Plenty Of Roster Moves For The Minnesota Vikings
by Christopher Gates on Dec 28, 2011 12:00 PM CST
in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season
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PrintThe Minnesota Vikings have made a couple of roster moves over the past couple of days. Allow me to highlight those for you here.
We'll start with the subtractions first, as the Vikings moved both Adrian Peterson and Steve Hutchinson to the injured reserve list. We've been over the Peterson situation quite a bit over the past couple of days, but the Hutchinson move is a big one, as it likely signals the end of his time in a Vikings' uniform. He's set to make $7 million in the final year of his contract, and just turned 34 years old this past November. He seems like an unlikely candidate to come back to Minnesota next season. We'll have more on that following the season finale, I'm sure.
The Minnesota Vikings also released tight end Allen Reisner so that they could promote the recently reacquired Mickey Shuler to the big squad. Have no fear, though, as Reisner was re-signed to the practice squad earlier today. Speaking of the practice squad, the Vikings also brought running back Caleb King to the 53-man roster. King applied for the supplemental draft this off-season, but went undrafted and signed with the Vikings' as a free agent during training camp. It remains to be seen if the 5'11", 225-pounder out of Georgia will see significant time this Sunday against Chicago.
The last move the Vikings made, however, is the one I find the most interesting. After putting Hutchinson on IR, the Vikings raided the San Diego Chargers' practice squad for. . .another running back.
Minnesota signed running back Jordan Todman from the Chargers' practice squad, and this is a move I like. Todman was the Chargers' sixth-round pick (183rd overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Connecticut. In his two seasons as the Huskies' primary starter, he carried the ball 569 times for 2883 yards, including a 1,695-yard season as a junior, while scoring 28 touchdowns. He also caught 40 passes over those two seasons for 279 yards. His junior season got him numerous accolades, such as All-Big East First Team, ESPN.com All-American, Rivals First Team All-American, Sporting News First Team All American, and AP Second Team All-American.
However, his size. . .he's 5'9", 195 pounds. . .caused him to slip into the late rounds of the draft. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he was clocked as one of the three fastest running backs in attendance, running the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds. He was sixth among Combine running backs in the bench press, the third-fastest time in the 60-yard shuttle drill, and had the longest broad jump of all the running backs in attendance.
This makes me wonder if the Vikings aren't looking at Todman as a sort of third down type of back for the future, or possibly for return duties. He was UConn's primary return man as a sophomore, and had a 96-yard touchdown return against Notre Dame.
But there will be some new faces on the field on Sunday afternoon, folks. . .now you know who some of them are.
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right on
i’m still waiting for us to raid other practice squads before the season is through…
Hutch on IR… yeah, probably seen the last of him in purple, unless he wants to make a serious re-structuring of his contract.
Shuler is a decent blocker, yes?? will certainly need one to replace KSauce next season :-/ (draft watch: George Bryan out of NC State in the late rounds…) glad we at least retained Reisner, as well.
i think the promotion of King and signing of Todman (return duties was my first thought) spells the end of Booker in MN. fumbles waaaay too often. Gerhart/King/Todman is a decent RB corps to try out during TC/preseason next year while AP rehabs.
good stuff.
"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."
Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.
Booker will be a free agent
I think that he could be brought back to compete. Getting Todman is nice but we thought getting Iglesias last year was good and then he did not even make the team.
If they are going to raid another team’s PS they had better do it in the next two days because after Sunday they cannot.
The kids only 21 I see.
Never heard of him before but has a decent Wiky article. Already updated – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Todman – You never know.
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
competition is good, i guess
but Booker has never really done anything worthwhile with his opportunities, whether it be @ RB or the return game.
the fumbles are just too much to overlook, for me.
"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."
Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.
by rj-b on Dec 28, 2011 4:07 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
forgot to respond re: Iglesias...
…i felt he should have made the team :-/ pretty much looked like Cammy at a fraction of the cost.
"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."
Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.
by rj-b on Dec 28, 2011 4:09 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
No Hutch, That means Webb to be the QB
Our Offensive line will be very weak (yeah, even more !!!), our QB will have to run for his life.
It’s Webb time
concussion
when asked by Dan Patrick if his name alluded to not making quick decisions in the pocket, Ponder calmly replied "As crazy as it sounds, my mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word"
Surpised they didn't make a move for Reynaud......
but then it would look bad for them that they got rid of him and Rosenfels and took them both back………although Reynaud would be a cheap pickup as he is not currently working.
