Week 14 Pre-View Vikes -Bengals

Here are some comparison stats Shft Command 4'd from the NFL site.

As you can see, it's quite an even match up. Very even. Each team has playmakers on both sides of the ball. I think we will be able to frustrate them more then their previous opponents, forcing more three and outs, and making more big plays on offense. I predict it will come down to who makes fewer mistakes, turn overs naturally and who makes the big play. A punt return, a long pass. Something like that. I think we are gonna bring it hard and so will they, we both could clinch our divisions and we're both fighting for playoff positions.

I just hope we bring our A game and show ourselves something! Here's the team leaders.

Here is the link to see the NFL crew discuss the match ups

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2009121307/2009/REG14/bengals@vikings#tab:watch

enjoy!

week 13 - Desert Beat Down

Ugh!

That was painful. Everyone except HARVIN had a bad game.

The fun part of a game like that is seeing how it affects the morale.

The TEAM said what they're supposed to, players took the blame on themselves, CHILLY blamed himself for not preparing them etc. I just think it was a combination of everything happening al at once. weird temporary injuries. poor tackling on big plays, blown coverages on big plays. We gave up 3 TDs basically on three plays over 30 yards (i'm counting the punt return to our 1 as a TD) and that put them comfortably ahead. Also, on FAVRE's bad picks, we held them to only FGs which was respectable.

FAN wise I saw a huge surge of the "oh no here we go's" where people start worrying that we're gonna drop 3 in a row, maybe not even win the division, or we will have to face the Packers in the playoffs and we'll lose etc. It's funny to me because people start second guessing and freaking out. Then you look at the opposite kind of fans, the New England fans and the Pittsburgh fans, who see their teams choke and underachieve but sit their cocky and calm just expecting (naively) for their teams to make a push and make the playoffs.

Who really knows, common sense tells me we will lose one or two more games and finish with 12 or 3 victories. Very Nice. Sucks if the Saints have more but you never know, they have a porous defense and face some familiar division opponents.

I read an interesting thing in the Strib, it said that we were the worst team as far as how many runs for no yards or for a loss, and we were 2nd in the league with number of runs over 10 yards. Feast or Famine indeed as AP says.. we really are backwards, using the pass to set up our run these days. Just how the other teams manipulate us. I bet CINCI will take away AP as well. It'll be fun to see if we pass a lot or enforce our will and run anyways, they have a great run defense, 2nd in the league. That will be a big key to the game.

I don't even wanna talk about losing EJ Henderson, I feel so bad for him. I'd rather have lost anyone else just so he could at least finish the season and enjoy his come back.

Everyone is saying this is our "big game" and it's true, though ARIZONA was supposed to be too. I can accept a loss so long as we play great. But I am hoping and even betting on a win. I think if we're a championship caliber team, we will be the "angry giant" next week... And i really feel sorry for whomever has to tackle AP next week. He is gonna smash people. And Favre is gonna play a perfect game i bet management wise and frustrate the stripes off of them. (let's hope)

Lots of injury questions for the game.. IDK who is gonna be suiting up and sitting out.. I anticipate most of our starters in. And let's hope that EJ's fill in has a solid start! He's athletic I know that much.

We shall see.

Week 12 Vikes - Cubs (Inter-league play)

ROUTE

You all saw it.

The bears are who we thought they were.

And we gave them three right hooks

Week 11 Seahawk Stompdown

Whoa. Four rushing yards? That's crazy. Our rushing defense should climb a few nothces this week! We didn't even really score in the first quarter.... so it's not like they were down 21 right away. Hats off to the defense. Favre was insanely good as usual... I hope he can just keep it going!

People might glance at APs stats and think we had an "ok" rushing day, and that he was held to a low avg. per carry. (3.8 yards) But in reality, he and Chester combined for 35 carries for 155 yards, and that includes many 4th quarter time running "give up" plays.

