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TE Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings

HT: 6-4, WT: 251, Born: 6-18-1980, College: Morgan State, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

Best Case

Tarvaris Jackson is the key to Shiancoe's success, as is the case with most of the Minnesota skill position players. If he is able to grow and learn within the offense, all players across the board should see a spike in production. Shiancoe's own receiving abilities leave little doubt that he has the talent to be an impact player at the tight end position. He's big, fast, and can make defenders miss after the catch. If either starting receiver fails to live up to expectations, Shiancoe will be in a prime position as the number two option in the passing game.

Worst Case

Shiancoe's 2007 season could have been the peak of his production. He had some problems with drops early on, which may have caused his role in the offense to be scaled back as the season went on. Considering QB Tarvaris Jackson had a lot of trouble getting the ball downfield, one would think that his check-down options would have put up great numbers. Instead, Shiancoe finished as the number 32 tight end in fantasy points. He wasn't adept at getting in the end zone, and was only looked to five times in the red zone all year. Not only that, but he failed to get downfield and show the playmaking ability that led the Vikings to sign him in the first place. If he doesn't quickly rectify these things, he could see Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice take away even more receptions -- leaving him irrelevant in fantasy circles.

Outlook

Shiancoe had an up and down year in his first season with his new team. He did set career highs in receptions, yardage, and yards per reception - but that was primarily the result of playing more than he ever had before. Unfortunately for him, he didn't come close to living up to the hype after leaving the Giants as a free agent. Some in the Minnesota organization expected Shiancoe to be a vital cog in the team's passing success, but neither materialized. The passing game is expected to be improved this season (it can't be much worse), and Shiancoe will once again be called upon to be a key contributor. At 28 years old, he's certainly still capable of having a breakout season and likely knows he's got to perform better or risk becoming an afterthought in the gameplan.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Shiancoe finished with three targets, and 18 yards on two receptions. His first reception was on a play action rollout where he appeared to be the primary target and went for ten yards. Shiancoe was Jackson's intended receiver on his lone interception. The pass appeared to bounce off Shiancoe and was caught by DeAngelo Hall.

Week 2 - Shiancoe saw just two balls his way, and caught one of them. Unfortunately for him, it was negated by penalty and he finished with zero receptions officially.

Week 3 - Shiancoe had a nice game, catching three of his four targets. His biggest target was a drop in the end zone however. Mewelde Moore hit a wide open Shiancoe in the end zone, and the ruling was an incompletion. Minnesota challenged the call, and it appeared to be a reception, but the only review angle was not conclusive so the ruling was upheld. His first catch was on a first and ten on a deep route making a nice reaching catch and run for 25 yards. His next target was the drop in the end zone. In the second quarter, he made a short catch over the middle for five yards. His last target was not again until the fourth quarter on a second and five, running another deep route and making a nice reaching catch for 21 yards.

Week 4 - Shiancoe made several nice receptions, pulling in four of his five targets for 38 yards. He looked like he continued to build chemistry with Holcomb, and while he was not as targeted as much as the receivers, he converted most of his chances.

Week 6 - Shiancoe was utilized primarily in a blocking role in this game against the Bears pass rush and to help set up the running attack.

Week 8 - Shiancoe tied for the team lead with Bobby Wade with his seven targets. His role was increased over the previous few weeks, when he was hardly involved at all. He also hauled in the lone Vikings touchdown reception.

Week 9 - Shiancoe's efforts in the passing game were few and far between, as has been the case for much of this season.

Week 10 - Shiancoe continued his up and down year with just two targets on the afternoon. His lone reception was a mere seven yards, and he played no role in the limited Vikings pass offense.

Week 11 - Shiancoe's first grab of the game came on the Vikings' first play from scrimmage when he took a Sidney Rice pass down to the Oakland five yard line. On the play he was hit with a delay of game penalty for spiking the ball in the field of play. Later on in the first quarter he caught his only other pass from QB Tarvaris Jackson that went for 15 yards. Shiancoe also kept a Vikings' drive going when he hopped on a Mewelde Moore fumble at the Oakland 26 yard line.

Week 12 - Shiancoe received only two looks all afternoon. Shiancoe, like all of the Vikings receivers, suffered due to the Vikings lead and the conservative play calling of the offense.

Week 14 - Shiancoe again was an afterthought in the Vikings passing game, garnering just four targets. His first reception went for just two yards, catching it at the sideline and unable to turn upfield before stepping out of bounds. He also caught a nine yard pass later in the game, and made a nice catch going down to the ground to grab a low pass.

Week 15 - Shiancoe was not much of a factor in this game. He was the target of a long third quarter pass from Jackson that was picked off by S Brandon McGowan.

Week 16 - Shiancoe caught all four balls thrown his way, but lost a fumble on one of them. He only gained 20 yards on four receptions, showing he was only thrown to on underneath routes.