Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
The Minnesota Vikings were one of 21 teams to pass on Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn last year. The Vikings did just fine, selecting Pro Bowl tailback Adrian Peterson with the No. 7 overall pick.
But a year later quarterback remains an area of need for Minnesota, and the team is examining the draft for talented signal-callers. Today at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., Vikings coach Brad Childress provided his take on how Quinn compares with Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.
"They compare in physical stature, although Brady is a thicker guy, which I think you have to be able to take a beating out there,'' Childress said. "Let's face it, they're paying 11 guys to lift the head off the quarterback so durability is always going to be an issue. Different releases, but I think the same mental structure just in talking to both of those kids. They're bright-eyed guys.''
Childress also provided his explanation why the Vikings and other teams passed on Quinn last year.
"I think people valued another position obviously more,'' Childress said. "There was some common thinking if he got past Miami there [at No. 9], as you looked at the teams that were after, they weren't really lined up to take a quarterback. That's probably the biggest reason.''
