Speilman

As much as we're all pretty disappointed with how Ponder has turned out as our QB this year, I have to admit that Vikings GM Rick Spielman did a great job with the draft THIS season.

Seven of our ten picks are contributing BIG TIME to the Vikings THIS season.

Offensive tackle Matt Kalil is having an all-pro season. Adrian Peterson is having his greatest year EVER and Kalil is the primary reason that is happening.

Harrison Smith is another major contributor. He's currently my favorite defensive player. It's not just his two INTs for TDs either. He's everywhere making tackles and running down opponents. He's playing like a vetearn who knows the game inside out. He's been incredible this season.

Josh Robinson, another defensive back, has been almost as good as Smith. He's a major addition to this ball club. We REALLY needed our defensive backs to perform this season. That they are young and able to be on the field as much as they are because of our poor offense is even more amazing.

Blair Walsh is obviously a a good young kicker. His leg is stronger than the departing Longwell but he still has to prove he's more automatic on the short kicks. He's very good, but there is room for some improvement. As he plays longer, his ability should grow as well.

Defensive back Joe Blanton has not played much on defense, but he has been the backbone of our special teams.

Jarius Wright has looked very good as a receiver, but until Ponder learns how to get receivers his passes, we'll never know just how good this kid will be. He CATCHES passes that are thrown to him, that automatically makes him better in my book than the more well now Simpson.

Rhett Ellison hasn't played much as a tight end, but when it comes to blocking he MAY become our next Jim Kleinsasser. It's not a coincidence that he's wearing Kleinsaser's old number.

Even one of our other draft picks, Greg Childs, may make the team as a wide receiver NEXT year.  He's the guy that had the freak accident in training camp this year that resulted in him tearing his petella tendons in BOTH knees. Going into training camp, it was Childs that had the most buzz among receivers.

I have no idea where the Vikings would have been THIS SEASON without this great group of draft picks. I've been focusing so much on the FLOP that is named Ponder that I missed how good the draft was this year. I know WHY were winning, and much of that is a result of a stellar freshman class.

When we lose, it's a particular sophomore that's most of the problem.

But we all know that already, don't we?