Well, The Secondary Might Get That Overhaul We Were All Hoping For

by Christopher Gates on Nov 15, 2011 11:42 AM CST in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

In light of the injury to Antoine Winfield. . .anyone heard anything from ESPN on that yet, by the way? What's that? Nothing yet? Figured as much. He doesn't play for our opponents from last night, so he's a nobody and there's no reason to mention him.

Anyway, in light of the injury to Antoine Winfield, it's quite likely that we've seen him play his last down as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Winfield has been one of my favorite Vikings since he signed with the team during the 2004 off-season, and it would be nice to see him go out on a better note than this, but here's the reality. Winfield is signed through 2013. He's scheduled to make $7 million in 2012 and $7.25 million in 2013. Apparently there's a clause in his contract that drops his salary to $3 million if he's a nickel corner rather than a starter, but there are two issues with that idea.

1) Winfield will turn 35 a month before the start of camp in 2012, and
2) Who in the hell on this roster is going to beat the guy out for a starting spot?

A $7 million salary for a guy that might be starting to break down and will be turning 35 in June might be a little too rich for a team that's in full-on rebuilding mode at this point, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him gone.

In more pressing issues, Husain Abdullah has suffered another concussion, making two for him this season already. I'd be absolutely shocked if we saw him on the field any time soon. . .and, let's face it, he hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire for most of the season anyway.

Add in the fact that Chris Cook is still in camp with the Minnesota Penal League, Cedric Griffin apparently can't run or tackle any more, and the Minnesota Vikings are still writing paychecks to Tyrell Johnson every couple of weeks, and it's really not a great situation for the Minnesota secondary.

On the bright side, if you wanted to see more of the youngsters like Brandon Burton and Mistral Raymond, I think you're going to get your chance.

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yay?

Sigh…

Some people just need a high five. In the face. With a chair.

The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
Follow @purplebuckeye

by Ted Glover on Nov 15, 2011 11:44 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Ted just keep saying to yourself........

CARDINALS

by Lee Stiles on Nov 15, 2011 12:09 PM CST reply actions

Carson Palmer

is probably already licking his chops.

"I saw a wino eating grapes and I was like, dude, you have to wait!" - Mitch Hedberg

by abba7 on Nov 15, 2011 12:22 PM CST reply actions

Sanford

was also very poor against the Packers and really hasn’t set the world on fire this year.

If Burton and Raymond are excellent, we are still two players short of a starting secondary.

We probably need 3 DBs in next years draft PLUS a couple of free agent signings.

by Voyageur on Nov 15, 2011 12:32 PM CST reply actions

How many holes

can we realisticlly be expected to fill before next year? We need a complete overhaul of the secondary, upgrades at LB, an interior DL, upgrades along the OL at almost every position and a #1 receiver. Is it possible to think we can be competitve next year? My magic 8 ball doesn’t seem to think so….

by charlie13 on Nov 15, 2011 12:37 PM CST reply actions

Some pieces are onboard

DT Christian Ballard – needs to bulk up from 283lbs but could be useful
OL Brandon Fusco and DeMarcus Love need a look
DB Brandon Burton and Mistral Raymond as above plus Sherels looks ok

If we can pick up some UFA like Amobi Okoye DT and Terrell Thomas CB, Ryan Harris OT and a WR …. and we start to see some places falling into place.

We need a GM who can spot diamond in the rough.

We have our own picks (apart from the 6th round) plus the Pats 7th, and maybe the Browns and Giants as well from previous trades. Thats 9 picks before we even consider compensatory selections. We could reasonably turn over a third of the roster in one off season.

What the GM should be told is every draft pick makes the 53 putting pressure on them to make every selection count. So

10 draft picks
5 free agents
3 undrafted free agents

add in guys like Ballard and Reed, Burton and Raymond, Fusco and Love who’ve yet to be given a real opportunity and there can be a significant make over very quickly.

by Voyageur on Nov 15, 2011 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not sure why everyone here

Seems certain that Fusco, Love, Raymond and Burton was all great players who are just being over looked.

