Archive for the ‘Minnesota Vikings’ Category

NFC Free Agency Notes

Posted by Brad On July – 30 – 2011
Newly-released DT Amobi Okoye has landed on his feet in the Windy City.
Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports that Okoye has agreed to a one-year deal with da Bears. Okoye, the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, joins the 6th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, DE Vernon Gholston as low-risk/high-reward reclamation projects for fiery Chicago defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.
The Chicago tribune has also announced the signing of ex-Dallas RB Marion Barber to a 2-year, $5 million deal. He’ll join recently-acquired WR Roy Williams as former Cowboys looking to revive their careers under Mike Martz. Barber set career lows for yards (374) and yards per carry (3.3) in 2010. Chicago is hoping that Barber will provide the physical, hard-nosed complement to RB Matt Forte that free agent bust Chester Taylor never became.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that ex-Falcons WR Michael Jenkins has signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Jenkins will be reunited with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave in Minnesota.
Jenkins, a solid possession receiver and willing run-blocker, hasn’t evolved into the difference-maker the Falcons envisioned he’d become when they selected him in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He’s averaged 48 catches over the last five seasons.

Sidney Rice is a Seahawk

Posted by Brad On July – 27 – 2011

"Sidney Rice to the Seattle Seahawks"Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com broke the report that Sidney Rice would be joining the Seattle Seahawks.

The signing of Sidney Rice came down to Minnesota and Seattle (Minnesota West).  Seattle appears to be handpicking Vikings to join Pete Carroll’s squad at the behest of former Viking OC Darrell Bevell.  This move reunites Rice with Tavaris Jackson and Darrell Bevell.

The financials on the deal are 5-years at $41 million with $18.5 guaranteed.  The deal also includes $3 million in escalators that are tied into Pro Bowl appearances.  The deal appears to be the going rate for a receiver of Rice’s caliber.

Rice has amassed 2,129 yards receiving and 18 TD’s over a four year span which includes 48 games played in.  Rice’s breakout season came in 2009 when he caught 83 balls for 1,312 and 8 TD’s in a season that saw the Vikings make it to the NFC Championship Game.

Is Sidney Rice Suicidal?

Posted by Brad On July – 27 – 2011

MICHEAL PROFETTA

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Minnesota and Seattle are engaged in a bidding war for marquee free agent WR Sidney Rice. Given that the Seahawks have more cash to throw at Rice, not to mention a few familiar faces in offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and QB Tarvaris Jackson to welcome him to the Great Northwest, my money says that Seattlegets their man, assuming another team doesn’t step into the arena at the last minute. The addition of Rice to a talented group of targets including Mike Williams, Deon Butler, Golden Tate and TE John Carlson could mean offensive fireworks with savvy vet Matt Hasselbeck at the controls…oops. Scratch that. The ancient, fabled “Tarvleinhurst monster” has reportedly been unleashed upon an unsuspecting Qwest Field, and Rice will need every inch (and more) of his lengthy, 6-4 frame to save all of the wounded ducks in the vicinity. For a guy coming off of a serious hip injury, one has to admire Rice’s bravery in the face of such horrors.

The over/under on Rice’s first injury inSeattle currently sits at Week Five.

McNabb to the Vikings?

Posted by Brad On July – 26 – 2011

"mcnabb trade"Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the Redskins and Vikings have talked about a possible Donovan McNabb trade.  While this report doesn’t constitute an official trade it at least confirms an interest from a Minnesota perspective.

McNabb’s $12.5 million cap number for 2011 would certainly have to be re-worked before any deal could be consummated.  The only reasonable explanation from a Minnesota standpoint is that they don’t want to vie for McNabb’s services on a quarterback-hungry market and his trade value at this point is a 2015 7th and conditional slightly used game ball if he makes it through the 2011 season without throwing up.

Wow.  How the mighty have fallen.  We are talking about dumping Donovan McNabb for essentially nothing.  Despite Philly fan’s extreme hatred for McNabb, the guy has solid career numbers and it’s not like he’s Brett Favre-old.  The guy could finish his career with 40,000 yards and 250 passing TD’s.  That would put him in some rare air.  Those numbers would put him in the top 10 in passing yards and top 12 in passing TD’s for a career.  Not shabby for a guy looking to be cut from a team with John Beck and Rex Grossman left on the roster.

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