RealGM

Knowing the price it would have taken to get these two guys, would you have pulled the trigger on either trade if you were the Vikes?

2009 2nd and 2009 5th for Shockey
2009 2nd and 2010 6th for Taylor

Shockey would have been a great target for T-Jack and he's also a great blocker. Taylor would have given the Vikes another top DE to complete an amazing starting d-line: J. Allen/P. Williams/K. Williams/J. Taylor

doubt it. I value the 2nd rd pick. It will provide depth and the chance to have a young guy to follow the older mentors.

Taylor I would have thought about, but Shockey I would have said no to.

not a fan of shockey, and even though you can't get enough d-line men, we were in a position where we didn't need to make another move

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of Shockey myself. Despite being one of the most talented TEs in the league, he could be a headcase and an injury risk.

As for Taylor, even with the depth we have at the position, it'd be really hard for me to pass on a player of his caliber. He's really going to play with a chip on his shoulder this season. But as you mentioned Rev, the 2nd rd pick is valuable, and I guess the team needs to develop more with T-Jack at the helm before they can go and throw picks out on an older player with concerns of retirement looming(though he has said he will play remaining 2 seasons on his contract with WSH).