2015 Offseason - Free Agent/Draft Tracker

[MusicCityViking]

@espncowboysblog: Source: Jasper Brinkley agrees to deal http://t.co/HAgEZLOt5A

Brinkley agrees to deal with Cowboys.

[IrishViking]

Brinkley is gonna be pissed when he finds out they just want him to give AP a call...

[Vikings28]

If they can't find a true three down ILB, I wouldn't be opposed to signing Spikes. He's one of the best at stopping the run and Zimmer's D has had success with those types before.

[DK Sweets]

If they can't find a true three down ILB, I wouldn't be opposed to signing Spikes. He's one of the best at stopping the run and Zimmer's D has had success with those types before.

Also, we run nickel really often (I can't find the number right now) so it's not imperative that our MLB is great in coverage, IMO.

[dead_poet]

Good article.

Why the Minnesota Vikings Haven't Been Too Patient in Free Agency

The Vikings aren't employing the same strategy that landed them Jerome Simpson. Is that really all that bad?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2395 ... ree-agency

[720pete]

FA running out, any real impact players left or just depth signings at this point?

[dead_poet]

FA running out, any real impact players left or just depth signings at this point?

What are you looking for, my friend?

Receiver?

Percy Harvin
Michael Crabtree
Stevie Johnson
Dwayne Bowe

OT?

Joe Barksdale
Byron Bell
Jake Long
Anthony Collins

G/C?

Stefen Wisniewski
Chris Myers
Brian De La Puente
Rob Sims
Will Montgomery
Lyle Sendlein
Scott Wells
Dominic Raiola
Jonathan Goodwin

Edge rusher?

Greg Hardy
Michael Johnson
John Abraham
George Selvie
James Harrison
Dwight Freeney
Sam Acho

DL?

Nick Fairley
Vince Wilfork
Randy Starks
Barry Cofield
Letroy Guion
B.J. Raji
Kevin Williams
Kenrick Ellis
Ahtyba Rubin
Red Bryant

ILB?

Brandon Spikes
Mason Foster
Rolando McClain
Nate Irving

OLB?

Lance Briggs
Jacquian Williams
Spencer Paysinger
Philip Wheeler

CB?

Tramon Williams
Jimmy Wilson
Rashean Mathis
Alan Ball
Terence Newman
Charles Tillman
Tarell Brown

Safety?

Louis Delmas
Stevie Brown
Dawan Landry
Ron Parker
Dashon Goldson
Darian Stewart
Dwight Lowery
Bernard Pollard
Danieal Manning
Jeron Johnson
George Wilson
LaRon Landry

There are still some assets available.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/5 ... ree-agents

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Orakpo and Derrick Morgan to Tennessee. Damn it. Every player I wanted Minnesota to try to sign is pretty much off the market now.

[frosted]

Brinkley agrees to deal with Cowboys.

Nice


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[vatusay]

For some reason 30%-33% sticks out to me as how much MLB on the field?

[frosted]

Also, we run nickel really often (I can't find the number right now) so it's not imperative that our MLB is great in coverage, IMO.

For some reason 30%-33% sticks out to me as how much MLB on the field?

I've considered that as well, but at the same time, how much of that has to do with the fact that didn't have a MLB with the skill to drop into coverage and play the pass well? I would guess Zimmer would like to stay in base a whole lot more, especially considering the way we were gashed at times on the run game, but just couldn't do it, given the resources available.

Kind of chicken and egg situation, if you know what I'm saying.


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[dead_poet]

For some reason 30%-33% sticks out to me as how much MLB on the field?

Snap percentage may depend on who that MLB is.

[vatusay]

Oh yea quality of MLB plays huge role of snap percentage. someone just mentioned they couldnt remember the number. Thats what i thought it was, but that was a few coors lights ago lol.

Personally I have been pretty impressed with Audie whenever he gets a chance. Not much of a physical specimen, but seems to have good instincts and always be around the ball. Could just be selective for me i havent seen the PFF grades on him if there are any.

They seem to be in nickel an awful lot just based on opponent sets and general direction of NFL to throwing over the run.

[dead_poet]

Personally I have been pretty impressed with Audie whenever he gets a chance. Not much of a physical specimen, but seems to have good instincts and always be around the ball. Could just be selective for me i havent seen the PFF grades on him if there are any.

I've been an Audie supporter as well, though I don't think he has a very high ceiling. I'd probably rate him like the linebacker version of Jamarca Sanford, though maybe a bit better overall.

Here are some PFF grades for you:

Week 17 vs. Bears (which was a very good game by Audie): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... s-week-17/

Audie Cole, LB: +7.8

Breakdown: Chad Greenway has been a fantastic servant to the Minnesota Vikings, but Audie Cole’s performance in this game suggested that maybe it is time to move on. Cole was all over the field, making tackles in the run game, pass game, breaking up passes and even intercepting one that was nullified because of a defensive offside flag.

Signature Stat: Cole’s grade in this game is a better figure than Greenway has ever achieved. The last game Greenway has even had in that ballpark was in Week 11 of the 2008 season.

Zimmer wasn't quite as impressed: http://vikingsterritory.com/2014/analys ... o-consider

“Audie played in there in all of the sub groups, nickel packages, the whole bit today,” Zimmer said following the win. “He made all the calls and checks. The more you can do, the longer you get to stay.”

“He wasn’t mistake-free,” Zimmer, a vocal critic of Pro Football Focus, continued, “but his heart was big.”

In 2013 PFF graded out Cole as sub-par against the run, but positively in coverage. Also rated him a "Secret Superstar": http://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/5/ ... audie-cole

[Mothman]

Oh no! Not another a "Secret Superstar"!

I think Cole's probably in the right role for him. I agree with you about his ceiling but I like what he brings off the bench, as a solid, energetic backup LB.