Lebron James: 3-time MVP, 8-time All-Star, first time NBA Champion and Finals MVP. That is one heck of a list and it finally has a ring to it (see what I did there?) Ladies and gentleman, it is about time we stopped hating and started to embrace the greatness of one Mr. Lebron James. Number six has not been able to catch a break since his abrupt departure from Cleveland in the 2010 offseason. Although Lebron has undoubtedly intensified the scrutiny directed his way through his bold proclamations ("Not one, not two, not three...") and arrogant persona, he is in no way deserving of all the lingering hatred surrounding his on-court play. If you watched the 2012 NBA Playoffs, you witnessed firsthand a man's road to redemption. The Miami Heat's path to the Finals was paved with adversity and a lot of gut checking. It goes without saying that nothing comes easily in the NBA Playoffs. In the midst of Skip Bayless and countless other detractors in the media, Miami persevered. Led by James, the Heat clawed their way to the top and secured a title just one year after failing to do so against Dallas. Personally, I couldn't be any happier for the team and Lebron especially. In my opinion, we (yes, that is the collective 'we') can turn the page on the 'No Ring King' saga that has dominated the headlines the last two years. Whatever you choose to call him, Lebron is now an NBA Champion and is well on his way to writing his own legacy rather than having it written for him. Last night's trophy celebration seemed almost surreal. The third time really must have been the charm for Lebron James. As the team celebrated in front of a raucous Miami crowd, you could just see the relief on the faces of the Heat players and staff. The 2011-2012 NBA season began with the expectation that the Heat would not only appear in the Finals for the second straight year, but that they would win it as well. Of course, with the standard set that high, the pressure to perform is constant. Everyone - from the coaching staff to the players - was hand selected by Heat President Pat Riley to go out and win a championship. Though there's no way of telling now, a lot was perceived to be on the line had Miami lost to Boston. Would Coach Spoelstra return following another letdown? Would the Big Three be disbanded in favor of a new group of players? Luckily for the Heat, these questions won't have to be addressed. There are many labels that have been placed on James, none more flawed than the notion that he is a 'selfish' basketball player. A gifted passer and a dynamic playmaker, it is in Lebron's DNA to help share the load with his teammates. In advancing past the OKC Thunder in a mere five games, the Heat operated as a team. From Shane Battier to Mario Chalmers to Mike Miller and even Norris Cole, this roster was full of quality players with specialized skills. Each game seemingly was a new platform for the role players to showcase their considerable abilities. I wouldn't have thought that going into the series that this would be the case. Each step along the way, Lebron was there to bring out the best in his teammates. Another knock is that Lebron is not a 'clutch' player - a very ambiguous term if you were to ask me. It is obvious that LBJ is not a deadly closer -- yet. That is a skill that is developed in time. In fairness to Lebron, he did elevate his game during these Finals and his play against the Thunder speaks for itself. Certain aspects of James' game are still being fine tuned; at 27 years old, I'm confident he has yet to reach his full potential. Think about that for a minute - his best might be yet to come. Watching Lebron dominate in the paint this season has shown me that he can redefine and tweak his game to great success. Sure, he has a long way to go before he can enter the discussion as one of the all-time greats. But let's recall all of the hall-of-famers without rings: Barkley, Stockton/Malone, Miller, Ewing, Maravich, Baylor (to name a few). The great Michael Jordan didn't win his first title until he was 27 years old as well - is that more than just a coincidence? It is evident that Lebron has gained maturity and is more evenly keeled than in seasons past. I have no doubt that his failed experiences helped guide him to this ring. The MVP is also the most well rounded player who asserts his will on both ends of the floor. Name a more complete player in the NBA today. Go ahead, I'll wait. If you're living in Cleveland, chances are you still remember James' Nike Commercial following 'The Decision.' In it, he asked the viewers: "What Should I Do?" Clearly, this spot was directed towards the legions of fans who went from biggest fan to worst enemy. In retrospect, what should have Lebron done? Should he have toiled away in a mediocre market, surrounded by average talent? Unfortunately, James could never have it both ways playing as a hometown hero. The fact remains that he served the Cavaliers for seven quality seasons - enduring his own heartbreak and considerable sacrifice along the way. Ultimately, the bond between Lebron and Cleveland was broken as soon as