The Vikes first 3 draft picks. Defense, defense, and finally defense. This will be kinda like Green Bays draft after they met Moss on the field. Greenbay with their first pick take a CB, GB with their 2nd pick takes a CB, GB with their third pick takes a CB. You know what is really funny? They still can not cover him one on one! =)
I like Gary Anderson and all and I think he's a class act. I just think it's stupid to have 2 roster spots for kickers. That and I get a knot in my stomach everytime the game's on the line and we're outdoors and Gary steps up. I know he hit that long one last season but reliability and or consistency is key.
I would also add his age is becoming a factor now. We need a younger stronger leg at the kicking position. There has to be someone available.
Just heard the Vikes are going after a wide reciever instead of defensive players.
Ooops! Why? I agree Vikes needs some reliable second WR. Or else Mos will get banged up soon. With all those double teams and triple teams. But please dont waste the first pick on Offense. I say, first pick on DT and all other picks on secondary.
Pick up some undrafted freeagent WR and hope he clicks.
Does anyone know if the Vikes are looking at any restricted FA? I know we would have to give up a draft pick to get someone but it might be worth it. Does anyone know a spot that has a good list of restricted free agents?
Vikings: [3/12] A "marathon day" of contract negotiations left CB Denard Walker closer to signing with the Vikings; Walker said he "really want[s]" to play for Minny, even after seeing their apparently paltry early offer; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] If the Vikes can't get Bears K Paul Edinger, they might pursue K Paul Nystrom; CB Denard Walker told his agent to commence "exclusive" negotiations with the Vikings, but talks broke down early, over money; Walker's price tag likely will exceed the deal signed by CB Tory James on Sunday with the Bengals; Giants OT Mike Rosenthal and Seahawks OT Jerry Wunsch will visit; the Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; the Vikes have discussed internally the possibility of restructuring the contract of QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman, who is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in April; the Vikings likely won't reach a long-term deal with TE Jim Kleinsasser by March 15, which will mean that there can be no further talks until July 15; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; QB Shane Matthews visited on Sunday; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning; Bears restricted free-agent K Paul Edinger has been signed to an offer sheet worth $7 million over five years, with a $1.6 million bonus; TE Hunter Goodwin will decide next week between offers from the Vikings and the Raiders; RB Lamar Smith is a possibility, if RB Moe Williams signs elsewhere; the Vikings will explore the possibility of meeting with CB Jason Sehorn; OG Corbin Lacina is drawing interest elsewhere, but he wants to stay in Minny; the Vikes don't think they'll sign QB Neil O'Donnell; QB Gus Frerotte worked out on Wednesday, and the Vikes were "pleased"; TE Jim Kleinsasser accepted the one-year franchise tender as he works on a multi-year deal; OL Jerry Wunsch will visit next week; Packers DT Billy Lyon has signed with the Vikings; the Vikes could be interested in Titans P Craig Hentrich; the team found no serious concerns with OT Orlando Brown's 1999 eye injury, and they'd like to install him at right tackle; if DE Lance Johnstone leaves, the Vikes will look hard at 49ers DE Chike Okeafor.
Do you all think they need to look at a starting second WR. Bates seemed to come on at the end of the season but is he a good enough second guy ? The Randy ratio was obviously a bust. I say you get the ball to him when you can and take some deep shots to keep the defense honest. I was surprised at how little they used TE's last year after all the talk about premiring them.
The one question mark I haven't heard discussed is how O'leary is going to do ? I thought Shaw did what he could with the talent given. The run D wasn't bad last year.
I was surprised at how little they used TE's last year after all the talk about premiring them.
I was shocked. When you have someone like Chamberlain at TE, who did damn good his first year as a Vike, should have got the ball more last year. Is he still going to be a Vike next year?
Kelly Campbell was good too. Fast but undersized. Derrick Alexander was a bust. May be this season he will click.
I agree, I thought he was starting to do better than Bates. He may be undersize, but there have been undersize WR's that have done well. As far as Alexander goes, I think he is gone.
I believe that this will be Linehan's second year as offensive coordinator. Having the same system for another year will definitely help. It will also help going into a year with the offensive line fairly taken care of. They won't have the distraction of the McKinnie holdout, and Lewis Kelly will be able to focus on things more. I think Linehan has a better idea of the parts he has, and has this offseason to think about how to better use those parts.
I was shocked. When you have someone like Chamberlain at TE, who did damn good his first year as a Vike, should have got the ball more last year. Is he still going to be a Vike next year?
Guess he was injured for a while last season. During the first half of the season Vikes were not getting the ball to Moss either so you cant blame them for not using Chamberlain very often. The team as a whole sucked, and they were never in a position to exercise all their options. Hopefully they will do a better job next year.
Alexander was dropped. He was on a one year contract. Chamberlain got hurt and was phased out a bit with Tice's stupid Randy Ratio. You don't go telling defensive coordinators around the league about your game plan. What a dumbass! LOL Same thing with his resigning Gary AFTER we lost 3-4 games. He should have brought him back right away! Brien was pathetic!
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a four-year contract with former Denver cornerback Denard Walker on Wednesday, finally finding a free-agent upgrade for their shaky secondary.
Minnesota's pass defense ranked 29th in the league last year and has been among the NFL's worst for the past several seasons, so coach Mike Tice made it a priority to sign at least one of the top veteran corners on the market.
"I said over the last couple weeks that it was very important for us to help our defense out,'' Tice said, "by adding players to our secondary.''
The Vikings hoped to sign former Oakland cornerback Tory James but weren't willing to pay as much as Cincinnati, which gave him a four-year, $14.4 million contract this week.
But they were able to convince Walker, a six-year veteran who played for the Broncos from 2001-02 after four seasons with Tennessee, that this would be a good fit.
Denver cut Walker in a salary-cap move, which surprised him. But the Vikings were quick to express their interest.
"I actually enjoyed my visit here,'' Walker said. "I was very impressed. It felt like it wasn't a recruiting trip.
"I like people that will be upfront and honest. This is the only trip that I took where the people said, 'Hey, we're not going to pat you on the back. We just want you to know that there is a need for you here.'''
Terms of the deal weren't available.
Walker, who will start at left cornerback -- where rookie Brian Williams finished the season -- started all 16 games last season for Denver. He ranked second on the team with 14 passes defended and fifth with 69 tackles.
Walker was drafted by the then-Houston Oilers in the third round in 1997 out of LSU, where he played with Vikings defensive end Kenny Mixon. Walker was a starter on the Titans' Super Bowl squad following the 1999 season.
