How the Vikings can get Clausen or Bradford.

by lifelongvike on Mar 12, 2010 1:45 PM CST

RFA season has arrived. Now that the first wave of free agents have visited teams and the good ones picked over GMs will now start evaluating RFAs vs the draft picks they have to give up. So here is my question. Lets say your Seattle and you want Denver's Brandon Marshall for a first round choice. You have the 6th and 14th choices available to use toward that signing. Why wouldn't you call the Vikings and say "Hey, I will make you a deal. Give us your #30 pick and something else for our 6th or 14th . Make it a real bargain for the Vikes or other late picking team. Something that by any chart value is a real bargain. It won't matter to Seattle. They are going to use that 1st round pick for Marshall anyway. At least they get something more than giving it away to Denver. How about using that strategy with one of the top 5 or 6 teams. Is there a RFA they want that they could use a late 1st round pick on? They would save money on the high draft choice, get a top player, and still get something more in return.

Yes there is some risk to this strategy for Seattle. Denver ( or whatever team) could match the terms and spoil the deal.

I would expect Seattle , or whoever, to be serious enough about it to make an offer they know won't be matched. Now I'm sure I am not the first to think about this but it sure would be a nice way to make the #30 pick more valuable and make a run at one of the top 2 QBs much more cost efficient and palatable.

Anybody have any ideas we should throw out to Mr. Spielman and company.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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It wouldn’t be a shock to see something goofy happen like this. (Although I’m not sure about the rules involved.) This being a goofy year and all.

I also wouldn’t be shocked if a team near the top of the draft traded down for something less than the charts say they should. The cap hits for top 5 prospects have made these picks a burden more often than not. If somebody signs Edwards and the Vikings have two first round picks in th bottom half, and the top of the draft goes Suh at 1 and McCoy at 2, I could see the Bucs say “screw it, we’ll take the Vikings two picks because we drafted a QB last year, we need everything, anyway, and we’ll save some change.”

Although speaking of these players specifically, I also don’t think it would be shock if Clausen takes a spill on draft night, and the Vikings (if they liked him, I don’t know) could move up a bit by merely offering a mid-round pick and take him. Opinions on Clausen seem very mixed, and many “insider” types don’t seem to like him nearly as much as most mock drafts.

by jianfu on Mar 12, 2010 2:07 PM CST reply actions

I have seen him slipping also. With his college stats I would take him if we can get him.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 12, 2010 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, and I think Chilly would like it that he runs a similar WCO system. But on the other hand, Brian Brohm had killer stats too, but he slipped to round 2 and subsequently proved the scouts right. So who knows?

by jianfu on Mar 12, 2010 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

Man I loved Brohm in college. Wanted the Vikes to draft him very badly.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 12, 2010 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

Man, when the Vikes

moved up in the draft last year – I thought, here we go its got to be for Brohm. instead we took Johnson. ended up being the better pick, still people drop for all kinds of reasons, and it is possible that either bradford or clauson could drop into the late first round. but not too likely as there are several teams that are drafted higher then us that need a qb of the future.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Mar 13, 2010 7:36 AM CST up reply actions

Possible but not probable.

If Clausen drops like Aaron Rodgers did he has to get by Jacksonville (#10), San Fran (#13), and Arizona (# 26). I see us moving up prior to Arizona to grab him. I haven’t read anything to indicate Bradford is the least bit out of favor.
Now,personally,I don’t get why Clausen is out of favor but stranger things have happened.
I still think the front office has a plan. Otherwise they wouldn’t have put Tarvaris on the open market for a third rounder. I trust them but I can’t figure out where they are going with this.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 13, 2010 8:54 AM CST up reply actions

clausen

living near the south bend area, i was able to see clausen play on tv all the time. he is definitely a leader. he was not afraid to get into guys’ grills if they screwed up, and he played with ALOT of heart. also played hurt most of last year with turftoe. it would be great if he would slip all the way down to us, but i highly doubt it.
GO VIKES!!!

by indianavikesfan on Mar 12, 2010 6:21 PM CST up reply actions

and yet he was 16-18 as a starter

Kinda reminds me a little of Jay Cutler. Both had good stats, both have good physical skills. Neither was successful at the college level in terms of wins and loses. Losing is a bad habit and hard to break…

"We have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-from Bram Stoker's Dracula

by NMVike on Mar 16, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

My feeling would be...

No. Unless you are focusing on another key position need. Like the corner from Tenn.
QB’s have always proven to be boom or bust. The Vikes can get Tebow, Pike or Lefeber(whatever his name is) and still wind up OK.
Carr was a bust, Alex Smith a bust, Stafford hasn’t proved he can lead a good team. Anything looks good at QB in Detroit. He still has to prove himself.
Point is. Any of the 3 I mentioned could wind up being a Tom Brady type of pick. Only they’ll go higher.
Tebow is working his butt off on his footwork, drop and throwing motion. Despite those test scores he has already shown the at “Hey. I know I have things to improve on and I am starting on it right now.” Like I have said, it is pure attitude with Tebow aolong with being a natural leader and winner" Pike and Pepe LePue are also guys that know they have to shine and work hard to make it coming from smaller conferences.
These other kids think because they are locks at #1 they are perfect. Bradford will be the biggest bust since Brady Quinn.
McCoys size could hurt him but he hads that good ol Texas attitude.
No. If you move up get a quality defensive player or OT. If we don’t sign a RB go after Gerhardt from Stanford. Not sure where he is rated. I would like to see us draft Decker as I think he’ll fall to the 4th or 5th round. Lewis did good on one play. Let Decker sit and learn for a couple years.
Still trying to think of the guy from Florida who [lays center. He would make and outstanding rt guard and security if Sully doesn’t improve his blocking skill. this kid is so fast off the snap and they rank him around round 3.

by CitrusFLViking on Mar 12, 2010 3:17 PM CST reply actions

Pouncey

but they have him going at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second.