I would vote for this...
But he is essentially a less-talented Percy Harvin.
I like the guy, I just don’t see a spot for him on the team unless it is specifically for punt returns.
That's what we used him for before KR/PR and special teams play
like the comparison to PH by the way, the scary part is what if they signed him and he got better…….2 Harvin’s would at least be fun to watch.
The only issue is...
Now we have Scherels as a PR, and having him suited up gives us that extra DB for when SHTF.
And we have had to use that several times.
Maybe next year.
Sooo....
is Todman going to play Tight End or Running Back? Because, with AP and Toby, we don’t need another running back.
@the author….am I correct that Kleinsasser is a tight end and not a running back? If I am, then it would be foolish to replace him with a running back, right? I mean, we’ve discussed how hard it is for a right tackle to move to right or left guard, and I believe it was mentioned that even typical right or left tackle could have trouble adjusting to the same position on the opposite side of the center. In the meantime, we need OLINE and SECONDARY meanwhile we keep signing ball carriers. Just dumb.
Ksauce wasn't just a TE
He was also a FB and they moved him to TE, he was also a better blocker than most of our offensive line and he could catch and knock people on their a….err donkey.
I knew he was a good blocker
but I didn’t know he was a full back. Thanks for the info!
Ksauce was a TE in college
we moved him to FB when Denny Green drafted him, but after a season or two, he moved back to TE IIRC…
That is called the H-back position now
Half FB- half TE but is mostly a lead blocker that can shift around to offset defenses.
The fact that we lost AP
for the rest of the season and possibly a significant portion of next season definitely is behind this signing. We need the depth. Behind Gerhart is Booker who will not be on the team next year is King who we just promoted from the practice squad. All of a sudden, our bright spot on this team just got a lot less bright. I’m a fan of this move. It keeps us from having to draft a RB to help share the load with Gerhart. Provided we can get him up to speed and he has the talent. And he can help on special teams with returns. Which also helps a lot. After Peterson went down, RB was added to the very long list of things we needed to think about getting and they did it.
Start King
Booker has had his shots and fumbled them. King was a lucky catch and we may need to see what we have for part of the season next year. King can run the rock. Remember pre-season? Warch out. he may not be AD but he can run very well -forget Booker!
On the flip side , if Ponder starts would we PLEASE play Webb at WR for more than acouple plays
AKA : Revenge4Webb
by CitrusFLViking on Dec 29, 2011 3:03 AM CST up reply actions
ponder
just saw but couldnt read a rumor (and i take if for just that) on espn website that the vikes are looking to deal a QB and ponders name was attached
It's an opinion piece by Bob Sansevere
He basically said that because Fraizer said the Vikings will look at Webb, Ponder’s confidence will be ruined and the Vikings should look to trade him.
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_19627668?source=rss
Billick: "What did McNabb do to deserve being benched?"
Answer: He upset PETA by killing every worm he came across on a football field.
Beat me to that Troy
he said that maybe perhaps the Vikings should possibly hold that discussion if they feel Webb is the guy.
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
Ponder was asked during today's press conference
if he felt pressured by the talk about Joe Webb, or whether it was affecting his confidence, and Ponder said no, it was just part of football, and if anything, the competition would only serve to make him work harder on trying to improve.
I don’t know where they keep coming up with this crap about Ponder supposedly pouting about Webb being on the field, or having his confidence shaken by Webb’s performances. Ponder has always described Joe as a friend ever since he met him during the off season work outs in Florida. When one of the reporters at the press conference asked him about what he was thinking after he was injured immediately after AP tore his knee up, Ponder replied that he knew the team would be in good hands with Joe and Toby.
I think a big part of the problem with some of the opinions being expressed by certain reporters, as well as some of the comments by members here, is that they want there to be some major, behind the scenes conflict and drama where none exists. Too many people here refuse to acknowledge that Ponder and Webb are both good, high character guys that we should be happy to have on this team.
by Vikinole on Dec 28, 2011 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Exactly
People can say what they want about Ponder’s on the field performance but it’s really hard not to like the guy as a person. He’s funny and loves to bullshit with the reporters and he owns up to his mistakes when he makes them. Just a really likable guy.
I look at it this way......
If you put Rodgers, Brady, Manning in our offense during their rookie year with our current roster…….just how well would they perform?
Am I saying Ponder will be the next Brady? No, because we can’t predict the future, but we know what the present gives us, and it’s not much.