Coach Tice and Cornerback Denard Walker Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Listen to Denard Walker and Coach Tice
Tice: Thank you for coming out on such short notice. I appreciate you all coming out to the Sid Hartman Media Center. I know it's been tough on the fans and you media types trying to maintain some composure and some patience with us, with the Vikings organization. I assure you, as I assured you guys last year when it took us two weeks before we signed Kenny Mixon, that we do in fact have a plan. A plan that has been put together by Paul Wiggin and his pro personnel staff, the coaches, coordinators George O'Leary and Scott Linehan and their staffs, myself and Rob Brzezinski and Dave Blando and Mr. McCombs and Gary Woods. I said over the last couple of weeks that it was very important for us to help our defense out by adding players to our secondary. With that said we really targeted five guys that we were helpful we could come out of it with. We were able till yesterday afternoon, late yesterday afternoon come to agreement on a deal with a player that has never been on a losing team in his career, in his six-year career 59 and 37 record on teams that he's played on and that's Denard Walker who we were able to sign. Our first big, let me say that again, our first big free agent signing. I think people need to understand that we're all about winning in the National Football League. You are gauged and you are judged by winning. With that said I know there has been some frustrations from the fans, believe me I've got hundreds of faxes and e-mails. How does it turn out when free agency is over? That is the only important thing. How does it pan out when free agency is over? Who have you added to your roster to help you win? I want to assure everybody that we are working very hard behind the scenes continually in talks with free agents. Some free agents have left and gone to other teams based on weather, based on playing for former coaches and have turned down offers than we've had that have been higher, higher offers. We can't share with everybody every conversation that we have with an agent or player. We've tried to give you as much information and tried to be as far with you as we can. I've been in constant contact with some of you guys, the beat writers and PA (Paul Allen) at KFAN and trying to keep you up to speed on what we're doing as best we can but at the same time we can't always show our hand. So without any further a due I'd like to bring up our starting left corner from LSU, who by the way was teammates with Kenny Mixon. I'm just excited and thrilled as hell to bring him up and I think my hemorrhoids have calmed down. Damn he looks good in purple.
Walker: Well I don't know what to say. I'm kind of glad this process is over with. I think from day one I was a little shocked when I got released from Denver. To be honest with you when I got released I got a phone call within a short period of time from my agent and he said listen I want to tell you something. There is one team that has been honest, they are after you, they have an interest you and he said that is the Minnesota Vikings. To me to be in a place where you feel wanted it's a very special feeling. It also puts a lot of added pressure on me to come in here and solidify that left side. I'm going to go out and play every down hard. It's also a lot of pressure on me to come in and hopefully do my part in the secondary.
Q: Talk about your visit here. What impressed you about the Vikings? A: I actually enjoyed my visit here. When I got here I was very impressed for the simple reason that nobody...I felt like it wasn't like a recruiting trip. They were basically saying, 'hey listen, we want you here and there is a need for you here'. That's what you like to hear. I really don't like people to pat me on the back and say this and that and try to hug me and make me feel good. I like the people that will be upfront and honest. This was probably the one trip, and the only trip that I can say that I took where the people said, 'hey, we're not going to pat you on the back. We just want you to know that there is a need for you here'. That made me feel real good from the start.
Q: When you talked to (George) O'Leary, he must've thought you would fit in well. Can you talk a little about that match? A: They are pretty much looking for a cornerback that can hold up and play an aggressive style of defense. That's what I was accustomed to when I was with Tennessee for 4 years. It allows guys to go out there and not have to think very much, but to go out and play. I'm not going to talk about the style of defense, I don't want to tell the other people, but I think my impression (from O'Leary) was, ' we need guys that can hold up on the end, on the edges'. I think that's very important in today's game. If you can have two guys that can go out on the outside edges and dominate, I think it can do a lot for your defense. That's what I want to do. I just want to come in and I want people here in Minnesota to say, 'he's consistent for 16 weeks and no matter what type of defense Coach O'Leary puts him in, he can hold up his end of the deal'. That's what I really want to bring to the secondary.
Q: Coach Tice talked about the winning teams you've been on. Are you looking forward to keeping that streak in tact? A: Most definitely. Like I said, sometimes it takes two or three guys to make the puzzle fit. I hope I can be one of those guys that can fit right into the puzzle of what the Minnesota Vikings are trying to do. I'm very excited about being here. Again like I said, if I can bring a winning tradition -- I didn't even know that until Coach Tice told me that. I had no clue -- I hope that streak can continue. I'm kind of addicted to winning. I go out and I prepare each week, wanting to win. I can't stand to lose and I hope I can bring that same vibe to this organization.
Q: Did Kenny Mixon do some lobbying to get you here? A: I haven't talked to Kenny. I saw Chuck Wiley who I was also a teammate with at LSU and I know (Henri) Crockett real good. I saw those guys in California at a camp. They haven't changed a bit. It makes me feel good that I know some people here, so I won't come into an environment where I feel a little uncomfortable because I know about 3 or 4 guys on this football team. That's always a plus.
Q: You are going to be one of the most experience guys on this defense. Are you comfortable with a mentoring role? A: When I first came in (with Tennessee) my first 4 years I was just a young guy. I was basically trying to imitate what the veterans were doing, until someone told me, 'somewhere down the line you're going to have to learn to branch out on your own. Then guys are going to look at you for guidance and leadership. They're going to watch how you handle things'. I think my last 2 years at Denver that's the type of role I played. I always kind of take that mentality every day, in even how I work out, that guys are looking at me constantly. They're looking at how I'm going to handle adversity because I think what happens is somewhere down the line they know they're going to be put in that position. Yeah, I hope I can bring leadership -- it won't be much talking, because I'm not very good at talking. A guy can talk, but if he can't back it up in this league it's not really that good. I try to make sure that what I do is reflected in the way that I play.
Vikings report: Strategy and personnel March 10, 2003
Inside slant | Notes, quotes, anecdotes
NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES: The main reason the Vikings are concentrating on cornerback and offensive line in free agency? There appears to be enough depth at defensive line in the draft for the Vikings to address those needs there. The Vikings will address cornerback, OL and punter early in free agency. They hope to find an impact defensive lineman in the draft. Then they will attack the secondary free-agent market for a safety, a backup middle linebacker to learn behind veteran Greg Biekert and a wide receiver.
Vikings: [3/12] CB Denard Walker has signed; the Vikings could be interested in DT Henry Ford and WR Oronde Gadsden; the Bears matched the offer sheet that K Paul Edinger signed; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] If the Vikes can't get Bears K Paul Edinger, they might pursue K Paul Nystrom; CB Denard Walker told his agent to commence "exclusive" negotiations with the Vikings, but talks broke down early, over money; Walker's price tag likely will exceed the deal signed by CB Tory James on Sunday with the Bengals; Giants OT Mike Rosenthal and Seahawks OT Jerry Wunsch will visit; the Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; the Vikes have discussed internally the possibility of restructuring the contract of QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman, who is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in April; the Vikings likely won't reach a long-term deal with TE Jim Kleinsasser by March 14, which will mean that there can be no further talks until July 15; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; QB Shane Matthews visited on Sunday; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning.
