2017 Vikings Free Agency Thread (Discussion Thread)

[losperros]

Patterson's value as a kick returner is vastly overrated.

I agree. Patterson was an All Pro Kick Returner two years in a row, so how good can he be?

the kickoffs sent his way sailed out the back of the endzone. His average return length was 31 yards, and since he was returning most of those from the middle/back of the endzone, on average, the Vikings would have had better starting field position if he had downed the ball. The one touchdown was nice, but it added 4 yards to his return average, which even further illustrates that the team would be better off on average for him to down the ball. He is a dynamic returner, but it just doesn't matter that much anymore. The rules have changed to such a degree that it isn't an important position any longer. In a year or two when they eliminate the kickoff, his value there will be 0.

Is he worth 5 million as a WR? I think its a legitimate question, and I could argue both sides.

I understand what you're saying about the 5 million and think it's a valid question, but I look at Patterson as more than a WR. He can (and should have more often) run out of the backfield and he's a good punt gunner. Add the kick returns to that and Patterson's worth becomes more apparent. And yes, there will be kick offs during the upcoming season. Maybe not a few years after that, as you said, but next definitely next season.

As a result, I don't like the Vikings letting Patterson go. I think it will be a mistake.

If nothing else, I'm sure the Raiders signed Patterson mostly due to his multiple skills. If they value what CP brings to the game, then I believe they'll get more out of him than the Vikings did. Just my two cents.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Our tackle situation was no worst than our Guard situation.
Boone was brought in as a FA and paid very well. He is average at best. He has a big mouth but is adequate. Mike Harris is a Tackle who despite being a tackle is better than anything we have at guard. Fusco was never a favorite of mine and his contract was a rush to judgement. Should have been cut before then. Our best guards have been guys playing out of position (Berger and Harris). Again, I trust them drafting tackles more than I do guards. We're terrible at it.

Also it isn't a weak tackle draft. Plenty of guys that will be great as a RT. The problem as I explained... the LT draft is so bad, guys that would normally be RT are being forced fed into the LT role.

Yes it was by far. Once again, Boone is a pro bowler and whether you like PFF or not, his grade is above "average" and played next to Clemmings all year. Fusco was a good guard before the injury like I said, and Harris was like a Sirles at tackle but a much better guard. What tackles have we drafted or brought in previous years that were good? None.

I don't know what guys would make "great RTs" in this draft. It's a weak tackle draft overall. That's all analysts have been saying.

[YikesVikes]

Yes it was by far. Once again, Boone is a pro bowler and whether you like PFF or not, his grade is above "average" and played next to Clemmings all year. Fusco was a good guard before the injury like I said, and Harris was like a Sirles at tackle but a much better guard. What tackles have we drafted or brought in previous years that were good? None.

I don't know what guys would make "great RTs" in this draft. It's a weak tackle draft overall. That's all analysts have been saying.

I already explained why the void at LT will impact the RT draftees.
The two guards you mentioned were FAs. Neither good. Boone getting driven into the backfield has little to do with the LT lined up with him. He simply is average.

[Mothman]

Looks like Thielen is re-signed. Good news! Will be interesting to see exactly what the final numbers end up being.

http://www.startribune.com/source-adam- ... 416260594/

Sorry, I posted this in the wrong place mods. I tried deleting but I'm not sure how? Haven't been super active posting.....

Don't worry about it, Mike. Thanks for posting the info.

In the future, if you want to delete a post, just click on the X in the lower corner of your post.

[MikethePurple]

Don't worry about it, Mike. Thanks for posting the info.

In the future, if you want to delete a post, just click on the X in the lower corner of your post.

Great, thanks!

[Pondering Her Percy]

I already explained why the void at LT will impact the RT draftees.
The two guards you mentioned were FAs. Neither good. Boone getting driven into the backfield has little to do with the LT lined up with him. He simply is average.

Im looking at tackles as a whole and there isn't good depth at either. Not sure what's so hard to understand about that. Whether they play right, left, or bench, there isn't a lot of depth. I'm not the only one saying this. Watch anything to do with the draft, combine, etc and they will all say the same thing.

What two guards weren't good? Harris and Fusco?? Harris was a top 25 RG according to PFF in 2015 and Fusco in 2013 (prior to his injury in 2014) was the 5th best run blocker in the NFL and the 15th best pass blocker. He gave up 0 pressures in 10 out of 15 games that year. Now all of the sudden neither of those guys were good at one point?? That's completely false otherwise they wouldn't be putting up those numbers.

As for Boone, he's been a pro bowler and was our best pass blocker. He wasn't as good in the run game but it's also hard to judge when we had the RBs we had. Either way, I think he's better than average

[mosscarter]

any updates on the murray situation? what is the plan with the running back position any thoughts?

[Pondering Her Percy]

any updates on the murray situation? what is the plan with the running back position any thoughts?

He's still there from what I hear

[ocampo82]

He's still there from what I hear

I hope Murray moves on. That saying "he left meat on the bone" doesn't apply to him--he was so underwhelming with a good oline.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I hope Murray moves on. That saying "he left meat on the bone" doesn't apply to him--he was so underwhelming with a good oline.

Some guys preferred Lacy but he put up very similar stats the past few years that Murray did. I would take Murray over Lacy. Much less to worry about with Murray

[ocampo82]

Lacy left no meat on any bone

[Pondering Her Percy]

Lacy left no meat on any bone

[Fran the Man]

But my question is, you aren't sure what they are doing in what sense?? We're looking into nickel DBs, we're looking into RBs, looking into WRs, etc. Plus we have the draft. And signed two offensive tackles. Outside of CP and Cap, we really lost very little. And both are definitely replaceable. There is no replacement for CP when it comes to KR but as a WR, definitely. I don't understand what everyone is so upset about. We go out and fill huge tackle voids which is what everyone wanted and there are still fans that aren't pleased. I don't get it. We didnt let Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs go. It was a nickel back and a #3-4 WR. They are two replaceable players. Look at the contracts up next year. We need the money for much more valuable players other than a nickel back that wanted to play outside and signed a 4 year deal at age 29 and a good kick returner. I would've like to have CP back but its not the end of the world

EXACTLY! Well said PHP!

[JDLon]

Just saw this quoted (Fiestavike I think), very interesting point, an aspect I hadn't considered. I was happy to let him walk anyway, I want more than glimpses of talent in a 4 year body of work:

the kickoffs sent his way sailed out the back of the endzone. His average return length was 31 yards, and since he was returning most of those from the middle/back of the endzone, on average, the Vikings would have had better starting field position if he had downed the ball. The one touchdown was nice, but it added 4 yards to his return average, which even further illustrates that the team would be better off on average for him to down the ball. He is a dynamic returner, but it just doesn't matter that much anymore. The rules have changed to such a degree that it isn't an important position any longer. In a year or two when they eliminate the kickoff, his value there will be 0.

Is he worth 5 million as a WR? I think its a legitimate question, and I could argue both sides.

[JDLon]

Murray signed overnight (for me!), Thielen extended in what i'd class as a near perfect deal (not too much money for NFL standards, potential for a fair bit more, a good hard working player finally gets a decent payday to lock up his family's future).

Shame Cook got out of the building but if I was him i'd go talk to the raiders too, and as the vikes I don't want to overpay for him.

All in all a good free agency so far for me, very interested to see what Murray's deal is.