What do you think the defense will look like under zimmer?

[oldskoolvikingfan]

As the title states, what do you think the defense will look like next year under coach zimmer? Which starters will remain the same? Which free agents might become starters? And lastly which rookies might get a shot at starting?

This is what I think the starting defense might look like in 2014.

D-Line: Robinson, B.J. Raji, Floyd, Griffen.

-We sign Raji to a 4 year deal in Free Agency, and re-sign Griffen to a 2 year prove it type deal. Robinson and Floyd stay starters.

LB: Khalil Mack, A. Cole, Greenway.

-We draft Khalil Mack and he becomes a starter from day one. Audie Cole gets the starting job at MLB but we also sign a veteren or draft a rookie. Greenway stays a starter but we restructure his contract.

CB: Rhodes, Kyle Fuller.

-Rhodes remains a starter. We draft Kyle Fuller in the 2nd round and wins the starting job from a resigned Chris Cook (2 year deal) in training camp.

Safety: Harrison Smith, Jairus Byrd.

-Smith remains a starter and we sign Jairus Byrd in Free Agency.

I think this scenario is very possible considering the cap space we have and it would definitely help turn are defense around from last year.

[Superfreak84]

It is a dream scenario, but I doubt we throw big money at both Byrd and Raji.

[Eli]

So many holes on this defense ... you may as well try to predict the path of a bumble bee between two fields of flowers.

[Funkytown]

So many holes on this defense ... you may as well try to predict the path of a bumble bee between two fields of flowers.

Nice.

[Purpnation]

As the title states, what do you think the defense will look like next year under coach zimmer? Which starters will remain the same? Which free agents might become starters? And lastly which rookies might get a shot at starting?

This is what I think the starting defense might look like in 2014.

D-Line: Robinson, B.J. Raji, Floyd, Griffen.

-We sign Raji to a 4 year deal in Free Agency, and re-sign Griffen to a 2 year prove it type deal. Robinson and Floyd stay starters.

LB: Khalil Mack, A. Cole, Greenway.

-We draft Khalil Mack and he becomes a starter from day one. Audie Cole gets the starting job at MLB but we also sign a veteren or draft a rookie. Greenway stays a starter but we restructure his contract.

CB: Rhodes, Kyle Fuller.

-Rhodes remains a starter. We draft Kyle Fuller in the 2nd round and wins the starting job from a resigned Chris Cook (2 year deal) in training camp.

Safety: Harrison Smith, Jairus Byrd.

-Smith remains a starter and we sign Jairus Byrd in Free Agency.

I think this scenario is very possible considering the cap space we have and it would definitely help turn are defense around from last year.

Two big money signings like this would simply not be wise. And besides, Raji sucks. If the Packers aren't willing to pay the price for him then I don't know why we would.

[Laserman]

Yes, Shouldn't we be tired of paying Big $ for packers castaways by now?

[Loki]

not gunna happen, raji is a possibility, but bills have allready said they will franchise byrd if he doesnt re-sign.

[frosted]

One thing I anticipate is a very good season from Harrison Smith. I believe Zimmer will use him in some unique ways to take advantage of his skill set. He's a rugged MF'er and should be used as such, but he's also quite savvy in coverage.

[Mercy Percy]

Byrd will be in Buffalo, Idk about Raji we will see what happens but everything is really up in the air right now.

[Funkytown]

Hopefully better. Way, way better.

[saint33]

not gunna happen, raji is a possibility, but bills have allready said they will franchise byrd if he doesnt re-sign.

Where did you see this? Everything I've seen has said Byrd is very unlikely to be franchised considering he wants out of Buffalo and the franchise tag would be far too expensive the second time around for Buffalo to hold onto him

as for the OP. I don't mind Raji, he'd be a decent run stuffing DT with some success in the pass rush in the past. Byrd I think will be out of our price range, I think we'd be much more likely to invest a big contract in a CB than a safety.

I love Khalil Mack as much as anyone, but I think Viking fans should probably start resigning themselves to the fact that he is extremely unlikely to make it to the 8th overall pick

[Funkytown]

Where did you see this? Everything I've seen has said Byrd is very unlikely to be franchised considering he wants out of Buffalo and the franchise tag would be far too expensive the second time around for Buffalo to hold onto him.

A few hours ago:

The Cleveland Browns' interest in safety Jairus Byrd is real. But they won't be able to get him unless they are involved in a trade.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports the Bills still want to do a contract with Byrd, but they plan to place the franchise tag on him if that doesn't happen. They won't let Byrd get away for nothing. (A long-term deal before the March 3 franchise-tag deadline sounds unlikely.)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200000 ... -necessary

[NextQuestion]

USA Today's Tom Pelissero passes along Combine "buzz" that free agent DE Michael Johnson could head to the Vikings.
The dots connect, as ex-Bengals DC Mike Zimmer is now the Vikings' head coach, and Minnesota is needy on the defensive line with Jared Allen a virtual lock to leave in free agency. Johnson just turned 27, and is a solid pass rusher with plus run-defending skills. Minnesota is $28.8 million under the cap

[Funkytown]

...

[Raptorman]

Anybody but an ex Packer.