Minnesota Vikings Team Report by Clayton Gray
| Min Projections (9/3) | Passing Stats | Rush Stats | Receiving Stats | Fantasy | |||||||||||
| Change | Name | Pos | Att | Comp | % | Yds | TD | Int | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | Pts |
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#fname# #lname# | #pos# | #NumberFormat("#pts#", '__,_____')# | ||||||||||||
| Totals | #NumberFormat("#tot_patt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pcmp#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#evaluate(100*tot_pcmp/tot_patt)#", '_____._')#% | #NumberFormat("#tot_pyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ptds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_int#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ratt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ryds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rtds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rec#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_cyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ctds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pts#", '__,_____')# | ||
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Quarterbacks Starter - Daunte Culpepper Backups - Todd Bouman Starting Quarterback: What we have here is a no-doubt top three fantasy QB. Granted, Culpepper didn't set the world on fire last year, but the points per game numbers were still very good. Daunte Culpepper is simply a strong-armed passer with the body of tight end. To top it off, he has the most talented WR in the game to throw to. This season finds Culpepper a tad undervalued as he has been going in the mid- to late- second round in many drafts. Backup Quarterback(s): Todd Bouman showed last season that he's fully capable of stepping in for Culpepper and getting the job done. Of course, how hard is it to play catch with Randy Moss? With memories of Spergon Wynn creeping into view, I'll strike that last question. Seriously, though, if you take Culpepper, you'll want to consider locking up Bouman in the final round. Further, if you're in a larger league, consider grabbing Bouman whether you own Culpepper or not. Running Backs Starter - Michael Bennett Backups - Moe Williams, Doug Chapman, James Wofford Starting Running Back: Michael Bennett is no Robert Smith. Few are. Although, Bennett did miss a few games last season due to injury. But that's not the similarity we were looking for. While many rookie RBs are ready to contribute right away, Bennett was not. He simply looked lost and overmatched at times. Still, there is hope that Bennett will bounce back with an improved sophomore campaign as he did flash his potential in a couple of games last season. We are expecting top 20 numbers from the 2nd year player. Backup Running Back(s): Williams, Chapman, and Wofford are a trio of decent backs, but none have any shot of being a starting NFL running back. Sure, they'll steal a few carries from Bennett but nothing of serious note will become of them this year. Wide Receivers / Tight Ends Starters - Randy Moss, D'Wayne Bates Backups - Derrick Alexander, Chris Walsh Starting Receiver(s): Randy-ratio, Randy-ratio, Randy-ratio. It's all that we've heard all off-season. Tired of it yet? If you have Moss, you're loving it. If you don't have Moss, you're mocking it. In truth, no matter the actual percentage, Randy Moss will be the focus of the Vikings offense. And he should be. He's easily the most talented player on the roster. He should be the first WR taken in your draft. He is the only WR with a realistic shot at Jerry Rice's single season record of 22 TDs. Granted, that mark will be extremely difficult to match, but only Moss has a chance at it. Across the field, we see one D'Wayne Bates. At least for the moment we do. With Derrick Alexander signing late (and not being healthy enough to go), Bates grabbed the starting role. However, with Alexander on the mend, it's apparent that Bates is merely keeping the seat warm. Backup Receiver(s): It's only a matter of time (and just a bit of time at that) until Alexander is starting over Bates. With Moss drawing most of the attention, the #2 WR in Minnesota could pay off for the fantasy player that swings Alexander late in their draft. On the other hand, Alexander's past is riddled with inconsistent performances. He is certainly not a sure bet (even if he does take the starting job). Chris Walsh, it seems, has been a Viking longer than Eric the Red. That's cool and all, but does anyone actually have Walsh on their roster? Tight End(s): Byron Chamberlain, Jim Kleinsasser, Hunter Goodwin After years of mediocrity as a Bronco, Byron Chamberlain made some noise last season in Minnesota. He showed that he deserved a starting job in this league. With burners like Moss and Alexander stretching defenses, the underneath should be wide open for the TE. Chamberlain will do damage there. He's a top five fantasy TE. I have one memory of Jim Kleinsasser (actually two, but they go together). Two years ago (I believe against the Bears), Kleinsasser caught a short pass, turned upfield, got smacked, and fumbled. The very next series, Kleinsasser caught a short pass, turned upfield, got smacked, and fumbled. Since then, I've always thought of him as a fumbler. Jim Kleinsasser? Oh yeah, he's a fumbler. Of course, the fact that he's fumbled a grand total of two other times in his career is beside the point. I've rambled enough. Kleinsasser and Goodwin have little value with Chamberlain here. Although, the Vikings will run two-TEs often so Kleinsasser will be on the field. Place Kicker Doug Brien: In this offense, the opportunity is there for Brien to have an excellent year. However, he has been horrid in preseason. If he keeps that up when it counts, Brien will hit the road quickly. Don't select him as your primary PK. Defense The line is solid with Chris Hovan creating havoc in the middle, but the linebackers and defensive backs are surely nothing to write home about. Minnesota certainly has added some new bodies and one has to think there will be some improvement. However, there are at least a couple dozen better fantasy defenses out there. Also, we are not high on any Vikings IDPs. For defense, simply shop somewhere else. Coaching Name another coach that's 6'8 and 290 pounds. Stop trying because Mike Tice is the biggest coach in NFL history. It's too bad the Cowboys aren't on the schedule. Maybe Minnesota and Dallas can make the playoffs and meet in the first round. Wouldn't it be worth it to see Tice and Dave Campo meet at mid-field and shake hands. Oh the simple joys in life. Will all that size help Tice on the field? Only time will tell. At the very least, the Vikings will have a fresh (yet serious) outlook. One gets the feeling the players will not go through the motions with Tice manning the sidelines. That attitude alone should be worth a couple extra wins. Intangibles After losing Korey Stringer in training camp last season, there was obviously and understandably a lack of focus in Minnesota. Things have to be better this time around although sadness has hit the team again with offensive tackle Lewis Kelly losing his wife to complications in a delivery. On a much less serious note (yet as detrimental to the team) is the absence of Bryant McKinnie who is still unsigned. |