2014 Free Agent Tracker & Discussion

[Slick Rick]

Cortland Finnegan released by the Rams. I think with a coach like Zimmer, Finnegan can become one of the better corners in the game again. Also love is feisty attitude on the field.

Finnegan-Rhodes-Jean-Baptiste.

That is a solid sexy trio of CB's.

We already have a physical, small, hard tackling cornerback who's much stronger and much faster. Josh Robinson. I think he's the guy who stands to improve a lot with Zimmer. We're going to be playing a lot of press coverage with Zimmer, and that's what Rhodes and Robinson thrive in. Cook does too, but I'm afraid the injuries are too much to overlook, unless he's willing to take about league minimum salary+incentives for 1 year. Otherwise, I'm a huge no for Finnegan, he's old and he's not as athletic as he used to be. I think he'd get burned in press coverage, and would only really be useful as either a safety (we already have guys who can do what he can at the position) or as a slot/run-stopping corner a la Winfield in our Tampa 2 scheme. If the Vikings add a couple of corners, I'm guessing it will be through the draft.

[dead_poet]

Jerome Simpson - WR - Vikings

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the Vikings would like to re-sign free agent Jerome Simpson.

It likely wouldn't be more than a one-year deal. The draft and free-agent market are loaded with receivers, so it'd be wise for Simpson to sign quickly. Simpson wouldn't be anything more than the No. 3 receiver in Minnesota, behind Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson. Simpson played in Cincinnati from 2008-2011 when new Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

[dead_poet]

Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora "anticipate(s)" that the Texans will sign free agent Matt Cassel.

The dots connect, as new Texans coach Bill O'Brien was on New England's staff during Cassel's "breakout" 2008 season, and Houston could use a veteran bridge QB if it's to draft Blake Bortles, as expected. Bortles isn't ready to start in the NFL. Cassel already has a general understanding of O'Brien's offense.
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter

[Funkytown]

Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora "anticipate(s)" that the Texans will sign free agent Matt Cassel.

Darn it.

[Purple bruise]

No loss at all. Rewatch the Bengals game last year and it says it all.

[Funkytown]

No loss at all. Rewatch the Bengals game last year and it says it all.

And yet, you still lust Ponder after how many bad games? Doesn't make sense.

[Purple bruise]

And yet, you still lust Ponder after how many bad games? Doesn't make sense.

Ponder has played in 34 games out of of a possible 48 that is 14 less than 3 full seasons. Cassell has proven time and time again that he is at best a journeyman qb with many more starts and failures as Ponder.
I feel that at his young age, a coaching change and more work and experience Ponder has a good chance to succeed.
As I have said before, those that don't like my endorsement for him then tough crap. And although I laugh at your "lust" for Ponder comment, it does get old.

[Funkytown]

Ponder has played in 34 games out of of a possible 48 that is 14 less than 3 full seasons. Cassell has proven time and time again that he is at best a journeyman qb with many more starts and failures as Ponder.
I feel that at his young age, a coaching change and more work and experience Ponder has a good chance to succeed.
As I have said before, those that don't like my endorsement for him then tough crap. And although I laugh at your "lust" for Ponder comment, it does get old.

Just don't understand why you continually make excuses for Ponder but don't do the same for Cassel. That's all.

[Purple bruise]

A Ponder lover!!! You must be shunned! LOL jk. I'm very much done with Ponder, but eh, Alex Smith was considered trash before Harbaugh changed him. However, I highly doubt Ponder can be changed. I just don't think I can handle another 15-26 att 102 yds 0 tds 1 int games....[/quote]

No it is not love or lust Time will tell

[Slick Rick]

Ponder and Cassel are both backups. Cassel is a starting QB who has the skills of a backup, Ponder is a backup QB who has the skills of a starter. It's really that simple. Cassel is mentally tough, he's smart, and he can make plays in the pocket. When he can just get his guys open real quick, he can be a solid starter, but when you get some pressure on him, he's absolutely dreadful. Ponder's the opposite. He's not very smart, he only knows open receiver or covered receiver, and he reacts to that. He stares down his guy usually, and when the defense isn't ready to contain him in the pocket, he's lights out. Ponder would be unstoppable if he could just roll out and make the right decision on every play. He's very rhythmic, but when the rhythm is cut off, it's usually cut off for about half a season. He isn't very tough, and he even seems to give up at certain times, at least emotionally. I don't know if you can fix that, its a mental "problem", you usually develop your mental tendencies by the time you've hit puberty, so realistically, what can you do with Ponder? He could mature some, so there is hope. With Cassel, you really can't improve him any, he's going to give you the same basic skill set every time, but he's also going to give you 100% on every play, at every practice, etc.

