Eli wrote:
Hopefully the Vikings haven't shot themselves in the foot by waiting to see if he does. Their depth at guard is pretty bad without Schwartz, who should have been starting, IMO.
Here's our first 2012 one-year contract that didn't work out in the Vikings' favor. Schwartz got over his injury of 2011 and showed that he could play. But now he has no desire to remain a Viking, as he's been a starter in the past and will be a starter once again somewhere else.
I am not sure that Schwartz did much at all to earn an extension to his one year deal. The coaches, and I would imagine that they know a little bit more than we do, decided that Fusco earned and deserved the starting role at Swatz's position. Now that being said, how good of a player is Swartz if he can not even beat out Fusco?
My take is that it was a wise move to only have signed Swartz to his one year deal and they will find an upgrade in the draft or through free agency.
Do not mistake KINDNESS for WEAKNESS!
Best to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool rather than open it and remove all doubt.
I think the coaching staff was trying to develop Fusco in the hopes that lightning will strike twice and they'll find another Sullivan, who all of a sudden developed into a starter after not looking too hot his first couple of seasons. The fact that they kept subbing Scwhartz for random offensive series gives a pretty good indication that they're not yet sold on Fusco. But keep your fingers crossed.
Dan Wiederer wrote a little about each of the Vikings free agents on offense: Loadholt, Felton, Schwartz, Simpson, Aromashodu and Berger.
Jim
I've got to go along with Wiederer's views about the individual players. That's especially true of Simpson. If Simpson's back problems were the culprit in his production being beneath what was expected (and I believe that may be the case), then bring him back for a cheap price. The Vikings will need more than one season to rebuild their WR corps. When Simpson is healthy, he can at least stretch the field and even draw pass interference penalties against opposing Ds, as he did before he got hurt.
The biggest puzzle is Loadholt. He isn't perfect but the Vikings need consistency on the OL. Besides, who is going to replace him? The last thing the Vikings offense should want is to see their OL drop in quality.
Eli wrote:
Hopefully the Vikings haven't shot themselves in the foot by waiting to see if he does. Their depth at guard is pretty bad without Schwartz, who should have been starting, IMO.
Here's our first 2012 one-year contract that didn't work out in the Vikings' favor. Schwartz got over his injury of 2011 and showed that he could play. But now he has no desire to remain a Viking, as he's been a starter in the past and will be a starter once again somewhere else.
On the other hand, it's pretty clear that they don't want him to be a starter so the damage is minimal. I wasn't particularly impressed with Schwartz. At times he looked superior to Fusco and at times he didn't. I didn't think there was a significant difference in overall quality of performance between the two of them.
I suspect the one year deal that really won't work out in the Vikes' favor is Felton's deal, not because they won't be able to re-sign him (I think they will) but because he'll probably cost them more than he would have if they'd signed him to a multi-year deal in 2012.
Our guards are horrible. And I think have proved, uncoachable. Thats why we need new blood in at guard. The battles are fought at the Line, and we lose alot with our guard play. And Load isnt a whole lot better wehn it comes to pass protection. I dont care if its through FA or the draft, something has to change or there wont be an improvement.
Boon wrote:Not much more for a blocker who caught what? 1 pass all season? It is what it is, and im pretty sure felton knows that.
A blocking fullback's value isn't measured in yards gained when HE touches the ball. Felton was a pretty big difference-maker last year. Peterson had the best season of his career and there was a dramatic difference in the yardage he gained when Felton was on the field and the yards Peterson gained when Felton was on the bench. Felton's a fullback so his contract isn't going to break the bank but now he can demand top fullback dollars (whatever they are) and he couldn't do that last year.
Once again I pretty much agree with Wiederer's assessment.
I know others may feel differently about this but I'd like to see Sanford come back. Not only does he help with depth but the guy is a consistently good special teams player. From what Wiederer said, it sounds as if the Vikings feel Sanford is low maintenance, works hard, and brings some value to the team.
OTOH, I'm just not crazy about any of the team's linebacker free agents. Brinkley and Henderson both have their moments from time to time, yes, but I believe the Vikings need LBs that are faster, read better, and have more impact on the game than those two do. I don't care where the Vikings find new LBs either. The draft and/or free agency works. Just upgrade the position.
DraftInsider.Net's Tony Pauline "(continues) to hear" the Jets will target OG Geoff Schwartz in free agency.
