Billi vs Chilli
This is coming very late - right now I'm watching the 3rd game of the NFL season and I still haven't done my suggested draft for the Vikings. My goal is to do an ongoing draft as if I was put in charge in 2006 and see how my team develops vs. the actual Vikes. So far, I am accepting all off season moves and I restrict myself only to trades that the Vikes make - I can't imagine and implement my own because, "who knows?"
Here is what my Vikes team looked liked vs the actual Vikes before the 2007 draft:
Billi Chilli
LB ILB Abdul Hodge OLB Chad Greenway
Abdul was an off and on starter for the Packers last year. He is a step down from his Iowa teammate Greenway, but allows EJ to play his breakout position of OLB while EJ has to be MLB for Chilli.
CB Ashton Youboty CB Cedric Griffen
Ashton spent some time as the dime back for Buffalo last year while Griffen worked his way up from Bench, to nickel, to starter replacing Smoot. Youboty is a bigger question mark than Griffen coming into 2007. My team will be looking for a more solid Corner. To be fair, Youboty was behind much tougher CB competition at Buffalo than Griffen.
T Winston Justice T Ryan Cook
Justice rode the bench last year for Philadelphia but is slated as their LT of the future. He protected Leinart's back side at RT and I know in my heart of hearts he would have won the RT job at MN last year. My line would be incredibly solid instead of relying on the schulb that is Ryan Cook at RT. The Cook selection is probably the biggest reason Ziggy fired the personnel VP the day after the draft.
DE Mark Anderson DE Ray Edwards
Anderson lead all rookie DE's with 12 sacks with the Bears. Edwards was a boring backup with 10 tackles and 3 sacks, but is showing some flash in 2007 (I'm not supposed to know any 2007 stats when I draft!)
QB Omar Jacobs QB Tarvarious Jackson
Pittsburgh released Jacobs during 2006 spring training and he disappeared into suckitude. Wasted pick on my part. T-Jack gives Chilli false hope...
S Greg Blue S Greg Blue
Yes, we both took Blue. Unlike Chilli, I wouldn't have signed S Mike Doss and wouldn't have cut Blue in spring training for a hurt veteran.
C Greg Eslinger G Artis Hicks
The small, agile former Gopher would have been the perfect backup in a zone blocking scheme which is inexplicably used by Chilli and his behemoth line. Chilli traded away his 6th pick for Hicks. At the time I applauded the move, but in 2006 Hicks was terrible and in game 3 of 2007 he has been benched.
WR Maurice Stovall
Because I didn't trade away 2 3rd round picks for Jackson, I got to pick up one more player. Stovall eventually got some time late in the season for Tampa Bay when Clayton went down and did ok.
Draft Analysis Impact by Position Grouping:
QB - I need a QB. I've got nothing. Chilli has T-Jack and doesn't know he's nothing. Advantage me since I can do something about it!
RB/FB - Both teams in same boat with Taylor and Richardson in the backfield.
WR/TE - The only difference is I have Stovall as my #3 behind Williamson and Wade (*sigh*). Chilli has nothing at #3 unless you count Robert Ferguson, which I don't. I am also far more concerned about TE as I don't believe Vishanco is the answer Chilli does.
OL - I have Winston Justice at RT and I need a RG. Chilli needs a RG and RT.
DL - I have a successful pass rushing and sacking specialist in Anderson. I'm comfortable having Kenechi and Erasmus competing for the other end spot. Chilli needs a pass rusher since Edwards has not proven himself.
LB - Chilli's squad is more solid than mine with fewer question marks - namely because Greenway is a legit #1 playing OLB while Hodge is a 2nd rounder. I may be looking for LB value to add depth.
DB - I'm more concerned than Chilli having to start Youboty whereas Chilli is more comfortable with Griffen. Chilli is looking for a nickel back, I'm looking for a nickel who can challenge for a starting spot.
Onto the Draft....
