Everson Griffen re-signed to 5 year deal.

[PacificNorseWest]

Good for Griffen. 42 Mil is a lot. I've never been to learned on the salary cap in the NFL, but I'm curious how the $20 million guaranteed works into this. The number in total means little to me because in the NFL you can get cut and not get a dime, so it's all about the guarantee.

I thought Michael Johnson was a shoe-in and he still may be. I'm just glad we have Zimmer who knows best of all on Johnson. Product of that amazingly good line or the potential to be the guy on the defensive front?

[PurpleKoolaid]

A lot of money for a DE that's never even played DE for a season. As a starter. Hope this is a good move. I was hoping for Johnson. The guy flat out can stop the run. And pressure the QB.

[S197]

Griffen and Robison were near mirror images of each other in terms of their development. Both 4th round guys that played primarily in situational positions, spelling the DE or playing tackle on passing downs. Robison got his contract after he proved to be valuable in those situations (over Ray Edwards) and now Griffen gets his contract for doing the same (over Allen). I think he's shown enough production and certainly enough potential to warrant the contract. Everyone gets overpaid in free agency, it's the nature of a rising cap.

[Eli]

Good for Griffen. 42 Mil is a lot. I've never been to learned on the salary cap in the NFL, but I'm curious how the $20 million guaranteed works into this. The number in total means little to me because in the NFL you can get cut and not get a dime, so it's all about the guarantee.

It means that as soon as he's received $20M then no additional part of the contract is guaranteed. For example, say his signing bonus is $10M, year one pays him $4M, year two pays $6M. He's paid the signing bonus immediately. After year two of the contract he'll have reached the $20M mark and has no additional guaranteed money. He could be released at that point without costing the team any more money. The signing bonus itself is prorated against the salary cap over a five year period, which is why teams often pay big bonuses as part of a contract: because it minimizes the immediate cap hit. If a player with the above theoretical contract was cut after two years, the $2M per year bonus would continue to be counted against their salary cap for another three seasons ("dead money").

[PacificNorseWest]

Underlying factor in all this is Mike Zimmer, of course. I fully trust his evaluations and his ability to coach/motivate players.

[saint33]

It means that as soon as he's received $20M then no additional part of the contract is guaranteed. For example, say his signing bonus is $10M, year one pays him $4M, year two pays $6M. He's paid the signing bonus immediately. After year two of the contract he'll have reached the $20M mark and has no additional guaranteed money. He could be released at that point without costing the team any more money. The signing bonus itself is prorated against the salary cap over a five year period, which is why teams often pay big bonuses as part of a contract: because it minimizes the immediate cap hit. If a player with the above theoretical contract was cut after two years, the $2M per year bonus would continue to be counted against their salary cap for another three seasons ("dead money").

I think the signing bonus for Griffen was $13 Million.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... n-signing/

[PacificNorseWest]

It means that as soon as he's received $20M then no additional part of the contract is guaranteed. For example, say his signing bonus is $10M, year one pays him $4M, year two pays $6M. He's paid the signing bonus immediately. After year two of the contract he'll have reached the $20M mark and has no additional guaranteed money. He could be released at that point without costing the team any more money. The signing bonus itself is prorated against the salary cap over a five year period, which is why teams often pay big bonuses as part of a contract: because it minimizes the immediate cap hit. If a player with the above theoretical contract was cut after two years, the $2M per year bonus would continue to be counted against their salary cap for another three seasons ("dead money").

Clears it up a bit, thanks.

Now, is that guaranteed money always spread out to the length of the contract? I thought the teams could disperse that guaranteed money however they like.

[NextQuestion]

Have they ruled out the 3-4 scheme? Wonder if they potentially see Griffen as a push rushing OLB and could potentially still go for a DE?

[PacificNorseWest]

Have they ruled out the 3-4 scheme? Wonder if they potentially see Griffen as a push rushing OLB and could potentially still go for a DE?

Yeah, we don't know anything really. It's honestly why we can't really deem this move good or bad right now.

[saint33]

Have they ruled out the 3-4 scheme? Wonder if they potentially see Griffen as a push rushing OLB and could potentially still go for a DE?

they haven't ruled it out, but Zimmer has said they will run primarily out of a 4-3. However on any given play, they may us the 3-4 front if they feel that it plays to some of the rotational player's strengths. It's just going to depend on what the skill set of our front 7 is going to be. If we have role players who can play in a 3-4 and enough versatile starters to play the scheme, he'll likely have a package of 3-4 plays.

[Slick Rick]

A lot of the "moneyball" teams are running hybrid schemes like what the Ravens and 49ers have been running for years, because you get more out of your players if they can play multiple schemes to counter different offensive looks. I suspect the Vikings will do that same, and that's probably why they've re-signed Griffen and Robison, and not Allen. Both Griffen and Robison have LB traits, and Robison actually as a background as a ILB, but was moved to DE after his first year at Texas because he had the size for it.

I'm glad they brought Griffen back. I figured it was either him or Johnson. He's a little bit stronger and faster than Johnson is, but isn't familiar with Coach Zimmer's scheme. The fact that the Vikings brought him back, and paid him so much to do so, just shows how much confidence we have in him. I'm not surprised, it seemed like every time he had a chance he made a big play or at least got in the QB's face.

[chicagopurple]

That seems like a LOT of Cap Money for a guy who was not a starter. I REALLY hope this is his time to emerge as not just a starter but an ELITE starter.........now, what about that smaller detail......finding a QB?

[Purple bruise]

They just resigned Cassel in case you missed it. Unless you want them to announce their draft pick today, expect not to know about the QB situtation for another 2 months.

Come on now, what's the hold up They should have that QB (smaller detail) taken care of by now Wait a minute, the draft is still 2 months away but maybe they could make a deal for Wilson or Luck. Seems like such a simple thing to do

[Laserman]

I Like it

[King James]

I think the Vikings will run an hybrid 4-3 defense. Which is similar to a 3-4 because you have a DE/LB like Everson Griffen who can also possibly drop back as another Linebacker on certain plays.