Schwartz is capable of playing both guard and tackle, but couldn't beat out RG Brandon Fusco for a starting job in Minnesota last season. Schwartz missed all of 2011 with a hip injury, but did start all 16 games for the Panthers at right tackle in 2010. He'd provide cheap, versatile depth for a Jets line that got a bad rap in 2012, but has insisted he has no intention of being a backup. Perhaps he could replace free agent LG Matt Slauson. Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly
DraftInsider.Net's Tony Pauline "(continues) to hear" the Jets will target OG Geoff Schwartz in free agency.
.... Perhaps he could replace free agent LG Matt Slauson.
Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
Can he play left guard ? Did he ever do it ?
Or can Fusco do it ?
Because I know a team whose left guard isn't so good and is supposed to make about 3.5 M next year...
The natural state of the football fan is bitter disappointment. - N.H.
ESPN 1500 Twin Cities believes free agent RT Phil Loadholt is a "plausible candidate" for the franchise tag, but that the Vikings prefer a long-term deal.
According to beat writer Tom Pelissero, the Vikings' "fear" is that Loadholt will immediately sign the tender and lock himself in at the franchise price of $9.7 million for tackles. In other words, the Vikings want Loadholt back, but not at an elite-tackle price. Whether it's via the tag or a multi-year deal, Loadholt is expected to remain in Minnesota. Per Pelissero, the Vikings plan to meet with the reps for all their key free agents at the Combine. Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly
DraftInsider.Net's Tony Pauline "(continues) to hear" the Jets will target OG Geoff Schwartz in free agency.
Schwartz is capable of playing both guard and tackle, but couldn't beat out RG Brandon Fusco for a starting job in Minnesota last season. Schwartz missed all of 2011 with a hip injury, but did start all 16 games for the Panthers at right tackle in 2010. He'd provide cheap, versatile depth for a Jets line that got a bad rap in 2012, but has insisted he has no intention of being a backup. Perhaps he could replace free agent LG Matt Slauson. Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter
At least one team is smart enough to recognize his ability.
A Randy Moss fan for life. A Kevin Williams fan for life.
Those expecting a possible free agency spending spree? Not going to happen. In fact, it’s unlikely the Vikings will spend a lot of time and energy courting any of the possible “big splash” free agents that might be available come March 12.
To reiterate once again, the Spielman’s philosophy on building his roster can be summarized as follows: build through the draft and add a few minor pieces through free agency.
I asked the Vikings GM to elaborate on that mindset Thursday and here’s a big chunk of what he had to say:
“I’m not a real big believer in spending in free agency. We’re always going to try to build through the draft and continue to do that. Because I think that way you maintain a roster that can be competitive year in and year out. Not only on the field but also from a financial standpoint of staying within the cap and looking at the overall cash. I think you have a lot more success when you sign your own players as unrestricted free agents. Because you know them the best. And if you screw up signing one of of your own guys and he doesn’t pan out, then that’s a fault on you. I think it’s a little riskier when you go out and try to sign other team’s UFAs.”
Not surprising I suppose. Could be smoke, but it more likely suggesting Spielman's true intentions. Kinda sucks to hear. I love free agency, but at the same time, the approach makes sense. The ultimate question is who qualifies as a 'big name target?' Does Greg Jennings qualify? Dwayne Bowe? Mike Wallace?
A Randy Moss fan for life. A Kevin Williams fan for life.
I think it is a valid approach. Consider, if I were the 49ers I might be looking to add one guy that might kick me over to top. For the Vikings, they sill have to add some pieces to the pie, if they over extend now they may end up one guy short and then lack the funds to sign the missing piece. It could go the other way as well, but I think Spielman's method is more sustainable.
One thing about his comments though, yes you know your guys, but the onus of drafting well is magnified and thus you do still need to have a very solid player eval department. I would say the jury is still out on that front as far as the Spielman GM tenure is concerned, it is still too early to tell.
Winning is not a sometime thing it is an all of the time thing - Vince Lombardi
If I had to choose between signing a Winfield, Fat Pat, etc higher level guy or guys we've got in trade. or signing a half dozen Spielman level guys, pretty clear the way I'd go. Reminds me of how the Twins handle free agency.
whose left guard isn't so good and is supposed to make about 3.5 M next year...