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What would be your ideal off-season?

Hi Guys been reading for a while so finally decided to post so be gentle! Just wondering what would be your ideal changes to the playing personnel this off-season - remember this is what would be your ideal, so feel free to throw in a curveball or two, a daring trade etc! Mine comes after the jump!

Star-divide

I have been semi-serious but always optimistic! whilst we all know both our o-line and secondary suck I believe that we should primarily focus on the offence and try to keep up with the points that Rodgers, Cutler and Stafford put up.

Using the numbers here http://www.dailynorseman.com/2012/1/5/2685018/a-look-at-the-2012-minnesota-vikings-cap-situation (in DJSkillz excellent Fanpost.) If we assume that the Vikings have total cap spent of $92.848M next year with the cap coming at $125 million (as DJ Skillz does). I would make the following cuts

Hutchinson

Griffin

Herrera

Asher Allen

This would save us 14.3 million leaving us with around $46.5 million in cap room if we assume $9.5 million for draft picks we have $37 million to spend on free agents. I would then sign the following free agents.

WR Reggie Wayne 2012 salary cap hit $6.25 million

Ok I know he is 33 but here is my thinking, we need receivers and we need experience/leadership and Wayne offers both, the big names (Bowe, V-JAX, D-JAX etc.) are unlikely to want to come to a 3-13 team acquiring Wayne allows us to get 2-3 years worth of pretty good receiver and that time to find a longer term solution.

WR Robert Meachem cap salary $4.75 million

We get our deep threat in Meachem and this could be pretty good value, these 2 seriously improve our receiving corps and give Ponder multiple targets along with Percy, Rudolph and Shank.

TE Speaking of Visante Shiancoe - cap salary $4.25 million

I bring him back. We saw how good he can be with Favre in 2009, he knows the Musgrave offense and if Musgrave wants to utilise multiple TE sets we need (at least) 2 good catching TE'S. Shank coming back also gives us the opportunity to split out Rudolph as a receiver on occasion.

Guard Carl Nicks - cap salary $9 million

Our o-line sucks, Hutchinson will be gone Imo, Carl Nicks is an excellent guard, lets overpay if we must, but let’s get him.

DT Letroy Guion - salary $1 million

Back as a cheap backup

OLB Erin Henderson $2 million

He has done OK this year

CB Benny Sapp - $1 million

See Guion

CB - Brandon Carr - $5 million bit of a downward year but so did the Chiefs in general, still we pick up a good young player who improves our secondary.

FS - Thomas Decoud - $3.25 million

We need all the secondary help we can get, Decoud had 4 picks in 2011 and we need to turn the ball over more!

This gives us $10 million to sign draft picks we would be close to the cap but could just sneak under! So on to the draft, remember this an ideal so here is my "curveball"

Robert Griffen III has an unbelievable combine and teams love him, Indy picks Luck at #1, the Rams decide they need a weapon for Bradford so take Blackmon @ #2.

So, now we are on the clock, Cleveland are convinced we will trade with the Redskins for a boatload of picks and in their panic TO avoid Washington getting Griffen they trade us their #4 and #36 in order to select Griffen. We then select Kalil(LT) @ #4.

The Vikings then trade back into round 1 pick #17(trade chart value 950) from the Bengals (originally Oaklands pick from the Carson Palmer trade). We send our 2nd rounder #35, our 3rd rounder #67(total value 805) and our second rounder in the 2013 draft in order to do this. We are overpaying a little but this is offset because A) we now have Cleveland second rounder from the earlier trade and B) We have a compensatory pick at the end of the 3rd round. Also the Bengals still also have their own first rounder so may be willing to trade. With the #17 pick we then select David Decastro(guard) Stanford and hopefully have the foundations of a solid o-line for the next 10-15 years.

With pick #36 we Pick Chase Minnifield CB

More secondary help, I am not really sure on any prospects beyond that so will now look at what we can have as our roster to start 2012.

Offense

QB Ponder, Webb, late round pick/free agent.

HB Peterson, Gerhart, Late round pick/free agent

WR Wayne, Meachem, Harvin, Jenkins, Burton, Arcenaux

TE Rudolph, Shiancoe, Shuler, Reisner

LT Kalil, Love, late round pick/free agent

LG Decastro, Charlie Johnson

C Sullivan, Fusco

RG Nicks, Johnson, Berger

RT Loadholt,Johnson, Love, 5th round draft pick?

