What The Vikings Need To Do Now That The Lockout Is (Almost) OVAH!

by Ted Glover on Jul 25, 2011 6:01 AM CDT in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

Jared Allen needs to start fast in in 2011.

I told you we'd start talking football eventually. With Vikings rep/advocate/spiritual advisor/resident bad ass/whatever the guy that informs the team about labor issues now that the NFLPA has decertified Steve Hutchinson has predicted 'some good news tomorrow' regarding how the players will vote, I think we can assume football will start poste haste.

So with football ready to get underway, what do the Vikings need to do? Well, there are several things that I can think of, right off the top of my head, so let's go over them. Now, I'm going to skip the obvious ones, like 'get everyone in camp ASAP', and 'sign undrafted free agents', because they're no brainers.

After the jump.

1) Re-sign Sidney Rice: As we discussed earlier today, re-signing Sidney Rice is the top priority. Granted, with his injury history, the Vikings don't need to break the bank to keep him, but I don't think they'll have to. I don't think his price tag will be exorbitant because of that injury history, and as long as somebody doesn't swoop in and ridiculously overpay for him, Minnesota needs to keep him in the fold. I'm not sure they will, but they must make every effort to try.

2) Release Bernard Berrian: Berrian has a huge salary due (approximately eleventy jillion dollars), and his production has been almost zero the last two years. QB Christian Ponder has no history with any of his receivers, but he does need legitimate targets to throw to. I don't think Berrian can be that, consistently, over 16 games.

3) Determine what the defensive line depth will be: If DE Ray Edwards does leave, there will be a 75% turnover on the defensive line when the season begins. Pat Williams won't be back, and Kevin Williams will have to serve that BS four game suspension. Jared Allen got off to a low start last year, and that cannot happen this year, but he will need someone to step up to take the heat off of him. Brian Robison will take over for Edwards, and DT will be very unsettled.

4) Sign Chad Greenway to an extension: Chad Greenway is one of the few players I've ever heard of who was happy to be hit with the franchise tag, but he's one of the core defensive players, and keeping him in the fold is important. The defense is getting older, and guys like EJ Henderson, Kevin Williams, and Jared Allen will need guys to follow behind them, and Greenway is one of those guys.

5) Get a veteran QB: This seems like a no-brainer, which is why I put it down on the list. The Vikings will sign somebody; they've said as much. Who it is is still a reason for speculation, and talk has centered the last few days on Marc Bulger or Bruce Gradkowski. I do know who it's NOT going to be, and that's The Quarterback Who Shall Not Be Named In These Parts.

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"eleventy jillion dollars"

I didn’t get a good night sleep and that really caught me off guard…. Starting the day off right.

by jkunce507 on Jul 25, 2011 7:17 AM CDT reply actions

that was funny!

by stilpony on Jul 25, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Not sure

But imo Chad should be the 1st thing they do…get a long term deal in place, to free up cap money, Then see if you can get BB to rework a deal to of course take less money and be more incentive ladden…this is due to the thought Sid will not be back or will with his agents help drag out the process, missing camp and maybe even some or all of the preseason.
The Dline yep imo Edwards is gone…and DT is a big ? for the team. Jimmy played well for big Pat, who should retire imo or move on, but who can fill Kwills shoes for the 4 games is a real ?.
Vet QB….hmmm do we keep 4 QB’s or part ways with RB, who we really have yet to see and may very well be a much better 3rd option in the long run….I say dont sign a Vet and let these young guys play and learn.

by vikefan1969 on Jul 25, 2011 7:24 AM CDT reply actions

I would like

To give BB an incentive deal too. I really believe Berrian us a legitimate threat when he has his mind right. Restructure his deal though, but let him stay

Ponder to Harvin for 6!

by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Jul 25, 2011 7:54 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

No to restructuring

A player of his caliber can be had for a fraction of what he is paid or would be paid even with a restructured contract.

by Jared_69 on Jul 25, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

He’s had how long now to prove himself??? I’m sure the Bears are STILL giggling over this one.

by stilpony on Jul 25, 2011 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

The only way i'd keep BTwice around

Is if the league let him wear yellow shoes. Since that wasn’t a sticking point in the new CBA, cut his lazy ass.

by Amrius on Jul 25, 2011 4:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think berrian could be a decent number 2

It is true that his production was non existant with the dark lord, but look at what he did with TJack. the dark lord and Berrian were never on the same page, and a lot of it had to do with the hamstring injury he suffered through in 09. the dark lord didn’t get a chance to renew that chemistry b/c of last years offseason waffle. I think if Ponder can get on the same page w/ him, he’ll be decent. Plus we’ll have two tight ends that are good, Sidney (hopefully) and Percy. Plus the Kleinsausser who is always good to catch a pass or two and rumble down for a first down.

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"

by filbert33 on Jul 25, 2011 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

Not too worried about DT

If we don’t re-sign Pat, we have Guion, Kennedy and Ballard. The 3 of them will be more than capable of filling in for 4 weeks, with what will essentially be an extended audition for the starting spot next to Kevin when he returns. Guion played great last season and Kennedy has been solid the last 2 years. Ballard is a 2nd round talent if he can keep his head on straight (a given under Coach Dunbar methinks).

by Cobra312004 on Jul 25, 2011 10:56 AM CDT reply actions

yup

i can see Guion starting, Ballard will come along.

