Ted Thompson: Executive of the Year 2009-2010?

[eagle13]

I wasn't disagreeing with Thompson being a favorite for the award. I just disagree with anyone that immediately calls it the greatest draft ever.

Did I miss that? I heard TT's best draft ever.

[Fight the Tank]

Although I would probably take Loadholt over Raji.

Why? Loadholt has had massive pass protection issues the second half of the season. He's very lead footed. He's good in the run game because of his size, but not good at protecting the QB. Raji is a versatile run stopper who can also make plays in the backfield.

I'd easily take Raji/Matthews over Harvin/Loadholt. My guess is most GM's would as well.

I have not seen these issues. I will agree to disagree here.

I would love to hear a Vikings fan take. I would imagine it is just the opposite.

Don Banks is one guy that would take the Vikings guys. Sounds like Kiper would take the Packers. Its apples to oranges either way. Both teams did very well.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I wasn't disagreeing with Thompson being a favorite for the award. I just disagree with anyone that immediately calls it the greatest draft ever.

Did I miss that? I heard TT's best draft ever.

He just had what is probably one of the best drafts in history

Original post.

[ReasonablySober]

You would honestly take Harvin over Matthews and Loadholt over Raji?

For what the Packers need probably no. Although I would probably take Loadholt over Raji. A bookend tackle is slightly more important than a DL for me. Harvin made the Pro Bowl and will be the OROY. He was clearly an excellent pick. So was Matthews though. Minnesota hit two home runs with those guys. You have to admit that.

Here is that Don Banks article.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... index.html

I read the article. It's absurd to think that Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith or even Andre Smith drop out of the first. Hell, Monroe probably goes no worse than #4 if the draft is done over.

Banks was going off of early performance and even admits he's not largely taking potential or projection into account.

Loadholt's a RT, not a LT and he's got mobility and run blocking issues. He's already been undressed on national television once (against Carolina). There isn't a snowball's chance in hell I'm taking him over someone with Raji's physical gifts.

[eagle13]

I wasn't disagreeing with Thompson being a favorite for the award. I just disagree with anyone that immediately calls it the greatest draft ever.

Did I miss that? I heard TT's best draft ever.

He just had what is probably one of the best drafts in history

Original post.

To be accurate he said - "one of best" - NOT "the greatest ever".

IF Lang & Jones excel as starters and Wynn, Quinn and Underwood also develop - I think Quinn & Wynn can - not sure about Underwood - then it could easily be ONE of the best ever.

[Worm Guts]

Although I would probably take Loadholt over Raji.

Why? Loadholt has had massive pass protection issues the second half of the season. He's very lead footed. He's good in the run game because of his size, but not good at protecting the QB. Raji is a versatile run stopper who can also make plays in the backfield.

I'd easily take Raji/Matthews over Harvin/Loadholt. My guess is most GM's would as well.

I have not seen these issues. I will agree to disagree here.

I would love to hear a Vikings fan take. I would imagine it is just the opposite.

Don Banks is one guy that would take the Vikings guys. Sounds like Kiper would take the Packers. Its apples to oranges either way. Both teams did very well.

Since I'm here....

Mike Morris of KFAN loves Loadholdt and he probably know more about line play than me, but I've seen him beat a few times in pass protection, especially lately, and the Vikings line in general has been terrible in the run game. I don't think he's anything special.
Harvin is a stud, but so is Matthews. I don't know anything about Raji.

[Fight the Tank]

I have not seen these issues. I will agree to disagree here.

I would love to hear a Vikings fan take. I would imagine it is just the opposite.

Don Banks is one guy that would take the Vikings guys. Sounds like Kiper would take the Packers. Its apples to oranges either way. Both teams did very well.[/quote]

Since I'm here....

Mike Morris of KFAN loves Loadholdt and he probably know more about line play than me, but I've seen him beat a few times in pass protection, especially lately, and the Vikings line in general has been terrible in the run game. I don't think he's anything special.
Harvin is a stud, but so is Matthews. I don't know anything about Raji.[/quote]

Any rookie OT is going to get beat from time to time. I would go with Mike Morris on this one. It is really tough for regular people to evaluate DL and OL play.

