Vikings News: Gordon Signs, Birk Negotiating, Sage a Done Deal(?)
by Christopher Gates on Feb 24, 2009 7:35 PM CST
in Minnesota Vikings
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PrintA couple of Vikings notes here this evening, as we now sit about 48 hours away from the official start of free agency. Closer to 51 hours from the time I type this, to be exact.
The Vikings have signed cornerback Charles Gordon to a 1-year contract extension, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Gordon was the Vikings' nickel corner before he got his ankle ripped to shreds against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome in November. The deal is a pretty good bargain for the Vikings, as Gordon is only set to make $530,000 next season, but that number could reach the million dollar plateau if Gordon meets certain playing time marks and performance incentives. With the way Gordon had performed prior to his injury, here's hoping that he recovers enough to make himself a millionaire in 2009.
In a somewhat surprising development, the Vikings are apparently working to bring back center Matt Birk. I, personally, thought it was a foregone conclusion that Birk was going to be heading somewhere else for the 2009 season, but it appears that there has been renewed interest from both sides to get a deal done. I'm not sure if Vick is giving the Vikings a hometown discount or what the situation is, but it will be interesting to see if the teams can get a deal in place before 11 PM Eastern time on Friday.
I'm not sure how excited I am for this to happen, if it does. Birk is getting up in age, and while he's still one of the better centers in the league, there's always the fear in the back of your mind that he's starting to slip a bit. But if the Vikings think he can still get the job done, then I'm not going to argue too loudly about it.
Also, the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Sage Rosenfels to the Vikings is pretty much a done deal, as the Beloved Purple will send their 4th round selection to Houston for the veteran signal caller. As lame as this sounds, I'm still not sure whether to be excited about this or not, either. On one hand, yeah, the Vikings are trying to do something about their quarterback situation. On the other hand. . .Sage Rosenfels? Really? More thoughts on this over the next couple of days for sure.
That's all for tonight, folks. . .continue enjoying the rest of your Tuesday evening, and we'll see you back here tomorrow as free agency gets closer and closer!
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I'm not sure that a Birk deal would be as much
about them thinking he still has a lot gas left in his tank (his play has slipped markedly the last two years) as it would about uncertainty about who would take his place and whether such replacement (Sullivan? Cook?) might be way below what’s needed at the position.
The Rosenfels deal is one of the best the Vikings have made in recent years getting a potential steady starter (if they upgrade at WR or if Rice and Allison step their games a lot) for a 4th round pick. It’s absolutely imperative that whoever gets the nod at qb next year that the passing game step up bigtime as AD’s going to wear down just like every back the last fifteen years who’s come before him when asked to carry the rock consistently 20 plus carries a game against stacked defenses.
by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Feb 24, 2009 8:36 PM CST reply actions
The wearing down of Peterson
really started to worry me at the end of this season. I believe he had 360+ after week 16 and that has to take a huge toll on his body, especially with his “run you over” attitude (which I love, not saying he should stop that). I think they need to extend Chester Taylor this season and get him more involved in the game plan. More of both of them in the back field at the same time, more drives that feature Taylor. Giving Taylor 50-70 more carries a year (3 to 4 more carries/game) plus more passing touches would not only keep Peterson healthy over the long run, but could potential open other players to make plays (if teams are wondering whether Taylor or Peterson is getting the hand off, that gives the WRs a better opportunity to get one on one coverage).
AD still has a lot of work to do
in both his receiving skills and blitz pickups. Both of these right now make him somewhat of a liability on third and long situations which is why he’s seldom in the game. As for his running style, yes everyone loves it but the fact is that I don’t care if you think you’re made of steel the accumulated pounding is over time going to take it out of you. Supposedly he wants to add 10lbs. of muscle in the offseason to compensate and word is the Vikings brain trust is mixed on the idea.
by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Feb 24, 2009 10:42 PM CST up reply actions
I second the "ROSENCOPTER!"
Sage is a definite upgrade over Gus and even if he has idiotic turnovers (see: game against Indy) he at least shows that he will go all out to win. As a secondary bonus he should provide legitimate competition to Tarvaris in camp. Personally I hope T-Jack can retain the starting job, but may the best QB start!
Lastly, I really doubt Mike Vick will give us a hometown discount, but hopefully Birk will!
The Indy game
I agree with you, and I saw most of the second half of that game against Indy. Every QB has bad days, and hopefully that will be the case with Sage Rosenfels. At least it lowered his trade value enough to make him a bargain if he’s really worth acquiring at all (and I think he will be).
Smart move by the Vikes!
Listen I know this is going to take alot of criticism, but I think this is smart on the vikings part. The gordon signing was a low risk move. It will give us a corner at a rookie’s price. And if Gordon can continue to progress it will look even better. Not to mention its a show of good faith from a coach who isn’t known in those regards.
