***Official Minnesota Vikings Draft Pick Discussion Thread***

Raymond if he plays like this he could be a steal.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FROsHnfhi5g[/ame]
 
The question I have with the Ballard pick is I thought Wilf said he wanted a high character players but yet they take a player in Ballard who I know fills a need but when your owner wants high character and and a guy fails a drug test at the combine when every prospect is tested that's just stupid

You misunderstood him. He said they wanted high players.
 
Some perspective.

Kevin Williams was considered to be a major reach when he was selected at the #9 spot in the 2003.

The exact same complaints were made then that are being made now with the Ponder pick.

Time will tell.
 
watch the Sugar Bowl and see how he reacts when he gets blitzed. Also, he skipped a meeting with the Panthers because he went out and got drunk the night before. Also, he's had problems with drugs.

This is not true, according to both Mallett and the Panthers. He told the Panthers he wasn't feeling well and they sent him home before the meeting. It had nothing to do with drinking the night before. An inference was made from what one guy wrote and the writer never brought up drinking. He said Mallett missed a meeting and he was out past midnight the night before. Drinking was never mentioned. Everyone who read that inferred that he was drinking, but Mallett says no.

And regardless of if it's true or not, this incident occurred well after the character issues arose. He admitted in an interview with one of the teams that he smoked pot, and they question some of the people he hangs out with. The accusation has been thrown out there that he's a wigger, not said in those exact words, but that's what they mean. Don't ask me how that's a character issue because I don't know.
 
Review on SI's site:

Minnesota

What I liked: Tight end Kyle Rudolph in the second round. He started as freshman at Notre Dame, has great size (6-6, 259), nice hands and good blocking skills. Paired with Visanthe Shiancoe, he gives the Vikings a potentially great tandem in 2011.

What I didn't like: Christian Ponder. The Vikings clearly need a "quarterback of the future" after the tragically failed Brett Favre experiment of the past two years. Just not sure Ponder is the answer. Look at the list of NCAA leaders in any major passing category last year. Call me when you reach Ponder. When the phone doesn't ring, I'll know it's you.

The Vikings struggled badly in pass protection last year, too, but didn't draft O-line until the sixth round. Grade: C-

Broncos, Lions, Bucs grab honors; 'Boys, Jags fall flat - Kerry J. Byrne - SI.com