Posts by Adam Warwas

Back To Work… After This

April 2, 2012, by 11 comments

I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that I am back in the saddle now and will be updating the site a lot this coming week.  Last week was filled with a horribly sick family, a heavy work load at the real job, and lastly a bit of travel.

If you live where I do, you tend to feel disconnected quite a bit from the “real world.”  Thus, whenever I travel “outside” I come to a number of realizations and I thought it would be fun to avoid the topic of football in this post and list a few things I learned over the last few days: 

  • Eating at Golden Corral is a horrifying experience that nobody should ever, ever have to endure.  Seriously.
  • I practically grew up in Dairy Queens during the Denis the Menace era because I was lucky enough to have a grandpa that owned and operated multiple franchises in Minnesota.  It had been years since I have seen the server tip my Blizzard upside down like they did in the old days, but I am happy to report that the practice is making a comeback!
  • I’m not a fan of Hollywood making movies out of books that actually get kids to read, because then they don’t have to read them.  However, The Hunger Games is a worthwhile film that they didn’t screw up too badly on the adaptation.  Read the books first, though!
  • When did Wal-Mart raise their prices?
  • My boy made me a proud papa in his first trip to Toys-R-Us.  How many kids will go straight past all of the noisy, flashing, remote control, battery operated toys and grab the plain old dinosaur models instead?  He just grabbed a few of them and sat down in the middle of the store and commenced in playing with old fashioned toys.  Love it!

Okay, glad I got all that off of my chest.  Football updates are coming soon.

Vikes Missed On Three Free Agents

March 28, 2012, by No comments yet

The Vikings have had a slow free agency.  Some have theories (some ridiculous theories, some not as much) about why Rick Spielman is being conservative with the free agent offers, but reports are now coming out that suggest the Vikings, while not real fruitful, have been more active than originally thought.

Specifically, I have found reports of three different free agents that the Vikings pursued but eventually pulled out of the bidding as the price got higher than they were willing to spend.

PIERRE GARCON, WR:  The Vikings were reportedly one of the final three teams bidding for the services of the young, speedy receiver.  He eventually signed a five year deal with the Redskins worth up to $42.5 million, with $21.5 million.  It is easy to see why the Vikings had interest in signing the 25 year old standout from a miserable Colts team, but it is also easy to see why they weren’t willing to top Washington’s offer.  The Cleveland Browns were the other team involved.

DONNIE AVERY, WR:  Donnie Avery made headlines recently by claiming he ran a 4.25 forty yard dash on grass.  If that is truly the case, then he could be the steal of this year’s free agency class, if he can manage to stay healthy.  Health has been Avery’s problem following his very solid rookie season, but apparently the Vikings were still intrigued by his upside.  The Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins were all in conversations with Avery’s agent when Indianapolis called up and asked, “What would it take for you to sign and give me a verbal commitment on the phone?”  That level of interest from the Colts piqued Avery’s interest and it didn’t take long for him to make that commitment.

COREY GRAHAM, CB:  As we discussed on Monday, the Vikings signed Bears cornerback Zackary Bowman to a one year deal.  Apparently, however, he wasn’t the only Bears corner of interest.  Corey Graham, a special teams ace, was of interest to the Vikings and the Detroit Lions.  He ended up signing a two year deal with the Ravens.

Stadium Fight Takes Step In Right Direction

March 26, 2012, by 6 comments

If you support the Vikings proposal to build a new stadium in Minnesota (which I bet you do) then you will be happy to hear that Monday yielded some substantially good news in the ongoing battle.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said on Monday that he has secured a majority of the Minneapolis City Council with letters saying seven members of the Council would vote in favor of the current proposal.

“Is it time to build it? I think it is,” Rybak said on Monday.

The Stadium bill has yet to be approved by a single Senate Committee at the State Legislature level, but it is believed the support of Minneapolis could potentially help move things along and get the ball rolling again.

As always, there are still obstacles that are sure to pop up, but this is one more major obstacle that has seemingly been hurdled.

Vikings Receive Two Fourth Round Compensatory Picks

March 26, 2012, by 26 comments

As many expected, the Vikings have reportedly received two fourth round compensatory Draft selections in the upcoming Draft.

The picks were awarded after the Vikings lost Sidney Rice and Ray Edwards to free agency last offseason.  They will get the 33rd and 39th selections of the fourth round.

Compensatory picks cannot be traded, so the fourth round is sure to be one of high importance for the Vikings as they search for depth and sleepers in this year’s class.

South Dakota’s Compton To Make Pre-Draft Visit

March 26, 2012, by 1 comment

The Vikings landed offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they are done looking for improvements.

Tom Compton from South Dakota will take part in a pre-Draft visit with the Vikings.  Compton has been a four year starter, a two-time captain, and is projected as a mid-round pick in April.

At 6’ 5” and 314 pounds, Compton displayed a good skill set at his Pro Day and also posted a 5.11 forty yard dash at the NFL’s Scouting Combine.

COMMUNITY MOCK: Day Fifteen

March 26, 2012, by 3 comments

Day fourteen of our Community Mock Draft saw the Dallas Cowboys select Stanford guard David DeCastro by a fairly overwhelming majority.

Up next is the “Dream Team” from Philadelphia.

Make your selection:

Spielman Admits Ayodele Was A Mistake

March 26, 2012, by No comments yet

I always think it takes a big man to admit his mistakes.

On Sunday, Rick Spielman earned a point or two in my book by admitting that it was his mistake to sign defensive tackle Remi Ayodele following the NFL Lockout last offseason.

“That’s something where we made a mistake,” Spielman said, “and I’ll put that on me making a mistake, as far as making sure that the players that we sign fit the scheme that we’re trying to run.”

Ayodele was cut by the Vikings on March 21st, only hours after the NFL announced its plan to punish the New Orleans Saints and management involved in the “BountyGate” scandal.  Ayodele, of course, was a member of the Saints during the time under scrutiny, placed a very questionable hit on Brett Favre during the 2009 NFC Championship Game, and may face a suspension as a result.

Spielman, however, says that “BountyGate” had nothing to do with the decision to release him and instead was a result of him not fitting the scheme.

“It had nothing to do with the other circumstances,” Spielman said of Ayodele’s release.  “This was purely based on a decision that didn’t live up to the billing and how he would fit into the scheme like we thought he would. Then, when we were able to sign Letroy back and Fred Evans back, we felt those guys were a better fit in what we were trying to do defensively than what Remi was for us last year.”

It was reported last season that it was Spielman’s decision to bring in Ayodele while Head Coach Leslie Frazier preferred to see long-time Viking Pat Williams return.  Ayodele was ultimately signed to a three year deal worth up to $9 million.

Just prior to Ayodele’s release, the Vikings re-signed Letroy Guion and Fred Evans and hope to see them take command of the nose tackle position moving forward.

It is inevitable that an NFL General Manager is going to make mistakes.  It is a rarity to hear one actually admit to it.  The best thing Spielman can do, however, is to learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.