Bob Lurtsema, who has impressed with his past opinions on the NFL Draft, cautions the Vikings about selecting controversial Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.
Lurtsema, who in 2011 labeled now Vikings’ tight end standout Kyle Rudolph as the “sleeper of the draft,” doesn’t hold back when talking about Te’o who several months ago was connected to a national story about a girlfriend hoax. “There is something wrong with the kid and I wish him well, but the Vikings don’t need those kinds of headaches,” the former Vikings’ defensive lineman said. “Distraction, distraction, distraction.”
Te’o has worked on restoring his reputation and mock draft writers have him being chosen during the first round, perhaps selected by the Bears at No. 20 or the Vikings at No. 23 or 25. But some observers like Lurtsema think having Te’o around will create locker room problems and bad press.
Lurtsema said Te’o tried to rationalize his slow 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine this winter because he was under pressure. That makes Lurstema wonder how Te’o will respond to the pressure of game situations including when from his linebacker position he makes audible calls impacting teammates. “As a defensive lineman I don’t want to wonder, ‘Where did he get that?’ ”
Lurtsema believes in giving “guys second chances but there’s something wrong there.” The Vikings parted ways with problem players in the past including this winter sending Percy Harvin to the Seahawks. If the Vikings draft Te’o on Thursday night they “bring in the biggest PR problem in the world,” Lurstema said.
“I wouldn’t touch him with a two million foot pole,” he added about Te’o, a player who had a disappointing national championship game against Alabama in January.
With two draft picks in the first round and one in the second, the Vikings’ priority should be a cornerback, linebacker and defensive tackle, Lurtsema said. Veteran corner Antoine Winfield left the Vikings for the Seahawks during the offseason. “I don’t think they realize how much they will miss Winfield,” Lurtsema said. “I hope it doesn’t show up that much.”
Lurtsema does put an asterisk by his priorities for the Vikings and their early choices in the draft that continues Friday with rounds two and three, and Saturday with rounds four through seven. While he liked the improvement of the team’s offensive line last season, he would take a “slam dunk” offensive guard if that kind of talent were still available to the Vikings at No. 23 in the draft.
Between now and the draft Lurtsema doesn’t expect Vikings general manager Rick Spielman to reveal intentions. “I’ve never seen a guy with so many curveballs,” Lurtsema said in admiration.
Vikings & Other Notes
Spielman is enthused about this year’s draft. “I think this is one of the most interesting drafts because of the depth, and us (selecting) at No. 23 and 25,” he said at his news conference this afternoon.
The Vikings have 11 draft slots including those two first round opportunities. Spielman said the club has “8,000 different scenarios we can go in.”
He predicted an active trading week by NFL teams and the Vikings could be in the mix. With so much depth in the draft, the Vikings might move back in the order of selections believing they can still acquire players to help them and perhaps add draft choices for 2013 or 2014. “I don’t see us looking to move up but that could change,” Spielman said.
Spielman believes the quality and depth of the draft is such that he expects to acquire “significant players” even in round four. He projected acquiring players in the draft who will be a “major part” of the team in 2013.
Spielman said the club will sign Pat Williams to a contract on Thursday and release him Friday so he can officially retire as a Viking. The former defensive lineman, 40, left the Vikings after the 2010 season as a free agent.
Condolences to former Vikings’ defensive end Carl Eller regarding the death of his mother. Ernestine Eller, 87, passed away last week, and a memorial service will be held tomorrow starting at noon at Zion Baptist Church in Minneapolis, according to an obituary in today’s Star Tribune.
The Gophers announced today that Daquein McNeil has signed his National Letter of Intent and will be eligible to play as a freshman next fall. McNeil, who averaged 19 points per game playing for a New England prep school last season, had college offers from prominent basketball schools including Louisville.
Rookie Oswaldo Arcia, playing in his fourth major league game for the Twins this afternoon, hit his first career home run. His three run homer gave the Twins a 4-3 win over the Marlins. He hit three home runs in 33 at bats playing for Triple-A Rochester earlier in the year.
Admission to the Gophers’ spring football game on Saturday is free but donations to the Gary Tinsley Memorial Scholarship Fund are encouraged, according to Gophersports.com. Game time is 1 p.m. with preceding activities including a flag football event involving Gopher football alumni starting at 10:45 a.m. in TCF Bank Stadium.
The Wild is 1-1 in games this season against the Kings, the team Minnesota hosts tonight at Xcel Energy Center. Trying to solidify its position in the NHL playoffs, the Wild’s remaining games after tonight are with two teams Minnesota is undefeated against this season, the Oilers (3-0) and Avalanche (3-0-1).
Wild players will wear custom-designed camouflage jerseys during warm-ups tonight. The jerseys will be auctioned online (Wild.com) starting Thursday with proceeds going to the Minnesota Wild Foundation and Defending The Blue Line.
I could not agree more with Bob Lurtsema……. hopefully the Vikings will refrain from selecting Te’o and adding the major distraction his signing would bring to the team and organization.