By PAUL SCHWARTZ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKE IT EASY: Jason Sehorn, who was released by the Giants last week, brought relationship with NY fans to a close by saying his farewells on his web site, Sehornscorner.org. N.Y. Post: Nury Hernandez
March 10, 2003 -- Jason Sehorn's nine years in New York were continuously filled with intrigue, enticement and excitement, but never teeming with emotion. It was not Sehorn's way. That is why it is entirely appropriate that the former Giants cornerback opted to bid adieu to New York via an open letter posted on his web site, Sehornscorner.org.
Sehorn only flirted with criticizing the Giants, who released him last Friday after he refused to agree to the terms of the massive pay cut the team demanded of him. The Giants were set to keep Sehorn only if his salary was slashed from $4.3 million to $1 million, but Sehorn wanted half of that money guaranteed as assurance he would not get cut this summer. The Giants refused and now have to absorb an $8 million salary cap hit in "dead money" for the 2003 season.
"My opinion is that I must have worn out my welcome with some in the organization, as not everyone was as excited about the prospect of me playing safety as others were," Sehorn wrote. "And quite frankly, some may not have appreciated my voice and opinion, or I'd still be wearing Giants Blue. Or perhaps it was strictly about money for them, as I was more than willing to take a significant pay cut."
Addressed to "the Giants family and fans," Sehorn started off by writing "It is time to move on and while it's sad leaving a place I've spent the last nine years of my life, it's also important to realize when it's time to go."
Sehorn was gracious in giving thanks to "one of the greatest organizations in the history of football" and lauded the fans.
"As I depart I'd just like to thank every fan and supporter who rooted for us on game days, who tailgated in the cold, who cheered for us when we won and jeered us when we lost. For the fans that made playing in NY the thrill that it was, I thank you, as it was a wonderful ride."
Sehorn wants to continue playing, and the Vikings have expressed interest. The Falcons and Panthers may also make a call. /b
Summing up his time with the Giants, Sehorn wrote "One thing is for sure, I've learned to have an opinion and stand for what I believe in. Whether or not others like that opinion or not isn't the determining factor behind the opinion, as you can't just sit on the fence passively and miss the adventure."
Help for the Giants' defensive line won't be coming from Indianapolis' Brad Scioli, who re-signed yesterday with the Colts.
Free Agency Ranked: Defense By Dev Panchwagh Date: Mar 1, 2003
Defensive Ends:
1. Hugh Douglas: Douglas is sure to get a lot of attention from various suitors, but don't bet all your cards on Douglas registering big time sack totals for his new team. Age is starting to creep up on him.
2. Vonnie Holliday: Holliday's game is similar to that of former teammate Joe Johnson. While he doesn't have the greatest speed, Holliday uses an effective bull rush to plow through offensive tackles in order to sack the quarterback, and he uses his hands well to disengage blocks.
3. Chike Okeafor: Not the biggest end, but Okeafor has a Tasmanian devil type motor, and he has the speed to get past the edge.
4. Brad Scioli: He's not ever going to get you 10 sacks in one season. However, he'll remind you of his former teammate Chad Bratzke, because he plays with a lot of energy against the run or the pass.
5. Duane Clemons: This former Chief was poised to breakout last season; now he'll look for a chance to be used in a rotation with some other club.
Defensive Tackles:
1. Daryl Gardener: Gardner answered some of the question marks dealing with his chronic back problems and poor attitude, by playing at a dominant level during the second half of the season.
2. John Thornton: Thornton is a defensive tackle who's on the rise, and is hitting the market during the perfect time in his career.
3. Sam Adams: Would be ranked No.1 on this list, if he had played with any deal of consistency last year. Adams still has a couple of good years left in him.
4. Brandon Noble: You may have never heard of him, but Noble is solid run stuffer, who is willing to do a lot of the grunt work up front.
5. Chester McGlockton: McGlockton never plays with any great amount of motivation and desire, which is why he's not been able to stamp his name among the elite defensive tackles in football.
Linebackers:
1. Roosevelt Colvin: A ferocious sack artist who will garner a great deal of attention from a number of teams around the league.
2. Anthony Simmons: Simmons is an underrated linebacker, who has the speed and coverage abilities to thrive on the weakside.
3. Mike Peterson: Like Simmons, Peterson is somewhat undersized, but he has tremendous speed to chase and rove in space.
4. Shelton Quarles: He's played on the inside and outside at a high level, but he's probably better suited to play in open-space.
5. Jamir Miller: Coming back from a torn Achilles is going to be tough for Miller. When healthy, he's one of the better pass rushers in football.
Cornerbacks:
1. Denard Walker: Walker has been a very solid No.2 cover corner throughout his career; he can blitz and tackle effectively, too.
2. Aeneas Williams: Williams is due to slow down, but would provide any team with a solid stop-gap option at the corner spot for one more season.
3. Dre' Bly: Bly can cover, and has great recovery speed, but he tends to take too many chances in coverage, and brings nothing to the table against the run.
4. Ashley Ambrose: As is the case with Williams, Ambrose's best days are behind him. However, given the barren market for corners, Ambrose should land a starting job with some team.
5. Tyrone Williams: Inconsistency has plagued his career this far. He would still be a solid No.2 option for a number of teams, though.
Safeties:
1. Sammy Knight: Knight makes a lot of big plays and big hits in the secondary, but his coverage skills are questionable.
2. Dexter Jackson: Perhaps he's not worth this high of a ranking. But given his lateral speed and ability to read and react quickly, Jackson may be ready to become an elite free safety.
3. Kwamie Lassiter: Lassiter has lost some speed, but he's still one of the better safeties on the market.
4. Rodney Harrison: It was just a year ago when Harrison was mentioned as one of the premier strong safeties in football. However, father time has ripped Harrison's lacking coverage skills away from him. Now, he's simply a hitter.
5. Keion Carpenter: Played at a surprisingly effective level with the Falcons last year. Carpenter should be a bargain fit for whoever signs him.
Walker In, Edinger Out for Vikes By Viking Update Staff Date: Mar 13, 2003
With Vikings fans getting vocal about the lack of free agent activity and questions arising about Red McCombs willingness to invest in a winner, Mike Tice said Wednesday that Denard Walker is the just the first (and not the last) free agent coming to Minnesota. Mike Tice looked a little relieved Wednesday as the Vikings announced the signing of Denard Walker to help out their anemic secondary. Walker, a six-year veteran who played four years with the Titans and two with the Broncos, signed a four-year deal worth $13 million -- with $5 million of that coming this year in signing bonus (said to be $4 million) and base salary $1 million for 2003).
Tice said the Vikings have been looking for players and value, leaving some to speculate that the team is convinced the Lions grossly overspent on Dre Bly (five years, $24.5 million). He said Walker is the first (hint: more to come) big-name free agent the team will add.