Didn't Rodgers sit for three years?
And he still struggled. He would have gotten absolutely demolished under this line and with our receivers.
If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 28, 2011 10:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yep.
From everything I’ve heard, and seen on the field and in post-game photos and videos, it really appears these two have no issues co-existing. I like that we’re pushing Ponder, because as Chris3 said below, if a QB can’t take competition, then they shouldn’t be an NFL starter. Just look at Brett Favre- yeah, he acted like a jerk towards Aaron Rodgers when the Packers drafted him, but his game actually improved noticeably afterwards. Rather than pout and sulk his way off the team (well, he did more than that at the end of his GB career, but speaking about the immediate time period after the drafting), he picked his game up to ensure he kept his job. Hopefully the same happens with CP7.
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by KJSegall on Dec 28, 2011 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
if a person is so fragile that this undermines his ability to play football
then he shouldn’t be on a professional roster to begin with.
thank you for the link by the way :D
by Lunchpail on Dec 28, 2011 10:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
KING!!!!
Had hoped he would of made an appearance earlier and in a better situation, but glad non the less!
2011 Vikings, keeping the liquor industry in the green ALL YEAR LONG!
This is funny
TomPelissero Tom Pelissero
Ponder was cleared by neurologist Tuesday: “I guess I actually scored higher on my baseline test, so maybe I got some sense knocked into me”
Yeah, at the same press conference
they asked him about the cuts and scrapes he received on his nose and mouth, and he said “Yeah, there goes my modeling career.”
KEEP HUTCH
Considering that the Vikings probably will have a new young left tackle next year (at least I hope they do) , I would hope they would keep Hutch for another year. Don’t underestimate the value of a young tackle learning from an experienced pro bowl vet playing next to him. Hutch fills that perfectly. That’s another reason I wanted Anthony Castonzo last year. Resign Hutch!!!
by vking1 on Dec 28, 2011 2:03 PM CST via mobile reply actions
i think you mean RE-SIGN
I don’t mean to be a grammar nazi, but your last sentence sounds like you want Hutch to quit on his own accord.
Looks like Booker's done
Hoping they’re smart enough to trade Gerhart in the off-season but I doubt it.
Why?
I don’t get this one. The kid just keeps getting better and better and the odd’s of AP being ready for the start of next season are – we’ll just say iffy. I see no reason to trade him AT ALL!!
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
The reason you trade him is because he's getting better and better
AP will pretty be our starting back until he retires. As good as Gerhart is, he’s not better than AP. Gerhart will never be able to get any fair shake here in MN. Better to trade him to Cleveland or some other team that’s hurting for a proven back right now. He goes someplace where he gets to be the feature back and get his 20-25 carries a game to really start rolling down hill and the Vikings get a pick or 2 from him. It’s a win/win.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one
because as it stands Toby is probably one of our most talented 6 or so guys right now (thus your comment). And while it would be wise to entertain offers, jeebers it better be a darn good one. At this time we have no idea about AP’s future, although optimism is the best view there hopefully.
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
There is no doubt in my mind that AP will be back to form next year
None at all. He’s so gifted physically and is such a hard worker. They’re going to have to hold him back from overdoing it and trying to come back before he’s ready.
Once he is healthy, Gerhart goes back to being a situational/3rd down back and he’s too talented for that. Trade him and get some nice picks or a young player in a position of need for us.
Well. that's fair enough Amrius.
He likely would garner a decent trade value as he keeps looking better week per week. I’ll bet you an internet beer that he gains 100+ rushing yds vs the Bears! And plus totally agree with you on Adrian coming back and kicking arse again. No stopping that guy.
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
ever hear of a 2 running back set?
seems to work for other teams, you know, the ones with an offensive line. We were all whining when Taylor went to the Bears because we couldn’t have a 2 RB set….now we can, and you want to get rid of that, why?
I never whined about using 2 back sets
I can’t even count how many teams actually use a true 2 HB set regularly on 1 hand. NE maybe? There are only a handful of teams that even use a RB tandem effectively.
Carolina
Giants, NE, New Orleans (3 or 4, actually), Buffalo (kinda, when both healthy), A lot of teams use it because it can be very, very effective. And limit the punishment they both take.
Not saying it can't be effective
But it’s not for us, not with AP. A lot of the RB tandems have a speedy outside the hashes kinda guy and a power inside the tackles kinda guy. AP has it all, speaking from a running perspective, and there’s no reason not to play him every snap he can if he’s healthy.
