Spielman predicted the Vikings can have “one of the most explosive offenses” in the NFL with first round pick Percy Harvin, the fast wide receiver from Florida drafted 22nd overall on Saturday. Spielman is delighted with the choice, describing Harvin as a “top 10” pick who slipped lower despite his game breaking potential as a receiver, runner and punt-kickoff returner.
Spielman said the Vikings’ opportunity to take Harvin was “almost” like their luck in finding Adrian Peterson still available with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 draft. Harvin is expected to provide a second deep receiving threat along with Bernard Berrian, improved punt or kickoff returns (perhaps both), and occasionally a touchdown making runner out of the backfield along with Peterson.
Character questions apparently discouraged teams from selecting Harvin earlier but coach Brad Childress sees someone who made mistakes but is a good person. Spielman suggested locker room leadership will set an example for Harvin, too. Interestingly, though, the Vikings will be missing three of their better internal guys in 2009 that have left the team, quarterback Gus Frerotte, center Matt Birk and safety Darren Sharper.
The Harvin choice is popular with Vikings fans but it didn’t stop some from booing Childress when he came on stage at the Vikings draft party Saturday night to be interviewed by KFAN Radio.
Vikings director of college scouting Scott Studwell asked in fun if since his LASIK surgery he can identify prospects better: “No.”
A weak pre-draft prediction on the Vikings’ choice at No. 22 on the first round was Peter King of Sports Illustrated projecting California center Alex Mack coming here. The Vikings drafted Notre Dame’s John Sullivan last year as a possible replacement for Birk, plus right tackle Ryan Cook can play center, too. The Vikings went into the draft with bigger needs (right tackle, wide receiver and cornerback to name three).
The Twins have moved up from No. 25 to No. 22 in the 2009 Forbes.com valuations of major league baseball teams. The Twins were valued at $328 million last year but now are at $356 million. Their nine percent increase in value since last year is exceeded by only the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays.
The new Target Field ballpark, opening in 2010, is a major stimulus to the increase in value. Forbes.com reported that the 30 major league teams are valued at $14.475 billion, an increase of 2.18 percent over last year, but the averages are skewed by the increases caused by new ballparks for the Yankees and Mets. More at https://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3192:inside-the-2009-forbes-mlb-franchise-valuations&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39
The Twins may face a dilemma with designated hitter Jason Kubel who leads the team in RBI with 15 and is hitting .328. Kubel’s hitting might be even better if he played in left field, perhaps feeling more focused and into the game rather than sitting on the bench waiting to DH. Problem is Delmon Young, hitting .255, can only play left field, too.