Rebuilding the Vikings

[Dianwei32]

So I want to start a Vikings Franchise, but they seem to be in a bit of a rebuilding phase. I was hoping for some help ans suggestions about how to best rebuild them. I'm going to sim the first year, but play most/all the games from year 2 on.

Offense: On offense it all starts with Adrian Peterson. I'm thinking about grabbing a top-tier FB to block for him, either in FA or the draft. I'm not sold on Christian Ponder as a Franchise QB, so I'm going to start McNabb all year and join the "Suck for Luck" campaign. I don't think I'll be able to get the top QB in the draft, but I'm looking to draft one of the top 3 QBs (Luck, Landry Jones, or Matt Barkley). Do you think it would be possible to trade away Ponder and get a 1st or 2nd round pick for him?

With the departure of Sidney Rice, I feel that the Vikings need a new standout #1 WR, which I'll probably look for in the draft. Do you think there is anyone along the OL that needs to be replaced by year 2?

Defense: The first thing I wanted to do on defense is trade Jared Allen. I know he's an elite pass rusher, but he's getting old. Do you think it would be realistic for me to trade Allen for a young DE with upside like Robert Quinn? Antoine Winfield is a good CB, but I think that the secondary is another area I need to work on in the draft.

Any additional thoughts/comments?

[Pandetta]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

I think you could absolutely realistically get a 1st round pick and more for Allen, but the ONE thing you couldn't get from a team is a young up and coming DE like you wanted (for an older one). That is something no team would ever do.

Honestly just trade Allen to a team that needs him (half the NFL) and take a 1st round DE (Coples, Paige-Moss, and Brandon Jenkins should be the best rookies by far if your NCAA class is built correctly). If Quinton Coples isn't incredible in your draft you should edit him because most analysts have him as almost as good as Andrew Luck (he is a LE if you don't know). Coples will be better in his rookie year than any of the current rookies will be their 2nd year.

Ponder obviously went in the 1st round, most people thought he was overdrafted but he is certainly worth at least a 2nd round pick maybe a 1st rounder if it's a late pick or you throw something in something small. Kind of sucks, but it's a pretty universally panned pick - who knows though maybe he ends up being great /shrug.

Oh and move poor Kleinsasser back to FB where he belongs so he doesn't sit at 3rd string TE he is SUCH a good FB and his career is almost over, he REALLY helps AP. D'Imperio doesn't deserve to start over the Sass-man.

[tiloj]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

Honestly just trade Allen to a team that needs him (half the NFL) and take a 1st round DE (Coples, Paige-Moss, and Brandon Jenkins should be the best rookies by far if your NCAA class is built correctly). If Quinton Coples isn't incredible in your draft you should edit him because most analysts have him as almost as good as Andrew Luck (he is a LE if you don't know). Coples will be better in his rookie year than any of the current rookies will be their 2nd year.

I'd like to point out that Pandetta's NCAA class is amazing, when I did my draft it came out almost exactly like an ESPN mock draft rofl - usually you see random players all over the place.

The Vikings centers are young but they suck. LG needs to be replaced in a few years but he is like 33 now so not riiight away. Allen would be worth a ton but I agree def not a young DE that doesnt make sense. You could trade him for a shutdown corner though as long as its not Peterson/Amuk.

[For The Win]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

I'd like to point out that Pandetta's NCAA class is amazing, when I did my draft it came out almost exactly like an ESPN mock draft rofl - usually you see random players all over the place.

Where can one find those draft classes. Is it a USB file or a roster set on the NCAA game?

[VikeKing]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

In reality there would be very little trade value for Jared Allen at this point. Bad teams have no reason to trade away picks/young players and there's not much of a market with contending teams that run 4-3 defense. I think he still has a few years on a big contract too, so he'd have to restructure.

IMO it would be better to keep Allen and focus on O-line and secondary. Vikings are in bad shape with defensive backs...2 very old corners and not a single safety that should really be a starter.

As far as advice on drafting O-lineman, it's usually not too difficult to use pro days to scout some 1st-3rd round players with good potential. IBL RBS/RBF PBS/PBF & STR are good attributes as you would expect.

[Pandetta]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

I tend to disagree, Richard Seymour was worth a 1st round pick at the same age and was less dominant as a pass rusher. Granted Seymour is very versatile and it was to the Raiders, but a dominant pass rusher is always worth alot - and Allen has a good 5-6 years left.