One player who won't be coming is kicker Paul Edinger. After signing a five-year, $7 million offer sheet that included $1.6 million in up front money, the Bears matched his offer sheet Wednesday, so the search for a kickoff specialist (whether he's a punter or a field goal kicker) continues.
THURSDAY NOTES
The Vikings may announce as soon as today that the team has traded Todd Bouman to the Saints for a sixth-round pick in next month's draft and possibly a 2004 pick -- contingent on playing time this year. Contract details -- like Bouman's $1 million signing bonus -- need to be amended before the trade can through, but all indications are that Bouman will be gone from Minnesota within a week.
VU has learned that Shane Matthews, who is currently visiting Tampa Bay, has a two-year offer on the table from the Vikings.
VU has also been told that the Vikings have made an offer to the agent for Orlando Brown in hopes of signing the offensive tackle quickly. Three other teams are said to be interested, but Brown wants to get the signing over with quickly and could decide as early as today or Friday on a new team, which is why the Vikings extended an offer.
Despite signing Walker, the Vikings hosted CB Ken Irvin of the Saints Wednesday and still hope to make an offer to former Packer Tyrone Williams. Williams is visiting the Browns today.
Vikings: [3/13] RB Michael Bennett recently ran a hot-grease-through-a-goose 4.18 forty-yard dash; QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman will be traded to the Saints for a sixth-round draft pick; the deal hinges on Bouman's agreement to re-do his deal, which requires a $1 million bonus on April 1; we're hearing that QB Neil O'Donnell rejected a multi-year deal averaging $1.5 million per; the Vikes have given RB Moe Williams one week to sign; if he doesn't, the Vikes will pursue RB Lamar Smith; CB Denard Walker gets $5 million this year as part of a $13 million deal; coach Mike Tice's reaction to signing Walker -- "I think my hemorrhoids have calmed down" (lovely); the Vikes are negotiating with OT Orlando Brown; OT Mike Rosenthal and OT Jerry Wunsch were due to arrive Wednesday night; CB Tyrone Williams and CB Ken Irvin visited Wednesday; the Vikes will work out K Jake Arians; there's a two-year offer on the table for QB Shane Matthews; [3/12] CB Denard Walker has signed; the Vikings could be interested in DT Henry Ford and WR Oronde Gadsden; the Bears matched the offer sheet that K Paul Edinger signed; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] If the Vikes can't get Bears K Paul Edinger, they might pursue K Paul Nystrom; CB Denard Walker told his agent to commence "exclusive" negotiations with the Vikings, but talks broke down early, over money; Walker's price tag likely will exceed the deal signed by CB Tory James on Sunday with the Bengals; Giants OT Mike Rosenthal and Seahawks OT Jerry Wunsch will visit; the Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; the Vikes have discussed internally the possibility of restructuring the contract of QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman, who is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in April; the Vikings likely won't reach a long-term deal with TE Jim Kleinsasser by March 14, which will mean that there can be no further talks until July 15; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; QB Shane Matthews visited on Sunday; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning.
Well it looks like the trade for Smoot and Washington's 13th pick are not going to happen. The Jets probably will not match the offer the Skins gave Cole. This will give the Jets the 13th pick. Also Stephen Davis signed with the Panthers. This is going to be another crazy FF season. It will be interesting to see how guys like Davis, Coles, Plummer and Boston perform on new teams.
Yes, I am already trying to figure out who to draft for my FF team.
My understanding is if you sign a restricted free agent, you have to give up your draft pick in the same round the person was chosen in.
Well, this does not sound right. What if a 3rd round pick who has been a probowler every year departs as a restricted freeagent? Is the compensation still a 3rd round pick?
Unrestricted Free Agents - Players with four years or more of NFL experience who can sign with their own team or any other team in the NFL. If they leave their previous team the team that signs them can do so without having to award the previous team compensation.
RFA:
Restricted Free Agents - Players with three years of NFL experience. Like an unrestricted free agent they are free to negotiate with any team however the current team has the right to match any offer and if they do so they retain the rights to the player. Failure to meet the offer means the player is awarded to the new team but the new team must give the old team compensation in the form of draft picks.
EFA:
Exclusive-Rights Free Agents - Players with two or fewer years of experience who have no outside negotiating power. Their rights belong to their 2002 club provided they are made a minimum qualifying offer.
FFA:
Franchise Free Agents - Unrestricted free agents who have been designated as the "Franchise" player. Current team has the right to match any offer. If they refuse, they are given compensation by the new team, usually TWO 1st-round draft picks.
TFA:
Transitional Free Agents - Players who can negotiate with any club but current team retains matching rights.
2003 free-agency period; 533 free agents NEW YORK (Feb. 28, 2003) -- The National Football League announced that 533 players are free agents who now can negotiate with all 32 clubs.
The free agents include eight players who this year have been designated by their clubs as "franchise" players, and two who have been named "transition" players. Franchise and transition players are special categories for restricted and unrestricted free agents. The deadline for making these designations for 2003 was Feb. 20.
Franchise Players Transition Players Donovin Darius, DB, Jacksonville Cletidus Hunt, DL, Green Bay (re-signed) Tebucky Jones, DB, New England Takeo Spikes, LB, Cincinnati (to Buffalo) Walter Jones, OL, Seattle Jimmy Kleinsasser, TE, Minnesota (re-signed) Chris McAlister, DB, Baltimore Orlando Pace, OL, St. Louis Peerless Price, WR, Buffalo (Traded to ATL) Todd Sauerbrun, P, Carolina
In 2002, eight players were designated as franchise players and none as transition players.
There are two types of franchise players. Clubs retain exclusive negotiating rights to an "exclusive" franchise player by committing to a minimum offer of the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 18, or a 20 percent increase over his 2002 salary, whichever is greater. No other clubs can negotiate with exclusive franchise players. There were no exclusive franchise players named this year. The second type of franchise player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at his position in the 2002 season, or a 20 percent salary increase, whichever is greater. This latter type of franchise player may negotiate with other clubs. The original club may match the offer and retain the player, or receive two first-round draft choices as compensation if the original club elects not to match.
Each club is permitted one franchise designation in any year of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If a designated franchise player signs a multiyear contract with the designating club between Feb. 28 and March 14 at 4:00 p.m. ET, the club retains its franchise player designation for the following league year. After March 14, if the player signs a multiyear contract while under this designation, the club exhausts its franchise player rights for each year of that contract unless it matched another club's offer for that player, in which case the designation is used only for that year. Any club which elected not to use its franchise player designation in 2003 retains franchise designation rights for 2004 and subsequent years of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, provided the club did not exhaust those rights from a previously signed franchise player.