Round 1 - Pick 7
Billi - QB Brady Quinn (taken 22nd in 1st round by Cleveland)
Chilli - RB Adrian Peterson
I can't knock Chilli here. Along with T Joe Thomas who goes 3rd and WR Calvin Johnson who goes #2, I think AP belongs with those guys as the top 3 talent in the draft. This is real value for Chilli and the first 3 games this year back up that analysis. However I go with Quinn for many reasons. One, his stock is way down because of one bad game against the other hot shot QB Jamarcus Russel. I'm feeling very fortunate to get this much value at 7. Two, I believe that Quinn, who was highly considered in high school, a three year starter at Notre Dame playing big games and under the tutelage of Charlie Weiss is much more ready than T-jack who lead a community college to mediocre records and has 2 games of NFL experience. Quinn's experience and ceiling are much, much higher. I also believe this is the time to take a QB who needs a few years to develop and take my chances that I can get a very good RB in the next few years when I should still have high picks due to a developing QB. In my mind Chilli has it backwards by taking the dynamic back before the franchise QB. AP will be good, good enough to cause the Vikes to lose draft position but not good enough to push the team into the playoffs.
Round II
Chilli - WR Sidney Rice (and various trades that move them up to the 3rd pick in the 4th round)
Billi - WR Dwayne Jarret (taken by Carolina with next pick in second round)
The toughest decision for me here is whether to get a solid starting CB in Chris Houston (or Eric Wright) or take the WR. I could have seen Houston slipping into the late 1st round, but I had plenty of fans saying take Jarret at #7! I thought #11 to San Fran was more realistic and I am ecstatic Jarret is available this late. I think this guy is the next Keyshawn Johnson, and clearly his value has been docked by comparisons to Mike Williams. Whatever. This is HUGE value! A big body possession receiver to put opposite Troy Williamson (*sigh*), not to mention having Bobby Wade and Maurice Stoval as my #3 options (where they belong). Yes, at some point I still need a legitimate burner who can catch the ball, but this is a huge upgrade to give my new QB some weapons. Chilli wastes his pick on another speedy, immature, South Carolin Receiver. Dumb.
Round III
Chilli - CB Marcus McCauley
Billi - RB Michael Bush (Taken 1st in round 4 by Oakland)
I had lots to consider here. I like RB Micheal Bush, TE Ben Patrick, G Josh Beekman, OLB Steward Bradley and CB's Tanard Jackson and CB Marcus McCauley. Ultimately I go with Bush because I love the guy's talent. I'm hoping I can get a CB, G and TE later even those are all bigger need picks.
Round IV
Chilli - DE Brian Robison
Billi - OG Josh Beekman (taken 31st in Round 4 by Chicago Bears).
Robison is certainly working out after 3 games, but I already have a stud pass rusher in Anderson. CB Jackson, G Beekman and TE Patrick are still available here! My gamble paid off and here I fill my need at Guard. The longer my line can play together, the better they will be. I can always draft a CB in the future and just plug them in. There are still 3 decent TE's left in the draft, hopefully one falls to round 5.
Round V
Chilli - WR Audrae Allison
Billi - TE Ben Patrick (actually taken 5th in the 7th round by Arizona)
I'm surprised Patrick lasts so long. The other 2 TE's were taken late in the 4th and Patrick falls to me. I'm very happy with the value I'm getting to fill a huge need. I seriously considered him as early as round 3 which would have been a need reach. Now I get value and need.
Round VI
Chilli - LB Rufus Alexander
Billi - ILB Brandon Siler (Goes 30th in round 7 to San Diego)
I think we are on the same wave length needing depth at LB. I go with the inside guy to help push Hodge. I almost go with CB Kenny Scott, but I figure I'll take my chances with junk this year and go for a high CB draft pick next year.
Round VII
Chilli - QB Tyler Thigpen, WR Chandler Wilson
Billi - CB Kenny Scott (undrafted), CB Anthony Arline (undrafted)
Thigpen was released and picked up by KC on waivers to be their 3rd QB. WR Wilson didn't make the team. The last word on Arline is that he signed with the Chargers and was then a no-show to training camp. No real news on Scott except he went from sure 3rd rounder to undrafted on character issues... no idea where he is now. So long and short, even 3 weeks into 2007 all four of our 7th round picks are gone.
