I think everyone can agree that no matter when Birk might have gone, there would be a drop off in level of production from the C position. Sadly, it has just come a little earlier. I think the big decision now, is whether the powers that be think Sullivan (Maybe Cook) can be ready to start by the time the season rolls around.
Sad to see Birk go, but he will be back when they add him to the Ring of Honor after he retires in a few years.

Are we saving the cap room to grab Peppers? The Williams wall still might face a suspension. And that other side of the line could use some improvement….Robison did Ok during his substitution for Ray, who was less than impressive, to me. I dont see a player in this draft, that will be available to us, that will make any impact. If by some chance Sanchez falls to us, and we still wont pick him…he is the only player i see in round one with any chance of future superstardum. This has been one lousy free agency for the Vikings, and i’m not one to put much faith in the draft.

Why did Jimmy K get paid? What has he ever done?

Pep was franchised but so was Cassell…and Peppers said no matter what he wants out of carolina.

Ok Guys, Time to come back into reality. As a Bears Fan, I can say that the Vikings have a team very worthy of a Super Bowl run. You have the RB, the Defense, and even a half ass WR I wouldn’t mind having back (Just not at the price you paid him). First, your not getting Peppers. If they even think about signing him to the kind of Contract he will demand, you might as well kiss your next 5-7 years good-bye. I am not a Salary-Cap Whiz, but the amount of money you would be paying Peppers, AP, Berrian, Allen, Hutchinson and god knows who else over those years, you might as well try asking the NFL to go to 9-man Football. That is the only way I see that even being a possibility. Sure you are currently $28 Million under the cap THIS YEAR, but if you think that is going to remain the same for the next 5-7, you are either Brad Childress or simply insane!

That brings up my next point…..I have already admitted to the Vikings being ready to make a SB run, as much as it hurt. However, as long as Childress is at the helm, I have no worries whatsoever. Come on, we made the SB with Grossman at QB. If having the Sexiest Eyebrows in the NFL was enough to punch your ticket, Grossman would be in Cassels position right now……But he is not! So add as many Free-Agents as you want, but the main FA you need is a Coach!

I guess since this article was about Birk, I better mention him. Birk was a great Center for the Vikes…….but I will take Kreutz instead!!!

Now I know that most of us Viking’s fans have been unhappy with Childress at one time or another. However, Childress has done some good things for our franchise (minus the QB situation). He brought in what could potentially be one of the best RB’s in NFL history, and he’s presided over some pretty good defenses. I’m a Childress supporter….because he’s our coach. Coaches’ do better when they have the support of their fan base (i.e. Jeff Fisher, Bill Belichick, Tony Dungy, etc). At the same time, I do agree and disagree with some of Childress’s decisions. Just like all of us.

Birk will join a great list of all-time great Viking centers. Thanks Matt! I hope Sullivan or Cook are close to your skills.
How about if we look at Torry Holt to help with WR position? He is itching to get out of STL.

bring in a marginally better starting QB, rely on a rookie or two (assuming we draft Olinemen) to improve an under-performing offensive line, assume the return of our injured MLB will be enough to improve our pass defense (once again assuming that rookies won’t contribute), play a division winner’s schedule, and assume that we will be a better team in 2009?

Call me a cynic, but I can’t see where we improve anywhere as a team. It’s almost like Childress assumes that since we made the playoffs this season, we’re guaranteed to be there again.

It’s getting harder to be optimistic for this freaking team all the time.

I gave my parting shots to Mr Birk a few weeks ago so I’ll move on (as we all should). Sullivan is a pretty smart guy himself (though not Harvard smart) and he was a state champ in wrestling so you know he has great balance and knows how to use his leverage. He faced tough competition in college and got to learn behind Birk last year. Cook was a stud at center for New Mexico, he earn all conference all four years and had a thousand yard rusher each year as well. He is bigger and stronger than Birk and pretty athletic for his size 6’ 7’ 330 lbs. He was drafted to replace Birk after Birk was out the 05 season with injury. Granted Cook hasn’t played center in 3 years he did practice on the second string as center and he played that position all of high school and college. I believe who ever wins this battle will do a great job and the competition for the job will make them better players.

He WAS a Pro Bowl center as in past tense. I seem to remember him missing blocks causing our QB to get sacked or AD/CT stopped at the line, not to mention the errant snap thing. We can’t sign every “nice guy” who’s past his prime and doesn’t really want to be here anyway.

That being said I wish him well.

Dude is washed up, and i honestly believe that he purposely blocked poorly for Jackson in the playoffs. He wanted a new contract and knew we weren’t stupid enough to over pay for him…So he acted like a truly overrated, baby. He body of work the past two seasons did not show me he was deserving of all this “CLASS ACT” crap…save it peoples. I love hometown talent as much as the next rube…but c’mon. Act like ya know.

One way to solve this problem would be to go get an experianced Tackle via free agency. One guy that hasnt got any buzz is Khalif Barnes from Jacksonville. He played pretty well on the left side for them last year and he is only 27. If we get him and move cook/sullivan to center then we can draft a guard like meredith or robinson or move cook to guard.