. Carolina - McCullough, Bob, G, Colorado
40. Baltimore - Boyette, Garland, ILB, Grambling
41. Tampa Bay - Jancik, Bobby, CB, Small College
42. Oakland - Sutro, John, T, San Jose State
43. New Orleans - Thompson, Bobby, CB, Arizona
44. New England - Frazier, Charlie, WR, Texas Southern
45. New England - Holmes, Pat, DE, Texas Tech
Dallas receive 2nd '63, 2nd & 4th '64
46. San Diego - Winter, Bill, OLB, St. Olaf
47. New England - White, Gene, RB, Florida A&M
Washington receive 1st '64 Now, what are those crazy Patriots doing?
48. Minnesota - Shea, Pat, G, Southern California
I have three guards on my board, all of whom are available: Pete Case, George Flint and Pat Shea. However, Shea looks to be the most intelligent guy available and looks to be an all-round talent.
49. Chicago - Hillebrand, Jerry, OLB, Colorado
50. Kansas City - Sullivan, Dan, G, Boston College
51. New England - Davis, Dick, DE, Vanderbilt
San Francisco receive 3rd '62, 3rd '63, 3rd '64 Guess New England don't like the idea of drafting in 1964. After all, you wouldn't want to end up with a young college prospect named Carl Eller...
52. Buffalo - Sharockman, Ed, CB, Pittsburgh
53. St. Louis - Gilchrist, Cookie, FB, No College
54. Chicago - Rivera, Hank, CB, Oregon State
Tennessee receive 7th '62, 2nd & 4th '64
55. Denver - Case, Pete, G, Georgia
56. Chicago - Flint, George, G, Arizona State
Detroit receive 3rd '62, 2nd '63
57. New York - McClinton, Curtis, FB, Kansas
58. New Jersey - Hinton, Chuck, DT, North Central
59. Denver - Winston, Roy, OLB, Louisiana State
Philidelphia receive 3rd '63, 3rd '64
60. Indianapolis - Saul, Bill, OLB, Penn State
61. Jacksonville - Fowler, Bobby, FB, Tennessee - Martin
Indianapolis receive 6th '62, 2nd '64
62. Green Bay - Frazier, Wayne, C, Auburn
63. Cleveland - Gruneisen, Sam, C, Villanova
64. New England - Bakken, Jim, K, Wisconsin
Arizona receive 1st '63
65. Houston - Rieves, Charlie, OLB, Alabama
66. Minnesota - McGeever, John, CB, Auburn
Jacksonville receive 3rd '62, 3rd '63 At this point, I decide to trade up and get the guy on my board. We're desperate at corner, and McGeever is the last talent in this draft.

And the rest...
67. Chicago - Edwards, Dave, OLB, Auburn
68. Denver - Gibbs, Sonny, QB, Texas Christian
69. Jacksonville - Stephens, Harold, QB, Hardin-Simmons
70. Seattle - Gros, Earl, FB, Louisiana State
71. Cincinnati - McDougall, Gerry, FB, UCLA
72. Atlanta - Skaggs, Jim, G, Washington
73. Dallas - Contoulis, John, DT, Connecticut
74. New Orleans - Hadl, John, QB, Kansas
75. San Francisco - Woulfe, Mike, OLB, Colorado
76. Oakland - Williams, Howie, S, Howard
77. San Diego - Barnes, Gary, WR, Clemson
78. Washington - McClellan, Mike, CB, Oklahoma
79. Dallas - Norris, Jim, DT, Houston
80. Detroit - Von Sonn, Andy, OLB, UCLA
81. Kansas City - Kroll, Alex, T, Yale
82. Miami - Brock, Clyde, T, Utah State
83. Buffalo - Mitinger, Bob, ILB, Penn State
84. San Francisco - Kochman, Roger, RB, Penn State
85. St. Louis - Elwell, Jack, WR, Purdue
86. Denver - Gaechter, Mike, S, Oregon
87. Detroit - Counts, Johnny, RB, Illinois
88. Tennessee - Yohn, Dave, ILB, Gettysburg
89. New Jersey - Shannon, Carver, CB, Southern Illinois
90. New York - McRae, Bennie, CB, Michigan
91. Philadelphia - Hunt, Bobby, S, Auburn
92. Pittsburgh - Hays, Harold, OLB, Southern Mississippi
93. Indianapolis - Neck, Tommy, CB, Louisiana State
94. Green Bay - Henley, Carey, RB, Tenn. - Chattanooga
95. Cleveland - Moore, Charlie, G, Arkansas
96. Arizona - Lomakoski, John, T, Western Michigan
97. Jacksonville - Norman, Pettis, TE, Johnson C. Smith
98. Houston - Hudson, Dick, T, Memphis
99. Cincinnati - Harris, Wendell, S, Louisiana State
100. Miami - Jackson, Bobby, FB, New Mexico State
101. Carolina - Winston, Lloyd, FB, Southern California
102. Atlanta - Lind, Mike, FB, Notre Dame
103. Carolina - Coan, Bert, RB, Kansas
104. Baltimore - Hall, Tom, WR, Minnesota
105. Tampa Bay - Tidmore, Sam, ILB, Ohio State
106. Baltimore - Gallegos, Chon, QB, San Jose State
107. Oakland - Tiller, Jim, RB, Purdue
108. New Orleans - Brown, Charles, T, Houston
109. Washington - Onesti, Larry, ILB, Northwestern
110. Baltimore - Bull, Ronnie, FB, Baylor
111. San Diego - McCormick, John, QB, Massachusetts
112. Kansas City - Warlick, Ernie, TE, North Central
113. Minnesota - Burrell, John, WR, Rice
114. Carolina - Charon, Carl, S, Michigan State
115. San Francisco - Nomina, Tom, ILB, Cornell
116. Buffalo - Goode, Irv, G, Kentucky
117. St. Louis - Tarr, Jerry, WR, Oregon
118. Detroit - Goosby, Tom, G, Baldwin-Wallace
119. Tennessee - Sieminski, Chuck, DT, Penn State
120. Cincinnati - Tinglehoff, Mick, C, Nebraska
121. New York - Echols, Fate, T, Oklahoma State
122. New Jersey - Kirchiro, Bill, G, Maryland
123. Philadelphia - Jackunas, Frank, C, Small College
124. Indianapolis - Powers, John, TE, Notre Dame
125. Pittsburgh - Triplett, Bill, RB, Miami, Ohio
126. Green Bay - Meyers, Jerry, DT, Northern Illinois
127. Cleveland - Winston, Kelton, S, Small College
128. Arizona - Davis, Chet, ILB, Norwich
129. Houston - Smith, Ralph, TE, Mississippi
130. Pittsburgh - Wilder, Bert, DE, North Carolina State
131. Miami - Dean, Floyd, OLB, Florida
132. Seattle - Hall, Galen, QB, Penn State
133. Cincinnati - Compton, Dick, WR, McMurry
134. Carolina - Griffing, Glynn, QB, Mississippi
135. Atlanta - Wegener, Bucky, G, Missouri
136. Tampa Bay - Green, Ernie, FB, Louisville
137. Atlanta - Sczurek, Stan, OLB, Purdue
138. Oakland - Isbell, Joe Bob, G, Houston
139. New Orleans - Ferguson, Bob, FB, Ohio State
140. New England - Sheppard, Danny, P, Chapman
141. Dallas - Perkins, Art, FB, North Texas
142. San Diego - Bolin, Bookie, G, Mississippi
143. Washington - Gursky, Albert, OLB, Penn State
144. Minnesota - Thibert, Jim, ILB, Toledo
145. Seattle - Gassert, Ron, DT, Virginia
146. Kansas City - Crabb, Claude, S, Southern California
147. Buffalo - Budd, Frank, WR, Villanova
148. San Francisco - Davis, Donnie, TE, Southern University
149. St. Louis - Wilson, Eddie, QB, Arizona
150. Tennessee - Cloutier, Dave, S, Maine
151. Denver - Ferguson, Larry, RB, Iowa
152. Detroit - Hernandez, Joe, WR, Arizona
153. New Jersey - Saxton, Jimmy, RB, Texas
154. New York - Hull, Bill, DE, Wake Forest
155. Philadelphia - Reese, Guy, DT, Southern Methodist
156. Pittsburgh - Nicklas, Pete, T, Baylor
157. Indianapolis - Kaimer, Karl, DE, Boston University
158. Green Bay - Morelli, Fran, T, Colgate
159. Cleveland - Yaccino, John, CB, Pittsburgh
160. Arizona - Marshall, Chuck, CB, Oregon State
161. Pittsburgh - Minter, Tom, CB, Baylor
162. Houston - Butler, Bob, G, Kentucky
163. Carolina - Johnson, Marshall, DT, McMurry
164. Cincinnati - Donahue, Oscar, WR, San Jose State
165. Miami - Wheeler, Manch, QB, Maine
166. Atlanta - Reed, Bobby, RB, Pacific Lutheran
167. Carolina - Jordan, Larry, DE, Youngstown State
168. New England - Wilson, Ben, FB, Southern California
169. Tampa Bay - Jolley, Nick, QB, Maryland
170. New Orleans - Jackson, Leroy, RB, Western Illinois
171. New England - Eaton, John, T, Small College
172. Oakland - Galyon, Billy, OLB, Louisiana State
173. San Diego - Blaine, Ed, G, Missouri
174. Washington - Robinson, Jerry, WR, Grambling
175. Dallas - Scribner, Solomon, RB, Cal. - Sacramento
176. Chicago - Donnell, Jim, ILB, Hillsdale
177. Kansas City - Jackson, Ira, ILB, Western Michigan
178. Minnesota - Pennington, Tom, K, Georgia
179. San Francisco - Edwards, Niko, OLB, Central Florida
180. Buffalo - Williams, Larry, QB, NW Missouri St.
181. St. Louis - Stafford, Dick, DE, Texas Tech
182. Denver - Dufek, Doug, ILB, Pittsburgh
183. Detroit - Ellis, James, QB, St. Thomas, Minn.
184. Tennessee - Gillett, Fred, OLB, Small College
185. New York - Kelso, Bob, CB, Duke
186. New Jersey - Diamond, Bill, G, Miami, Florida
187. Philadelphia - Smith, John, DE, Nebraska
188. Indianapolis - Burns, Archie, QB, Northwestern
189. Pittsburgh - Vargo, Larry, S, Small College
190. Green Bay - Bundra, Mike, DT, Southern California
191. Cleveland - Kennedy, Willie, CB, Maryland
192. Arizona - Berger, Don, QB, Houston
193. Houston - Mirer, Robbie, RB, Texas Christian
194. Jacksonville - Craig, Dobie, WR, Howard Payne
195. New England - Simpson, Willie, FB, Small College
196. Miami - Podolak, Ed, RB, Princeton
197. Seattle - Richardson, Isaac, TE, Fort Hays State
198. Carolina - Grant, Donald, WR, Alma
199. Atlanta - Nunamaker, Darren, WR, Muskingum
200. Tampa Bay - Cole, David, G, The Citadel
201. Baltimore - Tyler, Kent, DT, Columbia
202. New England - Ham, Raphael, T, West Virginia
203. Oakland - Glass, Glenn, CB, Tennessee
204. New Orleans - Kirchner, Bill, DT,
205. Washington - Washington, Ralph, WR, Marshall
206. Dallas - Ferguson, Brennen, QB, Rutgers
207. San Diego - Brown, Lynn, WR, Penn State
208. Kansas City - Irvin, Artose, S, Southern Illinois
209. Minnesota - Carter, Jim, DT, North Carolina A&T
210. Tennessee - Brooker, Tommy, K, Alabama
211. Buffalo - Collins, Juan, CB, New Haven
212. San Francisco - Gillette, Pete, C, Toledo
213. St. Louis - Shello, C.R., DT, Georgia
214. Detroit - Dennison, Al, WR, Stanford
215. Tennessee - Tant, Phil, ILB, Texas Christian
216. Denver - Smith, Tony, TE, Duke
217. New Jersey - Brutley, Houston, OLB, Iowa
218. New York - Oats, Yale, G, California
219. Philadelphia - Reed, Lonnie, RB, Oklahoma
220. Pittsburgh - Williams, Howard, WR, Kentucky
221. Indianapolis - Spani, Lamar, ILB, Central Connecticut
222. Green Bay - Smith, Tom, S, West New Mexico
223. Cleveland - Wright, Mike, QB, Williams
224. Arizona - Lince, Phil, RB, Virginia

I took Burrell, a prospect WR, in the 4th as he was underrated at interview. Jim Thibert is a real raw prospect, but there's not much left on the board at this point. Tom Pennington has good looking prospects for a cannon of a foot, who could replace Mercer. Jim Carter was a shot in the dark, but looked to have a little upside.

Draft Grade A-

*grumble* There were precious few decent receivers in this draft. Also, New England are crazy with their trades and have almost no picks in 1964. Shea looks to be a good pick, and Fred Moore looks like a beast at the heart of the line. Jim Carter and Jim Thibert look like duds. Maybe I should have a "no more Jims!" draft rule?

Late Free Agency

Week 1
LG Pat Shea (Rookie: 880k, 4 yrs.)
Let's get these rookies locked up.
DT Fred Moore (Rookie: $1.89m, 4 yrs.)
There we go, the two most talented signed up.
WLB Charlie Anderson ($170k, 2 yrs.)
A second year linebacker out of Tampa, who will replace Rubke.
C Roderick Holloway ($210k, 2 yrs.)
A very competant backup center, who will probably end up better than my guards this term..
WR Overmyer, Johnny ($180k, 2 yrs.)
Also a second year talent out of Tampa, Overmyer had 750 yards last year and looks like a good slot receiver with safe third down hands.

Week 2
P Willie Renfrow - San Diego ($50k, 1 yr.)
Byebye, Willie. You were decent, but so are many other free agent punters this year.
WR Howard Clark ($170k, 2 yrs.)
I was lured in by his 43/70 on avoid drops, 66/76 on getting downfield and 51 on big play receiving... he has many, many flaws but he'll get plenty of time to wor them out of his system as we prepare for throwing money at a free agent next year.
WLB John Tracy ($200k, 2 yrs.)
Backup out of Philly, signed primarily for special teams.

Week 3
DT Penguin Culpepper - Jacksonville ($130k, 1 yr.)
Byebye, Penguin. After the draft, there was very little chance of him staying around. Great name, only a decent player.
TE Darryl Hanks ($140k, 2 yrs.)
A talented second year player, who looks like he'll stomp on Smith in training camp.
WR Kenny Witcher ($140k, 2 yrs.)
He's quick, can hold onto a ball if it's thrown straight at him, and can hold a route. Or at least he has the potential to and this year potential seems the only option at WR.
Ben Davidson ($390k, 3 yrs.)
The most talented young DE in free agency. A strong personality discouraged many, but Dugan is strong as well and this guy has no limit to his energy, reads the play brilliantly for an end and can stop the run like a DT. His pass rush is good, not special, but the rest makes him a risk worth taking. Besides, it'll test Dugan.
MLB Dave Lloyd ($220k, 2 yrs.)
Part of the dominant Browns team, he joins to provide depth at the LB slot for us and competition for Hawkins should he bust this year. Used to a 3-4 system, but he can convert to MLB without problem.
FS Vinny Crute ($160k, 2 yrs.)
A potential replacement for Sumner if he does something stupid like retire next year. Returned an interception for a TD in his rookie year for Dugan at Oakland.

Training Camp
CB John McGeever (Rookie: $350k, 3 yrs)
K Tom Pennington (Rookie: $220k, 3 yrs.)
WLB Jim Thibert (Rookie: $210k, 3 yrs.)
The last rookies I intend to stay on this team. That means not you, Jim Carter. What on earth was I thinking, drafting someone named Jim Carter? (For reference, Jimmy Carter (no relation) was 38 at this point.)

So, that's the roster filled out. I will post a roster analysis soon.
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Old 01-03-2008, 05:12 PM   #13
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
A look at the 1962 Vikings by Position:

Code:
LeBaron, Eddie 16 QB 13 31 31 1 yr. Shaw, George 3 QB 8 53 53 1 yr. Tarkenton, Fran 10 QB QB 2 33 87 5 yrs.
This is the year of Fran Tarkenton, and we'll live and die with him. He may not have any receivers to throw to, but he should have better protection for his first starting year and next term we'll find some targets. Shaw will back him up before he leaves in preseason and LeBaron is present primarily to work with Tarkenton during the week.
Code:
Caleb, Jamie 26 RB 4 21 28 3 yrs. Carmichael, Al 33 RB 10 21 21 1 yr. Mason, Tommy 31 RB RB 2 47 57 5 yrs. ##Mayberry, Doug 37 RB 2 21 41 1 yr.
Tommy Mason will continue to start, with Caleb running third downs. Mayberry will sit, with Carmichael working with the youngsters.
Code:
Hayes, Ray 40 FB 2 35 55 3 yrs. Triplett, Mel 29 FB FB 8 57 57 1 yr.
These two will continue to split time, with the experienced veteran guiding a young guy. Ray Hayes may well be sole starter next year, so he needs time to develop this year.
Code:
Kramer, Ron 86 TE 6 47 47 2 yrs. ##Smith, Gordon 87 TE 2 24 40 4 yrs. Hanks, Darryl 14 TE TE 2 29 56 2 yrs.
Darryl Hanks is a very good run blocker, and a decent receiver, who is a surprisingly good pickup for a second year free agent. Kramer is a good second TE, strong run blocker and good at getting downfield and good hands. I play several 2 TE plays so they should both get plenty of work, especially with my receiver corps.
Code:
Clark, Howard 17 FL 3 23 29 2 yrs. Witcher, Kelly 13 FL FL 2 16 49 2 yrs. Reichow, Jerry 88 SE SE 7 42 42 3 yrs. Overmyer, Johnny 80 SE 2 38 38 2 yrs. ##Burrell, John 84 SE 1 15 30 3 yrs.
This is, without doubt, the weakness on this team. Witcher will start preseason and we'll judge his development from there, if he doesn't go well then Overmyer or Reichow might move over to start there.
Code:
Mellekas, John 59 C C 7 58 58 3 yrs. Holloway, Roderick 57 C 2 42 42 2 yrs. Huth, Jerry 62 LG 7 29 29 2 yrs. Rabold, Mike 74 LG RG 4 35 41 2 yrs. Shea, Pat 64 LG LG 1 29 61 4 yrs. Alderman, Grady 1 LT LT 3 53 72 6 yrs. Youso, Frank 75 RT RT 5 40 40 1 yr. Evans, Michael 63 RT 11 20 20 2 yrs.
Alderman-Shea-Mellekas-Rabold-Youso is the starting set-up. Evans is a mentor for Alderman, and Holloway will cover the heart of the line. Not really a huge amount of depth here, but the addition of Mellekas and Shea changes the quality for the better.
Code:
Baker, Sam 12 P 11 52 52 2 yrs. Mercer, Mike 6 K 2 40 53 1 yr. Pennington, Tom 8 K 1 39 52 3 yrs.
Pennington has a huge boot, but not much accuracy. Mercer will retain field goal duties while Pennington will kickoff, and Baker will surprisingly punt.
Code:
##Leo, Jim 96 LDE 3 15 24 1 yr. Marshall, Jim 70 LDE LDE 3 40 55 6 yrs. O'Neil, Bob 77 LDE 10 29 29 1 yr. Davidson, Ben 92 RDE RDE 2 37 68 3 yrs. Denton, Bob 71 RDE 4 39 44 3 yrs.
I feel good about the rush that Marshall and Davidson will provide and Denton is a good guy to cycle in. O'Neil will mentor the starting pair and hopefully will see limited play time.
Code:
Kostelink, Ron 72 LDT 2 29 53 2 yrs. Prestel, Jim 73 LDT LDT 4 57 63 4 yrs. $$Carter, Jim 90 LDT 1 7 13 -- Dickson, Paul 93 RDT 4 34 40 6 yrs. Moore, Fred 95 RDT RDT 1 38 61 4 yrs.
Carter won't be signed. Moore and Prestel have good endurance and very good potential for run-stuffing, while Kostelink will back them up to develop his pass rush.
Code:
Lloyd, Dave 98 WILB 4 45 54 2 yrs. Hawkins, Rip 56 MLB MLB 2 31 62 4 yrs. ##Thibert, Jim 55 MLB 1 13 27 3 yrs. Furey, Jim 99 SLB 7 31 31 1 yr. Stonebreaker, Steve 52 SLB SLB 2 30 71 2 yrs. Osborne, Clancy 54 WLB 6 44 44 1 yr. ##Tracy, John 94 WLB 4 30 46 2 yrs. Anderson, Charlie 91 WLB WLB 2 47 47 2 yrs.
I like the run defence on my linebackers, which whould help open up the pass rush for my DE. Not that they can't rush themselves, and Stonebreaker/Hawkins should develop quicker under the tutelage of Furey.
Code:
Bookman, Johnny 35 LCB LCB 6 42 42 2 yrs. Haley, Dick 44 LCB 4 26 32 1 yr. Mostardi, Rich 48 RCB RCB 3 50 54 1 yr. McGeever, John 24 RCB 1 26 47 3 yrs.
Two obvious starters here. I need some good corners next year...
Code:
Lamson, Chuck 25 SS SS 2 39 54 3 yrs. ##Sherman, Will 34 FS 12 31 31 1 yr. Sumner, Charlie 20 FS FS 9 51 51 1 yr. Crute, Vinny 39 FS 2 35 51 2 yrs.
Lamson and Sumner will reprise their partnership of last year, whilst Crute plays dime and hopefully develops into a replacement for Sumner.

$$ - player is suspended, ## - player is inactive,

Other information:
Players Under Contract: 53
Inactive: 7
On Active Roster: 46
Salary Cap: $15,200,000
Cap Room: $7,490,000
Maximum for New Player: $7,540,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $50,000
Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $0
Cap Room Required Next Year: $7,060,000

Offence:
Tarkenton & Mason. Two second year players will lead my offence (I feel like a real Viking ) and the massive problem is the lack of any speedy receivers. It's never healthy to rely on TE and RB to lead the receiving...
Defence:
I like my defence. Last year we survived on big plays, but I've improved the rush and added mentors. The only issue is that the DL is young and needs to develop but the potential is good. My secondary does need improving, as I am not so confident in their ball-hawking.
Special Teams:
We'll see how it goes here. Mason will continue on returning duty for probably his last year as I want to preserve his health.
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Old 01-03-2008, 07:38 PM   #14
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Quote:
Vikings name Tarkenton starter

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minnesota -- Coach Brian Dugan will start Fran Tarkenton as he starts his first year in the north. Searching for a spark on offence, Dugan has decided to turn to the 22 year-old out of Georgia. With few receivers to throw to, Tarkenton has a challenge ahead but Dugan is confident in his second-year quarterback. "Fran has a spark that you don't see very often. We're in an enviable position of having a starting quarterback on our roster and a star of the future ready to start. Who wouldn't want Tarkenton and Shaw on their roster?"

