Contract talk
July 6th, 2007 – 2:30 PM by Judd ZulgadESPN’s Len Pasquarelli has an item in his Tip Sheet — it’s a good read but part of a subscription deal — that “there is still nearly $315 million in aggregate salary-cap room in the NFL, and even if every team spends its maximum rookie pool allocation the league can’t possibly use up all that cap room.”
Pasquarelli’s point is that after several teams sign their rookies, some clubs will then focus on getting veterans signed to contract extensions. The Vikings figure to be in that group considering they reportedly are $20.076 million under the $109 million cap, trailing only Cleveland ($21.968 million) and Buffalo ($21.053 million).
Remember, the Vikings were very proactive in signing players to extensions last season. Here’s that list: QB Brooks Bollinger, 2 years, $2.2 million total, $500,000 in bonuses; 2008 is final year of contract; LT Bryant McKinnie, 7 years, $48.5 million, $18 million in bonuses, 2013 is final year; LS Cullen Loeffler, 5 years, $3.1 million, $350,000 in bonuses, 2011 is final year; TE-FB Jeff Dugan, 5 years, $4.35 million, $750,000 in bonuses, 2011 is final year; LB E.J. Henderson, 5 years, $25 million, $10 million in bonuses, 2011 is final year; DT Kevin Williams, 7 years, $50 million, $16 in million bonuses, 2013 is final year.
So who are the Vikings likely to try to lock up next? One of the first names that comes to mind is Pro Bowl nose tackle Pat Williams, who is entering the final season of a three-year, $13 million deal. The 33-year-old Williams has been a bargain at that price and it’s hard to believe the Vikings would let him get away. Williams has been on record saying he wants to play four more seasons and there is no indication his performance is falling off. If anything, Williams seems to be getting better.
It doesn’t hurt Williams’ case that Brad Childress has had nothing but praise for him this offseason.
The Vikings also had some talks about extending the contract of Pro Bowl center Matt Birk back in February but those discussions didn’t go anywhere. Birk has two years left on the seven-year, $31 million contract he signed before the 2001 season.
Also, got a question from Moncton on the previous blog that I figured I’d go ahead and answer here since there were so many entries.
Q. Do you think the Vikings are making a mistake by not bringing in some veterans like Eric Moulds at receiver or Kelly Holcomb when he becomes available? Not to say that Holcomb should start, but certainly he provides a better and more reliable back up than Bollinger does.
A. A few months ago I thought a guy like Moulds might end up in Minnesota. But it became pretty clear during OTAs and minicamps that the coaching staff has big-time confidence in free-agent addition Bobby Wade and that there is real optimism Troy Williamson’s offseason eye work with the Nike folks is going to pay off. I also get the feeling that second-round pick Sidney Rice is going to be given a real chance to make an impact. That being said, the Vikings will have the option of bringing in “street” free agents or picking guys off waivers if things don’t go as expected.
As for the potential Holcomb piece of the puzzle, it’s become pretty clear that Childress prefers to go with younger guys and players he’s more comfortable coaching. For that reason, I don’t think the Vikings will bring in a veteran quarterback and instead will give Tarvaris Jackson every chance to win the starting job, with Bollinger serving in the mentor, shoulder to cry on role.
138 Responses to "Contract talk"
First
Not many times this year
Sounds like Childress is afraid to coach someone who is more football savy than himself. Like, say, Brad Johnson for example.
Hey Ole, maybe Chilly could go on a pontoon ride with us and then we could give him some pointers. Also make him wear a purple thong????
Childress has no football or people savy….
Wow another packer fan in here…. just another loser…(except for GPG)
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW!!!!!
Dang - I’m out of here in about 15 minutes… just as the pace of this Blog is really (not) picking up…..
Id like to be at the first preseason game When Williamsdropper drops his first pass.. 
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!!!!
Buster = so sweet to lil’ ol GPG
Viking John - LOL!
Troy boy will have 1000 yds this year.
Hopefully receiving and not rushing.
I hope you are right VJohn.. I’d like to see Jimmy Kleinfumbler run somebody over JUST ONCE… He runs like a 180lb girl…
GPG & VQ so I don’t forget HAVE A GREAT TIME watching that sawed off little purplepimp… : “purple rain.. puuurrrrple rain…” Glad I’m not going… Have a good time !!
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!!!
It’s Troy’s year, baby! Or else….
I’ll be seeing Purple Boy tomorrow too. Fun, fun, fun
uh oohhh iever - I just heard that it costs $79 to replace the battery in the iphone AND you have to ship it to Apple AND it will take 3 days…. SELL THE STOCK NOW !!!!!
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!
Jimmy K is a blocker and not a runner. Thats why we paid big money to the new guy to catch the ball and then run.(TE from the Giants, can’t spell his name).
Jimmy K is a waste… period..
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!
Ever since that game against the Bears a few years back with all the fumbles, I’ve never been a big fan of the K-Man.
