Dec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Rotoworld football guru Evan Silva spent much of Wednesday morning breaking down the Vikings’ wide receiver situation, making a case for why the Vikes should look at Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans in the first round.
The basic argument? In Norv Turner’s offense you need a real vertical threat. Right now, the Vikings don’t have anyone who fits the bill.
Cordarrelle Patterson is not a true deep threat. Jerome Simpson is a shaky deep option. Greg Jennings is an underneath player.
Things got a little big ugly perhaps when Silva, pushed by some Viking fans, took it a step further with Jennings, calling him “an overpaid #2/#3 who isn’t scaring anyone.”
Guess who noticed the diss? Greg Jennings.
Noted. RT @evansilva Dont mind Greg Jennings, really, but he's an overpaid No. 2/3 WR & isnt scaring anyone. Very likely entering last yr
— Greg Jennings (@GregJennings) April 2, 2014
Silva then followed this up with a series of snarky tweets about Jennings now having plenty of “motivation” going into the season.
So, an analyst gives a perfectly reasonable opinion based on empirical evidence, and some thin-skinned player perceives it as a slight.
We call that a normal Wednesday morning on Twitter.
I happen to think Jennings did pretty well last year given everything that went wrong with the Vikings’ offense, but it’s also perfectly reasonable to project his numbers as taking a downward slide this season and beyond.
I personally would be shocked if Jennings plays out his entire Vikings contract. His likely fading production plus Cordarrelle Patterson’s current limitations as a deep receiver are the best arguments for going with a receiver in the first round.
If Mike Evans is there, he will be worth a look. If by some miracle Sammy Watkins is there, it’s a no-brainer.
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