2014 Free Agent Tracker & Discussion

[frosted]

Hopefully you guys are right and I'm reading too much into it (wouldn't be the first time that happened ). Time will tell I suppose. But whether its just being opportunistic or a deeper concern over Floyd, if Zimmer wants Melton, hopefully Slick Rick can bring him in at a reasonable price.
I have to believe the Vikings can offer more money than Seattle....then again, maybe 'ole Pete is funnelling cash under the table from wealthy Seahawk fans into the pockets of players

Sneaky Pete

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[Pondering Her Percy]

So matter-of-fact. I haven't been keeping tabs with what the press has been saying about Floyd. Have they labeled him a bust already?

No. How can you label a guy that had limited snaps his rookie year and still made plays a bust?

[Mothman]

Mark Craig says the Vikings free agent moves have set up them up for the draft:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 81581.html

Joseph, a run-stuffer with deceptive pass-rushing skills, is the team’s first legitimate nose tackle since Pat Williams was setting the tone for the league’s best run defense. And for those who don’t think a gap-eating nose tackle helps on third down, let us point out that third-down situations are set up by what happens on first and second down. For example, 11 the Packers’ 18 third-down situations last Oct. 27 were 3 yards or fewer. They converted nine of them.

Munnerlyn, meanwhile, has the same skill set that Frazier was pleading for behind the scenes when Antoine Winfield was interested in coming back during the early-October bye last year. Like Winfield and no one the Vikings had in 2013, Munnerlyn is adept at starting outside and then sliding over the slot receiver in the nickel defense. A huge piece to any third-down defense.

Having filled all the major holes they had entering free agency just a week ago, the Vikings appear better defensively and most certainly are in position to stay true to their draft board come May.

More at the link.

[Pondering Her Percy]

And regarding the questioning of Shariff Floyd, I don't necessarily think Zimmer lacks confidence in Floyd. Who's behind Floyd on the depth chart right now?? Nobody. I think it's similar to the draft and the "best player available" approach. Melton is by far the best DT left out there and if it wasn't for his ACL, he probably would have been gone on day 1 of FA. Why have a "rotation" of Shariff Floyd and some average to below average player when you can have Floyd and Melton. This will also help Floyd to develop because he is very young. Plus, chances are, we will be able to get Melton for fairly cheap because of the injury, and in turn it could turn into a GREAT low risk, high reward type signing.

[VikingPaul73]

And regarding the questioning of Shariff Floyd, I don't necessarily think Zimmer lacks confidence in Floyd. Who's behind Floyd on the depth chart right now?? Nobody. I think it's similar to the draft and the "best player available" approach. Melton is by far the best DT left out there and if it wasn't for his ACL, he probably would have been gone on day 1 of FA. Why have a "rotation" of Shariff Floyd and some average to below average player when you can have Floyd and Melton. This will also help Floyd to develop because he is very young. Plus, chances are, we will be able to get Melton for fairly cheap because of the injury, and in turn it could turn into a GREAT low risk, high reward type signing.

Of course you are probably correct and I have no idea what they are offering Melton. It just struck me as a little odd going after a big name FA DT in his prime after drafting a rookie in the 1st round the prior year that plays the same position. For depth and rotation it just seems more logical to sign KWill for cheap for 2 years.

But again it goes back to the fact that I have no idea what they are actually offering Melton. If they are trying to get him on the cheap due to his ACL then it could be as simple as they view Melton as a better alternative to KWill with a lot more upside. This is probably the case. But if they do sign Melton to a huge deal it might be an indication that Zimmer has some concerns about Floyd

I know that is A LOT of inference and speculation but that's what these boards are for

[mondry]

Mark Craig says the Vikings free agent moves have set up them up for the draft:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 81581.html
More at the link.

I like what we've done in free agency a lot and I think it's one of those things that can help you a whole bunch or hurt you if you abuse it. We're not looking to sign a overhyped non-mega star from somewhere else and over pay them, we're looking for pieces of the puzzle that aren't going to break the bank but will provide enough of an upgrade and structure that we can then use the draft almost strictly for the best players available.

I'm pleased with that approach, hopefully it equates to wins on the field.

[PacificNorseWest]

Thanks for posting that, Mothman. I saw that article yesterday and after I read it I got giddy for a good few seconds about the prospect of this future D.