Buster, isn’t he from one of the Dakotas? Or did he just go to school there?
… if we took all of our tight ends and laid them out end-to-end, would we still just assume they fell over each other?
Jim Kleinsasser = born and raised in Carrington, ND. Educated (maybe?) at the University of North Dakota.
Go Sioux
Buster old news. After that was reported the stock kept going up and is now up to $132.30
Some of that Viking Team optimisim needs to rub off on to some here on the blog!!!
Go Sioux
Go Vikes
I don’t know if I’d be a good samaritan or not 
HOUSTON — More than $100,000 disappeared as it was being transferred from a credit union to an ATM, but thanks to a couple of Good Samaritans, the money was returned within 15 minutes, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.
The money was supposed to be delivered to Harris County Federal Credit Union ATMs around the country.
But Harris County sheriff’s deputies said the six boxes of cash fell off the back of a pickup truck when they were being transferred by two off-duty Houston police officers.
I think all of you in here should lay your tight ends end-to-end, that way VQ and I can…uh, wait. Sorry. Obviously, my mind is down in that gutter again…
G’bye all - have a great one!
Cash in the back of a pick-up…Brilliant!
‘night GPG
i4Ever - Let’s put us a football team together and get paid $350K to go to Hawaii and let June kick our ass!
… less either a finders fee of 10%, sure I’m giving it back. Barney Fife and Quick Draw McGraw must have teamed up for one last assignment …
He lets recruit the bloggers and then afterwards we can have a luau @ Ole’s with our Purple Thongs!!!
I thought the thongs were optional???
What is it…20 days until camp starts?
Time to start signing the rookies to contracts. Lets go.
Sure,
I’d return all $85,000 of the money back to the Credit Union!
Get ‘er Done Spielman!!!
I mean, that would be dishonest.
I wouldn’t keep a dime of that $77,000!
No sireee!
They could count it twice, and all $64,000 would be there and accounted for.
Honest Injun,
that $51,000 is someone else’s money and they would deserve it back.
**** crickets chirping *****
….what money?
Show me the money……
Holy Shlt!
The Twins are beating the Sox 19-10 in the 8th.
If only the Vikings could score that much….
Wait till this year. The Vikes are going to be a scoring machine.
Oh yea they are. The surprise of the NFL!!!
Positive Viking thoughts. Postive thinking will bring good play and championships.
Go Vikes
Go Sioux
Siouxie and the Banshees?
Just the Sioux. The Div. II team that beats up on the Div. I gophers.
Go Sioux
GO Vikes
GPG = hot
What makes a player indispensable? ESPN is asking that question in its SportsNation section, giving fans the option of selecting which player each team could least afford to lose.
The five Vikings that can be voted on are all indispensable in their own way. Two are offensive players – tackle Bryant McKinnie and guard Steve Hutchinson – and three are defensive standouts – Pat Williams, Kevin Williams and Antoine Winfield.
While a case can be made for each of them, one thing that does stand out is that none of the five indispensable Vikings are offensive skill-position players – quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers or tight ends. Only one other NFC team in the voting process (the Bears) has five players listed and none of them are in the QB/RB/WR/TE realm.
Who do you think it is for the Vikings? VU will let you know the results when the voting is completed.
FRIDAY NOTES
* Denny Green would cringe when he sees what they’re doing to his team in Arizona. Green, a long-time proponent of the 4-3, two-gap defense, was fired after last season. The new coaching staff is installing the 3-4 defense, which could pose some problems since the team currently doesn’t have the personnel to run the system effectively. * The NFL will conduct its supplemental draft next Thursday. If a team takes a player in the supplemental draft, they forfeit a similar pick in next year’s college draft. Most teams aren’t willing to part with a first-round pick – in fact, most teams don’t participate at all – but it isn’t unusual to see a team give up a third-rounder for a decent prospect. The supplemental draft has produced some stars, including former Browns QB Bernie Kosar.
Who is the new blogger Packerswine, thats odd Packerswine, why dont they just call themself Packerpig, sounds like PBV… Packerswine he he he..
good afternoon all. i was at home messing around with them x’s and o’s. i drew up a pretty stout 4-2-5 package. basically the 2 backers line up over the guards with the extra backer in the slot working the far hash. it’s almost like a nickel look except for the backers still have “keys” responsibilities. the backer in the slot will spy the wide side of the field taking containment duties away from the defensive end. outside containment at this level is extremely important.
dre = Buddy Ryan
Out.
Cheese W: You know who it is…
Dre: future defensive coordinator?
Bones= TSN lover
Taking outside containment duties away from the DE. Good one Dre. Udeze was doing more in helping stuff the run, (inside containment) and that is one of the reasons why were so tough to run on, on the outside. No one was over there spying the wide side.
