Twin Cities, Minnesota

Minnesota Vikings 2008 Draft

If we have learned anything from watching the Wilf/Childress regime in action on draft day, it's that they draft for need. Not that the previous regimes didn't; it's just that this one does it well. They've earned my trust because they've had far more hits than misses on draft day.

In 2006, they picked Chad Greenway, Cedric Griffin, Ryan Cook, Tarvaris Jackson, Ray Edwards and Greg Blue. The only one who definitely didn't work out was Blue. Jackson remains to be seen.

The 2007 draft brought Adrian Peterson in the first round, followed by Sidney Rice, Marcus McCauley, Brian Robison, Aundrea Allison, Rufus Alexander, Tyler Thigpen and Chandler Williams. Alexander was injured during camp, so we should see what we've got with him this year. Thigpen was snatched up by the Kansas City Chiefs and Williams was last playing for the Dolphins. Another solid draft.

This year looks like it will be no different. After coughing up a first and two third-round picks for Jared Allen, the Vikes didn't have a lot to work with this year. But I like what they did do.

Fourth rounder, safety Tyrell Johnson, looks to be great value at that spot and he is likely the heir apparent to Darren Sharper.

They got their developmental quarterback with USC's John David Booty. It's a nice pick in the fifth round because at that slot it's not quite threating enough to cause TJacks to stay awake at night yet he's a big enough name to give Tarvaris enough pause to realize this is his make or break year. And if TJacks doesn't ultimately work out, we've got Booty.

With their second fifth round pick, the team added depth to the defensive line and selected an apprentice to Pat Williams in Florida State defensive tackle Letroy Guion.

With their first sixth round pick, they drafted Notre Dame center John Sullivan to likely eventually replace Matt Birk. It's said that Sullivan could also play guard.

With their final pick, and the second of the sixth round, the Vikes got a wide receiver in Jackson State's Jaymar Johnson. This is the pick we got for the Troy Williamson trade.

Johnson's a burner--he runs a 4.4 40--but he's small. Still, he can catch and he can return kicks, two things Williamson couldn't do. It would be ironic if Johnson became the deep threat Williamson was meant to be or, at the very least, carved out a role for himself as a return man.

So all in all, given the picks that remained after the Allen trade, I think the Vikings had a solid draft. Though I really thought the Vikings would draft an offensive tackle early, given McKinnie's possible four game suspension, I wasn't far off in my pre-draft speculation. They addressed the needs I thought they would, just in a different order.

The team added depth and, with Tyrell and Jaymar Johnson, bolstered their special teams. Keep in mind, too, that we've got last year's fourth round pick, linebacker Rufus Alexander, returning from injury this year, so he will likely be another special teamer.

It looks like the team will wait for the roster cuts to fill out the remaining weak spots on the roster: A quality, spot-starter left tackle, and a backup defensive end. I don't think anyone's signed Darrion Scott yet...
 

Jaymar Johnson Video Highlights

With their last pick of the sixth round, 193 overall, the Vikings took Jackson State receiver Jaymar Johnson. This was the pick the Vikes got from the Troy Williamson trade. At 6'0", 176 lbs., he's a little small for a pro receiver but he runs a 4.41 40 and has return abilities.

• NFL.com Profile
• ESPN Profile
• NFL Draft Countdown Profile
• Rivals Profile
• Scout.com Profile
• Sports Illustrated Profile
• Jackson State Bio

High quality video:

John Sullivan Video Highlights

The Vikings used the first of their two sixth round picks to select Notre Dame center John Sullivan. The 6"4", 301 lbs. Sullivan is said to be smart, gets out of his stance quickly, has power at the point of attack but has short arms.

• NFL.com Profile
• Scout.com Profile -
• Rivals Profile (Video)
• FootballsFuture.com Profile
• Draft.com Profile
• Sports Illustrated Profile
• Notre Dame Bio  (Q & A)

Letroy Guion Video Highlights

The Vikings took Florida State defensive tackle Letroy Guion with their second fifth round pick, number 152 overall. The 6"4" 303 lbs. Guion is quick off the ball and strong but he's inconsistent and raw. In other words, he's the perfect candidate to apprentice to the Williamses.