Also, a club may designate a transition player in lieu of a franchise player in any year when the franchise designation is available. A transition player designation gives the club a first refusal right to match an offer sheet given to the player by another club. To designate a transition player, the club must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of 2002 at the player's position, or a 20 percent salary increase, whichever is greater.
In the event a player retires, suffers a career-ending injury, or is otherwise unavailable due to non-football circumstances, a club has the right to designate another franchise or transition player for the remaining years covered by the club's prior designation.
A club may withdraw a franchise or transition designation at any time. The player becomes an unrestricted free agent when that withdrawal occurs.
Unrestricted veteran free agents are players who have completed four or more accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired. They are free to sign with any club through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). On July 23, their exclusive rights will revert to their original club if that club makes a June 1 tender to these players. Teams will have until the 10th week of the season (Nov. 11) to sign their unrestricted veteran free agents to whom a tender was made on June 1. If the player does not sign by Nov. 11, he must continue to sit out the remainder of the season. If a June 1 tender is not made to an unrestricted free agent, he continues to be free to sign with any club.
Restricted free agents are players who have completed three accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired. They have received qualifying offers from their old clubs and are free to negotiate with any club until April 18, at which time their rights revert to their original club. If a player accepts an offer from a new club, the old club will have the right to match the offer and retain the player. If the old club elects not to match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the level of the qualifying offer made to the player.
The signing period for unrestricted free agents began today (Feb. 28) and concludes on July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). The signing period for restricted free agents also began today but concludes on April 18.
Moe Williams has resigned with the Vikes. Lamar Smith will not be a Viking.
Vikings | Williams Returns with Multi-year Deal - posted at KFFL (http://nfl.kffl.com) 16:57 PT: ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli reports the Minnesota Vikings have re-signed unrestricted free agent RB Moe Williams to a multi-year deal. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed but Williams is believed to have received a $1 million signing bonus.
Bouman Traded to Saints By Viking Update Staff Date: Mar 13, 2003
The Vikings have announced within the last 20 minutes that Todd Bouman has been traded to the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings announced this afternoon that backup QB Todd Bouman has been traded to the New Orleans to the New Orleans Saints.
While the team has not disclosed the terms of the deal, VU has been told by a Saints source that the deal will involve a sixth-round draft pick in next month's draft and possibly a conditional pick in 2004 depending on how much playing time Bouman receives.
VU has also been told that the trade was likely predicated on the team reaching an agreement with a veteran quarterback -- as reported earlier, VU was told by a Bucs source that Shane Matthews had a two-year deal from the Vikings on the table.
VU will get additional information for our next update.
Junior Seau's agent received permission to seek a trade, apparently ending the star linebacker's 13-year run as leader of the San Diego Chargers.
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If his agent isn't able to make a deal, Seau expects to be released, he told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
"It's definitely good and bad," Seau said. "It's time for us to part ways. There will be some disgruntled people and disgruntled fans, but it was time."
Neither Seau nor Chargers executives were available for comment.
However, the director of Seau's charitable foundation, Bette Hoffman, confirmed the move.
"He just feels that it's time to part ways with the Chargers," Hoffman said.
Seau was named to his 12th Pro Bowl last season, but missed the all-star game after undergoing surgery for an ankle injury that bothered him most of the season. He missed three games and part of another because of the injury.
"Look, this is not easy for me," coach Marty Schottenheimer told the Union-Tribun. "Junior Seau embodies everything you want in a player -- work ethic, dedication, passion. But we felt this was something we needed to do, and we wanted to do it right.
"That's why we extended the courtesy to Junior and his representative to try to see if there's a trade that can be reached."
Seau was a first-round draft pick in 1990 out of Southern Cal.
Vikings: [3/14] The Vikes are negotiating with LB Barry Gardner; RB Moe Williams has re-signed; the Vikings apparently favor QB Shane Matthews over QB Gus Frerotte as the new backup to starter Daunte Culpepper; coach Mike Tice was satisfied with workouts of OT Mike Rosenthal and OL Jerry Wunsch; no immediate contract offers are expected for the cluster of cornerbacks who visited this week; the Vikes are officially out of the hunt for QB Neil O'Donnell; [3/13] The trade with the Saints for QB Todd Bouman is a done deal; OT Orlando Brown turned down an offer from Minnesota worth three times more than his Ravens deal; RB Michael Bennett recently ran a hot-grease-through-a-goose 4.18 forty-yard dash; QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman will be traded to the Saints for a sixth-round draft pick; the deal hinges on Bouman's agreement to re-do his deal, which requires a $1 million bonus on April 1; we're hearing that QB Neil O'Donnell rejected a multi-year deal averaging $1.5 million per; CB Denard Walker gets $5 million this year as part of a $13 million deal; coach Mike Tice's reaction to signing Walker -- "I think my hemorrhoids have calmed down" (lovely); the Vikes are negotiating with OT Orlando Brown; OT Mike Rosenthal and OT Jerry Wunsch were due to arrive Wednesday night; CB Tyrone Williams and CB Ken Irvin visited Wednesday; the Vikes will work out K Jake Arians; there's a two-year offer on the table for QB Shane Matthews; [3/12] CB Denard Walker has signed; the Vikings could be interested in DT Henry Ford and WR Oronde Gadsden; the Bears matched the offer sheet that K Paul Edinger signed; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] The Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vikings may sign Matthews March 14 Minneapolis Star Tribune (Scroll Down): "Free agent Shane Matthews appears to have emerged as the favorite of coach Mike Tice."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minnesota no longer considering O'Donnell March 14 Tennessean: "Just three weeks ago Minnesota Vikings Coach Mike Tice stood in Indianapolis' RCA Dome and called former Titans quarterback Neil O'Donnell 'just the kind of guy we're looking for.' But yesterday Tice said the Vikings have formally crossed O'Donnell off their wish list."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wunsch could land with Vikings March 14 Tacoma News Tribune: "Jerry Wunsch proved his value and versatility during his lone season with the Seattle Seahawks. His reward could be a starting job with the Minnesota Vikings."
Bouman, Brown Gone, Moe Back By Viking Update Staff Date: Mar 14, 2003
Speculation about the Vikes being near a deal with a new QB (Shane Matthews?) was confirmed Thursday with the trade of Todd Bouman to the Saints for a sixth-round pick in next month's draft. The initial reaction pertaining to the Todd Bouman trade to the Saints has been questioning why the team would give up a potential starter for a sixth-round pick? The bottom line speaks volumes.
VU has been told Bouman adjusted his deal to eliminate the $1 million he was due in April. VU was also told by a Ravens source that Brian Billick wanted Bouman but was told to wait until he was cut - nobody would trade a draft pick. Guess what? The Saints did. While persisting talk about Bouman centers on his non-role in last month's incident at the team's Arctic Blast event, VU can confirm for the record that his trade had nothing to do with that.
