Minnesota Vikings Sign WR Bernard Berrian to a Six-Year Deal

by Gonzo on Mar 1, 2008 4:30 PM CST in News

The Vikings have come to terms on a six-year deal with Bernard Berrian, sources have told FOXSports.com. The worth of the deal is not yet known.

Berrian was considered the No. 2 receiver on the open market behind Randy Moss. The Chicago Bears wanted to retain Berrian, who was the team's deep threat. But in the end, the deal Minnesota offered was too good to pass up.

Pacifist Viking should be pretty pleased with this one. Heck, I'm even starting to come around on it a little bit myself.

More on this from me tomorrow. . .until then, feel free to discuss!

Update [2008-3-1 17:32:7 by Gonzo]:

The Star-Tribune is confirming this, as is the Chicago Sun-Times.

That's official enough for me, folks.

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

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Comments

Bad Sign....What is Mueller Thinking????

Berrian is only a slight upgrade over Williamson. Berrian's hands are suspect and he really struggles against press coverage.

Sounds like the terms included somewhere in the area of $20MM guaranteed. Not good.

We needed help at WR, but Bryant Johnson and DJ Hackett would have been better options, and for much less money.

Mr. Viking

by BiggestVikingFanEver on Mar 1, 2008 5:41 PM CST 0 recs

Slight upgrade??????????

Berrian produced more last season then Troy did in three!

Bryant JOhnson is not a field stretcher like Berrian, he is more like Sidney Rice. Hackett is a possesion receiver, not a deep threat either.

Berrian fits what we need the best of anybody available not named Moss.

This is a very good signing.

VikeGuru is a doofus!!

by Unclebillybonz on Mar 1, 2008 6:45 PM CST 0 recs

A good signing???????

Maybe if you don't look at the money involved.

Berrian is a good #2 WR on most teams, but he's now being paid like a Top 10 WR in the entire league.

Oh well, we've got a crapload of cap space...we might as well blow it.

I just hope we save enough money to get an NFL Caliber QB on our roster. I don't know if I can take another year of watching the future CFL MVP, Tavaris Jackson, play QB for my team!!!

Mr. Viking

by BiggestVikingFanEver on Mar 1, 2008 9:27 PM CST up 0 recs

I'm sure the Wilf family is grateful that you

are so concerned about their finances. As long as the team improves why would you care how much money is spent to sign a guy that they target as a need??

VikeGuru is a doofus!!

by Unclebillybonz on Mar 2, 2008 10:38 AM CST up 0 recs

It's Called Fiscal Responsibility....

The Vikings have been flying well below the Salary Cap for years, however, if they ever find a QB worth paying (one that can win games), they will have to start being more responsible with their spending.

Sure, this deal works for now, but the good teams (Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Cowboys, etc.)approach FA differently, partially because they have to (cap reasons) and also because they are Super Bowl Caliber teams, players want to sign there and they are willing to take less money.

The Vikings probably had to pay Berrian more because of their QB problems. Let's face it, T-Jack is not good for a WR's career.

Mr. Viking

by BiggestVikingFanEver on Mar 2, 2008 11:27 AM CST up 0 recs

Jabar Gaffney anyone?

He could be a good and affordable aquisition

by NCvikefan on Mar 1, 2008 8:22 PM CST 0 recs

not finished?

who's to say the vikes are done throwing money at the available free agents? I, for one, vote we try and sign a second WR, whether it be gaffney or even walker from denver. Going into next year with Berrian, Rice, Wade, Walker and Aundrae Allison on the depth chart would definitely open up the passing game and take some pressure off of Purple Jesus.

by firebeard on Mar 2, 2008 3:07 AM CST 0 recs

WR is irrellivent...

until you fix the QB position. That is the area that we need to address next. Chilly need to make T-Jack compete for the starting spot instead of just handing it to him. What a joke.

Mr. Viking

by BiggestVikingFanEver on Mar 2, 2008 7:36 AM CST up 0 recs

Torn on the Signing...

I agree, the Berrian signing looks a whole lot better of the QB situation is addressed. That being said, I think Berrian has the ability to be a top-flight receiver in this league. His speed allows him to stretch the field causing matchup problems for opposing defenses. If teams want to put eight in the box to stop Peterson, they will lose the safety over the top needed to contain Berrian's deep speed. True, he does struggle against press coverage, but that can be solved by lining up off the line of scrimmage or putting him in motion prior to the snap.

Chris Iafolla Heard in the Cheap Seats http://heardinthecheapseats.com/

by Chris Iafolla on Mar 2, 2008 10:37 AM CST up 0 recs

Speed Factor...

That's what I keep hearing.

Williamson and Allison are 4.4 or better. Rice and Wade are very fast for their size.

Yeah, Berrian is a burner, but it isn't exactly like we lacked speed a year ago. Williamson might have had the worst hands in the league (including linemen!) but Berrian is certainly not Randy Moss.

Any truth to the rumor that Moss and Culpepper might reunite in Chicago? That would really stink if they both came over to the NFC North. If Culpepper's knee keeps getting stronger, the power in the divison would quickly shift to the Pack and Bears. I think we have a good chance at second place in the division this year with chance for a wildcard, but if Culpepper and Moss end up in Chicago, we are screwed!!!

Mr. Viking

by BiggestVikingFanEver on Mar 2, 2008 11:34 AM CST up 0 recs

SPEND IT!

Cap room only matters if they run out of capital at the start of the season and someone is available whom they wish to sign. I don't foresee that happening.

I say spend away. This is why I pay to go to games, and last I saw, the price for those games went up. At least they are spending and trying this off season!

-Chad
2007 Daily Norseman Fantasy Football Champion

by chadly0102 on Mar 2, 2008 6:27 PM CST 0 recs

I'm a fan...

Berrian is going to be a valued addition...he has hands good enough to catch solid passes and the speed to burn guys deep, and let's not forget Jackson showed some moments of being a very strong quarterback last year, when he is on, he's on, he just needs to be on more often (that's what she said)...I have faith in Childress to get Jackson in shape (but little more, he should not be head coach, he should be a quarterback's coach, the man can't call plays to save his life), but he'd better do it quickly, I like Jackson and think he will be a great fit this year, hopefully by now he's settled into the role and will RELAX and not panic under fire, but have some poise. Berrian, Allison, Rice and Williamson, not to mention Ferguson, ought to be enough to help stretch the field and provide good targets for him.

Skol Vikings!

by FoghornInDC on Mar 5, 2008 12:05 PM CST 0 recs