Interesting question from Vikes Geek

Important to note on the con is that 30 is a magic number for backs that have been starters getting the majority of carries, such as LT or a Clinton Portis. Before becoming a Viking, Chester was a back up to Jamaal Lewis in Baltimore and didn’t see a lot of action. From 2002 to 2005, Taylor had 373 rushing attempts. Last year alone Peterson had 363. Even with his year as the sole ball carrier, Taylor has only averaged 187 rushing attempts a year for his 3 years for the Vikings. Chester is getting up in years, but like Phat Pat, his body hasn’t been taking a beating for all those years. I am all for signing him up again and if they can get all three of those guys on cap friendly contracts, I am all for it.

I agree Chester doesn’t have the mileage like the RBs that get slapped with the 30 year old stigma. He clearly has only gotten better since he became a Vike, and I think now that he is 30, he’ll see that h e has the best backup RB role in the league, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. He knows he more valuable to us than he would be for most other teams. Chilly clearly loves him and I sleep a lot better knowing he’s there if AP goes down.

While CT is turning 30, he hasn’t had nearly the amount of carries he would’ve had as a starter. I just had to put it on there cause it was really the only con I could think of. And just like NYCVike, I also sleep a lot better knowing if AD goes down, we have a very capable RB in CT. I just hope he wants to resign here and that he doesn’t ask for too much money. 3 mil a year is doable IMO.

I would definately keep Chester, if he wants to stay that is. In the one year he was our starting RB, he did a great job when others said he wasent the type to be a starter. The times he has filled in when All Day has been banged up he has done great. He also gives us a decidely 1-2 punch in the running game. Something alot of teams would kill for. That means, with a quality QB, whether Sage really is decent or T.J. actually breaks out or we trade for one, and if the WR’s we have besides Berrian (spelling? To lazy to look at the moment) step up or break out, Defenses would not have an idea who to watch or cover. Have two WR’s and two extremely RB’s in play, who do you cover? There certianly would be no double coverage on All Day as you would leave Chester wide open. So yes, resign Chester, then jettison Jackson and try to resign Edwards to a decent but not killing us contract, or jettison him as well and take whatever money is left and go after a capable and proven QB who has about 10 years left in him, not hitting 40. That is, if there would be a free agent QB available in the offseason of that caliber.

If Tjack performs well they will need to lock him up before the end of the year with a hefty extension. If Sage and Tjack both bomb, Childress will likely be calling up old man favre halfway through the season to salvage his coaching contract.

I would like to get Taylor locked up as well but I am not sure exactly what the vikes have left money wise. If we extend Tjack now and he performs well we will just have to redo his contract so we might as well wait, but it could give us some leverage.

If AP shows good improvement in pass blocking and receiving (his 2 weaknesses and Chester’s 2 strengths) then you guys should let Taylor go. And then try and go after a good, proven wr. (I don’t think your wr play will be as good as some people seem to think) If AP doesn’t show enough improvement, then you should keep Taylor. Picking up the blitz has been a problem for you guys the last couople years, and if you let Taylor go and AP still can’t do it, it could really hurt you guys. Obviously, with Jackson you guys will have to see how he performs this year, and the sign him or release him based off his play.

i would resign Taylor and Edwards I think Jackson is go if he dosent have a good year

It’s do or die for Edwards and Tjack. Tjack needs to win the stating role and handle the pressure of being the starter… for a whole season. Edwards needs to start producing being that The Wall and Allen receive all the attention and double teams. I like both Edwards and Tjack but thet both need to step up. Taylor is a no brainer, pay the man.

I think that if Harrison is still around in a few weeks and if the Vikings have the space, they should consider bringing him in to help mentor our young WR squad. Not to do a lot of playing himself, we have a talented group of wide-outs who all need the play-time. But they could learn something from the old pro, too.