Vikes salary cap room. What key positions does everyone think we should sign?

[The Yeti]

..

[cybermuskie]

I read Sid Hartman thinks we could end up with Drew Brees....I don't know if I really would like that or not!

* I have most of my wants listed in the Free Agent Wish List post.

[JIvers]

Offensive line. Matt Birk will be back, and clinch at center, while McKinnie is a good left tackle, but serious upgrades are needed at the other three OL positions. A good offensive line makes average RBs and QBs look great, as the Denver Broncos have shown for some time now.

On defense, linebacker and safety are the positions most in need of improvement, as is the placekicker job, where I have no use for Paul "missed routine field goal" Edinger.

[The Yeti]

1) We need a QB who can lead and has not mentally checked out

2) D line needs a dominating figure

3) We also need a LB

4) A good RB would help also

Getting Matt Birk back is going to do wonders for the O Line

[cybermuskie]

I'm wondering if Derrick Brooks get cut, due to salary cap issues, if the vikes will go after him due to the Bucs connection we now have as our D-coach! Could be interesting! (nevermind he re-signed )

Birk will be nice to have back but it might be a good idea to have a backup plan. I know the Vikes were looking and Bentley from the Saints because he plays guard and center, but I think he want to be a Eagle.

[Jarrod32]

Speaking of LB, LaVar Arrington agreed to a contract buyout, and is now a free agent...

[slim1]

We need a better def. and running game, so I would say get your defense a linbacker that can rush the QB and saftey for Cory and work on the OL, draft wise we should look at QB for future or big O-lineman. Defense win championships

[jigging wader]

Offensive line, 2 guards and right tackle, running back with good hands, linebacker and............. In my perfect world, I would take Chad Hutchinson 1st, edgerin james 2nd, John Runyan 3d, lavar Arington 4th and I hear vinitari will not have the franchise tag this year and will test the market. They have the most cap room, but no way they can get all these guys. Maybe 2 of them though. Its still nice to dream.

And another hard hitting safety that can blitz and.....

[cybermuskie]

Anyone heard if they are trying to re-sign G Toniu Fonoti? I am pretty sure he's a free agent???

[jigging wader]

Don't me quote on this, but I think I read on NFL.COM a few weeks ago that the chiefs were showing alot of interest in him. I have not heard anything about what the vikings are thinking. But if he can get back to the playing condition he was in before his shoulder injury with the chargers, I sure hope they keep him. I heard he was a nasty mauler out there in San Diego. Then I'd plug him in to Dixons old position.

[nofishfisherman]

I don't think I would go for Arrington. He makes some great plays but its usually at the expense of other people on the field. He does alot of free lanceing which means he will either make a great play or he will be out of position to make a play depending on if he guess right or not. Thats why they took him out of the game iin Washington. They wanted someone they knew would be where he is supposed to be on every play.

I think we have seen enough LB's who are out of position while trying to make a play. It hurts them and those that have to cover for him.

If he can come in a play his assignment and not make things up as he goes then I would love him, he has a ton of talent, almost to much since he seems to ride on that instead of discipline.

[cybermuskie]

Did you guys see the Star Trib yesterday? There was a little block that showed the Vikes needs and who they thought they would go after. They listed all the top players for that postion, and then they listed who they thought they might go after. They said we might be listed in G Bob Hallen, SD, and LB Cato June,Indy and RB Maurice Morris, Seahawks.

I can see Morris as you can maybe get him for a cheaper price than a big name. Cato is a RFA , and who the heck is Hallen? I think there are better choices out there that I hope they go after!

Now correct me if I am wrong here. If a player is released, you don't have to wait till free agency to be picked up by another team? Like with La'Roi Glover. The Rams just signed him.

[Down to Earth]

I'm guessing if the player is already officially released they can sign. Many names I'm sure aren't officially released until the actual deadline. I'll check around a bit Cybermuskie and report what I find out.

Andy

[nofishfisherman]

I believe you guys are correct. I know that some of the people released can still have that withdrawn depending on what happens with the labor agreement.

I assume then there is more then one level of being cut. There must be an inteding to cut list and an out right cut list. Becuause I have heard of a few players that were out right cut that have resigned, Glover being one of them.

[cybermuskie]

Thanks guys. I kinda thought that was the case since we signed Whittle (sp)and Glover was signed. So I was hoping I was rightin my thinking. I was so bummed when they pushed free agency back again. I am getting tired of not getting any news out of the Vikes camp. Plus I want to see what the new triangle of power is thinking!

[IceHawk]

I'm with you Cybermuskie. I keep hearing these top-notch players available and we need to get the ball rolling on some of them. I hope they go for some of the bigger name players available. I really like Lavar Arington and Edgerin James 2 quality players that would help us alot. They definately need to look at some help up front. Our line definately need some tweaking. There are guys available and more to come. I just hope they don't use the smae approach as they do in the draft. We feel he was the best available player. Go for some guy's who have proven themselves.

[Down to Earth]

Just a follow up here is what I found out from some Fanball discussion:

"Any player that has been released (contract terminated) from a team can be approached and signed.

UFA/RFA's are still under contract and as such, teams can't even talk to them or thier agents until FA starts."

Since Glover was outright release he was free and still not under contract.

Andy

[cybermuskie]

Thanks Andy! Kinda what we thought it was...cool!

[cybermuskie]

From Fanball:

03/08 11:59 Vikings: Fonoti talks continue

THE NEWS

The agent who represents free agent guard Toniu Fonoti said Tuesday that "there is continuing dialogue" with the Vikings. Agent Steve Feldman indicated to the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Fonoti will probably test free agency, but he would not rule out the possibility of his client re-signing with the Vikings.

Our View

Fonoti is a former second-round draft pick of the Chargers. He has showed promise in the past, but he has struggled to keep his weight down throughout his four-year career. The Vikings acquired him via trade last season. He only appeared in one game for the Purple before suffering a season-ending groin injury, which can probably be attributed to poor conditioning.

[Eric Wettschreck]

After DC's "Trade me or release me" statement, is anyone else thinking the purple should be lookin for a QB?

Like DC or not-like DC, it's apparent DC doesn't want to wear purple anymore. If that's the case, and he ends up sticking around knowing his heart isn't into it, is he going to play hard?

I say get another QB to replace DC.

[buzzsaw]

Quote:

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Like DC or not-like DC, it's apparent DC doesn't want to wear purple anymore. If that's the case, and he ends up sticking around knowing his heart isn't into it, is he going to play hard

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Hmmm, maybe that explains last years performance!?