NodakPaul said:
warhawk said:
The difference between the Packers and the Vikings is that the Vikings don't actually "build" teams but buys them by importing a significant number of new guys every year. Team chemistry this does not create or depth does it make.
This is the method the press, however, LOVES and all the guru's grasp onto this because they recognize the names that justify immediate improvement in teams. Of course, if this actually worked that great, Washington would have won the last five SB's.
GB creeps along building from within and drafting good although really not spectacular names which of course totally befuddles the experts who didn't think the Pack did enough in the off-season and completely botched the draft so obviously we will suck.
I have said this before about the NFL. If your not deep your dead. The teams standing in the end have guys behind guys that can come in and play.
When it comes to who's standing at the end of sixteen games we have the players top to bottom to be there and from that perspective I see no other team in the North close.
The opener will be a fun and interesting game. Much more so then where the division will stand by week thirteen or fourteen.
I call BS. Since Childress took over Minnesota has only added young players through FA and the draft. The majority of the starters on the Vikings were drafted by the Vikings.
However, there is nothing wrong with grabbing a big name or two when they are young players in the prime of their career (Hutch, Allen) or players who were back ups but Childress sees something special in (Taylor).
I like Childress and Speilman's approach to team building. Young players who can put together a winning team that lasts, not just a flash in the pan. However, building takes time, hence the two year slump. This is the year when it all comes together though...
The bold part is actually describing the Vikings pretty well. They really have been one of the biggest spenders in free agency.
Here are the names I came up with....
Tony Richardson (gone now I believe), Steven Hutchinson, Darren Sharper, Pat Williams, Ben Leber, Dwight Smith, Bobby Wade, Antonie Winfield, and you can throw in Chester Taylor.
All those guys were free agent pick ups by the Vikings.
Throw in this years acquisitions of Benard Berrien, Madieu Williams, and Jared Allen.
That's 12 guys.
That's a lot of free agent pick ups and a lot of money spent during free agency for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 3 years I think.
I think the Vikings have clearly built their team using free agency.