it became apparent that it wouldn't result in NBA championships. Lebron's departure was indeed devastating but it did not warrant such a response. Sports fans need to be realistic and recognize that allegiances always work both ways. The backlash and fervor surrounding Lebron's decision was not only excessive, but just a tad unwarranted if you ask me. Anti-James sentiment spread throughout the league like wildfire last NBA season and it reached the point where he embraced his role as a villain in 2011. Finally (and thankfully), that perception can now be laid to rest. It turns out Lebron did in fact make the best decision for his career. The man has his first ring and is sure to contend for a few more down the road. Clearly, he will never be perfect. Can we as a sports nation leave good enough alone? Lebron James is a dominant force in today's NBA and odds are there will never be another athlete quite like him. At a certain point, we need to recognize the greatness in front of us and embrace James for his qualities - both good and bad. Otherwise, ten years from now, we may realize exactly what we missed out on. As they say, you never know what you have until it's gone.
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As the classic paradox goes: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? For the NBA, it means ratings - and lots of them. Basketball fans everywhere (myself included) clamored for a Heat-Thunder Finals matchup, and here it is. Whatever the result, one of the league's brightest stars is guaranteed to get his first ring. On one hand, we have the Oklahoma City Thunder, the seventh youngest team in the league (average age 25.8 yrs.) who have enjoyed a quick ascent to the top thanks to the shrewd drafting (Durant/Westbrook) and clever trades (Perkins) made by management. The Thunder are the textbook example of how to build a winning team from the ground up (well, maybe not entirely - sorry Sonics fans). OKC breezed past the Mavericks and Lakers before winning four straight from the #1 seed in the West, the San Antonio Spurs. They definitely have the look of a champion after eliminating the top competition in the West. Headed by 1-2 scoring duo in the league in Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder are explosive on offense having averaged 102.3 pts/game this postseason - good for best in the NBA. From top to bottom, the Thunder boast a deep roster full of talented complimentary players. OKC fans are the most energetic in the league and the team definitely feeds off of their home crowd. The Thunder hold home-court advantage in this series - a significant factor than cannot be overlooked. On the other hand, we have the Miami Heat. In my years following basketball, I cannot recall a team that has been more universally scrutinized than the Miami Heat. The Heat are in year two of their "Big Three" experiment and are looking to rid themselves of the bitter memories from last years Finals loss to Dallas. Team president and basketball icon Pat Riley assembled this talented unit and is hoping that James, Wade, and Bosh (three top-20 NBA players) can overcome the overwhelming pressure and win together. On their way here, the Heat made quick work of the Knicks before rallying against the Pacers and Celtics. Lebron James has been especially brilliant in these playoffs, averaging just shy of 31/10/5 in 18 games played. James has been the unquestioned leader of this Heat team and his performance in game 6 vs. Boston (45/15/5) showed why he is also the league's MVP. With Chris Bosh returning to full health, Miami's Big Three is hopeful that they can silence the skeptics and win the franchise's first 'ship since 2006. Personally, I haven't been this excited for a Finals matchup since 2008 - when the Lakers and Celtics reignited their decades-old rivalry. The Thunder and Heat split their two regular season games, with both teams winning at home. Simply put, this will be a fiercely competitive and spirited matchup. Only time will tell if Lebron vs. Durant evolves into the next Magic vs. Bird. Speaking on behalf of NBA fans across the world, let's hope so. Both teams live and die by their star player, so let's take a look at that matchup first. Key Matchup: Lebron James vs. Kevin DurantOn its surface, this would appear to be one of the best showdowns at the SF position in NBA playoff history. For all their similarities, however, James and Durant have a number of differences between them. First off, they play different styles of basketball. Durant is the better scorer - a more efficient shooter from practically anywhere outside the paint. Moreover, "The Durantula" has proven to be a deadly closer who will hit crucial shots when they are needed the most. In comparison, James is a more well-rounded player who will not only score, but do everything else as well. Lebron is considered to be an elite defender at the wing position and is versatile enough to cover the 1-4 positions on D. Last series alone, Lebron put together five 30pt/10reb games - he is truly the definition of a stat-sheet stuffer. In their two regular