Dugan has a reputation for his defensive mind, and has added a number of veterans to a talented but youthful unit. Jim Furey will work with the linebackers and Dugan is confident of the potential his defence has. "We have two very talented pass rushers and two excellent run stuffers on our line. Our 4-3 defence has got the potential to shut down anyone." said Dugan.

Two days concluding training camp, GM Stephen Tanner gave a short audience. The second year head of football operations gave little indication of his thoughts of the season ahead, answering only one question from reporters before fleeing.

"Can we win a Superbowl? I think so, but can you imagine how terrifying this unit would be next year with the potential we have?" Tanner responded with a grin.

"I'd like to thank those people who use their own time to follow this team. We're growing and we've a way to go to be considered a dynasty but I hope we can make it worthwhile to everyone."
Exhibition

Minnesota sold 56,200 season tickets for the season out of a capacity of 64,000.

Minnesota 25 New Jersey 14
An ugly start for Tarkenton, who was 13-27 for 98 yards (2 TD, 3 int.). However, the real positive here is we played very badly and still had a fairly secure win. Clutching? Straws? Never.

Denver 6 Minnesota 21
Fran Tarkenton eased many nerves around the Twin Cities with 8-13 for 150 (1 TD) and a rating of 127.0. Kelly Witcher had 99 yards on 4 catches, and the DL shared 5 sacks. The OL didn't give up a sack and had several key blocks as well to show signs of life before the season starts.

A blow as Johnny Bookman injures his calf and will miss 6 weeks.

Minnesota 16 New England 22 (OT)
This is another frustrating performance, as Fran Tarkenton and George Shaw both produce 100 yard, 50% completion and 1 TD games. I have a suspicion this will be an up and down 8-8 season again.

San Diego 33 Minnesota 15
The Chargers have 2 Jack Kemps. That is beyond weird. Anyways, George Shaw reminds everyone he is a capable backup with 167 yards and a TD.

Dick Haley is out with a broken tibula and we have a corner crisis. Ross Dylan signs a 1 year, $70k deal and Mike Mercer is cut for his inability to get the ball to the goal posts on a 32-yard field goal.

Roster before the start of the season:
Code:
LeBaron, Eddie 16 QB 13 31/31 31/31 1 yr. Shaw, George 3 QB 8 53/53 53/53 1 yr. Tarkenton, Fran 10 QB QB 2 33/87 34/87 5 yrs. Caleb, Jamie 26 RB 4 21/28 22/28 3 yrs. Carmichael, Al 33 RB 10 21/21 21/21 1 yr. Mason, Tommy 31 RB RB 2 47/57 48/57 5 yrs. ##Mayberry, Doug 37 RB 2 21/41 21/41 1 yr. Hayes, Ray 40 FB 2 35/55 37/55 3 yrs. Triplett, Mel 29 FB FB 8 57/57 57/57 1 yr. Kramer, Ron 86 TE 6 47/47 47/47 2 yrs. ##Smith, Gordon 87 TE 2 24/40 24/40 4 yrs. Hanks, Darryl 14 TE TE 2 29/56 31/56 2 yrs. Clark, Howard 17 FL 3 23/29 24/29 2 yrs. Witcher, Kelly 13 FL FL 2 16/49 17/49 2 yrs. Reichow, Jerry 88 SE SE 7 42/42 42/42 3 yrs. Overmyer, Johnny 80 SE 2 38/38 38/38 2 yrs. ##Burrell, John 84 SE 1 15/30 15/30 3 yrs. Mellekas, John 59 C C 7 58/58 58/58 3 yrs. Holloway, Roderick 57 C 2 42/42 42/42 2 yrs. Huth, Jerry 62 LG 7 29/29 29/29 2 yrs. Rabold, Mike 74 LG RG 4 35/41 36/41 2 yrs. Shea, Pat 64 LG LG 1 29/61 31/61 4 yrs. Alderman, Grady 1 LT LT 3 53/72 57/72 6 yrs. Youso, Frank 75 RT RT 5 40/40 40/40 1 yr. Evans, Michael 63 RT 11 20/20 20/20 2 yrs. Baker, Sam 12 P 11 52/52 52/52 2 yrs. Pennington, Tom 8 K 1 39/52 39/52 3 yrs. ##Leo, Jim 96 LDE 3 15/24 15/24 1 yr. Marshall, Jim 70 LDE LDE 3 40/55 45/55 6 yrs. O'Neil, Bob 77 LDE 10 29/29 29/29 1 yr. Davidson, Ben 92 RDE RDE 2 37/68 40/68 3 yrs. Denton, Bob 71 RDE 4 39/44 39/44 3 yrs. Kostelink, Ron 72 LDT 2 29/53 29/53 2 yrs. Prestel, Jim 73 LDT LDT 4 57/63 58/63 4 yrs. $$Carter, Jim 90 LDT 1 7/13 7/13 -- Dickson, Paul 93 RDT 4 34/40 34/40 6 yrs. Moore, Fred 95 RDT RDT 1 38/61 40/61 4 yrs. Lloyd, Dave 98 WILB 4 45/54 45/54 2 yrs. Hawkins, Rip 56 MLB MLB 2 31/62 32/62 4 yrs. ##Thibert, Jim 55 MLB 1 13/27 13/27 3 yrs. Furey, Jim 99 SLB 7 31/31 31/31 1 yr. Stonebreaker, Steve 52 SLB SLB 2 30/71 40/71 2 yrs. Osborne, Clancy 54 WLB 6 44/44 44/44 1 yr. ##Tracy, John 94 WLB 4 30/46 30/46 2 yrs. Anderson, Charlie 91 WLB WLB 2 47/47 47/47 2 yrs. Bookman, Johnny 35 LCB LCB 6 42/42 42/42 2 yrs. Haley, Dick 44 LCB 4 26/32 28/32 1 yr. Mostardi, Rich 48 RCB RCB 3 50/54 53/54 1 yr. McGeever, John 24 RCB 1 26/47 26/47 3 yrs. Lamson, Chuck 25 SS SS 2 39/54 46/54 3 yrs. ##Sherman, Will 34 FS 12 31/31 31/31 1 yr. Sumner, Charlie 20 FS FS 9 51/51 51/51 1 yr. Crute, Vinny 39 FS 2 35/51 36/51 2 yrs.
The improvements made by Jim Marshall (40 to 45), Gary Alderman (53 to 57), Ben Davidson (37 to 40), Chuck Lamson (39 to 46) and most of all by Steve Stonebreaker (30 to 40) are good signs.

Season two begins tomorrow.

Last edited by surlyc : 01-03-2008 at 07:39 PM.
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Old 01-03-2008, 08:49 PM   #15
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Chicago 17 Minnesota 14
Fran Tarkenton passes for 139 yards and 2 TDs, but the lack of a big play receiver is really hurting us on big plays. The OL leaked 5 sacks (all from the right side, 3 through Youso and 2 through Huth), and the DL conjured just 1. Even so, a 4th quarter drive could have tied it, but Tom Pennington couldn't get the kick on target.

New Jersey 28 Minnesota 23
We don't seem to play well at home. Fran Tarkenton has 15-27 for 208 yards (2 TD), but the Jets' Al Darow has 454 yards culminating in a game winning TD pass with 40 seconds on the clock. Johnny Overmyer enjoyed his first 100 yard game (1 TD) after being switched to starting SE with Reichow on the FL.

Minnesota 24 San Francisco 21
I don't know how we won here. Fran Tarkenton was 25-33 which helped, and the 280 yards (2 TD) certainly helped. I am concerned about the problems of the defence with such a heavily defence-minded staff, with the overall defence seeming to fail. Maybe the cornerback crisis is to blame.

RG Mike Rabold seperates his shoulder and misses 5 weeks.

Minnesota 24 Philidelphia 17
The big difference now seems to be that Fran Tarkenton is taking better care of the football with 22-27 for 244 yards (2 TD) and this is starting to open up the run. Tommy Mason rushes for his first TD of the year and Rip Hawkins has a sack.

Code:
First Quarter Summary Year 1962 Record 2-2 Winning Pct. .500 All-Time 10-10 Winning Pct. .500 Playoffs 0-0 Playoff Visits 0 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Brian Dugan Record 8-12 Winning Pct. .400 Off. Coord. C. Liotti Def. Coord. D. Kwiecinski Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 29.5 10 (T) Rushing Yards 134.5 5 Yards Per Carry 4.56 9 Pass Attempts 29.8 22 Completions 20.3 14 (T) Completion Pct. 68.1 7 Passing Yards 217.8 16 Yards Per Attempt 7.32 12 Yards Per Catch 10.75 14 Total Yardage Gained 332.8 11 3rd Down Conversions 45.8 6 Points Per Game 21.3 10 (T) Pass Rush Pct. 9.2 30 Pass Defense Pct. 52.0 14 Turnovers 4 5 (T) Turnover Margin +2 10 (T) Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 28.0 18 (T) Rushing Yards 85.0 7 Yards Per Carry 3.04 2 Pass Attempts 32.8 23 Completions 21.3 22 (T) Completion Pct. 64.9 18 (T) Passing Yards 266.3 30 Yards Per Attempt 8.13 28 Yards Per Catch 12.53 29 Total Yardage Gained 345.8 26 3rd Down Conversions 47.2 30 Points Per Game 20.8 21 Pass Rush Pct. 16.2 27 Pass Defense Pct. 22.9 2 Turnovers 6 12 (T) Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 14 CHI 17 2 23 NJY 28 3 24 at SFO 21 4 24 at PHI 17 5 at GBY 7 at DAL 8 WAS 9 NYK 10 at CHI 11 DET 12 at MIA 13 CAR 14 at BUF 15 at DET 16 NED 17 GBY Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 10 F. Tarkenton QB 119 81 871 7.32 8 1 108.2 **Team --- 119 81 871 7.32 8 1 108.2 $$Opp --- 131 85 1065 8.13 6 3 95.7 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 65 267 4.11 1 5 26 J. Caleb RB 36 199 5.53 0 0 10 F. Tarkenton QB 13 59 4.54 0 6 **Team --- 118 538 4.56 1 11 $$Opp --- 112 340 3.04 5 10 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD Front Office Football 2007 88 J. Reichow WR 21 15 202 13.47 9.62 1 1 80 J. Overmyer WR 24 14 211 15.07 8.79 1 2 14 D. Hanks TE 12 10 52 5.20 4.33 1 1 86 R. Kramer TE 10 9 96 10.67 9.60 1 2 17 H. Clark WR 10 8 105 13.13 10.50 0 0 13 K. Witcher WR 18 7 102 14.57 5.67 2 0 31 T. Mason RB 7 6 41 6.83 5.86 0 1 29 M. Triplett FB 8 6 30 5.00 3.75 0 1 40 R. Hayes FB 7 4 24 6.00 3.43 0 0 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 56 R. Hawkins ILB 26 12 1.0 0 0 1 70.9 25 C. Lamson S 17 2 0.0 0 0 1 73.2 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 17 6 0.0 0 0 3 77.7 48 R. Mostardi CB 15 4 0.0 0 0 8 82.8 20 C. Sumner S 14 3 0.0 0 1 1 77.5 23 D. Ross CB 13 5 0.0 0 0 0 65.5 24 J. McGeever CB 13 2 1.0 0 2 1 81.9 70 J. Marshall DE 12 3 0.0 2 0 0 81.5 95 F. Moore DT 12 3 0.0 3 0 0 82.5 73 J. Prestel DT 9 4 0.0 2 0 0 82.5 39 V. Crute S 8 3 1.0 0 0 3 84.7 91 C. Anderson OLB 7 2 0.0 0 0 0 66.5 92 B. Davidson DE 5 5 1.0 3 0 0 82.5 54 C. Osborne OLB 5 1 0.0 0 0 0 68.1 93 P. Dickson DT 4 0 0.0 0 0 0 82.5
Obviously the biggest concern is the defence. Last year we had 12 sacks, 12 hurries, 6 int. and 18 passes defenced. This year it is 4 sacks, 10 hurries, 3 int. and 18 passes defenced (those mostly due to Mostardi). What has changed? I think the problems in the secondary released the pressure from the line and that has hit the rush. The receiving corps is doing better with Reichow and Overmyer starting and Tarkenton is starting to grow. Tommy Mason remains a concern, with fumbles and no yardage, but Jamie Caleb is a big plus.

That pass rush is the biggest concern.
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Old 01-03-2008, 09:44 PM   #16
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I'm thinking you're going to regret not drafting Gary Ballman if my Dolphins career is any indication.

Nice to see him go late in the 1st in your draft, though... Just verifies just how much of a steal he was for him to fall to me in the 3rd round in mind.

That said, Moore looks like to have been a solid 1st round pick for you thus far and should anchor the middle of your D-line for quite a few years
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Old 01-05-2008, 09:58 AM   #17
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Fred Moore is a beast, he'll eat Gary Ballman.

Minnesota 25 Green Bay 28
Agonising. Paul Hornung returns to haunt the Vikings, rushing for two unanswered 4th quarter TD scores and break Minnesota hearts. After 10 hurries all year, the DL produces 5 in this game. Even Fran Tarkenton and his 24-31 for 245 yards (2 TD) could not force the Vikings over the line.

Rich Mostardi signs a 5 year $1.69m extension to stay with the Vikings through 1966.

Minnesota 24 Dallas 7
The DL continues to stutter slowly into life. 3 more hurries and a season high (season doubling, in fact) 5 sacks (Ben Robertson 2.0) and Jim Prestel recovering a forced fumble finally created some QB pressure. The secondary responded with 3 4th quarter interceptions, Fran Tarkenton has 3 TD and Tommy Mason rushes for 119 yards. I wish we could play Dallas every week.

ALl-pro S Charlie Sumner signs a $710,000, 3 yrs. extension to tie him to the Vikings until retirement. As a reward for his burgeoning talent, Steve Stonebreaker receives a $1,280,000, 5 yrs. extension.

Washington 6 Minnesota 15
A battle of the kickers, with Tom Pennington (5/5) leading the Vikings to victory of the back of Tommy Mason's second 100 yard game of the year.

New York 7 Minnesota 10
Off the back of Tommy Mason's 93 yards (1 TD), the Vikings improved to 5-3. A time eating, 7 minute and 72 yard drive ended the game with mixed feelings after a knock to Tommy Mason. For a little perspective on our pass rush here, the two sacks produced caused a 50% rise in the number of sacks the Giants have given up. All year, 6 sacks. Yep, that's a tough line.

Tommy Mason is fine, and he's 100% already.

Code:
First Half Summary Year 1962 Record 5-3 Winning Pct. .625 All-Time 13-11 Winning Pct. .541 Playoffs 0-0 Playoff Visits 0 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Brian Dugan Record 11-13 Winning Pct. .458 Off. Coord. C. Liotti Def. Coord. D. Kwiecinski Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 33.1 2 Rushing Yards 138.5 3 (T) Yards Per Carry 4.18 11 Pass Attempts 28.4 30 Completions 18.8 23 (T) Completion Pct. 66.1 10 Passing Yards 188.6 20 Yards Per Attempt 6.65 13 Yards Per Catch 10.06 16 Total Yardage Gained 311.4 13 3rd Down Conversions 39.1 13 (T) Points Per Game 19.9 13 Pass Rush Pct. 12.8 23 (T) Pass Defense Pct. 57.4 8 Turnovers 5 2 (T) Turnover Margin +11 3 (T) Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 25.1 12 Rushing Yards 81.8 3 Yards Per Carry 3.25 1 Pass Attempts 32.8 18 Completions 19.6 9 (T) Completion Pct. 59.9 12 Passing Yards 220.0 22 Yards Per Attempt 6.72 20 Yards Per Catch 11.21 26 Total Yardage Gained 289.4 10 3rd Down Conversions 41.7 26 Points Per Game 16.4 12 (T) Pass Rush Pct. 15.0 20 (T) Pass Defense Pct. 30.0 5 Turnovers 16 9 (T) Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 14 CHI 17 2 23 NJY 28 3 24 at SFO 21 4 24 at PHI 17 5 25 at GBY 28 7 24 at DAL 7 8 15 WAS 6 9 10 NYK 7 10 at CHI 11 DET 12 at MIA 13 CAR 14 at BUF 15 at DET 16 NED 17 GBY Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 10 F. Tarkenton QB 227 150 1509 6.65 13 1 102.0 **Team --- 227 150 1509 6.65 13 1 102.0 $$Opp --- 262 157 1760 6.72 11 8 81.2 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 159 644 4.05 2 8 26 J. Caleb RB 80 365 4.56 0 1 10 F. Tarkenton QB 22 86 3.91 0 8 **Team --- 265 1108 4.18 2 17 $$Opp --- 201 654 3.25 6 19 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD 88 J. Reichow WR 48 30 413 13.77 8.60 2 1 80 J. Overmyer WR 36 23 322 14.00 8.94 1 3 13 K. Witcher WR 41 17 201 11.82 4.90 3 1 17 H. Clark WR 21 15 161 10.73 7.67 2 1 86 R. Kramer TE 17 15 157 10.47 9.24 1 2 14 D. Hanks TE 16 13 67 5.15 4.19 1 2 31 T. Mason RB 16 12 58 4.83 3.63 0 1 29 M. Triplett FB 14 10 58 5.80 4.14 0 2 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 56 R. Hawkins ILB 47 18 1.0 0 0 1 73.3 48 R. Mostardi CB 33 5 0.0 0 1 11 80.8 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 30 16 0.0 0 0 4 76.6 20 C. Sumner S 27 8 0.0 0 2 4 80.8 25 C. Lamson S 26 4 0.0 0 1 1 78.4 73 J. Prestel DT 24 6 2.5 6 0 0 81.5 39 V. Crute S 23 7 2.0 0 0 3 78.9 24 J. McGeever CB 22 9 1.0 0 3 4 81.2 70 J. Marshall DE 21 7 1.5 7 0 0 81.5 95 F. Moore DT 18 7 1.5 4 0 0 82.5 92 B. Davidson DE 16 8 4.5 7 0 0 82.5 23 D. Ross CB 16 5 0.0 0 0 2 73.1 91 C. Anderson OLB 15 4 0.0 0 0 0 67.0
Turnovers. 3rd in the league of rushing defence, 4th on rushing offence. A league-low 1 int. thrown and second in the league in turnovers lost (5, 4 fumbles). The defence has started to emerge over the last few weeks, and it's a big relief for my (as good as) rookie offence. To be honest, I don't think we deserve too be in the playoffs this year. But with the addition of a star WR, this team should be aiming for the NFC Championship game at least.

Of worthwhile note: Greta tells me that Grady Alderman is the 5th best LT in the league. I am one of those GMs for whom LT is the second most important position on offence and I am glad to have Grady.
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Old 01-05-2008, 10:12 AM   #18
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Minnesota 33 Chicago 26
Our defence stopped Chicago twice on downs in the 4th and saw both converted into TDs as a strong 4th quarter (20 points) blew Chicago away. A 44 yard TD from the final play skewed Chicago's points closer than they were during time that mattered.

Detroit 26 Minnesota 33
It's not a good situation when your QB is your lead rusher. However, Fran Tarkenton is really feeling like something special now and is shredding teams. Tommy Mason is struggling, and is fumbling alot.

Minnesota 7 Miami 14
Fran Tarkenton finally blows up, with 3 int. as Minnesota just can't convert. Tommy Mason has 100 yards on 16 carries, but wastefulness snaps the 5 game streak and draws us back into the mire of the playoff hunt.

Rip Hawkins is just not making the plays I need from him at the moment, and Dave Lloyd will collect his first start this week against Carolina. Jerry Reichow is out, so Kelly Witcher will get the chance to demonstrate what he can do.

Carolina 7 Minnesota 20
Another win, with good all-round contributions. Kelly Witcher didn't catch a single pass, but Dave Lloyd led the team in tackles. Tommy Mason had a rushing TD for the first time in a while, and the defence produced 5 sacks (Ben Davidson 2.0).

However...
Quote:
With Tarkenton likely out for season, Vikings turn to Shaw

Associated Press

Minneapolis, MN. -- As the Minnesota Vikings final drive culminated in a game-sealing field goal against Carolina, they were puzzled to see Fran Tarkenton head straight down the tunnel clutching his arm. He did not return.

Quarterback Tarkenton doesn't appear likely to return for the Vikings this season, leaving the team's playoff hopes resting on the arm of last year's starter George Shaw.

