Ok, now I'm convinced there is a hell! Watching the Vikings Draft over the last few years has been as much an emotional roller coaster ride as was watching them lose their recent championship games! I mean last year it was Fred Robbins and Frank Borieu(sp) now they finally make a trade in the draft to move up and for what? A projected 5th round selection in Eric Kelly. My God this kid was rated as low as 17 in CB by TSN and we trade for him in the third friggin round! Hell I could see if they were gonna take William Peterson with this choice who is rated #6! What is going on up there in Minnesota? Has someone spiked the water with drugs? Shit the 3 LB's selected after us were better picks then this and would have made more sense! Now I know there is something fishy(LUTE) going on in Minnesota! Believe me I won't wast my time watching tomrrows selections, I think I'll go into work and get something productive accomplished at least I won't go insane from trying to figure out the Vikings Draft approach! By the way, Bennett was a good pick considering the level of defensive talent left at that point! Still our defense is gonna continue to stink for years to come, unless......

-- Chris (krondor105@aol.com), April 21, 2001

Answers

I agree. we trade up to get this guy. I could see the move up to get Peterson, but it seems like Kelly has injury problems... The only thing I saw on him was his six int's last year. Let's hope we get a CB on free agency and Shaw can work his magic. ESPN said that Denny liked him becuase he played a lot of man-to-man in college and most college CB's don't do that. They agreed that it was likely to be in addition to picking up James Hasty and or Dale Carter, and that Carter is Jake Reed's brother and is currently working out with CC in Florida.

I am happy with Bennett and Howard. All in all a pretty good first day! All

-- Jim (thewitts1@home.com), April 21, 2001.

Agree, Bennett and Howard are solidbut this Kelly? seems like he would of been there in 4th or 5th rd. Denny has to make one bonehead decision a year on draft day to keep his streak going. On the other hand maybe we can get lucky with a 'D' player. One of these years we have to. GO VIKES!!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), April 21, 2001.

Player biographies are provided by Pro Football Weekly.

Michael Bennett RB (5-9, 207)

Positives: One of the two or three fastest football players in America over longer distances and does not lose much speed when he puts his pads on. Is not a sprinter playing football, but a legitimate and tough player with good football character. Improved by leaps and bounds in 2000 and still has a lot of upside potential. Is just learning to run with patience and how to make his cuts without slowing down. Looks small, but he is powerful for his size and runs hard. Is always a threat to go all the way and can run inside or outside. Handled questions about his incident openly and with poise at the Combine. Also seemed to catch the ball pretty well in drills.

Negatives: Is not very big. Has only really done it for one year. Still learning his trade and needs a lot of reps. Does not always show good vision or running instincts and judgment. Gets too impatient at times and does not wait for his blocking or waits too long. Needs to develop a better feel for the flow of the defense. Has very little experience catching the ball. Needs a lot of work on his blocking, especially how he picks up the blitz. Had way too many pass rushers just go right through or around him. Has some off-the-field baggage.

Summary: No underclassman running back who came out could have used an extra year in school to learn and develop more than this player. However, he has such rare speed and potential, he still figures to be a very high draft pick.

Willie Howard DT (6-3, 290, 5.0)

Positives: Very durable. Has a thick body and quick mind. Has started every game the past four years. Above-average athlete with good feet. Showed how good he is capable of being in 1999, when he was in the best shape of his career and played with great hunger and intensity. Also looked very good at the Senior Bowl. Versatile. Can and has played inside and outside.

Negatives: Disappointing senior year after reporting back in less- than-ideal shape. Has to play with great intensity and focus, like he did during Senior Bowl week, to be effective. Lacks great power as a tackle and is not as fast as teams would like at end. Tends to play too upright and gets hung up on blocks too often.

Summary: Can be a solid starter in the NFL if he plays with the intensity he showed in 1999 and at the Senior Bowl and learns to play a little lower.

Eric Kelly CB (5-10, 198, 4.44)

Positives: Nice size. Big enough to be physical and to play bump-and- run. Good straight-line quickness and speed. Has a burst to close and can stay with fast receivers who are running down the field.

Negatives: A little bit tight in the hips and does not turn and change directions that well. Lacks ball awareness. Very often he will be right with his man and not see or react to the ball until it is too late to prevent the catch.

Summary: Must learn to find the ball better if he is to play on the next level.

-- Clark (cdvike@mindspring.com), April 22, 2001.

You are lucky if you didn't watch Denny Day Deux.

I don't have any hair left man. When guys like Ward and Akbar were slipping I was in heavan, then Denny would draft Haywood Jablome Jr. and it was like a bobsled to hell. I did happen to see the midget from Kid Rock when I was down there. He told me to say "Hi" to Kevan.

IZ

-- Iz (izmorrow@yahoo.com), April 23, 2001.