( here is Gonzo’s take on additions to the vikes….for the record Gonzo reminds me of an agry version of 4ever)
Over the course of the past couple of days, a couple of potential Vikings’ roster moves have started to surface. One of them hasn’t gotten a lot of mention and may or may not make sense, while the other would, in my opinion, be one of the smartest moves that the Vikings could make this off-season.
We’ll start with the first one. . .and, not surprisingly, it involves Brad Childress’ former employer, the Philadelphia Eagles. One of the rumors that has been mentioned on some sports talk stations has been that of the beloved Purple sending a late-round pick in the 2008 draft to the Eagles in exchange for veteran QB Kelly Holcomb, formerly of the Colts, Browns, and Bills. He’s probably best remembered for the QB “battle” (if it could be referred to as such) that he had with a young “up and coming” Tim Couch in Cleveland in Couch’s first few years in the NFL.
(Yes. . .I, like most of you, forgot that there was ever a point where Tim Couch was considered to be an “up and coming” young QB. I had forgotten largely because Tim Couch sucked then, sucks now, and if he came back to the NFL would probably still suck. Moving right along.)
Now, the Eagles do have a bit of a logjam at the QB spot. Donovan McNabb is the obvious starter, they drafted Kevin Kolb out of the University of Houston in Round 2 of this year’s draft, and they just signed A.J. Feeley to a decent-sized contract in the off-season. (”Decent-sized” being relative to the usual contract that backup QBs usually receive.) That leaves Holcomb appearing to be the odd man out. Would the Vikings be better off with Holcomb on their QB depth chart than what they have now? My answer to that is a strong, solid. . .I dunno.
Now, I don’t think Holcomb is going to join the Vikings and, if Tarvaris Jackson goes down, is going to turn into Randall Cunningham circa 1998 or anything like that. He’s not a great QB by any stretch, and might be considered to be average at best. His lifetime numbers show an even 37:37 TD/INT ratio, and he averages about 6.67 yards/attempt while completing a shade under 65% of his passes. That last number makes him somewhat intriguing, as the offense that Brad Childress likes to run places more of a premium on accuracy than it does on throwing it downfield. . .not that Holcomb can’t get the ball downfield. He certainly has a stronger arm than Brad Johnson. Then again, I have a shih-tzu that can probably throw a football harder than Brad Johnson. A female shih-tzu, no less.
Holcomb might be a solid move for the Vikings. He turns 33 in a few days, and would give us, at worst, a more solid backup situation than having Brooks Bollinger at #2 and rookie project Tyler Thigpen at #3. Bringing in Holcomb would allow us to stash Thigpen on the practice squad and have slightly less to worry about should injury befall Tarvaris Jackson at some point this season.
A move, on the other hand, that makes almost too much sense for the Vikings NOT to make, has the chance to take place on 10 July. That’s the date that the NFL’s Supplemental Draft will take place. For those that are unfamiliar with the Supplemental Draft, here’s a basic explanation of how it works:
The Supplemental Draft, held after the traditional NFL Draft and before each season begins, is designed to allow underclassmen –who did not petition the league for early entry before the NFL Draft deadline but find themselves ineligible for the upcoming college season– a vehicle for entering the NFL.
The league uses a weighted three-step, semi-lottery system to determine the order of the supplemental draft as follows:
Teams with six wins or less participate in the first lottery for the top picks. The team that posted the worst record among that group is given a weighted advantage over the following team, with each team’s “weight” being decreased on down the line until reaching the team with the best record in the group.
The second group consists of non-playoff teams and follows the same weighted system.
The third group consists of last season’s 12 playoff teams and, again, follows the same lottery system.
After the order is determined, each team submits to the league the name of the player(s) they are interested in, as well as the round they would like to choose them in. The team that submits the highest bid is awarded rights to the player. If more than one team bids a pick from the same round, the team with the highest pick in the round wins out.
If a team uses a pick in the Supplemental Draft, they must forfeit their choice in the corresponding round of the next years NFL Draft.
For example. . .waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1987, the Philadelphia Eagles (there’s that team again) declared that they wanted to take some WR from THE Ohio State University in the Supplemental Draft by the name of Cris Carter. They put in a bid of a fourth-round selection. As a result, when the 1988 NFL Draft (regular version) came around, the Eagles didn’t have a fourth-round selection of their own because they had used it to select Carter.
The guy that should be the object of the Vikings’ affection, in my opinion, is Jared Gaither, an offensive lineman from the University of Maryland. Gaither, to put it mildly, is friggin’ huge. . .6′9″, 350 pounds, and was projected to be selected in the middle of the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
However, the big man has some big problems. He was declared academically ineligible about three weeks ago, after which he made the decision to enter the Supplemental Draft. He also had some injury troubles during his time at Maryland, but managed to play in 23 of the Terps’ 24 games in the two years he was at College Park.
