Free agency

[tisosy11]

Berrian is now the 7th highest paid receiver. he's slowly slipping to where he should be!

[Scott K]

Vikings sign LB Pope

The Vikings announced on their HSOforum that they have signed free-agent linebacker Derrick Pope.

Pope appeared in 55 games with nine starts in four seasons with the Miami Dolphins and has experience at all three linebacker positions in addition to special teams.

He is expected to fill the backup role formerly held by Dontarrious Thomas, who signed with San Francisco as a free agent.

Note: Defensive end James Hall, who was released by St. Louis at the start of free agency, is visiting Winter Park today.

Also the Vikings are expected to resign Ferguson today also.

[Born2Fish]

I would kinda like them to resign Ferguson. We do need experience out there and he does have some. JUST IN CASE!

[Jim Uran]

well it happened, one more year anyways.

[Jim Uran]

and who is that LB we signed, is he any good.

[Scott K]

Vikings signed LB Dallas Sartz, formerly of the Redskins.

Sartz was the 'Skins' fifth-round pick in 2007, but didn't impress in camp and was out of football. He's likely only being brought in as a practice body.

Vikings signed DL Ellis Wyms to a one-year contract.

Wyms, 29 in April, had five sacks as an on-and-off starter for Tampa Bay in 2006, but struggled for playing time with Seattle last year. While he can play end and tackle, Wyms likely won't be considered for the Vikes' vacancy at LE.

Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

Related: Seahawks, Titans

Not huge signs, but filled a couple holesin camp.

[tisosy11]

yeah - the vikings are still active. I like that and they are getting some guys that don't cost that much!

[Scott K]

"Vikings coach Brad Childress said Tuesday that he doesn't know if DE Erasmus James will ever be able to play again.

James has had three knee surgeries in the last 12 months. The Vikings will consider anything he offers in 2008 a bonus. With Kenechi Udeze (leukemia) even less likely to help, defensive end remains a big need area for the club."

"The Vikings will host free agent Gus Frerotte on Wednesday.

A big downgrade from their initial target, Sage Rosenfels, but he would've cost a second-round pick. Frerotte, 36, should only cost a league minimum salary, but the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports he'll visit with Green Bay first."

[Scott K]

We need to get at least one good DE in here before the draft. Peppers, Taylor, I dont care, get them in here, or we will be in the bottom of pass D again this year.

[jigging-matt]

Did you see John Randle on Pros vs Joes? Maybe we should talk him out of retirement..

[Born2Fish]

HAHA he was still a madman on that show! Spittin in his glove and wiping it across his face! He should of painted his face like he used too!!

[tisosy11]

Man o man Johnny Randle would be a nice addition!

[Scott K]

Vikings sign Boulware/UPDATE

March 20th, 2008 – 4:00 PM by Judd Zulgad

That was quick.

The Vikings signed free agent Michael Boulware today, giving them depth at safety. Boulware came in for a visit today; he visited with the Carolina Panthers on Monday. “I had a great meeting with the coaches and liked the direction that the organization is going,” Boulware told my colleague Kevin Seifert as he rode to the airport. “I think this gives me a great opportunity to come here and get better as a player.”

Boulware spent last season with the Houston Texans and the organization wanted to use him at linebacker. Boulware will serve as a backup safety and also play on special teams. The Vikings now have Darren Sharper and Madieu Williams as their starting safeties; Boulware and Eric Frampton are the backups.

UPDATE: Also signing today was DT Kendrick Allen, who was last with Green Bay in 2006. He played in two games and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve.

[tisosy11]

Boulware and Allen...why can't they sign a DE for depth.

I do like what they have done really so far. Interested in this McKinnie issue...

[Scott K]

I would like to see us keep Mckinnie, and trade a couple picks for Peppers. Maybe next years first, and this years 3rd.

[PikeTipper]

If this lack of activity for DEs keeps up I got a bad feeling we will need to use every pick of the draft on DE and hope a couple work out.

