All (Still) Quiet On the Northern Front

by Christopher Gates on Mar 13, 2009 8:23 PM CDT in Minnesota Vikings

Hello, darkness, my old friend. . .
I've come to talk with you again

Yes, as the off-season presses on, the Vikings continue to take no significant action towards patching any holes they might have going into the 2009 season, and seem to be relying almost solely on the draft in order to build their team for next season. In a way, I suppose that's understandable. They've got, at worst, 18 out of 22 starters returning from last year's division championship squad (19 if you think Ryan Cook is still going to be the starter at RT, and 20 if you think Tarvaris Jackson is still going to be the starting QB), and we're now entering the phase of free agency where a player signed is expected to be more of a depth type of roster piece as opposed to an immediate impact player.

However, there have been two recent veteran releases. . .both coming from the St. Louis Rams. . .of players that would be immediate impact guys for the Beloved Purple, and guys that I'm sincerely hoping that Minnesota is at least considering taking a look at.

One of those releases came today, when the Rams released Torry Holt, their long-time stalwart at wide receiver. Holt has missed a total of two games in his 10-year NFL career, and managed to put up decent numbers in the disaster that was the St. Louis offense last season.

	Receiving						Kickoff Returns					Punt Returns
G	Rec	Yds	Y/G	AVG	Lng	TD	KR	YDS	AVG	Lng	TD	PR	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
16	64	796	49.8	12.4	45	3	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Yes, it was one of Torry Holt's worst seasons, but with what happened in St. Louis last year, what could anybody have reasonably expected? Marc Bulger was getting himself killed on a regular basis, Steven Jackson didn't perform terribly well and missed four games because of injury, and the Rams fired "offensive genius" Scott Linehan during the season.

Make no mistake, Torry Holt is still a damn good NFL wide receiver. If he was released at 3 PM Central time today, the Vikings should have been on the phone with his agent no later than 3:15. He would certainly step right into the starting lineup across from Bernard Berrian, and would give this offense the legit pair of reliable hands that they need.

The Rams released future Hall of Fame OT Orlando Pace earlier on in the week as well. Now, Pace struggled a bit this year, as did the entire St. Louis offensive line, and I certainly don't want him coming in and replacing Bryant McKinnie at left tackle. What I WANT is for Pace to come in and immediately take Ryan Cook's RT spot. Pace has slowed down a bit, and doesn't quite have the ability that he used to, but he'd be a HUGE upgrade for this team at right tackle, and the consensus from things that I've read is that he would benefit from a switch to the right side, anyway.

Bringing in Pace and Holt would allow the Vikings to do what I feel teams should generally do in the NFL Draft. . .select the best available player every round, regardless of position, unless you have insane depth at a particular spot. The Vikings' two biggest needs right now, in my opinion, are WR and RT. Enter Pace, enter Holt, and enter the ability for the Vikings to take any player in the draft at any position they want when their names are called.

I'm sure these guys won't come cheap, although I thiink Pace could demand a slightly lower price than Holt. But the Vikings have plenty of cap room and a need to win, and Orlando Pace and Torry Holt would definitely help them accomplish that sooner rather than later.

What does everyone else think? Should the Vikings be bringing these two in to at least kick their tires a little bit?

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Comments

Is There Any Doubt?

The is absolutely, positively no reason the Vikings front office shouldn’t be bringing both of these gentlemen in. Personally, I am much more excited about the prospect of Torry Holt lining up out wide, but that is because I feel he still has plently of gas left in the tank and should be an impact player for another 3-4 years. Frankly, I would be much more excited seeing Holt in purple than I would have T.J. Housh. Signing Pace and shifting him to the right side would certain take some adjustment on his and our lines part, but I am quite certain it would buy us a year or two to develop a young guy we draft this season. Not to mention the added benefit of having Pace around in case Mount McKinnie decides the let his “Da U” roots come back out and has to meet with the commish again. If the front office doesn’t at least make an effort to woo these two I would be extremely disappointed.

It's good to be King!

by The King on Mar 13, 2009 8:44 PM CDT reply actions

No question that Holt should be brought in for a looksee.

