The Vikings traded a first round pick for Sam Bradford.
What a world.
@BimboColesHair
So I've had an entire weekend to let this sink in...wasn't a fan right when the news broke and the terms were disclosed, but I'm a fan after thinking about it and reading what all went down, and I'll lay out why since I am sure not many here know much about the Vikings aside from a few individual players.
1) Vikings have made 9 1st round picks the last 5 years, and all but 1 of them have at least somewhat lived up to the billing. Matt Kalil, Harrison Smith, Sharrif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr, Bridgewater, Trae Waynes, and Treadwell all haven't done anything yet to make you go "wow they can't play"...and 2 of them may be 2 of the best at their respected positions (Smith at FS, Barr at 4-3 OLB), while Floyd and Rhodes I'd argue are above average starters at their positions as well. Jury is still out a bit on Kalil and Waynes, but both of them look way better than last year so far. It's too early to judge Treadwell but he is as advertised to this point. Really, the only miss to this point has been Cordarelle Patterson, and its mostly been because he thought he was too talented to work on his craft...that seems to have changed this offseason, but I'm not buying it yet.
2) Vikings have also hit on a ton of mid/late round picks lately. Jerick McKinnon, Shamar Stephen, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, MyCole Pruitt, Stefon Diggs, and Edmond Robinson in the last 2 years alone have gone on to either start, are going to be starting when an older player leaves (Hunter, McKinnon, Robinson), or are currently just solid rotational players. They also have a few this year that already look like they are going to be hits in Mackensie Alexander, Jayron Kearse, Kentrell Brothers, and David Morgan. And, if I am not mistaken, they already have an additional 3rd and 4th round pick in next years draft. If they want to move up, I'm sure they can.
3) The new stadium...you can't open a brand new stadium and start Shaun Hill or Taylor Heinicke for the entire season. Personally, I am happy that I should be watching an NFL caliber starting QB in person when I go to their week 5 game vs the Texans.
4) Adrian Peterson. This might be his last year as a Viking, should he look for one last large payday...giving him an established QB, and one he has played with at that, was a good move in that respect...I'm all for 1 last push for Adrian, should this in fact be his last year.
5) The Eagles picking up 11 million of his salary. If Bradford plays well, stays healthy, and Bridgewater fully recovers, he can be traded without looming salary issues, which should up the return a bit...he's also good insurance should Bridgewater not be ready to play next season, which may happen.
My only concern is the only concern one should have with Sam Bradford...will he stay healthy, or will he pull an Obi-Wan Kenobi and just disappear as his jersey falls limply to the ground one game...
But really, since the elimination of the Triangle of Authority in 2012 (Head Coach, GM, and Ownership all had a 1/3rds say in draft choices/trades/free agency), their front office has done nothing that makes me think they don't know what they are doing...I trust them, and I will continue to trust them.
They are probably getting shelled for giving up a 1st round pick for Bradford by the media and other fanbases...but the one that matters felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders when the trade happened...at least that's how me and my family feel, as well as a few friends who root for them as well...and I'm sure the rest of the NFC North would have rather have seen us with Hill or Heinicke too...