From what VU has been told, Bouman eliminated his roster bonus clause as part of the deal and signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Saints. There has been a lot of speculation about the condition of the throwing shoulder of Aaron Brooks. The Saints are interested in Bouman as an insurance policy that the Vikes aren't concerned with - Daunte's throwing shoulder is just fine, thank you.
As reported earlier this week, VU broke the gig that Shane Matthews has a two-year deal on the table. It is hard for us to believe that the Vikings would let Bouman go without having a replacement in the house. Whether the Vikes sign Matthews or Gus Frerotte, a final deal has been struck with someone, because Bouman was the team's ace in the hole. If all else failed, the team had a contingency plan. While a sixth-round pick is 50-50 at best to make the team, it was clear that the Vikings wouldn't have Bouman after this year. Here's hoping the flier they take as compensation works out.
FRIDAY NOTES
In the good news department comes this: Push came to shove and the Vikes upped the ante on Moe Williams to keep him. The Vikes announced Thursday that "All-Pro Moe" (according to VU consigliere Tony Parker) signed a three-year deal worth $2.7 million, with $800,000 up front. The Bills were hot on the trail of Williams, which brought his re-signing number up. Moe had expressed a question as to whether he would return to the Vikes, even though he wanted back. That done. That said.
Orlando Brown - a coveted Vikes free agent choice - signed with the Ravens. From what VU has been told, Brown was offered three separate deals by the Vikes - a three-year contract worth up to $10 million (with playing time incentives), a two-year deal worth as much as $5.6 million and a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. Apparently home cooking means more to the one-eyed fugitive (can you smell the bitterness on our part?), who signed a one-year deal with the Ravens for $1 million. VU has been told that Brown has to kick half of his first contract back to the NFL as part of his settlement for a ref damaging his vision with the toss of a flag. Instead of taking a deal that would kiss Paul Tagliabue full on the lips with an open mouth ($1.25 back to the league would be sweet - much less than he'll make with his Ravens deal), Brown opted for a one-year deal.
In other news, VU has been told Cris Carter is done with football and will slide back into his HBO television contract. Call us crazy, but when C.C. dropped a game-winning TD vs. the Vikes last December (which kept the 'Fins out of the playoffs), announcing he's done seems a bit redundant.
The Bears are close to signing a two-year, $5 million deal with Kordell Stewart - likely a done deal today. This could be viewed as great news for the Vikings. With Stewart's signing, the Bears are much less likely to draft Byron Leftwich. In that case, a team may snap at the Vikings first-round pick at No. 7 to get a shot at him. The fact any team won a bidding war for Kordell is funny, much less a team in the same division as Brett Favre and Daunte Culpepper. With Detroit killing free agency by overspending for Dre' Bly and the Bears signing Stewart to helm what passes for an offense in Chicago, the Vikes are in a two-team race for the NFC North title in 2003 - and it's only March.
The Vikings didn't complete a deal with Jim Kleinsasser, which means, barring an all-night session tonight, the team can't talk to him until July 15 - or else any deal he signs will deprive the Vikes of the franchise tag for the duration of his contract. Seeing as the Vikes made it clear that they covet Kleinsasser and a deal still hasn't been orchestrated, don't be shocked to see the team let him slide away via free agency after this season. The offer for a long-team deal was fair (from what VU has been told). Jimmy Sexson (Kleinsasser's agent) held out for more. While he may get it eventually, VU believes the team is overspending at $3.05 million and this will be the last year for Sass as a Viking - barring an 11th hour move.
VU remains the only on-line, off-line and no-line outlet that refuses to buy into the hype associated with Rien Long of Washington State. Many - if not most - of the "Internet smarts" of the draft world have the Vikes taking Long. Nah. We remain adamant it won't happen. Washington State had its workout day Thursday, except for Long. The only way the Vikes end up with him is if they trade down to the middle stages of the first round.
Seau is to old, he is in his 13th season. I would rather get someone younger. Matthews has sign with Tamps, thank god. I do not want to see Ferotte on the Vikes either.
I'm not worried about his age. The guy performs. Same with Sehorn. And Biekert and blah, blah, blah. It's the free agency era. Teams turn over regularly. They don't develope players only to lose them as free agents. That was denny green's error. Give seau and sehorn a one year contract. Our defense sucks. We can't be picky. Take what we can get.
Compensation - Qualifying Offer Right of First Refusal + Original Draft Pick Compensation: $512,000 Right of First Refusal + 1st Round Draft Pick Compensation: $1,115,000 Right of First Refusal + 1st and 3rd Round Draft Picks in Compensation: $1,488,00
This is based from 2001 numbers. I would guess the dollar amounts went up.
Give seau and sehorn a one year contract. Our defense sucks. We can't be picky. Take what we can get.
I want our D to be good for a years not just one year. Seau has been injured lately, I think he is a risk at his age. Plus i do not think he is nearly as good as he useed to be. Sehorn was a good CB, now I want to see if he can be a good safety. I would only go after Sehorn if we can not land Lassiter or Knight. I would like to see Lassiter on this team.
The Vikes first 3 draft picks. Defense, defense, and finally defense. This will be kinda like Green Bays draft after they met Moss on the field. Greenbay with their first pick take a CB, GB with their 2nd pick takes a CB, GB with their third pick takes a CB. You know what is really funny? They still can not cover him one on one! =)
I like Gary Anderson and all and I think he's a class act. I just think it's stupid to have 2 roster spots for kickers. That and I get a knot in my stomach everytime the game's on the line and we're outdoors and Gary steps up. I know he hit that long one last season but reliability and or consistency is key.
I would also add his age is becoming a factor now. We need a younger stronger leg at the kicking position. There has to be someone available.
Ooops! Why? I agree Vikes needs some reliable second WR. Or else Mos will get banged up soon. With all those double teams and triple teams. But please dont waste the first pick on Offense. I say, first pick on DT and all other picks on secondary.
Pick up some undrafted freeagent WR and hope he clicks.
Does anyone know if the Vikes are looking at any restricted FA? I know we would have to give up a draft pick to get someone but it might be worth it. Does anyone know a spot that has a good list of restricted free agents?
