Q&A with Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe

Visanthe Shiancoe continues to assert himself among the league's elite tight ends with three touchdowns so far this season.

[LeDora]

Very Good !!!!!!!!! Love you Shank !!

[purplehaze _canada]

wow...now that's freakin' refreshing...a player being interviewed who says it like it is and not what is scripted...man that's good. keep it up SHANK, and you're doing your part...GO VIKES!!!

[40for60]

How many people would admit to trashing Shank-O when he first arrived here? I'll even bet I took a swing or two, but Childress saw something and was right on the money.
Brett makes everyone better, I keep telling that to the packer fans, but most are hoping/praying that he falls apart. GB was spoiled by having him behind center for so long, and even with marginal talent around him, he still found a way to win more games than lose. His enthusiasm for the game is unparalleled, and it's down right contagious.
We have a very good group of receivers, especially after picking up Harvin. He's small, quick, and hard to cover besides being a burner. They say he has the best hands on the team, and I've noticed that even on kick offs, he catches the ball with his hands, seldom letting it hit his body. It looks unorthodox, and he did drop the first kick-off yesterday. Rice has really impressed, and now that Berrian is healthy, we have more than one option deep.
Potential, if it's realized, the sky is the limit for this team.
Watching the replay from yesterday, I noticed Cedric playing touch football, or at the least, avoiding contact. Is he hurt? Several times he had a chance to put a hit on a Rams player, but backed off. He was known as a hitter in college, I'd like to see him be known as a hitter at the pro level as well.

[Stubby]

I trashed him and called him shank-ho. He really was not good that first year. How many drops? How many drops in the endzone? Too many. 1 TD all season was not worth the money they paid him. Now he finally figured out how to catch the ball and is doing good.

[jeb]

i definitely saw potential in shank from the beginning, but also called him quite a few names at one point or another. he had great size and speed and he got open running good routes...but he just dropped the ball sooooo many crucial balls his first year and a quarter. then second half of last season shank started turning it on and became one of the best in the league for that period. i think once he and brent really get on the same page he will light it up.

[Purpleman]

He was always a hell of a physical talent, but dropped passes - especially those not on target (as thrown by Jackson, for example). Now that the passes are on target and the motivation (winning), mood (fun) and objective (championship) appear reachable, the passes are caught. Everyone should be able to see that Favre has brought out the absolute best in our receiving corps. Confidence and fun are contagious. Favre also helps our receivers understand the game of football, route running, schemes, and much more. Good stuff, and Shank had the best attitude regarding Favre coming here from the very start (while others whined and muttered mild malcontention). Outstanding tight end being helped to realize great potential with superb, experienced quarterback - fact. What Brett is doing for Percy is also fantastic, and the young man will carry the experience and knowledge with him throughout his career.

*Cedric* btw was known in college as poor with hips and played out of position, requiring catch-up with less than average speed. He still shows this/these problem(s). Winfield still isn't solid in coverage (way better than solid in hitting and tackling, run support and everything else obviously). A bit concerned going forward with our corners (Pitt game will be a loss - sorry to be pessimistic guys). Corners are not playoff quality. Nor are safeties (Williams wayyy less than advertised. A disappointment.)

[Huge Jazz]

This is what a real QB can do for a team. When was thew last time The Vikes had a real QB? Spreads it around, dosn't give the throw away with his eyes, instills confidence.

As far as DB's. Doesn't it all start up front where the line puts the heavy pressure on the QB into making bad throws and decisions? It's easier to cover WR's when the QB is running for his life.