There are apparently a lot of teams that are high on Gaither’s potential, and I happen to be one of them. There are some different schools of thought on how high a selection will be used for Gaither or any of the other prospects that have declared for the Supplemental Draft. Some mild rumblings of Gaither possibly getting as high as a second-round bid have been heard, but I don’t know how legitimate they are. I think a third-round selection will be more likely. . .and thanks to the generosity of the Denver Broncos, it just so happens that we have an extra one of those laying around for 2008.
Gaither would be a great addition to this team and, quite frankly, would be the immediate starter at right tackle, or even at right guard. He’d be a tremendous upgrade at either spot, in my opinion. Maybe we’ll get lucky and the Vikings will give us a little gift for the Daily Norseman’s first birthday (which just happens to fall on the same day as the Supplemental Draft). We can only hope.
Udeze = not Bones’ favorite Vikings…
Udeza= Rugby player for real switched to football when he moved to the states.
Monc= used to play rugby in highschool
Bones what ya say we make up this recipe and I come over to your house some time this up coming season, try it out, drink some beer and just see how disappointing these Vikings can/will not be? 
BOURBON-MOLASSES CHICKEN
(This is enough for 12 large drumsticks)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter; 1 cup minced onion; 1 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup molasses; 2 Tblsp. of brown sugar; 1 1/2 Tblsp. Worchestershire sauce, 2 tsp. yellow mustard; black pepper; salt (course kosher salt is best); 1/4 tsp. chili powder; 1/4 cup bourbon (I add a little more).
-Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, saute (5min. or so).
-Add the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, worchestershire, mustard, chili powder, and some black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, simmer until sauce thickens (~15min.)
-Stir in bourbon, add pinch of salt, simmer 3 more minutes. THIS CAN BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME, like night before tailgate. COVER AND REFRIGERATE.
-Loosen skin on chicken, rub salt and pepper under skin. Let chicken stand at room temperature for 30min. (This step is important, Season the chicken, then start the charcoal. By the time the grill is ready, it’s right at about half an hour.)
-Grill chicken over medium heat until skin is crisp, about 25min. for large drumsticks. (juices will begin to run clear).
-Brush drumsticks with pre-made sauce and cook until glaze forms, about 3min. longer. Remaining sauce is great for dipping.
Judd= lacross superstar
Bones= the broomball bomber
4ever= field hockey king?
alan= basketball jones
VQ= skatboarder
GPG = only cheerleader in U.S history to come from Wisconsin
Monc would stomp my a$$ playing rugby. Haven’t the slightest idea how to play.
i4Ever=Pool Shark
I don’t think the Vikes will do anything in the supplemental draft, but because of the supposed crappy crop of players in the 2008 Draft class maybe they will? Hell FA next year ain’t gonna be all that hot either.
What did the Vikes pickup for an extra draft pick this year again?
Any of you locals see the news tonite on KARE 11 about the slum lord Ed McDaniel and the apt complex being condemned? Pretty bad I’d say.
Wow guess I’m the FBK!!! 
is it a full moon tonight ???????
work has gone nutz
we got an additional 3rd round pick from Denver
Would you give up that 3rd round for Gaither?
Marc Bulger is a rare commodity. So the Rams should just do the right thing and lock him in to a long-term contract extension. If Bulger plays out the final year of his four-year, $19.1 million contract, his value will only grow. He is comfortable with Scott Linehan’s offense, which exploits his passing accuracy and does a good job protecting him. He has terrific weapons at his disposal and he plays behind a maturing offensive line. He is almost certain to post large numbers this season. … The Lions have Jon Kitna at quarterback and Mike Martz running their offense. Don’t you believe Mad Mike would ask the Lions to go “all in” for Bulger if he hit the open market in ‘08? Don’t you believe the Lions would take that plunge? Jon Kitna will be a solid quarterback in Detroit this season, but he won’t deal the way Bulger can deal week after week after week. If Bulger heads toward free agency, Mad Mike will struggle to control his drooling.– St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Twins doubleheader w/White Sox in Chicago
Twins won the first 20-14!!
2nd game in the 5th 6-0 Twins!!
Marc Bulger
Torry Holt
Terrell owens
Santanna Moss
Cedric Benson
Edgerin James
Adrian Peterson
Jason Witten
Gred Jennings
Ben Rothlisburger
adam vinateri
ryan longwell
adrian peterson
Minnesota DEF
Indy Def
Monc’s auto drafted fantasy team I think I will cut jennings on pricipal can’t cut Benson (yahoo has him on the can’t cut list) so I may cut james
need to make room for a back up TE or I might just sign one the weeke before Cowboys bye
I would give it a close look as most people expect him to able to be more than just a starter in the league he has position flexibility Chilly would love that. They say he can play RG and RT something that might make sense
Chilly= stubborn so I doubt it will even be considered
Sorry guys… Gaither = character issues. The new well-behaved Vikings have no tolerance for that…
My hot dogs I ate for supper had charecter issues too but they were wonderfull and did what they were intended to do.
The Microwave was not kind to those poor dogs
Monc = Frankfurter problems
Bones, what are Gaither’s issues? Retartet?