We had ourselves a good old fashioned blow out and it was nice to see T Jack get some reps. He started out rusty but then got it together. I'd like to see us use him more on third and 4, 3rd and 6 in some kind of single back spread offense or wild cat. Similar to how Philly uses VICK. I think you can't go wrong getting everyone involved and he has those good legs to run with. At least near the goal line it would be nice though I know we are doing very well in the red zone and Favre is awesome at those quick 3 step drop plays.

Where were the sacks? We had two, not so hot considering how many passing plays they had. I am glad we didn't have any turnovers... we played a solid game in that regard. I'd be quite scared of us if I looked at film, it's not like Seattle was leaving us wide open, they were in on every play very quickly and often had "good coverages"

Here are my snaps for the game

week ten

Good, solid win. No complaints. Props to RICE for having a career day. I wish he had separation speed but, again, I am not complaining. It's just that you often see some receiver make a big play and get tackled on the 3 yard line... then you can't get it into the end zone.

I am playing catch up on my blog again... it's hard enough to find anything interesting about a Lion's game. It's worse then watching bye week =D

Here are a couple snaps from the game.

Shotgun, pre snap

.4 seconds later. Story of Stafford's Day!

Coaches best friend, the red flag

Rice, doing "on demand" push ups after he dropped a pass in the fourth quarter!

What's worse then bye week??

Playing the Lions!

"I'm not too impressed" <--- LINK

Mid season here is where we stand, though I didn't foresee our defense being so average overall, I didn't anticipate being so high in scoring either.

Defensive Ranking Mid-Season

Offensive Ranking Mid-Season

Hopefully we can make adjustments and become more of a disruptive team that can "finish them" and step on their throats.

And now back to the lions...

Let's hope we have a fruitful, smooth, injury free game and that our back-ups get some time.

Let's hope we beat them soundly by the end of the third quarter. (And don't let them closer)

I don't think it will be like the last few games we played against them because they still have a rookie at Qb, they can't blitz us like they did last year, nor put 9 men in the box for AP. Well, they can but Favre will abuse them.

This year week 2 they tried to fight and were up 10 to 7 at half. But we scored 20 unanswered points in the 2nd half and won. I recall Greenway had a couple picks and Favre was still playing with 17 plays and didn't know his receivers well yet. All of us were still unsure of our new look Vikings. (And then we had the San Fran Favre Magic TD... then we beat the Pack and we were rollin!)

This time it should be different. Now that we've gelled I anticipate us airing it out against them if they stop our run, which they could try to scheme. They have a good defensive line still.

Week 8 - Favregeddon part deux

Yes! That was nice. I am pleased as punch. A solid win.

I know we have some work do do in our secondary... and now I am suspicious from Darren Sharper's commentary "that our system wasn't working for him" last year, seeing him having a pro bowl year in New Orleans. I wonder if we should play a more man on man pressure bump and run ball hawking style. We still aren't getting the interceptions yet. I am tired of the safe let them up and down between the twenties don't give up the big play defensive style.

( Didn't do us any good against the ravens!)

Our numbers are good. Favre looks great and is on pace for the pro-bowl. AP is getting his numbers. Our receivers and Tight Ends are producing. We're getting decent sacks. I still want to be more disruptive. I want our defense to SCORE more. I hope we pull out a few tricks in the second half of the season. I don't expect much in the next couple games, we really have a cream puff schedule and i anticipate some simple football. I also wonder if T Jack will get more clock? Will he run any wild cat offense? Will we rest Favre when we are up 21 points?

Time will tell! I am not gonna talk about the usual stuff people talk about any more. I hope we see more "complete games" where all three segments of the team perform. We had the offense give up 2 defensive touchdowns on the day our defense played great vs PITT. We had our defense get abused by the Ravens in the 2nd half and squeaked by them even though our offense scored a lot of points.

Anyways here are some game snaps for the Packers game. I loved sweeping them as you all did.

NFL game mix is nice during commercials

First Ever Favre only cam online. Was fun during commercial breaks

A La Moss 11 years ago! Great block by AP at end too

Solid game ending drive!

"1000 words"

I guess I didn't have much to say?

We were six and Oh!