Doctor's analysed Tarkenton's arm and revealed a broken humerus. The injury probably will not require surgery, coach Brian Dugan said Friday, but the normal recovery time is about six weeks. The coahing staff tried their best not to rule out a return, but with four regular season weeks remaining Tarkenton is out.

Tarkenton has been enjoying a breakout year under centre, throwing 2358 yards and 20 TD this term. He went 9 games without an interception and has only 5 this year as he accumulated a passer rating of 94.1 and rushed for two TDs as well. Despite a lack of quality receivers and with RB Tommy Mason struggling in his second year, Tarkenton has stepped up to lead a playoff charge. Now that lies in the hands of the man he displaced; George Shaw.

"We're taking things day by day and week by week," said Tarkenton, his arm in a cast."We'll see how things improve over the next couple of weeks, but I am hopeful I'll be back before the end of this year.

Minnesota (8-4) likely needs to win at least three of its final four games to beat out strong competition for the playoffs.

Shaw, however, hasn't started a game all year. "This has been a tough year for us, period," centre John Mellekas said Friday. "We're still growing as a team, and losing your starting quarterback - it's a big blow."

The hope for the Vikings is that Shaw can come through. After all, Shaw was starter last year and had a good claim for the starting job this year too. He is probably the best backup in the NFL and will be looking to up his off-season value with his contract up this year. Shaw had 2332 yards from 11 starts last year, with 18 TD and only 5 interceptions for a rating of 92.2.

"George is a starter being benched behind a star," fullback Mel Triplett said. "He deserves to start and we don't lose anything with him under centre. We'll be different, sure, George doesn't have Fran's arm or mobility. But he's a safe signal caller who will come our younger guys down. We're still in the hunt."

Keeping it going won't be easy. The Vikings (8-4) still have to play Detroit (7-5) and Green Bay (8-4) with the division wide open. Failing that, they would compete with San Francisco (9-3), Arizona (8-4) and Philidelphia (8-4), as well as the other team from the NFC North that didn't pick up the division, for a wildcard.

There is much still to play for this year, and the Vikings still have good chances.

Besides, behind Shaw they have Eddie LeBaron, the 13-year veteran who was rated second most intelligent player in the league by independent analyst Gridiron Greta last week. "I will do my best and bring everything I have to the table," Shaw said. "I won't screw this up."

Copyright 1962 by The Associated Press
Damn.

Last edited by surlyc : 01-05-2008 at 03:18 PM. Reason: Mainly my scary lack of knowledge of the human body.
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Old 01-05-2008, 10:56 AM   #19
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Good dynasty so far.

Just one nitpick. If it was a fractured femur (hip fracture), Tarkenton wouldn't be holding his arm, and more than likely wouldn't be leaving the field under his own power. I know this isn't reflected in the game, but back in the 60's, a fractured femur was much more likely to be a CEI.

In fact, thanks to modern medicine, a lot of injuries that at one time ended careers are now treatable, and athletes come back from most major injuries in just as good a shape as before the injuries -- rather than being just shells of what they were.

Last edited by SFL Cat : 01-05-2008 at 10:57 AM.
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Old 01-05-2008, 11:33 AM   #20
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Great dynasty choice, hope you keep it going. I'll be following along pulling for the Vikes!
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Old 01-05-2008, 03:17 PM   #21
surlyc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFL Cat View Post
Just one nitpick. If it was a fractured femur (hip fracture), Tarkenton wouldn't be holding his arm, and more than likely wouldn't be leaving the field under his own power. I know this isn't reflected in the game, but back in the 60's, a fractured femur was much more likely to be a CEI.
That's a very good point, and is entirely the fault of me not paying any attention whatsoever and seems to have just been me inserting a bone in that I could remember.:o


So... correction: it was a broken humerus. Ah, the impact one wrong word can cause.
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Old 01-05-2008, 06:06 PM   #22
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Free Agent Signing:
Bob Beisler ($70k, 1 year)
Beisler is an okay young QB, signed off waivers from San Diego to back up whilst Tarkenton is out. He had a decent enough year with Jacksonville last year for a 3rd string guy, throwing 17 passes and completing 13 (1 TD).

Bob O'Neil, the veteran DE, is placed on IR to make room.

Minnesota 16 Buffalo 20
A late 4th quarter comeback by Buffalo upset our hopes here. Tommy Mason fumbled another 3 times, which is highly worrying, and George Shaw just can't get us into the endzone. A game behind Green Bay in the division, and a game behind Philidelphia for the wildcard. I wish I was in the NFC south, where Tampa lead the division with 4-9. Pittsburgh are 13-0...

Minnesota 16 Detroit 13
Mr. Reliable George Shaw sees us throw a tough game in Detroit, completing 30-39 for 242 yards (2 TD) and a passer rating of 109.1 with two 2nd quarter 70 yard TD drives. Jim Prestel led the DL with 2.0 sacks out of a 5.0 total and both corners had interceptions. Tommy Mason didn't fumble! We still trail Green Bay and Philidelphia by a game, and face the very real prospect of having to beat Green Bay to reach the playoffs. That 9-2 conference record may be my saviour, although I do need to snap the 3 game skid against AFC opposition against New England...

Minnesota 25 New England 22 (OT)
Just. We stay alive by the skin of our teeth, with an OT drive to the 2 yard line that produced an easy field goal. Tommy Mason's 74 yard punt return was a definite plus, and Jerry Reichow had his second 100 yard game of the season.

So, winner takes all against Green Bay...

Quote:
Pennington breaks Packers hearts to send Vikings to playoffs

Associated Press

Minneapolis - The ball is on the Minnesota 2 yard line as the two minute warning sounds. Fourth-9 is the equation facing George Shaw, with the possibility that they may not get the ball back again. He drops back, looks left and right then throws a short pass away from double coverage. Ray Hayes grabs the ball as two players hit him and the markers are out; an 11 yard play brings a first down and 2 minutes later Tom Pennington booms a 54 yard field goal to send Minnesota to the playoffs and dump the Packers out.

The Vikings, in need of a victory to clinch a playoff berth, converted twice on fourth down against their deadly rivals Green Bay and clinched their first ever playoff berth in just the second year of the franchise, capping off a season in which they far exceeded their own expectations.

Minnesota were a mixed 8-8 a year ago. In the off-season, they sacked their entire coaching staff and brought Brian Dugan in from Oakland to lead the team. They added Cedric Liotti, making him the youngest offensive co-ordinator in the NFL, and Darrin Kwiecinski, a first year coordinator at the age of 57, hired away from LSU where he won the Orange Bowl last year.

After beating the Packers, 23-21, the Vikings are headed to the playoffs as NFC North divisional champions and will play wild-card San Francisco in Minneapolis for the right to play in NYC against the Giants.

"We have a bad history against Green Bay. But we came out, played well and finished the season," Dugan said after the game. "This is exactly the kind of performance I've been drilling into the guy all year and I am really proud of them."

Vikings fans were not sure what to expect from their team after breakout QB Fran Tarkenton went down in week 13, but under veteran George Shaw the team found a way to win. A balanced offensive attack that saw Tommy Mason rush 104 yards on 23 carries with a TD and Shaw George Shaw pass 25-43 for 284 yards with a TD and an interception, left Bart Starr's Green Bay unable to stop key drives.

"I honestly can't say that I thought we'd make it this far, and I approached this game the same as every other game this year," Dugan said. "We were just trying to make progress."

The Vikings scored first after a six minute, 13-play, 38-yard drive when Pennington landed a 42 yard field goal.

The game fluctuated from there, as Green Bay responded with two 8-play 67 yard touchdown drives. The Vikings landed a second field goal to end the second quarter 14-6 behind.

Minnesota, fearing the presence of Paul Hornung, drew their ends inside to block him out of the game and forced Bart Starr to do it all himself. Hornung, who has 7 touchdowns in 3 games against Minnesota and had an NFL record 5 last time he visited Minneapolis, was shut down and had just 37 yards on 12 carries.

To begin the third quarter, the Vikings ended a 10-play, 70-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown from Tommy Mason. Mason finished the year with his first 1000-yard season.

As the end of the third quarter sounded, George Shaw hit Howard Clark on a 13 yard pass for Clark's first touchdown since week 6 to end a 15-play, 74-yard drive. Bart Starr responded in kind with 4 minutes on the clock with a 10-play, 53-yard touchdown drive that ensured he finished the year leading the NFL in passing yards with 4807 yards.

With the clock winding down, George Shaw led his team slowly up the field. With no time-out remaining, Shaw was forced to spike the ball at the Green Bay 37 and leave Tom Pennington, a sixth round pick out of Georgia Tech, to complete a career long 54 yard field goal to send Minnesota to the post season as fireworks exploded around the Metropolitan Stadium.
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Last edited by surlyc : 01-05-2008 at 06:12 PM.
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Old 01-05-2008, 08:25 PM   #23
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Code:
1962 Summary for Minnesota Vikings Year 1962 Record 11-5 Winning Pct. .687 All-Time 19-13 Winning Pct. .593 Playoffs 0-0 Playoff Visits 1 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Brian Dugan Record 17-15 Winning Pct. .531 Off. Coord. C. Liotti Def. Coord. D. Kwiecinski Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 30.4 8 (T) Rushing Yards 114.8 9 Yards Per Carry 3.78 23 Pass Attempts 32.9 17 Completions 21.0 13 Completion Pct. 63.9 12 Passing Yards 212.8 14 Yards Per Attempt 6.47 14 Yards Per Catch 10.13 14 Total Yardage Gained 314.5 12 3rd Down Conversions 38.8 11 Points Per Game 20.6 12 Pass Rush Pct. 15.3 9 Pass Defense Pct. 57.5 8 Turnovers 17 3 Turnover Margin +8 9 (T) Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 24.1 9 Rushing Yards 90.7 6 Yards Per Carry 3.77 10 Pass Attempts 33.4 18 Completions 19.6 8 Completion Pct. 58.5 10 Passing Yards 227.8 26 Yards Per Attempt 6.81 23 Yards Per Catch 11.64 31 Total Yardage Gained 303.1 16 3rd Down Conversions 36.4 15 Points Per Game 17.4 14 Pass Rush Pct. 15.1 26 Pass Defense Pct. 40.6 8 Turnovers 25 18 (T) Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 14 CHI 17 2 23 NJY 28 3 24 at SFO 21 4 24 at PHI 17 5 25 at GBY 28 7 24 at DAL 7 8 15 WAS 6 9 10 NYK 7 10 33 at CHI 26 11 31 DET 24 12 7 at MIA 14 13 20 CAR 7 14 16 at BUF 20 15 16 at DET 13 16 25 NED 22 17 23 GBY 21 $$WC SFO Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 10 F. Tarkenton QB 363 228 2358 6.50 20 5 94.1 3 G. Shaw QB 162 107 1040 6.42 5 2 89.0 **Team --- 526 336 3404 6.47 25 7 92.5 $$Opp --- 535 313 3644 6.81 24 15 82.5 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 310 1163 3.75 5 16 26 J. Caleb RB 125 488 3.90 0 2 10 F. Tarkenton QB 33 124 3.76 2 10 **Team --- 486 1837 3.78 7 33 $$Opp --- 385 1451 3.77 10 26 Front Office Football 2007 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD 88 J. Reichow WR 112 62 967 15.60 8.63 6 4 80 J. Overmyer WR 88 52 689 13.25 7.83 4 4 13 K. Witcher WR 86 44 480 10.91 5.58 5 2 31 T. Mason RB 46 37 152 4.11 3.30 0 2 14 D. Hanks TE 43 30 251 8.37 5.84 1 6 40 R. Hayes FB 40 29 179 6.17 4.48 0 0 17 H. Clark WR 41 28 300 10.71 7.32 3 2 86 R. Kramer TE 33 26 260 10.00 7.88 2 3 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 67 25 1.0 4 1 7 77.0 56 R. Hawkins ILB 65 26 2.0 2 0 1 72.8 48 R. Mostardi CB 60 14 0.0 0 3 20 81.9 20 C. Sumner S 57 19 1.0 1 2 13 81.0 39 V. Crute S 46 14 2.0 1 1 4 79.1 73 J. Prestel DT 45 16 10.0 13 0 0 81.6 70 J. Marshall DE 42 10 4.5 16 0 0 81.8 92 B. Davidson DE 40 15 10.0 15 0 0 82.5 25 C. Lamson S 40 8 0.0 0 1 3 77.0 95 F. Moore DT 38 20 1.5 8 0 0 81.6 91 C. Anderson OLB 37 9 0.0 0 0 0 67.1 98 D. Lloyd ILB 33 14 0.0 0 0 1 72.5 24 J. McGeever CB 33 14 1.0 0 4 6 81.2 35 J. Bookman CB 25 11 0.0 0 1 4 78.4 23 D. Ross CB 16 5 0.0 0 0 2 73.6
Statistics show year-start/year-end ability for players where a difference was noticable.
Code:
LeBaron, Eddie 16 QB 13 31/30 1 yr. Shaw, George 3 QB 8 53/52 1 yr. Tarkenton, Fran 10 QB QB 2 33/51 5 yrs. Mason, Tommy 31 RB RB 2 47/55 5 yrs. ##Mayberry, Doug 37 RB 2 21/22 1 yr. Hayes, Ray 40 FB 2 35/47 3 yrs. Hanks, Darryl 14 TE TE 2 29/37 2 yrs. Clark, Howard 17 FL 3 23/26 2 yrs. Witcher, Kelly 13 FL FL 2 16/21 2 yrs. Rabold, Mike 74 LG RG 4 35/37 2 yrs. Shea, Pat 64 LG LG 1 29/37 4 yrs. Alderman, Grady 1 LT LT 3 53/79 6 yrs. Pennington, Tom 8 K 1 39/43 3 yrs. Marshall, Jim 70 LDE LDE 3 40/56 6 yrs. Davidson, Ben 92 RDE RDE 2 37/53 3 yrs. Prestel, Jim 73 LDT LDT 4 57/63 4 yrs. Dickson, Paul 93 RDT 4 34/35 6 yrs. Moore, Fred 95 RDT RDT 1 38/44 4 yrs. Lloyd, Dave 98 WILB 4 45/49 2 yrs. Hawkins, Rip 56 MLB MLB 2 31/35 4 yrs. Stonebreaker, Steve 52 SLB SLB 2 30/55 2 yrs. Haley, Dick 44 LCB 4 26/28 1 yr. Mostardi, Rich 48 RCB RCB 3 50/63 1 yr. McGeever, John 24 RCB 1 26/30 3 yrs. Lamson, Chuck 25 SS SS 2 39/54 3 yrs. Crute, Vinny 39 FS 2 35/43 2 yrs.

Mel Triplett (2 year, $640k extension)

I'd say our playoff appearence is the direct result of the growth in our second year players. Fran Tarkenton showed real glimpses of MVP potential and his run without an interception really helped the defence create those big plays for our high turnover margin.

There are two other big stories, the first of which is Grady Alderman, who exploded from 53/71 to 79 and 100 run blocking (I think that's LT sewned up for the next ten years). He had 8 pancakes this year and delivered 31% BPct. The second is Steve Stonebreaker, who went almost as far from 30/71 to 55/71. The contributions from those two have certainly increased and I'm glad their both tied to long-term deals.

I expect Eddie LeBaron to retire this year, although I would like to keep him around. I am not prepared to pay George Shaw what he is asking, and I'll need to pick up a backup for Tarkenton. Tommy Mason has peaked, and I think we need a new third-down back to replace Jamie Caleb. Hopefully I can find a tough old mentor to run 3rd downs, and minimalise my RB needs. Ray Hayes will start next year and I am happy with his development. Darryl Hanks looks like next years starter at TE and a mentor for him would be useful. The WR corps needs revamping, despite small amounts of improvement from Kelly Witcher and Howard Clark.

We need a new RG and RT, with Youso leaving in free agency and Rabold not impressing. Pat Shea, John Mellekas and Grady Alderman are all secure starters next year. Tom Pennington will stay after his boot took us into the playoffs and Sam Baker will stay if no-one else comes in. Jim Marshall and Ben Davidson took a while to get going, but should be a solid pass rush next term. Jim Prestel and Fred Moore make up a 4-man unit with abundant talent for such a young group.

Dave Lloyd took the starters job away from Rip Hawkins towards the end of the year and they will battle it out next year. Stonebreaker is a set for the next five years at least. Rich Mostardi has finally seemed to settle at corner and will await a younger partner to play opposite. Chuck Lamson will start again next year, with Vinny Crute preparing to step in for veteran Charlie Sumner.

All in all, there is a highly talented core there which will continue to develop next year. There's always room for improvement and a starting FL and LCB are priorities. But, that can wait a week at least...
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:18 PM   #24
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The postseason!

So, as a reward for our fantastic response in tight games this year, eight of our wins have been by less than 7 points, we have a home game against San Francisco in the wildcard round. The 49ers are led by the Californian icon John Brodie, who has not had a great year by his standards, his 6th pro season. 57.0%, 3135 yards, 19 TDs, 18 INTs. He has the ability to make any pass but has struggled with turnovers this year, however he could explode at any time like he did against Seattle when he shredded them for 300 yards with 20-28 and a 103.2 passer rating.

Brodie's go-to guy is Aaron Thomas, a second year receiver who had 8 TD this year. J.D. Smith is the teams RB, he recorded a 1000 yard season for the second straight year, and Randall Fenwick provides a formidable 1-2 punch. They also have a very good line to protect Brodie in veterans C Bruce Bosley, an all-pro reserve last year, and LT Bob St. Clair, and younger guys RG John Thomas and RT Monte Clark. Third year LG Mike Magac is a great prospect, and our pass rush could have a little challenge here.

Dan Colchico is a quality DE and Clark Miller is a quality DE who has still got room to grow. However, the heart of the line relies on rookie NT Ray Jacobs who is weak against the run and that could be exploited by John Mellekas and Tommy Mason.

Aside from SLB Matt Hazeltine, the 49ers linebacker corps is not really enough for their 3-4 system. They have three prospect second year players who can be exploited if George Shaw can drop the ball beneath the secondary. That secondary is the biggest threat on the San Francisco defence, with SS Dave Baker returning two interception TDs this year and FS Eddie Dove having one as well. The corners had 9 interceptions but RCB Abe Woodson is one of the best run defending CB in the league.

So, how are we going to beat the 49ers? By attacking their linebackers with short passes, which happen to be George Shaw's forte, and pummeling their line down. Our defensive line could decide this game against the 49ers solid o-line, as we need to put Brodie under pressure and force him to make plays that we can pick off. We're favourites, but that doesn't really help at this point.

Quote:
San Francisco edge close encounter

by Jason Hoyt

Minnesota's nail-biting season is over. After surprising many with their clutch success this year, the Vikings had begun to gather momentum as people spoke of a run to the NFC Championship game and even the Superbowl.

"It's strange," George Shaw said "We had no expectations, but it still hurts to lose."

The Vikings seemed exhausted after their last second win over Green Bay last week. Whilst San Francisco were far from dominant, they still ran out comfortable winners in a second half where Minnesota failed to register a point. Grady Alderman registered a career high 5 key run blocks, yet the running game registered just 104 yards. The offensive line conceded just one sack, but George Shaw couldn't force the game. The defensive line couldn't break through to San Francisco quarteback John Brodie, who only had two hurries to deal with all game, and the secondary couldn't produce a big play as San Francisco committed no turnovers.

Neither did Minnesota, for that matter, but there was no spark. San Francisco slowly put points on the board and walked out of Minneapolis with a 27-6 win and a divisional playoff spot.

"It's disappointing," said Vikings GM Stephen Tanner, "there was so much emotion against Green Bay, but we didn't turn up tonight. I don't mean to criticise the guys, as we didn't play badly; sometimes these nights happen. The atmosphere seemed slow and San Francisco just made their plays."

The Minnesota Vikings are a young team, who have probably overachieved this year. Recovering from 2-3 they mounted a fantastic late charge under veteran quarterback, but they just couldn't run it that little bit further.

"This season is over now. We will look to next year, and I have high hopes." said head coach Brian Dugan, "We've developed really well this year and people need to be realistic. We're a young team and we are already achieving, people should concentrate on that."
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Old 01-07-2008, 03:31 PM   #25
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Superbowl II
Pittsburgh 17 St. Louis 31
The Rams become the first NFC Superbowl champions in a close game. Pittsburgh QB Rudy Bukich is 20-33 for 199 (2 TD), rating 97.9, RB John Henry Johnson has 15 carries for 59 yards and WR Preston Carpenter catches 4-4 for 90 yards. St. Louis QB Zeke Bratkowski has 20-27 for 282 yards (1 TD), rating 119.6, RB Dick Bass has 24 carries for 70 yards (2 TD)and WR Carroll Dale 6-7 for 109 yards.

Season Awards
Code:
Player of the Year Johnny Unitas IND Front Office Bowl MVP Zeke Bratkowski STL Coach of the Year Wes Davis STL Legend of the Game Jack Stroud NYK Offensive Player of the Year Johnny Unitas IND Defensive Player of the Year Sid Youngelman CHI Offensive Rookie of the Year Bert Coan CAR Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Buoniconti CIN
Congratulations to Tom Pennington who capped an interesting year by being named All-Pro first team kicker.

Stay tuned for the Weinstein post-season review.
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Old 01-07-2008, 05:11 PM   #26
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Quote:
Minnesota Vikings 1961 Season Report Card
From Donnie Weinstein,
January 1963

With the Vikings winning the NFC North and reaching the playoffs for the first time, it's time for the annual Weinstein Seasonal Review.