Hey Monc - you could have a decent team there. Stud wr’s, better than average QB, decent TE, decent DEF; looks like RB should be your only question mark. Chicago liked Benson enought to jettison their other RB (Jones?), Edge may be over-the-hill, but still AZ’s #1 RB, and AP (hey you got him twice) certainly has promise. Hopefully the Vikes D will get you some turnovers and hopefully (Jeff, how I hope!!) some sacks. Good kickers too. Super bowl bound, you are, eh?
“…lazy and does not know football…” Not exactly a ringing endorsement. If you can get him for cheap (say 5th round or later), he may be a good project, though. I don’t think Chili will allow his players to get away with being lazy. Tough to overcome the does not know football part, although we do have experience with that one now with Lowber.
No head coach should allow their players to be lazy…
Bones - you still watching Rescue Me? If so, you think the chief off’d himself? Certainly appeared that way - no pushing papers for him, didn’t want to deal with his son’s “wedding”, wife is nuts. Pretty smart of FX to run that episode and make us wait 2 weeks to find out. I’ve really only been watching the show since the final 2 episodes of last year, but I think it’s one of the better shows on TV.
I like Denis Leary as an actor. I think he’s better as an actor than a comedian. Not that he was a bad comedian, just OK, IMO.
I see Vishanco has been drafted in my league I found much humor in that
You’re right, but there are players that get away with it. It seems most hyped players that don’t live up to their potential, barring injury, end up having a bad work ethic, i.e. are lazy.
I see Lendale white is available on waivers for my League and so is Portis’s back up I think I’ll dump edge and try to pick up one of them
I have Rothlisburger as my qb on the bench I could see me changing burger and bulger depending on their matchups week in and out
Dennis Leary= funny
I also see chester Taylor is available but I think it would be too much to have ap and chester both on the same fantasy team. Depending on the match ups I do plan on using him I am willing to wager AP may be a little more effective and used more often on the goal line the C-Taylor is
Speaking of lazy, did you see the picture PFT put up of Lendale White? LMAO when I saw it. He will probably split carries with Chris Brown. I’m sure he was pi$$ed when they brought Brown back. I don’t know if I’d dump Edge yet, they have a good QB and WR’s. Did AZ’s line improve over last year? How does the first part of their schedule look vs opposing defenses?
I hate the Stillers.
Their first game is against SF so that is a crap shoot I think you may be right he might be worth a try, they also have the advantage that we had last year like Tomlin has this year is that since there is a new system in place with the new coaches they don’t have game film to watch on how they are going to run their systems so AZ and Pitt have that advantage there first two or three games.
I see there is a fellow in my league that has LT, Tom Brady , Drew-Jones and Balitomre as a D I think that fellow will get some wins
Why does your league draft so early? Don’t know what teams/players look good yet, or who gets injured in the preseason.
Yeah, the other guy does have a good core. Is he the one with Vishanco?
unfortunatly no :O)
good night, all so for the long wait for a reasponse they tricked me into working again,
have a great weekend
Gooood Morrrnnning Bloggers!!!!
The Bears have dumped QB J.T. O’Sullivan
The Fins have bid farewell to WR Kelly Campbell
A league source tells us that the Chicago Bears opted to dump defensive tackle Tank Johnson only one business day after news broke last month of a speeding stop that resulted in suspicion of DUI because the team concluded that Johnson is a “con man” who cannot be trusted.
The Virginian-Pilot reports that federal investigators on Friday removed 10 dog carcasses from shallow graves on property owned by Falcons quarterback Mike Vick in Surry County, Virginia.
“The found what they were looking for,” a source told the Virginian-Pilot. In June, the feds reportedly found seven dead animals on the property.
A couple Viking fans step up big for Zygi
Michael Silver of SI.com put up a list that ranked all 32 NFL owners recently. In it, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf came in at No. 23 overall. Well, at least a couple of Viking fans stepped up strong to defend the team’s owner. Collin from Austin, Tex. said in part: “…Man, you are too much. The reason this is all coming to a head is your hack job on Zygi Wilf, who has been an awesome owner of a team in transition. You put Snyder up there? Are you insane? You have Wilf below Al Davis and Ms. Frontiere? My God, you are an embarrassment to all Deadheads. I wish you’d just retire and cover Cal softball or whatever…” Or this from Big J in Minneapolis: “You might want to re-think your opinion on Wilf. He is purchasing the blocks around the Big-inflatable Toilet to build his own complex. This team is staying in MN. Red ran this like what he was, a car salesmen that stripped the car. Try again Skippy.” In Silver’s defense, he published their responses, but did not back down on his opinion of Wilf. Personally, we’d take Zygi over many of the guys Silver picked ahead of him, but it’s a free country. I wonder where he would have put Robert Kraft in the early years of his ownership of the Patriots?
Judd, what’s become of the blog re-naming contest? See any names you or the staff like?