The question will remain at which price as he’s apt to have a number of suitors. Here’s the PFW take on him.

by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Mar 14, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

would make sense

But Jeff Garcia is still looking for place to play,but we signed Sage.Would make sense bring in Holt,Pace,and Garcia.Now we might have something as all 3 are aging but have a reserve tank.But it wont happen as we all know,might give us a run .Prolly waiting for Eagles to jettison somebody then we can give them a place.Trying to stay hopeful but just doesnt seem as front office is as interested in winning then ticking off peeps about staduim.Go figure,at least get into S.B. this year prolly get them that deal.No matter what anybody says,Childress aint a HC,and cant formulate a decent game plan.

by speedlod on Mar 13, 2009 10:51 PM CDT reply actions

BUT – would they lick chili’s …….. boots?

by kagey on Mar 13, 2009 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

Value?

I think the vikes could get these guys at a reasonable price. Both are very late in their careers and coming off sub-par seasons. Pace would make a great RT, althought he does seem to always have some nagging injury. Holt I am less excited about but would not mind seeing him on the team. He was a speed reciever who probably does not have that speed anymore. Does he want to be the #2 posession reciever? I thought the same thing about Marvin Harrison. We haven’t seem him in for a visit either. He was injured most of last year so that may be part of the issue.

by taf442001 on Mar 13, 2009 11:57 PM CDT reply actions

Value?? we have cap room we HAVE to fill still left, I believe.

Get one of the two and that makes the 1st day easier to pick, Rick now we need the best OL/WR/CB in my opnion…we are not an old team but we are closer than most to the elite level and AP is not getting any younger

sign them to a short front loaded contract…Pace doesn’t pass a physical or start, cut him…Holt is in marker until Rice improves…Garcia will not happen – no more QBs anytime soon fellas

by majinman on Mar 14, 2009 1:59 AM CDT reply actions

The Vikings do not need to spend any more cap. They are above the salary floor.

by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Mar 14, 2009 3:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Once again.......

I find myself saying this quite often….This would make far to much sense. Therefore it probably wont happen. It seems far to often players like this come available and we do nothing.

Doesn’t matter which sport you follow. Minnesota teams do this. Why? Will it ever change?

by RileysCannibalJct on Mar 14, 2009 2:04 AM CDT reply actions

I would gladly take either one..

Both would be great pickups. Personally I think Pace is going to be looking for a LT job… There’s bound to be someone willing to play him on the left side.

I think there is a good chance we get Holt. Then again, our QB situation isn’t going to look very attractive to him.

by PurplePeopleEaters on Mar 14, 2009 4:57 AM CDT reply actions

I rec’d this based on the song lyrics at the top. One of my all-time favorites.

by mjschaefer on Mar 14, 2009 8:52 AM CDT reply actions

As far as subpar season' for these guy's.....

Have to remember, they were on a team that went 2-14, seemingly no direction at all and not sure if they will be much better this coming season with or without them. Yeah, these guys are hitting the the backside of their careers, but with the very least, Holt could be a good menture (spelling) for Rice and Allison. May also instill some confidence in Sage, who I would have anyday as a starting QB then Jackson. And comparitevely, a hell of alot cheaper then Housh and Haynesworth yet have the talent to stay even or perhaps excell even on a mediocre team, not a 2-14 team. So I say, for the right price, go get ’em.

"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk"

by VikesFaninNM on Mar 14, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

Anything to upgrade the O-line. Ryan Cook needs to go. Vikes shouldn’t have let Birk go. McKinnie is overrated. At least Hutch is the real deal.

