2014 Offseason Discussion/FA Tracker Thread

[Pondering Her Percy]

Just a heads up, I started a free agency thread a few weeks ago. It's further down on the first page.

[VikingPaul73]

UFA:
DE Jared Allen - would he be willing to play on the Vikings for 3 more years at a SIGNIFICANTLY reduced price (and role)??? The market for DEs has been pretty soft the last couple of years, and its obvious that JA has lost a step (or 2). Would he be worth $4million per year?

OL Joe Berger - wouldn't mind keeping him for depth (if cheap)

LB Desmond Bishop - he is good when healthy, but never healthy. Still, I'd like to see him come back

CB Chris Cook- keep him for league minimum. I know he gets ripped on this board, but he'd be a pretty good #3

DT Fred Evans - a decent backup for backup money. But when is his next arrest?

QB Josh Freeman - let him go, hopefully we'll get a compensatory pick

RB Toby Gerhart - someone will pay him starter money, so we have to let him walk. Good luck to Toby

DE Everson Griffen - Should be the primary focus this offseason. really hope they can resign him, but I hope he doesn't break the bank.

OL Charlie Johnson - thanks for your services.

LB Marvin Mitchell - thanks for your services.

WR Jerome Simpson - I like the guy, and hope they keep him, sign him for 2 years as long as the price is right

OL J'Marcus Webb - wouldn't mind keeping him for depth if price is right.

WR Joe Webb - thanks for your services

DT Kevin Williams- sign him for 2 years so he can retire a VIKING!!

RFA:
RB Matt Asiata (ERFA) - keep him, can he be the #2?
LB Larry Dean - thanks for your services
CB Marcus Sherels - keep him

Other Players Leaving (Cut, Traded, Retired, etc):
Need to restructure Greenway....8mil next year should turn into 8mil for next two years (4 mil per year)

Players Acquired (via FA or Trade):

[saint33]

we will not get a compensatory pick for a player that played one game.


And letting our best special teams player go when he's a RFA? Ya, no.

[justinkendle]

Well since it's officially the offseason for us, I figured I'd get this up so we have something to talk about other than the impending coaching changes and the draft.

All FA speculation and talk about our impending FAs should go here.



UFA:
DE Jared Allen
OL Joe Berger
LB Desmond Bishop
CB Chris Cook
DT Fred Evans
QB Josh Freeman
RB Toby Gerhart
DE Everson Griffen
OL Charlie Johnson
LB Marvin Mitchell
WR Jerome Simpson
OL J'Marcus Webb
WR Joe Webb
DT Kevin Williams

RFA:
RB Matt Asiata (ERFA)
LB Larry Dean
CB Marcus Sherels

Other Players Leaving (Cut, Traded, Retired, etc):

Players Acquired (via FA or Trade):

just my personal opinions....

Jared Allen- time to go thanks for the memories, he wont come back here for cheap and Everson Griffen should fill his spot now if he comes back as a viking.

Joe Berger- resign him for depth

Desmond Bishop- his NFL career is probably over, 2 torn ACL's in consecutive seasons, hard to come back from for most players anyways to be given a chance on a roster.

Chris Cook- GOOD BYE

Fred Evans- he once impressed me, not so much this year, I dont think he will be back.

Josh Freeman- He was thrown to the wolves to early and was never given a fair chance, poor management on the staff and gm on this one. Freeman will probably go to Oakland since he has chemistry with the OC their and seeing that Oakland has QB promblems worse then the vikings do, my bet is he gets a shot their.

Toby Gerhart- Ive always liked this guy , but there is no way he is coming back as a viking, still a solid RB though i think whatever team who gets him in FA are going to get their moneys worth.

Everson Griffen- I hope he comes back as a viking, guess will wait and see.

Charlie Johnson-I think he can easily be replaced.

Marvin Mitchell- Fraizer seemed to really love this guy since he started most of the games this season, He didnt do anything though this year as a starter, he will be gone, I wish Hodges or Mauti got a shot in Mitchell spot atleast some point in the season.

Jerome Simpson- Showed signs of being a solid WR but he is trouble off the field, I think its time to go

Jarmacous Webb- Hmmm I am not sure I didnt really get to see him play this year.

Joe Webb- Great run blocker but I dont think the vikings are going to show any intreast of resigning him back.