Coaches
Stephen Tanner had his own staff in place for the first full year and Brian Dugan took the team to the playoffs; that's got to boost an ego. Dugan is a tough guy who won't tolerate insubordination from his players, and relies on a similar resiliant defence. It was not a coincidence that once Dugan got the defence pulling in the same direction and making plays, that the team starting winning. Cedric Liotti's work with Grady Alderman was impressive and Fran Tarkenton came on well. The development of the defence under Darrin Kwiecinski may not satisfy Dugan as he looks to establish his own setup.
Grade C

Quarterback
With nothing to lose, Brian Dugan started Fran Tarkenton and the decision showed early reward. Tarkenton was very good at avoiding turnovers and produced plenty of plays to spark the offence. When he went down, George Shaw performed well and led the team into the playoffs. Eddie LeBaron had a noticeable affect on Tarkenton's play, especially looking after the ball, and whether he returns next year is in his own hands. All in all, not much more could be expected from the set last year but keep your eyes on Tarkenton next year with NFL experience in his locker.
Grade B+

Running Backs
Tommy Mason continues to fumble the ball, and this is hurting his overall effectiveness. The emergence of Tarkenton could see Mason receive more room as teams try to counter the emerging QB, and he remains a good prospect. Jamie Caleb continued to contribute on 3rd downs and an improving line will help the RB grow. Ray Hayes and Mel Triplett were very good receivers, especially in the red zone and on 3rd down. Their blocking was good, and the two continue to have alot of upside.
Grade D+

Wide Recievers
Jerry Reichow continues to be a solid receiver even playing flanker, and the addition of Johnny Overmyer provided two solid guys. However, there is still no playmaker here, and that will continue to handicap the Vikings. Look for the Vikings to pursue a WR in the off-season.
Grade D-

Tight Ends
Darryl Hanks is a very good find for an undrafted rookie and Ron Kramer is a decent backup. The addition of those two has enabled the TE position to start contributing with 9 TD.
Grade C

Offensive Line
Grady Alderman is the best run blocker in the NFL and a rock on the left. Dan Mellekas was a very good upgrade at centre, and Pat Shea had a decent rookie year. Frank Youso is a liability at RT and a new right side to the line is very important.
Grade C

Defensive Line
6th in the NFL against the run shows the young DL is growing into a scary prospect for visiting RBs. But Minnesota were 26th against the pass and this was in part due to the lack of a pass rush early on. With Brian Dugan returning next year, expect these guys to become more of a focus on the defence and whether they have what it takes will be clearer at the end of the year.
Grade C-

Linebackers
Steve Stonebreaker led the team in tackles, and has developed into a beast behind the line. Rip Hawkins struggled in his second year and Dave Lloyd stepped in towards the end of the year with strong contributions. Charlie Anderson was solid on the weakside, but look for this unit to improve with time together and growing NFL experience.
Grade C+

Cornerback
Rich Mostardi emerged here into a leader in the backfield. Johnny Bookman is a good journeyman who was consistant this year, and Dick Haley remains a ballhawk at nickel when fit. Joh McGeever led the team with 4 interceptions and should see an increased role next year.
Grade C

Safeties
Sumner was solid this year but didn't repeat his All-Pro year. Lamson had 40 tackles despite only starting seven games, but Vinny Crute didn't show his potential in his playing time. With Sumner aging, Crute's development is very important for next year.
Grade B-

Special Teams
Tom Pennington was named all-pro and led the league in field goals with 32. Sam Baker was solid but an upgrade here may be an option. Minnesota led the league in average KR yards (over 2 yards further than any other team) and were 5th on PR. Dave Lloyd led the team with 19 tackles and Howard Clark had 15.
Grade A

Overall grade B
Considering the improvements the team made, the sum was still greater than the parts. The playoff appearance raises the grade but the bar is being set higher now.

Quote:
Tanner continues Vikings evolution

MINNESOTA (Rewters) - Minnesota Vikings GM Stephen Tanner continued to place his stamp on his franchise on Monday by firing head scout Jeffrey Harper and bringing in Clyde Neufeldt from Kansas City.

Brian Dugan also changed his team up by firing assistant head coach Darrin Kwiecinski, who also operated as defensive coordinator, and bringing in R.J. Blackburn from Cincinnati.

"I have great respect for Jeffrey, but the time had come to get a scouting team in place for the future." Tanner stated, "Clyde Neufeldt is a fantastic judge of young talent and I value that asset very highly. Clyde is also young and ambitious and he should be with us for several years."

Blackburn, fired by Cincinnati following a 9-23 record working with their struggling offence, was an unexpected pick for the job of defensive coordinator but brings years of experience to his new role. "I have always felt R.J. is better suited to working with defensive players," shrugged Dugan, "I don't think you can measure his ability by the job he was asked to do with the Bengals. He's a top quality guy who should help our young defence continue to grow."

Entering their third season in the NFL, the Vikings will retain coaching staff for the first time when Dugan and offensive coordinator Cedric Liotti turn up to the Metropolitan Stadium for preseason.

"Yes, it is not ideal to make these changes so soon and stability is important. However, it is essential to have a team in place that works with what we want to do," explained Tanner, "and I think we have that team now."

Looking to build on an 11-6 season, Tanner will need all the help from his staff he can get.

The returning staff:

Head Coach Brian Dugan (61), 2 years remaining. He showed no difference in skill. I saw no reason to replace him following a successful year.

Offensive Coordinator Cedric Liotti (38), 3 years remaining. He showed no relevant improvements in skill. At 38, he is still a decent prospect.

The new staff

Defensive Coordinator: R.J. Blackburn (59)
3 Years.
K/P: Average
DL: Good
LB: Very Good
DB: Very Good
YT: Very Good

He is significantly better with the linebackers than Kwiecinski was. That's the only change, but he is quite a decent coach and will help our youngsters develop.

Scouting Director: Clyde Neufeldt (54)
QB: Good (worse than Harper (VG))
RB: Good
WR: Average
OL: Good (better than Harper (F))
K/P: Average (much worse than Harper (VG))
DL: Good (better than Harper (A))
LB: Average (better than Harper (F))
DB: Average (much worse than Harper (VG))
YT: Excellent (Lightyears better than Harper (A))

He's an excellent youth scout and a competant ability scout. At 54, I may well stay with him for the next 15 years as I like that youth stat.

Retirements:

RB Al Carmichael and T Michael Evans retire. Both were mentors, and Carmichael will need replacing for certain. Evans will need replacing if I acquire a new rookie tackle, but he's not a huge loss with Alderman seemed pretty well set.

Next, free agency and the draft.
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Old 01-11-2008, 05:00 PM   #27
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Side note: Darrin Kwiecinski signs a 1 year deal as Cincinnati's defensive coordinator. Poor guy.

Free Agency

Week 1 Resignings
MLB Dave Lloyd ($610k 2 year extension)
After winning the MLB spot towards the end of last year, he deserves a contract to continue that fight.
FS Vinny Crute ($200k 1 year extension)
Despite his fall towards the end of last year, he's still pencilled in as the longterm replacement for Charlie Sumner.

Week 2
T Ollie Spencer ($220k, 1 year)
A mentor guard, signed to replace Michael Evans. He's probably just about good enough to compete for the RT spot with whatever rookie I can get, as there are no RTs in FA.
G Dale Memmerlaar rejects me; he was the best guard in FA, but ultimately a journeyman and no big loss.

Week 3
WR Tom Osbourne, the only semi-decent FA WR, rejects me for Dallas. Guess it's a first round WR, and I hate drafting them that high.
QB Bob Beisler ($100k, 1 year)
4th string QB resigns in case of injury, and possibly to play third if I can't replace Shaw.

Week 4
CB Dick Haley ($130k, 1 year)
The annual resigning of nickel Haley.
WR Jim Mutscheller ($170k, 1 year)
A veteran mentor WR, signed in anticipation of a first round WR.

Week 5
DE Bob O'Neil ($170k, 1 year)
Mentor for my DEs resigns as a FA.
RB Tom Wilson ($340k, 2 years)
A mentor replacement for Carmichael.

Week 6
G Chuck Muelhaupt ($180k, 1 year)
A mentor guard for Pat Shea.

Week 7
QB George Shaw ($1.33m, 3 years)
Okay... so here it is. I have nearly $8m in cap room. George Shaw is the best free agent QB by miles, and I would not be able to get a better replacement. Then, I see he is near a deal with Green Bay... I top that and tie him back to us. He's a great backup, and I won't let Green Bay have him.

Week 8
QB Eddie LeBaron ($170k, 1 year)
Fran's mentor is back.

Week 9
DT Bill Bishop ($170k, 1 year)
Anyone remember Bill? Well, he had a year starting in Arizona and he seems satisfied with that. He's now a mentor and returns to work with Fred Moore.
ILB Mal Hammack ($140k, 1 year)
A mentor who I hope will get Rip Hawkins back on track.
OLB Bill Roehnelt ($120k, 1 year)
A replacement for Jim Furey, after Furey developed a problem with the far more talented Ben Davidson.

The 1963 NFL draft

1. Baltimore - Stallings, Larry, OLB, Georgia Tech
2. Oakland - Reynolds, Bob, T, Bowling Green
3. Houston - Logan, Jerry, S, West Texas A&M
4. Arizona - Walker, Chuck, DE, Duke
5. Atlanta - Baird, Billy, CB, Small College
6. Tampa Bay - Campbell, John, OLB, Minnesota
7. New Orleans - Aldridge, Lionel, DE, Utah State
8. Jacksonville - Hill, Dave, T, Auburn
9. Miami - Bell, Bobby, OLB, Minnesota
10. Carolina - Alexander, Kermit, CB, UCLA
11. Dallas - Herman, Dave, G, Michigan State
12. Seattle - Smith, Jackie, TE, NWestern St., La.
13. Atlanta - Behrman, Dave, C, Michigan State
Chicago receive 3rd '63, 1st & 3rd '65
14. Arizona - Buchanan, Buck, DT, Grambling
Cincinnati receive 1st '65
15. Buffalo - Dunaway, Jim, DT, Mississippi
16. Kansas City - Sweeney, Walt, G, Syracuse
17. Washington - Jordan, Lee Roy, ILB, Alabama
18. Denver - Auer, Joe, RB, Georgia Tech
19. Detroit - Gaubatz, Dennis, ILB, Louisiana State
20. Arizona - Kanicki, Jim, DT, Michigan State
Well, that is some aggressive rebuilding on the defensive line from Arizona. This is a team that won the first ever Superbowl, and now has 3 top 20 picks on it's D-line? That's getting scary.
21. Green Bay - Atkinson, Frank, DT, Stanford

Well damn, the two people on my draft board, G Ed Budde and WR Ray Poage are still there. I'd love to take Budde, but I desperately need a playmaker at WR so it has to be...

22. Minnesota - Poage, Ray, WR, Texas
23. San Francisco - Jones, Homer, WR, Texas Southern
24. Tennessee - Clark, Ernie, OLB, Michigan State
25. New Jersey - Budde, Ed, G, Michigan State
26. San Diego - Schoenke, Ray, G, Southern Methodist
27. New York - Killett, Charlie, RB, Memphis
28. Philadelphia - Westmoreland, Dick, CB, North Carolina A&T
29. Indianapolis - Mackey, John, TE, Syracuse
30. Cleveland - Russell, Andy, OLB, Missouri
31. Pittsburgh - Hultz, Don, DE, Southern Mississippi
32. Carolina - Vogel, Bob, T, Ohio State
St. Louis receive 1st '64, 1st & 3rd '65
33. Oakland - Stovall, Jerry, S, Louisiana State
34. Baltimore - Saimes, George, S, Michigan State
35. Houston - Silas, Sam, DT, Southern Illinois
36. Dallas - Howell, Lane, T, Grambling
37. Tampa Bay - Woodeshick, Tom, FB, West Virginia
38. New Orleans - Caffey, Lee Roy, OLB, Texas A&M
39. Atlanta - Janik, Tom, S, Tx. A&M - Kingsville
40. Atlanta - Bradshaw, Jim, S, Tenn. - Chattanooga
Miami receive 2nd '64, 5th & 6th '65
41. Carolina - Hill, Winston, T, Texas Southern
42. Jacksonville - Costa, Dave, DT, Utah
43. Dallas - Curry, Roy, WR, Jackson State
44. Seattle - Barnett, Steve, T, Oregon
45. Detroit - Baker, Johnny, OLB, Mississippi State
46. Buffalo - Kassulke, Karl, S, Drake
47. Kansas City - Graham, Art, WR, Boston College
48. Washington - Johnson, John, DT, Indiana
49. Denver - Meggyesy, Dave, OLB, Syracuse
50. Cincinnati - Sisk, John, S, Miami, Florida
51. Atlanta - Calland, Lee, CB, Louisville
Detroit receive 3rd '63, 4th & 7th '65
52. Arizona - Caylor, Lowell, CB, Miami, Ohio

I am unbelievably annoyed at missing Calland. I didn't notice the Atlanta-Detroit trade, and consequently I take the other ballhawk on my board, Terry Kosens.

53. Minnesota - Kosens, Terry, S, Hofstra

At this point, I'll provide just the draft, no trades.

54. New England - Petrich, Bob, DE, West Texas A&M
55. Tennessee - Robinson, Dave, OLB, Penn State
56. Green Bay - Brown, Willie, CB, Grambling
57. Atlanta - Heck, Ralph, OLB, Colorado
58. New York - Whitmyer, Nat, CB, Washington
59. Chicago - West, Dave, S, Small College
60. Denver - Rowley, Bob, OLB, Virginia
61. Oakland - Brown, Tom, S, Maryland
62. Seattle - Overton, Jerry, S, Utah
63. Houston - Frank, Bill, T, Colorado
64. Baltimore - Chuy, Don, G, Clemson
65. Atlanta - Wilson, Jerrel, P, Southern Mississippi
66. Chicago - Turner, Jim, K, Utah State
67. Oakland - Raimey, Dave, CB, Michigan
68. New England - Goodwin, Ron, WR, Baylor
69. New Orleans - Nelsen, Bill, QB, Southern California
70. Seattle - Taylor, Bob, DE, Small College
71. Tampa Bay - Kerbow, Randy, WR, Rice
72. Houston - Butsko, Harry, OLB, Maryland
73. Baltimore - Mirich, Rex, DT, Arizona State
74. Cincinnati - Lamonica, Daryle, QB, Notre Dame
75. Dallas - Paterra, Herb, OLB, Michigan State
76. Philadelphia - Battle, Jim, G, Southern Illinois
77. Pittsburgh - Guy, Lou, CB, Mississippi
78. Kansas City - Mitchell, Charley, RB, Washington
79. Washington - Fleming, Marv, TE, Utah
80. Philadelphia - Snidow, Ron, DE, Oregon
81. Detroit - Brumm, Don, DE, Purdue
82. Buffalo - Park, Ernie, G, McMurry
83. Detroit - Dixon, Hewritt, RB, Florida A&M
84. Jacksonville - Sanders, Lonnie, CB, Michigan State
85. San Francisco - Liscio, Tony, T, Tulsa
86. Tennessee - Tobin, Bill, RB, Missouri
87. Green Bay - Dillon, Terry, CB, Montana
88. Jacksonville - Walton, Chuck, G, Iowa State
89. New Jersey - Boylan, Jim, WR, Washington State
90. Philadelphia - Hayes, Wendell, FB, Humboldt State
91. Arizona - Nomina, Tom, G, Miami, Ohio
92. New York - Cuozzo, Gary, QB, Virginia
93. Indianapolis - Baker, Terry, WR, Oregon State
94. Cleveland - Burson, Jimmy, CB, Auburn
95. Pittsburgh - Farrier, Curt, DT, Montana State
96. St. Louis - Brabham, Danny, OLB, Arkansas
97. Oakland - Price, Jim, OLB, Auburn
98. Baltimore - Simon, Jim, G, Miami, Florida
99. Houston - Mansfield, Ray, C, Washington
100. New England - Breaux, Don, QB, McNeese State
101. Baltimore - Scrutchins, Ed, DE, Toledo
102. Tampa Bay - Lisbon, Don, RB, Bowling Green
103. New Orleans - Joe, Billy, FB, Villanova
104. Arizona - Laskey, Frank, T, Florida
105. Miami - Rutkowski, Ed, WR, Notre Dame
106. Carolina - O'Mahoney, Jim, ILB, Miami, Florida
107. Jacksonville - Stricker, Tony, CB, Colorado
108. Seattle - Carson, Kern, RB, San Diego State
109. Chicago - Rock, Walt, T, Maryland
110. Washington - Trull, Don, QB, Baylor
111. Cincinnati - Maples, Butch, OLB, Baylor
112. Cincinnati - Peters, Anton, DT, Florida
113. Buffalo - Liske, Pete, QB, Penn State
114. Kansas City - Flatley, Paul, WR, Northwestern
115. Detroit - Benz, Larry, S, Northwestern
116. San Diego - Walker, Clarence, RB, Southern Illinois
117. Tennessee - Petties, Neal, WR, San Diego State
118. Green Bay - Ryder, Nick, RB, Miami, Florida
119. Minnesota - Pashe, Bill, CB, Small College

From what is left on the board, Bill Pashe is the last guy at corner I was prepared to take.

120. San Francisco - Swain, Bill, OLB, Oregon
121. New Jersey - Kirouac, Lou, G, Boston College
122. San Diego - Perreault, Pete, G, Boston University
123. New York - Starks, Marshall, CB, Illinois
124. Philadelphia - Hutchinson, Tom, WR, Kentucky
125. Indianapolis - Russ, Patt, DT, Purdue
126. Chicago - Wilson, Butch, TE, Alabama
127. Pittsburgh - Breen, Gene, OLB, Virginia Tech
128. St. Louis - Williams, Roy, DT, Azusa Pacific
129. St. Louis - Grimm, Dan, G, Colorado
130. Pittsburgh - Sanders, Daryl, T, Ohio State
131. Carolina - Neumann, Tom, RB, Northern Michigan
132. San Francisco - Heeter, Gene, TE, West Virginia
133. Tampa Bay - Powers, Warren, S, Nebraska
134. New Orleans - Sklopan, John, S, Southern Mississippi
135. Baltimore - Francis, Dave, FB, Ohio State
136. San Diego - Ramsey, Nate, S, Indiana
137. Carolina - Estes, Don, G, Louisiana State
138. Jacksonville - Claridge, Dennis, QB, Nebraska
139. Dallas - Thornton, Bill, FB, Nebraska
140. Seattle - Glueck, Larry, CB, Villanova
141. Philadelphia - Richardson, Willie, WR, Jackson State
142. Cincinnati - Barrett, Jan, TE, Fresno State
143. Cincinnati - Johnson, Dick, WR, Minnesota
144. Buffalo - Slaby, Lou, ILB, Pittsburgh
145. Kansas City - O'Brien, Dave, T, Boston College
146. Washington - Sykes, Gene, S, Louisiana State
147. Detroit - Rosdahl, Hatch, DE, Penn State
148. Arizona - Gambrell, Billy, WR, South Carolina
149. Green Bay - Burke, Vern, TE, Oregon State
150. Minnesota - Faulkner, Staley, T, Texas
151. San Francisco - Holler, Ed, OLB, South Carolina
152. Tennessee - Vander Kelen, Ron, QB, Wisconsin
153. New Jersey - Reeberg, Lucien, T, Hampton
154. New York - Snyder, Al, WR, Holy Cross
155. Philadelphia - Slaughter, Mickey, QB, Louisiana Tech
156. San Diego - Mazzanti, Jerry, DE, Arkansas
157. Indianapolis - Watson, Dave, G, Georgia Tech
158. Cleveland - Rzempoluch, Ted, CB, Virginia
159. Pittsburgh - Chlebek, Ed, QB, Western Michigan
160. St. Louis - McAdams, Bob, DT, North Central
161. Oakland - Hopkins, Jerry, ILB, Texas A&M
162. Baltimore - Kinderman, Keith, RB, Florida State
163. Houston - Perkins, Bill, FB, Iowa
164. New England - McKinnon, Don, ILB, Dartmouth
165. New Orleans - Richter, Pat, TE, Wisconsin
166. New Jersey - Bynum, Gary, ILB, Murray State
167. Tampa Bay - Crossan, Dave, C, Maryland
168. Carolina - Shonta, Sherman, DT, Kansas
169. Jacksonville - Dubenion, Melvin, OLB, Clemson
170. Miami - Herock, Ken, TE, West Virginia
171. Dallas - Stiger, Jim, RB, Washington
172. Baltimore - Veals, Cason, T, Livingstone
173. Cleveland - Perry, Kory, RB, Delta State
174. Cincinnati - Gill, Roger, WR, Texas Tech
175. Buffalo - Bajema, Lance, RB, Jacksonville State
176. Kansas City - Jones, Carl, DT, Michigan Tech
177. Washington - Kemp, Weston, OLB, Cal. - Northridge
178. Denver - Wood, Bill, CB, Wesleyan
179. Detroit - McCray, Rafael, S, Texas
180. Arizona - Berry, Joaquin, RB, Bloomsburg
181. Minnesota - Paremore, Bob, RB, Florida A&M
182. San Francisco - Summers, Gary, RB, Sul Ross State
183. Tennessee - Lytle, Carl, DT, Texas Tech
184. Green Bay - Walker, Randy, S, Albany
185. New Jersey - Kreitling, Mike, RB, Morehead State
186. Philadelphia - Williams, Ryan, OLB, West Georgia
187. San Diego - Bosworth, Andrew, OLB, Wake Forest
188. New York - Thompson, Paul, DT, San Diego
189. Indianapolis - Keyes, Logan, RB, Wofford
190. Cleveland - Barnes, Tom, S, Michigan
191. Pittsburgh - Johnson, Gerry, RB, Coll. of New Jersey
192. St. Louis - Blanchard, Vernon, CB, Mississippi
193. San Francisco - Schaub, Paul, DE, Cal. - Poly SLO
194. Oakland - Sidney, Winfield, RB, UNLV
195. Houston - Young, Lam, ILB, California, Pa.
196. New England - Marshall, Steve, RB, Maine
197. Atlanta - Paine, Dick, QB, Washington
198. Tampa Bay - Hawthorne, Alvin, OLB, California
199. New Orleans - Raab, Don, CB, Tarleton State
200. Arizona - Blackledge, Dave, G, Dayton
201. Miami - Davenport, Russell, CB, Harding
202. Carolina - Taliaferro, Dion, QB, Coe
203. Dallas - Thomas, Courtney, WR, Youngstown State
204. Cleveland - Saxton, Norris, WR, Michigan
205. Oakland - Simmons, Leon, OLB, Grambling
206. Buffalo - Collins, Donald, WR, Florida State
207. Kansas City - Lee, Wayne, ILB, Dartmouth
208. Washington - Smith, Hines, RB, Jackson State
209. Denver - Woodson, George, TE, Nevada
210. Cincinnati - Bayne, Thomas, RB, Clemson
211. Detroit - Faryniarz, Doug, WR, Stephen F. Austin
212. Arizona - Casillas, Don, WR, Northwood
213. San Francisco - Jencks, Bob, K, Miami, Ohio
214. Tennessee - Foley, Dexter, ILB, Simpson
215. Green Bay - Washington, Alvaro, S, West Virginia State
216. Minnesota - Johnson, Joe, WR, Missouri - Rolla
217. New Jersey - Resslet, Sheldon, WR, Hobart
218. San Diego - Shipp, Charles, WR, MacMurray
219. New York - Bryant, Richard, OLB, Boston College
220. Philadelphia - Evers, Pat, RB, Sul Ross State
221. Indianapolis - Foschi, Greg, G, Greensboro
222. Cleveland - Leahy, Perry, T, Wofford
223. Pittsburgh - Allen, Luciano, WR, Mercyhurst
224. St. Louis - Allen, Larry, RB, Hamilton

This has to be the first draft in history where no QB went in the first two rounds... but it was a very shallow class. In fact, there is no depth at all to the drafts in this period it seems. 6th and 7th round picks seem rarely worth signing.