Of course with the way everyone is rising and falling it seems like 50 players will be choosen in the first 15 picks.

It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...

by Grime on Mar 12, 2010 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

well said

If say the vikings got 2 1st round picks going up to get clausen or bradford will not happen. improve the O line and secondary. Now players at those positions i think could fit in well are Mike Lupuati OG from Idaho, Trent Williams OG/OT from Oklahoma, Bryan Bulaga OT From Iowa, Taylor Mays FS/OLB from USC Patrick Robinson CB, Florida St, Marlon Rolle FS, Florida

These are just afew guys Rolle, and Robinson are probably early 2nd rounders if we moved up into the top 15 a realalistic possibilty could also be Joe Haden CB, Florida now. Now QB will also be looked at like you said lefevour, Tebow, Pike, and ill throw a name in the works you failed to Mention Jevon Snead

by mad_wacker39 on Mar 14, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Moving on up

If your plan works why waist the pick on a QB. I think Farve returns. Hutch mentioned the word retirement. Its time to win now. This draft has several top level offensive tackles in it. Grab one and trade McKinney.

by JoeKap on Mar 13, 2010 8:37 AM CST reply actions

Favre won't be around forever

the Vikings will need a new QB eventually. They should deal with that now.

by ckb on Mar 13, 2010 11:30 PM CST up reply actions

You have the 6th and 14th choices available to use toward that signing.

If I understand correctly, this isn’t how it works with RFA’s. You can’t give up a draft pick that you acquired via trade, you have to give up your original pick. So, Seattle would only have the #6 overall pick to give up for a RFA. If they had the #14 available to give up, this deal would already be done, IMO.

If you can't laugh at yourself... Who can you laugh at?
The Packers, that’s who.
-- The almighty Manimal

by TheViking83 on Mar 13, 2010 7:24 PM CST reply actions

Now that makes sense to me but I have never seen that printed anywhere.

I have read the collective bargaining agreement and I did not see it in there. I have never seen that stated in any article about RFAs. The only thing I have read is that a team can not make an RFA an offer it it doesn’t have a pick in the round tendered.
If you can site me to a source I would really appreciate it. Thanks

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 14, 2010 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I haven’t been able to find anywhere where it actually explains this in detail, but it is the impression that I have got after reading a number of articles about the “Marshall to Seattle” ordeal… this one in particular:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/11/on-marshall-seahawks-should-consider-an-offer-sheet-end-run/

According to this article it isn’t that the Seahawks don’t want to give up #14 in exchange for a RFA offer sheet, it’s that they can’t. And Denver won’t talk trade because they are thinking, “No… if you want him make him an offer… we want that #6 pick.”

If you can't laugh at yourself... Who can you laugh at?
The Packers, that’s who.
-- The almighty Manimal

by TheViking83 on Mar 14, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks, I will see if I can find more.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 15, 2010 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions

I read the article linked above which staes the same thing as I am proposing.

It did not say that Seattle couldn’t use the #14 pick or even a later one. It said Denver wants the 6th and was suggesting that Denver would match rather than let Seattle have Marshall for the 14th pick. In fact the article suggests that Seattle use the 14th and a poison pill to get Marshall.
The article it linked to suggested that Denver have a team like Minnesota make Denver an offer and then make a prearranged trade to Minnesota for Denver. That would accomplish the same thing I am proposing in a more round about way..

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 15, 2010 6:47 AM CDT up reply actions

yes, it would

but I was just clarifying that it’s not that Seattle doesn’t want to give up the 14th pick by signing Marshall to an offer sheet, it’s that they can’t. That’s all.

In the grand scheme the two ideas are quite similar, yes.

If you can't laugh at yourself... Who can you laugh at?
The Packers, that’s who.
-- The almighty Manimal

by TheViking83 on Mar 15, 2010 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions

But the arricle doesn't say they can't.. It is allowed.

That is what I am saying. It says Denver will match unless Seattle uses the 6th. That is different than saying Seattle is not allowed to use the 14th. In fact it suggests that they use the 14th pick.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 15, 2010 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

it suggest they use the 14th

in a trade. Not as part of the offer sheet. The article asserts that Denver could only get the 14th pick if the two teams worked out a trade.

If you can't laugh at yourself... Who can you laugh at?
The Packers, that’s who.
-- The almighty Manimal

by TheViking83 on Mar 15, 2010 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

alas,

I don’t really know why I’m arguing this point, because I honestly don’t care, haha. I can’t find confirmation of this rule ANYWHERE online, so perhaps I’m wrong. It’s just that articles I’ve read this offseason have lead me to believe this is the case. Maybe it’s not. Whatever.

If you can't laugh at yourself... Who can you laugh at?
The Packers, that’s who.
-- The almighty Manimal

by TheViking83 on Mar 15, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Its the off season

What else do we have to do.:)
Thanks for the discussion.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 15, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

if Edwards was to sign with the eagles or saints

they would lose their 1st rd pick, which i could see us trading that pick to move up for clausen

one more year Brett Favre!

by RaysOfHope on Mar 15, 2010 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

How would that work?

Eagles are at #26. Saints at #32. Would we trade both? Together those picks will get you to #s 9-12. If we throw in next years 1st we could get to #4 or 5. That seems really expensive to me. Which is why I came up with this goofy “find a team that wants an RFA” idea.

Also if we lose Ray won’t we want to draft a really good DE with one of our first round picks?

These ideas are always fun but normally it is really hard to move up from the bottom to the top.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 15, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions