It’s a slow day on the free agency front but there is some news (other than Chris Cook being found not guilty on all counts). According to Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer Press, the Vikings have shown interest in Cowboys CB, Alan Ball. There aren’t any visits scheduled (that anyone knows), but it is something.
In all reality, Alan Ball would probably just provide depth at an area that is pretty much vacant (or might as well be). But it is good to see the team at least addressing the issue in some shape or form. Almost an admittance that they know the problem/need exists.
Makes me wonder though, if this is just a depth move, why not find it in the later rounds of the draft?
The NFL can still punish Cook under their personal conduct policy, and it is possible he receives a suspension from this incident. He was also involved in a prior incident in which he went to court for allegedly pulling a handgun on a family neighbor, but the case was dismissed quickly.
Cook appeared to be an up-and-coming cornerback for the Vikings following an injury plagued rookie season, but this incident caused the Vikings to essentially put him on paid leave.
His future with the Vikings seems a little more stable, however, as long as he can stay out of trouble moving forward.
Once upon a time, I would get ridiculed on an annual basis for drafting Seahawks tight end John Carlson about four rounds too early in my fantasy league. I would get laughed out of the room, in fact.
“Quit it, you guys,” I would whine. “He’s got the potential and skill set to be the best tight end in the NFL, mark my words.”
Umm, yeah… he was usually on the waiver wires by week six.
Now, Rick Spielman finds himself on the defensive as a result of a very similar move, except the stakes are much higher.
News is spreading the Vikings have signed Carlson to a five year deal worth $25 million, with $11 million of that being guaranteed. The move will put former Notre Dame stars Carlson and Kyle Rudolph atop the tight end depth chart in Minnesota for years to come.
A Minnesota native, Carlson was selected 38th overall by the Seahawks in 2008. He got off to a good start, playing in all 16 games of his rookie season and catching 55 passes for 627 yards and five scores.
In his second season, he started all 16 games and caught 51 passes for 574 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2010, the poor condition of Seattle’s offensive line meant Carlson spent a lot more time being a blocker in the offense, and his production dipped down to 31 catches, 318 yards, and only one score.
In 2011, Carlson missed the entire season due to a torn labrum.
Now, as you can tell from the opening paragraphs of this article, I think Carlson has the potential to be a star and I went so far as to single him out in my Offseason Preview of the tight ends. However, I concluded that segment with the following warning:
“I think patience will have to be key here. The Vikings cannot panic and overpay or reach on a Draft choice to fill their needs at tight end.
Building around Rudolph should involve nabbing a few players that present the team with low cost. They cannot panic and offer a ton of money to Shiancoe. They cannot panic and overpay a free agent. They cannot panic and reach on a guy in the Draft.”
Some might view this signing as Rick Spielman panicking and overpaying, while others might view this signing as Spielman targeting the guy he coveted and making sure he got his guy, but I don’t think anyone envisioned this type of deal for Carlson. In fact, the rumor mill suggests that Carlson was so blown away by the offer that he cancelled a trip to Kansas City and rerouted himself to Winter Park.
The Vikings obviously have placed an emphasis on finding the players that will best fit Bill Musgrave’s offensive vision, which includes a lot of two tight end sets, as they have invested one high draft pick and plenty of money into the position in the last two offseasons. So, while the Vikings are very high on second year player Kyle Rudolph, don’t think of Carlson as a true backup player just yet, he will probably see a lot of action.
Carlson is often referred to as a poor blocker, but he was called upon to block quite a bit in Seattle and seemingly improved in this area, and his pass catching skills are fairly elite. Christian Ponder should benefit from having one more solid pass catcher in his arsenal, and also a fairly dependable blocker when needed. Also, Carlson is 27 years old, which is a full four years younger than Visanthe Shiancoe.
I don’t agree with those that think the Vikings didn’t have a need at the tight end position. I don’t agree with those that think Carlson is a terrible player.
As far as whether or not they overpaid to obtain Carlson, however, I am on the fence. A lot will depend on how the contract is structured and whether or not he can finally live up to the expectations that followed him from Notre Dame.
I will put it this way though: I’m still not drafting him in my fantasy league this year.
We reported last night that John Carlson, tight end and Minnesota native, was being brought in to visit with the team. Now it’s looking very likely that he will be signed.
According to Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer Press, parameters of the deal are currently being discussed. Carlson is likely to be a Viking by the end of the day.
Parameters of a deal for TE John Carlson are being discussed, not yet finalized, I’m told. Could very well get done today.
As Vikings fans with access to a Twitter account blow up the internet with their, I’ll put this nicely, dissatisfaction with the front office we finally have report of them talking with a player.
You might want to sit down for this one.
Shawn Zobel reports that the Vikings, along with two AFC teams, are “talking to” Packers free agent center Scott Wells.
This is surprising news, especially considering the Vikings gave current starter John Sullivan a hefty contract extension at the end of 2011, but perhaps they envision one of the two starting at guard.
Wells is not exactly a spring chicken at age 31 and doesn’t play a position of real need, so this one is fascinating if true.
News is flying around at the moment, but little is out there directly relating to the Vikings.
Former Vikings such as Randy Moss, Steve Hutchinson, and Ben Leber are all active as free agency nears. Moss signed a deal that has made him a San Francisco 49er, Hutchinson is visiting the Titans with Peyton Manning, and Leber is possibly going to be an Eagle.
Even though Moss was never on the Vikings radar, the wide receiver market took a hit on Tuesday and is looking suddenly thin. Marques Colston reportedly re-signed with the Saints getting him $40 million over five years, with just under $20 million guaranteed.
Rick Spielman appeared on the radio at 1500 ESPNthis morning and reiterated that the goal is to get younger.
In well under 24 hours the NFL will begin its free agency period, and the Minnesota Vikings have been unexpectedly quiet.
On Monday, they signed Sage Rosenfels to a two year contract that should put him third on the depth chart behind Joe Webb and Christian Ponder. Other than that, not much was happening.
In fact, pending free agent linebacker Erin Henderson took to Twitter to seemingly let us know that his phone has yet to ring.
He tweeted, “Let’s write a letter. I’ll start it…. Dear Vikings,”
By the time a letter arrived at Winter Park, however, free agency will be well underway and those hoping that Minnesota retains their weakside linebacker better hope they use more modern technology, such as a telephone, to contact Henderson.
The Vikings will forego the chance to tender linebacker Kenny Onatolu as a restricted free agent, as Brett wrote Monday, but they still sound interested in retaining him.
Defensive tackle Letroy Guion is close to signing a contract extension, according to a source in this report, and contract talks were described as “fruitful” on Monday. No news has surfaced regarding safety Husain Abdullah and his status with the Vikings.
The Vikings are thought to be a team gearing up to be active in free agency when it starts at 3:00 Central Lutefisk Time on Tuesday.
The top targets talked about are wide receiver Vincent Jackson, cornerback Brandon Carr, and guard Carl Nicks. These are names we have discussed for quite some time on these pages, and the odds are good that by Wednesday night we will know if the Vikings actually land any of them. The Vikings were thought to be on a road to disappointment in this regard, but major free agency players such as Washington and Dallas are going to have trouble chasing big money players in light of their punishments handed down by the league for dumping too much money into the uncapped year.
We will be here to cover every last second of free agency, so get all your chores done early on Tuesday… it could be a long and interesting evening.
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