Here is what my Vikes team looked liked vs the actual Vikes before the 2007 draft:
Billi Chilli
LB ILB Abdul Hodge OLB Chad Greenway
Abdul was an off and on starter for the Packers last year. He is a step down from his Iowa teammate Greenway, but allows EJ to play his breakout position of OLB while EJ has to be MLB for Chilli.
CB Ashton Youboty CB Cedric Griffen
Ashton spent some time as the dime back for Buffalo last year while Griffen worked his way up from Bench, to nickel, to starter replacing Smoot. Youboty is a bigger question mark than Griffen coming into 2007. My team will be looking for a more solid Corner. To be fair, Youboty was behind much tougher CB competition at Buffalo than Griffen.
T Winston Justice T Ryan Cook
Justice rode the bench last year for Philadelphia but is slated as their LT of the future. He protected Leinart's back side at RT and I know in my heart of hearts he would have won the RT job at MN last year. My line would be incredibly solid instead of relying on the schulb that is Ryan Cook at RT. The Cook selection is probably the biggest reason Ziggy fired the personnel VP the day after the draft.
DE Mark Anderson DE Ray Edwards
Anderson lead all rookie DE's with 12 sacks with the Bears. Edwards was a boring backup with 10 tackles and 3 sacks, but is showing some flash in 2007 (I'm not supposed to know any 2007 stats when I draft!)
QB Omar Jacobs QB Tarvarious Jackson
Pittsburgh released Jacobs during 2006 spring training and he disappeared into suckitude. Wasted pick on my part. T-Jack gives Chilli false hope...
S Greg Blue S Greg Blue
Yes, we both took Blue. Unlike Chilli, I wouldn't have signed S Mike Doss and wouldn't have cut Blue in spring training for a hurt veteran.
C Greg Eslinger G Artis Hicks
The small, agile former Gopher would have been the perfect backup in a zone blocking scheme which is inexplicably used by Chilli and his behemoth line. Chilli traded away his 6th pick for Hicks. At the time I applauded the move, but in 2006 Hicks was terrible and in game 3 of 2007 he has been benched.
WR Maurice Stovall
Because I didn't trade away 2 3rd round picks for Jackson, I got to pick up one more player. Stovall eventually got some time late in the season for Tampa Bay when Clayton went down and did ok.
Draft Analysis Impact by Position Grouping:
QB - I need a QB. I've got nothing. Chilli has T-Jack and doesn't know he's nothing. Advantage me since I can do something about it!
RB/FB - Both teams in same boat with Taylor and Richardson in the backfield.
WR/TE - The only difference is I have Stovall as my #3 behind Williamson and Wade (*sigh*). Chilli has nothing at #3 unless you count Robert Ferguson, which I don't. I am also far more concerned about TE as I don't believe Vishanco is the answer Chilli does.
OL - I have Winston Justice at RT and I need a RG. Chilli needs a RG and RT.
DL - I have a successful pass rushing and sacking specialist in Anderson. I'm comfortable having Kenechi and Erasmus competing for the other end spot. Chilli needs a pass rusher since Edwards has not proven himself.
LB - Chilli's squad is more solid than mine with fewer question marks - namely because Greenway is a legit #1 playing OLB while Hodge is a 2nd rounder. I may be looking for LB value to add depth.
DB - I'm more concerned than Chilli having to start Youboty whereas Chilli is more comfortable with Griffen. Chilli is looking for a nickel back, I'm looking for a nickel who can challenge for a starting spot.
Onto the Draft....
