Per Corey Wootton’s Twitter account, the formers Bears defensive end has elected to stay in the NFC North and sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings hold a particular importance for Wootton, as his first career sack in 2010 was against Minnesota against Brett Favre (it happened to be the sack that ended Favre’s career). Wootton has stayed in the midwest since he elected to play for Northwestern (out of Rutherford, New Jersey) and was named to several Big Ten all-freshman teams before entering the 2010 draft and getting drafted in the fourth round.
Wootton ranked 45th out of 52 4-3 DEs in Pro Football Focus’ grading system for 2013 but fared better in previous years. In 2012, he ranked 38th of 62 rushers and earned a nearly average (though negative) grade. In those two years, he earned a better run defense grade than pass rush grade, which fits more in line with what Zimmer has sought in his defensive ends in Cincinnati than a signing like Griffen does. Wootton’s Pass Rush Productivity (a PFF measure) was dead last in the NFL in 2013, but was NFL average the year before.
Wootton has also taken a number of snaps at DT and had looked better there, giving Zimmer an undersized (6’6,” 270) rotational pass rusher in Nascar packages and potential run stop fill in for Floyd.
His deal is for one year and is a $1.5 million deal with another $500k in incentives, per Alex Marvez of Fox Sports. Wootton still has untapped talent that a coach like Zimmer can develop, and it will hopefully turn into a longer deal. Given the heavy rotation we’ve seen in Bengals defenses in the past, this sort of depth signing may end up having a bigger impact than most.
View Comments
I like this signing immensely. He's not a star, but not everyone has to be. He understands his role and seems to work hard.
I can't wait for training camp to start!
I agree, it's a perfect depth signing for the line.
Manziel lovers check this out. When listening to Merril Hoge’s account of Johhny football all I could think of Ponder 2.0……..http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/4698/hoge-manziel-has-bust-written-all-over-him
Hoge says Johnny football is a 5th or 6th round pick.
Bargain Deals have their own prices...See the Twins.
arif love your work followed you from daily,.wootens versatility is the perfect depth signing plus it lets zim use griffen in other roles then just defensive end.Zim will coach them up and create all kinds of mismatches!!with how small this contract is I still want k will or pat sims to finish this amazing d line overhaul.ZIMMER CAN NOW ROTATE HIS YOUNG D LINE AND BRING THIS DEFENSE BACK TO TOP TEN STATUS!!!
go purple D! if they don't score, we can't lose
man, i hope we really turn it around this year and kick some ass. get our guys to embrace the cold outdoors in MN. put ol' bud out there on the sidelines to inspire 'em. snort some steam outta the nostrils and let these other teams feel the frost bite
I like this signing much better than the Johnson one. We need LBs now
GO BISON!!!
I like this signing. Arif hit the nail on the head with versatility. We now have a decent rotational DE and the fact that he has played some UT is great. Looks like we're adding DL depth through FA. Only linebackers, outside corner, maybe left guard, and a QB to go.
Well my bracket just went up in smoke! I know it is not Vikings news but sheeesh!! Buffet's billion bucks he put up looks pretty safe. Thanks Mercer!
Did u pick the NDSU, Norse?
No i didn't. At this point, I am waving the white flag. The only consolation is that I am not alone. What a crazy first 2 days.