season meetings, Durant and Lebron were primarily assigned to cover one another. With Lebron on the floor, Durant averaged 23.5 pts on 51% shooting per 36 minutes. With Durant on the floor, James averaged 22.6 pts on 46% shooting. To say that the two will cancel each other out would be an oversimplification. Rather, both players will need to do much more to involve their teammates and limit their own mistakes and inefficiencies. Case in point: in the 103-87 Thunder win over the Heat, Durant matched his season high with eight assists. In the loss, however, he committed nine turnovers. Clearly, both Durant and Lebron are special players who will be fighting neck and neck for the coveted Finals MVP. I would have to give the slight advantage in this matchup to James because he's been here before. This will be Lebron's third Finals appearance and I think he has finally turned the corner. Statistically, Lebron's worst playoff rounds have come in the Finals; you can bet he will be more assertive in changing that this year. At the end of the day, Durant is only 23 years old and will be playing in his first NBA Finals. He also has a better surrounding cast than does Lebron. From a team and individual standpoint, Lebron needs to win this matchup if the Heat are to win the series. Under the microscope: Chris Bosh, Thabo SefoloshaThe performance of Chris Bosh and Thabo Sefolosha will be critical towards their team's success in the Finals round. I'll start with Bosh, the much maligned PF who represents 1/3 of Miami's Big Three. If you were watching Saturday's game seven between the Celtics and Heat, then you know just how important Bosh is for this Miami team. After suffering a strained abdominal in the Indiana series, coach Erik Spoelstra has been easing Bosh into significant minutes as needed. None were more significant (or needed) than the 31 minutes in game seven, in which Bosh scored 19 points (8/10, 3/3 from 3pt) and grabbed 8 rebounds. The role that Bosh plays in the Miami offense is that of the facilitator. James and Wade thrive off the pick-and-roll game and he makes it that much easier for the Heat to space the floor and create open looks. Bosh has a solid mid-range game which will help take the pressure off of the aforementioned James and Wade. Other than Udonis Haslem, Bosh is Miami's lone skilled big man capable of playing away from the basket. He provides the post presence that is so desperately needed in today's NBA. Bosh's rebounding and toughness under the hoop will be vital against the dominating frontcourt of Ibaka/Perkins. At the time of this writing, it has yet to be announced whether Bosh will be starting or coming off the bench. In either case, he will depended upon to give the Heat valuable minutes for the various reasons mentioned above. For the Thunder, Thabo Sefolosha has quietly been playing shut-down defense. Coming off consecutive series of guarding Kobe Bryant and Manu Ginobili, 'Sefo' will be matched against the lightning-quick Dwyane Wade. If the Celtics series proved anything, it's that Wade is capable of being slowed down. Poor 1st-half performances were a consistent trademark for DWade throughout the seven-game series. Make no mistake - Sefolosha is a lockdown defender who is assigned to guard the opposing team's best scorer. Offensively, he is capable of hitting the outside shot and finishing at the rim. I wouldn't expect Sefolosha to hit 15+ points in any game of this series, but his impact is more clearly defined in the +/- numbers of his team when he is on the court. The Heat will be in a lot of trouble should Thabo be able to limit Wade's offensive prowess. The "Other Guys" - Battier/Chalmers, Perkins/IbakaObviously there are no shortages of storylines or players to discuss. Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden are premiere players at their positions - I'm not forgetting that. Instead of discussing the stars ad nauseam, I wanted to talk about the role players. These are the guys who will roll their metaphorical sleeves up and get to work on both sides of the court. For Miami, the addition of Shane Battier in the offseason has proven to be a good one. Battier provides much-needed veteran leadership (sorry Juwan Howard) and is a solid-jump shooter. He is perhaps the best player in the NBA at drawing charges, a skill that cannot be overlooked. On defense, Battier will body up players larger and quicker than himself and do a decently good job at it. Offensively, Battier's arsenal of mid-range jump shots and corner three's can prove to be all the difference. Mario Chalmers is much the same way. Though I've been underwhelmed by his defense at times, Chalmers is an accomplished shooter who thrives under pressure. It's no mistake that the Heat play their best when Chalmers is playing confidently and distributing the ball. Defensively, Chalmers must be able to force tough shots from Westbrook and Fisher. Kendrick Perkins is a beast in the paint and that could mean real trouble for the Miami Heat. The Heat simply don't have an effective match for Perkins if he is at the top of his game. Perkins and