2014 Free Agent Tracker & Discussion

[Mothman]

You may be on to something, but I dunno. I think what we're seeing is a coach and GM being on the same page and working together. I'm not sure if Spielman is all that different, but I think Zimmer is definitely better than Frazier in "knowing what he wants" and relaying that into the signings. There's no way to tell, for all we know, Frazier was highly involved in "recommending" the Fred Evans, Marvin Mitchells, Erin Hendersons, and Jamarca Sanfords etc. There's a good chance Frazier was pretty happy / comfortable going into the season with what he had and played a big part in us keeping those players.

Eh... there's a good chance he wasn't too. If I remember correctly, he made comments about the DBs that suggested that was the case. It was clear leading up to the draft that Frazier and Singletary were both expecting Spielman to draft a middle linebacker.

I think the moves we're seeing in free agency thus far are probably moves the Vikes would have made regardless of a head-coaching change. There's no way they were going to come out of a season where they had one of the worst defenses in the NFL and in which contracts for two of their longest-tenured, most productive d-linemen expired and not make some moves in free agency to address the defense. Ironically, in adding Joseph and Munnerlyn, the Vikings have signed a pair of players reminiscent of Winfield and Pat Williams, two players who were keystones in the more successful defenses Frazier coached.

Other than having more cap room to utilize, I don't see a significantly different free agent strategy from Spielman than we've seen in the past. He's said for years his preference is to sign younger free agents. He's also said that re-signing their own players is a priority for the Vikings and it's clear that was true again this year. He's still signing "low level" free agents like Brinkley and Cox, guys who can provide depth and/or competition but aren't exactly "splash" players.

I expect to see the same approach to the draft that we've seen the last two years too.

[KSViking]

I expect to see the same approach to the draft that we've seen the last two years too.

I hope not. With the depth at this years draft, I think patience pays off. Spielman always gets ants in his pants, and feels the need to give up the mid-early round picks to get that 1 guy he wants. We need a lot of good players this year, not 1 or 2 guys.

[Mothman]

I hope not. With the depth at this years draft, I think patience pays off. Spielman always gets ants in his pants, and feels the need to give up the mid-early round picks to get that 1 guy he wants. We need a lot of good players this year, not 1 or 2 guys.

"1 or 2 guys" implies the Vikings drafted, at most, 4 good players in the last two years. Is that what you believe? Do you think the Vikings have come away with only 2-4 good players out of the 19 they selected in the last two years, because that's what you're implying.

They drafted nine players last season, 3 in the first round and one in every round except 2 and 3. If they can draft 3 first round players instead of 1 player in each of the first 3 rounds, that strikes me as a winning strategy.

In 2012, they drafted 10 players and selected in every round but R2. They had two first round picks. They've been "giving up" mid-early round picks and drafting first round picks instead!

I understand that they could have drafted more players and that's a legitimate point but drafting more players doesn't necessarily mean coming away with more good players. The strategy they've been employing has allowed them to select five first round picks in 2 years, while still making at least one pick (sometimes more) in all but 3 rounds of the past two drafts. If they can keep turning second or third round picks into first round picks while still selecting in each subsequent round, I'm all for it. To me, that's an approach that reflects good management of team assets.

[Purple bruise]

I am very pleased with these signings. As has been mentioned several times, The Vikes signed Fat Pat and Winnfield 2.0's in the Captain and Joseph.

[NextQuestion]

Talib is elite though. He shut down Jimmy Graham to a zero stat line before Graham left in the 2nd half.

[frosted]

"1 or 2 guys" implies the Vikings drafted, at most, 4 good players in the last two years. Is that what you believe? Do you think the Vikings have come away with only 2-4 good players out of the 19 they selected in the last two years, because that's what you're implying.

They drafted nine players last season, 3 in the first round and one in every round except 2 and 3. If they can draft 3 first round players instead of 1 player in each of the first 3 rounds, that strikes me as a winning strategy.

