PFF Free Agency Tracker

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Actually, we don't know that. You're assuming it. We just know the Vikings valued Sanford enough to re-sign him and considering what he contributed to the team last year, that looks a good move, not a bad one. We don't know if Sanford will start. Heck, he wasn't even a lock to start down the stretch last year but Raymond wasn't able to come back from injury and force Sanford to the bench.
I know you're down on Fusco but he played well at times last year and he's a young player with the potential to get better. Sometimes a team has to take their lumps when developing a player if they believe he can be worth the effort. Sullivan turned out to be worth it. Fusco might too. There's still plenty of time for the Vikes to bring in more competition at positions that need it.
As others have pointed out, we're less than 24 hours into free agency so how do you know you were wrong? You went to the trouble of getting your hopes up. Why dash them to the ground so fast? There's a lot of talent still out there and the Vikes money is probably earmarked for someone. It just may not be an instantly gratifying, high profile free agent signing that occurs within the first 24 hours of free agency.

I think we have to take (or at least consider) the long view because that's likely what Spielman is doing. I mentioned this yesterday in the "Spielman press conference" thread and I think it was overlooked (or perhaps jut ignored—LOL) but the Vikings may intend to use some of the cap room they've freed up to sign their own players to extensions. The top 3 DEs on the roster are all in the final year of their contracts and if the Vikes have any intention of keeping Robison, Griffen or Allen beyond 2013, they'd probably like to lock them up well before they reach free agency next year. For example, I'll be shocked if they don't try to sign Griffen to a new deal before the 2014 league year begins.

Patience...

I understand Jim. Frankly, if Everson Griffen doesn't get an extension I will be very upset. However, by the same accord, it sometimes isn't enough to just resign your own players. Buidling through the draft is great and should be the approach. However, all the successful teams that built through the draft have one thing in common: an elite quarterback. Is Ponder going to be our 'elite' guy? Who knows. I am willing to give him this season before I throw him under the bus or not.

I am just sick of seeing the same positions neglected. Right guard has been in shambles for years. The last good right guard we had was the duo of Chris Liwenski and Adam Goldberg. Linebacker has been lacking for seasons now as has the strong safety spot. I am sense this malcontent to not upgrade these positions either.

Ultimately, I could very wrong in my judgement of this team. However, given this team's propensity to do dumb stuff, I really like the odds that I will not be wrong.

[mondry]

I agree with you about the mediocrity part. For now, anyway. I'm nourishing the hope that there is a master plan in place that will go into effect before the turn of the next century.

I simply can't see into the future. The truth is none of us can. What I do know is what has happened right now and I don't like losing both Harvin and Winfield. That hurts the team's passing game, both offensively and defensively, far too much.

As for the future, Harvin is 24 years old. He should have been part of the future. This isn't just an average slot receiver that has been lost. No one since Harvin's rookie year has scored more KO TDs than him. He's a threat as a returner, running out of the backfield, and as a receiver.

But hey, the Vikings re-signed Jerome Simpson to a one-year deal. What's next? Bring back Michael Jenkins? Brilliant!

Regarding Winfield being cut, not only does this remove much needed experience and skill from the D secondary's coverage but it will affect protecting against the run as well.

I'm just not so sure that all we had to do was want to keep Harvin and he'd still be here. In fact I believe there is enough evidence now, including the contract he got in seattle, to show that there really wasn't anything we could do. He simply wanted out.

Fact is, we're building for the long term future. An example of that is Ray Lewis, he played for what, like 15 years practically in baltimore, sure it sucks to lose winfield for this year, MAYBE next, but the goal is to find a replacement that will be here for the next 15 years. If guys like Harrison Smith, Matt kalil, Jarius Wright, and the entire bunch from this year's draft can mostly fit that area, we're going to be fine.

It's widely known day 1 free agent signings pretty much means vastly over paying, I'm glad we aren't one of those teams, I mean it's gotten Washington so many super bowls over the year, we must be missing out on something! Oh yeah, Bernad Berrian and Madeiu Williams, not worth it...

The positive here is that we re-signed the pieces we needed to resign in felton, loadholt, restructured Carlson, etc, brought back depth guys like Henderson and sanford, and made some extra cap space. We could sign a Mike Wallace to make everyone feel better in the short term, have no idea if he'd be motivated after his big contract nor know if he fits in our system well, then not be able to re-sign Christian Ponder, (if he pans out / improves, QB's are pretty expensive I hear!) Kyle Rudolph, or Chad Greenway, and further down the road we're gonna want to keep the new guys we're getting like Kalil, Smith, Wright. How about an in between player like Everson Griffen, I definitely want us to keep him to eventually replace jared allen, but now he walks and signs a decent pay day some where else because we over paid in FA.

