Benny Sapp will Return
by jianfu on Mar 9, 2010 3:08 PM CST
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According to his agent Andy Simms.
This is good news, of course. Although it doesn't "solve" their corner back issues (in my opinion) so much as it at the very least ensures they have a rotation of Antoine Winfield, Benny Sapp, and Asher Allen as a worst case scenario. I'd still love to see them add someone high in the draft and would have no problem springing for a Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty in Round One. Although I'll always be in favor of increasing your versatility when it comes to the draft, and this helps if only a little bit.
But for now, file this move under "had to do it."
EDIT: Zulgad's saying it's a two year deal.
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He’s familiar with the team and I like him as a third or fourth guy (although I don’t like it that Aaron Rodgers can pull away from him on the run in the open field). I hope Asher Allen can move above him on the depth chart this season, but they did need him in case that doesn’t happen, and just for depth. (Assuming it’s a small deal, of course).
Sapp is pretty much
a perfect nickleback. As long as he keeps his head on straight and doesn’t draw stupid penalties like he has a couple times the past few seasons, he’s pretty damn good. Honestly, I am kind of relieved to see Sapp out there on the field, alot more than when I see Karl Paymah. AND he did a fairly good job of covering as a starting CB when Winfield was being held out.
lol I would be relieved watching Ronald McDonald out on the field...
instead of Paymah.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
so glad that he is back
i loved his play last year, he really saved us
one more year Brett Favre!
I like the signing but it may put us out of the Buchanon sweepstakes
I know Benny is a UFA and his contract is guaranteed if he is on the roster on a opening day but are the RFA tenders guaranteed once a player signs them?
I think they are not guaranteed so even if Evans signs his tender he is not guaranteed the pay right? Does he have to be on the roster on opening day?
LT To visit Thursday
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/09/tomlinson-will-visit-vikings-thursday/
one more year Brett Favre!
An NFL source said Vikings CB Benny Sapp received a two-year contract worth $4.2 million with $1.5 million guaranteed.
Sapp had made about $800,000 each of the past two seasons, so that’s a nice bump for him.
(Info from Judd Zulgad’s twitter.)
"Last season, we knocked on the door. Next season, we’re kicking it down."
SKÖL VIKINGS!
SHOW YOUR HORNS!
Cornerback Benny Sapp has agreed to a new two-year contract with the Vikings, keeping him in Minnesota.
“I love it, I’m ready!” said Sapp when reached by phone, adding he was excited to continue working with his teammates and coaches.
Sapp’s agent, Andy Simms, declined to discuss financial terms of the contract. Sapp did not make any free-agent visits with other teams.
Sapp’s return to the Vikings was considered important because the team is shorthanded at cornerback with starter Cedric Griffin recovering from knee surgery. Veteran Antoine Winfield has battled injuries in recent years but should be completely healed from a foot injury that caused him to miss six games in 2009.
Sapp was the team’s nickel corner last season and saw an increased role when Winfield was injured. Even with Sapp’s return, the Vikings could draft a cornerback in the first round in April.
Depending on what develops in free agency and in the draft, Sapp could get an opportunity to start early next season if Griffin isn’t ready. But Griffin is expected to regain his role as a starter as soon as he’s healthy, which would shift Sapp back to the nickel. Sapp said that he is “most definitely” comfortable with his role as a nickel back, even if it means he wouldn’t get a chance to be a starter in Minnesota behind Winfield and a healthy Griffin.
Sapp is excited about the security of a new contract moving forward and being able to focus on getting ready for next season.
“It’s very important because it allows me to know what’s going on and where I’m going,” he said.
Sapp is the second free agent the Vikings have signed, along with kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd, who agreed to terms Monday.
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14641127?source=rss&nclick_check=1
"Last season, we knocked on the door. Next season, we’re kicking it down."
SKÖL VIKINGS!
SHOW YOUR HORNS!
This is great
Benny Sapp is good to have back.
