Tai Felton

MaroonBells wrote:

And while it's true every position is a couple injuries away from predicament, it makes me nervous that that dude at the top of our RB depth chart is injury prone and will be 31 during the playoffs. I agree about Akers. He's just a guy but he knows the offense, he can be trusted in pass pro, and for as long as it seems he's been around, he's only 25.

It’s interesting that so few seem to grasp the importance of the running game going forward. KOC literally said we’ve got the horses now to open up the rest of the playbook. With the commitment to trenches, specifically the iOL in FA and the draft this is a pretty emphatic statement. 

It’s not like I’m Neo seeing the Matrix.

JustInTime wrote:

It’s interesting that so few seem to grasp the importance of the running game going forward. KOC literally said we’ve got the horses now to open up the rest of the playbook. With the commitment to trenches, specifically the iOL in FA and the draft this is a pretty emphatic statement. 

It’s not like I’m Neo seeing the Matrix.

I think everyone knows the importance of a running game...it's just about living within our means.  We had 4 original draft picks in the draft and an aging / expensive Veteran group beginning next year and no backup QB this year.  I guess I don't understand undermining the future for a man crush draft pick.  We didn't have a lot of ammo to fight with.  The draft didn't leave almost all of those oft discussed potential draft picks on the board at #24.  So..we could have forfeited some of the high draft picks for next year to move up a few spots if there was someone they absolutely couldn't live without.  It's like playing Madden.  With the FA period, the Vikings believed they were in position to draft best available.  They appeared to get that.  I know you wanted them to take Henderson...which would have been overpaying for him...in a draft where you have limited draft capital.  Since this is a Felton thread, had they not taken him...we'd have been going with Jefferson and the oft injured Rondale Moore as the starting WR while Addison serves his suspension...with Thayer or Jackson in 3 WR sets.  I expect we'll pick up someone off the waiver wire or through FA to get us through the year.  I would expect us to look at RB next year.  Let's face it..KOC will never be a run first kind of guy

I'll state again: it's like we have over 4 months before week 1 to allow the waivers/cuts/etc to throw more players into the overall mix, and for the Vikings to add to the "'Back Room". The constant hand-wringing over "...just two injuries from..." can go straight to using our QB3, WR3, DE3, etc as starters; that's a great way to wear through tooth enamel months before the season starts.

The draft is done, the picks are in, the (initial) UDFAs have been selected by people whose jobs are literally based on being OCD on our roster. The odds of hitting the regular season with a huge RB gap are pretty minimal.

JustInTime wrote:

It’s interesting that so few seem to grasp the importance of the running game going forward. KOC literally said we’ve got the horses now to open up the rest of the playbook. With the commitment to trenches, specifically the iOL in FA and the draft this is a pretty emphatic statement. 

It’s not like I’m Neo seeing the Matrix.

Aaron Jones is coming off a great year and has four 1000+ yard seasons.  Great pass catcher.

Jordan Mason is a young powerful RB that averaged over 90 yds per game in 7 starts before CMC came back.

These are the two guys who are going to carry the load for us in 2025.

I guess I don't see a huge issue with us passing on a RB.  Top 2 are set.  I would have hated trading from 97 to the back of the 2nd for R.J. Harvey.  We'd have had to given up at least our 2026 2nd and maybe that wouldn't have been enough to entice LV or Baltimore to trade back that far.  Love the player, but trading future picks for a 3rd string RB would be dumb.

Otherwise Skattebo and Tuten went right after our Felton pick at the top of the 4th round.  I didn't like either of them, Cam is slow and Tuten fumbles his morning coffee 3 days a week.

There were some guys I liked later Day 3 but they likely weren't going to surpass Aaron Jones or Mason so...

StickierBuns wrote:

Not sure why you are framing this like you have some insight that eludes the rest of us. Differing opinions is what it is and the Vikings didn't take a RB in the Draft + resigned AJ and traded for Mason, so I guess the Viking's organization also failed to 'grasp' the importance? And who's not understanding how important the running game is, I think we all do. It’s obvious Minnesota thinks they've got it covered mostly, but assuredly not quite done yet and will get another minor RB for the room.

Yes, it appears the organization failed to grasp the importance. I’d say it’s a precarious position we’re in for reasons I spelled out multiple times. There’s three pillars to my argument that most should be able to recite upon command. Until someone can find fault in any of those pillars I’m sticking to them.

It’s pretty interesting that we have this newfound faith in the front office already. Is Kwesi the oracle now? I’m trying to think of the staunch Kwesi supporters on the board. I’d say it’s easily less than 5. 

There have been multiple threads authored about his lack of an extension. Maybe I’m misunderstanding the tenor of those threads but to me I’m not hearing many say hurry up and get this done because we need him leading us forward. Am I wrong? 

And yes, I have strong opinions that typically are well founded. There’s an old saying I really like. If this comes off as condescending, how people react to what I say and how I say it I have no control over.

Think of the line Mr Wolf dropped in Pulp Fiction if that helps. I’ll try to be more sensitive but I swear someone just signed an EO declaring America is not longer Woke.  :cool:

Where did people say that Kwesi was the Oracle? I personally think we should replace him. But...at some point, you just sound like a spoiled child that didn't get what they wanted for Christmas because their parents couldn't afford it. We had 4 draft picks..including no 2nd and 4th but we should have parlayed that together with some pixie dust and drafted all your man crushes.

Sorry to be the one to tell you...Santa doesn't exist.

JustInTime wrote:

Yes, it appears the organization failed to grasp the importance. I’d say it’s a precarious position we’re in for reasons I spelled out multiple times. There’s three pillars to my argument that most should be able to recite upon command. Until someone can find fault in any of those pillars I’m sticking to them.