In 2012, they drafted 10 players and selected in every round but R2. They had two first round picks. They've been "giving up" mid-early round picks and drafting first round picks instead!

I understand that they could have drafted more players and that's a legitimate point but drafting more players doesn't necessarily mean coming away with more good players. The strategy they've been employing has allowed them to select five first round picks in 2 years, while still making at least one pick (sometimes more) in all but 3 rounds of the past two drafts. If they can keep turning second or third round picks into first round picks while still selecting in each subsequent round, I'm all for it. To me, that's an approach that reflects good management of team assets.

Great post. Solid points.

[smoothoperator]

Vikings defensive back Jamarca Sanford agreed to restructure his contract last week, reducing his base salary by $750K in exchange for a $400K guarantee and playing-time incentives, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.

Man, Greenway better follow suit and restructure, 8.2 million cap hit for a mediocre LB...

[Purple bruise]

Vikings defensive back Jamarca Sanford agreed to restructure his contract last week, reducing his base salary by $750K in exchange for a $400K guarantee and playing-time incentives, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.

Man, Greenway better follow suit and restructure, 8.2 million cap hit for a mediocre LB...

That's what I am saying. I really like Greenway but his coverage skills suck and his tacking skills have eroded markedly. Time to restructure or say adios thanks for all you did.

[Mothman]

That's what I am saying. I really like Greenway but his coverage skills suck and his tacking skills have eroded markedly. Time to restructure or say adios thanks for all you did.

Nah, it's time to pay him what they owe him because he's earned it and to add more talent around him at LB. There's just no sense in cutting the most qualified starter at LB they still have on the roster.

I actually think Greenway could have a really good year.

[frosted]

There's where the big question is. It also worries me that he has drawn no interest outside of Dallas.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ttle-trip/

It does appear he's generated some buzz. Us, Seattle, Dallas, and Chicago - perhaps others. Your concerns are valid about his health. I just think landing him would be huge for us, and I think it would help Floyd out in the long term, giving him some more time to develop as he spends this year in a timeshare of sorts rotating with Melton.

I hope we still have a chance. Melton is/was a Pro Bowl caliber defensive tackle. You can never have too many talented players.

[frosted]

Nah, it's time to pay him what they owe him because he's earned it and to add more talent around him at LB. There's just no sense in cutting the most qualified starter at LB they still have on the roster.

I actually think Greenway could have a really good year.

I have mixed feelings on Chad - though, like you, I think he could benefit greatly from the improvements we are making on our defensive line, as well as a change in scheme. Keeping my hopes up that we can get a year or two more of productive football out of him. If anything, I think people tend to undervalue experience and leadership, which he certainly provides. He's been a good soldier for us.

[smoothoperator]

Greenway was the second worst rated OLB last year. Im not saying our scheme didnt account for part of his failure, but there is no way he deserves that money.

[Purple bruise]

Greenway was the second worst rated OLB last year. Im not saying our scheme didnt account for part of his failure, but there is no way he deserves that money.

I saw too many games where Greenway whiffed on tackles last year and was very poor in pass coverage. That being said, Greenway was/is one of my all-time Viking favorites.

[Mothman]

Greenway was the second worst rated OLB last year. Im not saying our scheme didnt account for part of his failure, but there is no way he deserves that money.

Please see my post about Greenway and contracts above.

As for being the second worst rated OLB last year... by whom? Pro Football Focus? I think they lack credibility when making such assessments.

[Mothman]

I have mixed feelings on Chad - though, like you, I think he could benefit greatly from the improvements we are making on our defensive line, as well as a change in scheme. Keeping my hopes up that we can get a year or two more of productive football out of him. If anything, I think people tend to undervalue experience and leadership, which he certainly provides. He's been a good soldier for us.

Well said and I should have phrased my response to Purple Bruise differently too. I'm actually fine with the idea of restructuring Greenway's contract and if he's willing to do that, that would be great. He could conceivably get more guaranteed money and the Vikes could reduce his cap hit while keeping the veteran leadership and production he provides on the field.