Former Players

[geaux_sioux]

 

[Nodak78]

Santiago is attending the Vikings mini camp according to Tom Miller.

[UND-FB-FAN]

3 of 5 getting NFL opportunities thus far.

RB Oliveira and DL Cieslak still not accounted for. As said earlier, Oliveira may be settling in for CFL. 

[nd1sufan]

  On 4/28/2019 at 8:20 PM, UND-FB-FAN said:

3 of 5 getting NFL opportunities thus far.

RB Oliveira and DL Cieslak still not accounted for. As said earlier, Oliveira may be settling in for CFL. 

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Getting an opportunity but very much a long shot. It is much better to be an un-drafted free agent than a training camp invitee. All an invitee gets is his expenses paid and a day or two to impress enough to get an UDFA contract.  Less than 10% of rookie mini-camp invitees get a contract after the two days. 

[BarnWinterSportsEngelstad]

  On 4/28/2019 at 9:17 PM, nd1sufan said:

Getting an opportunity

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Thanks for stopping in.

[UND1983]

  On 4/28/2019 at 9:17 PM, nd1sufan said:

Getting an opportunity but very much a long shot. It is much better to be an un-drafted free agent than a training camp invitee. All an invitee gets is his expenses paid and a day or two to impress enough to get an UDFA contract.  Less than 10% of rookie mini-camp invitees get a contract after the two days. 

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Thanks Buzz Killington.  We know how it works but are also very excited for these guys to get a chance.  

We apologize.

[Siouxphan27]

  On 4/28/2019 at 9:17 PM, nd1sufan said:

Getting an opportunity but very much a long shot. It is much better to be an un-drafted free agent than a training camp invitee. All an invitee gets is his expenses paid and a day or two to impress enough to get an UDFA contract.  Less than 10% of rookie mini-camp invitees get a contract after the two days. 

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I thought the bison were expecting to have more than just one player getting drafted, and Stick at one time had been rumored to go much earlier.   Do you think the Robbins’ comments about illegal substance use being widespread throughout the locker room had anything to do with the bison’s disappointing draft?

[SiouxFan100]

  On 4/28/2019 at 10:29 PM, Siouxphan27 said:

I thought the bison were expecting to have more than just one player getting drafted, and Stick at one time had been rumored to go much earlier.   Do you think the Robbins’ comments about illegal substance use being widespread throughout the locker room had anything to do with the bison’s disappointing draft?

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My uniformed opinion 

no

[geaux_sioux]

  On 4/28/2019 at 10:29 PM, Siouxphan27 said:

I thought the bison were expecting to have more than just one player getting drafted, and Stick at one time had been rumored to go much earlier.   Do you think the Robbins’ comments about illegal substance use being widespread throughout the locker room had anything to do with the bison’s disappointing draft?

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No, it’s just what bison fans do every year, they prove how ill informed they are. They would have told you Stick was going on day two. 

[iramurphy]

  On 4/28/2019 at 9:17 PM, nd1sufan said:

Getting an opportunity but very much a long shot. It is much better to be an un-drafted free agent than a training camp invitee. All an invitee gets is his expenses paid and a day or two to impress enough to get an UDFA contract.  Less than 10% of rookie mini-camp invitees get a contract after the two days. 

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Adam Thielen didn’t pay attention to people who said this. Bottom line is there are so many variables. It takes talent, desire, work ethic and perseverance. In addition, couple that with being in the right place at the right time and you have a shot. Players need to focus on what they can control and ignore the percentages. 

[iramurphy]

  On 4/28/2019 at 10:29 PM, Siouxphan27 said:

I thought the bison were expecting to have more than just one player getting drafted, and Stick at one time had been rumored to go much earlier.   Do you think the Robbins’ comments about illegal substance use being widespread throughout the locker room had anything to do with the bison’s disappointing draft?

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There was nothing disappointing in their draft results. Stick goes to a team where he can learn under one of the top QB’s in the league. He is also a great guy. He is athletic enough to make the team and maybe develop into a starter some day. The guys who sign as free agents get about the same deal as the 6th and 7th rounders. The Robbins deal isn’t going to influence who is drafted. You do realize teams draft players who light up the drug test at the combine and draft guys who are arrested for theft/assault/drugs. They aren’t worried about someone’s teammates. 