It’s pretty interesting that we have this newfound faith in the front office already. Is Kwesi the oracle now? I’m trying to think of the staunch Kwesi supporters on the board. I’d say it’s easily less than 5. 

There have been multiple threads authored about his lack of an extension. Maybe I’m misunderstanding the tenor of those threads but to me I’m not hearing many say hurry up and get this done because we need him leading us forward. Am I wrong? 

And yes, I have strong opinions that typically are well founded. There’s an old saying I really like. If this comes off as condescending, how people react to what I say and how I say it I have no control over.

Think of the line Mr Wolf dropped in Pulp Fiction if that helps. I’ll try to be more sensitive but I swear someone just signed an EO declaring America is not longer Woke.  :cool:

Seems to be a defensive response. I understand and respect your position, though I don't necessarily agree. Disparity of opinion and debate are the lifeblood of this place. BTW, Harlan Ellison is one of my favorite writers.

badgervike wrote:
Where did people say that Kwesi was the Oracle?  I personally think we should replace him.  But...at some point, you just sound like a spoiled child that didn't get what they wanted for Christmas because their parents couldn't afford it.  We had 4 draft picks..including no 2nd and 4th but we should have parlayed that together with some pixie dust and drafted all your man crushes.

Sorry to be the one to tell you...Santa doesn't exist.

Really? A well structured and supported position sounds like a spoiled child?

Hokay

I know a little bit about the Jewish faith. Debating and arguing a position seems to be a big part. I guess you’ve abandoned that aspect? Or maybe you just don’t have a strong position to counter my argument therefore you have to degrade yourself by hurling insults.

hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
Seems to be a defensive response. I understand and respect your position, though I don't necessarily agree. Disparity of opinion and debate are the lifeblood of this place. BTW, Harlan Ellison is one of my favorite writers.

No, I’m defending a position. If I was defensive I’d have to resort to petty and meaningless insults. 

Ellison is pretty cool. :cool:

MAD GAINZ wrote:

Aaron Jones is coming off a great year and has four 1000+ yard seasons.  Great pass catcher.

Jordan Mason is a young powerful RB that averaged over 90 yds per game in 7 starts before CMC came back.

These are the two guys who are going to carry the load for us in 2025.

I guess I don't see a huge issue with us passing on a RB.  Top 2 are set.  I would have hated trading from 97 to the back of the 2nd for R.J. Harvey.  We'd have had to given up at least our 2026 2nd and maybe that wouldn't have been enough to entice LV or Baltimore to trade back that far.  Love the player, but trading future picks for a 3rd string RB would be dumb.

Otherwise Skattebo and Tuten went right after our Felton pick at the top of the 4th round.  I didn't like either of them, Cam is slow and Tuten fumbles his morning coffee 3 days a week.

There were some guys I liked later Day 3 but they likely weren't going to surpass Aaron Jones or Mason so...

I wouldn't have traded our 2026 1st for Henderson, which is what it would've required (I think), but I would've traded a 2026 2nd rounder to move up for RJ Harvey, whom I liked almost as much as Henderson. Not a Skattebo fan, but I would've taken Tuten where we took Felton with Sai'vion Jones off the board. But having done none of that, I would've at least drafted Brashard Smith or Jacory Croskey-Merritt with our last pick instead of the tight end. I actually think Yurosek has a better chance of making the team that Bartholomew. It was damn curious that's for sure. Vikings brought in both of those backs, so it's very possible they didn't like how they interviewed. 

I am excited about Felton though. It will be interesting to see how these players fare over the next couple years.

JustInTime wrote:


It’s interesting that so few seem to grasp the importance of the running game going forward. KOC literally said we’ve got the horses now to open up the rest of the playbook. With the commitment to trenches, specifically the iOL in FA and the draft this is a pretty emphatic statement. 

It’s not like I’m Neo seeing the Matrix.

Not sure why you are framing this like you have some insight that eludes the rest of us. Differing opinions is what it is and the Vikings didn't take a RB in the Draft + resigned AJ and traded for Mason, so I guess the Viking's organization also failed to 'grasp' the importance? And who's not understanding how important the running game is, I think we all do. Its obvious Minnesota thinks they've got it covered mostly, but assuredly not quite done yet and will get another minor RB for the room.

MaroonBells wrote:

I wouldn't have traded our 2026 1st for Henderson, which is what it would've required (I think), but I would've traded a 2026 2nd rounder to move up for RJ Harvey, whom I liked almost as much as Henderson. Not a Skattebo fan, but I would've taken Tuten where we took Felton with Sai'vion Jones off the board. But having done none of that, I would've at least drafted Brashard Smith or Jacory Croskey-Merritt with our last pick instead of the tight end. I actually think Yurosek has a better chance of making the team that Bartholomew. It was damn curious that's for sure. Vikings brought in both of those backs, so it's very possible they didn't like how they interviewed. 

I am excited about Felton though. It will be interesting to see how these players fare over the next couple years.

Heard the Vikings were going to bring in Brashard Smith as an UDFA but he got picked.  Maybe if he gets cut, we'll add him?  KC has a pretty loaded RB room with Pacheco, Hunt, Mitchell, and Steele.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

Heard the Vikings were going to bring in Brashard Smith as an UDFA but he got picked.  Maybe if he gets cut, we'll add him?  KC has a pretty loaded RB room with Pacheco, Hunt, Mitchell, and Steele.

Yeah, they probably thought they could get Smith after the draft. We definitely need to add one more from somewhere. Maybe there's something to the Chubb rumors. Seems an awkward fit, but I'm betting after years in the NFL's version of deep hell, he'd love to play for a Super Bowl contender.