Round 1 - Pick 7
Billi - QB Brady Quinn (taken 22nd in 1st round by Cleveland)
Chilli - RB Adrian Peterson
I can't knock Chilli here. Along with T Joe Thomas who goes 3rd and WR Calvin Johnson who goes #2, I think AP belongs with those guys as the top 3 talent in the draft. This is real value for Chilli and the first 3 games this year back up that analysis. However I go with Quinn for many reasons. One, his stock is way down because of one bad game against the other hot shot QB Jamarcus Russel. I'm feeling very fortunate to get this much value at 7. Two, I believe that Quinn, who was highly considered in high school, a three year starter at Notre Dame playing big games and under the tutelage of Charlie Weiss is much more ready than T-jack who lead a community college to mediocre records and has 2 games of NFL experience. Quinn's experience and ceiling are much, much higher. I also believe this is the time to take a QB who needs a few years to develop and take my chances that I can get a very good RB in the next few years when I should still have high picks due to a developing QB. In my mind Chilli has it backwards by taking the dynamic back before the franchise QB. AP will be good, good enough to cause the Vikes to lose draft position but not good enough to push the team into the playoffs.
Round II
Chilli - WR Sidney Rice (and various trades that move them up to the 3rd pick in the 4th round)
Billi - WR Dwayne Jarret (taken by Carolina with next pick in second round)
The toughest decision for me here is whether to get a solid starting CB in Chris Houston (or Eric Wright) or take the WR. I could have seen Houston slipping into the late 1st round, but I had plenty of fans saying take Jarret at #7! I thought #11 to San Fran was more realistic and I am ecstatic Jarret is available this late. I think this guy is the next Keyshawn Johnson, and clearly his value has been docked by comparisons to Mike Williams. Whatever. This is HUGE value! A big body possession receiver to put opposite Troy Williamson (*sigh*), not to mention having Bobby Wade and Maurice Stoval as my #3 options (where they belong). Yes, at some point I still need a legitimate burner who can catch the ball, but this is a huge upgrade to give my new QB some weapons. Chilli wastes his pick on another speedy, immature, South Carolin Receiver. Dumb.
Round III
Chilli - CB Marcus McCauley
Billi - RB Michael Bush (Taken 1st in round 4 by Oakland)
I had lots to consider here. I like RB Micheal Bush, TE Ben Patrick, G Josh Beekman, OLB Steward Bradley and CB's Tanard Jackson and CB Marcus McCauley. Ultimately I go with Bush because I love the guy's talent. I'm hoping I can get a CB, G and TE later even those are all bigger need picks.
Round IV
Chilli - DE Brian Robison
Billi - OG Josh Beekman (taken 31st in Round 4 by Chicago Bears).
Robison is certainly working out after 3 games, but I already have a stud pass rusher in Anderson. CB Jackson, G Beekman and TE Patrick are still available here! My gamble paid off and here I fill my need at Guard. The longer my line can play together, the better they will be. I can always draft a CB in the future and just plug them in. There are still 3 decent TE's left in the draft, hopefully one falls to round 5.
Round V
Chilli - WR Audrae Allison
Billi - TE Ben Patrick (actually taken 5th in the 7th round by Arizona)
I'm surprised Patrick lasts so long. The other 2 TE's were taken late in the 4th and Patrick falls to me. I'm very happy with the value I'm getting to fill a huge need. I seriously considered him as early as round 3 which would have been a need reach. Now I get value and need.
Round VI
Chilli - LB Rufus Alexander
Billi - ILB Brandon Siler (Goes 30th in round 7 to San Diego)
I think we are on the same wave length needing depth at LB. I go with the inside guy to help push Hodge. I almost go with CB Kenny Scott, but I figure I'll take my chances with junk this year and go for a high CB draft pick next year.
Round VII
Chilli - QB Tyler Thigpen, WR Chandler Wilson
Billi - CB Kenny Scott (undrafted), CB Anthony Arline (undrafted)
Thigpen was released and picked up by KC on waivers to be their 3rd QB. WR Wilson didn't make the team. The last word on Arline is that he signed with the Chargers and was then a no-show to training camp. No real news on Scott except he went from sure 3rd rounder to undrafted on character issues... no idea where he is now. So long and short, even 3 weeks into 2007 all four of our 7th round picks are gone.
posted by Bill Gilles | 11:59 AM
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