I for one could care less where Zygi Willheorwonthe is ranked by some dude who has nothing better to do than fantasize about who the best owner is… I mean deep down does anybody really give a sh!t who ranks in the top ten of owners??
Only 3 weeks till camp time for those Viking fans (with female charecteristics) to begin worrying about whether we get all our picks signed in time….worry worry worry…
As long as there is that guy named Chillldress “coaching” this team we are going to suck.. Go ahead give yourself false hope that you base on nothing factual, - Our pathetic offense is being run by a bunch of no name never have produced big number guys….
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!!
Oh yea one more thing… If we win more than 6 games I will eat VQ’s underwear…
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!!!!!
iBuster…what kinda dippin’ sauce you want with those undies??
I see McKinnie’s woman, Venus Williams, won Wimbledon! Good for her.
Ok. Bones and Buster, shut your yaps about how dreadful the Vikes are and listen up:
So you’re not excited about Tarvaris Jackson and a bunch of mediocre receivers in 2007? Big freaking deal. The Vikes have a dominant force of a defense led by Antoine Winfield, Pat Williams, Kevin Williams, Darren Sharper, and E. J. Henderson, and they’ve got a soul crushing power running game featuring Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk. They’re now a powerful, grinding, tough team, not a flashy team with a wilting defense. There’s a real good nucleus to build around: a nucleus of great defenders and a steamrolling running game, not a nucleus of crazy talented passers and receivers and little else.
We should be excited for 2007. We should be ecstatic for the future. You can build around young big guys like Bryant McKinnie and Kevin Williams. You can win football games playing crushing defense with a good running game. This Viking team is capable of winning the division this season.
And Bryant McKinnie is a big reason why.
Bryant McKinnie, the 6′8″, 343 lb. monster left tackle for the Vikings, seemed to disappoint in 2006. He really came on strong at the end of 2005, and in early 2006 he signed a gigantic contract extension with the Vikings. But he didn’t seem to show the dominance to justify such a contract.
Of course, HE WAS PLAYING WITH A BROKEN HAND!
McKinnie is huge, talented, and durable. He’s not somebody Viking fans should be turning against; he’s one of the reasons Viking fans should be excited for 2007. Next season, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor are going to run behind the icebergs that are Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk. The Vikings are going to have one of the most dominant running games in the league with that lineup. There’s nobody the Vikings won’t be able to run against next season; hell, given that Peterson is a rookie and McKinnie and Hutchinson are signed to long contracts, there’s nobody the Vikes won’t be able to run against for the next five years.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was fun watching Randall Cunningham and Jeff George and Daunte Culpepper throw flying meteors out to Randy Moss and Cris Carter. It would have been a lot more fun, I think, to see the Vikes win a damn championship.
Now here is a post more to your guys liking!!
The Vikings went 6-10 last year with many players who they lost. Well they got replacements that happened to be even worse. A guy named Tarvaris Jackson will be starting for Quarterback this season. His only decent receiver will be Troy Williamson who didn’t even gain 500 yards last year. Chester Taylor will remain as their running back. He can expect a lot more touches throughout the season as they will have nothing to do with the ball since passing is out of the question. Darren Sharper and Antoine Winfield are going to have to carry the defense since they will be getting no help from anyone. Honestly, this could be the worst season ever for the Vikings.
So McKinnie’s broken hand was the reason DE’s would run around him like he was in cement up to his ankles. Well that explains it…
There you go two oppsing views. Kinda reflective of most of us here that blog.
Now the first post is more realistic and factual look at the team. I forgot all about McKinnie’s broken hand, and that had to affect his play. I bet you McKinnie haters out there forgot too. But it probably doesn’t matter.
The 2nd post just simply makes unfounded pissy generalizations about two players and that another two will have to carry the team. Last time I checked there are 48 more players on the team. That guy who posted that at armchairgm is the most profound, uniformed dickhead since PBV!!
I would imagine a broken hand would affect anyone’s game period. The new scheme of zone blocking, was totally new and obviously he didn’t have it down pat with the player. remember his strength was man to man, mauling the opponent. Now he can’t do that and this is a BIG change. Couple these two things alone, speaks volumes why he didn’t play so well. He said that he now has a better understanding of the what hell he’s suppose to be doing and his hand is NOT broken. Now, let’s see how well it works and how good he plays b4 we say he is worthless.
Never gorgot about his broken hand, but that doesn’t change the fact that Mt. McKinnie has the slowest feet in football…
Hopefully learning to play tennis with Venus and Serena will help him be a little more quick on his feet this year! One can only hope right?!
What are you up to today Bones? I’m going poolside in about an hour over to a friends house.
Hot + windy = Bones staying inside all day
8-9 in the box will = no running game… then we get to rely on a no-experience QB with a bunch of #3 & 4 WR’s and no TE - Yea lots to look forward to…. Oh yea almost forgot about our great (not) pass defense…. Oh yea don’t forget about the right side of our OLine…. wait what right side??