• NFL Draft Profile
• Rivals Profile (Video)
• Scout.com Profile - (College stats) Rates him eighth best tackle
• NFL Draft Scout Profile
• FF Toolbox Scouting Report
• Sports Illustrated Profile
• Florida State Bio

John David Booty Video Highlights

The Vikings traded their first fifth round pick and their seventh round pick to the Green Bay Packers to move up to the Packer's fifth round pick at 137 overall to select USC quarterback John David Booty. Booty stands 6'3" and weighs 213 lbs and is considered a solid West Coast quarterback.

Tyrell Johnson Profile

Tyrell Johnson is six feet tall and weighs 198 pounds. Led safeties in bench presses at the combine with 27 and in the broad jump with a jump of 10' 7". Johnson ran a 4.42 40 and had a vertical jump of 32" but he jumped a 39" vertical at his Pro Day.

• NFL.com profile (including video of Johnson's combine workout)
• From NFL Draft Scout: One of the fastest rising prospects over the last few weeks, Johnson was ranked by some clubs as the elite safety in the draft. A dominant player throughout his career at Arkansas State, Johnson was the most impressive safety in workouts, as well. Only questions about his level of competition pushed him this far down the board.
• Rivals.com profile
• Scout.com profile (ranked 6th best safety)
• NFL Draft Dog
• Arkansas State profile
• Forgotten Man Gains Ground - Scout.com
• Tyrell Johnson Video Highlights

Tyrell Johnson Video Highlights

The Vikings traded their fourth-round pick to the Eagles for their fifth round pick and swapped second round positions with Philly in order to move up and take Arkansas State free safety Tyrell Johnson:

Here's another highlight reel. What, by the way, is it with the Mozart-esque opera music for these football clips?!?

2008 Minnesota Vikings Draft Needs

After the trade for Jared Allen, the Minnesota Vikings are left with no first-round pick and no third-round pick, leaving them with six draft picks this year. This dearth of picks has left me with little enthusiasm for doing my typical pre-draft research on possible Vikings' picks.

That said, these are the area I believe the Vikings will address.

With Bryant McKinnie facing a possible four-game suspension and with a lack of depth at the position regardless, it looks fairly obvious that the Vikes will take an offensive lineman with their second-round pick at number 16 (47th overall), preferably a left tackle.

Fortunately, this draft has a strong class of offensive lineman, particularly at the tackle position. With the second-round pick, the Vikings should be able to get a player who will at the very least be able to challenge Ryan Cook.

With the fourth-round pick, I could see the team taking a wide receiver ro a safety. The Vikings will need to find Darren Sharper's eventual replacement, and that could come soon, so a safety wouldn't surprise me at all here but only if value falls to them. The talent drops off sharply at this position after the top three players.

For that reason, it may be more likely the team picks a receiver here. While the addition of Bernard Berrian helps a lot, the team still doesn't have that breathtaking athlete that you want at the position.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the team draft a quarterback in the latter rounds as well. Childress really didn't want to lose Tyler Thigpen last year, so look for the Vikes to draft a QB to challenge Brooks Bollinger for the third string position and provide another developmental project should Jackson ultimately not work out.

In the sixth and seventh rounds, the Vikes will likely look for depth on the defensive or offensive lines and perhaps a cornerback or tight end.

Let's hope that last year's strong draft was no fluke because this year the Vikes will especially need solid talent evaluation acumen.

Jared Allen Video Highlights

I know I should be very excited about the Vikings prospects for this upcoming season. The trade for Jared Allen, despite the high cost of a first- and two third-round picks, has made the Vikings the favorites to win their division and the team should be considered Super Bowl contenders.

The Vikings pass defense was so bad last season only because of our woeful pass rush. The addition of last year's NFL sacks leader to the right end position turned the number one weakness on defense into the best defensive line in the league.

Allen has improved steadily since his first season, earning nine sacks as a rookie in 2004, 11 sacks the next year, slipped to 7.5 sacks in 2006, but rebounded in 2007 to lead the league with 15.5 sacks. He achieved these numbers while playing for a Kansas City Chiefs line that included defensive tackles Alfonso Boon (25 tackles, 1 sack) and Ron Edwards (23 tackles, 3 sacks), and second-year defensive end Tamba Hali (58.5 tackles, 7.5 sacks). Not a bad line but those tackles are no Pat and Kevin Williams.

