Like we did with Mike Iupati, Taylor Mays, and Devin McCourty, it is time to move on to arousing ourselves with the 2010 NFL Draft. Like last year, PJD is going to highlight several draft prospects that the pundits have projected to fall to the Vikings or that the team has expressed interest in. So from now until draft time, keep checking back to get information on your favorite draft picks as PJD breaks new ground (not really) as we start fantasizing over young men who have recently run around in tight shor … Wait, no, nevermind. Today, we look at California running back Jahvid Best …
Name: Jahvid Best. Jahvid? Must be a terrorist.
Position: A mysterious position called “The Saddle Back” in the bedroom, but he played running back in college, if that’s what we’re talking about.
Known measurable: Best is five foot ten and 199 pounds while wearing socks that he just stepped in a puddle with. He had the best 40 yard dash for running backs at the combine, clocking in at 4.35 seconds. In urban areas, that’s called “cop speed”. Jesus, we are going to hell.
Who does he remind me of? Not really sure. He’s kind of a scat back. I never remember him really knocking people over when he was at Cal, meaning that he doesn’t remind us of Brandon Jacobs by any means. At five ten he’s kind of short as well. I want to say he reminds me of Steve Slaton but … Well, let’s see … eh … his Wiki page says he’s five foot nine and 215. That’s pretty close. I feel like their running styles are the same though, so I’m sticking with this. I like Slaton. The Vikings could do worse, I guess.
Ha ha, remember this? Actually this isn’t funny, but this is what I’ll always remember about him:
Really? A running back? Of course. Chester Taylor went to go get sulked on in Chicago, and Albert Young scares the living semen out of me, despite Childress and Favre talking him up like he’s the next Moe Williams. NO ONE CAN REPLACE MOE! But depth at that position is needed. The Vikings did recently, allegedly, move wide receiver Darius Reynaud to running back but … come on. You guys can’t be serious with that shit. Not even the Vikings.com own blog people believe that the move for Reynaud is anything more than a smoke screen. A running back will be had somewhere, because if Purple Jesus dies again before returning three games later, I do NOT want Albert Young starting. FUCK. THAT.
What real people are saying: Here are some strengths and weaknesses listed from NFL.com and their combine results. Strengths first:
Best’s game is all about speed, quickness, acceleration and elusiveness making him a home run threat from the running back position. Is a high-character guy, who will compete and fight for extra yards despite size. Does a good job reading his blocks, shows patience and can find the cutback lane. Very dangerous open field runner. Exhibits solid receiving skills.
Now weaknesses:
Best lacks the prototypical size of an every down NFL running back. Does not have the strength to consistently break tackles or push the pile. Durability is a real concern after missing time due to various ailments throughout career. Is not a power runner. Will need to improve his blocking ability in the passing game.
See that last line? That’s probably why he won’t be drafted. The Vikings need to replace Chester’s pass blocking skills as a running back, and asking a rookie to do that is pretty far fetched. Either Purple J needs to finally learn how to take a hit like a man, or a veteran will be brought in. Or, we can use Tahi! /kills self.
Why Capital J is saying we need someone like him: Who? Fuck off, you know who he is. Capital J is helping me out by providing positional analysis that doesn’t have the words “dick” or “cunt” or “fuck you Brett Favre” in it to provide an idea of why we’re talking about these draft picks. Read more of his stuff at his site, otherwise here’s some swell stuff about running backs:
The coaching staff is pleased with Young’s progression from practice squad to back-up and special teamer over the past couple seasons. Depending on what happens with the draft, Young will almost certainly be given every chance to win the back-up and 3rd down back spot. As we learned, Darius Reynaud is switching to RB and will be in the mix as well. I’m a big D-Rey fan and would like to put him as lock, but his future is uncertain right now. Ian Johnson doesn’t really do much that Albert Young can’t so I can see him getting cut and maybe stashed on the P.S. another year. We also have James Johnson on the roster, who we signed back in January, but guys like him who are signed to future contracts rarely stick. He’s probably a camp body and could even be cut before that, in the likely even we draft a RB. I’m going to throw Naufahu Tahi in the mix here too. I don’t think he’s a lock, given his lowest possible tender. We could easily replace him with a draft pick, but whether or not Childress would trust a rookie in that role is another story.
In retrospect, I really would have preferred it if Ladainies would have signed with the Vikings instead, than we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. At five million over two years it sounds reasonable too. The Vikings COULD draft someone still – if not Best than maybe some fatty like Gerhart or Hardesty – but how much of a responsibility that fresh meat will have on the team is the question.
Will the Vikings draft him? I highly doubt it, even in the third round or so. I don’t think Best really fits the secondary role that the Vikings are looking for in a back up running back. Ideally, you’d want a change of pace guy to spell Adrian Peterson. It would be awesome if this guy was like Reggie Bush or something but without the vagina and the massive contract. Or, wait, we already have Percy Harvin! See, that’s the thing. Their back up running back now needs to be a real running back, not some gadget asshole that only catches passes as a running back. I think if anything they find a guy that’s a bit bigger who can take on tacklers, shed some blocks, eat three Chipotle’s in one sitting, and finger blast your mom while not looking like a tool. So, no, Best won’t be a Vikings.
Fuck it, here’s some video highlights. Moving pictures!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