When the going is good, or when the games are so exciting and we come out on top, I guess I don't have much to say. The plays speak for themselves. This is exactly what I expected from our team, so I am very pleased.

there are always talking points... and I will be sure to do a better job from here on out of writing my post game thoughts. Sometimes I was too nerve wracked, sometimes I was too happy, sometimes I was too drunk to sit and rehash all we had just seen.

Now we're still 6 and 1 heading into Packer Week the Sequel!

Then we hit the bye week. I would love to be 7 and 1, obviously, with the season sweep of the Pack heading into the bye week. I am curious about Berrian, Winfield and EJs true health. I am looking forward to see if Sidney can keep it up. If Jared Allen will have more monster games and if we can get AP some home runs. I am very happy with Favre's play, he has been instrumental in making us 6-1 and not 4 and 3 i feel.

We had Pittsburgh on the chopping table and we got unlucky. A bad tip for a pick six... the phantom tripping call etc etc but at the end of the day we had them at the end and we shot ourselves in the foot.

How about that Percy Harvin? I am so pleased we took him. More props to CHILLY. where are all the CHILLY haters now? He is the architect of this team, he attracted, traded for an "curated" this roster so he should get props.

Some people sill yack about "play-calling" ( like on our game ending pick six, "shoulda done a draw play" etc. ) but that's another blog. Football is the only sport where play-calling can be so pivotal in an argument. You never here people complain about what shot a golfer chose to approach with, or if they're running too many pick and rolls in the NBA, or if a pitcher shouldn't have thrown two sinkers in a row. But you always here people argue hypotheticals about play-calling, which is soooo easy to do AFTER you've seen what defense scheme the team ran on the play that was a "bad play call." I liked the screen, great way to beat a blitz, it sailed inches high, got tipped, bad luck, not bad play. Maybe he catches it and gets tackled, and? then it's just good defense.

Anyways I digress. I will leave you with some of my snaps from the season thus far. Sadly I lost mine of the Favre - Lewis connection

The Set Up

Percy's first Kick Return TD

After San Fran Game Winning TD

Bad teams find ways to lose

Then we beat Baltimore on the "wide left"!

Then lost to PITT on those kooky returns.

It happens.

Six and One and on top of our division heading into Green Bay. Will we sack him 8 times again? Will they hold AP to under 60 yards again? Will we beat them deep on some blitzes? Who knows. "That's why we play the games" haha

WEEK TWO - VIKINGS VS LIONS

YAY!

Week One vs Browns - WIN

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

(1-0-0)

34

CLEVELAND BROWNS

(0-1-0)

20

FINAL

Well, where to begin. We all saw the game. It started out slow with the Vikes having a hard time giving AP lots of lanes... the 3-4 Defense was pesky and effective for most of the first half. I know more then half my friends were getting antsy and sending me the "Childress sucks" texts.

I was more patient, but admittedly worried that we were gonna be anemic the whole game. That would not have been a nice way to start the season. Thankfully football games are four quarters - overall I grade us a "B" and I am very satisfied with our "product."

There are the obvious talking points, APs run, his total yards, Brett Favre's solid and unspectacular play, we gave up too many sacks, Percy Harvin had a great first game. He gets my game ball...

Fun to see Favre zip some passes too hard.. he still "has it." The receivers will adjust to his velocity and they will gel better on their routes... we saw a few where the WR zigged and Favre zagged etc. I am not worried. All things point to us being a Juggernaut. A "wear them down -break their spirit - step on their throat" kind of team. (yay!)

What else?? We gave up the punt return but i think it was more CRIBBS great skills then our bad execution. On the other ones we did solid. We also did pretty good in the penalty department and great in the turnover ration. Plus 2 will win us 90 percent of our games!

Here are a couple moments from the game that really set the tone for us and made it go from an uncomfortable nail biter full of angst and negativity to an easy victory and happy purple faces on all sides of the Chilly spectrum.

Huge momentum shifter!