Vikings: [3/12] A "marathon day" of contract negotiations left CB Denard Walker closer to signing with the Vikings; Walker said he "really want[s]" to play for Minny, even after seeing their apparently paltry early offer; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] If the Vikes can't get Bears K Paul Edinger, they might pursue K Paul Nystrom; CB Denard Walker told his agent to commence "exclusive" negotiations with the Vikings, but talks broke down early, over money; Walker's price tag likely will exceed the deal signed by CB Tory James on Sunday with the Bengals; Giants OT Mike Rosenthal and Seahawks OT Jerry Wunsch will visit; the Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; the Vikes have discussed internally the possibility of restructuring the contract of QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman, who is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in April; the Vikings likely won't reach a long-term deal with TE Jim Kleinsasser by March 15, which will mean that there can be no further talks until July 15; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; QB Shane Matthews visited on Sunday; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning; Bears restricted free-agent K Paul Edinger has been signed to an offer sheet worth $7 million over five years, with a $1.6 million bonus; TE Hunter Goodwin will decide next week between offers from the Vikings and the Raiders; RB Lamar Smith is a possibility, if RB Moe Williams signs elsewhere; the Vikings will explore the possibility of meeting with CB Jason Sehorn; OG Corbin Lacina is drawing interest elsewhere, but he wants to stay in Minny; the Vikes don't think they'll sign QB Neil O'Donnell; QB Gus Frerotte worked out on Wednesday, and the Vikes were "pleased"; TE Jim Kleinsasser accepted the one-year franchise tender as he works on a multi-year deal; OL Jerry Wunsch will visit next week; Packers DT Billy Lyon has signed with the Vikings; the Vikes could be interested in Titans P Craig Hentrich; the team found no serious concerns with OT Orlando Brown's 1999 eye injury, and they'd like to install him at right tackle; if DE Lance Johnstone leaves, the Vikes will look hard at 49ers DE Chike Okeafor.
Do you all think they need to look at a starting second WR. Bates seemed to come on at the end of the season but is he a good enough second guy ? The Randy ratio was obviously a bust. I say you get the ball to him when you can and take some deep shots to keep the defense honest. I was surprised at how little they used TE's last year after all the talk about premiring them.
The one question mark I haven't heard discussed is how O'leary is going to do ? I thought Shaw did what he could with the talent given. The run D wasn't bad last year.
Kelly Campbell was good too. Fast but undersized. Derrick Alexander was a bust. May be this season he will click.
I think Alexander is gone isn't he ? He should be, they gambled and it didn't pay off.
I was surprised at how little they used TE's last year after all the talk about premiring them.
I was shocked. When you have someone like Chamberlain at TE, who did damn good his first year as a Vike, should have got the ball more last year. Is he still going to be a Vike next year?
Kelly Campbell was good too. Fast but undersized. Derrick Alexander was a bust. May be this season he will click.
I agree, I thought he was starting to do better than Bates. He may be undersize, but there have been undersize WR's that have done well. As far as Alexander goes, I think he is gone.
I believe that this will be Linehan's second year as offensive coordinator. Having the same system for another year will definitely help. It will also help going into a year with the offensive line fairly taken care of. They won't have the distraction of the McKinnie holdout, and Lewis Kelly will be able to focus on things more. I think Linehan has a better idea of the parts he has, and has this offseason to think about how to better use those parts.
Guess he was injured for a while last season. During the first half of the season Vikes were not getting the ball to Moss either so you cant blame them for not using Chamberlain very often. The team as a whole sucked, and they were never in a position to exercise all their options. Hopefully they will do a better job next year.
Alexander was dropped. He was on a one year contract. Chamberlain got hurt and was phased out a bit with Tice's stupid Randy Ratio. You don't go telling defensive coordinators around the league about your game plan. What a dumbass! LOL Same thing with his resigning Gary AFTER we lost 3-4 games. He should have brought him back right away! Brien was pathetic!
Vikings, Walker agree on four-year deal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a four-year contract with former Denver cornerback Denard Walker on Wednesday, finally finding a free-agent upgrade for their shaky secondary.
Minnesota's pass defense ranked 29th in the league last year and has been among the NFL's worst for the past several seasons, so coach Mike Tice made it a priority to sign at least one of the top veteran corners on the market.
"I said over the last couple weeks that it was very important for us to help our defense out,'' Tice said, "by adding players to our secondary.''
The Vikings hoped to sign former Oakland cornerback Tory James but weren't willing to pay as much as Cincinnati, which gave him a four-year, $14.4 million contract this week.
But they were able to convince Walker, a six-year veteran who played for the Broncos from 2001-02 after four seasons with Tennessee, that this would be a good fit.
Denver cut Walker in a salary-cap move, which surprised him. But the Vikings were quick to express their interest.
"I actually enjoyed my visit here,'' Walker said. "I was very impressed. It felt like it wasn't a recruiting trip.
"I like people that will be upfront and honest. This is the only trip that I took where the people said, 'Hey, we're not going to pat you on the back. We just want you to know that there is a need for you here.'''
Terms of the deal weren't available.
Walker, who will start at left cornerback -- where rookie Brian Williams finished the season -- started all 16 games last season for Denver. He ranked second on the team with 14 passes defended and fifth with 69 tackles.
Walker was drafted by the then-Houston Oilers in the third round in 1997 out of LSU, where he played with Vikings defensive end Kenny Mixon. Walker was a starter on the Titans' Super Bowl squad following the 1999 season.
Coach Tice and Cornerback Denard Walker
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Listen to Denard Walker and Coach Tice
Tice: Thank you for coming out on such short notice. I appreciate you all coming out to the Sid Hartman Media Center. I know it's been tough on the fans and you media types trying to maintain some composure and some patience with us, with the Vikings organization. I assure you, as I assured you guys last year when it took us two weeks before we signed Kenny Mixon, that we do in fact have a plan. A plan that has been put together by Paul Wiggin and his pro personnel staff, the coaches, coordinators George O'Leary and Scott Linehan and their staffs, myself and Rob Brzezinski and Dave Blando and Mr. McCombs and Gary Woods. I said over the last couple of weeks that it was very important for us to help our defense out by adding players to our secondary. With that said we really targeted five guys that we were helpful we could come out of it with. We were able till yesterday afternoon, late yesterday afternoon come to agreement on a deal with a player that has never been on a losing team in his career, in his six-year career 59 and 37 record on teams that he's played on and that's Denard Walker who we were able to sign. Our first big, let me say that again, our first big free agent signing. I think people need to understand that we're all about winning in the National Football League. You are gauged and you are judged by winning. With that said I know there has been some frustrations from the fans, believe me I've got hundreds of faxes and e-mails. How does it turn out when free agency is over? That is the only important thing. How does it pan out when free agency is over? Who have you added to your roster to help you win? I want to assure everybody that we are working very hard behind the scenes continually in talks with free agents. Some free agents have left and gone to other teams based on weather, based on playing for former coaches and have turned down offers than we've had that have been higher, higher offers. We can't share with everybody every conversation that we have with an agent or player. We've tried to give you as much information and tried to be as far with you as we can. I've been in constant contact with some of you guys, the beat writers and PA (Paul Allen) at KFAN and trying to keep you up to speed on what we're doing as best we can but at the same time we can't always show our hand. So without any further a due I'd like to bring up our starting left corner from LSU, who by the way was teammates with Kenny Mixon. I'm just excited and thrilled as hell to bring him up and I think my hemorrhoids have calmed down. Damn he looks good in purple.
