Vikes; free agents, college draft, needs.

[bucketmouth64]

I know the Viking talk will soon heat up as to what free agents they should look at and who to draft or what positions. Lets start at kicker. We all know we need one in the worst way. I don't think Tice will want to go into the season keeping 2 kickers again. There are a couple of free agents, Joe Nedney and A.J. Feeley. Do we target an experieced kicker or get one thru the draft? Isn't there a kicker in the Big 10 that is pretty good? What about the defense? Where do we start? What about Samari Rolle at CB? I hope our college scouting dept. can find some good db's or line backers that seem to slip past us that other teams find. How do the Steeler's seem to find great linebackers? What about the offensive line? Dixon could be in his last year. What about McKenzie? He didn't do all that good last year for the $$ we pay him. Lots of questions for this team and all of us arm chair qb's seem to have the answers. What do you think?

[lawdog]

I think they are a bunch of morons who apparently have just traded our best player for some no-name linebacker. If that's their solution, we'll suck next year!

[FI Guide]

well now that the vikes have the 7th draft pick they should use it on a linebacker or DT. I think most likely if Derrick Johnson a linebacker from texas is there the vikes will nab him. This guy is a great east-west player and a sure tackler on the outside. Plus he can drop into coverage which the vikes need badly from their backers. As of now the 18th pick will also be used on defense most likely a lineman. Possibilities include Shaun Cody, Shawne Merriman, and Annaj Hawthorne. The glaring reciever need will be oicked up in free agency with Mason, Bruce, or Coles. Personally stay with what we have at reciever and use the extra cap money on a corner or saftey to replace Russell. The kicker from the big 10 is Mike Nugent and he is a first day pick which the vikes are probably not going to waste on a kicker even though they need one badly. They will settle for some no namer to boot the ball through the uprights. As of the team if they spend their picks wisely on D and make some moves in free agency we should see them back in the playoffs next year.

[Stratosman]

Many reasons for trading him, I agree he is our best player, but detrimental to the team chemistry, I love the guy and dislike the trade, but if that was the only way they wanted to improve our defense, I'm cool with it.

As far as needs: Where do we start? Secondary and linebackers are critical, I bet at the 7th pick we could get that guy from Texas who is supposed to be phenomonal, then we still have another 1st round pick, that and some free agent pick-ups spend some of the cap room and we could have a very good team next year. Crossing fingers.

[BackHerUp]

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I think they are a bunch of morons who apparently have just traded our best player...

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A player who never got you to the "Super Bowl Homeboy" in the first place...

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...just traded our best player for some no-name linebacker...

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Napoleon Harris may just have become the Vikings best linebacker. In 3 years he has 250 total tackles (186 solo), 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 5 passes defensed...

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...we'll suck next year!

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Gosh...I hope so!!

The loss of Randy Moss may not have been the worst thing. However, losing most or all of their free agents could really have an impact next year. Here's a list of Vikings' Free Agents:

Morten Andersen - K

Kelly Campbell - WR

Chris Claiborne - LB

Bill Conaty - C

David Dixon - G

Gus Frerotte - QB

Adam Haayer - T

Shaun Hill - QB

Chris Hovan - DT

Keith Newman - LB

Willie Offord - S

Derek Ross - CB

Brian Russell - S

Jermaine Wiggins -TE

Brian Williams - CB

...some of these guys may have been re-signed already. I don't know and don't care, I just hope the Vikings end up in last place!!

[Willy]

"some of these guys may have been re-signed already. I don't know and don't care, I just hope the Vikings end up in last place!!"

No, I'm sorry but last place has been permanently reserved for your lowly lions!

[buzzsaw]

Hey guys look, Backherup has come out to play! We missed you while you were away as well as all of your wisdom and wit... hope the shrink bill wasn't too high! Can't wait for your Tigers and Lions to continue being doormats!