Late Free Agency

Week 1
G Thurman Lewis ($80k, 1 year)
Prospect guard, who may well be cut after camp.
T Harold Miller ($80k, 1 year)
Prospect tackle, who may well be cut after camp.

Week 2
Resign RB Doug Mayberry ($80k, 1 year)
He's going to be the best 4th RB out there, even if he ends up inactive all year.

Week 3
G Terrance England ($80k, 1 year)
Prospect guard, who may well be cut after camp.


Code:
Front Office Football 2007 Minnesota Vikings Roster, Scout Overview Player # Pos Start Exp Current Estimate Future Estimate Cntr LeBaron, Eddie 16 QB 14 30/30 26/26 1 Shaw, George 3 QB 9 51/51 52/52 3 Tarkenton, Fran 10 QB 3 48/87 48/88 4 ##Beisler, Bob 7 QB 4 31/31 31/31 1 Caleb, Jamie 26 RB 5 22/28 23/28 2 Mason, Tommy 31 RB 3 53/56 53/56 4 Wilson, Tom 43 RB 8 32/32 24/24 2 Hayes, Ray 40 FB 3 46/54 49/55 2 Triplett, Mel 29 FB 9 58/58 54/54 1 Kramer, Ron 86 TE 7 47/47 47/47 1 Hanks, Darryl 14 TE 3 34/50 36/49 1 Clark, Howard 17 FL 4 25/29 26/28 1 Witcher, Kelly 13 FL 3 19/40 19/39 1 Poage, Ray 81 FL 1 30/59 31/60 4 Mutscheller, Jim 83 SE 12 28/28 25/25 1 Reichow, Jerry 88 SE 8 41/41 41/41 2 Overmyer, Johnny 80 SE 3 36/36 36/36 1 Mellekas, John 59 C 8 60/60 60/60 2 Holloway, Roderick 57 C 3 43/43 43/43 1 Rabold, Mike 74 LG 5 38/41 42/42 1 Lewis, Thurman 68 LG 3 18/44 21/44 1 Shea, Pat 64 LG 2 36/62 39/62 3 Muelhaupt, Chuck 78 RG 7 39/39 39/39 1 Alderman, Grady 1 LT 4 81/81 81/81 5 Spencer, Ollie 79 RT 11 33/33 28/28 1 Miller, Harold 75 RT 3 20/39 21/39 1 $$Faulkner, Staley 69 RT 1 6/24 6/23 -- Baker, Sam 12 P 12 52/52 52/52 1 Pennington, Tom 8 K 2 41/49 46/50 2 Marshall, Jim 70 LDE 4 56/56 55/55 5 O'Neil, Bob 77 LDE 11 29/29 23/23 1 Davidson, Ben 92 RDE 3 51/66 54/65 2 Denton, Bob 71 RDE 5 38/44 40/44 2 Kostelink, Ron 72 LDT 3 30/53 33/54 1 Prestel, Jim 73 LDT 5 63/63 63/63 3 Bishop, Bill 97 RDT 12 39/39 10/10 1 Dickson, Paul 93 RDT 5 35/40 37/40 5 Moore, Fred 95 RDT 2 44/60 46/60 3 Hammack, Mal 54 MLB 9 33/33 33/33 1 Hawkins, Rip 56 MLB 3 36/62 39/62 3 Lloyd, Dave 98 MLB 5 52/54 55/55 3 Stonebreaker, Steve 52 SLB 3 54/70 57/71 4 Roehnelt, Bill 90 WLB 6 25/31 26/31 1 Tracy, John 94 WLB 5 30/46 29/42 1 Anderson, Charlie 91 WLB 3 44/44 45/45 1 Haley, Dick 44 LCB 5 31/34 30/34 1 Mostardi, Rich 48 RCB 4 58/58 58/58 4 McGeever, John 24 RCB 2 35/48 38/48 2 Pashe, Bill 42 RCB 1 20/42 24/42 3 Lamson, Chuck 25 SS 3 51/52 52/52 2 Sumner, Charlie 20 FS 10 46/46 38/46 2 Crute, Vinny 39 FS 3 39/48 42/42 2 Kosens, Terry 49 FS 1 22/60 21/53 3

Players Under Contract: 60 at training camp, 52 post-camp
Inactive: 5
On Active Roster: 47

Salary Cap: $18,100,000
Cap Room: $8,110,000
Maximum for New Player: $8,110,000

Training Camp Cuts

I have a hugely bloated roster, with many prospect FA signings, and I need to make 9 cuts following camp. Rookies WR Joe Johnson & RB Bob Paremore were only ever prospect signings, and they don't show me enough at camp to justify keeping them. Similarly, second year draftees OLB Jim Thibert & WR John Burrell aren't creeping and I have more talented prospects than them. With the development of my guards during the off-season, G Jerry Huth was the odd man out and G Thurman Lewis beats G Terrance England out at camp; although I'd like to keep both, England misses out.

CB Johnny Bookman showed a massive downturn at training camp, and slipped to 4th choice CB. Considering I needed to trim the roster and the money I was paying him, he was an easy cut choice. Similarly, TE Gordon Smith is never going to develop and he's a poor third choice TE. Ray Hayes will play as the 3rd TE. Finally, RB Doug Maybury is cut. Although I really wanted to keep Maybury on the roster, ultimately I chose to keep prospect WR Kelly Witcher instead.

With room on my roster, I can sign FS Terry Kosens to a rookie $700k, 3 year contract to give me my roster for the new season.
__________________
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Old 01-13-2008, 10:47 AM   #28
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Code:
LeBaron, Eddie 16 QB 14 26 26 1 Shaw, George 3 QB 9 52 52 3 Tarkenton, Fran 10 QB 3 48 88 4 ##Beisler, Bob 7 QB 4 31 31 1
To be honest, everything is well set here. Tarkenton is our guy, Shaw is his backup and LeBaron his mentor.
Code:
Caleb, Jamie 26 RB 5 23 28 2 Mason, Tommy 31 RB 3 53 56 4 Wilson, Tom 43 RB 8 24 24 2 Hayes, Ray 40 FB 3 49 55 2 Triplett, Mel 29 FB 9 54 54 1
Tommy Mason remains the most talented running back on my roster by a long way. Jamie Caleb will continue to run 3rd downs, and Tom Wilson is there primarily to mentor the other guys. Mel Triplett is on the downside of his career now, but Ray Hayes is ready to step into the starting role. Both are strong blockers and good receivers as well, so I am well set there if Mason can start running through the gaps.
Code:
Kramer, Ron 86 TE 7 47 47 1 Hanks, Darryl 14 TE 3 36 49 1
Kramer is a good quality veteran who will compete with the younger Hanks. I have no concerns over this guys, although I might consider a better catching TE for next year, considering my favoured style of play (using the TE, RB, FB receiving to open up space in the secondary for the big play).
Code:
Clark, Howard 17 FL 4 26 28 1 Witcher, Kelly 13 FL 3 19 39 1 Poage, Ray 81 FL 1 31 60 4 Mutscheller, Jim 83 SE 12 25 25 1 Reichow, Jerry 88 SE 8 41 41 2 Overmyer, Johnny 80 SE 3 36 36 1
Obviously, Poage will shoulder the responsibility of being our big-play guy as he is in a different league to the other FL. Reichow is a decent SE and Overmyer might get the chance to step up if he plays well or even move into the slot. Mutscheller is the mentor to Poage, as I (as strange as this seems to say) share Coach Childress’ paranoia over 1st round receivers and will try anything to help him succeed.
Code:
Mellekas, John 59 C 8 60 60 2 Holloway, Roderick 57 C 3 43 43 1 Rabold, Mike 74 LG 5 42 42 1 Lewis, Thurman 68 LG 3 21 44 1 Shea, Pat 64 LG 2 39 62 3 Muelhaupt, Chuck 78 RG 7 39 39 1 Alderman, Grady 1 LT 4 81 81 5 Spencer, Ollie 79 RT 11 28 28 1 Miller, Harold 75 RT 3 21 39 1 $$Faulkner, Staley 69 RT 1 6 23 --
Alderman-Shea-Mellekas-Rabold-Miller. Alderman is the best LT in the NFL and the rock around which my line is built. I think I may be too attached to this guy… anyway, Shea is growing well and Mellekas is the heart of my line. The right side of the line is weaker, but Miller has potential especially as a run blocker.
Code:
Baker, Sam 12 P 12 52 52 1 Pennington, Tom 8 K 2 46 50 2
I don’t really understand why Pennington makes the kicks he does, but I don’t really care. Baker is competent.
Code:
Marshall, Jim 70 LDE 4 55 55 5 O'Neil, Bob 77 LDE 11 29 23 1 Davidson, Ben 92 RDE 3 54 65 2 Denton, Bob 71 RDE 5 40 44 2
Davidson is very, very good on the run but I am getting a little concerned about my pass rush. Marshall needs to pick up the slack that Davidson can’t, but at least the right side of my line is shutdown on the run. O’Neil is the mentor and Denton the actual backup.
Code:
Kostelink, Ron 72 LDT 3 33 54 1 Prestel, Jim 73 LDT 5 63 63 3 Bishop, Bill 97 RDT 12 10 10 1 Dickson, Paul 93 RDT 5 37 40 5 Moore, Fred 95 RDT 2 46 60 3
Ron Kostelink is still a talent, but I struggle to get him in. Prestel and Moore are the heart of my line, and Dickson is the other backup. Bishop is likely to get cut when Moore reaches his potential.
Code:
Hammack, Mal 54 MLB 9 33 33 1 Hawkins, Rip 56 MLB 3 39 62 3 Lloyd, Dave 98 MLB 5 55 55 3 Stonebreaker, Steve 52 SLB 3 57 71 4 Roehnelt, Bill 90 WLB 6 26 31 1 Tracy, John 94 WLB 5 29 42 1 Anderson, Charlie 91 WLB 3 45 45 1
Steve Stonebreaker has developed really well, and Anderson will play weak. The main competition is between the prospect Hawkins and the better established Lloyd. The rest are competent backups.
Code:
Haley, Dick 44 LCB 5 30 34 1 Mostardi, Rich 48 RCB 4 58 58 4 McGeever, John 24 RCB 2 38 48 2 Pashe, Bill 42 RCB 1 24 42 3
Haley’s ball-hawking makes him the nickel again, whilst McGeever is coming along well and will start with Mostardi. Pashe is a prospect and will probably get plenty of time if an injury drops anyone in the secondary.
Code:
Lamson, Chuck 25 SS 3 52 52 2 Sumner, Charlie 20 FS 10 38 38 2 Crute, Vinny 39 FS 3 42 42 2 Kosens, Terry 49 FS 1 21 53 3
Lamson is the starting SS, and Crute will start at FS ahead of the vet Sumner. Kosens will probably play dime ahead of Sumner to get some experience.

Offence:
Tarkenton & Mason will continue to lead the offence, and hopefully Poage will provide a strong receiver for Tarkenton to play off. We’re still growing here, but that could cause issues as we are not there yet.
Defence:
The pass rush continues to be the biggest issue, but it’s the lack of consistency that’s my problem. We make big plays, but what good is the big play when you give up 90-yard drives? Again, we are young and that could be the problem throughout my team.
Special Teams:
Pennington was very good last year and Mason is the best returner in NFL history. Baker is competent, and our special teams defence could be good. We’ll see on that bit.
__________________
"...and Adrian Peterson is loose!"

Last edited by surlyc : 01-21-2008 at 05:49 PM.
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Old 01-21-2008, 05:53 PM   #29
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Exhibition

Minnesota sold 60,500 season tickets for the season out of a capacity of 64,000.

Minnesota 9 Pittsburgh 13
Fran Tarkenton was 9-9 for 52 yards, but the match was lost when Eddie LeBaron stepped in and tossed two interceptions. Jim Prestel had 2.5 sacks and I suspect he may improve on last seasons 10.0 sacks. In fact, my D-line may start to eat people soon... but Minnesota don't hav that tradition do they? Just for reference, this Pittsburgh team went 15-1 last year. Just so you know.

George Shaw has a broken clavicle, he'll miss the first 2 weeks on the season likely. Young tackle Harold Miller has damaged his knee, but should be back for the regular season.

Indianapolis 23 Minnesota 24
Fran Tarkenton continues to shine with a passer rating of 154.5 in the first half before Eddie LeBaron leads 2 scoring drives and produced a 39 yard pass with 9 seconds remaining to get Tom Pennington into range. He duly slotted the 38 yarder (too easy) to produce a calming win. Jamie Caleb had 101 yards on 12 carries to outshine Mason. The run blocking from the O[line was good (11/14 KRB) although they allowed 4.0 sacks.

Cincinnati 7 Minnesota 37
Poor old Kwiecinski didn't seem to have much luck with the Bengals defence. 100 % red-zone conversion (3/3 for TD) and a 9 yard fumble return after a Steve Stonebreaker sack. Bengals QB Milt Plum recorded the dreaded passer rating 0.0 and Daryle Lamonica wasn't much better in the face of dominant Minnesota defence. Worryingly, Tarkenton collapsed after leading an opening 68-yard TD drive and failed to complete his next 11 passes before being benched. Damn.

DE Bob Denton is out for 16 weeks. With a hamstring strain. Surely, 4 months out=more than a strain? That's more tear territory.

Minnesota 10 Jacksonville 17
I would love to have Lance Alworth in my team. He tears us up with 149 yards from his 7 catches, and was the difference between the teams. A worrying lack of production from my offence here, with Jamie Caleb again outshining Mason. However, Tarkenton was protected and I am hoping he'll make a big difference.

Preseason Prediction: After winning our division last year, we will now have to play a number of better teams. Also, we over-performed last year which doesn't make a good equation. 8-8.

Regular season

Minnesota 31 Detroit 42
This turned into a QB shoot-out and Fran Tarkenton lost. He's not the finished article yet, as demonstrated here: 27-55 for 263 yards (2 TD, 3 int.) and a rating of 52.3. Detroit had 3 first quarter TD, and although it was 21-21 at halftime after a 73-yard interception return from John McGeever, we couldn't match them in the later stages. Credit to the Detroit pass defence: Tarkenton had only 4 bad throws and 4 drops, but 7 defenced, 9 hurried, 5 knockdowns and the 3 interceptions. To be honest, we were just outplayed and that's painful against Detroit.

San Diego 38 Minnesota 13
Something has gone horribly wrong somewhere. We condeded 83 points in our first four games last year, but we're almost on that mark already.

Minnesota 16 St. Louis 17
The postseason seems so very long ago. However, at least we performed somewhat better, although our only TD was a 99-yard interception return by Rich Mostardi.

Green Bay 28 Minnesota 21
Well, it's officially the worst start in franchise history. After losing 5 games all year in 1962, it's 4 down in 1963. Again, there were positives. Fran Tarkenton was 22-31 for 282 yards (2 TD) and a rating of 120, but Tommy Mason suffered badly again. Rookie receiver Ray Poage caught 9 passes for 140 yards (1 TD) and Steve Stonebreaker had his second interception of the year, but Jamie Caleb lost 2 fumbles.

Former all-pro FS Charlie Sumner's season is over, with a ruptured elbow tendon and the injured reserve.

Code:
Front Office Football 2007 1963 Summary for Minnesota Vikings Year 1963 Record 0-4 Winning Pct. .000 All-Time 19-17 Winning Pct. .527 Playoffs 0-1 Playoff Visits 1 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Brian Dugan Record 17-20 Winning Pct. .459 Off. Coord. C. Liotti Def. Coord. R. Blackburn Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 25.0 21 (T) Rushing Yards 84.5 27 Yards Per Carry 3.38 26 Pass Attempts 40.0 3 Completions 22.0 13 (T) Completion Pct. 55.0 30 Passing Yards 232.0 13 Yards Per Attempt 5.80 24 Yards Per Catch 10.55 15 Total Yardage Gained 311.0 16 3rd Down Conversions 28.8 29 Points Per Game 20.3 14 Pass Rush Pct. 12.7 16 (T) Pass Defense Pct. 47.4 14 Turnovers 9 28 (T) Turnover Margin -3 24 (T) Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 25.3 12 Rushing Yards 103.3 17 Yards Per Carry 4.09 21 Pass Attempts 39.0 30 Completions 24.0 28 Completion Pct. 61.5 9 Passing Yards 293.3 31 Yards Per Attempt 7.52 27 Yards Per Catch 12.22 28 Total Yardage Gained 389.0 31 3rd Down Conversions 45.3 23 (T) Points Per Game 31.3 32 Pass Rush Pct. 13.1 18 Pass Defense Pct. 74.7 32 Turnovers 6 12 (T) Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 31 at DET 42 2 13 at SDO 38 3 16 at STL 17 4 21 GBY 28 5 TBY 6 at ATL 7 CAR 8 at CHI 9 at NOS 11 DET 12 at OAK 13 NYK 14 DEN 15 at GBY 16 KCY 17 CHI Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 10 F. Tarkenton QB 155 85 901 5.81 5 7 63.9 **Team --- 160 88 928 5.80 5 7 64.3 $$Opp --- 156 96 1173 7.52 11 5 94.8 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 49 139 2.84 0 1 26 J. Caleb RB 37 120 3.24 1 2 10 F. Tarkenton QB 13 78 6.00 0 1 **Team --- 100 338 3.38 1 5 $$Opp --- 101 413 4.09 3 2 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD 88 J. Reichow WR 31 17 253 14.88 8.16 2 2 81 R. Poage WR 32 16 209 13.06 6.53 1 1 86 R. Kramer TE 17 14 109 7.79 6.41 0 1 17 H. Clark WR 21 11 144 13.09 6.86 2 0 80 J. Overmyer WR 21 8 62 7.75 2.95 2 0 40 R. Hayes FB 7 5 22 4.40 3.14 0 0 14 D. Hanks TE 10 5 46 9.20 4.60 0 0 26 J. Caleb RB 5 4 20 5.00 4.00 0 0 31 T. Mason RB 11 4 17 4.25 1.55 1 1 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 23 13 0.0 1 2 1 73.8 98 D. Lloyd ILB 18 8 0.0 0 0 3 78.1 48 R. Mostardi CB 18 2 0.0 0 1 1 76.9 92 B. Davidson DE 17 6 1.0 3 0 0 79.9 44 D. Haley CB 16 3 0.0 0 0 2 76.5 25 C. Lamson S 16 8 0.0 0 0 3 82.0 24 J. McGeever CB 16 3 0.0 1 2 1 81.1 73 J. Prestel DT 11 3 2.0 3 0 1 81.5 95 F. Moore DT 11 2 0.0 3 0 0 80.4 39 V. Crute S 8 3 0.0 0 0 1 81.0 91 C. Anderson OLB 6 4 0.0 0 0 1 69.5 93 P. Dickson DT 5 1 0.0 0 0 0 76.4 97 B. Bishop DT 4 0 0.0 0 0 0 73.9
Well, to be honest this season could not have started much worse. However, we have shown signs of improvement of late and we seem to be on the verge of that first win. We need to start running the ball much more as our pass attack doesn't seem too potent, and our pass rush has started very slowly again. We're 27th in the league for rushing offense, 13th for passing, 17th on run defense and a worrying 31st on pass defense. It's not a surprise that we're losing on those statistics.
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Old 01-21-2008, 06:32 PM   #30
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Second Quarter

Tampa Bay 6 Minnesota 20
A very cautious game in Minnesota that saw much more emphasis on Tommy Mason, who rushed for a career high 138 yards on 28 carries, and a conservative turnover margin. Fran Tarkenton was 16-22 for 127 yards (1 TD, 1 int.) and there were no lost fumbles. The defence had 6 sacks, Fred Moore 2.0 and Ben Davidson 1.5, as we had 287 yards against Tampa's 176.

