WR DeDe Westbrook Working Out With Vikings

[RandyMoss84]

Westbrook signs one year deal with Vikings.

https://www.twincities.com/2021/07/24/w ... h-vikings/

Hell yeah! I am super excited like DeDe! Boomer Sooner!

[VikingsVictorious]

Westbrook signs one year deal with Vikings.

https://www.twincities.com/2021/07/24/w ... h-vikings/

At best, we have a WR3 that could possibly contribute to the team far outside this year, and at worst we have an excellent special teams player that can help teach the younger players the name of the game. Anybody who doesn't like this move I don't think really understands how much of a win-win it is. It really is as simple as getting either the Jake Reed to our Moss & Carter, or we get our new Cordarelle Patterson.

I didn't recall Dede being a kick returner at all. If he's the equal to Reed or Patterson I will be extremely happy either way.

[J. Kapp 11]

This is what I was wondering, VV.
My first thought was, I wonder if they are not impressed by Mars Smith so far? Or is that reading too much into this?

Early in his career Westbrook was a rising star. He fell off the map recently. I'm simply very unsure of what we are getting assuming we sign him. I don't believe signing Westbrook would be any indication that we are unhappy with ISM.

Westbrook has four years in the league, but last year was lost due to a torn ACL. That’s why he fell off the map. However, he had 66 catches each of the two previous seasons before his injury, so he can definitely play, and he’s a favorite of our new receivers coach, Keenan McCardell. I see this as a quality signing. Seattle and San Francisco were after him, as well. And if it’s for the $2.5 million being reported, that’s even better.

Smith-Marsette has had almost no chance to show anything. He’s a fifth-round rookie WR who’s been running with the third team in OTAs without pads. Zimmer wouldn’t even start JJ the first two games of last year, and it took him five weeks to use Stefon Diggs, even though Diggs had wowed everybody in training camp. We all know, Zimmer is not not high on rookies, especially receivers. We can’t read anything into this regarding S-M.

[StumpHunter]

Early in his career Westbrook was a rising star. He fell off the map recently. I'm simply very unsure of what we are getting assuming we sign him. I don't believe signing Westbrook would be any indication that we are unhappy with ISM.

Westbrook has four years in the league, but last year was lost due to a torn ACL. That’s why he fell off the map. However, he had 66 catches each of the two previous seasons before his injury, so he can definitely play, and he’s a favorite of our new receivers coach, Keenan McCardell. I see this as a quality signing. Seattle and San Francisco were after him, as well. And if it’s for the $2.5 million being reported, that’s even better.

Smith-Marsette has had almost no chance to show anything. He’s a fifth-round rookie WR who’s been running with the third team in OTAs without pads. Zimmer wouldn’t even start JJ the first two games of last year, and it took him five weeks to use Stefon Diggs, even though Diggs had wowed everybody in training camp. We all know, Zimmer is not not high on rookies, especially receivers. We can’t read anything into this regarding S-M.

Diggs needing an injury to get on the field is a travesty though. By all accounts he had an unbelievable camp his rookie year but you don't play him AT ALL until week 4? That is poor decision making.

The JJ not starting until week 3 thing is overblown. He ran the exact same number of routes as Bisi did total in week 1 and 2 (and had 10 fewer yards than Bisi over those two weeks too btw).

The difference between how the two were handled is a good sign that Zimmer learned from his mistake with Diggs. He still stubbornly doesn't want to give a starting spot to a rookie, but he will at least use them now, instead of letting their talent rot on the bench.

[Rhodes Closed]

At best, we have a WR3 that could possibly contribute to the team far outside this year, and at worst we have an excellent special teams player that can help teach the younger players the name of the game. Anybody who doesn't like this move I don't think really understands how much of a win-win it is. It really is as simple as getting either the Jake Reed to our Moss & Carter, or we get our new Cordarelle Patterson.

I didn't recall Dede being a kick returner at all. If he's the equal to Reed or Patterson I will be extremely happy either way.

He's a very notable Punt Returner, which is where a lot of our problems on special teams stemmed. We couldn't return for ####.

[VikingsVictorious]

I didn't recall Dede being a kick returner at all. If he's the equal to Reed or Patterson I will be extremely happy either way.

He's a very notable Punt Returner, which is where a lot of our problems on special teams stemmed. We couldn't return for ####.

The thing was I didn't recall Patterson ever being a punt returner. If Westbrook can return punts as well as Patterson returned kicks and be the gunner on returns as well as Patterson I will consider it a big win.

[S197]

WR3/punt returner for the price is a good signing. If he can’t perform at pre-injury levels, no biggie, just a 1 year deal.

With so many players on “prove it” deals, it will be interesting to see what happens for those that actually do prove it. Smith, Woods, Peterson, Barr, Richardson, Westbrook, Alexander, Breeland, O’Neil… it’s a really long list.

[RandyMoss84]

WR3/punt returner for the price is a good signing. If he can’t perform at pre-injury levels, no biggie, just a 1 year deal.

With so many players on “prove it” deals, it will be interesting to see what happens for those that actually do prove it. Smith, Woods, Peterson, Barr, Richardson, Westbrook, Alexander, Breeland, O’Neil… it’s a really long list.

If they prove it then Vikings will be giving them long term extensions

[VikingsVictorious]

WR3/punt returner for the price is a good signing. If he can’t perform at pre-injury levels, no biggie, just a 1 year deal.

With so many players on “prove it” deals, it will be interesting to see what happens for those that actually do prove it. Smith, Woods, Peterson, Barr, Richardson, Westbrook, Alexander, Breeland, O’Neil… it’s a really long list.

If they prove it then Vikings will be giving them long term extensions

With our voluminous salary cap room.

