I decided to look at the last couple years of drafts since we got Brad Childress as our head coach. There are a lot of people constantly hating on him so I wanted to try to convince them that Childress is a great talent evaluator and is now finally getting HIS guys into HIS system.
I've included the last 2 years of the "Tice Travesty" for comparison.
2004 (Tice)
Rd 1: Kinechi Udeze, DE. 117 total tackles and 5 sacks over a 4 year period. I really hope he can battle through his lukemia, but those numbers are far from stellar for a 1st round pick over 4 years.
Rd 2: Dontarrious Thomas, LB. Started out like a monster with 60 tackles in his rookie season, but he fell off from that total drastically every season after. In 2007 he amassed a grand total of 5 tackles and will now be playing for the 49ers.
Rd 3: Darrion Scott, DE. Had a good first 3 seasons, but played in only 4 games last year and amassed 1 tackle before going on IR with a foot issue. Also was busted for marijuana in December. His status with the team is very much in the air.
Rd 4: Nat Dorsey, OT. Traded in '05 to the Browns. Mewelde Moore, RB. MeMo was a fan favorite and had a couple good years, but was mostly relegated to returns before becoming a free agent and signing with the Steelers.
Rd 5: Rod Davis, LB. Currently plays for the Philadelphia Soul in the AFL.
Rd 6: DeAndre' Eiland, DB. Who? Played for the Amsterdam Admirals in '07 in the now defunct NFL Europa.
Rd 7: Jeff Dugan, TE. Did not play in his first two seasons, but made the team in '06. He is a serviceable back-up TE, but might not make the team this year with Garrett Mills making a strong push to be the pass catching TE we need and Kleinsasser as a stud blocker. We also have Shianco who is a good blocker, but can't catch despite his crazy TE salary.
2005 (Tice)
Rd 1: Troy Williamson, WR. In the wake of the Randy Moss trade, Tice and company made the biggest knee-jerk decision in Vikings history selecting the fastest guy on the board in hopes of replacing the deep threat we lost. Unfortunately for everyone involved, we know how it turned out. 11 drops in 2006 and 12 drops in 2007 including a wide open 72 yard for sure touchdown in the final game against the Broncos. He will now be dropping passes for the Jaguars.
Rd 1: Erasmus James, DE. Could honestly be a stud if he could stay healthy, but looking at the past 2 years it just doesn't seem possible.
Rd 2: Marcus Johnson, OG/T. Is a serviceable back-up on the O-Line.
Rd 3: Dustin Fox, DB. Never played a game for the Vikings. Is now on the Bills' roster.
Rd 4: Ciatric Fason, RB. Was supposed to be our big 3rd down, get across the line back. He is now a free agent.
Rd 6: C.J. Mosley, DT. Played well in 2005, but was traded to the Jets in 2006.
Rd 7: Adrian Ward, DB. Did not make the team and is currently not playing football.
2006 (Childress era begins)
Rd 1: Chad Greenway, LB. Was injured on a stupid special teams kickoff play in the pre-season and was subsequently out for the entire 2006 campaign. Returned in 2007 and played great with 105 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and a touchdown, all as a first year player.
Rd 2: Cedric Griffin, DB. 92 total tackles, 10 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles with 1 touchdown in 2007 after an average rookie season.
Rd 2: Ryan Cook, C/OT. The draft pick we received for trading away Daunte Culpepper. A Center is not as sexy of a position as Quarter Back, but Cook has played well enough at RT to start and block for our dynamic duo in the backfield.
Rd 2: Tarvaris Jackson, QB. Our actual replacement for Daunte Culpepper. Jackson did not see a lot of playing time in his rookie season until towards the end when the playoffs were obviously out of reach and Brad Johnson appeared to be moving on. Jackson entered the 2007 season as our starter and remains such today. He played like you would expect a rookie to play, struggling mightily early on but showing flashes of a good quarterback towards the end of the season. Many of his problems can be solved simply by the receivers catching the damned ball.
Rd 4: Ray Edwards, DE. Had an issue with the steroid policy and was suspended the final 4 games of the season which could have made quite a difference. Is currently the starter at LDE.
Rd 5: Greg Blue, DB. Played ok in 2006, but was released in 2007.
2007 (Childress)
Rd 1: Adrian Peterson, RB. Our best draft pick since Randy Moss, and arguably the best pick the Vikings have ever made. As a rookie set numerous records, including the single game rushing record, named NFC Rushing Champion, Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Pro Bowl MVP. We are looking good at running back going into the 2008 season.
Rd 2: Sidney Rice, WR. A big guy with the potential to become a great NFL receiver. He showed flashes of that possible greatness on more than one occasion in 2007 and should end up being our #2 guy going into 2008.
Rd 3: Marcus McCauley, DB. He had 63 total tackles as a rookie. He could turn out to be very good with Antoine Winfield mentoring him.
Rd 4: Brian Robison, DE. Had 4.5 sacks in 2007 in a back up capacity and could see increased playing time this season rotating with Ray Edwards and giving Jared Allen rest.
Rd 5: Aundrae Allison, WR/KR. In my opinion, Allison should have been given every one of Troy Williamson's return opportunities. Allison is quick and shifty, where Williamson only has straight line speed. He will see some time in the slot this year.
Rd 6: Rufus Alexander, LB. Like Chad Greenway, Alexander was injured in his first pre-season game and needed season ending surgery. He will compete at LB for a roster spot.
Rd 7: Tyler Thigpen, QB. Childress really liked Thigpen and wanted to keep him on the team, but did not have the roster spot. He tried to sneak him through waivers, but Thigpen got picked up by the Chiefs.
Rd 7: Chandler Williams, WR. Did not make the team and is now a member of the Miami Dolphins.
2008 (Childress)
Rd 1: Pick traded away for Jared Allen. In my opinion, the best pick in the entire draft.
Rd 2: Tyrell Johnson, S. I was a little upset when they made this pick, but after looking at it a bit, Johnson is a good pick. He will become Darren Sharper's understudy and will play in a back up role.
Rd 3: Picks traded away for Jared Allen. Still the best pick of the draft.
Rd 5: John David Booty, QB. Booty will be a good NFL QB and will compete for the 3rd spot on the roster this season behind Jackson and Frerotte. He already is familiar with the west coast offense and played at a high level of competition in college. With a year or two of learning, he will become the undisputed starter for the Vikings, but for now we MUST SUPPORT JACKSON.
Rd 5: Letroy Guion, DT. Had some troubles in college with a cheating scandal and should have stayed in college for another year of refining, but financial reasons forced him to declare this year. He is a raw talent, but with the right molding behind the Williams duo, he can become a dominant force in the middle.
Rd 6: John Sullivan, C. A big man with the ability to move out to guard, Sullivan will learn as much as he can from Matt Birk this season, and hopefully several seasons into the future.
Rd 6: Jaymar Johnson, WR. I had no idea who this was when his name was called. After doing some research, I am ok with the pick. He is FAST, but also quick and has solid hands. He could end up being a hidden gem in this draft.
Our last 3 drafts have been far and away better than they have in the past. I feel that Childress will open up the offense more this year and let HIS guys play HIS system. As far as I'm concerned, if we do not play at least 2 games in the playoffs, the 2008 season will be a bust.
