Awesomeness.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/01/02/bc.fbn.nfloffensiverook.ap/index.html

I thought is was a no-brainer, but I was listening to ESPN radio and some of those guys were dissapointed Joe Thomas didn't get more consideration. How do you NOT pick AP/PJ(Purple Jesus)???

The stat I heard most was that PJ only had 350 yards rushing in his last 7 games or something like that.

Thoughts??

Well, three thoughts:
1) they might have included the two he was injured.

2) Teams put 8/9 men in the box, loading up to stop him. Entire game plans were designed for him and Purple Moses (Chester Taylor), and rightfully so as our coaching staff did nothing to counter that until the fourth quarter of the last game of the season. If you know a coach will not develop a passing game, why plan much to stop one? Average players in single coverage can stop our passing game, so why put much thought to it.

3) He got a little pompous and didn't adjust his game. In all facets of life you must reinvent yourself regularly to succeed. That will be key for him this off season. He must heed Emmitt's advice and work hard on his game to stay on top.

daddyfatsax wrote:
Completely 100% agree with you and the post. I think the biggest factor in his reduced stats the last games was easily point #2 above. It was ridiculous what teams were doing to stop AP. And it wasn't very difficult for them to identify when he was going to run, because he was rarely in the game for passing situations.

Until we improve our Wide Receivers and QB play, it is not too hard for teams to gameplan against Purple Jesus. If AP was on a team with even an average passing attack and stayed healthy, he could have very easily approached 2,000 yards... in his rookie season. Insane.

College Wolf wrote:
That's incredible. I knew he was going to be a great player in this league, the only question is can we surround him with enough talent at other positions to become a true contender...I'd be interested in seeing the Vikes offer a couple of draft picks(#2, #3?) for Derek Anderson from Cleveland. He had a really solid year, and he is only 24!! Cleveland will be itching to get Quinn on the field next year, and we need someone (anyone) who can throw the ball over 6 yards down the field.

Now we need to spend some money on a WR, or draft one. For the record, I don't really like any of the QBs coming out this year...

whiskeydizzy wrote:
Agreed. I'd much rather have Derek Anderson than any of the guys in the draft... as long as the price is right. Cleveland wants a #1 and #3 for him. I wouldn't do that, but I would do a #2 and #3 as you suggested.