Minnesota 46 Atlanta 0
How can this be the same team that was destroyed by San Diego? Tommy Mason had his second straight 100-yard game with 118 yards on 29 carries and had his first ever multiple TD game. Fran Tarkenton was 15-23 for 256 yards (1 TD, 1 int.) for a rating of 99.2 and WR Ray Poage had 7 catches for 123 yards (2 TD). 5.0 sacks, Jim Marshall had 3.0, and 4 interceptions, including 2 from Dave Lloyd one of which was returned for a TD, and a 68-yard TD return from Dick Haley. Our 407 total yards was the second highest in franchise history and only the second time past 400 yards. 46 was the highest number of points scored, and 46 was also the highest margin of victory.

T Staley Faulkner finally ends his holdout and signs a 3 year, $280k deal.

Carolina 0 Minnesota 26
The second consecutive shut-out is in stark contrast to out early performances and while I know Atlanta and Carolina are poor teams, a shut out is still an achievement. Tommy Mason had 70 yards on 25 carries to demonstrate a change in attitude towards his use on offence. We forced 3 fumbles and recovered 2, and didn't fumble at all ourselves. John McGeever now has 8 interceptions which is a franchise record, and Tom Pennington scored 4 field goals to send him back to the top of the league. Only one person has more 50+ yard field goals... and it's Mike Mercer, the man I cut due to his dodgy kicking power. Ironic? I think so.

Fran Tarkenton
strains his achilles tendon and will miss about 4 weeks. George Shaw will step in again.

Minnesota 16 Chicago 13 (OT)

Quote:
Minnesota Defence Overcomes Quarterback Curse to Stop Chicago

Donnie Weinstein

The week in Minneapolis began with the news that starting quarterback Fran Tarkenton had strained his achilles tendon. At Chicago, the first quarter saw his replacement George Shaw suffer the same injury following a Chicago sack and he did not return. Then in the third quarter, third-stringer Bob Beisler pulled up with a strained calf muscle and joined his teammates on the bench. So, in steps 4th string veteran Eddie LeBaron to lead Minnesota with Chicago 10-0 up. His first play is a 9-yard TD pass to Jerry Reichow, his first TD in three years, and he leads the Vikings to victory.

Two field goals later, the Minnesota defence stepped onto the field late in the fourth quarter with a slender 13-10 lead, after Ray Hayes fumbled the ball on his own 12 yard line. Two plays later, Chicago were camped at 1-goal on the 1-yard line and looking set for a go ahead TD with 4 minutes remaining. When they were forced to take the field goal, the 2 minute warning sounded.

Again, with Chicago looking menacing at the Minnesota 41 with a full set of downs, the Vikings defence stepped up. Jim Marshall tore through the line, sharing a sack with Steve Stonebreaker, and forcing the ball out of Chicago hands. Fred Moore fell on the ball and the game went to overtime.

In overtime, Eddie LeBaron overcame that earlier rust to lead a 9-play, 55-yard drive to the Chicago 16 for a Tom Pennington field goal and a 4-4 record heading into the later season.

Chicago had opened the game with a TD on a Gary Brewer 1-yard run and a 34-yard Jim Turner field goal as the only points of a dour half. The combined teams rushing totals were 170 yards as both teams shut down on the run, and Minnesota struggled to get much going on the quartback merry-go-round.

"I'm very proud of my team," stated Minnesota coach Brian Dugan, "we stood up and faced our opponents down. The character we showed on defence to hold on in the fourth quarter was impressive and is exactly what I hoped to build here. OUr offence suffered so many changes and set-backs this week, they impressed me with their resourcefulness. Chicago hadn't lost here this year and we came here under tremendous stress and got a result. What more could I ask?"

Maybe for a fit quarterback, as it has been confirmed only Eddie LeBaron will be fit to lead the team next week.

Shaw will miss 2 weeks, Beisler 4. To help with our QB crisis, in comes former Green Bay journeyman QB Shaun Morris ($140k, 1 year) and third year, former Giant Darrin Everhart ($80k, 1 year). Neither have any NFL starts, but they will cover my crippled QBs. To make room Bob Beisler is placed on IR, ending his Vikings career. I have six QBs on my roster... it's ridiculous.

Mid-season assessment to come.
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Old 01-24-2008, 04:28 PM   #31
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Code:
1963 First-Half Summary for Minnesota Vikings Year 1963 Record 4-4 Winning Pct. .500 All-Time 23-17 Winning Pct. .575 Playoffs 0-1 Playoff Visits 1 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Brian Dugan Record 21-20 Winning Pct. .512 Off. Coord. C. Liotti Def. Coord. R. Blackburn Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 29.3 10 Rushing Yards 107.3 19 Yards Per Carry 3.67 26 Pass Attempts 35.0 8 (T) Completions 19.4 26 Completion Pct. 55.4 30 Passing Yards 214.9 18 Yards Per Attempt 6.14 21 Yards Per Catch 11.09 16 Total Yardage Gained 312.8 18 3rd Down Conversions 32.8 27 Points Per Game 23.6 9 Pass Rush Pct. 15.5 7 Pass Defense Pct. 53.6 9 Turnovers 17 27 (T) Turnover Margin -1 17 (T) Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 22.6 6 Rushing Yards 93.8 10 Yards Per Carry 4.14 26 Pass Attempts 39.4 32 Completions 22.9 25 Completion Pct. 58.1 4 Passing Yards 242.5 25 Yards Per Attempt 6.16 6 Yards Per Catch 10.60 16 Total Yardage Gained 318.8 16 3rd Down Conversions 33.9 4 (T) Points Per Game 18.0 14 Pass Rush Pct. 14.1 22 Pass Defense Pct. 67.4 31 Turnovers 16 4 (T) Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 31 at DET 42 2 13 at SDO 38 3 16 at STL 17 4 21 GBY 28 5 20 TBY 6 6 46 at ATL 0 7 26 CAR 0 8 16 at CHI 13 9 at NOS 11 DET 12 at OAK 13 NYK 14 DEN 15 at GBY 16 KCY 17 CHI Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 10 F. Tarkenton QB 227 130 1421 6.26 8 10 69.2 16 E. LeBaron QB 30 12 134 4.47 1 2 37.4 **Team --- 280 155 1719 6.14 11 12 69.0 $$Opp --- 315 183 1940 6.16 11 11 73.2 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 148 490 3.31 2 2 26 J. Caleb RB 46 155 3.37 1 2 10 F. Tarkenton QB 19 100 5.26 0 1 **Team --- 234 858 3.67 4 10 $$Opp --- 181 750 4.14 4 9 Front Office Football 2007 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD 81 R. Poage WR 75 36 456 12.67 6.08 2 4 88 J. Reichow WR 63 31 463 14.94 7.35 9 4 86 R. Kramer TE 31 26 232 8.92 7.48 1 1 17 H. Clark WR 23 12 153 12.75 6.65 2 0 80 J. Overmyer WR 33 12 141 11.75 4.27 5 0 31 T. Mason RB 18 10 60 6.00 3.33 1 1 14 D. Hanks TE 13 8 84 10.50 6.46 0 0 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 51 21 1.5 3 2 5 77.0 98 D. Lloyd ILB 36 18 1.0 0 2 4 80.1 44 D. Haley CB 34 10 0.0 0 1 4 76.5 24 J. McGeever CB 32 6 0.0 2 4 4 80.6 92 B. Davidson DE 29 12 4.0 4 0 0 79.6 25 C. Lamson S 28 11 0.0 0 0 3 79.5 48 R. Mostardi CB 26 4 0.0 0 1 1 78.1 95 F. Moore DT 26 3 3.5 5 0 0 81.0 73 J. Prestel DT 18 8 4.0 14 0 1 82.0 70 J. Marshall DE 17 9 6.0 9 0 0 81.7 91 C. Anderson OLB 13 5 0.0 0 0 1 68.1 49 T. Kosens S 11 6 0.0 0 1 2 82.0 39 V. Crute S 10 5 0.0 0 0 2 82.9 56 R. Hawkins ILB 8 7 0.0 0 0 1 75.6

Interesting stat, of the 19 times Tommy Mason has rushed 20 times or more, we've lost twice (17-2). We are 7-15 when he rushes less than 20 times. Something to ponder.
Tarkenton is still struggling to lead this team, but I'm hopeful that his continued development combined with that of Ray Poage will help this team move forward. Jamie Caleb needs to be replaced for the longer term, with a better back who can help share the load with Mason. Tommy Mason has started to show signs that he could be a potent weapon of offence.

On defence, Steve Stonebreaker contiues to be our big playmaker, whilst our line has 17.5 sacks. Jim Prestel is the heart of our line and his 14 QB hurries is pretty impressive (3rd in the NFL). McGeever is 4th in the NFL on 4 interceptions and 1st in interception return yardage. After some early maulings, our defence seems to finally be coming to grips with the season.

The important thing to remember is that we played three teams from the NFC South, and that skews things. However, the win in Chicago with 3 QBs throwing passes is encouraging and as a unit the team seems to be growing. I suspect a 7-9 finish is on the cards now, with Green Bay and Detroit (who are now 7-0) to play.
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Old 08-31-2008, 01:29 PM   #32
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Wow... it's been a while since I updated this. Plenty of real life stuff to deal with (mainly me having a high-flying new job that involves me being stranded in a flash apartment by myself in London for the next two months...) kept me away then led me back here. So... for the relief of my own boredom... back to 1963!

Minnesota 27 New Orleans 6
Shaun Morris gets the start in place of... any of my normal QBs. He starts strongly, before fading late in the game, with 18-38 for 225 yards (2 TD, 2 int.) and a rating of 61.8. Tommy Mason has 122 yards on 19 carries (1 TD) and Ray Poage 137 yards (2 TD) on 7 catches. John McGeever has another interception, as the Vikings draw away in the 4th quarter for a solid win. Outyarding NOS 334 to 143 the result was safe, and would have been more if a 4-goal on the 1 had not resulted in a sack: we had 7 QB hurries and 4.0 sacks.

Detroit 24 Minnesota 10
2 fumbles cost us this game: the first by Jamie Caleb on 3-1 at the Detroit 13, then by Mason on a kick return to give Detroit the ball on the Minnesota 19. Detroit kept converting 3rd downs in a first half where we couldn't get our hands on the ball. Things improved, but George Shaw couldn't force the offence over the line.

The combined win total of the NFC North is 29 (Detroit & Green Bay 9-1, Chicago 6-4, Minnesota 5-5): 6 better than any other division. It's a tough division to be in.

Minnesota 20 Oakland 35
We keep giving up huge plays, and it negates all our good work. Two 4th quarter Oakland TDs (a 47-yard pass and a 48-yard run) kill us stone dead. Our secondary needs some work, although to be honest our entire defence was dire here. John McGeever had a 32-yard interception.

New York 34 Minnesota 17
The 9-3 Giants just beat me down. Fran Tarkenton produced a passer rater of 51.1 and for all our offensive production (Tommy Mason had 96 yards on 17 carries, 1 TD and Tarkenton passed for over 200 yards and rushed for a TD) we couldn't stop anything. I forgot how many glaring holes this team has... some changes may be due this off-season.

Denver 17 Minnesota 16
Ben Davidson had 2 sacks and 2 FFs, but the story of this game is Tom Pennington going 3/7 on his FGs as we just couldn't finish.

Minnesota 13 Green Bay 37
Bart Starr passed for 361 yards and 3 TDs. Fran Tarkenton threw 3 picks. Enough said.

Kansas City 17 Minnesota 13
We just can't convert in the red zone. Ray Poage dropped 8 passes(!) to some up our day here, despite putting up 360 yards against the Chiefs 240. To make matters worse, Steve Stonebreaker has broken his foot and will miss the final game.

Chicago 22 Minnesota 27
We finally end our 6 game losing streak to finish the season 6-10. Dave Lloyd had 9 tackles and a 39-yard int. which was the stand-out of this game. Fran Tarkenton had 2 TDs and a shiny passer rating of 119.

Suffice to say, I am disappointed by my teams 6-10 record. However, going forward, we have a top quality QB and a top quality LT. I just need to improve our WR set quite dramatically,

Code:
1963 Summary for Minnesota Vikings Year 1963 Record 6-10 Winning Pct. .375 All-Time 25-23 Winning Pct. .520 Playoffs 0-1 Playoff Visits 1 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Brian Dugan Record 23-26 Winning Pct. .469 Off. Coord. C. Liotti Def. Coord. R. Blackburn Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 26.4 17 (T) Rushing Yards 105.6 15 Yards Per Carry 4.00 14 Pass Attempts 37.2 2 Completions 19.8 24 Completion Pct. 53.3 32 Passing Yards 224.0 15 Yards Per Attempt 6.02 22 Yards Per Catch 11.31 12 Total Yardage Gained 320.1 16 3rd Down Conversions 31.4 29 Points Per Game 20.8 15 Pass Rush Pct. 14.4 11 (T) Pass Defense Pct. 44.7 19 Turnovers 32 26 Turnover Margin -5 21 (T) Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 26.3 14 (T) Rushing Yards 104.3 14 Yards Per Carry 3.97 15 Pass Attempts 37.9 30 Completions 23.4 31 (T) Completion Pct. 61.6 14 Passing Yards 241.0 25 Yards Per Attempt 6.35 9 Yards Per Catch 10.31 11 Total Yardage Gained 331.0 24 3rd Down Conversions 40.3 23 Points Per Game 21.0 21 (T) Pass Rush Pct. 16.1 29 Pass Defense Pct. 65.1 31 Turnovers 27 15 Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 31 at DET 42 2 13 at SDO 38 3 16 at STL 17 4 21 GBY 28 5 20 TBY 6 6 46 at ATL 0 7 26 CAR 0 8 16 at CHI 13 9 27 at NOS 6 11 10 DET 24 12 20 at OAK 35 13 17 NYK 34 14 16 DEN 17 15 13 at GBY 37 16 13 KCY 17 17 27 CHI 22 Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 10 F. Tarkenton QB 478 264 2949 6.17 16 15 71.9 15 S. Morris QB 38 18 225 5.92 2 2 61.8 3 G. Shaw QB 37 17 197 5.32 3 2 67.0 **Team --- 595 317 3584 6.02 22 21 69.2 $$Opp --- 607 374 3856 6.35 22 16 81.0 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 283 1088 3.84 4 5 26 J. Caleb RB 57 173 3.04 1 3 10 F. Tarkenton QB 45 239 5.31 1 5 **Team --- 422 1689 4.00 7 22 $$Opp --- 420 1668 3.97 14 24 Front Office Football 2007 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD 81 R. Poage WR 175 76 1001 13.17 5.72 13 9 88 J. Reichow WR 136 68 980 14.41 7.21 16 5 86 R. Kramer TE 51 41 462 11.27 9.06 3 6 80 J. Overmyer WR 54 24 304 12.67 5.63 6 0 40 R. Hayes FB 34 21 103 4.90 3.03 3 0 31 T. Mason RB 31 20 103 5.15 3.32 1 1 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 93 37 2.5 3 2 8 75.5 98 D. Lloyd ILB 82 28 2.0 0 3 8 79.8 25 C. Lamson S 78 26 0.0 0 2 5 78.6 24 J. McGeever CB 66 16 0.0 2 6 10 79.2 92 B. Davidson DE 60 17 7.0 15 0 0 80.4 44 D. Haley CB 60 21 0.0 0 1 5 75.1 48 R. Mostardi CB 55 8 0.0 0 1 5 76.5 91 C. Anderson OLB 43 11 1.0 0 0 2 68.5 95 F. Moore DT 43 8 4.5 7 0 0 81.8 73 J. Prestel DT 40 17 5.0 21 0 1 81.6 70 J. Marshall DE 37 15 12.0 15 0 0 81.2 39 V. Crute S 23 9 0.0 0 0 3 79.7 56 R. Hawkins ILB 20 9 0.0 0 0 1 73.9 49 T. Kosens S 20 10 0.0 0 1 2 78.7

I'd say our playoff appearance last year may have fooled me into thinking we were further along than we actually were. Whilst we had big guys again, Fran Tarkenton, Grady Alderman and Steve Stonebreaker again impressing, the team as a whole struggled. Our WRs miss too many passes and we really just failed to put up too many points.

Our priorities are to improve the right side of the o-line and our WR group. Grady Alderman, Pat Shea and John Mellekas are solid but the replacements brought in last year on the line were dismal. Ray Poage looks like a decent FL if I can pair him with a reliable SE and slot receiver.

Jim Marshall had a return to form with 12.0 sacks and more blocks, with Ben Davidson again solid. In fact this whole team is solid and unspectacular which is why we give up big plays.

All in all, there is still a highly talented core there which will continue to develop next year. Priorities are RG, RT, SE, FL2, WLB and FS.


Superbowl III
Green Bay 24 Indianapolis 26
Two 4th quarter TDs could not save the Packers as the Colts won the first ever future Hall of Fame QB Superbowl shoot-out. Johnny Unitas is 23-34 for 278 (1 TD, 1 int.), rating 90.0, RB Lenny Moore has 23 carries for 104 yards (1 TD) and WR Jimmy Orr catches 7-10 for 99 yards (1 TD). Bart Starr has 28-50 for 383 yards (2 TD, 1 int.), rating 85.7, RB Paul Hornung has only 6 carries for 43 yards (2 caught TDs) and WR Boyd Dowler an impressive 12-18 for 176 yards.

1963 Awards List

Code:
Award Player Team Player of the Year Johnny Unitas IND Front Office Bowl MVP Lenny Moore IND Coach of the Year Deron Cochrane GBY Legend of the Game Ray Wietecha NYK Offensive Player of the Year Johnny Unitas IND Defensive Player of the Year Larry Grantham NJY Offensive Rookie of the Year Joe Auer DEN Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerry Logan HOU **All-League Second Team Offensive Tackle Grady Alderman MIN **All-League Second Team Cornerback John McGeever MIN

Congratulations to Grady Alderman and John McGeever on their awards.

I will forego the Weinstein post-season review and go straight to the off-season. I am keen to get right back into business!
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Old 08-31-2008, 02:17 PM   #33
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You're definitely getting there. Glad to see this back!
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2006 Golden Scribe Winner
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Old 08-31-2008, 04:29 PM   #34
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>> Izulde - Thanks, man.

Quote:
Vikings fire Dugan
By Cedric Harden
Minnesota Star Staff Writer
January 1, 1964;


The Minnesota Vikings fired Coach Brian Dugan yesterday, less than 24 hours after they completed a disappointing 6-10 season and less than a month after Dugan said he would be back for another year.

"I believed that it was time for a change," owner Stephen Tanner said during a news conference at the team's training facility. "I believe we have the nucleus of a team that can regularly get back to the playoffs, and we felt that in the next five years, we had a better chance with a new coach than leaving Brian in that position."

Dugan, who led the Vikings to their first playoffs last year and had a record of 17-16 in two seasons with the Ravens, was supposed to be the herald of a new dawn for the Vikings when he arrived from Oakland two years ago. But his discipline first approach left the offence floundering.

"We firmly believe this is the right move for us. We need a coach who can run both our offence and defence effectively. We thank Brian for his contributions, and we have achieved well with him, but we don't think he's the man to take us forward," concluded Tanner.

Minnesota have been linked to Miami coach Andy Dreyfuss, Superbowl winning St. Louis coach Wes Davis and Dallas coach Mack Holmes.
That fair in offensive co-ordination is not good enough. I don't like chopping and changing my coaching staff, but at this point those skills are even more important.
Quote:
Minnesota Vikings Name Mack Holmes as Coach
By Peter Gedney

Jan. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Mack Holmes will get a second chance to prove himself as a head coach after being hired by Minnesota yesterday, replacing the fired Brian Dugan.

This is Holmes', 53, second time as a head coach after going 16-31-1 — with no playoff appearances — in three years with the Dallas Cowboys. Fired by the Cowboys this offseason, he has never had a winning record. He has signed a 5 year contract worth over $1 million that makes him the second highest paid coach in the game as Minnesota gamble on quick success.

"The only thing I'll promise to do is everything I can to fulfill my obligation to bring a winning team back to Minnesota," Holmes said. "There's a great potential here; we know the fans are very passionate, and it's something we're very passionate about."

Holmes takes over a team that posted a franchise worst record of 6-10 this season, and have twice fired a head coach in three years.

Holmes is a play-calling specialist who, as Cowboys head coach from 1960 to 1963, called all the plays in Dallas the last four years. Holmes said he's well seasoned after experiencing the lows of three losing records over the past three years. highs of his winning 2001 season, and some lows.

The biggest question involving Holmes' hiring is how he'll address a sputtering Vikings offense, which was third worst at red-zone conversion last year. The unit struggled under young starter Fran Tarkenton, who has still not played a full season.

Holmes' first decision was to hire a new offensive coordinator to replace Cedric Liotti, bringing in 53 year-old Leslie Beyer who worked with him in Dallas. Beyer, who is known to be an excellent developer of receivers and offensive linemen, has spent his entire career at Dallas with Holmes.

Holmes was Vikings GM Stephen Tanner's first choice, and beat out former Miami coach Andy Dreyfuss for the job following a weeklong interview process: Dreyfuss ended up in Dallas.

"We weren't selecting an offensive coach or a defensive coach or a kicking-teams coach, for that matter," Tanner said. "We were selecting the best head coach, the man who was going to direct it and put it all together."