his size will give Miami fits if used properly. He won't be called to score 20 points/game, but he will have his moments. Of course, the former Celtic is a standout on defense and a quality rebounder. If there is a breakdown on D, Perkins and Ibaka will be underneath the rim to protect it. The battle in the paint is significant in this series and I would expect the Thunder to win that battle, hands-down. Serge Ibaka is a young, emerging star and is all sorts of entertaining to watch play. He adds athleticism and a shot-blocking presence like no other player in the league. On top of that, Ibaka has an effective mid-range jump shot as evidenced in game four against the Spurs when he scored 26 points on 11-11 shooting. Perkins and Ibaka are stalwarts on defense and will be key to limiting the Heat inside the paint. The VerdictAt the end of the day, a championship and a lot more are on the line for both teams. Ultimately, I think Lebron James and the Heat will go out and write their own legacy rather than have it written for them. The pressure on James to succeed is so great and his performance in these playoffs has not suffered. For a player of his caliber (as well as Durant's) the next step is winning a title. I just think it's not the time for the Thunder quite yet. Are they a deeper team? Yes. Are they a perfect team? No. This series is so evenly matched that it is difficult to predict. There are a number of factors, but I think Lebron will win his matchup against Durant by a small margin. Wade will need to elevate his game, which he has done many times before. Having been on the brink of elimination, I see the Heat as the more evenly-keeled of the two teams - Miami knows the significance of each win and loss. They have been talking about getting to this point all season and now they have arrived. Erik Spoelstra and the Big Three know what needs to be done and just needs to go out and accomplish it. The Heat will need to take as many as two games on the road and are fully capable of doing so. I fully expect Lebron to quiet his critics and to lead his team with efficient performances in several categories. This series is a matter of minimizing mistakes, playing as a team, and executing when it counts the most. I see the Heat doing just that and winning the series in six games. That's right folks, Miami in six. Just like that, the Eastern Conference Finals has reached it's apex. Following Lebron James' magnificent game five performance at Boston (45/15/5), the Miami Heat are headed back to the friendly confines of American Airlines Arena to play the deciding game seven in a series that has delivered on all fronts. As a full disclosure to my readers - I like Lebron James and the Miami Heat. I will be rooting for them to win game seven and the NBA Finals. Why, you ask? Well, for many reasons which I won't go into detail in this post (that's for another day). For now, let's just say I'm a fan of James and his body of work. Plain and simple: Heat-Thunder makes for a more evenly-matched, exciting series than does Celtics-Thunder. All that aside, lets look ahead to what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to this Eastern Conference Finals. I'll start from the Boston side of things. For Boston, this may very well be the last championship run the "Big Three" (plus Rondo) embark on together. Despite an aging roster, the Celtics have shown that there is no substitute for experience. Entering the conference finals as big underdogs, Boston clawed itself out of a 0-2 hole to begin the series, winning the next three games. After dropping game six and getting run out of it's own building, the Celtics will look to fight through adversity and win one more on the road. Doc Rivers will need better performances from KG and Paul Pierce, who combined for 21 points on 10-32 shooting in game six. Garnett, in particular, has been giving the Heat fits on defense - averaging 20 pts and 9.8 boards a game for the series. The "Big Ticket" must exploit the mending Chris Bosh and expose Miami's lack of size if the Celtics are to win game seven. Paul Pierce has to contain Lebron on the defensive end, which is no small task for any wing player. If Pierce can get to the free throw line and hit big jumpers down the stretch - look out, Miami. Rajon Rondo, the consummate creator, will again be called upon to orchestrate Boston's offense. Rondo has been nothing short of brilliant this series, posting averages of 21/11/6/2 while playing a staggering 45.3 minutes/game. Sure, he is limited offensively, but Rajon excels on both ends of the floor and facilitates the success of the players surrounding him. If he can even sniff the numbers he put up in a game two loss (44/10/8/3), the Heat will be in for a real battle. Rondo will occasionally be matched against Lebron James, so keep an eye out for that as well. Ray Allen has been surprisingly quiet this series but you can never count him out in a game seven. Any open look is a dangerous look for the NBA's all-time leading 3 point scorer. As far as Boston role players, expect Brandon Bass, Marquis Daniels, and