2014 Free Agent Tracker & Discussion

[Pondering Her Percy]

My disappointment has been the draft over the years more than the play.

I hope you aren't talking about the past two years because they've been quite solid

[Mothman]

Fred Evans - DL - Vikings
Vikings re-signed DT Fred Evans.

Thanks for the info.

I'm guessing if they end up signing Melton, that's it for Kevin Williams.

[headless_norseman]

Evans > good resigning for depth.

[CbusVikesFan]

I hope you aren't talking about the past two years because they've been quite solid

No but still, time will tell, overall.

[dead_poet]

Thanks for the info.

I'm guessing if they end up signing Melton, that's it for Kevin Williams.

My gut says they don't sign Melton. I just don't get it. Either they're signing Melton to be a full-time starter at three technique (which, then, says a LOT about how they view first-rounder Floyd), OR they won't be offering him a "full-time" job (splitting reps with Floyd), which I can't imagine he'd be too thrilled with when he'd go essentially anywhere and be "the guy." And if that's the case, I doubt the Vikings are the highest bidder for a guy they aren't going to play a full compliment of snaps/rotational dude. Unless they view Floyd as playing some end or more of a "swing" guy? *confused*

[Pondering Her Percy]

No but still, time will tell, overall.

The way I look at it, if Spielman wasn't our GM, there is a very good chance that Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, and Cordarrelle Patterson wouldn't be on our roster. Those are all quality trades that he pulled off to get solid players.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Ben Goessling ‏@GoesslingESPN 22m
Now looks like Bud Grant just walked in. Gotta think #Vikings are trying to close a deal here.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Goose Oberstar ‏@GooseOnSports 4m
Captain Munnerlyn has canceled his visit to Tampa Bay tomorrow!!!!!!!!! #Vikings

BAM!!!!

[Mothman]

My gut says they don't sign Melton. I just don't get it. Either they're signing Melton to be a full-time starter at three technique (which, then, says a LOT about how they view first-rounder Floyd), OR they won't be offering him a "full-time" job (splitting reps with Floyd), which I can't imagine he'd be too thrilled with when he'd go essentially anywhere and be "the guy." And if that's the case, I doubt the Vikings are the highest bidder for a guy they aren't going to play a full compliment of snaps/rotational dude. Unless they view Floyd as playing some end or more of a "swing" guy? *confused*

I think the plan would have to be to use their DTs in a rotation. Adding Melton could give them all kinds of flexibility along the line. Floyd can probably play inside or outside, as you implied, and we know Griffen can. With Melton and Evans in the mix (or even with Williams and Evans in the mix) the Vikes could keep their d-line and pass rush fresh into the 4th quarter and keep the pressure on opposing offenses.

Another possibility: since he's coming off a serious injury, maybe Melton would want a 1 or 2 year deal where he didn't have to be "full time".

They may just see a talented player in Melton and be thinking, "Let's bring him in. If we can sign him, he only makes us better. If he wants to go elsewhere, no harm done". It's definitely good to see them exploring the option.

[Loki]

Adam Schefter "Captain Munnerlyn is signing a three-year deal with the #Vikings, per source."

[dead_poet]

I think the plan would have to be to use their DTs in a rotation. Adding Melton could give them all kinds of flexibility along the line. Floyd can probably play inside or outside, as you implied, and we know Griffen can. With Melton and Evans in the mix (or even with Williams and Evans in the mix) the Vikes could keep their d-line and pass rush fresh into the 4th quarter and keep the pressure on opposing offenses.

Another possibility: since he's coming off a serious injury, maybe Melton would want a 1 or 2 year deal where he didn't have to be "full time".

They may just see a talented player in Melton and be thinking, "Let's bring him in. If we can sign him, he only makes us better. If he wants to go elsewhere, no harm done". It's definitely good to see them exploring the option.

Sure, anything is possible. I guess I have a hard time thinking the Vikings would be top-bidders for the guy if he's not going to be THE starting guy. Maybe Joseph would come out on passing downs and we'd have Griffen, Melton, Floyd, Robison, which makes sense. Of course, that begs the question, is Joseph worth what was paid to be a two-down run-plugger? If signed, that's likely to be a lot of $$ on the defensive line.

Don't get me wrong; I want to sign the guy, I just think it's going to be a tough get/sell for a guy that likely wants to maximize his value. I hope we get him and everyone is put to good use.

[dead_poet]

Adam Schefter "Captain Munnerlyn is signing a three-year deal with the #Vikings, per source."

@GoesslingESPN Can confirm Munnerlyn is signed. Three-year deal.

[saint33]

To me, FA has some similarities to the draft. Except sometimes the players are a bit older. And they have some input on where they end up. However there is a risk involved with all of them. And, in general the best players are signed in the first day or 1, and if you wait too long, there are al ot more Madieu Williams and Berrians. Also, just like the draft, its about finding the "right" free agents that you can use to improve your team.

There are many players that can be found beyond the first day or two. We did not sign Jennings until a week into free agency last year. Guys like John Abraham, Sean Smith, Karlos Dansby, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, and I believe Brent Grimes were all found after the first surge of last year's free agency, and all had very strong seasons for their teams.

I don't disagree that free agency is like the draft in that every player brings a level of risk. However the risk in the early days of free agency is greater than in the early days of the draft, due to the salary cap. If you miss on a first round pick, you weaken the talent on your team, but due to the rookie wage scale, your team's cap is relatively unharmed. Spending big money on free agents who do not work out not only hampers the talent of the team, but hurts the team's salary cap as well. A number of mistakes on these players can leave a team in a situation where they are a team filled with needs but no cap space to address these needs, and in some cases they are forced to release their best players just to be able to fill a roster (As Dallas did with DeMarcus Ware).

So while you may be correct, waiting for the initial surge of big contracts to die down and settling for the more reasonably priced guys may lead you to field a few Berrians or Madieus. However the cost of those types of players is appropriate. Where as if you go the route of spending big money early, you may strike gold on a Reggie White, but much more often than naught you'll end up with a Bernard Berrian or Madieu Williams, and will be financially committed to that player.

Building an NFL roster is a balancing act. You need high priced veterans, but you can't fill your team with them or else you'll end up like we did 09. A small window to compete and then a complete overhaul. You need those young cheap players just as badly as you need the high priced veterans. And low priced veterans as well. Getting the right balance is how you build a successful franchise and it's always smarter to give out the big contracts to those who have developed and succeeded in your own organization, as you know those players better than any from other teams, and thus the risk is much smaller.

[Westgaard66]

We got the Captain....

Friggin sweet.

[SkyFire]

Great signing to get Munnerlyn. Has been one of my favorite players for a while and I think he will do great things for this team.