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Season Preview 2009 Minnesota Vikings

By Richie Denis | July 1, 2009 | Vikings War Cry

Anthony Chergosky from DailyNorseman.com gives us a look at the 2009 Minnesota Vikings. When you think of the 2009 Minnesota Vikings, two words probably enter your mind: Brett Favre. But when taking a look at the team, its chances of repeating as NFC North champs, and its opportunity to go further in the playoffs than it did last season, Favre is just the tip of the iceberg. All over the field and on both sides of the ball, the Vikings are a team built for success this season. This team's bread and butter is still its ability to run the...

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NFL Outsider Season Preview 2009: St. Louis Rams

By Staff Report | June 30, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Outsider is hosting a season preview of all 32 teams. The NFL regular season begins on September 10; in the meantime follow the best NFL bloggers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview.Ryan Van Bibber from Turf Show Times gives insight into what to expect from this year's St. Louis Rams. Check in on other teams here. Rams PreviewThe Rams made their most important moves of the season early on, replacing the front office that had left the depth chart aging and threadbare. From there the rebuilding project carried through to the coaching staff and onto the roster. Orlando Pace, Torry Holt...the remains of early decade glory were replaced with young, rough-edged building blocks. On the plus side...Both QB Marc Bulger and RB Steven Jackson are pleased to see the offensive line get much needed upgrades with the acquisition of free-agent big fish C Jason Brown and drafting Baylor OT Jason Smith...

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Broncos Should Re-Build

By Shawn Zobel | June 18, 2009 | Zobel's Corner

In just his third year in the league, Jay Cutler threw for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns. While he also threw for 18 interceptions, Cutler's aggressive mentality at the quarterback position is what makes him such a good player. Nearly the definition of a franchise quarterback, Cutler's gritty, competitive attitude has brought him up the the elite status as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. So when the Denver Broncos decided to give in to Cutler's trade demand this offseason, and ship him away to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and Kyle Orton, it really made you wonder what they were thinking and what their new plan was for the future.While Cutler owned a 17-20 record as a starter, you have to remember that he's only entering his fourth year in the league. Stars don't grow overnight. It takes time to develop into...

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Does Anyone Remember....?| Terrence Wilkins

By Josh Dhani | June 13, 2009 | Colts Couch Crew

After not writing a Does Anyone Remember....?| for quite a while, I have come back to continue to the series. Here it is: Does anyone remember Terrence Wilkins? I do--and surely well, as always. As always, I tell you why I picked Terrence Wilkins for this edition of Does Anyone Remember...?|. Well, I haven't written a real Colts' article for a while and I was thinking of some great guy on the Colts who was a huge asset towards the team. And there he was, Terrence Wilkins: one of the most underrated punt/kick returners in NFL history. And here's his story: It all started in Virginia. Wilkins was a star at not just a wide receiver, but also a returner. After a pretty successful career in College, Terrence went on to find a path towards the NFL to have a new future. But he didn't. Well, not at the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Calgary Stampeders, CFL, Donovan McNabb, Edgerrin James, Indianapolis Colts, NFL, St. Louis Rams, Terrence Wilkins, Torry Holt

St Louis Rams: Minicamp & OTAs

By YankeeDoodleBrit | June 9, 2009 | Yankee Doodle Brit

ESPN's NFC West reporter Mike Sando has been checking out the Rams Minicamp all week and giving some feedback on what he saw. He posted his thoughts on Thursday and Friday, as well as giving us a quick video update. The highlights of his reports conclude: · Spagnuolo said they've installed about 60 percent of the defense · Jason Smith is physically impressive already, appears capable of adding weight and looks the part. · Adam Carriker will look to improve in the UT position. · Joe Klopfenstein looked awful and should be cut before the season starts The STL-Dispatch was also covering minicamp and posted reports on Friday and Saturday Reporter Bill Coats noted: · CB Jonathan Wade, who is being used as the nickel back, looks as if his coverage skills have improved · WR Donnie Avery has impressed with his pass-catching consistency and improved route running · Defensive Coordinator Ken Flajole on CB Tye Hill: "We've been pleased with...

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Are the St. Louis Rams the Destination for Michael Vick

By Josh Dhani | June 5, 2009 | Colts Couch Crew

I think it is. The St. Louis Rams need a play-maker. They can't always count on Steven Jackson. And Marc Bulger can't be the guys. He has been a failure towards the team. Yeah, he has been a starter since 2002, but guess what? Marc Bulger has only started all 16 games in one season only once! Just one time Bulger has started all 16 games in a season. You really want that in your starter? For the past seven seasons, Bulger has been sacked well over 230 times! Rumors were swirling around the block that the St. Louis Rams are interested in Michael Vick. See what I mean? Michael Vick has to go to the Rams. They need a bigger play-maker, other than Steven Jackson. Jackson can not carry the load ALL THE TIME. Torry Holt is gone. Isaac Bruce is gone. Az-Zahir Hakim is gone. Ricky Proehl is...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Dan Marino, Donte Stallworth, Indianapolis Colts, Jared Allen, Leonard Little, Marc Bulger, Michael Vick, NFL, Peyton Manning, St. Louis Rams, Steven Jackson, Vince Young

NFL Outsider Season Preview 2009: St. Louis Rams

By Staff Report | June 30, 2009 | MVN Outsider

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NFL Great Debates: What to Do with Michael Vick?