Kevin Williams- I still think he is serviceable but i dont see a deal.

[MrPurplenGold]

UFA:
DE Jared Allen - would he be willing to play on the Vikings for 3 more years at a SIGNIFICANTLY reduced price (and role)??? The market for DEs has been pretty soft the last couple of years, and its obvious that JA has lost a step (or 2). Would he be worth $4million per year?

I don't think he would be willing to take less than Robison just resigned for. I don't think he's going to get a big contract but I think he could probably garner a 4 year deal worth about 7-8 million a year. The big question becomes how much are you willing to pay your D-Line because you've got to look at resigning Griffen as well. Now if he decides to leave I think you have to look at bringing Allen back.

CB Chris Cook- keep him for league minimum. I know he gets ripped on this board, but he'd be a pretty good #3

I'm not sure Cook is even worth a #3 spot. The Vikings HAVE to go after a CB in free agency. I think this should be their number 1 priority. Blanton may see a more permanent role at CB next year with Smith, Sanford and Sandejo rounding out the Safety position plus I think Sherels is a serviceable # 4 and not that it matters but we'll be getting Josh Robinson back from injury as well. So if we can grab someone like Alterraun Verner from TN, with Rhodes on the other side and a competition between Blanton and Rhodes for the nickel spot, I think we can do without Cook.

DT Kevin Williams- sign him for 2 years so he can retire a VIKING!!

I agree. I think Williams has done enough that he should be able to retire a Viking. If anything as a rotational DT he'll be better than anything that we have now. I think this also depends on how they plan on addressing DT in free agency and in the draft as well.

Need to restructure Greenway....8mil next year should turn into 8mil for next two years (4 mil per year)

I think this should also be a priority. The Vikings should have plenty of Cap Space after this season but his play doesn't dictate that he deserves 8 million a year.

[maembe]

Well since it's officially the offseason for us, I figured I'd get this up so we have something to talk about other than the impending coaching changes and the draft.

All FA speculation and talk about our impending FAs should go here.



UFA:
DE Jared Allen
OL Joe Berger
LB Desmond Bishop
CB Chris Cook
DT Fred Evans
QB Josh Freeman
RB Toby Gerhart
DE Everson Griffen
OL Charlie Johnson
LB Marvin Mitchell
WR Jerome Simpson
OL J'Marcus Webb
WR Joe Webb
DT Kevin Williams

RFA:
RB Matt Asiata (ERFA)
LB Larry Dean
CB Marcus Sherels

Other Players Leaving (Cut, Traded, Retired, etc):

Players Acquired (via FA or Trade):

DE Jared Allen - Sad to see him go, but he just isn't worth signing. His game has declined significantly, to the point where he isn't even on of the top two defensive ends on our team

OL Joe Berger - don't care

LB Desmond Bishop - He's done. He showed some promise, but couldn't stay on the field.

CB Chris Cook - I've been a long-time Cook supporter, but not so much anymore. We absolutely have to sign someone or draft another corner early if we're going to get rid of him though.

DT Fred Evans - Provides some depth at DT, he'd probably be worth bringing back. Not very critical though.

QB Josh Freeman - I'm probably in the minority that would like to see him back. I'd rather have him than Cassel to let him compete with a rookie and see if he can get it together.

RB Toby Gerhart - He'll likely be a starter somewhere and a solid one at that.

DE Everson Griffen - He should be our priority signing this offseason. I would be totally comfortable with Griffen and Robison anchoring the ends.

OL Charlie Johnson - He's bad and I would like us to sign a decent guard, but I'm not sure that we have anyone who can step in and fill this spot. Hopefully we can replace, otherwise we'd probably need to resign him.

LB Marvin Mitchell - Managed to go an entire game without making a tackle. That's quite a feat for a starting linebacker.

WR Jerome Simpson - I wouldn't mind having him back because he has some playmaking ability, but we really don't need him.

OL J'Marcus Webb - decent depth

WR Joe Webb - we just don't have any use for him unfortunately

DT Kevin Williams - I would like to see him come back because I think he still has some game left and we could be somewhat thin at D-Line otherwise.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Well since it's officially the offseason for us, I figured I'd get this up so we have something to talk about other than the impending coaching changes and the draft.