Other news: Former Oakland coach Brian Dugan has returned to the Raiders. Cedric Liotti has signed a two year contract with Baltimore. Darrin Kwiecinski has signed a new contract with Cincinnati.
I am confident this pair will help us win, and help us win now.

The new staff:

Head Coach: Mack Holmes (53)
5 Years.
Motivation: Average (Much worse than Dugan)
Discipline: Average (Much worse than Dugan)
Off. Playcalling: Excellent (Much better than Dugan)
Def. Playcalling: Excellent (Better than Dugan)
Inj. Avoidance: Excellent (Better than Dugan)

As our offense just didn't move at all last year, I am hoping Holmes will bring a lot of improvement there as I gave up alot of motivation and discipline skill. Holmes is an expert signal caller and with suspect players that is essential.

Offensive Coordinator: Leslie Beyer (59)
5 Years.
QB: Good (Same as Liotti)
RB: Average (Worse than Liotti)
WR: Excellent (Much better than Liotti)
OL: Excellent (Better than Liotti)
K/P: Average (Same as Liotti)
YT: Very Good (Better than Liotti)

Beyer's talents are also two of our biggest problems on offense: this should help my WRs improve and make my o-line dominant. I feel a little sorry for Liotti, who was improving, but I was feeling a little irritated at this point.

Early transactions:
T Ollie Spencer & RB Tom Wilson have both retired.

Free agency next...
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Last edited by surlyc : 08-31-2008 at 04:31 PM.
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Old 09-01-2008, 03:52 PM   #35
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
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Free Agency

It's no secret what my targets are going to be. I want a mentor T to back up the RT I plan to chase in the draft and I am looking for a WR with great hands to play opposite Poage. Aside from that, young talent that could break out and resigning veterans are the other targets.

Week 1 Resignings
FB Ray Hayes ($520k 3 year extension)
After winning the FB spot from Mel Triplett, he deserves a contract to continue that fight.
C John Mellekas ($1.42m 3 year extension)
He might be getting a little old now, but he is still the best centre I would be able to get and he should be good for the next three years.
WLB Charlie Anderson ($120k, 1 year)
He's a restricted free agent, so his contract isn't large and he will continue to be a good backup to a position that invariably ends up with a disgruntled incumbent.
SS Chuck Lamson ($1.07m, 3 years)
He's my starting SS, and I am not confident there will be a better available to me.

Week 2
WR Kelly Witcher ($120k, 1 year)
Restricted free agent, and has fairly decent hands.
TE Darryl Hanks ($280k, 2 years)
He's still my future starter.

Sidenote: Len Dawson signs a 6-year, $28.12m contract with $15.84m guaranteed in Cleveland. That's a huge contract for this point in the game and significantly more than Bart Starr (4 year, $16.04m, $6.48 guaranteed) got from Green Bay.
Quote:
Vikings trade backup QB Shaw to Chiefs

Associated Press
- The Kansas City Chiefs, still struggling for a starting QB, have traded a 6th round draft pick and guard Billy Neighbors to the Minnesota Vikings for quarterback George Shaw and a 2nd round draft pick.

The Vikings are committed to starter Fran Tarkenton and have deemed Shaw surplus to requirements, and figure Neighbors can help to address the weak side of their offensive line.

Shaw will finally get the chance to be the undisputed starter in Kansas City where no quarterback has successfully started two straight years.

"We want to thank George for all his contributions here, and we hope he can achieve his aims with the Chiefs." said Vikings GM Stephen Tanner.
Kansas City get George Shaw, a 2nd round pick & a 7th round pick. Vikings get Billy Neighbors and a 6th round pick.

I am happy with this trade, as I'm confident Neighbors is better than any guard available in the draft and George Shaw is no longer worth his contract. Maybe I paid too much for Neighbors, really... but I want to win pretty soon and that requires good players now rather than a few years down the line.

Week 2 cont.
G Billy Neighbors ($1.82m, 5 years)
With Alderman, Shea and Neighbors my line is looking set for years to come.

Week 3
QB Earl Morrall ($210k, 1 year)
Morrall's job is to replace Shaw and back up Tarkenton. He is half the price of Shaw, only a few points worse, and can be released next year at no cost if he fails.
RB Joe Womack ($170k, 1 year)
Womack's ability to catch, especially on 3rd downs, make him a useful third back to have.
FB Mel Triplett ($200k, 1 year)
He started 7 games last year, and resigning him was never a doubt.
TE Ron Kramer ($200k, 1 year)
He was my starting TE last year, and remains a good player to compete for that spot this year.
P Bobby Joe Green ($540k, 3 years)
It's probably a big contract to give a punter, but Green is one of the best in the NFL. He has a career average of over 7 yards further per punt than Sam Baker and has post-season experience from every year of his career.

Week 4
WR R.C. Owens ($2.06m, 3 years)
He may be 30 at this point, but his abilities as a WR make him the perfect SE to complement Poage. He has three 1000 yard seasons and 26 career TDs. He's a good upgrade on Jerry Reichow. He's also a mentor.
C Roderick Holloway ($170k, 1 year resign)
A restricted free agent, who will back up Mellekas again.

Week 5
G Mike Rabold - Atlanta ($540k, 2 years)
Atlanta move for my former starter, and I'm not sorry to see him go. I have two young guards with alot of potential, I didn't need Rabold.
T Jim Boeke ($350k, 2 years)
Boeke comes in to try and help my RT position, which cannot get any worse.

Week 6
QB Eddie LeBaron ($190k, 1 year)
Fran Tarkenton's mentor comes back for a 15th NFL season and more than probably his last. Good luck to him.

Week 7
G Willie Smith ($180k, 1 year)
With two young guards, a mentor was definitely need and Muelhaupt is leaving. Smith is a journeyman of 4 teams in three years, but he's not likely to see much play.

Week 10
P Sam Baker - Philidelphia ($210k, 1 year)
That is a ludicrous contract which makes Green look like an absolute steal.
G Chuck Muelhaupt - Carolina ($530k, 2 years)
He left because he wanted two years, and I didn't want to give him that. Good luck to him in Carolina.

So that's free agency over. On to the draft, where my priorities are a RT, a CB, a S and a slot receiver.

The 1964 NFL Draft

I went into the draft with the following names on my list:
Billy Truax - 1st
A top quality TE is always a good thing for a young QB.
Jim Wright - 3rd
Herschel Turner - 4th
Bill Dawson - 5th
Manny Stalls - 6th
Zakary Blinka - 6th
The other guys are people with potential who could turn out to be good. It's so hard to find quality late in the drafts in these historical draft...

1. Seattle - Staubach, Roger, QB, Navy
2. Houston - Hill, Mack Lee, RB, Southern University
3. Miami - Kelly, Leroy, RB, Morgan State
4. New Orleans - Josephson, Les, RB, Augustana
5. Cincinnati - Graham, Kenny, S, Washington State
6. Dallas - Warren, Jimmy, CB, Illinois
7. Tampa Bay - Brown, Bob, T, Nebraska
At this point, I have a change of heart. In what might well be termed a moment of madness, I pick up my phone and start attempting to trade up. Oakland tell me, in no uncertain terms, that a 1st and a 3rd won't do. They want a 1st and a 2nd or there is no deal. I look around for trade bait, and to cut a long story short... unsettled, unpopular DE Davidson ends up at the Browns and the 8th pick ends up as:
8. Minnesota - Eller, Carl, DE, Minnesota
I couldn't resist it. It doesn't really make sense, and to be honest it's probably a mistake, but I couldn't resist Eller...
9. New Orleans - Hicks, W.K., CB, Texas Southern
10. Atlanta - Philbin, Garry, DE, Buffalo
11. Buffalo - Taliaferro, Mike, QB, Illinois
12. Denver - Hand, Larry, DE, Appalachian State
13. Oakland - Keating, Tom, DT, Michigan
14. Washington - Truax, Billy, TE, Louisiana State
15. St. Louis - Taylor, Charley, WR, Arizona State
16. Jacksonville - Oats, Carleton, DT, Florida A&M
17. Kansas City - Clarke, Hagood, S, Florida
18. Washington - Duncan, Speedy, CB, Jackson State
19. Chicago - Budness, Bill, ILB, Boston University
20. Philadelphia - Morris, Jon, C, Holy Cross
21. San Francisco - Kopay, Dave, RB, Washington
22. Pittsburgh - Purnell, Jim, OLB, Wisconsin
23. Detroit - Evey, Dick, DE, Tennessee
24. New Jersey - Brown, Robert, DT, Ark. - Pine Bluff
25. St. Louis - Wright, Steve, T, Alabama
26. Baltimore - Gordon, Cornell, CB, North Carolina A&T
27. San Diego - Kupp, Jake, G, Washington
28. Philadelphia - Wilcox, Dave, OLB, Boise State
29. Cleveland - Lothamer, Ed, DT, Michigan State
30. New York - Thurlow, Steve, RB, Stanford
31. Green Bay - Pope, Bucky, WR, Duke
32. Indianapolis - Cummings, Ed, ILB, Stanford
33. Cleveland - Renfro, Mel, CB, Oregon
34. Houston - Conners, Dan, ILB, Miami, Florida
35. Miami - Rademacher, Bill, WR, Northern Michigan
36. New Orleans - Byrd, Butch, CB, Boston University
37. Dallas - Denson, Al, WR, Florida A&M
38. Cincinnati - Richardson, Jerry, S, West Texas A&M
39. Oakland - Kirby, John, OLB, Nebraska
40. St. Louis - Hilgenberg, Wally, OLB, Iowa
41. Tampa Bay - Krause, Paul, S, Iowa
42. Buffalo - Mudd, Howard, G, Hillsdale
43. Denver - Prudhomme, Remi, DE, Louisiana State
44. Kansas City - Sunde, Milt, G, Minnesota
45. Miami - Hayes, Bob, WR, Florida A&M
46. Tampa Bay - Scarpati, Joe, S, North Carolina State
47. Dallas - Frazier, Willie, TE, Ark. - Pine Bluff
48. Kansas City - McNeil, Clifton, WR, Grambling
49. Washington - Mitchell, Willie, CB, Tennessee State
50. Pittsburgh - Woodson, Marv, CB, Indiana
51. Tennessee - Kortas, Ken, DT, Louisville
52. Atlanta - Whittingham, Fred, ILB, Brigham Young
53. Carolina - Wells, Warren, WR, Texas Southern
54. Seattle - Evans, Jim, WR, Texas - El Paso
55. Miami - Kirner, Gary, G, Southern California
56. Chicago - Morgan, Mike, OLB, Louisiana State
57. St. Louis - Kelly, Jim, TE, Notre Dame
58. New England - Manders, Dave, C, Michigan State
59. Buffalo - McGee, Ben, DE, Jackson State
60. Dallas - Sherman, Bob, S, Iowa
61. New Jersey - Snell, Matt, FB, Ohio State
62. San Francisco - Young, Bob, G, Howard Payne
63. New York - Martin, Aaron, CB, North Central
64. Green Bay - Seals, George, G, Missouri
65. Tampa Bay - Lothridge, Billy, P, Georgia Tech
66. Carolina - St. Jean, Len, G, Northern Michigan
67. Seattle - Rose, George, CB, Auburn
68. Miami - Bailey, Monk, CB, Utah
69. Chicago - Hohn, Bob, CB, Nebraska
70. St. Louis - Gogolak, Pete, K, Cornell
71. Buffalo - Walden, Robert, P, Georgia
72. Dallas - Van Raaphorst, Dick, K, Ohio State
73. Green Bay - Gossett, Bruce, K, Richmond
74. New York - Larson, Gary, DT, Concordia (Minn.)
75. Minnesota - Wright, Jim, CB, Memphis
76. Tampa Bay - Berry, Bob, QB, Oregon
77. Baltimore - Schmitt, John, C, Hofstra
78. San Francisco - Leeuwenburg, Dick, T, Stanford
79. Oakland - Seedborg, John, P, Arizona State
80. Denver - Concannon, Jack, QB, Boston College
81. Jacksonville - Williams, Sid, OLB, Southern University
82. Kansas City - Appleton, Scott, DT, Texas
83. Cincinnati - Odom, Sammy, DT, NWestern St., La.
84. Pittsburgh - Brown, Willie, RB, Southern California
85. Detroit - Davis, Ted, ILB, Georgia Tech
86. New Jersey - Haymond, Alvin, CB, Southern University
87. St. Louis - Di Midio, Tony, T, West Chester
88. Philadelphia - O'Donnell, Joe, G, Michigan
89. Green Bay - Parks, Dave, WR, Texas Tech
90. Tennessee - Warfield, Paul, WR, Ohio State
91. Cleveland - Burrell, Ode, WR, Mississippi State
92. Arizona - Baker, Ralph, OLB, Penn State
93. San Diego - Dobbins, Oliver, CB, Morgan State
94. New York - Fowler, Jerry, T, Louisiana-Lafayette
95. Green Bay - Martha, Paul, S, Pittsburgh
96. Indianapolis - Donaldson, Gene, RB, Purdue
97. Seattle - Hart, Doug, S, Texas
98. Houston - Crenshaw, Willis, FB, Kansas State
99. Jacksonville - Reilly, Mike, OLB, Oklahoma
100. New Orleans - Williamson, J.R., OLB, Louisiana Tech
101. Dallas - Blanks, Sid, RB, Tx. A&M - Kingsville
102. Detroit - Viltz, Theo, CB, Southern California
103. Seattle - Moran, Jim, DT, Idaho
104. Indianapolis - Wilson, Jim, G, Georgia
105. Baltimore - Ross, Willie, RB, Nebraska
106. Minnesota - Turner, Herschel, T, Kentucky
107. Arizona - Jones, Jim, WR, Wisconsin
108. Tennessee - Walters, Tom, S, Southern Mississippi
109. Washington - Looney, Joe Don, FB, Texas Christian
110. Pittsburgh - Higgins, Jim, T, Small College
111. Dallas - Mira, George, QB, Miami, Florida
112. Jacksonville - McCoy, Lloyd, G, San Diego State
113. Kansas City - Smith, Bobby, RB, North Texas
114. Washington - Bass, Norm, S, Pacific Lutheran
115. Tennessee - Turner, Vince, CB, Missouri
116. Detroit - Rhome, Jerry, QB, Tulsa
117. New Jersey - Shiner, Dick, QB, Maryland
118. St. Louis - Dunn, Perry Lee, RB, Mississippi
119. Philadelphia - Crutcher, Tommy, OLB, Texas Christian
120. San Francisco - Costa, Paul, TE, Notre Dame
121. Pittsburgh - Pillath, Roger, T, Wisconsin
122. Cleveland - Logan, Chuck, TE, Northwestern
123. Arizona - Barry, Odell, WR, Findlay
124. San Diego - Voss, Lloyd, DE, Nebraska
125. Tennessee - Simpson, Howard, DE, Auburn
126. Philadelphia - Livingston, Andy, RB, Small College
127. Green Bay - Costello, Tom, ILB, Dayton
128. Indianapolis - Farmer, Lonnie, OLB, Northwestern
129. Seattle - Nelson, Benny, CB, Alabama
130. Houston - McDowell, John, T, St. John's, NY.
131. Miami - Munson, Bill, QB, Utah State
132. New Orleans - Henson, Ken, C, Ohio State
133. Cincinnati - Parker, Charlie, G, Southern Mississippi
134. Tampa Bay - Poole, Bob, TE, Clemson
135. Oakland - Jacquess, Pete, CB, Small College
136. Baltimore - Wheelwright, Ernie, FB, Southern Illinois
137. Tampa Bay - Gent, Pete, WR, Michigan State
138. New Jersey - Farris, John, G, San Diego State
139. Buffalo - Martin, Billy, TE, Georgia Tech
140. Denver - Lorick, Tony, FB, Arizona State
141. Minnesota - Roberts, Walter, WR, San Jose State
142. New Jersey - Anderson, Roger, T, Virginia Union
143. Carolina - Wood, Gary, QB, Cornell
144. Kansas City - LaLonde, Roger, DT, Muskingum
145. Washington - Kindig, Howard, DE, Small College
146. Jacksonville - Lewis, Sherman, CB, Michigan State
147. Chicago - Shackelford, Don, G, Azusa Pacific
148. New Jersey - Rasmussen, Wayne, S, South Dakota State
149. St. Louis - Rakestraw, Larry, QB, Georgia
150. Philadelphia - Long, Bob, WR, Small College
151. San Francisco - Mitchell, Ed, G, Southern University
152. Pittsburgh - Budka, Frank, S, Notre Dame
153. Detroit - Griffin, Jim, DE, Grambling
154. Arizona - Michel, Tom, RB, East Carolina
155. San Diego - Garrett, J.D., RB, Grambling
156. Tennessee - Dawson, Bill, ILB, Florida State
157. Cleveland - Soleau, Robert, ILB, William & Mary
158. New York - Horton, Bob, ILB, Boston University
159. Green Bay - Beathard, Pete, QB, Southern California
160. Indianapolis - Wade, Tommy, QB, Texas
161. Seattle - Carpenter, Ron, OLB, Texas A&M
162. Houston - Smith, Ron, QB, Richmond
163. Miami - Jaworksi, Cedric, ILB, Ferrum
164. New Orleans - Woolfolk, Larry, ILB, Simpson
165. Jacksonville - Johnson, Rudy, RB, Nebraska
166. Cincinnati - Daugherty, Bob, RB, Tulsa
167. Baltimore - Snowden, Jim, T, Notre Dame
168. Tampa Bay - Phillion, Will, RB, Georgia Tech
169. Oakland - Hart, Clint, QB, Texas Christian
170. Baltimore - Colquitt, David, ILB, Florida State
171. Denver - Heater, Cleo, ILB, Clemson
172. Minnesota - Stalls, Manny, DE, Michigan State
173. San Francisco - Hangartner, Karmeeleyah, OLB, Duke
174. Carolina - Luchey, Greg, RB, Michigan
175. New England - Edwards, Lamont, QB, Furman
176. Washington - Alexander, Charlie, RB, North Carolina
177. Miami - Johnson, Dan, OLB, Houston
178. Minnesota - Blinka, Zakary, ILB, Morgan State
179. St. Louis - Allen, Dale, WR, LIU/C.W. Post
180. St. Louis - Tittle, Jayce, ILB, Maryland
181. Philadelphia - Bedsole, Hal, TE, Southern California
182. Green Bay - Heap, Robert, RB, Ripon
183. Pittsburgh - Sikahema, Dennis, OLB, Fort Valley State
184. Detroit - Richardson, Anthony, WR, Albany State
185. New Jersey - Taylor, Marcus, RB, Georgia Tech
186. San Diego - Rackers, Cornell, DE, Mississippi
187. Tennessee - Lothridge, Donald, RB, Duke
188. Cleveland - Jones, Rickey, DT, Wyoming
189. Arizona - Johnson, Earl, ILB, Eastern Michigan
190. New York - Jells, Soren, DT, Michigan
191. Indianapolis - Foster, Craig, S, Kent
192. Indianapolis - Wilson, Isiah, WR, Cincinnati
193. Seattle - Harrington, Rylee, TE, Louisville
194. Houston - Yoder, Bob, CB, Colorado
195. Miami - Anderson, George, CB, Maryville (Tenn.)
196. Carolina - Mitchell, Bill, DT, Kansas
197. Cincinnati - Greene, Gerald, OLB, Memphis
198. Dallas - Gaines, Rex, DE, Southern Illinois
199. Tampa Bay - Jones, Chuck, DE, Morehead State
200. Oakland - McKenzie, Jeff, RB, Akron
201. Baltimore - Stepnoski, Phil, CB, Ohio Wesleyan
202. Denver - Aguiar, Don, WR, Clemson
203. Kansas City - Martin, Jerry, QB, Army
204. Tampa Bay - Mangum, Jim, OLB, Florida State
205. Buffalo - Starr, Artrell, RB,
206. New England - Ellison, Garry, RB, Colorado State
207. Houston - Corey, Tony, DE, Michigan State
208. Miami - Hall, Dave, OLB, St. Cloud State
209. Kansas City - Shanks, Adrian, WR, Toledo
210. Washington - Feeley, Myron, QB, Michigan
211. Cleveland - Peguese, Bobby, RB, North Carolina State
212. Philadelphia - Stafford, Ray, T, Iowa
213. San Francisco - Ballou, Jeremiah, WR, Northern Illinois
214. Pittsburgh - Sabal, Dave, WR, Anderson
215. Detroit - Cappadona, Gordy, WR, Northern Arizona
216. New Jersey - Williams, Fabien, WR, Quincy University
217. Dallas - Edwards, John, OLB, Clemson
218. Tennessee - Kaiser, Dave, CB, Minn. St. - Mankato
219. Cleveland - Eaton, Cornell, WR, Greensboro
220. San Diego - Saul, Jason, WR, Millikin
221. San Diego - Strickland, Khalif, QB, Maryland
222. New York - McBath, Chris, TE, Northern Michigan
223. Green Bay - Divito, Andrew, G, UCLA
224. Indianapolis - Justin, Henry, G,

Post draft ratings:
Carl Eller 34/67
Jim Wright 24/49
Herschel Turner 14/47
Walter Roberts 14/26
Manny Stalls 5/43
Zakary Blinka 6/22
I'm not sure how I feel about this draft class. I hit on almost all my targets and there is plenty of potential, but there is plenty of bust potential there as well. Still, this was all about Eller and I have high hopes for him.

