<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Vikings could be big spendersMinnesota hasn't splurged in the free-agent market in recent years, but the team has a favorable salary cap position this offseason and might land some top players.BY SEAN JENSENPioneer PressThe Vikings haven't won any regular-season titles in a while. But once again they are the undisputed offseason champions, with an NFL-high $24 million in salary cap space.With the blessing of owner Zygi Wilf to build a Super Bowl contender, Minnesota is poised to be a major player in free agency, especially with roughly half the teams in the league struggling to get under the salary cap.The influence of Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, appears as strong as ever. With the exception of cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot, Minnesota has been leery of investing too heavily in players from other teams and engaging in bidding wars with other clubs.The Vikings also generally avoid the most high-profile free agents.This year could be an exception.Minnesota could land some superstar players in their primes at discounted salaries because so many teams are up against the 2006 salary cap.Here's a look at the Vikings' needs and some top prospects, in order of importance.RUNNING BACKMinnesota was high on Maurice Morris, Shaun Alexander's backup in Seattle, early last week. But with little progress made toward ratification of the collective bargaining agreement, the Vikings realized they could get much more for much less.The plum they could be eyeing: four-time Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James.With a glut of talented rookies and veterans, James might not get the blockbuster contract he covets. But here's an X-factor: Brzezinski and agent Drew Rosenhaus have done several deals and have respect for each other, based partly on their Miami ties.James is unlikely to agree to a multiyear deal if he isn't satisfied with the signing bonus, so he might be inclined to audition for one year with Minnesota.Baltimore's Chester Taylor also would be a good fit. But the Ravens are aggressively trying to re-sign him, and the Seahawks are taking the same approach with Alexander.So far, the Vikings have shown no interest in Jamal Lewis, who isn't the ideal fit for a West Coast offense.Morris, however, remains an attractive option to Minnesota.LINEBACKERThe Vikings realize this is the weakest position on their roster, and they are aggressively addressing it. The buzz around the NFL is that Minnesota has already agreed in principle on a multiyear deal with outside linebacker Ben Leber, who played the past four seasons for the San Diego Chargers. Leber could land a $7 million signing bonus and a contract that averages $4 million a year, a whopping figure for a player with 212 career tackles.But Leber is big (6 feet 3, 244 pounds) and athletic, and Fran Foley, the Vikings' vice president of player personnel, knows him well from their days with the Chargers.Leber, however, might not be Minnesota's last foray into free agency at linebacker. While the Vikings would like to add a veteran to the middle, the current crop of players is modest, headed by three veterans (Sam Cowart, Derek Smith and restricted free agent Matt Wilhelm) who aren't known for their range and speed.Two cover two middle linebackers available are Rob Morris and Rocky Calmus, former teammates with the Indianapolis Colts.Minnesota could get a bargain at weak-side linebacker. The top player at that spot is Will Witherspoon, a standout for the Carolina Panthers. But he could be very expensive ? commanding a signing bonus of more than $12 million ? and it's unclear if the Vikings would pay that much. Players who could come at a discount include Julian Peterson, David Thornton and Akin Ayodele.A few years ago, Peterson was one of the NFL's most dominant linebackers. But injuries have slowed him, and he could thrive with a change of scenery.GUARDThe Vikings apparently have targeted guards who also can play center, an indication they don't want to be caught in a situation such as last year's, when they had to scramble right before the season to land Melvin Fowler in a trade after Pro Bowl center Matt Birk was lost for the season.Minnesota has signed Jason Whittle, formerly of the New York Giants, and has expressed interest in Pro Bowl guard/center LeCharles Bentley, who disputed published reports that he has agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. He told the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Friday that he planned to sign with the Eagles as early as Monday, when free agency is scheduled to open.Bentley of the New Orleans Saints and Steve Hutchinson of the Seahawks are the only elite guards available in free agency, and both will command signing bonuses of at least $10 million. But during his short tenure Vikings coach Brad Childress has emphasized the importance of the offensive and defensive lines several times. To that end, Minnesota