The best kind of FA's are re-signing your own guys, remember that!

[Mothman]

I understand Jim. Frankly, if Everson Griffen doesn't get an extension I will be very upset. However, by the same accord, it sometimes isn't enough to just resign your own players. Buidling through the draft is great and should be the approach. However, all the successful teams that built through the draft have one thing in common: an elite quarterback. Is Ponder going to be our 'elite' guy? Who knows. I am willing to give him this season before I throw him under the bus or not.

If he's not, they'll have to go back to the well. There's almost no other way to find that QB.

I agree that building through the draft is a great approach but doing that and re-signing your own players isn't always enough. Free agency is an avenue to improvement and a smart team has to take advantage of it. I think the Vikings have at times and they probably will this year too but I suspect they want to reserve most of the big paydays for keeping their own.

I am just sick of seeing the same positions neglected. Right guard has been in shambles for years. The last good right guard we had was the duo of Chris Liwenski and Adam Goldberg.

II'm not so sure the RG position is really being neglected. They drafted Fusco, believe he can play the position and are trying to develop him into a starter. To me, that's not neglect, it's a strategy that may or may not pay off. My point is they're not standing pat with a 6 year vet with no upside at the position. They have a young player with potential they want to develop there and who knows? They might add another guard or two this offseason to push their starters.

Linebacker has been lacking for seasons now as has the strong safety spot. I am sense this malcontent to not upgrade these positions either.

Well, as we said last year (and it remains true this year), they can't fix everything at once. They drafted Smith and Blanton last year so they're clearly trying to improve at safety. You have a point at LB but they may be planning a big move at that position. They either have to re-sign Brinkley or replace him and right now, it's looking more like they will try to do the latter. There are still safeties and guards and LBs in free agency and those positions will be available in the draft too. I understand your frustration but it's a long offseason with a lot of moves remaining to be made.

Spielman seems committed to rebuilding this team with young, enthusiastic, high character players. I just hope he doesn't "faceplant" in his efforts get it right.

[losperros]

Fact is, we're building for the long term future.

Very, very long term future. I guess I was just hoping that some of us would still be around to see it happen.

An example of that is Ray Lewis, he played for what, like 15 years practically in baltimore, sure it sucks to lose winfield for this year, MAYBE next, but the goal is to find a replacement that will be here for the next 15 years. If guys like Harrison Smith, Matt kalil, Jarius Wright, and the entire bunch from this year's draft can mostly fit that area, we're going to be fine.

A big "if." But maybe veteran leadership isn't needed for the D secondary. I'm not sure that a replacement for Winfield or Harvin is going to be easy to find.

It's widely known day 1 free agent signings pretty much means vastly over paying, I'm glad we aren't one of those teams, I mean it's gotten Washington so many super bowls over the year, we must be missing out on something! Oh yeah, Bernad Berrian and Madeiu Williams, not worth it...

That's true. Even if the Vikings are a losing team next season, they can still say, "Yeah but look at all the money we saved."

Seriously, I honestly want the Vikings to build through the draft and supplement through the free agency.

The positive here is that we re-signed the pieces we needed to resign in felton, loadholt, restructured Carlson, etc, brought back depth guys like Henderson and sanford, and made some extra cap space. We could sign a Mike Wallace to make everyone feel better in the short term, have no idea if he'd be motivated after his big contract nor know if he fits in our system well, then not be able to re-sign Christian Ponder, (if he pans out / improves, QB's are pretty expensive I hear!) Kyle Rudolph, or Chad Greenway, and further down the road we're gonna want to keep the new guys we're getting like Kalil, Smith, Wright. How about an in between player like Everson Griffen, I definitely want us to keep him to eventually replace jared allen, but now he walks and signs a decent pay day some where else because we over paid in FA.

The best kind of FA's are re-signing your own guys, remember that!

I agree with the above. It's just the last line that I question. Seems to me that it depends on who the team is re-signing and who they are letting go or trading away.

And the Vikings won't be signing Mike Wallace.

[PurpleKoolaid]

We were 10-6 but now are going for long term.....

[dead_poet]

Danny Amendola - WR - Rams

A source with "knowledge of the market" tells PFT slot receivers are "getting screwed," and could lead to free agent Danny Amendola re-signing with the Rams.