All FA speculation and talk about our impending FAs should go here.



UFA:
DE Jared Allen
OL Joe Berger
LB Desmond Bishop
CB Chris Cook
DT Fred Evans
QB Josh Freeman
RB Toby Gerhart
DE Everson Griffen
OL Charlie Johnson
LB Marvin Mitchell
WR Jerome Simpson
OL J'Marcus Webb
WR Joe Webb
DT Kevin Williams

RFA:
RB Matt Asiata (ERFA)
LB Larry Dean
CB Marcus Sherels

Other Players Leaving (Cut, Traded, Retired, etc):

Players Acquired (via FA or Trade):

Resign: JaMarcus Webb, Desmond Bishop, Everson Griffen, Joe Berger, Josh Freeman, Larry Dean, Marcus Sherels, Matt Asiata. (Tough cut: Kevin Williams).

Everyone else? See ya later.

To defend my Freeman choice, I still think the guy has potential. Why not? Cassel, Freeman, and drafted QB. Give all three of them a shot at the job. See what happens.

[S197]

UFA:
DE Jared Allen - keep if they can't come to terms with Griffen.
OL Joe Berger - keep, provides good depth and can play multiple positions.
LB Desmond Bishop - release, too many injuries.
CB Chris Cook - cya
DT Fred Evans - keep, solid backup that shows flashes of potential.
QB Josh Freeman - his stock is so low, I'm inclined to say keep if it's for a dirt cheap price.
RB Toby Gerhart - enjoy your new team.
DE Everson Griffen - top priority signing.
OL Charlie Johnson - cya.
LB Marvin Mitchell - cya.
WR Jerome Simpson - all dependent on contact.
OL J'Marcus Webb - not a fan, cya.
WR Joe Webb - I was hoping for big things but it hasn't panned out, sorry Joe, gotta go.
DT Kevin Williams - A tough cut but one that probably needs to be made. Have to see what Floyd has.

RFA:
RB Matt Asiata (ERFA) - resign, replacement for Toby.
LB Larry Dean - special teams fodder, don't care either way.
CB Marcus Sherels - big on special teams and has stepped up majorly in coverage. Reward the guy for his effort and resign him.

[Eli]

Priority Re-signings
The Vikings can't afford to lose these players. Worth overpaying if necessary.

DE Everson Griffen - He may never lead the league in sacks, but he has real talent and is the only young defensive lineman on the team with proven skills.

WR Jerome Simpson - Without him, the Vikings' WR corps looks very different. Greg Jennings will be 31 and has just a couple years left. Cordarrelle Patterson is going to be good, but he's still developing and nobody really knows what kind of receiver he'll be. Jarius Wright is just average.

CB Marcus Sherels - Special teams demon and improved at cornerback.

Keepers
Guys who won't (or shouldn't) break the bank and will almost definitely have a role next year, barring some insane draft or off season personnel moves.

OT J'Marcus Webb - Very good depth at OT after the Vikings have strugged to find anybody who could back up at OT who was better than PS material. I'd argue that he looked better than Phil Loadholt at RT.

DT Fred Evens - Can't afford to lose him. I wish the Viking could say they had someone better at his tackle position, but they clearly do not.

DT Kevin Williams - Even at his age he's better than anyone else they have at DT, with the possible exception of Sharrif Floyd. Worry about cutting him next year or the year after when things might look different. Play him as a backup to Floyd, if necessary, and let him retire a Viking.

For the Right Price (Don't Care)
Give them contracts with little or no guaranteed money and these guys are at least worth bringing into camp.

RB Matt Asiata - Sure, why not. He'll be cheap.

OL Joe Berger - Worth keeping around for depth at G and C, but no loss if he signs elsewhere.

LB Desmond Bishop - If he could stay healthy, he's an upgrade over anyone we saw at OLB in 2013, and at worst a solid backup. Young linebackers like Gerald Hodges or possibly a high draft pick could render him obsolete, however.

LB Larry Dean - Again, if he's cheap, he's worth bringing into camp and hoping to God he's beaten out by someone with a little talent.

Gone
Not worth the effort of even bringing them back next year. They have no future with the Vikings.

QB Josh Freeman - Don't even think about it. No more than one of the three backup-quality QBs should be retained, and he ain't it.