Birk is an even better move. I don’t know why everyone thinks he is so old. Offensive lineman are still considered in there prime at 32 and 33. He could sign a 5 year deal and still play it all out. Another reason I think signing him would be a good move is that there is as many as 13 teams possibly looking for a center. Obviously Birk is staring at a big pay day, and if he is offering a hometown discount then we should take it. His play may have slipped away from the pro bowl level, but it is nieve to think that he will not play at a very high level for 3 more years. John Sullivan was a 6th round pick and needs more time to develope. And Ryan Cook hasn’t played center since college. Birk was a pro bowler in 2007 and missed the voting barely. Olin Kruetz didn’t even make it! He is also the longest tenured Viking so we owe him a little loyalty.
Rosenfels is also a conservative move. He is one of the guys I lobbied for the last year. I also brought him up on a fan post last month. It may not be the move that the fan base was hoping for, but It is low risk righ reward. And finding a quarterback is the riskiest reward in sports. Ask the Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage if taking a big risk for big money on a QB. The market just doesn’t fit our needs. For a guy who has started less games than even Matt Cassel, He will come for almost nothing compared to the favorite of our fan base.
Birk
Has spent 4 years away from the state of MN. Everything he knows is MN. He is committed to the community while raising a family. He likely doesn’t want to play forever; he strikes me as the understands what football is about. I see him signing a three year deal, playing it out and retiring. He will give a hometown discount for no other reason than to avoid having to uproot his family.
And the Vikings will be better for it.
I absolutely agree provided that Birk's
amenable to a much lower deal than before. But there’s no question his play has slipped as witness in several games where he inexplicably blew pickups on blitzing lb’s.
by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Feb 24, 2009 10:34 PM CST up reply actions
not to mention
the snaps to his imaginary friend. 3rd and long. T-Jack in the shotgun. Birk snaps the ball… thinking Tarvaris is under center. Defense recovers the ball. Vikings lose the game! (OK, I’m not sure if that was how it exactly went, but it was something like that!)
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 24, 2009 11:47 PM CST up reply actions
At that point...
I mean, it was a “why not?” situation. In all his tenure as a Vikings’ player and center, I don’t recall any other really bad snaps. It happens to everyone at some point in their career, it was just very unfortunate that it happened in one of the worst times possible. But in that game, the Vikings put the ball on the ground so much that it was almost a foregone conclusion it would happen.
Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!
very true
Are you thinking of the Falcon’s game? That’s the one that sticks out in my mind. But I know there are a couple other times as well.
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 25, 2009 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
See guys the thing is if we’re getting a guy to just compete with T-Jack whats the real upgrade? Not much we need a guy whos a clear cut starter or we’re basically at the same point we we’re last year a unsure quarterback situation. Beating out T-Jack isn’t saying much..
WTF
Where did Billy Volek come from?
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 25, 2009 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
By his rating and completion % over the past 3 years
…Rosenfels is an average or slightly above average starter. TJack’s numbers are below average, so it is an upgrade if Sage wins the job, and it’s an upgrade if TJack steps up his play to something better than Sage’s level.
And Sage is a MAJOR upgrade over Gus, who was considerably below average in 2005-2008. It’s a real testament to how badly TJack peformed in 2006-2007 (rating was barely over 70) that Gus’s recent and career numbers were better than TJack as of the 2008 preseason. Gus’s presence on the roster was also a testament to how clueless the coaching/front office staff was to the reality that a team otherwise built to win now, not 3-5 years from a year ago.
Rosenfels (Allegedly) A Done Deal
Hava nagila! The Vikings’ QB dilemma is solved! L’chaim!
I jest. Seriously, if the Rosenfels deal is for sure, the Vikings just added a quality back-up QB to a team that already has several of them. I have to hope this is part of some grand trade strategy, as other bloggers have speculated.
Unfortunately, IMO, several of those trade rumor/theories involve Donovan McNabb. McNabb would be an obvious improvement over anything the Vikings have now…but I’ve seen nothing from McNabb to indicate he can take a team to the Super Bowl.
Of course, the ’ole Mississippi Drama Queen is back in Mississippi, waiting to un-retire…gag.
by Midnight Rambler on Feb 25, 2009 7:36 AM CST reply actions
Donovan...
Hasn’t really given any indication that he wants to go anywhere. He wants to see what Philly does to bring in help, but in all honesty, he doesn’t have a whole lot of leverage. I think he still has two years left on his deal, so it would take a pretty good deal for the Eagles to let him go. I’d enjoy it a lot, but now with the Sage deal, don’t expect any other trades from the Vikes. They want to keep draft picks this year.
That’s my opinion anyway.
Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!
