Free Agency

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.

Vikings Sign CB Zackary Bowman

March 26, 2012, by 8 comments
zackarybowman

This morning, the Vikings agreed to a one-year deal with ex-Bears cornerback Zackary Bowman. Bowman, 27, has been in the NFL for four seasons but has not been a starter for all of them. In fact, the ‘veteran’ cornerback has only started in 16 games (playing in 46 total). His best stint was during the 2009 season when he managed to grab six interceptions.

While Bowman wasn’t a starter in Chicago, that doesn’t mean he won’t be with the Vikings. With the Vikings depleted secondary, it’s likely that Bowman could see a good amount of playing time. Overall, though, this move seems to be more about adding depth at a position of need and hoping to find value in a young player (it is a minimum deal with no guaranteed money).

 

 

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.

Spielman Talks Up Jasper Brinkley

March 25, 2012, by 3 comments

With long-time starter E.J. Henderson, the Vikings are leaving the door open to his return, but it seems more likely they move on.  In an offseason where free agent linebackers are, for some reason, getting treated like they have less value than punters, the Vikings have kept their distance from any of them.

One reason for that is that they have high hopes for third year player Jasper Brinkley.

Brinkley is 26 years old and missed all of 2011 when he had hip surgery in August.  He had played in all 32 games of the previous seasons, including taking Henderson’s place in 2009 following the leg injury that ended his season.

“When (Brinkley) did step in for E.J., he continued to get better and really started playing well — especially as we went through the playoffs and the more experience he got,” Spielman said from the NFL’s owner meetings.

“He started off very well last year (in training camp) and it’s a shame he got his hip hurt,” Spielman continued, “but we’ve got a lot of high expectations for Jasper coming back.”

Henderson, age 31, does not seem to fit into Spielman’s youth movement strategy employed this offseason and the most likely scenario is that Brinkley’s main source of competition will come from the 2012 NFL Draft.

For now, consider starting middle linebacker Brinkley’s job to lose.

Vikings Re-Sign Erin Henderon and Devin Aromashodu

March 24, 2012, by 10 comments
Erin Henderson

(Sorry we didn’t provide any update on this news yesterday – Adam is a under the weather and I was gone all day on a business trip.)

I assume most of you know now that yesterday, the Vikings re-signed linebacker Erin Henderson and wide receiver Devin Aromashodu.

Erin Henderson, who had taken to Twitter to express his frustration with the lack of contract talks with the Minnesota Vikings, was signed to a one-year, 2 million dollar deal. Henderson, considered to be of a top 5 linebacker in this year’s free agency by some, did not play every down last year and still managed to record 70 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He is young, coming out of his first contract and has lots of potential to be great (exactly what Spielman says he is looking for).

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Links Of The Week: Free Agency, Round 1 Edition

March 23, 2012, by 4 comments

We’ll start this thing off with something that happened yesterday that we really didn’t touch on here at VT… Tedd Ginn Jr. is staying with the 49ers.

Our ever-loquacious punter believes Jonathan Vilma should be banned from the NFL for life.

Rick Spielman seems to be trying to throw everyone off and put up smoke screens regarding our #3 pick. They are smoke screens, right? Right…?!

“In Attempt Not to ‘Spend to Spend,’ Vikings Seemingly Already Spending to Spend,” states this Vikings writer.

In the never-ending-stadium-story, it looks like the Vikings may be getting a sign-off by the Minneapolis City Council.

Over at KAB, our friends get a little crazy and question where the franchise would be had it used Rosenfels instead of Favre in 2010 (amongst many other things).

Do the referees deserve some of the blame for the bounties placed on Favre and how it affected the 2009 NFC Championship game?

Jared Allen thinks the Saints got what they deserved.

Chris Kluwe stands up for “snitches” and goes on (expletive-filled) Twitter rant.

Now, I don’t have any videos to show for the “moment of zen” that Adam typically does here… I do have a story though. (One I told Adam yesterday after he brought up his concern that WR prospect Stephen Hill reminded him of another ex-Viking who bolted up in the draft due to great workouts. He insisted that I try to fit this little story in somewhere and I guess right here is as good as anywhere.)

A few years ago, my family and I went to a buffet (they’re in every casino here in Vegas) around the corner for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Of course, I was in my big, purple, #28 jersey; I wore it proudly (the Vikes were hot stuff at the time). We all sat down and waited for our waiter to greet us and take our drink orders so we could be unleashed and pounce upon the endless spread of food. Our waiter came and this is the short exchange that followed:

“Good morning, I’m [Derek] and I’ll be your waiter this morning. Oh! You a Vikings fan?”

“Yep!”

“Cool! My little nephew actually used to play for the Vikings a while back.”

“Really?! Who was he?”

“Troy Williamson!”

“…”

“…”

“Oh, cool…”

“…”

“Iced tea, please.”

“Moment of zen?” I think not… And yes, Adam compared Stephen Hill to Troy Williamson. Hold your tongue, Adam!

Extra Details Regarding Contracts

March 22, 2012, by 13 comments

Outside of tight end John Carlson, the Vikings have yet to commit to any free agent contracts that could potentially make them look uber-foolish, mainly because none of the contracts handed out are of major consequence.

Courtesy of Judd Zulgad, we have some more details regarding contracts for some player signings:

OT GEOFF SCHWARTZ:  A one year deal that has a maximum value of $1.5 million, and contained a signing bonus of $150,000.  Schwartz is expected to use 2012 to prove his health and competence with hopes of signing a longer, more lucrative deal in 2013.

FB JEROME FELTON:  A one year deal worth $700,000, which included a $50,000 bonus for workouts and making the 53-man roster.

RB/FB LEX HILLIARD:  A one year deal worth $615,000.

NT LETROY GUION:  A three year deal that came with a $1.5 million signing bonus.  His base salary this year will only be $950,000.  In 2013 that number jumps to $2.45 million, and jumps again to $3.95 million in 2014.  In other words, Guion will only realize the full value of his deal if he develops into a reliable contributor.

NT FRED EVANS:  A two year contract with an unknown signing bonus.  His base salary this year is $700,000 and jumps to $1.45 million in 2013.

Overall, each of these deals can be classified as “low risk” in terms of finances.  Whether or not any of these players can add value on gameday, however, remains to be seen.