If Allen continues the progress he's made in his career thus far--and there's no reason to think he won't--the Vikes should have their best front four since the 1989 line of Al Noga, Keith Millard, Henry Thomas, Chris Doleman line, and perhaps the best line since the 70s-era Purple People Eaters of Jim Marshall, Alan Page, Gary Larsen, and Carl Eller.

With a line of Ray Edwards/Brian Robison, The Williams Wall, and Allen, teams will no longer have the luxury of focusing their double-teams on one of the Williamses. Edwards and Robison are good pass rushers who now have a bit of experience under their belt and who combined for 9.5 sacks last year. With opponents focused on Pat and Kevin Williams and Jared Allen, look for Edwards and Robison to have a very good year.

The pocket pressure we should be able bring with the front four will free up the linebackers to cover the underneath routes which, in turn, will provide more time for the front four to get to the quarterback. And that will allow the secondary to become ball hawks rather than having to shut down the passing game all on their own.

This defense should, in the immortal words of Brad Childress, "kick ass."

So why do I still have reservations about the Vikings Super Bowl aspiration this season?

Tarvaris Jackson. It really depends on Jackson's ability to keep defenses honest by being able to hit receivers and defeat the eight-in-the-box defenses we saw all last year. If it kicks in for Jackson in his third season, we'll do fine. If not, while I'm a fan of Gus Frerotte, the question is whether or not he's durable enough at his age to start for most of the season.

We'll see.

Jared Allen Highlight Video

Um, be afraid Visanthe Shiancoe, be very afraid:

Vikings Press Conference For Jared Allen Trade

Minnesota Wild Win Again - Game 3

The Minnesota Wild won another wild one last night, taking the game deep into overtime before finishing off the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild overcame horrible officiating and many lost scoring opportunities to come out with a win in another extremely good game. Colorado fans are getting panic-y.

Here are the highlights, courtesy of the NHL. The shorthanded goal by Rolston is a thing to behold (about 3:30 in):

Minnesota Wild Win

I confess I did not really follow the Wild this season. But I am now and man am I impressed. The last time I really watched the team was during the playoffs when they were manhandled by the Anaheim...ugh...Ducks. But this looks like an entirely different Minnesota Wild team. The one I remember from last year were very sloppy passers and got out-muscled much of the time. This Wild team's passing is crisp and they're are throwing their weight around.

Both games thus far of this playoff series have been extremely good and exciting.

The first Western Conference quarterfinal match-up between the Wild and the Colorado Avalanche should have been a Wild win. The home team absolutely outplayed the Avalanche but got no breaks and seemed to tire at the end.

Last night, on the other hand, they did not seem as crisp and didn't get after the Avalanche nearly as much as in game one, but they came out with the win nevertheless. 

Hit Or Miss

It's amazing what a good camera will do to your ability to take interesting photos! It makes all the difference in the world. While I don't pretend to know what I'm doing, I am having a lot of fun with my new camera as I try to figure it out.

On Friday I met up with some friends at the Leaning Tower of Pizza on University by Dinkytown and aside from the abysmal service (I have never ever in my life not left a tip, so this was a first), I had fun and part of that fun was taking pictures.

It's funny. The one photo I thought would turn out to be pretty interesting wasn't that at all but one that I just snapped, not thinking much at all about it, turned out pretty nicely. I just like the way the people are framed, engaged in conversation. I especially like the contrasts in light: The dark interior with the lighted exterior  and how the blue light from the Cocktails sign highlights the booth, table and plant:

All Of A Sudden, You're A Photographer?

I must've been the only person in Minnesota who was happy that we got a blizzard yesterday. I was afraid I would have to wait an entire year before being able to take Winter photos with my brand, spanking new camera.

I was inspired by the Punch Pizza Flickr photo contest and the remarkable photographs that were submitted. So I broke down and got myself a Canon PowerShot SX100 IS from RefurbDepot.com. I've been telling my friends, beware the recently converted because when I get into something, I tend to jump in with both feet. This is no exception.

I've already uploaded hundreds of pictures to my Flickr account. I'm not saying they're great, far from it. I know I've got a lot to learn. But it sure as hell is fun!

I guess now I need a photo blog.

Opening Day

With Torii Hunter playing for tonight's opponent and Johan Santana pitching for another team in a city on the other side of the nation, it sure don't feel like Opening Day. Well, yeah, that and the blizzard.