[geaux_sioux]

After a quick glance at the Vikings roster, it's not a bad situation for Santiago if he can get a camp spot. After Cook, it's a bunch of nobody's. He's going to do his thing and make people miss every play which is a talent you can't teach.  If he can show them he's got the ability to be their Tereke Cohen he could make the team. 

[Siouxphan27]

Guess my attempt at trolling nd1sufan, after he comes on here for the first time in months just to explain in intricate detail the slim odds of our guys making a squad, was taken literally. 

Sorry for the confusion. 

[UND1983]

https://undfootball360.com/news/trio-of-hawks-get-their-nfl-shot/

Santiago, Tank and Deion will be at camp this weekend. Good luck guys!  

[The Sicatoka]

  On 4/29/2019 at 12:39 AM, geaux_sioux said:

After a quick glance at the Vikings roster, it's not a bad situation for Santiago if he can get a camp spot. After Cook, it's a bunch of nobody's. He's going to do his thing and make people miss every play which is a talent you can't teach.  If he can show them he's got the ability to be their Tereke Cohen he could make the team. 

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He needs to win the spot in the return game. 

[Gothmog]

  On 4/29/2019 at 12:39 AM, geaux_sioux said:

After a quick glance at the Vikings roster, it's not a bad situation for Santiago if he can get a camp spot. After Cook, it's a bunch of nobody's. He's going to do his thing and make people miss every play which is a talent you can't teach.  If he can show them he's got the ability to be their Tereke Cohen he could make the team. 

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Santiago is somewhat similar to McKinnon and the Vikings never really McKinnon after he left last year. It won't be easy to get noticed, but I'd say that there is an opportunity with the Vikes for a guy with Santiago's skill set, especially given Dalvin Cook's injury issues.

[geaux_sioux]

  On 4/29/2019 at 6:07 PM, Gothmog said:

Santiago is somewhat similar to McKinnon and the Vikings never really McKinnon after he left last year. It won't be easy to get noticed, but I'd say that there is an opportunity with the Vikes for a guy with Santiago's skill set, especially given Dalvin Cook's injury issues.

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John will bust some ankles and get noticed. He’s got a gift.

[forksandspoons]

  On 4/29/2019 at 6:15 PM, geaux_sioux said:

John will bust some ankles and get noticed. He’s got a gift.

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Do they go live at all during the rookie mini camps? If so, that would be to John's benefit I would think.

[Siouxperfan7]

With Marcus Sherels not on the team anymore, I think Santiago's best change at making the Vikings roster is as a punt returner.  

[Nodak78]

  On 4/29/2019 at 6:26 PM, Siouxperfan7 said:

With Marcus Sherels not on the team anymore, I think Santiago's best change at making the Vikings roster is as a punt returner.  

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I'm hoping that punt returner is enough to get him a contract.  If he can spend more time in camp they will see how valuable he is as a RB and slot guy.

[gundy1124]

  On 4/29/2019 at 6:26 PM, Siouxperfan7 said:

With Marcus Sherels not on the team anymore, I think Santiago's best change at making the Vikings roster is as a punt returner.  

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Sherels was pretty solid at catching the ball and making good decisions, but athletically not real gifted.

[Gothmog]

  On 4/29/2019 at 6:26 PM, Siouxperfan7 said:

With Marcus Sherels not on the team anymore, I think Santiago's best change at making the Vikings roster is as a punt returner.  

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You're right, special teams is the easiest way for UDFAs to make the roster. That may well be why the Viking's invited him.

 Still, he does seem to fit Jet McKinnon's at RB role well, and  McKinnon was, after all,  an FCS guy too.

Who knows? I'm a Viking fan, so whatever's good for the Vikes is good with me.

[The Sicatoka]

  On 4/29/2019 at 8:35 PM, Gothmog said:

You're right, special teams is the easiest way for UDFAs to make the roster.

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The more I think about it, Sherels signing with the Saints is good news for John Santiago. It means there's a position open to competition. 

[UNDColorado]

  On 4/29/2019 at 8:50 PM, The Sicatoka said:

The more I think about it, Sherels signing with the Saints is good news for John Santiago. It means there's a position open to competition. 

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PSU punt return at 2:20:

 

[petey23]

The Vikes did re-sign Ameer Abdullah but a quick look shows he has only returned kickoffs and not punts in his NFL career.