Vikings Interested in Gbaja-Biamila?

by Gonzo on Nov 3, 2008 7:22 AM CST in Vikings Comment 20 comments

The Packers released defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila over the weekend and, for some reason, there were immediately rumors that the Vikings were interested in bringing him in. To be honest, I'm not completely sure why. Allow me to summarize my thoughts on the Vikings potentially bringing him in:

No.

Hell No.

Good God, No.

Any of those would apply, really.

Yes, Gbaja-Biamila is the Packers' all-time sack leader. Good for him. That's sort of like being the best ice skater in Kenya. He's also one of the single most one-dimensional and overrated players that the NFL has seen in the last 10 years. In the time I've been watching the NFL, there are few players that I've seen that are as completely and utterly useless against the run as the man they call KGB. I can't even hear the guy's name without flashing back to this game. Mewelde Moore racked up 122 yards, almost 6 yards a carry, and almost every single one of those yards was gained by running left behind Bryant McKinnie, and right at KGB. If you want to see what it looks like when an offensive tackle completely destroys a defensive end for four quarters, see if you can track down video of that game.

And KGB's one real asset. . .his ability to get to the passer. . .isn't there any more either. He had a whopping 1/2 sack through the first half of the season for the Packers. The Packers, on the season, have 14 sacks as a team. In contrast, Kevin Williams and Jared Allen have 14 sacks combined. And, yet, KGB and his "pass rush skills" were deemed to be expendable by a team with, basically, no pass rush to speak of.

So, if he's not good enough for Green Bay. . .why on earth would we want to waste a roster spot on him?

What does everyone else think? Anyone want to bring this guy in? Talk about it here! We'll be back with more later on today!

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The benefit of bringing him in

Is brain draining him for all he knows about the Green Bay defense and offense plans. I don’t see bringing him in as a back up.

by Robert Rence on Nov 3, 2008 7:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Regardless of his skill...

With the pending suspensions, defensive end is not exactly our most pressing need.

If we want to brain-drain on the Packers, why not just call up Brett Favre? : )

by dkerfoot on Nov 3, 2008 7:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hell, he might call us

You just never know sometimes

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by Gonzo on Nov 3, 2008 8:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. You don’t release your all-time sacker without a good reason, especially a fan favorite. He had knee problems, and I guess its really slowed him down this season. To be honest, I like our defensive line as it is right now. I wish Edwards could get into the backfield a little more, but I wouldn’t sacrifice the run D just to get maybe another sack every other game.

by Frost on Nov 3, 2008 8:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely agree

We most definitely should not pick up KGB. Like you said, he is definitely overrated and we are pretty set on d-line (although we might wanna pick up an extra DT in case of the suspension of the Williams two).

The Vikes have other needs and do not need to waste money on a DE. Does anyone else think that Robison should see more time on third down situations?

by skiumah06 on Nov 3, 2008 9:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

situational

I don’t see the Vikes needing him but if he came cheaply enough it would be worth having him be a third down situational type and maybe slide a D End in at tackle next to K. Williams. NFL teams are typically working out players off and on all season it’s just that we hear about it more when it’s a big name like KGB. Likely nothing will come of it but it’s smart for the Vikes to work him out so they know if he’s worth a shot if we do have injuries ad D end.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Nov 3, 2008 10:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well, I dont think you can tell me that KGB would be worse than Grigsby when each are healthy. If he’s cheap enough and a good locker room presence – bring him in for the brain drain and a back up role (ie rotating in)

by Hoss-Drone on Nov 3, 2008 10:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

helln ya

do it skol

by AMOSMOSES on Nov 3, 2008 12:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

what???

Bring him in even at a discount? What are we telling our other D-linemen?
“Um, we like you guys but we have to cut someone to make room for a guy that couldn’t make it on the packers.” I wish the guy nothing but the best in the future just as long as that future doesn’t include taking up a purple roster spot.

by primetime17 on Nov 3, 2008 12:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Don't see the point

We’ve already got one of the best run defenses. Why bring in this dude? What would it help? From all of our opinions above. Nothing!

by vikingfiend on Nov 3, 2008 3:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I say bring him in

Ray Edwards isnt that great of a defensive end and We play the Packers this week. And with Jared Allen possibly being out of the game with a sprained shoulder, why not let the guy get a little revenge on his former squad.

by Tony_O on Nov 3, 2008 3:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ray Edwards

He was a damn beast yesterday.

Gonzo2

by Gonzo2 on Nov 3, 2008 5:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Brian Robison > KGB

Robison makes things happen whenever he gets chances. Why they don’t play him more, I don’t know.

by jianfu on Nov 3, 2008 5:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

im in love with the edwards and robison rotation

everything Rays,Marlins,Twins and Reds

by RaysOfHope on Nov 3, 2008 8:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No get Eller Instead

why would we want Double “A” he would bring nothing we already don’t have. The rush is fine its the middle linebacker and weak side corner that is our shortcoming on “D”. We had a good win yesterday – the Packers are coming to play their favorite coach Sunday – Bad Brad is 0-5 against his boys. Here comes #6.

The Eye

by Village Viking on Nov 3, 2008 6:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I guess all i can say is bring him for depth if anything…but i agree we need some new DT if the williams are gonna have sit.

AP's record day, 296 in a single game.

by da2213viking on Nov 3, 2008 10:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I played a bit of DE in high school. Bring me in.

by Jesse on Nov 4, 2008 9:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

?

for real? KGB. . . im not digging a move for him at all. . maybe as da2213viking said. . if only for depth. . cause i think allen, edwards and probably robison all will probably play at a better level than KGB. .

by vikingfromkuwait on Nov 4, 2008 11:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

KGB can still play.

Gonzo your assesment on KGB is strictly from ignorance of the game. I understand your point of view as a fan but when you truly watch film (coaches copy) you would see that his ability to play the run is as good as you would find from a Defensive End. The game is more than stoping the run, it about beig a complete player. THink about this point of view. If a DE gets 1 or 2 sacks per game he is dominant, if a DE gets 4+ tackles per game he had a good game. Now during the course of a game there could be 50-70 defensive snaps, you do the the math and tell me who is suppose to win. WIth that said how could you poit out 1 play and make the argument that he is’nt good. Just in case you didn’t know I am his brother. Let me beat you to the punch and tell that I didn’t have anywhere near the career my brother had, but I do know football.

by AGB on Nov 5, 2008 9:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry you feel that way

But the fact of the matter is this:

KGB has exactly one-half of one sack in his last 12 regular season games. He’s not markedly better than any defensive end currently in the Minnesota rotation. His only value to the team right now would be to get some insight into the Packers’ game plan for this Sunday, and I’m guessing that he was released before that even started getting put together.

And he’s never been very good against the run. Whenever he’s been called on to play on a full-time basis rather than as a situational pass rusher, he gets thrown around like a rag doll. Hell, NFL.com lists him at 249 pounds, and I think they’re being quite generous with that listing. It’s expected.

KGB was, indeed, a pretty damn good pass rusher at one point in time. But he’s not any more. And, consequently, he’s of no use to the Minnesota Vikings.

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by Gonzo on Nov 6, 2008 6:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs