Vikings FS Brian Russell signs offer sheet from the Browns

[CNY Tim]

My question is will the Vikings let him get away?

The Vikes have until April 8th to match Clevelands offer and no draft considerations since Brian is a RFA...

Russell, the Vikings' starting free safety the last two seasons, set career-highs with nine interceptions and 95 tackles in 2003. He made 81 stops, one interception and broke up six passes last season.

[GullGuide]

He would have been a special teamer anyways. He had one fluke season and last year he was burned more than a piece of toast.

[CNY Tim]

Sounds like the guy we just cut Earl Little. There stats were similar last year but Russell is much younger.

[so haaad]

Yeah, outside of a few big hits, the guy was brutal. I think last year was the real him.

[Down to Earth]

I think with the signing of Sharper the Vikings will be letting Russell go. Tice wasn't even that high on him at the beginning of last year. Remember he had to compete just to win his starting job again last year. This after the previous great year he had.

[Stratosman]

Good, one of the worst tacklers we had last year, we will be better without him.

[fishyguy]

Offord played fairly well last year when he filled in for Chavous. I think he will stay and Russell will walk

[Fish Head]

Russell was embarrassing last year. He’s a good guy, he works hard. But he just isn’t a good player. He had the one good year, but I seriously doubt we would ever see that level of play out of him again. Offord outplayed him when he had the chance last year. Bye bye Brian.

[CNY Tim]

Looks like Russelll is being brought in to compete for the job we have Chris Crocker with a 1/2 season of experience and a 2nd round draft pick from Georgia, Sean Jones that was a hard hitter there but was injured before the season started. Here's what they said..

The Browns have released last year's opening day starting safeties, Robert Griffith and Earl Little, in the last month. Russell would add depth and experience to the position and would likely compete for a spot in the starting lineup with Chris Crocker and Sean Jones.

Crocker took Little's starting job at midseason. Jones, the team's second-round pick last season, is expected back this season after a torn ACL last June forced him to miss his entire rookie season.

[RussPanfishguy]

Okay I have kept quiet about this for two days and cannot anymore. First Russell had two sport herinas last year and played thru both. As I do recall Matt Birk had the same injuries had to get surgery yes he did play good, but does Birk have to run at least two yards on every play. The reason I think Tice was not High on him was this injury happened before the season started Tice wanted him to be a backup have the surgery and pick him up cheap for this year. He hits hard, He has good hands. He had a bad year due to injury keep this guy Sharper is injury prone.

[CNY Tim]

Russ - Your not the only one that said that and I appreciate your comments. Romeo liked this kid for the fact that he's a tough kid, unselfish and plays through injuries. I just hope he's completely healthy. One thing that was echoed by a couple of Viking fans on the Browns Blog was this kid is tough as nails. He's got experience and that's a plus. I like the fact that Romeo's going for more ham and egg type guys, lunch pail type football players that have heart. The thing is we have signed draft talent and have been completely burned buy it in the recent past. I like what Savage is doing with the new look Browns, it may take a couple of years but I think there on the right track. I mean heck it couldn't get any worse.

[fishyguy]

I agree with most positive things said about Russell, i.e., tough, hard playing, etc.. I have to take issue with the good hands though. I can't ever remember a Vikes D-back dropping so many potential interceptions.

[RussPanfishguy]

At least he had the chance. Usually in the past the d-back was getting burned. Yes I know he got burned alot last year. If he is healthy he is a good backup. Remeber 2003 season any ball thrown to him he intercepted. He was healthy. I had a hernia this last summer and they hurt like heck when it ruptured, I would pop it back in. Good to go till it pops out. Usually alot of pain when it ruptures and soreness after the fact. I am shocked a db played thru it.

[Fish Head]

Russell played through 2 hernias? I know he was dinged up, but thats the fist I've heard that he played through 2 sports hernias.

I would agree that if healthy he is a good backup, but not a starter. We would have to pay starting pay to keep him. Last year I felt he was out of position often and had trouble tackeling all year. Hard hitter.......yes, good guy........yes, good worker........yes, over acheiver........yes, starter.........not if we want to go anywhere this year.

[92python]

Hard hitter? I don't think Russell is a hard hitter. He seemed as aggressive as a punter on a punt return once someone got the ball with any space in the defensive backfield.

If he were a hard hitter he would intimidate WRs working the middle. Send him to Ohio. We need a bad (Contact US Regarding This Word) safety. I don't think Sharper is that guy either.

[CNY Tim]

Sounds like most of the Viking faithful are gonna get what they want....

Courtesy of NFL Network and Adam Sheffner's Around the League: The Vikings will not match the Browns 2 year 1.5 million dollar offer sheet to Russell.

[Down to Earth]

Pretty much as expected.

Browns: Russell officially joins team

THE NEWS

Safety Brian Russell was officially added to the Browns Thursday when the Vikings chose not to match Cleveland's offer sheet. Russell will receive a two-year contract worth $3 million.

OUR VIEW

Russell is slated to start at free safety in Romeo Crennel's rebuilt defense.

[CNY Tim]

It's a mute point now but I missed this from the Viking Staff on 5 Apr 05.

No Lose Situation.

It's been no secret that the Vikings have been looking to replace Brian Russell in the secondary -- even after an NFL-leading nine interceptions in 2003. But now they may want to re-think their plan.

The Vikings gave Russell a low-ball tender offer of $656,000 to stay with the team -- a figure so low that if he was signed to an offer sheet, the Vikings would receive no compensation. But, as word got out as to the amount of the Browns offer, the Vikings might be smarter to match it.

VU has been told that the offer is two years at $1.5 million -- which, if you were to pro-rate Russell's contract for two years under the current deal he has on the table, would only be about $100,000 more.

While the Vikings got their wish and found a replacement in the starting lineup for Russell, having an experienced backup is a positive that outweighs a minimal bump in pay. While the Vikings might be satisfied to throw Willie Offord to the wolves again, with the insignificant difference in the two offers on the table, the team might well be better suited to match the offer and not go into the season with an unknown in the backup ranks.