Keyon Dooling to impact the game with their combination of skills. As current coach and former analyst Mark Jackson would say: "Mama, there goes that man!" That man, of course, is none other than Lebron James. Playing with their backs against the wall, Miami turned to the three-time MVP and he delivered emphatically. Looking to extinguish the Celtics title dreams and create some of his own, James turned in a historic evening - finishing with 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. To put that into perspective, only one other player in NBA playoff history has finished with a 45/15/5 line. His name? Wilt Chamberlain. Lebron was ruthlessly efficient, to boot - did I mention he shot 73.1% from the field? In the face of tremendous criticism and scrutiny, James quieted the Boston crowd and the national media. As a fan of the NBA, I will certainly remember this performance for a long time. Lebron's historic night won't count for much if the Heat don't prevail in game seven, however. Beside Lebron James, there are a number of variables that are key to the Heat's finals aspirations. First and foremost, Dwyane Wade needs to elevate his game to a championship level. Lost in the criticism of Lebron is the fact that his co-star Wade is underperforming. DWade has yet to find his groove in the face of double teams and increased defensive pressure this series. When Wade and Lebron are sharing the ball and running the pick-and-roll effectively, they are the best tandem in the NBA. Miami needs Wade to get to the rim and either finish or draw a foul - that is his primary duty. Boston cannot afford to discount Wade and will try it's best to take him out of the equation. However, Wade is a top-10 NBA player and that is much easier said than done. If Wade can supplement James throughout game seven, the Heat will be in a position to advance. Chris Bosh is playing at less than 100% but will still be counted on to do several things for the Heat. I would expect Bosh to play more than the 28 minutes he played in game six, strained abdominal and all. Miami needs Bosh on the floor to create space for its shooters and to help with the rebounding effort. Although he is a great player in his own right, Bosh simply needs to do the little things to help the Heat win game seven. Spelling James, Wade, and Bosh are a slew of role players. Haslem, Battier, and Chalmers all bring elements of toughness and shooting to the table. Mike Miller, Norris Cole, and Joel Anthony will be called upon to produce off the bench. All of the aforementioned role players will need to pitch in and help James and Wade on both sides of the floor. Much more than just pride is at stake in Saturday night's game seven. For the Celtics, this will likely be the last run that their core (Doc Rivers, Allen, Garnett, Pierce) make together. Should they lose, I would not be surprised in the least to see KG and/or Ray Allen on different teams next NBA season. This current group has enjoyed one championship (2008) and is hungry for another. The Celtics have been in this position before and know how to grind out tough wins, whether at home or on the road. As three hall-of-fame players enter the twilight of their careers, you can safely bet the Big Three will lay it all on the line to win game seven.
For the Heat, a loss would mean an entirely different dilemma. Should Miami lose, they will need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Is Erik Spoelstra really the man for the job? Are Bosh, Wade, and James capable of sharing the spotlight and winning under pressure? A loss in game seven would be especially devastating to the legacy of Lebron James, who is still hurting from last season's failed Finals appearance. A serious shake-up might be in store and it also might not be. No one knows what Pat Reilly will do if Miami falls to the Celtics in game seven. Both teams are under extraordinary amounts of pressure and it is evident that this is not just another game seven (if ever such a thing existed). For Boston, this game represents the current group's last shot at winning a ring. For Lebron James and the Heat, this is a second chance to fulfill the promise of a championship-caliber team. This is playoff basketball and the drama is like no other. Come Saturday night, it's win or go home - and that means a great deal to both organizations. My apologies for not having updated this blog sooner. Moving to a new apartment as well as starting a new internship (WISN-12 Milwaukee) and part-time job (Sobelman's @ Marquette), has kept me plenty busy in the last week. Hopefully you haven't scoffed at the title of this post by now. Win or loss, I am (and always will be) a devout fan of the Minnesota Vikings. The start of the NFL season is 3+ months away and already anticipation has begun to build for the 2012 season of America's #1 sport. Last year was an abject failure for the Vikings franchise no matter how you look at it - but when it comes to the NFL, hope springs eternal. This year's solid draft class, combined with the additions in Free Agency and the continued development of Christian Ponder, lead me to be cautiously optimistic. 