Monthly archive: March, 2012

Former Raven Chris Carr To Visit

March 22, 2012, by 3 comments

The Vikings are continuing to take a slow, drawn out approach to free agency and nine days in they have finally set up a visit with a free agent defensive back (at least one that has, you know, played professional football).

According to 1500 ESPN, the veteran cornerback Chris Carr will visit the Vikings on Thursday night after already having visited the Chiefs.

After three seasons with the Ravens, Carr was released earlier in March.  Last season, he missed seven games due to a back injury, and fell down the depth chart with the emergences of Ladarius Webb and others.  Prior to last year, however, Carr didn’t miss a game in six seasons.

The Vikings were interested in Carr back in 2009, when the Ravens signed him.

Chris Cook seems likely to return without suspension following his acquittal from recent charges.  Antoine Winfield should also be returning, but will likely be spending most of his time as a nickel back.

Carr, who will be 29 years old when the season starts, would be a decent pickup for a team that desperately needs stability in the secondary.  He may not be the best that was available during free agency, and he may not be the best of who is still available at this point, but right now Vikings fans will welcome just about anybody that seems like they could help out.

Mock Draft Update

March 22, 2012, by 9 comments

This is just a quick note to let you all know that I have updated my 2012 NFL Mock Draft.

There are some major changes that might interest you, but the Vikings third overall selection has not changed, despite Rick Spielman’s best efforts to convince us he wants to select Morris Claiborne.

Click here to check it out, and feel free to question/criticize/praise my choices in the comments section.

NFL Reaction To “BountyGate” Is Heavy On Punishment, Light On Reparations

March 22, 2012, by 1 comment

On Wednesday, the NFL came down hard on the New Orleans Saints organization, head coach Sean Payton, General Manager Mickey Loomis, and Rams Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams for the parts they played in the “BountyGate” scandal.

Commissioner Roger Goodell was very heavy handed in dealing with those that broke the rules, and stomped upon the competitive spirit of the game, and he hasn’t even gotten to the players yet.  The odds seem good that those penalties will be quite stiff, as well.

However, the league can punish those guilty of the infractions all they want, but there is still going to be an empty feeling for those that were on the receiving end of the wrongdoings.

On two relatively recent occasions the NFL has punished cheaters while simultaneously providing the “victims” with reparations as an attempt to make up for the transgressions.

Continue Reading →

Community Mock: Day Thirteen

March 22, 2012, by 1 comment

Our Community Mock Draft (click here to see it) is clipping along nicely.

The last selection went to the Seattle Seahawks and Michael Floyd was nearly the winner.  Instead, however, defensive end Melvin Ingram squeaked it out and that is who we have the Seahawks picking up.

Next up are the Arizona Cardinals.  This was a tough one for me to narrow down, hence all the choices, so I imagine you will have an equally tough time casting a vote.  But, they are on the clock, so you must, you must I say!

Hit up the poll below.

Schwartz Agrees To A Year With Minny

March 21, 2012, by 10 comments

The Vikings somehow managed to beat out the 49ers in wooing a free agent.  That probably had something to do with the potential for upward mobility (i.e. the lack of talent) and the presence of former Panthers offensive line coach Jeff Davidson.

Geoff Schwartz has reportedly agreed to a one year deal with the Vikings after visiting with them on Monday.

Schwartz is the third free agent to join this roster that didn’t play a single NFL snap in 2011, in this case due to an injury that sidelined him.

In 2010, however, he appeared like an up-and-coming offensive lineman for the Panthers.  He was near-dominant at right guard and serviceable at right tackle.  He will immediately jump into the mix, competing to replace Anthony Herrera in the starting lineup, and possibly even pushing Phil Loadholt for his job.

While numbers are not yet available, the length of the deal is somewhat surprising to me.  At age 25, Schwartz could possibly be a steal for teams looking for a long-term rebuild (anybody know one?) so I would’ve expected the Vikings to try and increase the length of the deal.

Vikings Will Release Remi Ayodele

March 21, 2012, by 5 comments

The decision to re-sign defensive tackles Letroy Guion and Fred Evans will make more sense to those that thought the moves made no sense at all (of which I was not one).

In light of the punishments being handed down by the NFL to those involved with the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, the Vikings are expected to be in the process of releasing nose tackle Remi Ayodele.

No players, including Ayodele, have been punished individually yet, but the NFL is expected to do so relatively soon.

Just last week it appeared like the Vikings had every intention to keep Ayodele around when they paid a deferred portion of his $3.6 million signing bonus.  It is not known if the actions taken by Ayodele in the past could result in the Vikings recovering any of the money they spent on what essentially turned out to be a horrible post-lockout free agent signing.

On the plus side, this move could be the first one the Vikings have made this offseason that won’t be met with criticism from the masses.

UPDATE:  The Vikings have made the move official.

Goodell Brings The Hammer Down On Saints

March 21, 2012, by 16 comments

Today, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made a huge statement when he brought the hammer down on the New Orleans Saints for their bounty program. And while this isn’t exactly Vikings news, we felt that the punishment should be mentioned here since we’ve touched on the subject off and on since it came into the news.

No, the Vikings don’t get any compensatory picks. We don’t get a re-do of the NFC Championship game. The Saints didn’t lose their Superbowl ring. The Vikings will be compensated in no way, shape or form (for all you hoping they would be). But they did receive a punishment far more extreme than anything the likes of the NFL has ever seen. Seriously – it’s crazy.

The punishment (according to ESPN):

  1. Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams suspended indefinitely from the NFL.
  2. Head coach Sean Payton suspended (without pay) for one year. Roger Goodell will meet with Payton after the 2012 season to determine the coach’s status.
  3. General Manager Mickey Loomis suspended for 8 games (without pay).
  4. Loss of the Saints second round pick in both 2012 and 2013.
  5. A fine of $500,000.
  6. Assistant Coach Joe Vitt suspended 6 games (without pay) and fined $100,000.
  7. The players and coaches involved will be required to participate in efforts by the NFL to educate others on the importance of the respect for the game and those who participate in it. Their safety, sportsman-like conduct, etc…

In regards to the punishment, Goodell said,

“We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game… We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised… A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious… When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game.”

It is expected that there will also be punishments for the 22 of 27 players involved eventually.

One thing to keep an eye out for is if this has any effect on what the Vikings do with Remi Ayodele. It seems he’s already been displaced by some of the free-agency moves made so far this off-season. If he is one of the 22 players that will eventually (assumingly) be punished by the NFL, it may be wise for the Vikings to just cut their ties now.

Oh yeah, and since we’re already talking about things that aren’t really Vikings news… Tim Tebow is a Jet. Don’t you just love football?