[Purple bruise]

Funky said, "Just don't understand why you continually make excuses for Ponder but don't do the same for Cassel. That's all.[/quote]

Excuses like being thrown into the mess left by Chillydog and Mcflabb. No rookie training camp. A horrible pass protecting line with one offensive receiver weapon in Harvin (early on), Cracked ribs, seperated shoulder, bicep tear (those excuses). Having a QB coach who had and has zero credentials as a qb coach. Playing under Muskrat's horrible offensive scheme. Yep those are some of my excuses. As far as not making excuses for an older veteren QB like Cassell, who grew up under Belechick and learning from Brady (compare that history). Now he goes to KC has a few good games and stinks it up, comes to the Vikings has 2 or 3 good games and stinks it up (the Bengals game was the worst ever). No I have zero excusses for Cassell, I wish him well but to me it is what it is.

[Purple bruise]

Ponder and Cassel are both backups. Cassel is a starting QB who has the skills of a backup, Ponder is a backup QB who has the skills of a starter. It's really that simple. Cassel is mentally tough, he's smart, and he can make plays in the pocket. When he can just get his guys open real quick, he can be a solid starter, but when you get some pressure on him, he's absolutely dreadful. Ponder's the opposite. He's not very smart, he only knows open receiver or covered receiver, and he reacts to that. He stares down his guy usually, and when the defense isn't ready to contain him in the pocket, he's lights out. Ponder would be unstoppable if he could just roll out and make the right decision on every play. He's very rhythmic, but when the rhythm is cut off, it's usually cut off for about half a season. He isn't very tough, and he even seems to give up at certain times, at least emotionally. I don't know if you can fix that, its a mental "problem", you usually develop your mental tendencies by the time you've hit puberty, so realistically, what can you do with Ponder? He could mature some, so there is hope. With Cassel, you really can't improve him any, he's going to give you the same basic skill set every time, but he's also going to give you 100% on every play, at every practice, etc.

I have no idea about your comments about he just gives up wtf Not very tough where does that come from Not smart
Stick to your let's bring back 90 year old washed up Favre idea, it make more sense to me than some of the things you come up with.

[Mothman]

Darn it.

Eh... it wouldn't exactly be a devastating loss but it's also not exactly a done deal. La Canfora's tweet on the subject yesterday read:

Fully expect Matt Cassel to hit the open market March 11. He's still been talking to MIN but nothing close. I anticipate he lands in Houston

NFLN's Ian Rapoport tweeted:

When Matt Cassel opted out of his deal with #Vikings, it made him a FA. The interest from his Pats connection Bill O’Brien & #Texans is real

... and I find these reactions from Texans fand amusing, considering how much some Vikings fans want Cassel back:

The Myles G. ‏@MylesG10 4m
No, no, no! I don't want to wake up hearing the #Texans have "real interest" in Matt Cassel. This organization just doesn't understand #Sigh

Erik Cap ‏@ErikCapuchino 5m
Apparently b obrien is interested in Matt cassel. Wtf are you smoking

To be fair, there are probably some Texans fans who would approve of the move.

[PurpleMustReign]

Well if Cassel is gone, I think we should sign Freeman. He has had success and should be fairly cheap.

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[Mothman]

Mark Craig's Free Agency Don'ts:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 80781.html

With the salary cap at $133 million — $10 million above last year’s total — and expected to keep climbing in future years, most teams have ample room to (over)pay players they like now and release them without too many financial entanglements if they fall short of expectations (see Carlson, J.). The Vikings have about $34 million in cap space and two primary needs: offense and defense.

LOL!

The article is worth reading and among Mark Craig's "don'ts" are rules that would mean Gerhart, Simpson, Allen, Williams and Cook should all be playing elsewhere next year.