Players like Amendola and Wes Welker aren't getting valued based on their raw numbers, but their perceived replaceability. Amendola has been the Rams' lone consistent playmaker during the Sam Bradford era, so we'd suspect they'd welcome him back at the right price even after signing Jared Cook. Amendola had reportedly lined up two visits on Tuesday, but the teams were never revealed.
Source: Profootballtalk on Twitter

[dead_poet]

Wes Welker has agreed to terms with Denver Broncos.

Adam Schefter on Twitter

[dead_poet]

Kerry Rhodes - DB - Free Agent

Cardinals released FS Kerry Rhodes.

The move saves Arizona $6 million against the cap. Rhodes was entering the final year of his deal. In December, the two sides were even talking about a two-year extension. Rhodes had a phenomenal season in 2012, as he was stout versus the run and in coverage. However, he turns 31 years old in August, and the veteran purge around the league continues. It's a buyer's market for defensive backs.
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter

[Mothman]

Kerry Rhodes - DB - Free Agent

Cardinals released FS Kerry Rhodes.

The move saves Arizona $6 million against the cap. Rhodes was entering the final year of his deal. In December, the two sides were even talking about a two-year extension. Rhodes had a phenomenal season in 2012, as he was stout versus the run and in coverage. However, he turns 31 years old in August, and the veteran purge around the league continues. It's a buyer's market for defensive backs.
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter

Let's hope the Vikes snag a few good ones.

[jeg067]

Does every team has to release a safety ?
Is it a new rule or something

[vikesfan52]

Can't believe how quiet it has been. Feel like Spielman is waiting on Jennings before he starts bringing players in for visits.

[mondry]

Very, very long term future. I guess I was just hoping that some of us would still be around to see it happen.

It's already started, we saw it last year going a surprising 10-6 that I don't think anyone really expected. Adding youth and HUNGRY players can make a huge difference just in itself. Essentially though we lost 2 players, the Ravens are about to lose 7+ when Ed Reed signs in Houston. In that sense I don't think we have it that bad, especially since in losing Harvin we did get another first rounder and then some. We have the picks to easily still make strides forward as an overall team, something Harvin didn't want to be a part of.

Seriously, I honestly want the Vikings to build through the draft and supplement through the free agency.

I agree, I actually think we share a closer mentality than not when it comes to this, but other than Greg Jennings I'm just not really sure there is anyone that would really be worth going after. There are a few guys I'd low ball pretty hard who could end up something but I don't personally scout players so it's hard to say.

[losperros]

I agree, I actually think we share a closer mentality than not when it comes to this, but other than Greg Jennings I'm just not really sure there is anyone that would really be worth going after. There are a few guys I'd low ball pretty hard who could end up something but I don't personally scout players so it's hard to say.

I needed to vent a bit, so I did. I'm starting to settle down now. As I said to Moth, my two favorite Vikings players just happened to be Harvin and Winfield. It's been a tough pill to swallow seeing them both get the the boot from the team.

On another subject, I guess I'm the only one on the board that prefers someone like a 26 year old Victor Cruz over a 30 year old Greg Jennings, who I think might have fading skills. If Spielman wants to go with youth, then go with youth.

[The Breeze]

I needed to vent a bit, so I did. I'm starting to settle down now. As I said to Moth, my two favorite Vikings players just happened to be Harvin and Winfield. It's been a tough pill to swallow seeing them both get the the boot from the team.

On another subject, I guess I'm the only one on the board that prefers someone like a 26 year old Victor Cruz over a 30 year old Greg Jennings, who I think might have fading skills. If Spielman wants to go with youth, then go with youth.

I like Cruz....but the price is huge. A #1 and a max contract for an elite receiver when we are not certain our QB is up to the task. I thik Jennings is just the more realistic option considering the history of the guy swinging the deals.

[mondry]

I needed to vent a bit, so I did. I'm starting to settle down now. As I said to Moth, my two favorite Vikings players just happened to be Harvin and Winfield. It's been a tough pill to swallow seeing them both get the the boot from the team.

On another subject, I guess I'm the only one on the board that prefers someone like a 26 year old Victor Cruz over a 30 year old Greg Jennings, who I think might have fading skills. If Spielman wants to go with youth, then go with youth.

haha I understand, winfield and harvin are definitely 2 of my favorites, though i've soured on Harvin some depending if some of this "stuff" is true or not.

I like Cruz a lot, but I thought he was a RFA or whatever? Meaning we have to pay him big money AND give the giants a 1st round pick. It could definitely be worth it, I just think one of the big bonuses of a draft pick is that the starting salary is going to be much lower for the "unproven" guy, the rookie. In that sense we could potentially sign jennings AND draft a WR for what would actually be a pretty similar price. I like the idea of 2 players trying to fix something, rather than everything in the Cruz basket.