I hope the Vikings give Philip Buchanon consideration. While drafting a cornerback or two would be nice, a veteran cornerback is more prepared. Plus, Buchanon did well in the Cover-2 in Tampa, they say.
Yes!
He exceled in that scheme while playing in Tampa.
Being more experienced now, I think he can do that again here.
"Last season, we knocked on the door. Next season, we’re kicking it down."
SKÖL VIKINGS!
SHOW YOUR HORNS!
Detroit ran a lot of Cover-2, as well.
I’d like Buchanon, too, and he’s better than Sapp. Now that we have the numbers on Sapp’s deal, that’s a little richer than I thought. Not horrible or anything, but it will be interesting to see what Buchanan (or Bodden, or Marlin Jackson) get. I have to admit if they’re only going to get one of these guys and they all end up signing similar deals, I don’t think the Vikings quite come out on top. Guys like Buchanon and Jackson have a lot of starting experience in essentially the Vikings’ scheme, whereas Sapp is more of a nickle or dime package guy who can be considered an emergency starter. And it isn’t like Sapp’s all that young.
OTOH, cornerback depth was critical enough that they maybe felt they couldn’t take the chance of waiting on these guys and risk being left holding an empty bag. Or maybe they just know these other guys are about to be overpaid and they didn’t want to go there.
Detroit ran a lot of Cover-2, as well.
And look how well they did! They managed not to lose all 16 games while running Cover-2 this time! Every year, the longer list of unimpressive teams running Cover-2 screams a bit louder that a system is no substitute for talent and playcalling.
I tend to agree with you. It seems the only really consistently good cover-2 teams recently have either had Tony Dungy/Monte Kiffen involved, picture-perfect personnel at their collective peaks (the 2006 Bears), or an explosive offense where the cover-2 makes sense as it’s basically a glorified prevent system (Colts, and again there’s the Dungy factor with them, too).
But, it is what it is.
Good Idea!
And it would free up a draft position for another need.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
marksp18
not if winfield plays SS , we drop to 4 safeties, then go with 6 CB’s adding a top 2 rds. CB…
Winfield won't move to SS.
Frazier likes his DBs playing their slotted positions. His CBs will be CBs, and his Ss will be Ss. He doesn’t seem to like mixing it up, or else they’d have either moved Winfield or Griffin to safety already.
marksp18
you are correct anyone can be cut only bonuses are due , yet after signing they are subject to trade…
I hope they sign Buchanon
That would give us Winfield, Allen, Sapp, Buchanon, & Griffen who may start the year on PUP. I am thinking we have to draft at least one CB and hopefully a good one.
I am not a fan of Winfield moving to safety. I do not know if he can even do it at the same level he can play corner.
He is an All Pro corner when healthy. Why move him to safety? And how do we know he can perform at the same level?
I mean if we are forced to then that is different but I do not think they will do that.
It sounds good and looks good on paper but I would leave him alone on the corner where he excels and sees so many things well.
Rod Woodson
Rod Woodson was a cornerback who extended his career by becoming a safety. I think Winfield can do that, too.
With all due respect to Winfield
he is certainly no Rod Woodson, not even close.
More like some of the ones I'd listed.
Winfield has had 1 PB season in 10 years as a starter. Braxton’s PB season came after the switch. Chavous was not a PBer until moving to SS also.
Winfield may be a better tackler than Woodson was.
CBs who moved to S
Antrell Rolle
Corey Chavous
Aeneas Williams
Tyrone Braxton
Mark Collins
(Rod Woodson has already been mentioned)
…and a long list of others…
…and some guy named Ronnie Lott.
Really, the Vikes should probably consider cutting Madieu if he underperforms this year, moving Griffin to his natural position (FS) and Winfield to SS and get some real CBs who can actually keep up with and cover WRs.
+100
Must be getting close to a full moon or something when you and I are in full agreement, lol
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
I do like Buchannon as a addition to the team
He’s actually one of the ones that makes complete sense, he’s experienced in our system and has excelled at it. The only problem with bringing another starter onto the team is what happens with Grif gets back?
