Outshined Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 I am not in any IDP leagues, but I just happen to see there were no updates for the Vikes. This is all from KFAN - Maybe you can find it useful!!! Defensive Line Players returning DE Kenechi Udeze*, DE Darrion Scott, T Kevin Williams*, DE Lance Johnstone, T Steve Martin, T Spencer Johnson Players lost T Chris Hovan*, DE Chuck Wiley*, DE Billy Lyon, DE Kenny Mixon New Players T Pat Williams, DE Erasmus James, DE Earl Cochran, DE Eric Coleman, T Matt Mitrione, T David Harley, T C.J. Mosley *2004 starter Outlook Right tackle Pat Williams could prove to be the single largest (not just in size) addition to the Vikings team this year. His run-stuffing ability will be a huge asset to last season's 21st-ranked defense against the run. His presence will force teams outside more, which means Kenechi Udeze and Darrion Scott, along with rookie Erasmus James, will have to keep teams from getting around the edge. Williams will also give the secondary a relief, as the linebackers and safeties will not need to worry as much about stopping running backs up the middle. Fellow starting tackle Kevin Williams was a Pro-Bowl player last year and only seems to be getting better. The Williams duo, much like Fred Smoot and Antoine Winfield at cornerbacks, could prove to be one of the elite defensive tandems in the league if it plays to its potential. Darrion Scott will start out with the first team at training camp, but James' work in developmental camp impressed the coaching staff and should make for a good battle in Mankato. Lance Johnstone and Steve Martin provide a veteran presence in the backup role. Both are in their 10th seasons in the league and will likely be more effective with less downs played this year. Linebackers Players returning Keith Newman, Dontarrious Thomas, Grant Wiley, Raonall Smith, E.J. Henderson*, Rod Davis Players lost Chris Claiborne*, Mike Nattiel*, Nick Rogers, Max Yates New Players Napolean Harris, Sam Cowart, Quincy Stewart, David Bamiro *2004 starter Outlook The Vikings will have a whole new look at the starting linebacker position this year. Minnesota picked up Napolean Harris from Oakland in the deal that sent Randy Moss packing, and the Northwestern graduate will take his place as the starting strong side linebacker. In the middle will be Sam Cowart, who was brought over from New Jersey last season. Cowart had a strong developmental camp and the coaching staff is excited to see what he can do in training camp. On the weak side, Dontarrious Thomas should be the full time starter in his second year in the league. Thomas has enormous potential, leading the coaching staff to believe he'll develop into a top tier linebacker. Thomas actually started five games last year, but will be the regular starter this season. E.J. Henderson started at middle linebacker last season, but the addition of Cowart puts Henderson into a backup role. The move could be a two-fold positive, as Henderson could be motivated to prove he can do what Cowart does, while also taking the pressure of needing to quarterback the defense from the first snap this season away from him. Henderson is only in his third season, so should have plenty of room to improve. The Vikings are much deeper at linebacker this year, which should lead to some interesting roster battles at training camp. Raonall Smith, Grant Wiley and Rod Davis are likely battling for two spots with Quincy Stewart and David Bamiro on the outside looking in. That would give Minnesota seven quality linebackers on its depth chart heading into the season. Defensive backs Players returning CB Brian Williams*, CB Ken Irvin, CB Rushen Jones, S Corey Chavous*, CB Antoine Winfield*, CB Ralph Brown, S Willie Offord, S Will Hunter Players lost S Brian Russell*, S Terrance Shaw, CB Derek Ross, CB Rhett Nelson New players CB Fred Smoot, CB Adrian Ward, CB Laroni Gallishaw, CB Dovonte Edwards, S Darren Sharper, S Dustin Fox *2004 starter Outlook A year after making a splash in the free agent market by acquiring Antoine Winfield, the Vikings doubled up by snatching Fred Smoot to bolster their secondary this season. The duo could turn out to be one of the most formidable cornerback tandems in the league. And if that wasn't enough, Minnesota also snuck past enemy lines to snatch free agent safety Darren Sharper from the Packers. Sharper will start at free safety, while Corey Chavous is likely to start at strong safety. Chavous opted out of developmental camp this summer because of a contract dispute, but coaches expect Chavous to report to training camp in Mankato. If Chavous were to decide to hold out, Willie Offord had a strong developmental camp and would likely slide into the starting role. Ken Irvin and rookie Dustin Fox will likely fall in line next on the safety depth chart. Brian Williams, who also stayed away from developmental camp reportedly because he was upset about Smoot commandeering his role in the lineup, is in line to be the nickel back. Ralph Brown is the fourth corner on the depth chart, with Rushen Jones and rookie Adrian Ward fighting for a possible fifth cornerback spot on the roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outshined