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!!
I’ve got to go with Buster on this one. As long as Chili’s in charge, things look a little bleak. His play selection and the constraints he put on BJ to call audibles weren’t good. 1. Maybe TJ will be great someday, maybe even in the 2007 season. But very few QB’s go through an entire season unhurt. Bollinger isn’t good enough to be a career backup - he’s good enough to be a career #3. 2. Maybe Cook and Hicks have figured out how to play. That gives the Vikes 2 great linemen, one above average center, and three average linemen. That works out to one reserve. Again people get hurt. 3. Maybe T-Willy has figured out how to catch the ball. But for sure he’ll drop one - everybody does. Then what? Do the boos come raining down? Does he go in a shell? Maybe Rice will be good from the start. Wade’s a decent slot receiver. But not much talent from McMuffin thru Lowber. 4. Chili got rid of the only TE who could catch. 5. RB’s will be good - no doubt but teams can stack against the run. Remember one of BJ’s complaints was that he could audible from one running play to another run but not from a run to a pass. That limits the ability for a QB to take advantage of the other team’s gamble. 6. Great DT’s but average to below average DE’s due to injury. Maybe they’ll rebound. 7. If Greenway comes back healthy and if EJ can master the inside this time, then they’ve got 3 decent linebackers. Again injuries happen and depth here is suspect. 8. They’ve got two excellent DB’s, a host of adequate safeties, and some decent nickel and dime backs. What they don’t have is a good #2 corner. With no pass rush and a gap at corner, last in pass D is again within their grasp. With last years collapse at the end of the season even a good start won’t chase away the nagging doubt and a bad start will be a disaster. Maybe the naysayers like me will be proven wrong. I like rock, but Blind Faith isn’t my favorite group. Put me down for 2 - 14 (split with the Lions and beat the Raiders).
That’s what I’m worried about too. If the passing game is as horrible as I anticipate, EVERY opponent is going to stack the box and it won’t matter how talented our running backs are. I still cannot believe that we failed to address the right side of the o-line. How in Jeff’s name did Artis Hicks retain his starting status after his dismal performance in 2006?
Buster = no faith in Shiancoe?
Buster will you actually be watching the Vikes this or not? Sounds like you probably won’t. How’s your blood pressure?
gr8scot = my idol
I just got in from a 15 mile bike ride and then almost 2 hrs of lawn work - the ac feels good..
iever - I’ll watch as much as I can take of each game this year….
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW!!!!!!!
The #1 concern I have about the o-line is Ryan Cook. Here is a projected second day pick that is playing out of position at right tackle.
i4ever’s post about zone blocking is an excellent example of the idiocy of Chili. McKinney and Hutchinson are massive and not suited speed wise to zone blocking. If Birk ever was suited for zone blocking it was several years and several surgeries ago. Cook is massive and UNM’s blocking scheme is go to as many 350 pounders on the field as they can without causing subsidence. Johnson is huge. I submit that a good coach would temper his vision of a KAO with the reality of the players he has. He traded for Hutch and drafted Cook. So he didn’t even take advantage of opportunities he had to get linemen better suited for zone blocking.
Damn Buster 15 miles…you musta sweated 10lbs off!! It’s warm one. I’ll hang out a pool for awhile. Only thing is it’s directly in the sun all day, so don’t know if I can take that.
Well guys, it’ll be fun on the blog this season talking how the Vikes tore it up on Sunday and gush over how no one gave these guys a chance and bust Bones, Buster, gr8scot and any others who thought otherwise. Now that WILL be fun
Isn’t my optimisim & faith just sickening!! lol
My bad. It obviously wasn’t a trade for Hutch.
What is the advantage of zone over man to man? Especially when the Vikes employed man to man for a long time and seem to do well with it. I know it’s part of the WCO, but are there advantages? As you mention the big guys aren’t really suited for Zone blocking?
Who in the NFL has a good solid Zone Blocking O-Line I can look at? Bears?
Do the Broncos still zone block??
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!!!
Denver, Atlanta, Houston and Washington all use Zone Blocking schemes.
2MT - Did you slay alot of trout??
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!!!!!!
4Ever, or uh, i4Ever, nice name change!!
Here is an article on zone blocking vs. Man:
I dunno but looked at their roster and they are all big guys like ours on the O-line
Buster: Not many, geez it was HOT out there. It was 90+ every flippin day. We went whitewater rafting, that was one of the best times I’ve had.
I invented i4ever
I am not SID…
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!
We are going to go to Yellowstone in the next year or so….The thing I want to do the MOST is white water rafting - Looks like a blast…Then fish for trout…
FIRE CHILDRESS NOW !!!!!
The wife was a little nervous but once we got in to it a bit she had a great time. A half day trip was good for the first time but I’d like to go again and do a full day.
