Vikings Introductory Press Conference

queviva · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007

A stout man with long blond hair wearing a horned helmet and wielding a battleaxe runs out onto the stage to the sound of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" pumping his fists and encouraging the crowd to clap. The man shouts "And now, it gives me great pleasure to introduce our new leader, owner and GM Alex Moss!"

The horde of assembled Vikings fans rises and claps to welcome Mr. Moss, who has dressed very sharply in a pinstriped suit with purple shirt and gold tie. Moss clears his throat and hushes the crowd.

"First of all, I'd like to say I am thrilled to lead be here, and am very excited about the team we have assembled for this season. When one of the powers that be approached me about taking this job, I was pondering my retirement from business and politics, but after some soul-searching, decided it would give me great satisfaction to return glory to this great franchise."

(crowd cheers)

"Thank you for such a warm welcome, folks. I'd like to take this time to discuss some of the offseason moves we've made and our plans for this team this year."

"Some of the goals we had entering the offseason were finding a fairly young, talented QB to replace Brad Johnson while Tarvaris Jackson develops, getting younger at a number of positions, improving the receiving corps and bolstering the linebackers. I am happy to say we accomplished all but the last, as unfortunately, negotiations with a number of teams fell through and we were unable to find a player to improve our linebacking corps. That said, we are happy to work with the guys we currently have on the roster and look forward to watching their development in the coming season."

"To accomplish our first goal of adding a proven QB, we traded for the Jaguars' David Garrard, who did not figure to get much playing time unless the incumbent Byron Leftwich got hurt. It was a shame Kenechi had to go, and we wish him all the best in Jacksonville. This freed us up to trade Brad Johnson to a team looking for a veteran presence at the position, and we found such a partner in the Redskins, and received a very speedy young CB in Karl Paymah in return."

"Another goal of ours this offseason was to add some veteran wideouts to bolster our young corps. We are fortunate to have added both Marty Booker and Peerless Price, who have shown no small measure of ability in their playing careers. We are excited about the receivers we have assembled and look forward to the continued development of last year's first-round pick, Troy Williamson."

"Given our excellent secondary, we felt Tank Williams, though he is a young impact player, could be utilized better by another team, and after a long bidding war, we found a trading partner in the Titans, and received some young talent and draft picks in return."

"Other trades we were involved in this year were the swap of young DE Ray Edwards with the Broncos' Kenard Lang to add a veteran presence to fill the hole left by Kenechi Udeze's departure, and our trading a pick to the Carolina Panthers for strong backups at OT and DT."

"Although we were admittedly shopping our great defensive tackle, Pat Williams, even though we did not find a suitable deal for him, we want to say we are very happy to have him returning to the Vikings this year and want to let it be known that Williams was not traded not because there was no interest (believe you me) but because we valued him very highly and had trouble finding a deal quite to our standards."

"It may not happen this year, but I promise you, fans of Minnesota, we will return this team to the heights of its glorious past. I'd like to take this time to open the floor to any questions."

Chaos6 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007

Can you tell us which one of your Right Defensive Ends you plan on moving to fill in as a back up at the Left End spot?

queviva · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos6

Can you tell us which one of your Right Defensive Ends you plan on moving to fill in as a back up at the Left End spot?

Since we did not get the end we were seeking in earlier trades, we have decided to shift new acquisition Antwan Odom to left end. We feel that he will develop into quite a player, and may see playing time in Kenard Lang's place later in the season depending on how things develop.

warpzone116 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007

You been actively shopping Pat Williams on the trade block, yet he is still here. What is his mindset going into the season? Also, you traded away your veteran quaterback for a career backup who will now be thrust into the starting position. How do you think he will fare and has your faith in your recent draft pick Tavaris Jackson waned?

queviva · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007

Quote:

You been actively shopping Pat Williams on the trade block, yet he is still here. What is his mindset going into the season?