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

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

by rj-b on Jul 25, 2011 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

CUT BB

He is not a number two, maybe number 3. But what did it for me was when Rice was out, and his production should of bolstered, he didnt do anything! when the media called him out, he explained it wasnt his fault, and said he was doing everything right

by redhearring on Jul 25, 2011 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

"he explained it wasnt his fault, and said he was doing everything right"

This is likely true, though, you’re right about him being a 3rd option at WR. He is due almost $4 million this coming season.

by Jared_69 on Jul 25, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

solution

let him wear those yellow shoes, if the vikes paid for the fines, he’d be a rockstar!

by redhearring on Jul 25, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

1. I’m sure Rice will get a very good offer in free agency. It’s really up to the Vikings if they want to pay for it or not. If not, this receiving corps is pretty weak.

2. There is nobody on the roster who can replace Bernard Berrian. If Rice leaves, AND they cut Berrian, that leaves the Vikings with a top 3 of something like Harvin, Camarillo and Jaymar Johnson. If this were March and the Vikings had a real opportunity to replace him, I could see cutting Berrian. But as it is, he has to stay. The guy who should be cut is Madieu Williams. He’s been terrible, and the Vikings have better options on the bench. Jamarca Sanford and Eric Frampton should absolutely play ahead of Williams.

3. Is it 100% that Pat Williams won’t be back? I thought I saw something where Frazier said he’d like to have him back. Either way, the bodies are in place at DT with Guion, Fred Evans and Jimmy Kennedy to get through the season. The guy who needs to step up is someone you didn’t mention; Everson Griffen. If Edwards leaves, it really needs to be Griffen who replaces him. If Robison has to start, that weakens the defensive line at both LDE and in its depth, because Robison is the top backup at both end spots, plus he rushes from the inside sometimes. Griffen, or anyone else besides Robison I guess, needs to replace Edwards. Robison starting would be a very bad thing.

4. Umm okay.

5. I think Marc Bulger would be a fantastic signing. There’s no way he can stay healthy for 16 games, but he should be capable enough to start for awhile until Ponder is at least semi-ready.

by frank_grimes on Jul 25, 2011 12:41 PM CDT reply actions

It's not up to the Vikes if Rice comes back

Even if we offer him 50 Million dollars, it’s up to him. He may not be going into FA for more $$. He may be looking for a ring. Let’s just hope that he’s enjoyed his time here.

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on - Winston Churchill

by Alittlemore_cowbell on Jul 25, 2011 2:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I wish o wish theyd cut him

but i agree with rice likely leaving, as I expect him to get some crazy offer from the likes of washington in the mess that is the tues/wed free agent-a-palooza, it’d be hard to simply cut a guy without atfirst signing two big name receivers first.

Im okay with rice going or leaving as he kind of screwed us last year, but when he got back, man you could tell he was ready to tear it up next year. He has a ferocity that will be a force to recon with next season.

by redhearring on Jul 25, 2011 12:58 PM CDT reply actions

Lockout over,guys

by Curtis2012 on Jul 25, 2011 1:03 PM CDT reply actions

Dang....

U beat me to it….I just got a text from WCCO….Lockout is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by gerkvoltage on Jul 25, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

rice

look guys, us keeping rice will all depend on holmes, he will be the number one target because he is rice without health issues, if we can sign rice before someone signs holmes, we have a good shot, but if rice signs a huge overpay, we have other option, fa in wr this year is actually very good, 1. rice and holmes, 2. edwards chad oco 3. randy and T.O.
those are the top tiers, and 6 possible guys we could go after, some are better fits than others, and we all want rice back, but if he leaves, it isn’t the end, what will happen if we lose rice and offer the same money to holmes and he takes it, defence fa will be the more crucial,

finally, coach fraszer will be agressive in fa, he has been all offseason,
1. complete overhaul of the coaching staff, bill mustgrave, a special lb coach,
2. agrresive draft, doesn’t mean popular, but it took guts drafting ponder, and he never blinked or made excusses, he came out guns blazing and got the guys HE wanted,
3. i expect some very agressive fa moves, ok, expect a lot of vikings headlines, nothing like a super overhaul to get this town excited, and get people wanting a new stadium bill to be passed.

finallly, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Justin Weishaar on Jul 25, 2011 1:36 PM CDT reply actions

I’m interested in seeing what the cap floor does to the free agent market. Tampa will have to spend roughly 35$ more than they did last year. That is easily 4-6 good players off the market. I am not sure how many other teams are in this sort of situation, but money will be spent on FA nonetheless.

by LoveHate on Jul 25, 2011 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

Berrian ? LOL...no way

He blew it last year and had his chance. He’s washed up. I’m continually amazed and annoyed at how willing people are to give non-producing players chance after chance. Cut Berrian loose – he sucks.

by Wytefang on Jul 25, 2011 8:07 PM CDT reply actions

You forgot everyone's favorite Safety-Sieve, Madieu Williams

Really. He’s got to go. He and BB can waltz out the door, arm in arm.

Can we get anything for either of those guys in a trade? Bundle them in with someone moderately juicy who’s no longer needed?

If not, cut them off at the ankles and give their cleats to someone else. Their jersey numbers might be cursed for a few years, but it’s nothing that Tide can’t eventually wash out. Both these guys are liabilities, they drag down the offense and defense, respectively.

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!

by DCPurple on Jul 26, 2011 9:40 AM CDT reply actions