The Vikings have a lot of big decisions on the not-so-distant horizon that could majorly impact their 2015 salary cap situation, much of which was outlined nicely here, but the first set of decisions in the offseason process is usually which internal free agents are signed or tagged.
We have an entire offseason ahead of us to debate the merits of each individual player, and their potential replacements, but for now I wanted to give our readers a heads up as to which Vikings are set to see their contracts expire at the end of this season. This information comes from RotoWorld, but may be incomplete or slightly inaccurate as not all contract nuances are known ahead of time.
We’ll have prioritized lists down the road for you to feast on, but for now we are simply looking at the roster in alpha-order.
MATT ASIATA (RFA), RB: Asiata has some touchdowns to his name, but his uninspiring running style causes Vikings fans to reminisce about not only Adrian Peterson, but maybe even Toby Gerhart. With that being said, his restricted status leaves little reason to not at least bring him along to Mankato next summer.
JOE BANYARD (ERFA), RB: Outside of costly fail on a blitz pickup, Banyard has been an impressive enough player in his limited action to warrant a closer look and perhaps an increase in opportunity. Again, the Vikings hold all the cards in “negotiations” here (not really negotiations when its an exclusive rights free agent) and should let Banyard compete for a job in 2015.
JOE BERGER, OL: In Minnesota this year there have been four types of offensive linemen: The terrible, the injured, John Sullivan, and Joe Berger. Berger hasn’t been amazing or anything, but he hasn’t been playing poorly, either. He has shown he can be a reliable backup and is worth considering for depth purposes this offseason. He’ll be 33 next year, however, so I would expect Rick Spielman to take his chances with a younger option.
JASPER BRINKLEY, LB: I’ve always been a fan of Brinkley’s, even during those times when it wasn’t easy to admit it, and seems Mike Zimmer might also be a fan. He isn’t ever going to be a dominant linebacker, but he has played at a decent enough level in his return to Minnesota and finally seems to be 100% healthy.
VLAD DUCASSE, OL: Teddy Bridgewater recently said that this franchise is as much Vlad Ducasse’s as it is his. I don’t think that will be the case next year. No, sir.
CHASE FORD (ERFA), TE: Ford has shown way too much competence to just be allowed to walk. The Vikings can bring him back on the cheap and they will do exactly that.
MIKE HARRIS, OT: The Vikings need to sign and/or draft some talent at offensive tackle. Harris is unlikely to have a future in Minnesota.
TOM JOHNSON, DL: Early on, Johnson was arguably the most impressive defensive lineman on this roster, and he was seeing limited reps as part of a rotation. His production has cooled off as others have caught fire, but if he can be coerced to stick around for another year he would certainly seem like good enough value in a backup role.
CULLEN LOEFFLER, LS: Soon to be 34, one has to wonder if this will finally be the year the Vikings move on from Loeffler, but since he is a long snapper age is less of a factor than in most other positions. If he wants to continue playing then it is hard to find a reason why the Vikings wouldn’t just stick with him.
CHRISTIAN PONDER, QB: Clearly the Vikings are going to let Ponder try to rejuvenate his career elsewhere, right? I wish him luck.
JUSTIN TRATTOU (RFA), DL: It is hard to say how the Vikings view Trattou. He could clearly be had on the cheap, but also seems totally expendable, despite his impressive showings over the last two preseasons. My guess is that he at least makes it back to camp.
COREY WOOTTON, DL: Getting a slightly larger piece of the rotational pie than Trattou, Wootton has not really been a standout, but he hasn’t been awful. He seems to fit Zimmer’s defense well enough and re-signing him could provide some flexibility in the 2015 NFL Draft.
There are some guys on this list that I think can help the Vikings into the future, but I also see a list that includes no must-haves on it. Each of these guys is relatively easy to replace and none of them warrant franchise tag consideration.
This should allow Rick Spielman to be scrupulous as free agency approaches, which will hopefully allow for a few extra cap dollars available to spend and an increase of flexibility on Draft Weekend.
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As far as the true free agents, Tom Johnson and Brinkley are the priorities in my mind. Johnson in particular has been much more valuable than I think he gets credit for. Brinkley has been solid but I would like to see an upgrade there. At the same time, I wouldn't want to lose him before having a replacement in place.
Please get rid of Asiata and. Brinkley. Keep Ford, Johnson, and Banyard on the cheap. The rest don't really matter to me.
Berger is good
AD is thinking about retiring………………….http://www.inforum.com/sports-vikings/3633552-peterson-file-lawsuit-running-back-considers-retiring
AD quoted……..”‘Why should I continue to be a part of an organization or a business that handles players the way they do?”
Q - ”‘Why should I continue to be a part of an organization or a business that handles players the way they do?” - Adrian Peterson
A - Because they pay significantly more than McDonalds, the CFL, and any Arena FL you care to name
On the other hand, AD could probably jump to the CFL and rack up a 4,000 yard season, which would be nice.
Yeah, and he thinks he can be an Olympic sprinter instead. He's the best running back in the league but I've never accused the guy of being the sharpest knife in the drawer. You can go back to early in his career when he was going to gain weight after Ray Lewis told him he'd be unstoppable at the Pro Bowl, or his slavery comments during the last CBA. He's an uber talented football player with the perfect work ethic and mindset for the game, but I think everyone here has probably shook their head at one or another after hearing something he said.
I don't blame him for wanting to retire. It is like working at a job, busting your ass all the time and getting comments of what a great job you are doing, by management and your supervisor, then you miss one day and your supervisor says to you I'm reducing your pay by a $5.00 per hour and you have to take 4 weeks of unpaid leave. Your supervisor just made this rule up for you. Then you go to management about this problem and they support your supervisor, after giving you glowing reviews. You would be pissed, hurt, disappointed, and more with your job. Most people would either quit right away or would be looking for a new job, and would gone in a couple weeks. In this case, the supervisor is the NFL and management is the Vikings.
And as for me, it's like my favorite band and their lead guitarist. They have a new album coming out and a tour that I bought tickets for, But the he got into trouble with the law over a groupie-thing, and the record company won't release the album and they can't tour with him for a year, because PR.
He's just talking. What, he has hurt feelings? If he had any sense he'd realize he's radioactive right now and can't be touched. The Vikings and the NFL needed to ride out the season without him. I'm sure he wants to play football again, and the Vikings have the first shot. If he doesn't want to redo his deal, that money can be spent on the O line, and then draft an explosive RB. I f it was just $ of course the Vikings keep him. I just think it's fear of the backlash that may be the final roadblock.
I'm gonna say it: for 5 minor lacerations/abrasions and some minor contusions: SU-PER-FI-CIAL wounds. From now on anyone tells just their baby-mama not to see the pediatrician for 5 or 6 weeks, till them bruises heal up, OK babe? SO that really helps with domestic problemata going forward.
If the child ran through some bramble bushes he would get hurt worse. If AP had contested it, as he wanted to originally, he might well have been found Not Guilty.
OTOH there is no way to hit, much less knock unconscious, your GF/fiancee and NOT have ill-intent.
Yeah, Ray Rice was worse, but let's take bets on who gets to see the field again sooner, eh what?