As stated in the opening statements, we acknowledge that we had been shopping Williams, but we assured him throughout the process that we would not trade him unless a particularly excellent offer came, and, of course, we were not offered anything that we felt was as valuable as Williams. As a savvy veteran with years of NFL experience, Pat understands that putting him on the trading block was no slight to him but merely an aspect of front-office management that has been, and will continue to be a part of the NFL.

Quote:

Also, you traded away your veteran quaterback for a career backup who will now be thrust into the starting position. How do you think he will fare

Though we will miss the veteran leadership Brad Johnson has provided over the past couple years, we felt that in the state the team was in, we needed a younger, more athletic quarterback to run our offense. We feel the acquisition of Garrard has filled that role, and hopefully, Garrard will be a key player on the Minnesota Vikings for seasons to come.

Quote:

has your faith in your recent draft pick Tavaris Jackson waned?

Not at all. We drafted Jackson with what some deemed a reach in the second round because we saw his ability and potential, and we still feel he is capable of being a great NFL quarterback. However, we feel Jackson will be more successful if he is able to develop under the tutelage of our coaching staff rather than be thrust right into games. We will give Jackson a long look during the preseason, and how he plays will have an effect on the course of action we take with his development from there.

SlickRick1382 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007

How do you feel that you stack up against the current competition in the NFC North? Is the division title that much of a reach this year?

queviva · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickRick1382

How do you feel that you stack up against the current competition in the NFC North? Is the division title that much of a reach this year?

We feel that the moves we have made this offseason have improved our team a good deal in some key positions, and given the fact that the NFC North, aside from the Bears, appears to be in a down period, we wouldn't count ourselves out of the division race. As Herm Edwards once said, "You play to WIN THE GAME". Certainly, that is our goal- to win games. That said, I think that finishing at or above .500 and/or second in our division are realistic goals we are shooting for. Anything more than that would be wonderful and would speak to the resilience and grit of our players.

Forenci · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007

What part of your team do expect to be the focul point this year? In years pasts it's always been the defensive line with Pat and Kevin Williams anchoring the line. Do you plan for that to be the same, or are you shifting your focus on improving another aspect of your team for the future?

queviva · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forenci

What part of your team do expect to be the focul point this year? In years pasts it's always been the defensive line with Pat and Kevin Williams anchoring the line. Do you plan for that to be the same, or are you shifting your focus on improving another aspect of your team for the future?

As you stated, in years past, the defensive line was one of the strengths of our team. We feel that (barring any unforeseen trades) we will continue to have a very strong line on this team, but that the strongest unit on defense is our secondary. With Winfield and Smoot at the corners and Sharper and Dwight Smith at safety, we feel our secondary can be one of the best such units in the NFL.

On offense, we'd really like to open up our running game this year. We feel that Chester Taylor can be a fixture at running back for years to come, and with a very good line and strong fullback leading the way, Taylor should produce well this season.

SlickRick1382 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007

What still needs to be done to make this team a playoff contender?

queviva · #11 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickRick1382

What still needs to be done to make this team a playoff contender?

A fair question. A good piece of what is needed to take this team to the next level is simply the development of some of our younger players. In terms of personnel, we feel we are only a couple pieces away from a playoff run. Specifically, a big-play wide receiver (which we may already have in Troy Williamson if he develops this season) and young impact players at linebacker and defensive end are some of our biggest needs, and unless a great offer comes up we will address these needs in the offseason through free agency and the draft.

TheViking88 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008

i just joined this site, i have no idea what the madden board sim league is but it must be fantasy cuz im a HUGE vikings fan and they dont have Antwan Odom and def. not shopping around "Phat" Pat Williams. All i know is that this year = Vikings Superbowl Contenders!
Adrian Peterson Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl MVP!
Bernard Berrian!
Purple People Eaters Return! Williams Wall, Ray Edwards and Jared Allen!
#1 Rush Defense 2 years running!
Darren Sharper and Madieu Williams back deep!
2009 NFL Superbowl Champions Minnesota Vikings!