Darren Sharper, Minnesota Viking

[Piker]

I saw it on TV in the MPLS airport that Sharper was cut, I figure the Vikings will have him signed before the weekend is out. Now we can forget the foolishness about trading a #1 for Donovin Darius. I think they are similar players, but Sharper will come cheaper on the deal and there is no compensation.

Also, look for the purple to low-ball Plexiglass on a one year deal.

[cybermuskie]

KFAN is reporting that Sharper will visit Friday. So you may be right! But alteast if we get Shaper we know he will play hard for at least 2 games a year! lol

[Down to Earth]

I don't see any reason for them not to low-ball Burress. For the most part no body else is wanting to sign him, so why give him more money than you need to.

The more I'm reading the more I'm not sure if M. Williams is going to be there for the Vikes at #7. Reports are he had a great Pro Day workout for the scouts. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the 6 teams ahead of the Vikes pick him or if they trade down to allow another team to jump the Vikes in order to get at Williams. I'm not sure if the Vikings just have a terrible Poker face in revealing their love for Williams, or if they are just using it as a bluff to target another player. One report I saw, though even had the Vikings trading their 2 first round picks to Cleveland for the #3 pick just to get Williams.

[Stratosman]

We all know how well the staff deals with draft day. Wouldn't surprise me if they traded the two first round picks for a #8!

Why did the packers release Sharper? salary issues or what?

[Down to Earth]

Yes, another cap casualty for the Pack this year.

[Stratosman]

[buzzsaw]

I just don't understand why some organizations sign all these players to these oversized contracts full well knowing that they will have issues down the road... only to allienate their players by dumping them near the end of their contracts. I can see why some players come out spitting venum towards their former teams! Some of these teams even call themselves the best organization in the NFL.... hmmmmmmmm

[Stratosman]

Had to make cap room for the almighty one

[Down to Earth]

Buzzsaw,

Unfortunately, I guess, it is the nature of the NFL right now. Teams are looking to make the most of a say 2-5 year window in which if they feel they make the right additions they can win it all. A certain team wants to target a certain free agent so badly they inflate the price to get him, which is going to affect their cap situation eventually. So then somewhere down the line they either have to take a big cap hit and pay the player or release the player/s. Look at Tennessee this year, they released Rolle, Carter, and Mason because of cap issues. Fortunately it hasn't affected the Vikings at all, mainly because of the way Red ran the team, but if Fowler gets in there and spends money to win it will be only time until the Vikings are put in the same situation as the rest of the NFL.

I know Favre signed his big contract a few years back and has actually restructured it several times to help out the Pack with cap situations. They've put money recently I think into Tauscher, Clifton, and KGB just to keep those guys. I think Ahman Green comes up after next year. Pretty much the norm now in the NFL

[cybermuskie]

Here's what KFAN's site is saying about Sharper...

"According to a source familiar with the situation, Sharper essentially is set upon playing for the Vikings in 2005. The only question remains the length and structure of a contract."

They also said Burress has left but they didn't know if the Vikes offered him a contract.

[panolo]

He signed for 4 years. Terms not disclosed.

[JIvers]

ESPN confirms the signing of Sharper. Does this mean the Vikings are going to give up on a trade for Darius?

[Piker]

Hopefully.

That Darius trade talk sucks. Especially, if you're talking about giving up the #7... Why trade Moss if you don't want the #7.

I'm glad PlexiGlass is gone, he sounds like a fool.

I have a feeling that Peter Warrick will get released and I think he'd be a better fit in Minnesota than Plexiglass. Actually, for the money I'd probably rather have David Terrell. Yes, I know. I'm washing my mouth out with soap now, but anything more than a one-year test drive on Plex is a waste in my mind.

[mnwild]

Atleast the Vikings now have a proven winner on their defense, who else on the Vikings roster has a SB ring- nobody.

[GullGuide]

Wiggins for one....

[sunnyj]

Am I the only one that can't stand Shaper? I know the only time I've watched him for full games was against the Vikes, but Moss burned him almost every game(yes Moss burned most d-backs) But even watching sports center you would see Sharper getting toasted. Maybe if he froes his hair out i'll like him better.

[buzzsaw]

You'll like him when you see how much of an upgrade he is to our secondary.

If we can get a stud LB and one more stud D-Lineman our defense should be rock solid. Our offensive unit needs a stud WR and another good offensive lineman to take Dixons place as he will probably be finished after this season.... and of course a kicker for the love of god.

[MJR]

Sharper would start on most all nfl teams. Our safties would not make the practice squad on most teams. I think he is a considerable upgrade.

Ferrote went to Miami with Linehan, I would like to see both of them do well. Brad Johnson is/was in MN but is not sure he is ready to settle on being a backup, I am a little surprised he was ever much more than that.

Darius talks are over...The Jaguars turned down a pair of Vikings trade offers for Donovin Darius, the last offer being a swap of the seventh and 21st overall picks to get the safety. Those talks came to an end after the Vikings signed Darren Sharper, Vikings V.P. of Football Operations Rob Bzrezinski said.