Yeah,
but taking every snap and being the kind of guy who likes to deliver hits reeeally wears down a running back. I don’t want to have a situation like LaDanian Tomlinson. Be an amazing running back for a team for quite a while but because they rode him so hard, he wasn’t all that effective for them anymore. They released him when he was 30 or 31. That’s only a couple years away for AP. And AP hits much harder than LT did. It might be a good idea to have an effective back up and start reducing APs carries a little bit to help him with longevity.
I don't disagree
But we’d be better off waiting till APs 28 or 29 and then drafting a top-tier college back than relying on Toby, whose only 2 years younger than AP. Running backs get worn down, it’s a fact of the game and not even AP is immune to that. We have to get the most out of him while he’s still in his prime. (Yes, i’m still calling him in his prime until I see if the ACL/MCL tear actually slows him down)
At least that’s my thought process.
Random tidbit but LT is one of my favorite players in the NFL whose not a Viking.
He'll be 27 next season.
28 or 29 is not very far away and we’ll still need a lot of picks to make the rest of this team right. It’s not going to be a sudden slowdown. It’ll be a gradual thing, but you can make it more gradual by giving him some help in the backfield.
I know that team building is a gradual process
Matter of fact, it never really stops, or it shouldn’t at least. My hope (eternal optimist here) is that we get back into shape in 2-3 years (preferably through the draft) which would put AP at around 29-30 at which point we should keep our eyes open for some stud RB prospects and draft one and use AP in a mentor/relief sort of role, similar to the Jets with LT and Greene/McKnight.
Gerhart is just too old to be a true successor or tandem partner for more than a few years.
i agree if they feel peterson will come back just fine then get a few draft choices
he is sorta wasted with peterson playing
by mnvikenavyfb on Dec 28, 2011 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
What if he (perish the thought) goes down again.
You know, with something minor or something that keeps him out for a 3 or 4 game stretch or something? Plus. hopefully AP will be limited for a little bit till they are able to see how the knee is progressing.
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
This.
I think the real reason they drafted Gerhart was to be an insurance policy a bit more than as a third down back. Remember, we had Albert Young as the third down guy at first entering the season.
If you have a run-heavy offense, you’d better have two solid RBs, because regardless of it being AP or anyone else, that is a VERY risky position to lean on. Just look at Matt Forte.
I heard Ted when he mentioned it and I hear the ideas behind it now- a good trade for rebuilding picks is a nice idea. But I think Gerhart is too valuable as a reliable back-up for AP, again considering we’re a run-heavy offense.
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on paper, ths kid looks pretty good
On picking up Jordan Todman from San Diego, I’m surprised that he was on their practice squad. Just because he’s 5-9 shouldn’t mean that much. Darren Sproles (former Charger) isn’t much bigger if at all and look at him now. There must be more to his story because on paper at least…………he’s pretty impressive. Should be interesting to see if the Vikes keep him. It might be time to let TG go somewhere he can play FT because he’s certainly proven he’s ready. Get something for him now before he walks after next season………especially if AP comes back strong. There’s no way TG will re-sign as a back-up again. It’s time for his own star to rise.
by jjlovesfootball on Dec 28, 2011 2:45 PM CST reply actions
Viking Backups
I’m sure Gerhart will be the starter next year until AP is healthy. Even when Peterson comes back next year his carries will be rationed. The rest of these guys will compete for backup positions.
by vking1 on Dec 28, 2011 2:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Ponder and Gerhart
Why are so many so eager to trade Ponder and Gerhart? Neither player has had an opportunity to show what they really can do and in the little time and relatively few plays that each has seen, they show tremendous promise. Neither Luck nor Kalil have played a down in the NFL. Both have a high up side and are unquestioned solid locks to start as rookies based upon the experts but so were Ryan Leaf, Jamarcus Russell, Brian Bosworth and Tony Mandrich….how did they work out? Give Ponder and Gerhart another year with a full off season and training camp, then decide whether or not they are solid NFL players.
Gerhart IS a solid NFL player
That’s why we need to trade him. He’ll never get the starting nod over a healthy AP and there are a few teams in the league hurting for a proven feature back that we could get something nice in return for.