[bucketmouth64]

I think that picking up a free agent receiver will be key. If none of the players they want are at the 7th pick they could trade down and maybe pick up another 2nd round pick. We could possibly do that with the 18th too. If they can pick up additonal high round picks like 2nd or 3rd's we should be able to get some quality players in addition to our 1's. Vikes should make sure to re-sign Wiggins, Williams, and Campbell. Everyone else can be replaced. I was disappointed with Claiborne's play since he has been here. Didn't seem like to be the impact player Tice was hoping to get...only flashes. If Nugent drops to the 3rd round I think the Vikes should try to snap him up. Any decent db's in free agency or draft?

[sunnyj]

If the vikings trade down the 7th pick it will just prove Red is out to save money and the vikings and their fans are screwed

[lawdog]

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...we'll suck next year!

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Gosh...I hope so!!

The loss of Randy Moss may not have been the worst thing. However, losing most or all of their free agents could really have an impact next year. Here's a list of Vikings' Free Agents:

Morten Andersen - K

Kelly Campbell - WR

Chris Claiborne - LB

Bill Conaty - C

David Dixon - G

Gus Frerotte - QB

Adam Haayer - T

Shaun Hill - QB

Chris Hovan - DT

Keith Newman - LB

Willie Offord - S

Derek Ross - CB

Brian Russell - S

Jermaine Wiggins -TE

Brian Williams - CB

...some of these guys may have been re-signed already. I don't know and don't care, I just hope the Vikings end up in last place!!

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The reason you hope they really suck is so they'lly be comparable to your pathetic Lions. Lions, really should they be called like Calico cats or something? There isn't ANYTHING fierce about them and they've never been king of anything!

There are only 2-3 guys on that free agent list even worth thinking about signing. Claiborne sucks. Its obvious the only reason he ever looked like a player is that he stood out on a division 1AA college level defense as a lioness!!!!!

[BackHerUp]

[Quickstrike]

in my opinion whatever happens we're looking at another 8-10 win team next year that will win the pathetic division and get knocked out right away again, there's not enough out there to make any significant difference in one year.

[james_walleye]

If the vikings want too be s SB caliber team next year there is only one way too go. They're not going to get there by once again going and drafting defense this year. We've played that game for a couple years now. Its time to go get some solid proven defensive studs in free agency. If they rely totally on the draft this defense will get no better. Just a couple hours ago the Pats let go Ty Law. Go get some studs like that. Get a stud corner and/or safety. You've just brought in Napoleon Harris which is serious upgrade at LB. Now go sign another solid starting LB. Draft Mike Williams the reciever from USC with the 7th pick. Hes the real deal. You still have the later first round pick too get some more young defense if you want too. Maybe package up the later first round pick with Micheal Bennett and move even higher up with that later round pick. Now pony up some more $$ and get one of those solid recievers as in Muhammed who just got released, or possibly Derrick Mason. You get a reciever core of Burleson, Muhammed/Mason, and Mike Williams your in great shape. Resign Wiggins. Winfield and Law at corner? Upgrade at safety. Bring in a solid stud LB. The table is so set with draft picks and cap room its unreal. Now will the money be spent? Thats the question. What a sick load of dump too be in that situation and be so close and not take advantage. They have the money and picks too do everything stated here and even more.

[clamking]

napoleon harris is no longer a no name i know ill never forget his name, or a guy by the name of herchel.

[Born2Fish]

James you couldn't of worded it any better! I think the vikings will benefit from gettin rid of moss. There are lots of good wr's that we could sign. Though could is the key word. But if they decide to spend some this year I think they can round out a very good team. I also think they should persue Jacksonville SS Donovan Darius. The guy can hit like a ton of bricks, and with Chavous at FS we would have one of the best saftey duos in the league. Corner needs work, but Winfield is the cornerstone. Add a guy like Law and our defensive backfield will look downright scarey! It CAN be done, now we just have to wonder IF they will.

