How much cap room do the Vikings have?

[james_walleye]

I don't think i even listened to them a couple years ago. It was the national media that i heard that was saying a 2nd rounder.........

I also didnt form my Berrian opinions from them either if thats what your suggesting. When i heard Berrian was out there, instantly i thought that is the kind of reciever the purple needs. I did hear PA say he is high on him too. That is why i checked his blog, to see if he was saying anything about the odds on us signing him. I don't think the odds are good myself as much as i'd like to see it.

[tisosy11]

Yeah...everyone said a 2nd rounder would do it. Everyone except the Falcons and Texans...

Berrian would be a solid piece, but not worth the money he will get, which will likely compare to the top 5-6 receivers... I think the same for mr Turner.

[james_walleye]

Well i guess the question is this...if not Berrian then who? I think the vikes are at a point in which they have to make a move now. They have built for a few years. If you spend 2 more years building an offense, now your key defensive players are free agents and are leaving. You can't keep this defense together forever. The offensive line is solid but its not getting younger. So you have to add some pieces that can come in and work right now. Who do you add for a reciever? Just drafting a guy like Jackson or Sweed won't do anything for the team this year. Thats for 2 years down the road. They could compliment a good reciever like Steve Smith did for Burress late this last season. I just don't think you can draft a guy this year and have him be what the team needs instantly. I think we will know quickly how the front office thinks this team is sitting. If it thinks the team is close to that run they will be aggressive early. If they sit back and don't do much early in FA or sign someone like Bryant Johnson or Andre Davis then maybe we are a year away. These guys are complinentary recievers. We have enough of that kind of reciever. Stallworth would be alright but i just think hes to much of a headcase. I thought after last years FA period that the reason the team left so much $$ on the table was because they were going to spend last season developing some key guys. Developing Jackson, AP, and Rice. Get them some expierience and now this year with the $$ available you add the pieces you need to make a run. If they see Berrian as a piece than get it done. If Justin Smith is a piece than get it done.

[Scott K]

I think Rice has a good chance at being a #1 reciever, and Allison being a good 2 or 3. I think they still need to add someone, but I dont think they should give a huge contract to someone just to get a reciever.

My question is, are the Vikings going to keep Chester Taylor, or do you think they trade him? I dont think he is happy being #2. Im sure we can get something good for him now, and there is no sense in letting him rot on the bench!

[Bluegill1510]

 Originally Posted By: james_walleye

If you spend 2 more years building an offense, now your key defensive players are free agents and are leaving. You can't keep this defense together forever. The offensive line is solid but its not getting younger. So you have to add some pieces that can come in and work right now. Who do you add for a reciever?

Exactly thats why its important the vikes use their 1st day draft picks on the d-line and o-line. Unless that impact player like a AP is there at 17 which I doubt, the vikes should draft B.P.A. I wouldn't mind us though spending a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a WR, but the vikes have to get younger at the D-line, safety, and add depth at o-line. I'd really like us to draft Kenny Phillips the safety out of Miami or his teammate Calius Campbell DE.

If the vikes don't add a WR like Berrian through Free Agency, then the vikes will just have to look farther down the free agent list and names like Andre Davis, Porter, Stallworth, Bryant Johnson, etc. will be tossed around I am sure. I think as a fan Davis would be safe sign because he gives you speed, experience and good special team (punt&kick return) ability. But even then signing him, the vikes need to add another WR through free agency and maybe even in the draft.

[tisosy11]

If you don't have chester who do you have to back up AP?

Me Moore is going to be gone...

It sure helps to have multiple runningbacks to win in this league. IE Giants, Patriots, Colts

[Born2Fish]

Mushin Muhhamed is now a Carolina Panther. The list gets smaller.

[tisosy11]

mushin is a poor mans marcus robinson

[james_walleye]

How is it that he signed when the period doesnt start until tomorrow night? Or is just not "officially" signed...?

[tisosy11]

yeah - technically you are not suppose to sign, but i am not aware of the penalties and i think there are ways around it...hopefully the vikes make some splashes!!!

[tisosy11]

Heard Justin Smith, M. Williams and Bsquared.

As much as those names sound great...I see spending small fortunes to get them all!

[james_walleye]

Where did you hear that from? Someone at work said he heard Berrian to SF and Smith to the Browns. I hope that doesnt happen....

[maros91]

 Originally Posted By: james_walleye

How is it that he signed when the period doesnt start until tomorrow night? Or is just not "officially" signed...?