Have to admit that I had no clue who Linval Joseph was, but after reading various articles and hearing analysts and others talk about Joseph, it seems like he's the real deal for as far as DT's go. Explosive so he is a good pass rusher given his size/postion and a space-eater who can stop the run. Great way to start building the future with an anchor like Joseph.

[Demi]

But if they do sign Melton to a huge deal it might be an indication that Zimmer has some concerns about Floyd

Considering the push they made for him. After already signing Joseph, seems like it's more than just a flyer on a guy coming off an injury. And then bringing Evans back immediately. Could it be as simple as Floyd not being a great fit in Zimmer's base defense? It took a while for Floyd to finally get picked in the first place, and then seemed like too long before he started getting snaps.

[thatoneguy]

Considering the push they made for him. After already signing Joseph, seems like it's more than just a flyer on a guy coming off an injury. And then bringing Evans back immediately. Could it be as simple as Floyd not being a great fit in Zimmer's base defense? It took a while for Floyd to finally get picked in the first place, and then seemed like too long before he started getting snaps.

But didnt it take too long before Patterson started getting snaps also?

[Pondering Her Percy]

But didnt it take too long before Patterson started getting snaps also?

and Rhodes. Robinson started over Rhodes

[mondry]

I think if they were absolutely concerned floyd would be a bust they wouldn't have let Melton leave town, but the fact that they didn't immediately over pay to make sure we get him tells me they're interested in taking a flyer on the guy at the right price but don't think he's absolutely necessary.

[HornedMessiah]

and Rhodes. Robinson started over Rhodes

and Peterson...and Harvin....

That's just how the Childress/Frazier era operated. Very slow to put rookies on the field, regardless of how much potential they have or how early they were drafted. Hopefully those days are behind us.

But yes, as Demi reminded us, Floyd had a considerable slide in the draft and this interest in Melton could reinforce the suspicion that Floyd can't live up to the hype.

[Vikings28]

Hard to call Floyd a bust when he barely got on the field. I don't think that was because of poor play either, it was because Frazier was trying to save his job. His job was on the line so he wasn't going to play a rookie who is still learning the game. Which was unfortunate because it would have helped Floyd develop more and be ready for next season. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Zimmer can do with him.

Melton would still be excellent addition to the team. IMO, neither him nor Floyd will be playing full time next season, Melton because of the injury and Floyd because he's young and still learning. Those two would be a perfect duo at DT. You could even play them together on passing downs to create some more pressure.

[King James]

Floyd obviously slid down the boards for a reason. He was projected to go in the top 10 and probably would have got drafted in the 2nd round had it not been Spielman knack for reaching on players. Yes I think Floyd was a reach. We would've been better off with Manti Te'o.

Floyd wasn't a need. I guess he was the rotational guy for Williams but Floyd didn't shown anything when he did get in. We should've just gotten Te'o then this year make an offer for Melton. But nooooooooooooo. We have a suspect DT (Floyd) and only ONE starting caliber LB who himself, is on the decline.

[dead_poet]

Floyd obviously slid down the boards for a reason. He was projected to go in the top 10 and probably would have got drafted in the 2nd round had it not been Spielman knack for reaching on players. Yes I think Floyd was a reach. We would've been better off with Manti Te'o.

Floyd wasn't a need. I guess he was the rotational guy for Williams but Floyd didn't shown anything when he did get in. We should've just gotten Te'o then this year make an offer for Melton. But nooooooooooooo. We have a suspect DT (Floyd) and only ONE starting caliber LB who himself, is on the decline.

I don't even know where to begin with this post. Floyd was seen by some as the top prospect in last year's draft. Yes, he slid. But we have no way of knowing how other teams set up their boards. Maybe he didn't fit into their system (he seems to be more of a three-technique DT). Maybe teams had other needs. Some would say the Vikings got an enormous value, though I guess some are saying he's somehow a "reach" (after one season where he was playing behind a 6x Pro bowler (5x All Pro) on a coaching staff that notoriously took it slow with rookies). I'd be willing to be quite a bit that there's no WAY Floyd would've made it to the second round. I challenge you to find one "expert" that agrees that Floyd was a reach. By all accounts he was a value pick at 23.

Better off with Te'o? I'd argue Floyd has had more of an impact on our defense playing behind Williams than Te'o did as a starter (and I liked Te'o). What has Te'o done to make you confident he's going to be a better pro?

Floyd wasn't a need? You've got to be joking. DT was a HUGE need with Williams playing on the last year of his contract. Who did you think we had to turn to? Guion?

You seem to be forgetting Linval Joseph.