[Wade-A-Holic]

I've heard a few other pundits comment on how poorly Loadholt has played in the past 3-4 weeks. May just be a case of hitting the proverbial "wall" though. I don't think he'll ever be very good in the running game but I think he'll be steady and solid in the passing game as time goes on.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Did I miss that? I heard TT's best draft ever.

He just had what is probably one of the best drafts in history

Original post.

To be accurate he said - "one of best" - NOT "the greatest ever".

IF Lang & Jones excel as starters and Wynn, Quinn and Underwood also develop - I think Quinn & Wynn can - not sure about Underwood - then it could easily be ONE of the best ever.

We're probably splitting hairs here, but he said probably, like it is more than likely. I just don't know how you can say even 4 starters is one of the greatest drafts ever. Let's wait to see if they even make it to multiple pro bowls before we put them with some of the greatest drafts in history. Right now I only see 2 guys who look like locks to be long term starters and only 1 that is a lock to be a consistent pro-bowler.

All I'm saying is it's too early. Like anointing Jennings the best pick after 20 games.

[LarryHarris]

We're probably splitting hairs here, but he said probably, like it is more than likely. I just don't know how you can say even 4 starters is one of the greatest drafts ever. Let's wait to see if they even make it to multiple pro bowls before we put them with some of the greatest drafts in history. Right now I only see 2 guys who look like locks to be long term starters and only 1 that is a lock to be a consistent pro-bowler.

All I'm saying is it's too early. Like anointing Jennings the best pick after 20 games.

I agree with what you are saying, calling anything "The Greatest" always seems like hyperbole to me anyways, because there isn't really an accurate way to quantify or qualify it. Several members of the rookie class have been key contributors, which is one of a few ways to measure an executive's contribution to a team. I like TT, that said, I wouldn't be surprised if it went to someone else...

[Ayt]

On Loadholt (or any other player really), I like this site. They really break down every play and grade players then give you some interesting ratings and stats to look at.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/by_posi ... numgames=1

According to them, Loadholt is one of the most penalized and one of the worst run blocking tackles in the league. He rated out as a solid pass blocker.

Of course, this might negate any credibility people may give the site, but I thought had his best season by far and he was pretty damn solid before.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/by_posi ... numgames=1

[ReasonablySober]

I didn't watch some of the guys on that list, but of those I did see I though Barnett was as good as any MLB not named Patrick Willis this season IMO.

[ReasonablySober]

That site would seems to confirm what others have said about the guards as well.

They have Sitton ranked as the #5 RG and Colledge as the #11 ranked LG. Hopefully Spitz comes back next season and plays well.

[Ayt]

That site would seems to confirm what others have said about the guards as well.

They have Sitton ranked as the #5 RG and Colledge as the #11 ranked LG. Hopefully Spitz comes back next season and plays well.

And Collins, Woody, Jenks, and Matthews.

[Ayt]

I didn't watch some of the guys on that list, but of those I did see I though Barnett was as good as any MLB not named Patrick Willis this season IMO.

The stats on Chillar are interesting. He has the lowest completion percentage against of any ILB on that list. He also only gave up 13 completions which is tied for 6th best. What hurt him was that he gave up 2 TDs in those 13 completions and his average yards per catch allowed was 14th worst out of 53.

Just throwing it out there since his coverage has been talked about quite a bit.

Hawk also seems pretty spot on. About all he can do is defend the run.

[LarryHarris]

I didn't watch some of the guys on that list, but of those I did see I though Barnett was as good as any MLB not named Patrick Willis this season IMO.

Barnett got better as the season went on and as they got more comfortable with the system. I thought he was a tad inconsistent early in the year, but at this point, I think he deserves Pro Bowl alternate way before Hawk does... Strange that one of the reasons we moved to this style of defense is because of our strength at LB, but the LB that made the biggest difference was someone that we acquired after making the switch...

[El Duderino]

That site would seems to confirm what others have said about the guards as well.

They have Sitton ranked as the #5 RG and Colledge as the #11 ranked LG. Hopefully Spitz comes back next season and plays well.

Am i reading this wrong because i don't see them ranking the guards by RG/LG?

I just see Sitton ranked as the 7th best performing guard and Colledge 29th.

[MikeIsGood]

He probably roughly separated them himself using the second column as reference.