Who Returns in 2012?

[B. Grant]

I know its a little early for this, but I was thinking as I was driving the other day (No, Mrs. Grant wasn't with me-I was alone), "Who am I sure will be back with the Vikes in 2012?" So I started a list in my head (and as Freds so eloquently pointed out the other day, I had to keep the list pretty short due to my memory limitations.) I am not privy to the contract status of some players, and that could make a difference, so maybe Adam or Brett or someone can help me with that. Here is the short list of people I can say I am SURE will return...

Ponder, Peterson, Harvin, Rudolph, Loadholt, KWilliams, JAllen, Greenway, Winfield, Robison, Gerhart, Hutchinson, Aromashadu.

I know several others WILL return, but these are the only people I can see who are a lock unless their contract is running out. You guys can help me out here, right? (Webb, the Hendersons, Sherels, Cook, Abdullah, young DL's or OL's?) Who should I add or subtract?

[Big Johnny]

Well Coach I'm not so sure on high priced, towards the end of their careers, vets like Hutch and Williams. They could be casualties in this rebuilding phase, I hope not but they could very well be. I think EJ Hendersons contract is up and I think he'll be gone as well. I think these three could be gone unless they restructure

[adammwarwas]

Yeah, I gotta agree on Hutch and KWill, both may be playing at a level far lower than their payscale these days. Winfield should be fine, I think. People think Griffin will be gone, but I actually think he is incredibly secure given his contract. Everyone else in the defensive backfield, besides Griffin and Winfield, would be financially easy to part ways with and haven't proven themselves to a level that doesn't make them expendable. Aromashodu is a free agent at the end of the year.

I would say Charlie Johnson is sure to be back in some capacity.

Players I think will for sure return: Ponder, Peterson, Gerhart, Rudolph, Harvin, Jenkins, Charlie Johnson, Kluwe, Robison, Jared Allen, Everson Griffen, Greenway, Cedric Griffin, Antoine Winfield... and yeah, those are the only I would consider myself 99% sure on.

[Big Johnny]

Mostly agree Adam except for Cedric Griffen. Dude looks pretty washed up to me and even Denzel called him out after the last game. Seems like he's regressing as of late but he could just be playing down to the rest of the secondaries shitty level.

[Brett A.]

It would be cool to have a table with all of our players and how many years that have left in their contract (not that it guarantees they'll be back).

[adammwarwas]

I actually have a spreadsheet of exactly that, brett. (Minus those whom have unknown contracts of course). Problem is, I can't get it to translate to the web very well. Rotoworld's player pages has button under each name that says "cotract details" which is a pretty solid source.

Prior to Adrian's and the rookie contracts of 2011, Griffin was the only player committed to through 2014. They gave him $10.5 million gauranteed. I just have a hard time seeing them invest so much into him for two years of recovery and then all of the sudden send him packing with a sack full of cash. They knew going into this year that he'd have trouble with his two reconstructed knees... a gamble that wouldn't have truly been expected to pay off until next year anyways.

[Brett A.]

Problem is, I can't get it to translate to the web very well.

Can I check it out?