[namtkd1]

The Minnesota Vikings just signed safety Michael Boulware and defensive tackle Kenderick Allen. With the signing of Boulware this will make it interesting to see our competitive safety position all fighting for a starting spot.

In Boulware’s first career start at Minnesota in 2004, he notched a sack and intercepted Randy Moss on a reverse pass. Now he is on our side!

I haven't heard much of DT Kenderick Allen. Is he any good?

[Scott K]

CB Sapp agrees to deal

The Vikings added some depth at cornerback this morning, as free agent Benny Sapp agreed to terms on a one-year, $705,000 contract.

Sapp, who will receive a $100,000 signing bonus, appeared in 56 games in four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, with six starts and two interceptions.

In other free-agent news, defensive end James Hall, who visited the Vikings recently, re-signed with the St. Louis Rams.

[Scott K]

Now we need some DE's!

[Scott K]

Farwell signs tender

The Vikings announced the re-signing of linebacker Heath Farwell, their lone restricted free agent.

Farwell, who led the Vikings with a career-high 32 special teams tackles last season, said Monday that he would sign his one-year, $1.4 million tender and continue discussions on a long-term deal during the season.

[tisosy11]

I see us taking two DEs early in the draft... a 2 and a 4 maybe or a 2 and a 3

Also there could be some draft day trades involving your favorite team!

[Scott K]

Vikings closing in on Frerotte

April 1st, 2008 – 9:09 AM by Kevin Seifert

PALM BEACH, FLA. — With the Houston Texans apparently intent on keeping QB Sage Rosenfels, indications are strong this morning that the Vikings are nearing an agreement with free agent QB Gus Frerotte.

Frerotte, who also has visited the Green Bay Packers, could agree to terms in the next few days. He would serve as a veteran backup for starter Tarvaris Jackson.

Frerotte was with the Vikings in 2003 and 2004 before leaving to sign with Miami and later St. Louis.

The Vikings have been attempting to trade for Rosenfels for much of the offseason, but Texans coach Gary Kubiak made a compelling case this morning for why the team doesn’t want to trade him.

[Scott K]

ESPN's John Clayton reports the Vikings have reached an agreement in principle with free agent QB Gus Frerotte.

Like the Bears, Minnesota is aiming low for their pass game, which is bad news for Sidney Rice's value. The Vikes are likely to continue looking for quarterbacks in the draft, but Frerotte has a shot at playing time as long as it's just Tarvaris Jackson ahead of him on the depth chart. The Vikings' situation this season could force him into playing time this year. Looks like Sage Rosenfels will stay put in Houston. Apr. 2 - 10:23 am et

[Wadinator]

Ferotte..

Not a very exciting pick up. In fact, it makes me a bit sick to my stomach.

Every Vikings fan should vigorously pray that T-Jack turns into a solid player.

[Scott K]

Childress: No extension looming for Birk

April 2nd, 2008 – 12:07 PM by Kevin Seifert

PALM BEACH, FLA. — Coach Brad Childress confirmed the Vikings have no plans to extend the contract of C Matt Birk, explaining that he prefers to see how Birk plays in 2008 before determining whether the Vikings want to retain him.

Birk was informed of that decision earlier this offseason. In response, he said last month that he would skip the voluntary portion of the Vikings’ conditioning program, including all Organized Training Activities.

“We usually get into these things during the year,” Childress said when asked why the Vikings aren’t touching Birk’s contract, which will pay him a total of $5.72 million this season before expiring in March 2009.

“He’s been a loyal guy,” Childress added. “He’s been a good football player. He’s been a Pro Bowler. Just the fact that you want to see. You want to see him play. He may afford us the opportunity to re-sign him or he may stick his nose up in the air. I just want to see him play, that’s all. I think people make a lot of it. He’s got a contract. He’s got a good contract. Everyone wants to get a year ahead of themselves. Let’s take it one day at a time.”

In other news, Childress confirmed the Vikings are deep in discussions on a contract with free agent QB Gus Frerotte but the deal is not completed.

Look for more updates on Birk and the rest of our breakfast interview with Childress once we wash down the Eggs Benedict … er, finish transcribing.