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Outsider's Greg Trippiedi and Anthony Brown debate the issue: Which team is the best spot for Michael Vick if he overcomes the enormous hurdles necessary to get on the field this year?Greg Trippiedi says Vick shouldn't be a starting quarterback:It's pretty clear that Michael Vick is not going to have a job waiting for him when he gets back. He's 29 years old -- too old and too young in different ways. Vick's open field running abilities were already in decline when we last saw him, and that was in 2006. But that doesn't mean he won't stick somewhere. He's still got a good five or six seasons ahead of him as an effective athlete. The question though remains: Where will Michael Vick fit in, and who will take a chance on him? I don't think Vick is a good fit on a team with a clear need...Read more

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Derrick Williams, Jarron Gilbert, Jared Cook Lead Round 3 Recap

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Process points become negligible after the first day, so lets look at round three and the players that each team got in the middle of the draft.65. New York Jets -- Shonn Green, RB, IowaThe Jets traded up for this pick, so the Green pick was really disappointing. I didn't think he was anywhere near the best available, and with this being the first pick of the day, I expected a great pick here.66. St. Louis Rams -- Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa67. Kansas City Chiefs -- Alex Magee, DE, PurdueThe Chiefs pick their second 3-4 DE of the draft. So what does this mean for Glenn Dorsey? Will he split time with Magee and Tyson Jackson, or is he already on his way out?68. Chicago Bears -- Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose StateChicago moves forward looking for best player available, while making sure to add a defensive lineman every year. ...Read more

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Alphonzo Smith Trade, Rey Maualuga, Pat White Highlight NFL Draft's Second Round

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The second round of the 2009 NFL draft was fronted by some high profile trades. Both the Panthers and the Broncos traded first round picks in 2010 for players they had first round grades on, but drafted in the second round. Pat White ended up getting drafted by the consummate "Wildcat" offense, which seems like a good fit, if not a reach. Inside linebackers Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis slipped through the first round, but got drafted by teams in the second with defensive issues. They'll step in right away and help those situations.However, it was some lesser known prospects who will be the story of the second round in a few years.33. Detroit Lions -- Louis Delmas, S, Western MichiganDelmas is a local product who was clearly head and shoulders above all the other safeties in this draft. After going with the QB with a steep developmental curve in...Read more

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Matthew Stafford Highlights Top Five Picks

By Greg Trippiedi | April 25, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The NFL Draft is under way.Pick 1, Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaThe Lions get their franchise Quarterback. Supposedly. What is more promising is how well they performed the process. The Lions had a deal in principle agreed to with LB Aaron Curry. It was reportedly for $30 million in guaranteed money. But the Lions spent $41 million on the guy they believe will be the next great passer. The Lions are making a stand: they are not going to waste the best years of Calvin Johnson's career with below expectation QB play.How the Lions develop Stafford is more important than who he is coming out of Georgia. He's not a very solid prospect right now, but he's "toolzy" and loaded with potential. The Lions are getting all the process points.Detroit Lions: 5 pointsPick 2, St. Louis Rams -- Jason Smith, OT, BaylorThe best OL player in the draft...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

NFL Outsider Mock Drafts: Trippiedi's Final Call

By Greg Trippiedi | April 24, 2009 | MVN Outsider

As promised, this will be my best attempt at figuring out how the NFL draft will go on Saturday. I'll try to project all logical trades in this space, but certainly won't be able to chart all the action that will happen. Put simply, I'll be satisfied if I nail team intentions correctly in the draft.It seems like the media is catching up to teams in terms of figuring out smokescreens. That should help me a lot in this process. We'll check back on Sunday to see how accurately this two round mock really was (don't get your hopes up).Round 11. Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaJim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford. And if Jim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford, then I agree with him. I'm still not convinced that he's worth the money though. Stafford is a deadly accurate passer who might...Read more

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NFL Top 10: Draft Rumors Abound

By Greg Trippiedi | March 30, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Today, we'll keep NFL Top 10 very simple, we'll just go line by line and speculate how the first ten picks might turn out, talk about potential draft picks, huge holes, and the latest buzz surrounding the top ten picks as we close in on three weeks to go until the draft.Pick Number One -- Detroit LionsThe Facts: The Lions have narrowed it down to three players; QB Matt Stafford, OT Jason Smith, and LB Aaron Curry.The Speculation: As highly rated of a prospect as Aaron Curry is, no team can afford to invest the obscene money the first overall pick gets into the linebacker position. If Curry wants to go at the top of the draft, he will have to offer to take a deal for less money than Chris Long got last year at No. 2 overall. Considering that either St. Louis or Kansas City is primed to...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

NFL Top 101: BC's Raji Leads the 100+ Best Prospects in the 2009 NFL Draft

By Greg Trippiedi | March 23, 2009 | MVN Outsider

I'll just say it flat out: this list is not going to perfectly match the MVN Positional Top 10 lists from the last month or so. Things have changed. Draft stock is up, or down, on certain players, and on others, the author of this article has just wizened up a little bit. There will be plenty of prospects on this list who simply were left off of the positional lists, and likewise, as more information on the prospects comes available, some guys dropped out of the top 101 entirely. As NFL fans, you guys/gals know the draft drill by now, so I'll just jump right into the list. Selections that might be perceived as controversial are highlighted and explained, if only to make it a bit harder to blast in the comments section.Tier One: The Elite Talent1. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston CollegeThe NFL's next Haloti Ngata/Albert Haynesworth (depends on...Read more

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