Minnesota selects Star Lotulelei 3rd Pick

 MINNESOTA SELECTS STAR LOTULELEI and CORDARRELLE PATTERSON

TFL Champions take Star Lotulelei with the 3rd pick and Cordarrelle Patterson with the 17th pick of the 2014 Draft

Owner: Paul Peterson

Head Coach : Bud Grant

Home: Minneapolis, MN

Favorite Pro Team: Minnesota Vikings

Favorite College Team: Florida State Seminoles & Minnesota Gophers (I'm a homer)

The Minnesota Lightning are entering their 5^th season in the Tradition Football League. In our first season, 2010, we started 0-6 & finished at 6-10. The following three seasons were much more successful in the W-L column – 13-3, 14-2 & 12-4. The playoffs were another story, losing in the 1^st round in 2011 & then in the Tradition Bowl in 2012. In 2013 everything fell into place in our championship run culminating with a victory in a great game against St. Louis in the Tradition Bowl. Trying to defend that championship will be very challenging in this league as their a number of teams with loaded rosters. We have some star power on both offense & defense.

Strengths

The Lightning Offense with LeSean McCoy, the top rated RB, & Adrian Peterson, the third rated RB, running behind a talented O-line we should generate a lot of production in the run game. That success will open things up for Matt Ryan & Nick Foles to make big plays in the passing game to our talented receiving corps of Jordy Nelson, Vincent Jackson, Victor Cruz & Martellus Bennett. Being able to score frequently should put a lot of pressure on opposing offense's trying to keep up.  Our defense is very solid, featuring three 6's on the D-line all of whom get after the passer - Hardy – 6-12(4), Casey – 6-12(1) & Wake 6-10. Bobby Wagner anchors the linebackers & the veteran Troy Polamalu gives us a 6 at Safety.

Weaknesses

Aging starters, Minnesota has a number of starters approaching their mid-30's. This something we intend to address through the draft.

2014 Draft Needs

The Lightning need to get younger players ready at a number of positions. We'll continue to take the best player available approach during the draft while filling in whatever holes we need to.