Pagac Excited To Get “Versatile” Player In Ballard
Posted by on April 30, 2011 – 10:51 amThe Vikings selected offensive players with their first 2 picks of this year’s draft, so you can bet the defensive coaching staff was pleased to add a player like DL Christian Ballard with the team’s first pick on Saturday.
“He’s a total player,” Vikings defensive coordinator Fred Pagac said when I asked what he liked about Ballard in evaluating the University of Iowa product. “He comes from a program that plays good defense and produces a lot of NFL players and we’re excited about getting him.”
At 6-4, 283 pounds, Ballard has the size to battle offensive linemen in the trenches but he also possesses the quickness to get past them and be a disruptive force in the offensive backfield. Ballard spent the first 2 years of his career at left DE before moving inside and starting all 13 games of his junior season at DT. In his final season, Ballard rotated often at both spots, starting 8 contests on the outside and 5 more inside.
I have a feeling he’ll be more of an interior lineman with the Vikings, but it’s a luxury to have a guy who can slide to the outside should a need arise there. I’d also expect Ballard to be a core contributor on special teams as a rookie in 2011.
Here are a few stats from Ballard’s official bio: Ballard started 39 of 49 games for Iowa (21 at left defensive end, 18 at defensive tackle)…Recorded 153 tackles (60 solos) with 12.0 sacks for minus 78 yards and 21.5 stops for losses totaling 99 yards…Forced 2 fumbles and blocked 1 field goal attempt…Deflected 3 passes and tallied 10 QB pressures.
Tags: 2011 NFL Draft, Chrsitian Ballard, Fred Pagac
Posted in All, Mike Wobschall | 18 Comments »
18 Responses
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By Cor-WIN VIKES ! on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
now take OL work horse, and then a tough CB !
By vikings4life on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
NOOOO CASEY MATHEWS IS GONE
By Parody on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
That looks like a great pick. He’s rated as the best selection from the 4th round. He should help a lot in rotating the DL and keeping everybody fresh.
I agree with Cor-win that our next 2 picks should be OLine and DB. Keep up the good work guys!
By jake on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
casey is over rated
By animal26 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
I really hope the Vikings draft Marcus Cannon with the 5th pick. he is a big, strong, and physical right guard and surprisingly quick for a guy his size. would be a very good pick right here.
By animal26 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
5th round*
By sandiamond on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
if defensive back chances are he is”short” lol
By Vernon on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Here’s an excellent selection by the Vikings that I can really get excited about.. although he does have an uphill battle to get playing time in the mix of DT’s the Vikings have Kevin of course is a 3-4down lineman.. and we still have L. Guiton and F. Evans both valuable and strong rotational players.. throw This guy in the mix and its only great for competition bringing out the best of these guys.
Finally a Pick that doesnt frustrate me.
By Dave on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
We all know ballard will not see playing time the staff will keep him on the sidelines.
By animal26 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
darn patriots!!!!!!!!
By Vernon on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
WooT DB.. Brandon Burton first pick in the 5th round..we got 2 soo decent to see secondary address.
By animal26 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
is Brandon Burton any good?
By Dave on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Why are we getting burton when he won’t even see playing time we have corners already probably will not make the roster.
By Guest on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
No way will he make this team sorry but I don’t see how he has space on the roster.
By sandiamond on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
Just traded our pick to browns?
By jscamp67 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
It’s called D-E-P-T-H DEPTH PEOPLE!! Not many of these later round players are gonna see time but they DO provide depth and they DO provide competition!
By rcalder on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply
if you think that burton wont be better than cook or asher alllen, do some home work