CbusVikesFan wrote:So, are the Vikings done with Free Agency?
It sounds like they may be ready to make a run at George Selvie. I'd applaud that decision - he's exactly the type you want to seek out in unrestricted free agency. An under the radar, cost effective, and talented football player. Bring him in to help out on the defensive line rotation. I had hoped they would look into Jeron Johnson for those same reasons, but looks like he signed on with Washington. Good for them, they're getting a deal, IMO.
I was quite bummed out that they didn't get Michael Johnson. I would have much preferred him to Selvie, as they are similar players in terms of their game, but Johnson is quite a bit better, IMO. Another benefit of signing Johnson would have been that it would not have counted against us in the compensatory pick formula next year. Of course, it would have also been quite a bit more expensive to sign MJ.
I really am happy with the way that Rick and Co. have approached unrestricted free agency this year. The Wallace trade deviated from that general approach, and I'm not thrilled with it, but I am trying to keep an open mind. It just hurts to lose a draft pick (even a fifth) and the contract is just so absurd, IMO. That said, it wasn't a UFA pickup, and the fact that there is no dead money beyond this year is huge too. If Wallace can produce like he did in Pittsburgh, I'll be ecstatic. I'm kind of in the wait and see frame of mind with that one. I do think Jennings was going to be gone either this year or next. I'm glad they were heady enough to admit the mistake they made (paying him that much), cut their losses, and moved on.
But in terms of being smart and not overspending on flashy UFAs, they have been right on point. I realize that doesn't really line up with everyone's personal philosophy, and it's not the most exciting approach, but it's a tried and true method, whether you like it or not. Personally, I wouldn't have it any other way. I saw a tidbit in a couple places this week that the Packers have one player on their team (Peppers) who has played a game for another team. Now, I hate the Packers as much as the next God fearing Minnesotan, but it's hard to argue with their success. Additionally, teams like Pittsburgh, Seattle, San Francisco, Baltimore, New England, etc. have been traditionally under active in UFA and build via the draft. It works. You get good players, you keep the ones you can when their contracts run out, and you get compensatory picks for the ones that leave to get overpaid elsewhere.
Speaking of compensatory picks..I know some scoffed at the idea of keeping it in mind this year, but I do believe we're in a good spot to potentially be awarded one next year (as of now, anyways):
@GoesslingESPN
#Vikings have also been picky on UFA market because of interest in street free agents, like Johnson. Those don't affect compensatory picks.
Here's the chart right now:
UFAs Lost
- Jerome Felton
Jasper Brinkley
Christian Ponder
UFAs Gained
I also recalculated our active contracts and cap space, and updated the OP with all transactions and such, as of the Wallace trade and Jennings release - this also includes the Hill signing and all other re-signings. By my calculations we currently have $6,159,191 in cap space. Keep in mind this includes all the players we signed since the end of the season (above and beyond the regular 53 man roster).
