Free Agency

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

We'll see what good ole Ricky has in mind. Regardless if we are rebuilding and trying to get younger, signing good talent for multiple years never hurts in my eyes, if you sign the right player. Winfield and Hutchinson were both expensive, but they helped this team a ton for many years.

I like your Mike Wallace idea, but i dont see pittsburgh letting him go unless they are up against the cap and cant afford him.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Otherwise we will be beyone horrible this year.

And we've been beyond horrible for the last two years

[FISHINGURU]

They don't have a choice, he has a 1st round tender on him.

[zepman]

They don't have a choice, he has a 1st round tender on him.

+1. I like your thinking there GURU!!

[FISHINGURU]

I shouldn't say they don't have a choice, they do have a choice to match the contract that another team offers him. In reality they'd probably just take the 1st round pick because they don't have the money to lock him up or they more then likely would of already done that considering how good he is and his age.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

WALLACE!-WALLACE!-WALLACE! Everybody- WALLACE!

Im sure we wouldnt be the only team exploring this option...

[FISHINGURU]

I'm sure someone will pull the trigger, no one knows what kind of contract he's looking for though.

[zepman]

That's correct...the Steelers are strapped for cash too so they probably COULDN'T match it even if they wanted.

[mnviking28]

So with the signings over the weekend...are these the guys that he is calling out as the "blue chippers" in the second tier? I will fully admit that I have never heard of them. I think the one that makes me laugh the most is the safety (Oshiomogho Atogwe) that they are bringing in this week that the guy from the Daily Norseman said that "no one sees as a long term solution, but is better than anyone we have". What happened to this "youth movement" we have heard so much about?

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Mnviking- Im as puzzled as you. I know we're trying to get younger and all but pretty much every signing we've mad so far has been worthless and besides a second TE we overpayed for he's addressed nothing. Atogwe is actually pretty good but I dont think we signed him did we?

Ole Ricky is sure doing Leslie no favors so far if Leslie plans on keeping his job after this season...

Good luck getting people to pay to come to lovely metrodome to watch this bunch.

A d-league arena football CB? youve gotta be kidding me....

[klecker]

The Carlson pickup to me is a good move. You need to have an outlet for Ponder, especially with a lack at WR. He also brings a strong run/pass block game to the table

Carlson is not a good blocking TE! He will not improve run and or pass blocking!!! Good luck with that!!!!!! They could have picked up someone way better than him for WAY cheaper. Just saying again good luck!!!!!!! For what they paid Carlson they may have had Dallas Clark. Again just say'ng

[FISHINGURU]

Atogwe was one of the best at his position. He was one of the best free agents out there two years ago. Maybe he just didn't fit in well with Washington and can be revived, he tore it up with the Rams. I'd take him over anything we got right now anyday.

I'd rather take my chances with Carlson over Clark personally, he's got way more upside and is younger. Carlson has had pie stains throwing him the ball and Clark had Peyton.

[klecker]

He will feel right at home then.

[LABS4ME]

Well... ol' Ricky says he's very interested in Schwartz for the O-line... he's not sold on drafting Kalil with #3... He says an you do not need pro bowl caliber tackles on the line... and Scwartz after missing most of last year with hip surgery will fit right in with the other free agent signings...

Good Luck!

Ken

[mnviking28]

We haven't signed Atogwe yet, he is supposed to be in this week for a visit. But, Washington had him signed on a 5 year deal, and cut him after one. He made 8 million last year, and was actually slated to make about half of that this year, but they didn't think he was worth that. Not exactly a vote of confidence. (Especially from a team that just signed Cedric Griffin). He is supposed to visit the Vikings and the Lions this week. Now keep in mind that this is a 30 year old safety that had an injury riddled season last year. He is supposed to fit the "youth movement" that Brandon Carr did not? Wow...

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

They probably cut Atogwe because he was injured for part of last season and they had to make room for the absurd Pierre Garcon contract that was in place way before FA started.

Atogwe is a very good safety and would be the type of signing the vikings need to improve the secondary. He should have 3-4 good years left, safeties dont need to run a 4.3 40.

Im all for it, regardless of age.

[Scott K]

As far as safeties go, I could go out there and be better then what we had. Atogwe knows how to play the position, he has game smarts. Even if his body isnt what it used to be, he still is going to be a good safety. Especially in a zone type defense such as ours, I think he would thrive.

[mnviking28]

The latest word is that Ted Ginn Jr. is in town today. I don't really know how I feel about that one. He has the talent, but has struggled. He is extremely fast and would definitely be an upgrade from Booker in the return game, but on the offensive side of the ball reminds me more of an Aromashidou.

[zepman]

He would be an upgrade in the return game. Not anything more than a #4 WR though...which would still be an upgrade over Camarillo and Co.

Bring him in...save Percy from getting killed in the return game.

[mnviking28]

Or put them both back there so they have to kick to one of them.

[FISHINGURU]

I'd take Ginn and juice on the cheap, we don't really need another slot WR but I'd much rather have him returning then Percy.

So Ricky doesn't think you need a pro bowl caliber LT on the line to protect your "future franchise" QB's blind side and help the best RB in football?

[LMITOUT]

Ladies and Gentlemen, Geoff Schwartz...we got'm.

[klecker]

May the Schwartz be with you!

[zepman]

What's this "we" stuff??

Hope Schwartz can stay healthy...if he can, sounds like he can be pretty good. At least that's what the reports are and have been saying about him.

Starting middle linebacker next please!!

[FISHINGURU]

I think I might of just Schwartzed my drawers.