A picture speaks 2000 yards er sumthin like that =p

Pre-Season game two thoughts. The Favre Has landed

YES! ok ok... it was weird. Seeing Favre in Purple... seeing the signs in the stands, seeing him walk around the sideline like a pervy old uncle out of place... it's hard to shake all the history, hard to forget I used to hate him (respectfully) and that he was the savior to all the pack fans.

He was the one in green and gold that delivered them to the superbowl, that broke every passing record of note and that was just a likeable, quotable everyman's man. He was their trump card year in and year out and you could say "Favre Sucks" all you wanted but trying to prove it was like trying to disprove Jesus to a Jesus freak.

Well Packer fans, you met our Purple Jesus ( 72 carries for 452 yards against you) so now meet your Purple Judas! ( on right --> )

Favre tells AP he is 37 times better then Darrel Thompson ever was

Moving on !

OK so a few thoughts and I am not going to pontificate too much here on a pre-season game, even with all the Favrifications going on.

• I like that Favre gets rid of it fast.
• T Jack looked good. His TDs were hot. Crom says keep him!
• I love AP I sure hope he doesn't get hurt twisting all the time after a tackle
• Our defense is looking DISRUPTIVE this year, finally! Will we get INTs ??? I really really want us to get INTs more then 1 every 40 passing attempts. Can we get one every 25 like the league leading GIANTs did last year. Can we limit our dumb turnovers and penalties?
• I think EJ is gonna go all pro this year
• Same goes for Shiancoe
• Bobby Wade will be the Mark Lemke of the NFL this year
• Favre will tie Jim Marshall for most consecutive starts on opening day. Neato
• Hooray for CHILLY! If you still hate him you're the one that can't evolve and think forwardly and is uncreative. We wouldn't even have Farve if he didn't bring in Hutch and Jared Allen and Longwell and AP etc etc etc. He is the architect of this team that built us a Vikings Ship to jump aboard and be proud of. We've come a long way from the Love Boat rubes. A long way.

Favrapalooza

Welcome to the team, Mr. Favre!

PRE-SEASON GAME ONE THOUGHTS

It was nice seeing Farwell back and making the first special teams tackle of the game!

Welcome back Heath and EJ !

I thought Sage looked real real solid. He was hitting those simple timely routes we had problems hitting last year... those 7 and 8 yard slant and outs ETC. Negative people will say how it was against back up secondary but I think that's not relevant. The routes he hit were all well covered, the ball was put on the money every tie, in stride. It doesn't matter if you have a all pro corner or a back up one step behind your WR, it's the same challenge for the quarterback regardless- making the "routine plays routine" as Chilly likes to say. These are the keys to third down and red zone proficiency. (which we were bad at last year)

Our defensive pressure was really good throughout the game. I was impressed with how quickly they got to Manning.

Our RBs all looked great. It's a testament to the line for one, but also I think we have a real real deep RB core.

I was sad not to see HARVIN out there, I wasn't sure why he wasn't but we will see him this coming friday so...

EDIT

We just signed farve. dang!

no words (but im pleased)

I am currently retired and debating a comeback. I will let you know a day before the Pre Season Starts

=D

HERE WE GO... "BREAKING NEWS"

THIS JUST IN...

So they say over at ESPN that Favre and Childress will meet up at a secret location to discuss his playing for the VIKES. I can just see it now, the both of them there on some park bench with their clipboards covering their faces... talking about plays.  ha!

Here we go!

OK FINE.. HERE IS MY OPINION ON THE FARVE SAGA

JEEZ...

Look, if he wants to un-retire. Fine. It won't "tarnish" his legacy at all. That's all b.s. Anyone think less of Joe Montana for demanding a trade?  Jerry Rice? He played for like 27 teams... he didn't even retire 2 or 3 times he just kept trying out for teams until he couldn't make them. Anyone even remember Junior Seau is still playing?

The closest comparison to this is Mr. M.J. He retired from the NBA and came back a couple times i think, or maybe it was just once. Who knows..  That's my point here... no one really remembers. I recall him playing baseball... ok. fine. Not much more then that comes to mind aside from his SIX RINGS.  I do remember that they talked about it alllllll the time. And when he did come back, he played pretty damn good. 