Our line could now become one of the best in the league, turnarounds like this are possible, just look at Houston’s secondary from last year to this!

Special Teams

Kluwe, Loeffler, Longwell.

Defense

RE Allen, Reed,late round pick/free agent.

LE Robison, Griffin

DT K wil, Ballard, Ayodele, Guion, 4th round draft pick?

OLB Greenway, late round pick/free agent.

MLB 3RD round draft pick?, Brinkley

OLB Henderson, Onatolu

CB Carr, Cook, Sapp, Burton

CB Winfield, Minnifield, Sapp, Sherels

FS Decoud, late round pick/free agent.

SS Sanford, Raymond

As I say a semi-serious look, what I would love to happen, some of it could but I imagine some is unlikely (the trades especially!)

But what would your ideal off-season be, is there any particular player you really want to see in Purple?

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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with this title I thought

you were going somewhere else…but you want vikes ….well shoot my mind is off on that other thing and doesn’t seem to want to come back

A successful coach needs a patient wife, loyal dog, and great quarterback - and not necessarily in that order.
-- Bud Grant

by PurpleValhalla on Jan 10, 2012 7:31 PM CST reply actions  

My ideal (realistic) off-season:

I would draft:
Matt Kalil, LT, USC
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State
Justin Fuller, WR, Texas A&M
BPA on Defensive side of ball rest of the draft…

Free Agency:
Pierre Garcon WR IND (4 years/20 mil)
Antonio Garay DT SD (3 years/18 mil)
Cortland Finnegan CB TEN (5 years/27.5 mil)
Tyvon Branch SS OAK (3 years/10.5 mil)
Jacob Tamme TE IND (4 years/12 mil)
Mike Tolbert RB SD (1 year/6 mil)
Dan Connor MLB CAR (4 years/18 mil)

That would total 33.5 million

I don’t think we’ll be signing a G, but I do like the idea of Carl Nicks. It really sounds like we’ll shift Charlie Johnson to LG and Fusco/Love will battle it out at RG…
Let Shiancoe Walk. Tamme is younger, better hands, and cheaper.
Tolbert is insurance for AP/ a good 3rd down back. Great pass-catching RB

QB: Ponder, Webb
RB: AP, Gerhart, Tolbert
WR: Wright, Harvin, Garcon, Fuller
LT: Matt Kalil
LG: Charlie Johnson
C: Sully
RG: Brandon Fusco
RT: Phil Loadholt (they’ll probably give him this year to make or break his NFL career)

D-Line: Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Antonio Garay, Brian Robison
LB’s: Greenway, Dan Connor, Erin Henderson
CB’s: Finnegan, Winfield, Cook, Burton
S: Branch, Martin, Raymond

by mak07 on Jan 10, 2012 7:52 PM CST reply actions  

I FORGOT TE's!

My TE’s would be:
Rudolph, Tamme, Reisner… I think we should give Ponder some much-needed weapons, and Tamme, Garcon, Fuller(6’4"), and Wright (5’10" 4.38 40) added to Harvin and Rudolph will give him a nice assortment or weapons, both for the short-term and long-term.

by mak07 on Jan 10, 2012 8:23 PM CST up reply actions  

HINES WARD!!

Then all the championships are be ours.

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 Jan 10, 2012 10:21 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

I like what you have done there too. I think we need to give Ponder weapons and protection, we will then see if he is good enough or not.

by ccfcviking on Jan 11, 2012 3:38 AM CST up reply actions  

You are correct.

My fault. I didn’t proof read that post.
I do think Jeff Fuller will be a pretty good pro. He had solid freshman and sophomore seasons, a huge junior season, and a solid senior season.
I’m not saying he’ll be an pro bowler, but he will be a solid WR in this league.
I meant to list him as the #5 WR, behind Jenkins as well. I think this is a pretty attainable group of WR’s, and it would turn one of our main weaknesses into a strength in one off-season. All the while, we’d stay pretty young.

by mak07 on Jan 11, 2012 12:05 AM CST up reply actions  

No Shiancoe

Time for Rudolph to shine!!