by keomr on Mar 14, 2009 9:34 AM CDT reply actions

Picking up Holt is a deal that the Vikings have to make. This guy has good value and takes care of his body out there. Solid point made on Holt missing just two games in his ten year career. Can’t substantiate that so I’ll take your word for it. Holt could have big ,big numbers in this offense. I can’t think of one single reason why this would be a bad move.
Pace, on the other hand. Wasn’t he contemplating retirement a couple of years ago? I question the desire at this point in his career. 33 year old o-lineman don’t intrigue me nearly as much as 32 year old heady receivers with plenty of tread left on the tires.
Mckinnie was a beast the second half of the season last year. He went up against some of the best one on one ends the game offers and did a fine job with Frerotte playing most of the season. It was Birk that was the problem. Frerotte’s game is to step up into the pocket. Problem being that many times he had no pocket to step up into. Just a log jam with no where to go and it masqueraded as bad tackle play. Flat out Birk got blown up alot the past two years. I really like Birk and look forward to his retiring a Vike and all that. But if any one was over rated on that team the past few years it was the beloved Matt Birk.

by employer on Mar 14, 2009 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

Free Agency

Brad Childress continues to display the “let’s be careful” mentality that has just barely proven to accomplish minimal results since his hire date! For Pete’s Sake why wouldn’t the Vikings bring in Holt and Pace for a look see? Or has Brad got his eye on another T-Jack in the wings? Another player he can turn into a star…lol! Someone in management really needs to tell Mr. Wilf to give Brad a little nudge, seems like he’s asleep at the wheel again!?

by sparky_19586 on Mar 14, 2009 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

!!!!

More exclamation points, no questions marks. lol.

by LAviking on Mar 14, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions

If the Vikings pick up Pace and/or Holt, that really shifts the team to a win-now mindset because there will be a lot of vets with only a few years left. Of course I think it’d be great to win the Superbowl (or even go to one) in the next couple of years, but does that mean the the excellent young players (A.P, Kevin Williams, etc.) are going to be able to develop to keep the team strong for a long time?

by SammyG on Mar 14, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

I’m pretty sure it would, because its not as if they’re replacing Kevin Williams or Peterson in the line-up. Those guys are still starters. They’d just be shoring up some weaknesses of the team, even if its only for the next couple of years.

by Frost on Mar 14, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll put on my Emmitt Smith hat for this one Gonzo

Of course the Minnesota Vikins should bring out Terry Holt and Orlando Pays. They bowf very good players at positions which Minnesota can’t so far…have available talents to fill.

All right, enough of that. I do think we should sign both men, as they would not only both be starters but would VASTLY upgrade their positions, and make another relative weakness (QB) better as well. I’m not worried about who plays left or right tackle between McKinnie and Pace. We can sort that out later.

And Holt is a very good receiver with good hands, blocking skills, and great character to boot. Every WR on the Vikings could learn a lot from him.

There is no reason that we shouldn’t be at least trying to bring them in. And don’t lowball them.

by Bodysuit Man on Mar 14, 2009 4:07 PM CDT reply actions

Well put, emutt smiff

by employer on Mar 14, 2009 4:13 PM CDT reply actions

I think Bodysuit Man

Might have debacled himself in the process of writing that comment.

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Christopher Gates on Mar 14, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Ouch...

That sounds like it could hurt…

by purplegrey on Mar 14, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions

hehe

Lets hope it aint a serious injury lol.
on a lighter note are we doing the Fantasy and the pick them again this year.If so can we do a keeper league.Might have to get a head start this year.

by speedlod on Mar 14, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions

We'll definitely be doing them both

I’m not sure if the fantasy league will be the same folks as last year, or if I’ll give some new folks an opportunity to do it.

The pick ’em will, obviously, be open to everybody.

More about both as we get closer to. . .you know. . .football season. (-:

The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!

by Christopher Gates on Mar 15, 2009 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

F.F.league

As you did with the blog here by adding new writers,why not make them league Admins this way we can possibly get all interested in a league.With Yahoos addition we certainly are going to have quite a few more peeps.Anything that can attract new Bloggers is a good thing.
P.S. Good luck with test tomorrow.

by speedlod on Mar 15, 2009 10:36 AM CDT reply actions

Reason

I even mentioned this was so that hopefully we can fill a void in that dead space before draft and camp.Going to be a long wait,though good news not a whole lot about Captain Nameless so far.

by speedlod on Mar 15, 2009 10:39 AM CDT reply actions