Oh wait, he tried playing with the Wizards right? I almost forgot. He just did OK but lost his magic no?

Boxers retire all the time, and come back. Do we remember their failings or their triumphs? Who remembers Tyson's crappy fights? Not me.  So as far as that goes... I think an individuals desire to play,. to compete, is stronger then the perception of the public about their legacy.  all that is meaningless and works itself out.  (Unless you're a cheater like BONDS etc. then you are a loser. But gambling? You're off the hook ROSE, they should let you back in.. IMHO)

Can FARVE still play? Obviously. Is there any risk to signing him for a one year deal? Absolutely not. The positives completely out weigh the negative "risks" of him being a distraction or this or that.  He got released. We are not potentially trading for him so in business terms it would be less risky then half of the rookie contracts we signed as free agents. And if he sucks.. well he sits. Yup, he sits. Or we release him. No big deal.  "We" are the Minnesota Vikings, not the National Association for the Advancement of Brett Favre's Legacy.

He has the right to do whatever he wants... Just like Micheal Jordan picked up a baseball bat, Favre can pick up a pen and sign a one year deal with the Purple and Gold.  It's free will. Robert Smith retired in his prime.  Ricky Williams decided to smoke pot instead of play in the NFL. 

But damn... all the speculation. It's so lame. First they spent hours on the air talking about this incredibly informative phrase

"At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football"

That was enough for people to go into a tizzy.

Now they're all basing their theories on one little text message.  This word. 

"NO"

OOOOh snap, it's all caps. That must mean something right? We don't even know if the text was meant for Trent Dilfer. (who reported it) Maybe Brett's wife texted him "Did you forget to buy the milk" And he said "NO"  We just don't know.  Can you imagine if he texted a winky face colon with it?  " NO ;]"

He's just not saying anything... and why should he?  I wish everyone else would follow suit but alas, this is the state of 24 hour sports news stations and such... yap yap yada yada snore.

I'd rather watch this all day. bleh. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwH1eZRT6Ys

CROM'S freestyle

Well so much happened since my last post... but as y'all know. I don't like to link and regurge stuff so...

What insights do I have?

Zero. 

Crickets.

Oh!

Did y'all get worried when Percy Went into the hospital?  What name came to your mind first?

DIMITRIUS UNDERWOOD?

Well for those of you who are young.. he was the worst draft choice ever by the vikings... here is his "career" in a few cut and pastes!

• Underwood played college football at Michigan State University and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 29th overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft...However, Underwood had missed most of his senior year, and his coaches at Michigan State warned NFL scouts that he wasn't mentally stable enough to play in the NFL.
  
• After being drafted, he signed a five year, $5.3 million contract in August 1, 1999 but walked out of training camp the next day and never returned, saying he could not resolve the conflict between playing football and serving his Christian faith. The Vikings released him later that month.
  

"Wait wait wait it gets worse!"

• In September 1999, Underwood attempted to commit suicide by slashing his own neck before repeatedly yelling "I'm not worthy of God". According to his mother, an ordained minister, his behavior had been influenced by attending the Immanuel's Temple Community Church in Lansing, Michigan; which she describes as a "cult that's posing as a church."
  
• He later signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys
  
• In January 2001, he tried to kill himself for the second time by running into traffic twice on a busy suburban highway. The Cowboys released him later that month.
  

Here is dramatic footage of Dimitrius being saved on the freeway!

Some folks are already worried about PERCY being hospitalized with exhaustion.. at least he didn't die at training camp. Let's hope he hires someone to slice oranges for him when he signs his rookie contract.

DRAFT STUFF - PART ONE

YES!

Nice pick up VIKES!

I like how CHILLY and SPIELMAN made a move not too many people thought they'd make. sure there were ramblings about CHILLYs visit down to FLA but still. It goes against every stereo type people have of CHILLY. "Won't take risks." "Brings in wholesome people like SAGE." etc.

Here is a Q and A with PERCY taken off the VIKINGS WEBSITE.

