Top Tackle Prospect To Visit

March 24, 2012, by 1 comment

Some in the media think Rick Spielman should undergo a brain scan should he pass on USC left tackle Matt Kalil in April.  Others think writers that aren’t qualified to have such opinions should keep quiet.

The Vikings seem hell bent on making sure other teams don’t know exactly who they plan on selecting third overall, while also keeping their options open in terms of trading back.

With so many options available, it makes sense that the Vikings do their due diligence with as many prospects as they possibly can.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Vikings are reportedly hosting Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin to a pre-Draft visit.

Martin (6’ 5” – 312 pounds) was part of a star-studded Stanford team and he was tasked with protecting Andrew Luck’s blind side.  He is known as an athletic left tackle, plenty capable of blocking for the passer and a dominant run blocker.

He joins Luck, tight end Coby Fleener, and guard David DeCastro as a Stanford product seemingly destined to be selected in the first round next month.

Community Mock: Day Fourteen

March 24, 2012, by 4 comments

Running back Trent Richardson finally gets selected by the Arizona Cardinals after falling to the thirteenth pick in our 2012 Community Mock Draft. While running back isn’t particularly a need for the Cardinals, our readers must have felt that if Richardson falling that far is just too hard to pass up for the Cardinals. One of our readers Malte said, “Why Trent Richardson is still not taken is beyond my mind. He is by far BPA. The Cardinals would be wise to pick up this great talent, or trade…”

Now, it is pick #14 and the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock. After addressing one of their bigger needs at corner back through free agency (by signing Brandon Carr), the Cowboys could still use depth there and also have a huge need on their offensive line.

Use the poll below to select who you think the Cowboys will select with their fourteen pick.

And don’t forget to check out previous picks by clicking here.

Vikings Territory can be followed on Twitter @vikingterritory.

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).

Continue Reading →

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.

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.