2012 is crucial for the organization going forward - have the Vikings "righted the ship" and built a winning roster or is it time to start over yet again? Christian Ponder to free agent pickup Jerome Simpson The first three days of OTA's are in the books for the Minnesota Vikings and it feels as though the team is hanging in the balance. After a disastrous 2011 campaign in which the team finished 3-13, the Vikings are clearly headed for another rebuilding year under the guidance of coach Leslie Frazier and GM Rick Spielman. Many of the players from the 2009 NFC Championship contending team are gone, replaced by an infusion of younger bodies. The Vikings are a team in transition; eager to forget last season and excited by the promise and potential of the 2012 season. I recognize that it is far too early to be issuing any predictions regarding this team. This is a two-part column - today, I'm writing about the Vikings offensive outlook for 2012. Later on this week, I'll be taking a look at the defense. Certainly all eyes will be on second-year QB Christian Ponder this preseason. Ponder has been handed the keys to the offense following a largely unspectacular rookie season in which he provided glimpses of starting potential. Drafted 12th overall out of FSU, Ponder was penciled in at starting QB in week five following an abysmal start by the since-released Donovan McNabb. Over the next 11 games, Ponder led the Vikings to a 2-8 record as a starter, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He threw for 1,853 yards at a 54.3% completion rate, finishing with a QB rating of 70.1 for the season. To put those numbers in context, league-leader Drew Brees finished with a completion percentage of 71.2% and a rating of 110.6. Although he is undoubtedly smart enough to be a starting QB, many question Ponder's arm strength and poise in the pocket. When taking into account the given circumstances, however, it is much too early to deem Ponder a failure. The lockout definitely hurt the Minnesota Vikings as much as any team in the NFL. First year offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave tried to implement his new playbook and had little success working with McNabb. The Vikes limped out to a 1-4 start and turned to Ponder, who was not in a position to go out and win games following the abbreviated preseason and practice schedule. Suspect play from the offensive line was a consistent theme throughout the season. Christian Ponder displayed some quickness and athleticism but he was on the run and outside the pocket too often last season. Ponder rarely appeared to be comfortable under pressure but he did occasionally step up and deliver a big throw. Another key will be the way Ponder and the offensive line pick up the blitz and react to pressure up front (I'll go into more detail on the offensive line later). For Christian to be successful, he needs to cutdown on his mental mistakes and learn to read NFL coverages. A lot of his interceptions came on out patterns where the cornerback was able to read his eyes and jump the route. With upgrades to the OL and receiving core, the Vikings are expecting Christian Ponder to make a big leap in his sophomore year. He certainly has all the makings of a leader and has been praised for his presence thus far in camp. Christian Ponder doesn't have a great arm, but if he can cut down on his mistakes and learn to manage a game efficiently he can be a winning quarterback. As Adrian Peterson goes, so too, do the Vikings. Unfortunately for the Vikings, "AD" is still in the process of rehabbing after tearing his ACL against the Redskins on Christmas Eve. All indications are that he is well on his way to a full recovery, although the team is being careful to monitor his therapy and to ease his workload. At OTA's Peterson could be spotted racing Percy Harvin up a nearby hill - both are rehabbing from injuries. Given the Vikings snakebitten past, I just hope that AP will return to his pre-injury form and continue to be the best running back in football. That, of course, is not a sure thing. Luckily for the Vikings, they have a quality second string RB in the form of Toby Gerhart. The third-year player out of Stanford performed admirably in spot duty for Peterson last season. Toby carried the ball 109 times for 531 yards - good for an average of 4.9 yards per attempt. He was also active in the passing game with 23 catches going for 190 yards and three touchdowns. The presence of Gerhart allows the Vikings to take every precaution in bringing Adrian Peterson back to full health. Gerhart looked much improved in his second year and is a solid, downhill runner. He even displayed the jets against Washington with a 67 yard carry. Still undetermined is the third-down back role. If "AD" can return to full health (and that's a BIG if), the Vikings should have a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield for years to come. Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to Jerome Simpson. Yes, 'that guy who landed the flip' is playing for the Vikings in 2012. Signed to a one-year deal, Simpson will suit up - but only after serving a three game suspension handed down from the NFL. When on the field, look for him to be an impact player. Simpson fits in as the #2 receiver behind Percy Harvin and adds decent size, speed, and leaping ability. The coaching staff will look for creative ways to use Harvin and use his speed as an advantage - whether that be in the slot or on the outside. Michael Jenkins figures to be a solid, possession-oriented 3rd receiver and he proved to have good chemistry with Christian Ponder last season. For the 4th and 5th slot, expect the Arkansas draftees Jarius Wright and Greg Childs to compete against Devin Aromashodu and a handful of other young players. Greg Childs has already declared himself the 'steal of the draft' after being selected late in the fourth round. Only two years ago, Childs was considered a first round talent before injuring his knee. After a slow initial recovery, Childs claims to be 100% healthy and is itching to back up his talk on the field. For the first time in a long time, it looks as though the Vikings will have a deep receiving core. Gone is Visanthe Shiancoe and in comes TE John Carlson, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks. Carlson was signed to a five-year $25 million contract and the coaches envision him in a lot of two TE sets with Kyle Rudolph. Carlson and Rudolph are both big red-zone targets who possess soft hands. Rudolph clearly gained the trust of Ponder last year and I look for him to develop further in his second year out of Notre Dame. It's no secret that a solid TE (see: Davis, Vernon) will make a young QB look good. The Vikings think they have not one, but two viable options at tight end. If Bill Musgrave can find a way to utilize both Randolph and Carlson, look out. Welcome to the pressure cooker, Matt Kalil. To the surprise of few, the Vikings addressed a glaring need at left tackle and selected the talented Kalil with the number four overall pick. With such a high selection, comes lofty expectations. Minnesota envisions Matt Kalil as it's franchise LT for the next ten years. More importantly, they view him as a security blanket for Christian Ponder - as an agile protector of the young QB's blind side. I've heard comparisons to Jake Long and Joe Thomas - perhaps the two top left tackles in the NFL. Only time will tell if Kalil can back up his high draft selection. I, for one, am itching to see how he does against NFL lineman. Viewed as a relatively safe pick, the Vikings are hopeful they didn't miss on this one. The addition of Kalil also allows Charlie Johnson to move over to his more natural position at left guard. Johnson was frequently overmatched last year at LT and had a hard time stopping speed of the edge. In the middle is center John Sullivan, who is quickly becoming one of the top centers in the NFL. The Vikings signed Sully to a long-term deal in the hopes that he continue to anchor the line in spite of his small size. Right guard will be a competition through the end of training camp, but the favorite to win the spot is newly signed Geoff Schwartz. Schwartz was brought in from the Panthers, only a year removed in which he started all 16 games for Carolina. He'll be competing against Chris Degeare who has a nasty streak about him. At right tackle is Phil Loadholt, the mammoth third year player from Oklahoma. Loadholt had an inconsistent 2011 and this upcoming season is essentially make or break for him. He has shown to be a capable run blocker, but is inconsistent against the pass rush. Certainly much more is expected from the OL group after they allowed 49 sacks in 2011 - tied for 5th worst in the league. It all starts up front for the Vikings; an effective offensive line will buy Ponder time to throw the ball and will pave holes for Peterson and the run game. They may not get all the attention, but the offensive line is integral to the success of the entire offense. Minnesota finished the 2011 season ranked 18th in total offense and 19th in scoring offense, coming in at 21.3 pts/game. Those are numbers that will have to improve if the team is to rebound in 2012. The Vikings finished -3 in turnover differential and will surely look to eliminate the costly mistakes that marked the 2011 season. Much is expected from QB Christian Ponder in his second year as he continues to learn and take charge of the offense. Adrian Peterson is still questionable at this point in time, but the running game should once again be a strength upon his return. Major upgrades to the receiving core have provided Ponder with targets all over the field. TE's Carlson and Rudolph will be targeted across the middle and in the red zone. Up front, the Vikings believe they have plugged the holes in the offensive line. If the Vikings can execute their plays and cut down on the mistakes, they will look to be vastly improved on offense. |
AuthorHey, I'm Ted Sorensen and this is my sports & personal blog. Leave some comments and let me know what you think! Archives
June 2016
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