McNabb
Are you kidding me, talk about a bad trade. You would have to go a #1 draft pick, plus a huge 1-2 year contract for a guy who could not get it done with a good defense, great runningback, and above average receivers. Now put him an a team with a system new to him, a great runningback, a good and improving defense, and below average receivers. How long before the whinning would start, about at 0-4 I would suppose. Then enters T-Jack and before you know it your 2-7 and the year is gone, and somebody is asking for Gus’s cell number. He has had a team over his time there that should have won one Superbowl and been in a couple more. I am begging you, please do not say your even looking his way. If the Vikings do that the next sound you hear will be my stool being kicked away and the rope going tight.
by bleedingpurplesince74 on Feb 25, 2009 11:47 AM CST reply actions
Childress was the problem
Childress had McNabb, T.O., Westbrook, (and above average receivers otherwise, but I disagree with that), and HE didn’t get it done. And he couldn’t keep the talent together for a second run. In 2008, the Eagles have the best receiving tandem they’ve had since…I don’t know how long because Childress wanted a backup safety instead of DeSean Jackson (widely considered a 1st round talent) and swindling Hank Baskett III away from Childress for Nobody McMullen.
Ranking Donovan McNabb’s season-by-season passer ratings, 2004 is #1 (with T.O.), and the next 3 are 2006-2008 (the non-Childress years). It’s almost enough to make me wonder if TJack could be more worthy of a starting job with a better coach/coordinator.
Yeah I was hoping we’d take DeSean Jackson too. Was he even available to us in the second round at that point? Didn’t the Eagles have a pick ahead of us?
Anyways, getting Tyrell turned out to be a decent idea. I mean, he filled in for Madeiu while he was hurt and did a servicable job. Boulware, I think he’s a safety, would have covered for Williams, but he was injured in the preseason too. Not only that, but when Sharper is gone, we drafted his replacement ahead of time. The kid needs some time to learn to recognize plays a bit better, but he’s a sure tackler in the openfield and certainly isn’t the weaklink on defense.
Tyrell Johnson
Boulware, I think he’s a safety, would have covered for Williams, but he was injured…
Exactly. A third-string safety instead of a starting WR (who had the potential to be a KR/PR at the very least). And I think he becomes the weak link were he a full-time starter for the Vikings.
Also, I liked the pick a little more at the time when I’d read how he could play CB, but obviously that was never even attempted, so whatever value that idea had will probably not be realized.
I hope you’re right and that he will prove to be a Pro Bowl-cailbre starting safety for the Vikings whenever that ridiculous contract of Madieu’s runs out (or is terminated).
who are you talking about?
“I hope you’re right and that he will prove to be a Pro Bowl-cailbre starting safety for the Vikings whenever that ridiculous contract of Madieu’s runs out (or is terminated).”
Tyrell? Or Boulware? Cause Tyrell is going to fill in for Sharper, not Williams
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 25, 2009 5:16 PM CST up reply actions
Restating the obvious
I hope that Tyrell Johnson is a Pro Bowl-calibre safety whenever he becomes a starter.
DeSean and the draft
The Vikings selected Tyrell Johnson with the 43rd pick. The Eagles had 2 picks after that. They took DT Trevor Laws with the 47th overall pick and DeSean Jackson with the 49th overall pick.
The msnbc sports draft tracker says that the the Vikings had traded up with the Eagles to have the 43rd selection, and that the Vikings selected RB Matt Forte…but nothing about a trade between the Vikings and Bears which would have been necessary to resolve to the rosters as they were in training camp and beyond. Did the Vikings pass on one ROY candidate and draft and trade away another? I don’t think they did, but I wouldn’t be surprised, either.
I agree.....
+1 on the Childress comment. I have heard Childress called a good QB developer. I haven’t seen it.
Case studies in point
Even Brad Johnson and Gus Frerotte had down years for them under Chilly’s tutelage.
Every now and then I try to look for some nugget in his career that justifies his ego or reputation, or even the foreshadowing of better things to come, and I have yet to see much of anything that does.
Basically popping in to say the only one of these moves that I am a fan of is the extension to Charles Gordon. He was a great punt returner in college.
Matt Birk is a decent move but I hate the idea of Sage Rosenfels being brought in. It is a waste of a pick and will accomplish nothing. Jackson will start over him.
+1 on Gordon
I only follow KU, K-State, Mizzou, and any decent schools on their schedule casually, and I knew who Charles Gordon was going into the draft that year. I couldn’t believe that nobody drafted him, and I was elated when the Vikings took him in the supplemental draft. (Scouts, Inc. had him ranked 120th or 180th…near the end of their list, but somewhere which suggested that some team would probably draft him on day 2.) I’m pretty sure he set some school records as a return man, but I don’t remember specifics.
I wanted Leftwich instead of Sage Rosenfels, but anytime the team gets a possible above-average starter for a 4th round pick, it’s a very good thing. Even the success rate of getting as much as a 4-5-year role player or backup in the 4th round isn’t very high.
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