Thanks 2MT. I now have a better understanding of Bones concerns with Cook and McKinnie. These guys are power line men (maulers) and aren’t as atheletic, but the key is obviously, that the Vikes made a big assumption, based on whatever they saw, that these guys can be “coached” & adjusted to do zone blocking.
If we’re to be using a full fledged zone scheme, then extending McKinnie’s contract doesn’t make sense in that scenario, unless a modified zone blocking scheme is going to be utilized and that they will switch to man-man on certain play calls.
Well we will definitely see this year if those guys are coached and can make a better adjustment in their roles. Funny thing though, that link 2MT referenced said Ryan Cook would be better suited as a Tackle.
NP i4Ever!
Gotta run!
Peace All!
Buster you certainly can lay claim to that statement that you invented i4Ever!!
I got to whitewater raft the mighty Colorado River in CO back in ‘86. It was a blast, kinda scary in parts, but only because it was the first time.
Nap time guys. Not gonna go swimming. Blog ya later.
we signed Lowber to a 3 yr contract….if he ends up on the practice squad, can anyone sign him away from us?
Nice to hear from you again Krug. The way I understand it (and I could certainly be wrong) is:
Any team can sign a player from another team’s practice squad as long as they make the active roster of the team that is signing them. So let’s say that Lowber is assigned to the Vikings practice squad and the Falcons decide they want to take a chance and sign him away from us. He would have to immediately be placed on Atlanta’s 53 man active roster.
I really think a lot of fans are putting too much value on Todd Lowber. I find it hard to believe that NFL teams are drooling over the idea that this physically talented specimen that has NEVER played a down of organized football will make the practice squad so they can snatch him away from us.
(Don’t know how the chart will come out on the cut-n-paste)
Can Troy Williamson’s third year in the NFL be a charm? History says it’s not only possible, but there is plenty of recent evidence to suggest that the third year is the breakout year for NFL receivers. We present the facts.
You don’t need to prod Vikings fans too hard about asking whether they think Troy Williamson is a bust. Taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft, many fans had hoped the Vikes would go after a defender like Shawne Merriman with the seventh pick and take a wide receiver like Mark Clayton with their second choice.
While Williamson has been a big disappointment, it might be too early to be the judge and jury deciding his fate. Most wide receivers are subject to a similar phenomenon – the third-year explosion. While some players like Randy Moss burst on the scene early, even he showed modest improvement in receptions and yardage in his third season from when he began. In many instances, the jump is startling.
What follows is a brief list of players in their first three seasons drafted since 2001. If you think it’s a fluke, go a website that prints player career statistics and do the math for yourself. More times than not, a player gets much better in his third season. The list contains a draft class, player and his receiving numbers for each of his first three seasons. After reading this, you might not be so quick to give up on Williamson just yet.
Class of 2004
Bernard Berrian, Chicago – 15-225-2; 13-246-0; 51-775-6
Lee Evans, Buffalo – 48-843-9; 48-743-7; 82-1,292-8
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona – 58-780-8; 103-1,409-10; 69-946-6 (13 games)
Reggie Williams, Jacksonville – 27-268-1; 35-445-0; 52-616-4
Roy Williams, Detroit – 54-817-8; 45-687-8; 82-1,310-7
Class of 2003
Anquan Boldin, Arizona – 101-1,377-8; 56-623-1 (10 games); 102-1,402-7
Andre Johnson, Houston – 66-976-4; 79-1,142-6; 63-688-2 (13 games)
Class of 2002
Deion Branch, Seattle – (missed half of third season) 43-489-2; 57-803-3; 78-998-4
Antonio Bryant, San Francisco – 44-733-6; 39-550-2; 58-812-4
Ashley Lelie, San Francisco – 35-525-2; 37-628-2; 54-1,084-7
Donte Stallworth, New England – 42-594-8; 25-485-3; 58-767-5
Javon Walker, Denver – 23-319-1; 41-716-9; 89-1,382-12
Class of 2001
Chris Chambers, Miami – 48-883-7; 52-734-3; 64-963-11
Chad Johnson, Cincinnati – 28-329-1; 69-1,166-5; 90-1,355-10
Santana Moss, Washington – 2-40-0; 30-433-4; 74-1,105-10
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis – 27-345-0; 49-716-4; 68-838-7
While no two players are identical, the history is rich with receivers who don’t show too much in their first two seasons only to break out in their third year. So perhaps we should reserve judgment on Williamson until after this season. The same should be said for Braylon Edwards, Mark Clayton, Matt Jones, Reggie Brown and others. If history – both recent and long-term – has taught us anything, it’s that the third year is typically when teams find out how good or bad their investments were on wide receivers.
[…] The Star-Trib’s Judd Zulgad says he doubts the Vikings will be bringing in Kelly Holcomb or any other veteran QB for that matter. Zulgad says he thinks Brad Childress “prefers to go with younger guys and players he’s more comfortable coaching.” In other words, people who are inexperienced and green and won’t question him. Lovely. […]
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