could make a strong push to sign Hutchinson or Bentley.There also have been reports that the Vikings are interested in restricted free agents Kris Dielman (Chargers) and Sean Mahan (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).But the best fit might be Toniu Fonoti, who was acquired in a trade last season. Fonoti, though, wants to test the market and try to land a lucrative deal.Two other veterans worth watching are Ross Tucker and Stephen Neal, both of whom played for the New England Patriots last season.KICKERSo far, Minnesota hasn't been very proactive in trying to re-sign Paul Edinger. Perhaps that's because the market for veteran kickers is so deep. The marquee names are Adam Vinatieri and Mike Vanderjagt. More reasonably priced options might be longtime Green Bay Packers kicker Ryan Longwell or Matt Bryant, a Buccaneer last season.SAFETYAlthough the Vikings re-signed Willie Offord, they can't bank on him to start opposite Darren Sharper next season. Offord is coming off major knee surgery and has shown only flashes in his four NFL seasons.Signing a proven veteran at a modest salary to compete with Offord would appear to make sense. Players who could interest Minnesota are Lawyer Milloy, Marlon McCree, Lance Schulters, Tank Williams and Ifeanyi Ohalete.Another intriguing option is Dexter Jackson, who played for new Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin with the Buccaneers. Although Jackson is a free safety, the two positions are interchangeable in many ways in the cover two defense.BEST OF THE RESTRumors persist that quarterback Daunte Culpepper is being shopped, which means Minnesota could be in the market for a quarterback. Drew Brees in the class of the field, and he too has ties to Foley. But, just like Culpepper, Brees is coming off a serious injury. Other than Brees, anyone else would walk into Winter Park as Brad Johnson's backup.Last year, the Vikings made a run at Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman. But they haven't shown any interest this year, apparently confident with their defensive line depth. But at the right price, Minnesota gladly would upgrade at any position, including receiver, especially if Koren Robinson isn't re-signed.The collective bargaining agreement could determine the Vikings' success in free agency. Without an extension, Minnesota would be one of about a dozen teams with plenty of salary cap space, which is needed to sign top-tier players. Signing bonuses can be spread only over four years, which means the cap impact will be immediate for clubs.Without a CBA deal, today could become Bloody Sunday, with teams scrambling to get below the $94.5 million salary cap by purging their roster of proven players. With the ultimate buyer's market, the Vikings could be very selective about whom to sign and even land stars to one-year deals as they prepare for 2007, when there would be no salary cap.If there is a deal, Minnesota would lose that advantage and have to compete with more teams for the elite players.Sean Jensen can be reached at sjensen@pioneerpress.com.</div>
It's a good article, I read it earlier today. I like the idea of Edge as the Vikes RB. Vinateri as the kicker would be really cool. Although, I'd almost prefer to keep Edinger. He's cheaper & younger, and has an amazing leg. Too bad he can't make the 30-39 yarders. If the Vikes could get either (or even both) Bentley & Hutchinson that would be awesome. I think Fonoti would be a good guy to re-sign, he's really young and versatile. I would also like to seem them make a run at Julian Peterson. And of course, I'd like to see them re-sign Koren Robinson as well...
<span style="color:#993399">I heard the Bentley has basically put "B-e-n-t-l-e" on the dotted line with Philly, and is waiting for the FA green light to put down the "y". </span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FSUViking @ Mar 5 2006, 03:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="color:#993399">I heard the Bentley has basically put "B-e-n-t-l-e" on the dotted line with Philly, and is waiting for the FA green light to put down the "y". </span></div>Read the thread in the Eagles forum. lol
Screw geting a running back. Brad Johnson could run for 1k if we just got a good offenseive line aka Steve Hutchinson (With a hopefully helthy Matt Birk and Bryant McKinie). Allright no he couldnt be Moore could easily. And if we just draft Lomo in the draft then he can easily run for 1k. Basicly I think Steve Hutchinson should be signing number 1. Give him as much as he wants. We NEED a line.Then focas on linebacker. Ben Leber is NOT the answer and we wont find a answer in the draft. David Thornton seems like he would be the best fit here in my opinion.Brining a guy like Adam Vinatieri in at kicker would be another great thing too.But realy I think other then Hutchinson we just need to focas on keeping our own guys like Koren Robinson and Lance Johnstone who were some of the keys of winning any games last year.