[Pandetta]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

Where can one find those draft classes. Is it a USB file or a roster set on the NCAA game?

I customized the NCAA roster file to make the current 1-3rd round prospects the best players - so they would show up near the top of the draft like they should instead of the idiotic players that normally show up in the first few rounds. Some of the best player like Barkley and Coples don't even always show up in some people's classes when those players will clearly be in the top 15 or higher.

I actually put a ton of work into it, researching which prospects were the best via Walterfootball, and game stats etc, checking their actual play traits in college and making sure they would come out pretty close to their real projected status. I basically just did it for myself and shared it with 2-3 people when they asked - I just tossed it onto a USB.

[TearsOfPurple]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

As a Viking fan; we won't get the #1 pick. Probably be within #3-#8 Also, we'd never EVER trade Allen. That's just stupid. He has at least 3-4 years left. Possibly 5. It's a pet peeve of mine when people "cheat" in Madden.

Keep Ponder, he is a good QB in Madden, and he will continue to grow as one. Your main focus should be getting a #1 WR in the 1st round (Jeffery or Blackmon for draft classes). After that, pick whatever is better for talent in that round; LT, MLB, CB, SS, C. You don't need a FB, we almost never use one. And Jimmy K fits what we use a FB for perfectly.

[VikeKing]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

I tend to disagree, Richard Seymour was worth a 1st round pick at the same age and was less dominant as a pass rusher. Granted Seymour is very versatile and it was to the Raiders, but a dominant pass rusher is always worth alot - and Allen has a good 5-6 years left.

I guess if it were after the 2009 season I would agree. Since last season it seems like Allen abuses crappy LTs and struggles against good ones. He is still a very good all around player - just not at the dominant pass rusher level IMO. Plus it seems like there aren't a lot of 4-3 D contenders that need him. Any teams that you could see pulling the trigger on that trade?

Seymour trade is a good point but the Raiders were insane back then...also gave Javon Walker like 50 mil coming off of 2 knee surgeries.

But to be somewhat on topic, the Vikes need a deep threat for rebuilding. Harvin is more of a slot receiver, Berrian is terrible, and the rest are mainly possession guys.

[Pandetta]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

Allen has 6.5 sacks in 4 games (.5 from the NFL lead) so he is still VERY dominant. There may indeed not be a 4-3 contender that needs him as a RE, but there a ton that could move him to LE or move a lesser RE and have a devastating two end rush with him.

I agree though, Justin Blackmon, Alshon Jeffrey, or Michael Floyd would be great pickups in the draft and are the clear best 3 receivers in the NCAA - Blackmon is the best deep threat in college football.

Personally I'd keep Allen and draft Blackmon, much like the previous poster is suggesting, I was just valuing Allen for the OP.

[Dianwei32]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

I customized the NCAA roster file to make the current 1-3rd round prospects the best players - so they would show up near the top of the draft like they should instead of the idiotic players that normally show up in the first few rounds. Some of the best player like Barkley and Coples don't even always show up in some people's classes when those players will clearly be in the top 15 or higher.

I actually put a ton of work into it, researching which prospects were the best via Walterfootball, and game stats etc, checking their actual play traits in college and making sure they would come out pretty close to their real projected status. I basically just did it for myself and shared it with 2-3 people when they asked - I just tossed it onto a USB.

Wait, I'm confused, so are the USB files the saved draft classes or the roster? Also are they for 360 or PS3?

[Shibito]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

I would keep Ponder. You have a QB set in stone that can start for the future, and you're obviously a run first team anyways. Build that O-line and prepare for all the player's you're going to have retiring on the defensive side.

Also be prepared to watch the Lions and Packers reign in the North. The Packers are built amazingly, and the Lions have a ton of young talent that grows immensely in Madden.

[DCEBB2001]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

Here is how you rebuild the Vikings:

1. Build an impervious wall around the state of Minnesota.
2. Fill it with water.

[Pandetta]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

Here is how you rebuild the Vikings:

1. Build an impervious wall around the state of Minnesota.
2. Fill it with water.

You forgot the boats, and the barbarians with swords?

[DCEBB2001]

Re: Rebuilding the Vikings

You forgot the boats, and the barbarians with swords?

Did I? This was more of a friendly jab at Minnesota than anything. You know us Packer fans from the WI just LOVE Minnesota...