RB Toby Gerhart - I don't see it happening. Backup running backs are a dime a dozen in this league.

WR Joe Webb - Nothing left to see here. The Cinderella story is over.

OL Charlie Johnson - Good riddance.

DE Jared Allen - Time to move on.

LB Marvin Mitchell - Bye.

CB Chris Cook - Not even as a backup. Not if every CB on the team ends up on IR.

[jackal]

Everson Griffen is the only player I am really concerned about

Allen is a great player but will want huge money and is in decline IMO

[S197]

Everson Griffen is the only player I am really concerned about

Allen is a great player but will want huge money and is in decline IMO

I think Allen is going to surprise people with the contract he signs. It won't be nearly as much as people anticipate. For one of two reasons, if he stays, it's because he respects the Wilfs honoring his contract to the end and has made his money. If he leaves, he'll take a paycut to play for a contender.

[Demi]

I think Allen is going to surprise people with the contract he signs. It won't be nearly as much as people anticipate. For one of two reasons, if he stays, it's because he respects the Wilfs honoring his contract to the end and has made his money. If he leaves, he'll take a paycut to play for a contender.

Yep, Griffen is only guy that matters. Can fit in a 43 or 34. Will Spielman pay the man, or be a tough guy? Who knows, already low balled him.

We'll get screwed on Allen either way. Guy is a shadow of his former self. Played for sacks since he got the record. Better than average, but not worth what he'll take. And will take a lower contract on a contender and compensatory pick? Look at last years free agent veteran defensive ends...

[Eli]

We'll get screwed on Allen either way.

How do you get screwed by letting him walk??

[BGM]

Jared Allen - can someone explain how 11.5 sacks is considered a step back? And a team that is rebuilding needs leadership, which by all accounts Allen has supplied in many ways. Ah yes... his age. Michael Strahan had 11 sacks in his tenth season and had 46 sacks in his last 5 seasons, Bruce Smith had 10 sacks his tenth season and racked up 55 in the next 5 seasons, Reggie White had 8 sacks in his tenth season and collected another 53 in his last 5 seasons, Chris Doleman had 7 sacks in his tenth season and put up 55 in his last 5 seasons, John Abraham had 5.5 sacks his tenth season and has 44 sacks in his last 4 seasons. The idea that Jared Allen is not worth re- signing seems ludicrous when you consider that, as an elite pass rusher, he has at least 5 years of excellent production left.

Everson Griffen - ok, he's a good young player who has been productive in situational work, but the reaction to him here seems almost cult-like. I think hanging onto Toby Gerhart is more important. I am stunned at how many want to see him walk. At the least re-signing him gives you a quality back you can trade, at the best you have a workhorse back you can ride when AD is hurt. You may still have heartburn over how he was drafted, but he has proven his worth.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Jared Allen - can someone explain how 11.5 sacks is considered a step back? And a team that is rebuilding needs leadership, which by all accounts Allen has supplied in many ways. Ah yes... his age. Michael Strahan had 11 sacks in his tenth season and had 46 sacks in his last 5 seasons, Bruce Smith had 10 sacks his tenth season and racked up 55 in the next 5 seasons, Reggie White had 8 sacks in his tenth season and collected another 53 in his last 5 seasons, Chris Coleman had 7 sacks in his tenth season and put up 55 in his last 5 seasons, John Abraham had 5.5 sacks his tenth season and has 44 sacks in his last 4 seasons. The idea that Jared Allen is not worth re- signing seems ludicrous when you consider that, as an elite pass rusher, he has at least 5 years of excellent production left.

Everson Griffen - ok, he's a good young player who has been productive in situational work, but the reaction to him here seems almost cult-like. I think hanging onto Toby Gerhart is more important. I am stunned at how many want to see him walk. At the least re-signing him gives you a quality back you can trade, at the best you have a workhorse back you can ride when AD is hurt. You may still have heartburn over how he was drafted, but he has proven his worth.

I really like Toby, but I just don't think it is worth resigning him. You can replace Toby Gerhart.

I was never really a fan of drafting him, but I have enjoyed having him. It just sucks to know that we passed up guys like Jon Asamoh, Jared Veldheer, Morgan Brunett, Carlos Dunlap, Sean Lee, and Donald Butler for Toby, when we didn't need him.