Posted August 3, 2005 Author Share Posted August 3, 2005 Blogged from the Strib: Anyone seen Erasmus? August 3rd, 2005 8:08 am by Judd Zulgad Day six of training camp and still no sign of first-rounder Erasmus James. One key to getting the James deal done will be for the picks on either side of him to sign. Once No. 17 (Bengals’ David Pollack) and No. 19 (St. Louis’ Alex Barron) are done the Vikings and James should be able to agree on terms because a salary slot will have been defined. Of course, who knows when all of that will happen. Entering camp, the Vikings planned to give James an opportunity to start in the nickel defense and one has to think he would have provided strong competition for a starting spot in the base defense. But if his absence goes much James will be playing catch up upon his arrival. I wrote an item in this morning’s paper on the performance of middle linebacker E.J. Henderson, who has lost his starting job to Sam Cowart. The good news for the Vikings is this not only motivated Henderson to become better but it seems the 30-year-old Cowart also is helping Henderson on the field and in meetings. Henderson seems to realize that if he doesn’t improve he won’t be around and if he does get better the starting MLB spot could be his again very soon. That’s it for now. Off to morning practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outshined Posted August 3, 2005 Author Share Posted August 3, 2005 Henderson seeks consistency Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune August 3, 2005 VIKE0803.NOTES MANKATO -- Running back Mewelde Moore took a handoff during a goal-line drill Tuesday morning, made a couple of steps toward the end zone and ... bam. Linebacker E.J. Henderson let him have it. The hit was a reminder to everyone that while Henderson might have lost his starting middle linebacker job to veteran Sam Cowart, he isn't about to accept the offseason demotion in stride. Cowart, 30, was acquired from the New York Jets for a seventh-round pick in March. "You definitely learn that the league is a short-term deal," said Henderson, who started 16 games at middle linebacker last season, including the playoffs. "If you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing or not doing it as well as they think you [should], they will bring somebody else in. Your career can be as long as you want or as short as you make it." Henderson, who led the Vikings in tackles with 125 last season, lost his job largely because of his struggles in the passing game. He spent time in the offseason studying game tape to try to correct those mistakes. "I learned a lot about the game [in 2004]. About the approach to the game on and off the field," said Henderson, who credits Cowart for giving him pointers. "Just the whole scheme of how the game is these days." The coaching staff already has taken notice of Henderson's progress. "He really came back as good as we had hoped," coach Mike Tice said. "He played really, really well on special teams. Just outstanding." But linebackers coach Pete Bercich points out the key will be for Henderson to remain consistent. "His challenge is going to be to sustain it and keep on improving after camp is over and we get up to Winter Park and into the season," Bercich said. "But right now he has been doing really well. His effort level has been great, he has embraced what his role is and he's challenging. Right now, he wants to play and thus far I've been real pleased with him." Smoot delayed During an examination Tuesday in the Twin Cities, doctors found no further damage to cornerback Fred Smoot's neck. But the Vikings plan to take a cautious approach with Smoot, who probably will remain on the physically unable to perform list for the rest of the week. Smoot should return to practice next week, but he probably will miss the preseason opener Aug. 12 against Kansas City. Barring a setback, his first game appearance will come Aug. 19 in New York against the Jets. Etc. • The absence of unsigned first-round pick Erasmus James will reach six days today. Negotiations have stalled largely because the players selected on either side of James -- Cincinnati's David Pollack at No. 17 and St. Louis' Alex Barron at No. 19 -- have not signed and thus created a financial slot that James would fit into among the first-round selections. • The Vikings cut rookie free agent tight end Matt Ross and signed cornerback Ukee Dozier, a former Gopher. Dozier joined Tampa Bay as a rookie free agent after the draft in April but was released last month. He was assigned No. 48. Tice said some other players could be brought in for tryouts this week. • Linebacker Napoleon Harris is being used on the strong side with the first-team base defense and also is seeing work with the second team in the nickel package. "We're getting him in back on the line of scrimmage," Bercich said. "He has been playing off the ball the last few years in Oakland. The techniques and things are different. Things happen a little bit more quickly. So we're dialing him in to the fundamentals of the position." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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