Guys that are realeased from their teams can sign with anyone right away. (Ex. Muhammed to Carolina and Zach Thomas to Cowboys) Guys that are UFA have to wait until midnight tonight to sign.

[tisosy11]

Ok - good stuff

[blueberryum]

heard we got rid of Kelly Holcomb. YEEEE-HAWWW

[tisosy11]

holcomb gone, farwell stays

i would not be surprised if one david carr comes in for a look...

[maros91]

I just seen the Eagles released DE Jevon Kearse. Not the player he once was but the Vikes are thin at DE and wouldn't mind seeing the Vikes pick him up.

[james_walleye]

Anyone subscribe to ESPN insider?? A headline in the NFL rumor mill says "Berrian to Minnesota?". Without the insider a guy can't read it. I'm curious as to what is says!

[maros91]

I am not but that is kind of bunk that you have to pay to see the rumor mills.

[james_walleye]

Just read a bears HSOforum that said Berrian turned down a 5 year $25 million offer today with $8 million up front to sign. It said the bears don't figure to be able to come up from that offer and that the vikings are the team most interested in his services. My fingers are crossed!!!

[tisosy11]

hold on - i'll check it out...

Berrian:

Looking to provide young QB Tarvaris Jackson with a proven playmaker at wide receiver, the Vikings appear to be in pursuit of Berrian, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribue.

Berrian, 27, who caught a career-high 71 passes last season for the Bears, is hoping to land at least a $12 million signing bonus. He reportedly turned down the Bears' latest offer, a five-year, $25 million offer that guaranteed him $8 million.

Justin Smith:

The Minneapolis Star-Tribue is reporting that Smith will be among the Vikings' targets in free agency. The Browns and Steelers also have serious interest in the defensive end, according to the Dayton Daily News.

Smith, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2001 draft, had 78 tackles and two sacks in 2007.

Javon Walker:???

The Broncos continue to shop Walker, but they should release him before March 4, writes John Clayton. The Broncos owe Walker a $3.4 million roster bonus on March 4 that they aren't going to pay. Walker still believes -- despite knee concerns -- he's a No. 1 wide receiver.

This is what the rumor mill says. Insider is kind of a joke...if I didn't get it for free i would not be a member!

[ozzie]

why are we so high on B Berriman...the more I think about him I don't see him as the answer to our reciever problems.....he wasn't that good in chicago with a not so good QB what makes us think that he will be good with a not so good QB in Minnesota?

I also see that the paper has a Bengal FS as a top FA!! After watching the Bengals a few times last year there is no way I would want any of there d-backs or safties on my team!!!

[Fishing_High]

Hoping we can land Justin Smith he would be a big upgrade at DE.

[james_walleye]

71 catches and 950 yards playing on a bad bears offense isnt that good?? A reciever that can do that in Chicago with a running game ranked 30th in the NFL? What would he do playing on a team with the best running game in the NFL and constantly facing 1 on 1 coverages on one of the fastest tracks in the NFL? If MN would have had a guy put those numbers up last year making the playoffs wouldnt have been an issue. Make the playoffs and you don't know what might happen as the giants showed us.

Just because a defense is bad doesnt mean there isnt solid players to be had off the team. Williams is a solid safety and would fit in nicely with the style of cover 2 the vikings play. He does his job well. That is why the vikings are interested.

[Bluegill1510]

 Originally Posted By: ozzie

why are we so high on B Berriman...the more I think about him I don't see him as the answer to our reciever problems.....he wasn't that good in chicago with a not so good QB what makes us think that he will be good with a not so good QB in Minnesota?

I also see that the paper has a Bengal FS as a top FA!! After watching the Bengals a few times last year there is no way I would want any of there d-backs or safties on my team!!!

Ozzie your missing the point here, Williams is young and has talent to be a good safety in this league. Just because the Bengals sucked last year doesn't mean all the blame goes onto him. The vikes personal and other guru people who study the NFL alot more than the average joe vikes fan know this and that Williams would be a good fit for our team considering the age of Darren Sharper and frankly nobody else left behind him after cutting Dwight Smith. So Williams IMO is a must sign or go after the giants safety Girhil Wilson who is also a free agent but isnt as young as Williams.

Reason why everyone is so high on Berrian is because he is the best WR with talent in free agency and that is one of the biggest Vikings needs in this year's offseason. Don't expect us to just draft another WR with our 1st round pick. Plus Berrian has experience and is alot better than what we got for WR's already and just adds another talent to go with the AP & Chester combo. Just 5.5 hours left till FA! Can't wait to see who we sign tonight.