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Griff
First of all, Griff should return as the starter when he can. If he is on the active roster, he might not be 100% next year, and maybe should just play nickel. But when he returns to health, he should be returned to his starting job as normal and then just go from there.
If we still have Buchanon on the team, great. That is added depth.
There are two goals to fulfill. First, field a good secondary this year. Second, lay the foundation for a good secondary in the future. We should probably draft at least one defensive back each year just to make sure we always keep building. This year, maybe we should draft two or three.
I trust our coaches to make the right decisions here.
by medicineball on Mar 10, 2010 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
It's not all about Griffin's self-esteem
The Vikings are a business, hopefully in the business of winning with so few seasons left from Favre, the Williams Wall, Winfield, EJ, McKinnie, Hutch…and let’s not forget that RBs and DEs can fall off a cliff pretty quickly around age 28. The secondary has been a weak spot for a while now, and if it means moving Griffin to nickelback or FS where he really belongs, to make room for a better CB, then it should be done.
I’m not worried about his self-esteem. Generally, it’s a bad precedent to set that a person could lose their starting job due to injury, even when they come back. If he comes back and can’t perform, then go ahead and move him around on the depth chart.
As for moving Griffin to free safety, I think we should only move one CB to safety this year, and that’s Winfield. Otherwise we will run out of cornerbacks.
by medicineball on Mar 10, 2010 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
The proper precedent is that the team will start the players who can help most on any given Sunday. That includes injuries, but it is not limited to injuries. The bottom line is that Cedric Griffin should not be entitled to start just because he had done so before (and with forgettable results, no less).
If it’s close, give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise on the field.
If he’s far away from what’s expected then go ahead and bench him.
I believe Griff will come back strong.
by medicineball on Mar 10, 2010 8:00 PM CST up reply actions
No, not too much to hope for. We need our free safety play to improve, too. I bet Madieu Williams will have a chance for a better 2010 season though.
by medicineball on Mar 10, 2010 9:41 PM CST up reply actions
Probably
Madieu is Frazier’s guy, so he’ll definitely get the first chance to prove himself again.
I’m all for giving a guy another chance to improve his performance on the field, but I doubt he’ll get the full season in 2010 after missing some of 2008 with injuries and being disappointing in general in 2009. I wonder if Frazier will even be seen as having to worry about his job if the secondary doesn’t improve at all. What will it take?
I agree
but I just don’t see Frazier doing it. If he was going to make the switch, I think he’d have done it already. Our CBs play the CB position, and that’s that for him.
Agreed. I like Leslie Frazier a little less every week for his complacency and whatever else has prevented him from fixing the Vikings’ secondary for several years in a row now.
Darren Sharper.
After that experience, questions are in order.
by medicineball on Mar 10, 2010 8:01 PM CST up reply actions
Sharper
I get the point… after his performance with the Saints this past year, you have to question the DC’s judgement.
On the other hand… we all saw Sharper’s decline in 2008. He was slower, he was missing tackles, he was being caught out of position and flat-footed entirely too often.
The question is, was it caused by the scheme, or by his declining ability, or by his unhappiness with his situation with the Vikings?
If it’s the scheme, then I’m wondering why Frazier didn’t adapt the secondary scheme to make the best use of a proven All-Pro Safety?
If it’s declining ability, then letting Sharper go was the right decision… but this one is belied by his performance in 2009 with the Saints.
If it was caused by Sharper being unhappy with the Vikings and his performance suffered because of it, then again, it’d be nice to know what went wrong and try to avoid that mistake next time around.
The bottom line, to me, is this; because the Vikings let Sharper go, the secondary suffered a significant decline in 2009 and arguably was a significant factor in costing us the top seed in the playoffs. Which, arguably, also helped cost us a trip to Miami.
So maybe Zygi needs to ask the question of Chilly, and have the appropriate adjustments made so that it doesn’t happen again.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Maybe we just
wanted to get Tyrell some game experience and thought he wouldn’t be much of a drop off from Sharp?
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