Week 1
Four rookies sign with me:
CB Jim Wright ($460k, 3 years)
T Herschel Turner ($370k, 3 years)
DE Manny Stalls ($300k, 3 years)
ILB Zakary Blinka ($300k, 3 years)

Week 2
MLB Mal Hammack ($170k, 1 year)
My mentor MLB returns.
T Gene Selawski ($140k, 1 year)
A mentor tackle for my inexperienced right side.
K Herb Travenio ($70k, 1 year)
An unsigned rookie kicker, who will compete with Pennington through camp.

Week 3
CB Tom Brookshier ($190k, 1 year)
CB Jack Morris ($170k, 1 year)
Brookshier and Morris are both mentors, who will compete for one roster spot after camp.
CB Terry Clifton ($60k, 1 year)
A rookie CB who could prove to be a good nickel. We'll see how he comes through camp.

Week 4
C Ken Bowman ($60k, 1 year)
An unsigned rookie, who could help my o-line as a backup.
FB Gary Lewis ($60k, 1 year)
Mel Triplett is getting old, and a shot on Lewis costs me nothing.
DT Ron Kostelink - San Francisco ($120k, 1 year)
I am disappointed that Kostelink chose to leave, but he wanted to be a starter and he could not get that here.

Week 5
QB Bob Beisler ($140k, 1 year)
He has a chance to compete for a 4th spot on the roster as we have a stunningly bad record with QBs getting hurt.

Pre Camp
DE Carl Eller ($4.66m, 5 years)
WR Walter Roberts ($340k, 3 years)
WLB John Tracy ($140k, 1 year)
We're a bit light at LB, so we'll give Tracy one last shot for the team.
G Thurman Lewis ($120k, 1 year)
I haven't given up on him yet, although my guards are set.

So, my team is all set for training camp, with 57 guys looking for roster spots.
I also release several other players: QB Shaun Morris, WR Howard Clark, WR Jim Mutscheller, WR Johnny Overmyer, T Harold Miller, DE Bob O'Neil, DT Bill Bishop, WLB Bill Roehnelt & CB Dick Haley.

On to camp!
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Old 09-01-2008, 05:49 PM   #36
surlyc
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Post camp cuts: CB Jack Morris, 2nd year T Staley Faulkner, rookie C Ken Bowman & veteran MLB Mal Hammack. There were some tough choices there, namely Hammack, but I am looking forward and my team has better balance now.

A look at the 1961 Vikings by Position:

Code:
LeBaron, Eddie 16 QB 15 21 21 1 Morrall, Earl 18 QB 9 45 45 1 Tarkenton, Fran 10 QB QB 4 66 88 3 Beisler, Bob 7 QB 5 32 32 1
There's only one starter in this group, but the surprising news is that Earl Morrall is only marginally worse than Shaw was. Here's hoping he is not needed this year.
Code:
Caleb, Jamie 26 RB 6 22 28 1 Mason, Tommy 31 RB RB 4 55 55 3 Womack, Joe 41 RB 5 25 37 1 Hayes, Ray 40 FB FB 4 55 55 3 Triplett, Mel 29 FB 10 48 48 1 Lewis, Gary 46 FB 1 17 51 1
Taking 3 FBs into this year may seem strange, but Lewis has a real chance of making the team next year ahead of Triplett. Hopefully Womack can develop quickly and beat out Caleb for next year.
Code:
Kramer, Ron 86 TE TE 8 48 48 1 Hanks, Darryl 14 TE 4 40 48 2 Witcher, Kelly 13 FL 4 23 38 1 Poage, Ray 82 FL FL 2 47 59 3 Owens, R.C. 85 SE SE 9 51 51 3 Reichow, Jerry 88 SE 9 34 34 1 Roberts, Walter 84 SE 1 15 26 3
Kelly Witcher stands a very good chance of beating out Jerry Reichow to start in the slot. Walter Roberts will be the 5th receiver and will also take over KR duties from Tommy Mason.
Code:
Mellekas, John 59 C C 9 60 60 3 Holloway, Roderick 57 C 4 44 44 1 Lewis, Thurman 68 LG 4 29 44 1 Shea, Pat 64 LG LG 3 55 59 2 Smith, Willie 61 RG 6 32 32 1 Neighbors, Billy 63 RG RG 3 49 60 5 Alderman, Grady 1 LT LT 5 81 81 4 Boeke, Jim 60 RT RT 5 36 49 2 Selawski, Gene 66 RT 7 32 32 1 Turner, Herschel 78 RT 1 17 43 3
Alderman-Shea-Mellekas-Neighbors-Boeke will be our starting line. Turner will backup and hopefully develop into a decent replacement in 2 years time. Thurman Lewis and Roderick Holloway can also be good stand ins if someone goes down.
Code:
Green, Bobby Joe 19 P 5 79 79 3 Pennington, Tom 8 K 3 45 45 1 Travenio, Herb 6 K 1 21 56 1
Green still looks a good signing, while Travenio will try and displace former all-pro K Tom Pennington through pre-season.
Code:
Eller, Carl 81 LDE LDE 1 34 68 5 Denton, Bob 71 RDE 6 36 38 1 Marshall, Jim 70 RDE RDE 5 58 58 4 Stalls, Manny 76 RDE 1 5 31 3 Prestel, Jim 73 LDT LDT 6 63 63 2 Dickson, Paul 93 RDT 6 33 33 4 Moore, Fred 95 RDT RDT 3 50 50 2
A lot actually depends on Carl Eller, who will start at LDE. Aside from that, my line looks solid with decent depth.
Code:
Hawkins, Rip 56 MLB MLB 4 50 62 2 Lloyd, Dave 98 MLB 6 56 56 2 Stonebreaker, Steve 52 SLB SLB 4 63 63 3 Tracy, John 94 WLB 6 31 40 1 Anderson, Charlie 91 WLB WLB 4 44 44 1 Blinka, Zakary 99 WLB 1 6 17 3
I think Rip Hawkins will finally surpass Dave Lloyd this year, and that remains the main point of interest here.
Code:
Mostardi, Rich 48 LCB LCB 5 53 53 3 Wright, Jim 21 LCB 1 24 46 3 Clifton, Terry 23 LCB 1 0 32 1 Brookshier, Tom 27 RCB 12 24 24 1 McGeever, John 24 RCB RCB 3 51 51 1 Pashe, Bill 42 RCB 2 27 39 2 Lamson, Chuck 25 SS SS 4 53 53 3 Sumner, Charlie 20 FS 11 31 31 1 Crute, Vinny 39 FS 4 42 42 1 Kosens, Terry 49 FS FS 2 28 38 2
I will need to hand McGeever a new contract this year. Vinny Crute will more likely start than Kosens, and that is the only real question. Jim Wright is likely to contest the nickel role with Bill Pashe.

Salary Cap: $21,000,000
Cap Room: $9,050,000
Maximum for New Player: $9,120,000
Cap Room Lost (to old contracts): $160,000

Cap Room Lost Next Year (to old contracts): $110,000
Cap Room Required Next Year: $9,980,000

The offense was definitely what I was looking to develop and I think I have some solid additions there. Owens is key to kick starting our season and I head into the preseason looking for 8-8 at worst.

Preseason

Minnesota 23
Pittsburgh 3
Indianapolis 17 Minnesota 20
Minnesota 24 Cincinnati 3
Houston 14 Minnesota 13

I don't especially care about preseason, but I'm happy with our performances. However, we did have some casualties: RB Joe Womack has a broken ankle and will miss three weeks, whilst DT Fred Moore has a mystery hamstring injury.

The 1964 NFL Season

Herb Travenio will get the chance to kick, with at least 4 games to prove he deserves that job. John McGeever is also the proud owner of a huge $2.78m, 5 year contract. Whether that will haunt me, time will tell. He was an alternate all-pro last year...

I start with two road games in Green Bay and Indianapolis, before visiting Dallas and then having a bye. That's just ridiculous, both Superbowl teams on the road in two weeks and no home game until week 5? That Dallas game will be crucial with Holmes going up against his old team and us potentially 0-2.

Minnesota 13 Green Bay 30
It is always going to be hard to win in Green Bay with Starr & Hornung ruling the roost. Fran Tarkenton was 21-34 for 290 yards (1 TD, 1 int.) ratin 86.6 in an improved performace, with Owens 6-9 for 93 yards, but he threw an interception on the Green Bay 8 yard line right before halftime to kill our chances. Dave Lloyd had 9 tackles and Carl Eller had 2 hurries on debut.
Quote:
Minnesota disrupt Unitas to stun Colts

INDIANAPOLIS, Week 2 - The Minnesota Vikings arrived at the raucous RCA Dome to face the defending Super Bowl champions limping after a Bart Starr inspiring battering in Green Bay. But despite trailing 21-7 in the first quarter, Safety Vinny Crute picked off 2 time league MVP Johnny Unitas twice, and ILB Dave Lloyd and OLB Steve Stonebreaker also caught picks as Minnesota fought back.

Tommy Mason (93 yards on 21 carries, 1 TD) and Jamie Caleb (54 yards on 8 carries, 1 TD) combined a strong ground attack with an explosive air attack to stun the Colts defense. Fran Tarkenton was 22-38 for 269 yards and 2 TDs (rating 97.3) repeatedly finding WRs R.C. Owens (8-11 for 114 yards and 2 TDs) and Ray Poage (7-13 for 103 yards) to leave Mack Holmes grinning on the sidelines heading into a tricky game with Dallas next week.
Minnesota 31 Indianapolis 24
Who said we couldn't win in Indianapolis?
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Last edited by surlyc : 09-01-2008 at 05:51 PM.
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Old 09-17-2008, 03:19 PM   #37
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London, UK
Quote:
Holmes enjoys happy return to Dallas

Four minutes gone, Fran Tarkenton rolls right and tosses a pass to Ron Kramer for a 2 yard TD. Almost immediately he pulls up and his hand went to his calf. Helped to the sideline, he did not return. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, running back Tommy Mason disappeared to the dressing room with the same injury. Tarkenton has still not completed an entire NFL season and will likely miss 5 games, while Mason looks set to miss his first NFL game in four years in two weeks time.

Yet for all the confusion and pain, Minnesota came out of Dallas with a deserved 24-17 win for their new head coach. Backup quarterback Earl Morrall was 24-28 for 251 yards (2 TDs) and a 127.8 rating in relief of Tarkenton to ease the Vikings home. 1st round defensive end Carl Eller celebrated his first sack and cornerback John McGeever had a 23 yard interception. Receiver Ray Poage had a 71 yard TD to give him a second consecutive 100 yard game.

It was nice to win in Dallas for Coach, but we have a major blow now. Our starting backfield (Fran Tarkenton and Tommy Mason) are down, and a career backup from Detroit (Earl Morrall) is our best hope of any victories.

Seattle 14 Minnesota 35
The Seahawks are very, very bad. Two fumble returns for TDs inside the first five minutes killed this contest stonedead and Earl Morrall (19-21 for 145 yards, 1 TD 111.3 rating), Joe Womack (76 yards on 21 carries) and Jamie Caleb (80 yards on 15 carries, 2 TDs) only had to manage the game to see us safely home. Carl Eller (4 tackles, 2.0 sacks) and Jim Marshall (7 tackles, 1.5 sacks) tore up the Seattle line.

Just a quick note: Arizona WR Sonny Randle has 736 yards in 5 games this year, and had 1841 yards last year. His 5350 career yards are second only to Tommy McDonald of Philidelphia.

Minnesota 23 Arizona 49
Sonny Randle was 9 for 9 with 153 yards and 2 TDs. 900 yards in 6 games? That's insane. On the plus side Jim Wright had two picks, but no pass rush statistics at all tell a story.

St Louis 16 Minnesota 10
This was a painful loss, overshadowing Ray Poage's 137 game and 5 sacks for our DL. St Louis just outlasted us and took their chances.

Tommy Mason
returns, but Jim Wright is missing.

Minnesota 10 Chicago 7
Rip Hawkins had 3 FFs, as Earl Morrall (22-26 for 220 yards, rating 101.9) managed us to a victory in a cold and windy Chicago. We committed fewer turnovers, that was the difference, as we weren't really the better team.

Fran Tarkenton is back.

Minnesota 17 San Francisco 28
Fran Tarkenton (13-32, 170 yards, 1 int. 45.1 rating) was horrible, John Brodie 27-37 for 381 yards, 4 TDs 1 int. 130.5 rating) was not. This has been a hugely frustrating year thus far.
Code:
1964 Mid-Season Summary for Minnesota Vikings Year 1964 Record 4-4 Winning Pct. .500 All-Time 29-27 Winning Pct. .517 Playoffs 0-1 Playoff Visits 1 Bowl Wins 0 Head Coach Mack Holmes Record 20-35-1 Winning Pct. .366 Off. Coord. L. Beyer Def. Coord. R. Blackburn Minnesota Vikings Team Rank Rushes per Game 24.1 21 Rushing Yards 104.9 20 Yards Per Carry 4.35 8 Pass Attempts 32.1 19 Completions 20.3 19 Completion Pct. 63.0 17 Passing Yards 224.1 13 Yards Per Attempt 6.98 11 (T) Yards Per Catch 11.07 11 Total Yardage Gained 313.1 14 3rd Down Conversions 30.0 28 (T) Points Per Game 20.5 12 Pass Rush Pct. 11.9 22 Pass Defense Pct. 35.4 26 Turnovers 6 1 (T) Turnover Margin +7 4 Opponents Team Rank Rushes per Game 31.3 29 (T) Rushing Yards 137.5 29 Yards Per Carry 4.40 24 (T) Pass Attempts 33.3 14 Completions 23.5 29 Completion Pct. 70.7 30 Passing Yards 282.6 32 Yards Per Attempt 8.50 31 Yards Per Catch 12.03 31 Total Yardage Gained 405.1 32 3rd Down Conversions 50.0 32 Points Per Game 23.1 27 (T) Pass Rush Pct. 16.7 30 Pass Defense Pct. 44.1 13 Turnovers 13 14 (T) Week Team Versus Oppnt 1 13 at GBY 30 2 31 at IND 24 3 24 at DAL 17 5 35 SEA 14 6 24 at ARI 49 7 10 STL 16 8 10 at CHI 7 9 17 at SFO 28 10 GBY 11 DET 12 at JAX 13 NOS 14 TEN 15 CHI 16 HOU 17 at DET Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate 18 E. Morrall QB 145 103 1044 7.20 5 0 102.7 10 F. Tarkenton QB 111 59 749 6.75 4 2 79.0 **Team --- 257 162 1793 6.98 9 2 92.1 $$Opp --- 266 188 2261 8.50 18 8 106.4 Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum 31 T. Mason RB 80 296 3.70 2 3 26 J. Caleb RB 51 247 4.84 4 1 41 J. Womack RB 48 212 4.42 2 1 **Team --- 193 839 4.35 8 12 $$Opp --- 250 1100 4.40 5 17 Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD 82 R. Poage WR 74 47 645 13.72 8.72 3 2 85 R. Owens WR 63 41 500 12.20 7.94 2 5 40 R. Hayes FB 18 14 120 8.57 6.67 0 0 86 R. Kramer TE 18 12 143 11.92 7.94 0 1 88 J. Reichow WR 21 11 117 10.64 5.57 0 0 13 K. Witcher WR 23 11 146 13.27 6.35 2 0 Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct 52 S. Stonebreaker OLB 47 21 0.0 1 1 3 72.2 25 C. Lamson S 38 12 0.0 0 0 1 73.8 48 R. Mostardi CB 34 10 1.0 0 0 2 69.4 39 V. Crute S 34 10 0.0 0 2 3 82.0 73 J. Prestel DT 33 16 1.0 7 0 0 81.5 56 R. Hawkins ILB 30 10 1.0 0 1 3 81.4 70 J. Marshall DE 30 6 5.0 6 0 1 81.0 24 J. McGeever CB 28 6 0.0 0 1 7 80.6 98 D. Lloyd ILB 27 8 1.0 0 1 0 76.6 21 J. Wright CB 24 2 0.0 0 2 1 74.6 91 C. Anderson OLB 19 4 1.0 0 0 0 69.5 81 C. Eller DE 18 11 4.5 10 0 0 82.1 95 F. Moore DT 17 15 2.0 2 0 0 82.0 94 J. Tracy OLB 11 1 0.0 0 0 0 59.1 93 P. Dickson DT 8 4 0.0 0 0 0 82.5
Our offense has really struggled this year, despite the upgrades. We're just not finding any consistency, and we're struggling to break teams down. Of course, conversely, we're in a stupidly hard division and we've played both of last years SB teams. Feels like poor excuses, though.
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Old 09-17-2008, 04:24 PM   #38
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Green Bay 28 Minnesota 20
I honestly cannot wait for Bart Starr to retire, but it's going to be four years at least. Fran Tarkenton was 28-40 for 311 yards, 2 TDs and a rating of 109.5 but Green Bay's ruthless red-zone efficiency (4 visits, 4 TDs) was just too much for us. We're 4-5 now, and this season is in danger of turning into a horror show.

And John McGeever is placed on IR with a high ankle sprain. 4th year veteran CB Winfred Terrell, a former Saint, is signed to replace him. Apparently he and Charlie Sumner are best friends, which is always a plus.

Detroit 17 Minnesota 35
Fran Tarkenton was 25-34 for 283 yards, 3 TDs and a 127.4 rating, with R.C. Owens 8-11 for 136 yards, 1 TD, seeing us home. This was a crucial game for us, and our key players stood up when it mattered most. DE Carl Eller had 2.0 sacks to lead a defense which had 6.0 in all, including one for Winfred Terrell, to disrupt Detroit at key times. We'll ignore the fact we gave up 128 yards to Gail Cogdill on 5 catches, including a 79-yard TD.

S Vinny Crute misses 5 games with a broken foot.

Minnesota 37 Jacksonville 24
Fred Moore had a 2.0 sacks, during one of which he forced a fumble and recovered it for a TD. I love seeing that from my defensive line. I honestly can't remember Tommy Mason's last 100 yard gane either, but it was a welcome bonus whilst Fran Tarkenton went 16-21 for 215 yards, 3 TDs and 1 int. Kelly Witcher has 81 yards on 5 catches which was nice to see.

Charlie Sumner is out for 7 weeks, which is the end of his season and likely his career, if we don't make the playoffs.

New Orleans 3 Minnesota 20
Tommy Mason has two consecutive 100 yard games! Wow, that was a pleasant surprise. Not much else to say, except Jim Marshall and Carl Eller caused havoc from the outside despite having no sacks. Three hurries and six knockdowns were enough to disrupt a poor passing attack in it's entirety.

Tennessee 24 Minnesota 31
An impressive way to drop a 9-3 team. Ray Poage reeled in a short pass for 4 yards and took it all the way for an 81 yard TD with time running out. That gave him 146 yards in all from Fran Tarkenton (21-25 for 289 yards, 2 TDs 141.5 rating). It was a pretty even game, with the offensive units of both teams dominating. 400 yards on either side, no sacks and only 3 hurries (2 from Jim Marshall) in the entire game. Jim Wright had another interception, and QB George Blanda just couldn't get it done despite 323 yards and 3 TDs.

We've now won 4 on the spin and find ourselves 8-5, one game behind Detroit and St Louis (both 9-4) in the wild card hunt. I hate being in Bart Starr's division...

Chicago 20 Minnesota 28
Fran Tarkenton (15-25 for 188 yards) struggled, but when it mattered most he led us on 3 TD drives in the 4th quarter to cut out a 13 point Chicago lead.

Frustratingly, Detroit destroyed Green Bay at Lambeau Field and the NFC wild card hunt is still very much on. With 2 weeks to go, there are 5 teams chasing 2 spots: Arizona & Detroit (10-4), Minnesota, Philidelphia and San Francisco (9-5) and New York (8-6).

Seattle are 0-14 and have now lost 30 on the spin since winning their last game in 1962.

Houston 7 Minnesota 34
What's not to like? Steve Stonebreaker had 7 tackles & 1 int. and our defensive line shared out 6.0 sacks between them (Carl Eller had 2.0 and Jim Marshall 1.5) as Houston could only manage 129 yards. Fran Tarkenton was 23-38 for 288 yards, 3 TDs and a 110.4 rating and R.C. Owens had 9-14 catches for 151 yards as we mustered 403 offensive yards. And that is 6 wins in a row.

Final weekend and effectively the first round of the playoffs. Arizona (10-5) play San Francisco (10-5), and Minnesota (10-5) play Detroit (10-5) with the two winners advancing to the wild card round to play Tampa Bay and either St Louis or Washington. Talk about high-stakes...
Quote:
Minnesota vs. Detroit
Last Meeting: Detroit 17 at Minnesota 35
Recent form: Detroit LLWWWL, Minnesota WWWWWW
Leading Passer: Jim Ninowski (318-486, 3863 yards, 26 TDs 7 int. 101.5 rating). Fran Tarkenton (207-323, 2502 yards, 21 TDs 4 int. 104.3 rating)
Leading Receiver: Terry Barr (96 catches for 1529 yards and 9 TDs). R.C. Owens (90 catches for 1257 yards and 10 TDs)
Leading Rusher: Jon Arnett (916 yards on 224 carries, 2 TDs). Tommy Mason (847 yards on 232 carries, 6 TDs)
Sack Leader: Roger Brown, 8.5. Carl Eller & Jim Marshall (both 8.5)
Leading Tackler: Wayne Walker, 94. Steve Stonebreaker, 85.
Interceptions Leader: Dick LeBeau & Bruce Maher (both 5). Jim Wright, 3.
Favourite: Detroit by 1.
Wow, this should be a close game. Detroit has the more explosive offense, but Minnesota has a much better defense (interceptions aside). And Fran Tarkenton has been in great form recently. Besides, it would be pretty devastating to go 10-6 and miss the playoffs (although not as bad as San Francisco going 11-5 and still missing out last year...)
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