APWord leaked this week that two prospects, Justin Houston and Christian Ballard, both failed drug tests at the Combine. The last minute news certainly hurt both players during the draft.
Houston fell from a possible late-first round pick to the third round, where Carl the Janitor Scott Pioli picked him up. Ballard fell to the top of the fourth round, where the Vikings took him No. 106 overall.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock had Ballard ranked as his top player on the board entering day three. Silva had him ranked him eighth.
Ballard fills a big need for the Vikings on the defensive line. There is some question whether he’ll always play inside and plenty of people question his motor, but he’s a big-time talent to be available so late.
I say if you fail a drug test at the combine, you are suspended for the first four games of your career and are not paid. These guys need to learn right out of the gate that with actions come consequenses.
A+ pick for the Vikings.Ballard can play anywhere along the line and is excellent against the run. He uses his strength to blow up running lanes, penetrate into the backfield and get his hands on the ball-carrier. As the draft approaches, some may argue he is the more NFL-ready prospect between he and Clayborn. Ballard’s strength is simply understanding the game. He sticks to his assignment, very quickly reads plays and sniffs out misdirection very easily. Keep it coming Spielman!
Too bad Moss left town, he could have saved Ballard both time and money by hooking him up with his local homeboy.
I often wondered how stupid you had to be to get caught for drugs at the NFL combine. Now I have the answer, stupid as a Viking. I don’t know how his career will turn out by sticking an impressionable rookie in the same locker room with the other assorted criminals but no doubt he will fit right in.
Whoopee……
JimmySmith says:
I often wondered how stupid you had to be to get caught for drugs at the NFL combine. Now I have the answer, stupid as a Viking. I don’t know how his career will turn out by sticking an impressionable rookie in the same locker room with the other assorted criminals but no doubt he will fit right in.
Better that he just using and not selling like Jolly. Man Jimmy, you’re the biggest hypocrite to ever post as well as a giant douche.
Big deal about the drug test. Who cares.
The problem is he is a little fat & weak compared to NFL D lineman. Only 16 reps on the bench press.
Get him to stop hitting the bong & start hitting the weights & he will be a good pick.
Kyle Rudolph and now Ballard. Those are both steals if you know ball. Iowa’s line was top notch and Ballard was considered better than Clayborn selected by the Buccs at 20. Character issues never stopped the Vikings from choosing great players(Moss, Harvin) Don’t be so jealous Jimmy because our draft is smashing the Packers draft.
Percy Harvin apparently smoked pot, too. . .and man, what a terrible pick that’s turned out to be, huh?
The Vikings are having a great draft thus far.
At least the vikes drafted one guy that might be able to make some plays, because god knows Ponder sure won’t. Nice draft Spielman you d-bag.
Like the pick! 3 future starters. JimmySmith you need to get a life. You are pathetic.
JimmySmith’s rants are so predictable. They also display their trademark boredom and lack of creativity.
He must save a quite a bit of time posting using the old reliable cut-and-paste in his same-old-same-old.
C’mon, Jimbo. You’re better, or worse, than that. Bring your ‘A’ game. Try a post without a reference to criminals, drugs, stupidity, Moss, T-Jack, the Love Boat incident, the Williams case, Favre’s weeny pix, etc. That’s been rehashed to death.
Get fresh, get creative. Ask your Mom or your World of Warcraft playmates for help, if you need it. You can do it, son.
Like Hunter Thompson said, “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
Love the Jimmy bashing! It’s obvious that poor bastard really needs professional help.
Corner back Brandon Burton to the Vikings. A very solid pick,Cowboys wanted him and Ballard. Haha Jerry you tool!
Don’t be so jealous Jimmy because our draft is smashing the Packers draft.
Let me ponder that a moment….mmm, NOT!
thetooloftools says:
I say if you fail a drug test at the combine, you are suspended for the first four games of your career and are not paid. These guys need to learn right out of the gate that with actions come consequenses.
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Actually dumb a$$, even if you fail a drug test, you get a league warning the first offense. You are subject to random drug tests anytime the league wants to. There is no 4 game suspension. Maybe you should learn the rules “right out the gate” before you watch football again.
As for JIMMYSMITH: Vikings players of the past that you constantly mention (Moss, Harvin, Maybe even Kevin & Pat Williams), were suspended OR allegedly used drugs. You are a GIANT hypocrite considering all of the charges that your boy Jolly has faced (drugs, drugs and more drugs). Lets not forget Matt Flynn, Josh Sitton, Korey Hall, Brad Jones, Clay Matthews & Khalil Jones, who were all questioned for sexual assault this past August. We can even go back to your boy MARK CHMURA. Didn’t he rape his 17 year old next door neighbor.
We all know you’re a closet Vikings fan. Hence the reason you click on Vikings news the minute you log-on. I’ve never once clicked on a Packers story. I don’t care enough. You on the other hand, are pretty pathetic.
Does that Jimmy guy have anything better to do? Every Viking related story, he’s there. Being dumb in the head.
pervy -
Congratulations on another winning draft for the Vikings. Once again, the Vikings look like the team to beat before the season begins. It’s really too bad there’s no trophies for winning the draft, since it’s probably the only way the Vikings will ever get one.
Feel free to kiss the rings, as it’s four and counting for your World Champion Green Bay Packers.
Brandon Fusco- Center Slippery Rock. Vikings got a big 6-4 305lb. that some say can be like Matt Birk. Never gets hurt. Man, the Vikings do know how to draft, i think Sullivan is too small.
kennychokeschicken……i wouldn’t take the time to pee on your rings juice box.
kennyrogerschicken says: Apr 30, 2011 3:16 PM
pervy -
Congratulations on another winning draft for the Vikings. Once again, the Vikings look like the team to beat before the season begins.
What? How?
“Don’t be so jealous Jimmy because our draft is smashing the Packers draft.”
Who cares if the Vikings are ‘smashing’ the Packers draft? The Packers are the ones who brought home the Lombardi Trophy.
“Lets not forget Matt Flynn, Josh Sitton, Korey Hall, Brad Jones, Clay Matthews & Khalil Jones, who were all questioned for sexual assault this past August.”
Hah that statement is pretty worthless considering the two chicks who accused a Packer of sexual assault lied.
As a Packer fan, I was actually sort of hoping we’d take him at the end of the third, but the risk of him being Johnny Jolly Jr. was obviously too high. (And maybe he is too.) Hate to say it, but I think it’s a decent pick by Mini. Guy has second round ability but a “street” brain – in more ways than one. Hope that joint before the combine was a good one Christian, because it cost you several million $.
Packer fans are funny. Using words like “we” or “we’re” or “us”. Got idiots on here talking about “kiss the rings”. Got a few words for you morons.
YOU NEVER HAVE AND NEVER WILL PLAY FOR THE PACKERS.
The way the you guys talk, wouldn’t surprise me if you were some sort of “packer” though. If you know what I mean. But you are Packers fans, so I doubt you’ll get it.
Should fit right in with the Vikings. Boat rides, star caps and leading the league in DUIs.
what about the o-line? are they confident with their cb’s and safety? eh
I don’t like cheaters that use drugs to get ahead. not cool. boy, he almost threw it all away!
I’m wondering what these two genius’ scored on the Wonderlic?
jimmy is just a hater…. complaining about one guy on a different team than his and overlooking something bigger on his team…. year in and year out…. hes a hater.
Great pick btw… i am very glad to pick him up. his versatility will be great… and i believe frazier and company did their due diligence and ballard will change.