EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The NFL conducted part one of the
annual selection meeting on Saturday, and those paying attention
were able to learn several things.
The Vikings, whose territory clearly stretches beyond Minnesota,
showed fans in neighboring states that they truly care by drafting
a linebacker from a South Dakota farm who played for Iowa. (Hey, if
Blaine doesn't work out, Zygi Wilf could always look toward Sioux
Falls or Des Moines for that new stadium site. They're bigger
cities than Green Bay.)
Anyway, his name is Chad Greenway, and he was rated very highly
on the Vikings' board. They're very excited to have him in the
first round. And so were the purple-clad folks swilling beers and
shouting cheers at the party at the team's practice facility.
This is Paul Tagliabue's last season as commissioner, and he's
leaving quite a legacy with this booming business. The most
tangible proof of his genius comes each April, when 32 teams spend
a weekend choosing a half-dozen or so college players to add to
their roster -- and millions of fans turn on their TVs to watch
after digesting large volumes of draft analysis from various media.
Professional football has become so culturally prevalent that
the word "offseason" has become obsolete. The free agency flurry
ends, the draft is still weeks away and you swear you're not going
to think about the sport for, say, 10 days. Then you find yourself
in conversation with a friend, making jokes about the Lions and
wondering if they'll take another receiver.
Opinions vary on whether this is good or bad.
"I don't think it's enough. The NFL is obviously America's
game," said Wayne Zbytovsky, of Hopkins, who showed up at team
headquarters with his friend, George Ramsburg of Burnsville.
They've become regulars at the draft party.
"I think it's too much. How many times can you talk about the
same player?" Ramsburg said.
For me, it's a bit excessive. At least, I thought, I could clear
my brain with a morning jog before heading to Winter Park and
hunkering down for a full day of draft coverage.
A mere seven minutes in, an imposing figure approached on a bike
through the driving rain.
The face looked familiar.
It was Alan Page.
Yes, this sighting served as further evidence that, short of
claiming a cave in the mountains of Afghanistan (check to make sure
Al Qaeda hasn't beaten you to it), you can't escape the NFL. It's
everywhere, it's unending and you just have to learn to get along
with it.
It was interesting to stare at the screen, speculate which way
the Vikings would go with their first five picks and wonder why the
Raiders didn't want Matt Leinart. But in the meantime there was
more immediate fun to be found inside the field house at the party
with some obsolete jersey spotting.
Brian Russell, Dave Dixon, Cris Carter, Robert Griffith, Michael
Bennett, Greg Biekert, John Randle, Nate Burleson, Chris Walsh and,
of course, Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss were all present. So
were Loyal Fan (No. 1) and Big Kahuna (No. 69), but the
personalized versions are always en vogue.
Another highlight was ol' Denny Green's appearance on ESPN after
the Cardinals picked Leinart. The Sheriff was beaming, as he
should've been, speaking in his rapid, high-pitched tone about how
Leinart fits his high-octane offense and how Arizona's new stadium
will be one of the best in the National Football League. It's like
he never left.
The time came to turn serious, too, and a look at Minnesota's
first two picks showed intelligent use. Greenway filled a glaring
hole for a heady, athletic linebacker who can actually cover a
tight end or a running back. Cedric Griffin, the cornerback from
Texas, should have the size, toughness and reliability the Vikings
will want in their nickel back with the departure of Brian
Williams.
If Griffin's learning curve is closer to Kevin Williams' than
Dontarrious Thomas' and he's smart enough to help steer the rookie
party away from those charter boats, the secondary should be in
good shape.
If Williams comes back in better condition, Kenechi Udeze
returns fully healthy and Pat Williams doesn't wear down, the
defensive line is strong.
Even with Greenway and free-agent acquisition Ben Leber,
linebacking probably won't be a team strength, but it appears at
least they've added some guys who know how to line up and where to
go on each play.
If that's true, the Vikings won't have to worry about that
position when next year's draft comes around. And it will be here
before you know it.
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Dave Campbell can be reached at dcampbell(at)ap.org