Minnesota Vikings' first-round knockouts and flops

Welcome to Draft Weekend! I want to apologize in advance for any typographical errors in this column.

[RangerSG]

Kearse over Culpepper?

Umm...no. Am I the only one who remembers that Kearse went bust for the better part of a decade? The Titans let him go because he wasn't worth what he was asking. He bounced to Philly, where he was supposed to be the last piece in the puzzle. And he could barely hold a spot in the lineup. He had a *good* season last year, but that was with Haynesworth playing like a beast next to him.

Culpepper wasn't just an ok QB. He was a vital part of the offense for several years. He had seasons that would've been MVP caliber if some guy named Manning wasn't around. Quality defensive ends are hard to find, yes. But special talents at QB are very rare indeed. Culpepper was a talent, and it's not his fault his career was ruined by a horrific knee injury when he was being asked to be both the Viking's passing AND running games.

The Vikes could've had other D-lineman than fit the bill after Culpepper. Underwood was a horrible disaster. But he was a reach at the time. And there were better choices in that draft for D-line as well when the Vikes picked. Name a better QB the Vikes could've drafted than Culpepper in the interval. Drew Brees is as good. Tom Brady? Nobody rated him...not even NE really (6th round flyer). So honestly, where would've been a better QB choice than him? But there would and could've been equally good D-line choices.

[bora bora]

The Vikings are a doomed franchise!

[Frank]

Culpepper had an exceptional career with the Vikings until he was hurt? Really? Okay, he played excpetionally well in 2000, 2003, and 2004. He played like excrement in 2001, 2002 and 2005. I don't call that an 'exceptional' career.

The reason Childress (who I am no fan of) ran him out of town was because DC had the gall to demand a pay raise following his awful performance (12 INTs in 6 games, plus three lost fumbles) in 2005, and was basically laughed out of the office. Funny thing about Green and Culpepper; their egos ended up getting both of them run out of town, and neither has come close to attaining the success they had in Minnesota anyplace else.

[oxboro]

th biggest draft day blunder in Vikings history was done by the current regime,actually trading up to draft Tjack who would have been available the second day of the draft

[purplehaze]

ox got it right about the biggest blunder...crappepper's stats were padded...the guy had moss and carter to throw to for...my grandmother could be an nfl qb with those two!!!
lastly...i would never have shipped 84 out...with his talent...for what...being loud and mooning the gb faithfull...give me a break.

[Moss was great]

Moss was the best steal for the vikes.
The mooning incident wasnt bad at all. It was created by that no good loser Joe Buck who had to cry and moan about how disgusting it is. Joe Buck can kiss a big @ss and be happy he got some.

[AP is the best]

Adrian Peterson is probably going to be the best pick for the Vikes when its all said and done.

[Scruffy]

CT Viking Fan wrote:

Good dig on Williamson.
Smith got off to a slow start because of injuries. He ended up just fine. Deadly on a screen pass. You could watch the panic build in the opposing team as the play unfolded.
Good call on Kearse over Culpepper.
Showed good compassion on Underwood. Tragic indeed.
Who could forget the Duane, Dwayne, and Dewayne bombs? All awesome in college. All not awesome as pros.
Moss was a gamble. Sometimes they do work out. He sure did.
No mention of Adrian Peterson? Can't bring yourself to give credit where due? They could have screwed that up, you know.

CT, got to disagree on your AD comment. He was a "no brainer" pick. Granted, there were some questions about his health but anybody who did their research knew he reinjured a previous injury. He lied to the coaches saying it was healed or felt fine. Pretty much every team wanted him but ones above the Vikes had other issues.

Now, granted, yes, the Vikes could have definitely screwed things up.....

[Scruffy]

bora bora wrote:

The Vikings are a doomed franchise!

Hey thanks! It's always good to hear from other cities that well, I will let the readers decide....http://www.orlandose ntinel.com/news/local/lake/orl -lkltavares22042209apr22,0,229 2778.story

Oh, you really need to get a new saying.

[Scruffy]

Yea, I kinda left it going both ways on my last sentence. You can argue the top 6 teams "gave him to us". LOL I just meant it was a no brainer like Moss. Granted, both had different issues that caused them to drop but when that kind of talent drops, you have to take him... regardless of team needs.

[odennorsson]

Good article. Clemons, Underwood and Alexander (also Erasmus James) point to how good a trade the Vikes made in getting Jared Allen. Good DEs can be found in the 1st round, but not by the Vikings. Only Eller & Doleman stand out as truly great DEs chosen by the Vikes in round 1.
They've done well with the OL and running backs also. Does anybody remember D.J. Dozier? pretty fair baseball player.

[Vegas Vikings fan]

Some clown on another board was berating the Vikings' draft history during Childress' tenure. I challenged him to name more than 2 or 3 other teams that have fared as well over the past 3 NFL drafts as the Vikings:

10 starters:

Tyrell Johnson
Adrian Peterson -- Pro Bowler, Rookie of the Year
Sidney Rice
Chad Greenway -- on the verge of making the Pro Bowl
Cedric Griffin
Ryan Cook
Tarvaris Jackson
Ray Edwards
Jared Allen --(acquired with draft picks in trade) Pro Bowler
John Sullivan -- new likely starter in 2009

3 backups with substantial playing time or special teams roles:

Marcus McCauley
Brian Robison
Aundre Allison

[Vegas Vikings fan]

oxboro wrote:

th biggest draft day blunder in Vikings history was done by the current regime,actually trading up to draft Tjack who would have been available the second day of the draft

Gimme a break. While Jackson isn't Peyton Manning, he's nowhere NEAR the worst pick in franchise history. Did you even read the article??

Troy Williamson
Erasmus James
Dimitrius Underwood
Duane Clemons
Derrick Alexander
Gerald Robinson

--and those are just the first rounders. There are countless others taken in rounds 2-4 who should have at least made the roster but didn't stick.

Go back to your Packer board, troll.

[missing birk]

Adrian Peterson is overated. He will expose himself this year as an average back now that Birk is no longer here to open big holes for him!