[Down to Earth]

This is why I don't think the Vikings this year will make a big splash in Free Agency and look to sign ANY of the big name free agents available that could help this club. That answer is RED MCCOMBS. He is currently still the owner and Fowler most likely isn't going to get approved until will into the free agent signing period. Red isn't going to sign anyone one for big money as history shows. By the time Fowler is there to do anything the top name players will be gone. I hate to say it, but I think the Vikings will take a step back next year, but will start making strides forward once Red is out of the picture and new ownership can start putting their stamp on the team.

[james_walleye]

From what i heard we should know by the middle of March if Fowler is approved or not. If history is any indication there is usually not a big run of big name free agents in the first few weeks of signing. In that case many of the new big name free agents should be there when Fowler gets control of the team. There are also many good players that dont get released until the June period. If Fowler gets control in mid March and is willing too spend the money, he will have plenty of options available. Its still all about if he is willing too spend the $$.

[Down to Earth]

Doesn't look like you'll be seeing Muhammad in a vikings uniform.

Bears: Muhammad reportedly agrees to terms

THE NEWS

It doesn't look like Muhsin Muhammad will remain out of work for long. ESPN's Len Pasquarelli is reporting that the Pro Bowl wide receiver has already agreed in principle to a multi-year contract with the Chicago Bears.

[bucketmouth64]

Espn reported that Tice has talked to wide receiver Mike Williams about filling Moss' shoes if the Vikes draft him. William's response was I am not Moss, I will fill my own shoes. Or something to that effect. Do you think Tice is speaking too candidly and exposing who the Vikes want to draft? Along that same note, it seems that during news conferences Tice sometimes tips their upcoming opponent about their game plan. At least that is what it seems to me.

[Down to Earth]

I kinda thought Williams would end up with Chicago, but now that they signed Muhammed maybe they will go a different direction. Though they do have Smith who came from St. Louis and having a Muhammed/Williams duo would be pretty good for the Bears.

I don't think I would take in too much with the conversation Tice and Williams had. They will be talking to a lot of players between now and the draft and a lot will get reported. Can't wait until the draft.

[muskybuck]

I too think free agents are what it takes to get good fast. I remember this guy named Reggie White who eventually took a team to the Super Bowl. It was not the quarterback that did that, although he helped.

[Born2Fish]

Right on...With a few good moves in free agency, the vikes could have everyone saying "Randy who?" It's doubtful, but there are some key free agents(Ty Law was relesed sunday)that could bring a good change to the minne locker room. Improve that defense and I think the offense can score enough to win games.

[Windy City Walleye Hunter]

OK All you Viking fans, now that your team got smart and dumped that overrated show boating ghetto dweller and now that you are in the market for a new wide out...Can you take some advice from an old monster of the midway? David Terrell is now available since the Bears dumped his sorry butt today. My advice would be to run as fast as you can...in the other direction! Though I have heard rumors that the Vikings are looking at picking his sorry self up. Not only would he be a malcontent, like Moss, but he would be an underachieving malcontent! Good luck to the team that lands this waste of a uniform. YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD....YES! Windy

[beer batter]

Free agent signings:

CB Ty Law

S Donavin Darius

WR Derrick Mason

Get a single kicker who can do field goals and kick off.

Draft best linebacker at #7

Draft best def tackle or def end at #19(is that our position?)

Draft some reserves at Offensive Line, WR, DL in the next few rounds then fill out with best available talent.

2 things that really p1ss me off about the Tice era is the timing of when he throws the red flag, and our kicking situation. Why is it so difficult to find a kicker to do both duties? Maybe burn an early round round pick on Nugent out of The Ohio State University. He can punt and kick with both accuracy and distance. One guy would take the place of 3 (Yes, three) roster spots from last year.

[B. Amish]

i think it would be interesting to pick mike williams with their first pick, resign robert griffith at safety and spend the rest of their cap money on defense, get the kicker of the year from the arena league, pick one running back to be the stud before the season starts and get rid of the extra backs for draft picks

i think the only way this moss trade pans out is if they spend the cap money on defense, if they don't then they're (Contact US Regarding This Word)