2014 Free Agent Tracker & Discussion

[NextQuestion]

I'm not sure why people seem so concerned about it. There are posts about it all the time. I suppose getting him to take a paycut could create room for one more free agent signing but I also don't think it's fair to expect players to take a pay cut as soon as the quality of their pay dips. The team agrees to the contracts, just like the players do, and they're not fully guaranteed. The price a team ends up paying in the latter stages of a contract is part of the cost to have that player in the early years of the deal. In that sense, it could be argued that a player like Greenway might be getting overpaid for his current level of play but what he's making now is partially payment for what he's already done. In other words, it's part of the cost of keeping him around after his first contract in the first place.

If the team doesn't want to pay a veteran in decline, they have can try to renegotiate but as you said above, Greenway has leverage in this situation and little, if any, incentive to take a pay cut. If the Vikes don't want to pay him what they owe him, they have the option to cut him.

I think it's possible we'll see a renaissance from Greenway over the next few years if they add a top LB in the draft and if the moves they're making on the DL pan out. Put some more talent around him, take a little pressure off of him, and he may thrive in Zimmer's defense.

Leverage? He's been brutal the last couple of years.

[dead_poet]

.Leverage? He's been brutal the last couple of years.

He's still been the best linebacker on the team, which is one of the biggest issues and why he still has leverage.

And I wouldn't say he's been "brutal." I'd say probably average to slightly below average 'backer.

[NextQuestion]

Extreme liability in coverage

[dead_poet]

Extreme liability in coverage

So is/was Erin Henderson, Marvin Mitchell and whoever else was trotting out there. Cole wasn't great, but he may have been the best. I'm with you; I'd like an upgrade, but we don't have one. Our linebackers as a unit might be the worst in the league. Greenway is likely going to be playing at his current price tag this season. I have a hard time believing the Vikes will pay his $7 million salary next season without a big resurgence.

[S197]

If they can't get a deal with Captain, Thurmond is another option in the slot. Had some off-field issues but he's young and plays the position well.

[dead_poet]

If they can't get a deal with Captain, Thurmond is another option in the slot. Had some off-field issues but he's young and plays the position well.

Thurmond visited the Jags and has visits scheduled with the Bucs and Redskins (in addition to Seattle wanting him back). Nothing linked to the Vikings (yet).

[lyzarde]

James Harrison just got released by the Bengals.

Seems like a logical pickup?

[dead_poet]

James Harrison just got released by the Bengals.

Seems like a logical pickup?

Are you kidding? He's 35. I understand the Zimmer connection but he's not the kind of signing Spielman typically goes for.

[dead_poet]

Johnson says he's talking to `about five teams' as well as Vikings

Currently, the Vikings have two players on their roster who could start at left guard: Joe Berger, who backs up all three interior line spots, and Jeff Baca, who was a sixth-round draft pick a year ago.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/56735627.html

[Mothman]

Nice post, Jim.

It seems to me, judging from the signings and current FAs that are visiting, that Zim & Spielman have a vision for this D and they are making some significant moves that will radically change what was a poor unit last year. It is a fluid process of filling holes, essentially, shedding old skin, retaining and acquiring talent. They seem to be striving to limit the number of (gaping) holes that we have before heading into the draft. Fun to watch!

Well said! That's an apt description of what they seem to be doing and it really is fun to watch. I hope it pays big time dividends this season.

[lyzarde]

Are you kidding? He's 35. I understand the Zimmer connection but he's not the kind of signing Spielman typically goes for.

He's still James Harrison. I'd take him as a cheap veteran rotational guy for a year.

[Mothman]

Just keep the purple goggles on, Zimmer and Norv can make anything work, Rickie has a plan, I mean he's signed all those ST guys right? But you are kidding yourself if you think Melton or Munnerlyn will come here if another team offers close to the same money. Who wants to play in a college stadium, outside, in MN, for 2 years. With Cassel as QB and Ponder as a backup. Forgive me if im a little pessimistic. At least they got Johnson though.

You really should reconsider your nickname. Your Kool-Aid glass always seems to be half empty.

I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just saying, the contrast between the name and the tone of most of your posts is striking. You'd think someone calling themselves PurpleKoolAid would have an extra pair of purple goggles!

[dead_poet]

He's still James Harrison. I'd take him as a cheap veteran rotational guy for a year.

His agent says he still wants to play. He wouldn't replace Greenway, so if signed he'd take over the other OLB spot, which would stunt the playing time/growth of a guy like Hodges.

The Vikings aren't in a position like, say, Denver. It just doesn't make sense to me to sign Harrison (36 in May) for a year. He's not some missing piece to a Super Bowl run.

Plus, I also don't really like the guy.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Just keep the purple goggles on, Zimmer and Norv can make anything work, Rickie has a plan, I mean he's signed all those ST guys right? But you are kidding yourself if you think Melton or Munnerlyn will come here if another team offers close to the same money. Who wants to play in a college stadium, outside, in MN, for 2 years. With Cassel as QB and Ponder as a backup. Forgive me if im a little pessimistic. At least they got Johnson though.

Who cares about the "ST" guys we signed. We're 3 days into FA and you're crying about special teams guys. It just seems like you're another fan that doesn't have a clue. Every year there's at least a handful of guys that b#### and complain about Spielman not going out and signing the big dogs. When has that ever worked out with any team? You've yet to answer that question. You build a team through the draft. I mean we just landed one of the better, up and coming NTs out there and have two promising young players on visits currently.

And FYI, 95% of free agency is about the money not about what the damn stadium looks like, what our record is, or how cold it is. That's just a poor excuse that negative fans like you resort to. Zane Beadles went from Denver to Jacksonville in FA and Chris Clemons went from Seattle to Jacksonville. They both literally just went from the best to the worst. Are you going to sit there and tell me they went there because it's warm? Give me a break. Witner went from SF to friggen Cleveland. Hmmm it's not too warm there. Oh, they must have a cool stadium and a great record It's about the damn money. Everyone and their mother knows that the Jaguars and even the Browns have been in the bottom for the barrel for a long time. Jacksonville and Cleveland gave up the most money so that's where they go. Simple as that.

[headless_norseman]

Don't know why Greenway hasn't been asked to take pay cut...

Productive, team leader in tackles over multiple seasons and the Vikes have major cap room. He may be asked to take the cut next season, though.