Good sound comments… I agree with just about everything.

I will say this, though, Sharper may be proving he can still play… but for how long? The old saying “better to get rid of them a year early than a year late” comes to mind. Bailing on Sharper freed up cap space to allow Favre to sign and allowed us to extend Winfield’s contract. It also should provide us with a compensatory draft pick in the area of the 5th or 6th round in this upcoming draft.

Sharper was a case of the player being too set in his ways to truly fit into a new scheme, he always resited the switch to Cover-2. He may be more talented but I am not sour about how things turned out with him.

I do, however, think that safety is a HUGE need heading into next season. We know that Madieu can play even if he’s not playing his best right now, and that light bulb might go on for Tyrell any day now, we’ll see… but competition and depth at safety is a must.

I’d be willing to trade our 1st, 2nd, and another late rounder to move up and snag Eric Berry… that’s how much I like this prospect.

If some of you folks don’t follow prospects much, here is a taste of what Berry has to offer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r8q8aYIyFc

Sir: Off season? We can’t look too far ahead!

I’ll start off by saying very strong analysis of our Favre-orite team! Also, I love your pre-game analyses for the upcoming games which, more often than not, provide to be scarily pinpoint accurate.

What a game last week! I was ready to text a co-worker that I made a bet with when the Vikes went up 27-10. I had told him we would win 27-14. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good about my predictive skills at the time but, am glad I held off on boasting about my Favre-orite team’s heroics.

The one thing going into this season, Favre or not, we thought we could hang our hats on was the dominance our defense. I remember last year when we played the Colts at home. If my memory, which has faltered do to excessively Butkowskying myself over the years, hasn’t betrayed me I believe we were up 18-0 (5 FGs).
There were numerous drives when we obtained short fields do to three and outs and turnovers. We ended up having to settle for too many field goals which let the Colts and Peyton Manning pick away and get into position to make a comeback.
It was clearly a lack of offensive vitality which lead to our demise in that game. The defense had pressured Manning and turned him over multiple times. I can’t remember the last time our defense had stifled such an amazing offense and it was wasted by not being able to score TDs.
This year seems very different. I agree: the coaches are very lucky to have Paymah to blame for the ease of which the Raven’s were able to put points on us. Granted, this year the Raven’s have a top ten offense, but nowhere near that of the Colt’s. This year we finally have a QB who can convert on third down and NOT put the defense in bad spots. So what’s the deal?!
I think the biggest need on this team, save cornerback DEPTH, is at the safety position.
The plays that have been allowed up the seam and along the sidelines of 20 yards plus are ridiculous (see j. finley TD in GB game, m. clayton and d. mason last week). The free safety, specifically Madieu Williams, needs to make those reads. On the plays up the seam he needs to help out the LBs and on the plays to the sidelines he needs to help the CBs over the top. That, along with the poor tackling on the running plays really worries me.
We should have made more of an effort to keep Daren Sharper, who some thought was washed-up. If you look at Lesley Frazier’s history his FSs are not known for INTs (lack of production is why some assume sharper was let go). Bob Sanders, who is one of the highest respected FS in the game, does not get that many picks. But, his leadership and ability to read plays and help out against the run are priceless. I think Sharper provides maybe a little less during the run, but more in striking fear in opposing QBs that a mistake can be fatal.
At worst we should have Winfield back after the bye week, but even with him healthy I’m scared of teams with better than average passing attacks.
The one thing that bodes well this week for the Vikes, in my mind, is our pass rush against Roethlisberger’s tendency to get sacked more than he should. Also, a running game not up to Steeler’s standards.

Nice seeing you and the wife last weekend! Skol Vikes!

Asher will be interesting. They raved about him through camp, and then he hasn’t been activated… not sure what to think of him.

I wasn’t too high on them selcting him in the 3rd, felt that was a reach. But then I received a lot of flak from some readers… so maybe they see something i don’t.

Welcome back Adam!
I have a feeling old man Bart will be back. You guys dont think Asher Allen will be good?

Devine reminds me a lot of Sproles (Sproles is another option in free agency as well, if the Chargers cannot resign him). Though one has to watch these highlights knowing that he’s playing against much slower, smaller, and less talented players than he would in the NFL.

Regardless, I do think Devine will become the next back to shed the “too small” label just like Sproles, Jones-Drew, or Tashard Choice.

Though, a late round pick in Noel Devine from West Virginia might be worth a look. He’ll fall late in the draft becuase he is tiny, but his speed, catching ability and return ability make him an interesting change of pace option.

Check out this video and let me know what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9MuxAszEM