Percy Harvin Quotes
4/25/2009

Q: What are your thoughts on being picked by the Vikings?

A: It was a great privilege, actually going through this whole process. Me and my agent, Joel Segal, who helped me out a ton, we kind of went through the teams we wanted to go to. Minnesota was kind of number one on my list, just being a team that I could grow from, being under Bernard Berrian and being that they already got a workhorse in Adrian Peterson. I’m just looking to come in and help win and be a (piece of) this puzzle. I’m looking forward to being a Viking and helping the team win.

Q: What was it like when Coach Childress came down to visit?

A: It was tremendous. We didn’t specifically talk about any subject (or) anything that kind of went on. It was kind of like we were just buddies and just doing a lot of things. We went out to eat. Like I said, we didn’t specifically talk about anything; we did hit on football and things like that. For the most part it was just hanging out and getting to know each other. It was a great, tremendous visit. Even after that we kind of texted each other. Everything was very good.

Q: How many hours did you spend with Coach Childress?

A: He actually came down here a couple days ago. We spent about half of a day together. I had briefly met with him when I came to the Vikings for a visit a month ago. I also met him when we went to the Combine.

Q: Did you feel like you had to explain some things about off-the-field issues? There was a report of a failed drug test.

A: Definitely. I respect the question. Growing up, I’ve always been good with getting things out in the open. I knew it was a question that had to be answered. I had no problems with answering it. With these coaches, I opened up to them and they opened up to me. When it got to those subjects, the only thing I could do was tell them the truth, be up front and let them judge me from there. We had a great respect for each other. Them picking me shows they believed in me. I got their back and they got mine. I’m just looking forward to becoming a Viking.

Q: You were projected by a lot of people to be a top 10 pick. Is it disappointing for you to fall down to the 22nd pick?

A: Not at all. I’m privileged. Like I said, this is a blessing. I’m in a situation that not many people get to be in. I wasn’t worried with the picks. It’s all said and done; I’m where I needed to be. I’m playing with the great Adrian Peterson. I’m just going to be another piece to the puzzle. I am where I needed to be.

Q: How do you think they’ll use you on the field? It sounds like they’re going to put you all over the place, returning kicks. Is it going to be using you in a lot of different roles?

A: Yeah, we talked about it. They’re thinking of using me similar to what I did in college, of course playing receiver a little bit more. I told the coaches I would do anything. My freshman year, I played on the punt block team. I’m willing to do anything, any special teams or anything I need to do to contribute to the team. I’m a team player. There was some talk on how they were going to use me offensive-wise. But I’m not worried about all that. I’m just coming in ready to work hard and wherever I end up learning and fitting in, then that’s where I fit in.

Q: Are you excited about the opportunity to return punts and kickoffs?

A: Oh, definitely. When I got to the period of coming to the next level at the Combine, when teams started talking to me about returning kicks and punts, I just started getting chills. I’m a space-type player. The more space I’m in, the most-dangerous I can be. Now it’s just another question of could I run routes or be effective being a third receiver. I just think to myself that the more space I’m in, that’s the better I am. I’ve been really itching to get back in the return game. I really couldn’t do it at Florida being that we had a dynamic returner in Brandon James. So I’m definitely looking forward to that opportunity again.

Q: How are you physically?

A: I’m about as healthy as I can get. I cleared all the physicals. I’ve been running good. I’ve been cutting good. I made it through all the workouts. I’m feeling back to where I felt when I first got to Florida. I’m making all my cuts sharp. My body is just feeling really healthy. Through the whole (draft) process, I was able to not only get healthy, but my agent did a tremendous job of (holding) me back at the NFL Combine and giving my body extra time to heal. I give a lot of credit to my agent in helping me through this whole process.

Q: What would you say to people who say that you are a risk as a draft pick?

A: People have their own opinions. That’s why I have so much respect in Minnesota. They took the time out to send the head coach. Instead of scouts down here, I met with the coach. They really took time to dig in and see the real Percy Harvin. Like I said, this thing and all the high school stuff was just growing up. The issue, it was a mistake. I grew from it and I’m just looking forward to playing football.