Anyway, let’s hope they are, but having seen basically nothing from any of them, I have no idea if they are now or can develop into “pieces.”

by amiller92 on Nov 15, 2011 1:18 PM CST up reply actions

I dont think

He’s saying there great players. I think he’s saying that with the way the rest of the team is playing, they at least deserve to be given a chance to prove if they got it or they dont.

by arvi0121 on Nov 15, 2011 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

Overall?

What in tarnation would wearin’ overalls do to help out this balled up secondary the coaches gave a lick and a promise to? Why, we’d have to go heels to get the bulge on anyone, much less an ace-high team that euchered us last night. And it ain’t gonna be the last time we’ll go up the spout this year unless them thar ‘coaches’ lairn to take the rag off instead of throwin’ up the sponge.

"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction." - Cowboy proverb.

by TexVike55 on Nov 15, 2011 12:39 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

this is awesome, rec'd

by tuckingfenpin on Nov 15, 2011 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

2 concussions means you’re likely done for the season…unless you’re Aaron Rodgers.

"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto

by blackjackfishtaco on Nov 15, 2011 1:33 PM CST reply actions

Here is what I would have done already

1. Sign Brandon Ghee CB from the Bengals practice squad
He was a pretty good corner at Wake Forest and had really good combine results (check the 3 cone) …

http://www.900footballlinks.net/2010nfldraftdefense.htm#TE

2. Sign Alwasi Owusu-Ansah from the Cowboys practice squad who also had great numbers

Since Winfield is going to be put on IR and Cook’s spot is still open at he may not play again this year, these two PROSPECTS would have had an an opportunity to prove that they belong on an NFL roster.

Both, by the way, were thought to be possible safety candidates too.

Note: it is too late for both of these players as Ghee was signed by Cincy yesterday and Ansah was signed on the 12th. This is the problem with the front office. They sit around with their thumbs up their arses and do nothing while other teams are signing their own guys and even our own practice squad players (Dominique Johnson was snatched off of our PS last week).

Since Ghee is gone I would try and sign Robert Johnson S off of the Titans practice squad. They should take a look at him and release one of our awful safeties.

They need to do something. Man, I do not know why they did not snatch up Ghee when Cook got in trouble. Now we are looking at Allen, Griffen, Sherels, & Burton. Not too good. Griffin is done. Burton we can be hopeful. Allen and Sherels are nickel and dime backs preferably.

by MarkSP18 on Nov 15, 2011 2:16 PM CST reply actions

I wonder if they can actually move Griff to safety or if he's truly toast like EJ is.

Putting Ponder in isn't the question, it's the answer.

by Grime on Nov 16, 2011 8:16 AM CST up reply actions

secondary

by deadeye on Nov 15, 2011 2:48 PM CST via mobile reply actions

secondary/

Next yr cook will be back and ced will be back to full strength. Winfield could take less jack. I know its what have you done for me lately but ced has worked his ass off to be back this year ill pass judgment till he gets healthy

by deadeye on Nov 15, 2011 2:54 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I am really confused why Joe Woods still has his job

over the last 3 years, he has relied on physical talent to anchor his secondary. Now that ’Toine is out, Griffen is having an off year and everybody else is drinking a big gulp full of suck, there is nobody back there. I think that his job needs to be evaluated.

by muffin man on Nov 15, 2011 3:09 PM CST reply actions

I think you are 100% correct our secondary has been hurting since day one.

Honestly, I can’t even remember when we had a decent one.

Putting Ponder in isn't the question, it's the answer.

by Grime on Nov 16, 2011 8:17 AM CST up reply actions

finally

On the bright side, if you wanted to see more of the youngsters like Brandon Burton and Mistral Raymond, I think you’re going to get your chance.

i’ve been wanting that since the pre-season.

the downside?? listening to LF’s presser on PA’s podcast, he said even though Jamarca and Tyrell have been playing SS, they’ll still likely play alongside each other with Mistral rotating in…

C’MON…!!

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.

by rj-b on Nov 16, 2011 5:50 PM CST reply actions