[VikingLord]

Early in his career Westbrook was a rising star. He fell off the map recently. I'm simply very unsure of what we are getting assuming we sign him. I don't believe signing Westbrook would be any indication that we are unhappy with ISM.

Westbrook has four years in the league, but last year was lost due to a torn ACL. That’s why he fell off the map. However, he had 66 catches each of the two previous seasons before his injury, so he can definitely play, and he’s a favorite of our new receivers coach, Keenan McCardell. I see this as a quality signing. Seattle and San Francisco were after him, as well. And if it’s for the $2.5 million being reported, that’s even better.

Smith-Marsette has had almost no chance to show anything. He’s a fifth-round rookie WR who’s been running with the third team in OTAs without pads. Zimmer wouldn’t even start JJ the first two games of last year, and it took him five weeks to use Stefon Diggs, even though Diggs had wowed everybody in training camp. We all know, Zimmer is not not high on rookies, especially receivers. We can’t read anything into this regarding S-M.

Its a good signing. Fills a pretty glaring hole with a proven vet. Assuming he's healthy Westbrook fits right in and he's a playmaker to boot.

I can't recall an offseason where the Vikings were so determined to fill those immediate need positions with proven vets and not be content with sitting back and hoping draft picks or young players would develop and fill the hole. About the only area where they did go that route was OL, but in other areas, especially on defense, they've been very aggressive with snagging vets who have a good chance to markedly improve things quickly.

Smith-Marsette probably won't get a lot of chances this year, but I didn't expect him to get those even if Westbrook wasn't signed. Thats not a knock on SM who is an intriguing prospect, but more a reflection of how difficult it can be to make the leap into the pros. I imagine if Kubiak sees some things he likes with SM in training camp and the preseason he'll work his way onto the the field in some capacity soon enough.

[RandyMoss84]

If they prove it then Vikings will be giving them long term extensions

With our voluminous salary cap room.

If they can figure out how to sign players with little salary cap room then they can figure out how to give them long term extensions

[VikingTom]

With our voluminous salary cap room.

If they can figure out how to sign players with little salary cap room then they can figure out how to give them long term extensions

Teams and players were willing to do one year deals given the cap is low this year. I think the Vikings should have a good shot at resigning the guys they want next year. Cap will be at a more normal range. Yes other teams will have room also, but also be looking to extend some of their own one year deals.

There will not be sudden bonanzas for players, and teams will not be awash in money for the simple reason many did just as the Vikings. They squeezed in what they could on short term deals.

[VikingsVictorious]

Westbrook has four years in the league, but last year was lost due to a torn ACL. That’s why he fell off the map. However, he had 66 catches each of the two previous seasons before his injury, so he can definitely play, and he’s a favorite of our new receivers coach, Keenan McCardell. I see this as a quality signing. Seattle and San Francisco were after him, as well. And if it’s for the $2.5 million being reported, that’s even better.

Smith-Marsette has had almost no chance to show anything. He’s a fifth-round rookie WR who’s been running with the third team in OTAs without pads. Zimmer wouldn’t even start JJ the first two games of last year, and it took him five weeks to use Stefon Diggs, even though Diggs had wowed everybody in training camp. We all know, Zimmer is not not high on rookies, especially receivers. We can’t read anything into this regarding S-M.

Its a good signing. Fills a pretty glaring hole with a proven vet. Assuming he's healthy Westbrook fits right in and he's a playmaker to boot.

I can't recall an offseason where the Vikings were so determined to fill those immediate need positions with proven vets and not be content with sitting back and hoping draft picks or young players would develop and fill the hole. About the only area where they did go that route was OL, but in other areas, especially on defense, they've been very aggressive with snagging vets who have a good chance to markedly improve things quickly.

Smith-Marsette probably won't get a lot of chances this year, but I didn't expect him to get those even if Westbrook wasn't signed. Thats not a knock on SM who is an intriguing prospect, but more a reflection of how difficult it can be to make the leap into the pros. I imagine if Kubiak sees some things he likes with SM in training camp and the preseason he'll work his way onto the the field in some capacity soon enough.

Dede was an incredibly dangerous player before the injuries. A threat to score any time he touched the ball. I hope that is how it is now.

[S197]

If they can figure out how to sign players with little salary cap room then they can figure out how to give them long term extensions

Teams and players were willing to do one year deals given the cap is low this year. I think the Vikings should have a good shot at resigning the guys they want next year. Cap will be at a more normal range. Yes other teams will have room also, but also be looking to extend some of their own one year deals.

There will not be sudden bonanzas for players, and teams will not be awash in money for the simple reason many did just as the Vikings. They squeezed in what they could on short term deals.

There were a lot more one year deals this year but the Vikings are bottom 10 in cap space with about $5.4M right now. It's a competitive disadvantage against teams with 50, 60, 80 million in cap.

[VikingTom]

Teams and players were willing to do one year deals given the cap is low this year. I think the Vikings should have a good shot at resigning the guys they want next year. Cap will be at a more normal range. Yes other teams will have room also, but also be looking to extend some of their own one year deals.

There will not be sudden bonanzas for players, and teams will not be awash in money for the simple reason many did just as the Vikings. They squeezed in what they could on short term deals.

There were a lot more one year deals this year but the Vikings are bottom 10 in cap space with about $5.4M right now. It's a competitive disadvantage against teams with 50, 60, 80 million in cap.

Yes there will be teams with significant cap advantages, there always are some in that position every year. That does not necessarily translate into the Vikings being unable to retain the players on one year contracts they like.

Their cap space at the moment may look much different when FA opens next year. I agree it currently seems tight, we will just have to wait and see how things play out after the Vikings win the SB.