While Peterson will probably return healthy, its not a given. What if Peterson heals up, but has lost his speed or ability to cut? The Vikings have two young QB’s. The team isn’t going to start trading away their assets.
by vking1 on Dec 28, 2011 3:05 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
AP losing a step is certainly a possibility
But i’ll still say that AP at 85-90% of what he was before is still better than Gerhart at 100%. That’s not a slight against Toby but just how dominate AP is. Toby might be a top 20-15 RB in the league but AP is in the top 3, if not at the top spot.
Point is, a healthy AP will always get the starting nod over Toby, no matter how good Toby is, so why waste his talent on the bench when we can trade him somewhere where he can get a starting spot and we can get something in return?
One last point, it’s a lot easier to find a good RB in the draft than it is a good QB.
The draft....
with all of the glaring holes we have on our roster, the Vikes drafting another RB would be a borderline act of insanity. Especially with the recent roster moves they made.
A TEAM CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH GOOD RUNNING BACKS
Even when Adrian comes back, his carries will be limited. Toby Gerhart will be the man next year. The Vikings need a threat of a run to keep the pass rushers honest. The Vikings have become spoiled with Adrian carrying the ball. Remember when Randy Moss was traded the first time. The Vikings were going to start running the ball more. The safeties moved up. Point is, without Adrian the Vikings need another runner or defenses will start playing the Vikings different.
by vking1 on Dec 28, 2011 3:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
You could make that arguement for almost any position in football
You can never have enough good DBs, never enough good WRs, etc. Question is, if you have a guy who can start for at least half the teams in the NFL, do you have him sit on the bench and waste his talent or trade him and let him start somewhere else and get something in return for him?
WHY WOULD GERHART BE SITTING ON THE BENCH
He will be the full time starter next year.
by vking1 on Dec 28, 2011 3:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
For the first 6 weeks if they put him on the PUP list
And then AP will be the starter until he retires and Gerhart goes back to the bench.
Bah, context fail
I meant if they put AP on the PUP list, he’ll be held out until week 6 and then he’ll get the starting job back and Gerhart will go back to being a relief back and spending most of the game on the bench.
AD will probably never play another full season for the rest of his career
Doubtful that the Vikings get what they paid for Gerhart in a trade…
With the Uncertainty of AD, it would be a good idea to keep Gerhart through the 2012’ season….imo!
See how things go from there. Maybe work a Gerhart trade and draft a HB for the 2013’ season!
Toby's contract is up after next year
Which means they have until week 6 to work out a trade or they’ll have to re-sign him or let him walk.
That certainly puts the Vikings in a pickle.
If the Vikings could get a decent/fair offer for Gerhart, then they should trade…..but they definitely shouldn’t settle.
I’m really not an advocate for allowing contracts to expire, but I would be understanding with it this time.
I don’t like starting the 2012’ season w/out a proven HB.
The Vikings are going to need a reliable running game to get things started next year, and Toby has proved he can be that guy.
Don't trade him now, and don't let his contract expire.
I’d say extend him until 2015, and then trade him. He’ll still have plenty of juice for a RB-needy team at that point, and it’ll give us time to fill other holes before addressing that one.
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Timing is crucial
In trades like this. If they do extend him, he’ll be 28 going into the 2015 season and even if his actual production hasn’t dropped off, the perceived notion that RBs tend to get beaten out of the league at or after 30 might be enough to scare potential suitors off. He’ll be 25 when the 2012 season starts and if the Vikings have any intention of trading him, that’s the time to do it.
No
They wont trade Toby, he’s proven his worth MANY times already this season. Now with AP sidelined, it wouldn’t make sense to trade him. Why trade him when they would just probably draft a RB with any potential picks they get for him?
by christian220896 on Dec 28, 2011 4:59 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly why it's the right time to shop him around
He has proven he’s capable and a team that’s hurting at RB could potentially give us a nice deal for him.
As for why trade him when we’d probably just draft another RB? The drafted RB will be 3-4 years younger than Toby. That’s a lot of mileage in RB years.
Why draft to replace Toby, when we have Toby?
Unless he’s worth a first-round draft pick to someone… that would change things quite a bit. Nothing less is worth losing him, especially at this time.
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!
it's football..but it's also business
Speaking only for myself, it’s not that I’m anxious to see TG go, but how many of us here believe for one moment that had AP not gotten hurt, Toby Gerhart’s name would even be tossed around on this forum? The reality of all this is several things can happen
In a best case for the Vikings scenario, AP comes back as promised and has a great comeback year making his paycheck a bargain from the Vikings point of view. They sign other quality players just in case TG decides to go somewhere else…which is likely IF AP comes back strong.
