Every year that Rick Spielman has been with the Vikings has produced at least one ambitious and exciting move. Sometimes they have been in the form of player trades (Jared Allen and Percy Harvin), free agent signings (Brett Favre), or Draft Day moving and shaking (Matt Kalil and Cordarrelle Patterson). Even during the seemingly ho-hum offseasons he has produced at least one splash move that gets the fanbase to collectively giggle with glee.
Today’s cuts, as outlined earlier by Arif, are reportedly going to leave the Vikings with a whopping $41 million in cap space. Meanwhile, Spielman is still armed with a full compliment of draft picks.
Right now, most Vikings fans seem to think they have Spielman pegged, that he will predictably spend conservatively in free agency and explore all options to move around throughout Draft Weekend. They think he’ll bargain hunt, perhaps throw his new coach a bone by signing Michael Johnson, and then lean on Norv Turner to pick which quarterback prospect to target in May.
I don’t think it’ll be that predictable.
Call it hunch. Call it reading the tea leaves. Call it looking at the pattern in Spielman’s track record. Call it whatever you want. I just think that Spielman has something cooking and it is bigger than any of us really expect.
Quarterback is obviously this team’s biggest priority (sigh) and all those dots are continuously being connected by fans, analysts, and hack bloggers on a daily basis. After a disappointing 2012 campaign, rumors swirled that San Diego might be willing to deal quarterback Philip Rivers, but he rebounded nicely this year. Was it enough, however, to call a trade absolutely impossible? He is only two seasons away from an expired contract, after all, and is owed a $13.8 million salary from a Chargers team with virtually no cap space to play with this offseason. If you recall, it was Spielman that started the process of prying Jay Cutler away from Denver prior to his trade to Chicago.
Here is another conspiracy theory on the other side of the ball. What if the Vikings decided to finally make a gigantic investment at cornerback and trade for one of the best in the game? The 28 year old Darrelle Revis is currently at the center of swirling rumors that make it seem very likely that the Bucs plan to ship him and his $13 million base salary elsewhere. With the previous regime and their cover-2 scheme this sort of trade would make no sense at all, but Mike Zimmer is a wild card in all of this, as none of know for sure what exactly he has planned.
The Saints seem to be shopping all of their valuable offensive playmakers. With only $1.5 million in cap space at the moment, they are having to shed some weight just to feel comfortable signing their draft class. Lance Moore and Darren Sproles have been two names mentioned as being on the trading block, but what about that giant TE/WR they just placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on?
Jimmy Graham will be paid over $7 million if he plays under the current tight end designated tag. However, if his agent can successfully argue that he is a wide out, then the franchise tag will cost the Saints $12.3 million and really put them in a bind from a cap perspective. Sure, signing Graham to a long-term deal that is cap friendly in 2014 is a solution, but so is entertaining bids for his services from guys like Rick Spielman. Tight end and wide out aren’t exactly pressing needs for the Vikings, but Jimmy Graham is one of those special players that you cannot ignore, and any team would be better with him on it.
So, I put my neck on the line there by thinking outside the box a little. My three scenarios can’t possibly be the only ones out there. I’m curious, what do you all have?
Let me know in the comments section what sort of fireworks show you think Rick Spielman could possibly pull off this offseason. Speculation is a blast, give it a try!
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I thought Phillip Rivers could've easily been had last season but after his rebound it will cost too much. I like the idea of Darren Sproles. Ever since Chester Taylor left we lacked a great scat back who was dangerous on third downs. I'm totally in favor of reuniting him with Turner.
I would like to see the Vikings go after Verner and Byrd. I also think we shouldn't spend too much because we need to extend Harrison Smith and Matt Khalil next year.
Brett Favre is available. Just sayin'
WOW! 41 mil in cap space??
Ricky don't lose that number, it's the biggest you ever had.
Stop.
Freds would have bet Frans would have flashed back to a Grateful Dead reference. Steely Dan?
SD just fit the moment best.
Sorry Adam but I'm not computer literate enough to just post a picture, but if you click on the link below and scroll down a bit, check out the incredibly YOKED Brett Favre.
Hope I look that good when I hit my 40's. . .oh wait.
https://www.facebook.com/jimrome
Stop it, Fran!
You got to admit, the guy looks pretty good.
Fran, aren't you closer to the next 40 than the last one?
Glass houses Coach.
I dont think people fully understand how much cap the vikings have this year. They are capable of signing some big names this year and still have enough left over for smith and kalil. I think verner is an intriguing sign due to his age and upside and michael johnson makes too much sense. Finally, griffin would be a good sign as well because a team can never have too many pass rushers. Then, hope one of the 3 qbs fall to us at 8 or trade down and take mosely and take carr in the late 1st or early 2nd round. This team is setup for a fast roster turn-around and I am excited to see change
Well said. Lots of needs, but lots of resources.
#1 sign DE Everson Griffen or Michael Johnson
#2 sign CB Nolan Carroll
#3 sign DT Joseph Linval
#4 sign LB Vincent Rey
If Spielman is going to do something big with a trade? He might as well just trade up to the #2 spot and draft Blake Bortles.
Carl's got a pretty darn realistic list here.
Draft Bortles? Trade Up? Come on now...lets remain patient on the QB...we might have bridgewater fall to us...its entirely possible
There is mo need to trade up and waste picks on a QB this year. There is no Andrew Luck's in this draft. I would trade down and trade down again and gather as many picks as possible for this deep draft and still get a Derek Carr, McCarron, etc etc.
You had me at "Sproles."
Knew it
Well, here it is almost spring and a sure sign of it is, AKs mention of Sproles. Good God man, if you've not already done so, please change your dog's name from Percy to Sproles.
Freds agrees though a little "wiggle" in the back field would sure be nice.
Trade Jennings and pick to rams for #2 pick and draft s Watkins. Try to move up from 8 to 4 and draft k Mack . Move up in round 2 draft AJ Macarron. Pick up j Byird and Vick. Look for a corner.
God please not Vick.
No way rams would give us their number 2 pick for Jennings. They wouldn't even give us their number 2 pick for Jennings and out number 8 pick.
We talking Rick S. Crazy talk. If any GM can pull off some thing so crazy it Rick.
Why the hate? I think this is a good idea, we get a lot younger player in Watkins and that LB we desperately need.
They'll kick it off by signing Johnson, I would actually be more surprised if they didn't sign him at this point. After that I'll go with them going swapping vets with the Texans picking up Schaub after Cassel makes him expendable in Houston. They'll push hard for Verner but end up losing him to someone else. If you want some crazy trades lets stick with the Johnson signing...but I'll send the Pats Seattle's third round pick to give Mallett a one year tryout as the starting QB. Then I'll get real crazy and send Dallas Shariff Floyd for approaching-bust-status Morris Claiborne, actual draft bust Bruce Carter, and their 2nd round pick... I bet Zimmer could get both of those guys playing to their actual potential. I would then take my man Aaron Donald with our first pick trying to trade down a few slots, but taking him at 8 if I needed too. I just improved all three levels of our defense and still have an extra 2nd round pick to use. Am I outside the box?
Outside but definitely intriguing.
hmmmmm,let's see now.....let Cassel go to the texans...sign McCown.....draft defense.....buy FA offense.....trade AD to either Texas team for 2015 picks .....gain a couple more 2015 picks by trading down this year......and then (you know where I'm going with this don't cha) buy the 2015 number one pick and take the best QB in the country to lead us to the promise land just in time for the SB in MN.......there, is that big enough for ya, Adam?
let dan snyder spend the stupid money. i'd rather spread out the talent than blow the dough on a splashy signing or two