Straight Cash Homey

by MOSScomeBACK2vikes on Jan 10, 2012 8:42 PM CST reply actions  

1. Why not stick to Sage for veteran help as QB3 behind the two young guns?

2. Is it possible that Longwell missed goals and Xpts were on purpose? If so, I am okay with him staying.

by izziefans on Jan 11, 2012 2:39 AM CST reply actions  

I am OK with Sage staying too, just thought or hoped we may be able to snag this years T.J Yates in the 5th/6th round!

Longwell is an interesting one, normally reliable, what I don’t like is his inability to consistently kick touchbacks. Kicker was an afterthought if I am honest!

by ccfcviking on Jan 11, 2012 3:18 AM CST reply actions  

I liked Yates at North Carolina

Well, not “liked”, because he beat my Seminoles last year…. But I liked his on field play. However, I think most of the rookies QB’s taken last year (even Stanzi and especially Taylor) could do the same things he’s doing behind that road grading line.

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 Jan 11, 2012 8:28 AM CST via mobile up reply actions  

Webb > Yates

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 Jan 11, 2012 9:40 AM CST via mobile up reply actions  

Hence "...found our Yates..and more."

Would this have worked better: “…found our Yates…and then some in Joe Webb.” Sorry about not getting it across the first time.

by izziefans on Jan 11, 2012 1:42 PM CST up reply actions  

possibly realistic offseason that i would like to see.

FA:

I would like to see us be aggressive and try and get Bowe from Kansas, I think he’d be a great compliment to Harvin and he’s just entering his prime.

I would also target Carr to pair up with Cook and Winfield.

DRAFT:

I think the Rams are gonna trade out of the #2 spot with the Browns – that leaves us free to draft Kalil in the 1st round.

2nd round I would draft BPA at either WR, S or DT positions.

Then BPA (excluding QB & EN) for the rest of the draft to add depth to the squad.

That would leave us with a starting lineup of:

Offense:

Peterson
Ponder
Loadholt
Fusco
Sullivan
Johnson
Kalil
Rudolph
Bowe
Harvin
Jenkins
DRAFT

Defense:

Allen
Williams
DRAFT / Ballard / Guion
Robison
Greenway
DRAFT / Brinkley
Henderson
Cook
Carr
Winfield
Raymond
DRAFT

Not too bad.

by Scottish Viking on Jan 11, 2012 7:38 AM CST via mobile reply actions  

I liked Bowe...up until I saw him give up on the last play against..don't remember..but he quit.

I think it was Sunday Night because I get the feeling that Chris was saying something about Bowe’s fail.
Really wouldn’t want such a guy on our team. Same reason I wouldn’t want D-Jax. They can have all the talent in the world, without the right attitude, none of them will ever come even close to how Percy Harvin makes his fans feel.

by izziefans on Jan 11, 2012 9:28 AM CST up reply actions  

I don't remember Bowe quitting in a game.

I do remember Vincent Jackson doing that in a game vs Chicago?

I agree with you about not wanting that kind or character on the team, so if Bowe has the same issues then that would change my mind.

But I would like to see is get a legit #1 receiver in FAMILY and not just another possession receiver. If we are not able to lure a top WR then I would like us to go after one at the top of the 2nd round.

by Scottish Viking on Jan 11, 2012 9:55 AM CST via Android app up reply actions  

I think it was against PIT

I remember that too, and i don’t really want him on our team. If he has the right attitude, sure, but that’s a big IF

by mak07 on Jan 11, 2012 10:53 AM CST up reply actions  

There would be 12 men in the huddle every time

both offense and defense has 12 players in your starting lineup. Just sayin

by RickyBrune on Jan 11, 2012 9:18 PM CST up reply actions  

lol.

And Chilly thought we can have 12 men only at the most critical play of the season!

by izziefans on Jan 12, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions  

are you trying to say that we would start every game with the same 11 every time?

I was simply showing what our starting line could consist of….

if we manage to land a few good mid-round picks then we could potentially have additional starting quality players in 2012.

by Scottish Viking on Jan 12, 2012 5:25 PM CST via Android app up reply actions  

i think we need to get stronger up the middle of our defense so i thinking dt,mlb and safety all need to be proven vets. I think they should be free agents coming off rookie contracts.defense plays from the middle out and with the williams wall no more and e j possibly leaving what once was a strength has now become a concern.!!!i do believe ballard,brinkley and raymond can provide the depth from draft we just need proven vets to bridge the gap till they develop.

by vikes 1 on Jan 13, 2012 3:03 PM CST up reply actions  

As long as...

We draft Kalil, sign a solid FA WR and somehow upgrade our secondary, it will be my ideal offseason.

by Bjorno on Jan 11, 2012 9:25 AM CST reply actions  

Trade for Peyton Manning

@JayKlinkhammer
jayklinkhammer.tumblr.com

by y2jayjk on Jan 11, 2012 9:40 AM CST reply actions  

I'm baking a cake

I’m waiting. I’m tired of waiting. I go to the store and buy a cake. I eat the cake, and while it’s not bad, the home-made cake would have probably tasted better. I forgot about the cake in the oven. My home-made cake is now burnt and I’ll have to pick one up tomorrow.

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 Jan 11, 2012 9:58 AM CST via mobile up reply actions   1 recs

You traded the 3rd rounder to Cincy to move back into round 1...

Can’t draft a MLB in the 3rd.

"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen

by NMVike on Jan 11, 2012 10:14 AM CST reply actions  

Sorry should have been clearer on that, this would be the compensatory 3rd rounder we get for losing Sidney Rice.

by ccfcviking on Jan 11, 2012 10:21 AM CST up reply actions  

IF we get a 3rd rounder

It’s not set in stone yet.

"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen

by NMVike on Jan 11, 2012 10:26 AM CST up reply actions  

Here goes ...

My ideal off season would be that the Vikings hire me as an Assistant to the Director of Player Personnel whose sole function is to provide every conceivable trade possible of current players for less than their value and of current and future draft picks in order to select future hall of famers in every round!

My title would be .. Mock Draft Bozo!!!!!

by MarkSP18 on Jan 11, 2012 9:31 PM CST reply actions   1 recs

That gets you a rec

Because I could see it easily.

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 Jan 12, 2012 1:04 PM CST up reply actions  

Ideal off season?

Well lets see lets get Spagnolo as our DC. I liked your idea of getting rid of Hutchinson,Griffin,Herrera,Allen all dead weight needs to go. Then i also agree with the ideas of signing Nicks OG, & Wayne,Meachum WR’s also Carr CB. I would take it a step farther and sign Landry SS away from Washington. Resign Shaincoe to go with Rudolph wow what a recieving core= Wayne,Meachum,Harvin,Jenkins,draft pick,Arceneaux,Shiancoe,Rudolph. Plenty of weapons for Ponder to throw to.
Rd1 Kalil or trade down to number 6 with Washington get Martin or Reiff OT
Rd2 Gilmore CB S.C. or Jones WR N.C.. Thats as far as i go with the draft for without seeing combine numbers.

by Viking King on Jan 12, 2012 7:41 PM CST reply actions  

yeah, next season really want to see them focus on getting Ponder weapons and protection, even if that means our defense does not get all the new talent it needs, we can then see if he will succed(which I think he will) or fail, in which case we can give Webb his chance and/or get a new QB after next season instead of having this Ponder/Webb debate.

by ccfcviking on Jan 13, 2012 4:45 AM CST up reply actions  

A couple of the worst defences (ok, maybe not THE worst)

are in the play-offs…what happened to the old adage that defences win championships? It seems the most high-powered offence is ruling the day. Ergo, the Vikes need to focus on offence, both in FA and in the draft.
On- the other hand, the safties and corners for Denver were picking the Steelers apart. If you shutdown the pass game with a superior secondary, you win!
Conclusion: draft OL and secondary. (Ponder needs better protection…they did a close-up of him under center during the Falcons game…his eyes didn’t look right…yu know, like maybe he wasn’t all there…if you know what I mean!)

by Paul Mooney on Jan 13, 2012 2:32 PM CST up reply actions  

Oh and please

excuse the typo’s and misspellings

by Paul Mooney on Jan 13, 2012 2:33 PM CST reply actions  

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