In this scenario, the Vikings come out looking pretty good. Everybody’s happy. TG goes his own way and the Vikings are still in good shape RB wise.
Worst case scenario, AP comes back and has a mediocre year or worse………gets hurt again. TG has simply an OK year but decides to not re-sign becasue he wants to be the featured back and knows with AP there and his HUGE contract, that probably isn’t going to happen. The Vikings are now hoping that AP’s mediocre 1st year back after injury is only temporary. But, they still have his big contract to fulfil and trading him doesn’t look real bright as few want to take a chance on him. That’s the business side of football. It’s not so much we all want to see TG get traded, but if they do it now, they might get “something” for him. At the end of next year, regardless of what happens to AP, there’s a real chance that TG walks……either way. Let me be clear on this…..when AP is healthy, he’s thee man on this team. But, with him getting hurt and his recovery unknown at this time, it might make sense to at least offer TG an extension. If he doesn’t go for it, then it’s a good guess he’s gone come 2013.
by jjlovesfootball on Dec 28, 2011 4:12 PM CST up reply actions
One other thought from me
Who was the brainiac in the Vikings FO who thought it would be a good idea to structure Hutch’s contract so he makes $7 mil when he’s 34 years old? I’d think with someone creeping into the 30s, you’d give them a lot of their money up front and then have it taper off as their contracts tick down in years.
Anyone know if the full $7 mil is going against our cap for next year?
I don't know, but I agree with you
it seems that no one in the Vikings front office can figure out how old someone will be going into the last 2 or 3 seasons of a proposed contract when the contract is signed.
And not to bring up overblown statements, but I think this was one aspect that was included in AP’s slavery comments. The Vikings signed a contract, but can get rid of Hutch or cut him just so he doesn’t get the money he was promised.
No it is not going to count against the cap if he decides to hang em up or the Vikings release him
In the 2006 CBA negotiations the most you could spread a signing bonus out was 5 years. That did not change in this new CBA from what I read.
Hutch is done though. His shoulders have been killing him the last couple of years. He has been getting beat this year more often than anyone cares to remember. He is not worth the 7 mil he is due next year. If I am him, I would hang up the cleats. He has made plenty of money and he should want to have his body not hurt him that bad when he is older.
I predict he retires because the Vikings should tell him that if he wants to come back it will have to be for about 2.5 mil with another 1 mil in incentives.
Rob Brzezinski
Is the brainiac who structures contracts and he’s actually done a great job of managing the salary cap. His strategy was to put all of the bonus money up front so that it counted in the first year of a contract for the cap. In this way, they don’t have to take a cap hit when they don’t want a 34 year old, high priced veteran around any more. They can just say adios Sr. Hutchinson and not have to worry about how much he’s going to cost the cap next season.
This is one of the few things this FO has gotten right recently.
$10M was guaranteed
My understanding is that only $10M was guaranteed of the total $49M 7 year contract so I believe they can release him with little or no cost for next season. It’s really hard to see him coming back next season – even for 1/2 of his current salary.
It does not matter if they gave him all his bonus money up front or not
They cannot spread the bonus money out over the life of a contract. Only for 5 years. Next year will be his 7th year.
So after 5 years they can cut any player without penalty against the cap?
Didn’t know that either. I’m learning a lot today!
You wait to see how AP recovers before making a move with Toby
That is just sound business, have a backup plan, it also makes Toby more desirable to other teams in a trade as they would be looking at 1 less year of a contract to be on the hook for if they trade for him.
I don't think 1 less yr of a contract
is a big deal…at least for a rookie contract.
it will never happen
The Vikings Trading Toby Gerhart. I am glad he is finally getting his feet wet in games by getting more than 5 carries. wonder who our offensive coordinator will be next year?
Payton Manning
but seriously, probably someone who either hasn’t done it before or at least hasn’t done well at it. Ziggy doesn’t seem to hire proven coaches, coordinators, etc. He’s too busy looking for a bargain. Sometimes, you get what you pay for.
it will still be Musgrave
recent article (sorry no link, using SBNapp) said the team is confident in Musgrave for at least another season. he just needs to stop being cute and simplify the offense a bit.
Pagac, on the other hand, is more likely to be released. better start looking at Del Rio, Spags, maybe even Raheem Morris.
"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."
Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.
by rj-b on Dec 28, 2011 4:19 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Micheal lombardi
thinks we should build around Webb not Ponder
"Never take your eyes off of your opponent…even when you bow."
Feels like a garage sale....
and my wife getting rid of all my stuff. Why get rid of Hutch? Makes no sense to me unless someone on that coaching staff thinks they found the next Hutch…but I don’t think so. I like the other acquisitions but to me they are just test drives. Wouldn’t get too excited about any of them until we see how they do playing in a real game
"Skol Vikings! Let's win this game Skol Vikings!
I love Hutch.
And am very glad we hosed the Seahawks for him. That said, he’s been in serious decline and won’t likely be any better next year, a la Phat Pat. At this point, it’s not about finding the next ‘Hutchinson’ in terms of his peak- just someone better than what he’s playing at right now, which sadly won’t be difficult. :-( Such is football- eventually, the greats are no longer so great.
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I guess you're right
but I can’t help but wonder how a 34-35 year old “healthy Hutch” starting the season with a full pre-season would do. Talking from experience, the older you get the more prep and training your body needs before its ready to go.
"Skol Vikings! Let's win this game Skol Vikings!
I like the moves...
because as much as we think Adrian will defy the odds and be ready for the 2012 season, we dont know and I like the Todman guy…kinda small, but so was Barry…great college stats and can catch. Booker sucks…plain and simple. Hutch is over. Time to re-tool the o-line a little. We`ll be good with Ponder…obviously hes not going to stay healthy for any entire season, and if we can convince Joe to stick around, he would be one of the better most explosive backups around. We just need to be creative and insert him as a slot guy once in a while to keep his interest…without going to that worthless wildcat formation.
Just try it...or you`ll never know
I'd start Joe Webb
At least until there’s a healthy offensive line and a decent group of wide receivers. That’s what Christian Ponder needs to be successful – a conventional NFL offense. Meanwhile, Joe Webb is far better able to survive out there without such niceties. Makes me wonder how good Webb would be if he did have a good offense around him. Would he look even more like Cam Newton?
The tiii-iimes they are a changin'
"Go hard. I mean, like relentless. I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair’s on fire, and I want a football team that goes for four to six seconds (per play) with relentless effort." OSU Coach Urban Meyer.
And thank goodness!
Biggest story of the off season will surely be the Ponder vs. Webb debate. Both of these guys have a lot of upside so hard to go wrong either way!
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
Interesting surprising they didn't pick up a linemen somewhere out there.
But oh well. As to everyone that is stating we should trade our solid back up players, think about it. Unless you can get a high round pick for him and have someone else behind him that can step into his shoes I think you’re making a mistake. Injuries are a part of football, it’s really that simple, if we remove the solid back up players we turn into an egg shell, where one crack will ruin our game. If we have solid starters and back ups then we can keep going all year long even when other teams are starting to feel the bite of the dreaded injury bug…
The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.
There's a tackle from the CFL that the Vikings and 3-4 other NFL teams have had in for workouts.
Vikings were the first to work him out and I wouldn’t be surprised if they sign him once they’re allowed to.
by CanadianViking on Dec 29, 2011 2:20 PM CST up reply actions
hope he works out...
The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.
Just guessing
but am thinking good o-lineman are in short supply. Could be wrong, but this is the key to the running game, keeping your QB healthy, etc, etc (duh) . The O-line is the key, imho, to bringing this Viking team back into pertinence. And that gets a rec, the comment about the back ups. This is a violent game, and sadly injuries are a part of the game, and quality reserves can make or break a season.
Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne
Should have kept both of them and run a serious TE competition next year
Shanko, Reisner, Rudy, and Shuler.
However, if we’re keeping Musky and he likes 2-TE sets, then it might make sense to try to keep all four, if one of them can double as a FB….
Damn it’s going to be hard to replace K-sauce….
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!
WHO LAUGHS HARDER
IS it me laughing at the guys who believe the bs some reporter stirs up like thers a big conflict between Webb and Ponder or is it the reporter himself because he couldnt think of anything else to write . and for anybody out there thats getting negative about Ponders performance shut up, there is a long list of great qb that sucked in their rookie year , there is one that comes to mind after a bad game he threw a tantrum in the locker room tore shit up and threw it at reporters and that was Payton Manning so go figure judge all your books by the cover,
by THORS BLOOD THIRSTY HAMMER on Dec 29, 2011 9:37 PM CST reply actions
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