Vikings Off-Season Decisions

[vikes157]

The Vikings will be faced with many difficult decisions this offseason with player contracts coming to an end, the Draft, and Free Agency.
Before the draft I say a few things need to happen:
-Resign Loadholt, Felton, and Brinkley
-Trade Harvin for draft picks (We need a deep threat, wright will play slot)
-Cut John Carlson (No explanation needed here but he's the 5th highest paid player and gives no production)
-Free Agency- sign CB Mike Jenkins from Dallas, and WR Greg Jennings Green Bay
After resigning our key players, gaining a few extra picks, cutting some dead weight, and getting two major upgrades we would be in a great position going into the draft.

Thoughts? I am interested in what everyone thinks about the vikings pursuing Jenkins as I Feel we could get him for cheap given his limited playing time recently (Cowboys have 3 really good CBs)

[Dark]

I agree with most of this except trading harvin. Sure, Wright can do some of the things Harvin can do, but Harvin is still 5x better. Harvin was first in the league in overall yards before his injury, and he is too special of a talent to let go. Sure he has had some arguements with the coaches, but that's not a reason to trade him.

[vikes157]

If we trade Harvin (for possible 2nd, or 3rd and 4th) and sign Jennings we get similar talent, more draft picks, and someone who would want to be here. IF, harvin doesnt want to be here, either way we must put together a big WR contract I say getting a deep threat who wants to play in Minnesota as well as a draft pick or two would be in our best interest, even though jennings is slightly older.

[Dark]

If we trade Harvin (for possible 2nd, or 3rd and 4th) and sign Jennings we get similar talent, more draft picks, and someone who would want to be here. IF, harvin doesnt want to be here, either way we must put together a big WR contract I say getting a deep threat who wants to play in Minnesota as well as a draft pick or two would be in our best interest, even though jennings is slightly older.

Bowe or Wallace are good options as well. If we draft 1 or 2 WR's and keep Simpson (and possibly Jenkins) we could be set. Not to mention we have Wright as well and Childs should return.

[PurpleMustReign]

Is Randy Moss a Free Agent?

[akvikingsfan]

Is Randy Moss a Free Agent?

Yes he is. He signed a 1 year deal.

[PurpleMustReign]

Yes.

He won't be back in Minnesota though. Age + the whole, been there done that x2.

A fan can hope

[PurpleKoolaid]

Guards and a few new backup QBs.
CB
LB
WR

I dont trust Spielman with FAs, I dont expect much.

[Eli]

Before the draft I say a few things need to happen:
-Resign Loadholt, Felton, and Brinkley

Brinkley has little over Henderson, who is also a FA. Henderson is arguably more versatile, position-wise. The Vikings will probably try to sign both of them to short term contracts.

-Cut John Carlson (No explanation needed here but he's the 5th highest paid player and gives no production)

If they cut Carlson, it will have cost them $9.1M for one season. Leave him on the roster and it costs them $10.9M for two. I think they'll keep him.

-Free Agency- sign CB Mike Jenkins from Dallas, and WR Greg Jennings Green Bay
After resigning our key players, gaining a few extra picks, cutting some dead weight, and getting two major upgrades we would be in a great position going into the draft.

Deciding who is dead weight this season is going to be considerably more difficult than it was last year. The Vikings have something like 17 players under contract who they've selected in the last two drafts. It's not always as easy to cut a 25 year old backup that you've been cultivating as it is to cut a 32 year old one.

[DanAS]

Guards and a few new backup QBs.
CB
LB
WR

I dont trust Spielman with FAs, I dont expect much.

He certainly has done better in the draft than with the FAs. Frankly, I'd rather that he excel with the draft. But it sure would be nice to have a big time FA yield this off-season. Now that we made the playoffs, that could help. But my concern is that what we need most -- QBs and WRs -- might be hardest to get via free agency. Or let me say it this way: it's hard to get standout WRs without a big time QB to offer them, and it's hard to get a big time QB ... period.

Anyway, the Vikes are on the right track, and if "all" we did this FA period is big up a couple of new Pro Bowlers who didn't play QB or WR, I'd be satisfied.

[CalVike]

He certainly has done better in the draft than with the FAs. Frankly, I'd rather that he excel with the draft. But it sure would be nice to have a big time FA yield this off-season.

I doubt they'll be overly active in FA. The 2012 yield of Carlson, Simpson, and Felton was not intended to make a splash in high profile areas, just fill some areas of need. Carlson looks like a flop, but the commitment is not tremendously high there either. I don't expect them to break the bank on anyone in free agency. That's just fine with me.

[vikes157]

Brinkley has little over Henderson, who is also a FA. Henderson is arguably more versatile, position-wise. The Vikings will probably try to sign both of them to short term contracts.
If they cut Carlson, it will have cost them $9.1M for one season. Leave him on the roster and it costs them $10.9M for two. I think they'll keep him.
Deciding who is dead weight this season is going to be considerably more difficult than it was last year. The Vikings have something like 17 players under contract who they've selected in the last two drafts. It's not always as easy to cut a 25 year old backup that you've been cultivating as it is to cut a 32 year old one.

I stated Brinkley over Henderson because he will be much cheaper. Henderson may get other offers in FA and might not be willing to accept the very modest contract he deserves. I think we could find similar talent in FA or the draft for cheaper. As for Carlson, if he does play out this year and stinks it up again, will we still take a cap hit for cutting him the following season? I understand it would be a 4 mill hit if we did this year, would that be less in 2014

Yea it may not be easy for us to see whos dead weight but im sure that's a bit easier for Leslie Frazier and Co. Whether it be for poor work ethic, bad attitude, not being smart enough to understand systems, or simply being past your prime and asking for too much money (I'm not labeling ANY players specifically). I'm just saying of course the coaching staff has a better idea about these guys than we do and this is obvious a part of the off season process.

[Purple bruise]

I stated Brinkley over Henderson because he will be much cheaper. Henderson may get other offers in FA and might not be willing to accept the very modest contract he deserves. I think we could find similar talent in FA or the draft for cheaper. As for Carlson, if he does play out this year and stinks it up again, will we still take a cap hit for cutting him the following season? I understand it would be a 4 mill hit if we did this year, would that be less in 2014

Yea it may not be easy for us to see whos dead weight but im sure that's a bit easier for Leslie Frazier and Co. Whether it be for poor work ethic, bad attitude, not being smart enough to understand systems, or simply being past your prime and asking for too much money (I'm not labeling ANY players specifically). I'm just saying of course the coaching staff has a better idea about these guys than we do and this is obvious a part of the off season process.

I think that if the Vikes lose Henderson their replacement is already on the roster. That guy is Audi Cole. Hes being groomed and has the size and speed to make a difference http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss ... on-defense

[petev_sj]

My ideal off season move would be to land of the big name WR FA like Jennings or Wallace.

Get a veteran LB that is under 6'0 tall that can tackle. Guys like London Fletcher and Ed McDaniels were a nightmare for RB because they are able to sneak in behind taller players and just come out of nowhere.

In the draft, best player available works best for me. Even if a WR is available at 23. If a blue Chipper like Jonathan Hankins or Damontre Moore ends up slipping all the way down. Take him without a second thought.

Other then that, I am pretty happy with the direction of this team.

[Texas Vike]

I think there are two positions that could make a huge impact for the Vikes: LB and WR.

We need LBs that can defend the dink and dunk of GB and blitz hard when needed. It is also our glaring weakness on D.

WR: I'd be happy w/ re-signing Percy and drafting a solid talent in rd 1 or 2.