<span style="color:#993399"> Brad Johnson couldn't run for a thousand yards if he was able to use a golf cart. We won't find a LB in the draft? Funny.....cuz it's being said this is the deepest linebacking corps in 20 years.Keeping people like Lance Johnstone and Koren Robinson is not going to get us anywhere.Your takes are pretty funny, if not outright rediculous.</span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FSUViking @ Mar 6 2006, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="color:#993399"> Brad Johnson couldn't run for a thousand yards if he was able to use a golf cart. We won't find a LB in the draft? Funny.....cuz it's being said this is the deepest linebacking corps in 20 years.Keeping people like Lance Johnstone and Koren Robinson is not going to get us anywhere.Your takes are pretty funny, if not outright rediculous.</span></div>I think his point was they cant draft a LB if they spend the first rounder on Laurence Maroney. While you can get a quality Linebacker in the second round, Im not sure If they would be ready to start on day 1 next year.
I think yall should bring back Chavous for one more year. hes a good player and a good leader at times
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FSUViking @ Mar 6 2006, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="color:#993399"> Brad Johnson couldn't run for a thousand yards if he was able to use a golf cart. We won't find a LB in the draft? Funny.....cuz it's being said this is the deepest linebacking corps in 20 years.Keeping people like Lance Johnstone and Koren Robinson is not going to get us anywhere.Your takes are pretty funny, if not outright rediculous.</span></div> I hope you don't really think I wasn't joking about Johnson. Koren Robinson was a all-pro returner and one of the best receivers for us last year and Lance Johnstone is one of the best backup D linemen in the game. You dont have to attack everything I say FSUV.
March 6, 2006) -- The more the rumors circulate about Daunte Culpepper possibly being traded, the issue will turn to what kind of deal makes sense rather than just cutting him. The Vikings star QB is hurt and no team wants to take a risk with big trade compensation until it knows he can regain his level of play. Culpepper would have to rework his contract for a new team and if he is stubborn about that aspect, he could find himself cut and on the street waiting for a full recovery before teams would get serious about his services. A team that would prefer to lock him up now in a trade will want to reduce the roster bonus due now, which seems possible to me if Culpepper is getting good advice about his present value. Most clubs would be willing to put the rest of the bonus back into the deal based on his health. As for the structure of a trade, I think the deal has to involve draft picks from the 2007 draft, not the 2006 draft. To take the guesswork out of when Culpepper will be healthy enough to play and how much of his former self a team expects to get means the compensation has to be staggered. Here's a sliding scale that I would consider if I were a team interested in Culpepper and if I was a member of the Vikings looking for fair value: If he never plays again ... no draft compensation. If he returns in time for half the season -- a second-round pick is warranted. If he returns for the majority of the season -- then a first-round pick. If he throws for a minimum of 3,000 yards, then a first- and third-round selection. If he makes the Pro Bowl -- a first-round pick in 2007 and 2008. If they lose Daunte the team would proably Draft a Qb like Brodie Croyle in the first round because Brad Johnson has about 2 years left in him.
<span style="color:#993399">Damn. I just read that the Vikings just got a $7m cap increase, so now we have $31m. And, if the CBA ever gets figured out, it could top $41m.Nice. </span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DCB @ Mar 7 2006, 07:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If he never plays again ... no draft compensation. If he returns in time for half the season -- a second-round pick is warranted. If he returns for the majority of the season -- then a first-round pick. If he throws for a minimum of 3,000 yards, then a first- and third-round selection. If he makes the Pro Bowl -- a first-round pick in 2007 and 2008.</div>lmao.The most your going to get for Culpepper is a conditional first and if he doesnt reach certain incentives (13+ Games, 3000+ yards) then it drops to a second rounder.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Mar 8 2006, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>lmao.The most your going to get for Culpepper is a conditional first and if he doesnt reach certain incentives (13+ Games, 3000+ yards) then it drops to a second rounder.</div>Even though I'm a Vikings fan I agree with you. He is definitley at the point of being a 2nd rounder right now. The man came off major knee surgery 3 months ago. The minimum rehab he is going to need is 6 months approx. There is no way he's going to start the season on a healthy leg.