Q: A lot of receivers taken in the first round have a hard time making the transition to the NFL. Do you feel like there is less pressure on you to come in right away and be a savior at receiver with veterans like Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade here?

A: That’s exactly why I liked Minnesota so much. They’ve got Bernard Berrian. They’ve got one of the best receivers coaches in George (Stewart). They’ve got Adrian Peterson. I see myself as coming on the field, and I feel I’ll be one of the least worries for a defense, being that Adrian Peterson is probably the best running back in the game right now. Just to come in, it’s a tremendous opportunity for me. When I got the call from coach, I was (excited) just because I know the opportunities. It’s something I’m looking forward to grasping. It’s once in a lifetime.

Q: Will the fast surface of the Metrodome be even better for the way you play football?

A: Oh yeah. That’s my thing there. I think if you talk to most track runners who played football, they started running on the turf and the AstroTurf and things like that, it takes your speed to another level. I got to play on it a couple times when we played in the SEC Championship games, so I’m definitely looking forward to playing on that.

Q: Brad Childress said he spent a lot of time talking to your head coach and offensive coaches. Obviously he got good reports from them. How important was that to you that the people you got to know real well all had your back as they talked to Childress?

A: It means more than words can describe. After every visit, all I could do is just text Coach (Urban Meyer) and tell him thank you for everything. I feel like I owed him the world. We had probably the best relationship I could have as far as player-coach relationship with those guys. I owe the University of Florida and the Gator Nation more than I can ever describe. The coaches, I thank them. A lot of my success and a lot things that have come before have helped with moving me and helping me grow as a person.

Q: Were there any other teams that were looking at you at the start of the draft?

A: There were a lot of teams; Oakland was a good chance there and the Jaguars. The Patriots and the Jets if they didn’t get the trade to get Mark Sanchez, I was going to end up there. Tampa Bay and Miami were trying to get me and the Patriots were trying to make a move. I just kept looking at my agent telling him I want to get to the 22nd pick. I just had so much faith that I and coach got along and had a really good feel with each other. The whole time I wasn’t worried about going as a top ten pick. Let’s just hurry up and get to the 22nd pick.

Q: Did you consider yourself as one of the best college football players last year?

A: Different people have their views of who the best. I do think that I am one of the most explosive ones as far as getting the ball into my hands. Just being that I can do a lot of things those other receivers can’t do but I did think in my mind that a lot of receivers could do. With all that said, I never sat down and thought about that. I do think that I am one of the most explosive receivers and I think there a lot of things that I could bring to a team because I can line up in the backfield and as a slot and as an out. I think I have a lot to offer to a team.

Q: How many touches are you looking for per game, with Peterson in the backfield. What are realistic?

A: I don’t have a number; it’s just an honor to be there. I’m not looking forward to how many touches I’m going to get. I know they primarily have Adrian Peterson there. I’m there basically to contribute however I can. I can touch it one time, two times and I will make the most of it. Like I said, if I touch it once or twice, I’ll make the fans stand up and cheer.

Q: We all know how you felt about coach Childress, what did your mom think of him?

A: We thought the world of him, like I said it goes back to as far as the top 10 or top 15; we were waiting for the 22nd pick. We knew that the pressure wouldn’t be so much with Peterson and Bernard Berrian and the coach. We had so much of a good relationship we were texting throughout the whole thing. The visit we had here wasn’t sit down and talk football. We told stories, we laughed, we giggled, we played around. Like I said, I had a lot of faith that the number 22 pick was where I was going to land the whole time.

Q: Were you nervous about the meeting with Childress and how he wanted to come down and meet you face to face?

A: Not at all, I’m a person who is willing to put everything out there, I knew a lot of the things that were in question, and I knew the whole time that I was a genuine person and a good hearted person. Like I said, I did get into some things that a person would get into growing up. I never had a problem with any of the coaches coming down because at the end of the day I felt like all I could do is be me so with that said me and coach got along very good and my parents loved him we love him and it was a great experience for both of us.