Still, Opening Day is one of my favorite days of the year because, as the saying goes, hope springs eternal. On Opening Day, even with visibility limited, you can see a way for your team to succeed in the coming year.

If Mauer and Morneau and Cuddyer just play the way they did last year and you throw in the speedster Gomez and a Delmon Young and a Craig Monroe and maybe you've got enough pop in the lineup to compete. Maybe you've got enough pop and power to make up for the insanely youthful pitching staff.

If Hernandez really can eat up some innings, Bonser continues his progress, and Liriano regains his Santana II form, if Neshek continues his fantastic play, Crain comes back strong, and Nathan performs up to par; then, maybe, maybe the Twins have got a shot...?

Hope, as I said, springs eternal. But even if the Twins perform as expected and end in fourth place, they look like they've got plenty of talent to be entertaining regardless.

So here's to the Twins and here's to Opening Day and here are a few baseball songs to tide you over till first pitch tonight:

• Jeff Arundel - Harmon Killebrew
• Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days
• John Fogerty - Centerfield

Literary Video Games - My Brilliant Idea

My college writing professor used to say that the novel is dead. I didn't really agree with him then and I don't know that I agree with him now, but it is true that film and, now, video games, are the preferred media for enjoying long-form fiction.

Video Games As Literature

Film has clearly proved to be a superb medium for telling stories; the jury, however, is still out on video games. Role playing games such as World of Warcraft and Oblivion are the genre most suited to storytelling but I'd like to see a literary genre emerge that allows the player to explore much deeper issues and themes that have thus far escaped the video game industry.

In short, I want to play Hemingway stories.

The Obstacles To Video Games As Literature

A primary obstacle to the development of such a genre is the video game's absolute need for action. The player has to do something and the action always has to be compelling or entertaining if the video game is to be successful. That's a big challenge. I think it will become easier as video games get more immersive, as the graphics become more photo realistic and once someone figures out how to apply virtual reality technology to video games.

I love first person shooters but more often than not, the story line, such as it is, is merely a pretense to kill. Halo's story was deep and well conceived but it was mere surface science fiction, it did not deal with any social, political, or psychological issues. And it's story was told entirely through cut scenes.

The Call of Duty franchise's story succeeds in large part on our understanding of World War II history and, in the case of Call of Duty 4, our understanding of current events.

The best most recent example of storytelling within a first person shooter that I can think of is Bioshock, with its dystopian themes and its remarkable sense of place:

Even so, video games in general and first person shooters in particular have a long way to go before they reach the level of literature. I've been thinking about this for some time, but a recent visit from a writer friend of mine got me thinking about it again and the result is a brilliant idea for a first person shooter that would allow you to explore any number of literary themes.

My Brilliant Video Game Idea

My working title is The Short, Miserable Lives Of Fran McNeal.

So here's my idea:

You begin the game being pursued by some shadowy government agency that is out to get you. A long, elaborate adventure ensues during which you need to evade your persecutors while engaging other characters you meet along they way, evaluating their trustworthiness, and obtaining help from them in your efforts to escape.

Eventually, however, you will be cornered and required to kill or be killed. By killing your antagonist, you obtain the ability to become other characters in the game. With that ability you are able to see your character from the perspective of other characters and it begins to dawn on you that your character is a paranoid schizophrenic. With multiple personalities.

A power struggle ensues between your personalities; you get to play as each personality. That power struggle maintains the paranoia of the game and becomes the rationale for the game. The object is to conquer each personality by killing it.

Upon killing that personality, you absorb the characteristics of that personality and therefore obtain or become stronger for the characteristics that were unique to that personality. So, for example, if one of the personalities could speak French, was extremely witty and charming, and was an expert driver, by killing that personality, you would gain those characteristics: You would be able to speak and understand French, your charm would make you more persuasive and give you the ability to make friends with ease, and your driving skills would improve significantly.

The game then would also have a strategic aspect to it. If, for example, you wanted to take down personality X, you may first need to kill personalities Y and Z in order to obtain the skills and/or characteristics you would need to kill X.

Through each personality, you can explore a separate literary theme and the game would conclude in any variety of ways, depending upon which character you ended up becoming.

Now I just need to learn how to write video game scripts!