Walker: Well I don't know what to say. I'm kind of glad this process is over with. I think from day one I was a little shocked when I got released from Denver. To be honest with you when I got released I got a phone call within a short period of time from my agent and he said listen I want to tell you something. There is one team that has been honest, they are after you, they have an interest you and he said that is the Minnesota Vikings. To me to be in a place where you feel wanted it's a very special feeling. It also puts a lot of added pressure on me to come in here and solidify that left side. I'm going to go out and play every down hard. It's also a lot of pressure on me to come in and hopefully do my part in the secondary.
Q: Talk about your visit here. What impressed you about the Vikings?
A: I actually enjoyed my visit here. When I got here I was very impressed for the simple reason that nobody...I felt like it wasn't like a recruiting trip. They were basically saying, 'hey listen, we want you here and there is a need for you here'. That's what you like to hear. I really don't like people to pat me on the back and say this and that and try to hug me and make me feel good. I like the people that will be upfront and honest. This was probably the one trip, and the only trip that I can say that I took where the people said, 'hey, we're not going to pat you on the back. We just want you to know that there is a need for you here'. That made me feel real good from the start.
Q: When you talked to (George) O'Leary, he must've thought you would fit in well. Can you talk a little about that match?
A: They are pretty much looking for a cornerback that can hold up and play an aggressive style of defense. That's what I was accustomed to when I was with Tennessee for 4 years. It allows guys to go out there and not have to think very much, but to go out and play. I'm not going to talk about the style of defense, I don't want to tell the other people, but I think my impression (from O'Leary) was, ' we need guys that can hold up on the end, on the edges'. I think that's very important in today's game. If you can have two guys that can go out on the outside edges and dominate, I think it can do a lot for your defense. That's what I want to do. I just want to come in and I want people here in Minnesota to say, 'he's consistent for 16 weeks and no matter what type of defense Coach O'Leary puts him in, he can hold up his end of the deal'. That's what I really want to bring to the secondary.
Q: Coach Tice talked about the winning teams you've been on. Are you looking forward to keeping that streak in tact?
A: Most definitely. Like I said, sometimes it takes two or three guys to make the puzzle fit. I hope I can be one of those guys that can fit right into the puzzle of what the Minnesota Vikings are trying to do. I'm very excited about being here. Again like I said, if I can bring a winning tradition -- I didn't even know that until Coach Tice told me that. I had no clue -- I hope that streak can continue. I'm kind of addicted to winning. I go out and I prepare each week, wanting to win. I can't stand to lose and I hope I can bring that same vibe to this organization.
Q: Did Kenny Mixon do some lobbying to get you here?
A: I haven't talked to Kenny. I saw Chuck Wiley who I was also a teammate with at LSU and I know (Henri) Crockett real good. I saw those guys in California at a camp. They haven't changed a bit. It makes me feel good that I know some people here, so I won't come into an environment where I feel a little uncomfortable because I know about 3 or 4 guys on this football team. That's always a plus.
Q: You are going to be one of the most experience guys on this defense. Are you comfortable with a mentoring role?
A: When I first came in (with Tennessee) my first 4 years I was just a young guy. I was basically trying to imitate what the veterans were doing, until someone told me, 'somewhere down the line you're going to have to learn to branch out on your own. Then guys are going to look at you for guidance and leadership. They're going to watch how you handle things'. I think my last 2 years at Denver that's the type of role I played. I always kind of take that mentality every day, in even how I work out, that guys are looking at me constantly. They're looking at how I'm going to handle adversity because I think what happens is somewhere down the line they know they're going to be put in that position. Yeah, I hope I can bring leadership -- it won't be much talking, because I'm not very good at talking. A guy can talk, but if he can't back it up in this league it's not really that good. I try to make sure that what I do is reflected in the way that I play.
It sounds like the guy has his head on straight. = )
Vikings report: Strategy and personnel
March 10, 2003
Inside slant | Notes, quotes, anecdotes
NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES: The main reason the Vikings are concentrating on cornerback and offensive line in free agency? There appears to be enough depth at defensive line in the draft for the Vikings to address those needs there.
The Vikings will address cornerback, OL and punter early in free agency. They hope to find an impact defensive lineman in the draft. Then they will attack the secondary free-agent market for a safety, a backup middle linebacker to learn behind veteran Greg Biekert and a wide receiver.
That puts things in better perspective. = )
Vikings: [3/12] CB Denard Walker has signed; the Vikings could be interested in DT Henry Ford and WR Oronde Gadsden; the Bears matched the offer sheet that K Paul Edinger signed; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] If the Vikes can't get Bears K Paul Edinger, they might pursue K Paul Nystrom; CB Denard Walker told his agent to commence "exclusive" negotiations with the Vikings, but talks broke down early, over money; Walker's price tag likely will exceed the deal signed by CB Tory James on Sunday with the Bengals; Giants OT Mike Rosenthal and Seahawks OT Jerry Wunsch will visit; the Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; the Vikes have discussed internally the possibility of restructuring the contract of QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman, who is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in April; the Vikings likely won't reach a long-term deal with TE Jim Kleinsasser by March 14, which will mean that there can be no further talks until July 15; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; QB Shane Matthews visited on Sunday; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning.
SEHORN SAYS SEE YA ON WEB
By PAUL SCHWARTZ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKE IT EASY:
Jason Sehorn, who was released by the Giants last week, brought relationship with NY fans to a close by saying his farewells on his web site, Sehornscorner.org.
N.Y. Post: Nury Hernandez
March 10, 2003 --
Jason Sehorn's nine years in New York were continuously filled with intrigue, enticement and excitement, but never teeming with emotion. It was not Sehorn's way. That is why it is entirely appropriate that the former Giants cornerback opted to bid adieu to New York via an open letter posted on his web site, Sehornscorner.org.
Sehorn only flirted with criticizing the Giants, who released him last Friday after he refused to agree to the terms of the massive pay cut the team demanded of him. The Giants were set to keep Sehorn only if his salary was slashed from $4.3 million to $1 million, but Sehorn wanted half of that money guaranteed as assurance he would not get cut this summer. The Giants refused and now have to absorb an $8 million salary cap hit in "dead money" for the 2003 season.
"My opinion is that I must have worn out my welcome with some in the organization, as not everyone was as excited about the prospect of me playing safety as others were," Sehorn wrote. "And quite frankly, some may not have appreciated my voice and opinion, or I'd still be wearing Giants Blue. Or perhaps it was strictly about money for them, as I was more than willing to take a significant pay cut."
Addressed to "the Giants family and fans," Sehorn started off by writing "It is time to move on and while it's sad leaving a place I've spent the last nine years of my life, it's also important to realize when it's time to go."
Sehorn was gracious in giving thanks to "one of the greatest organizations in the history of football" and lauded the fans.
"As I depart I'd just like to thank every fan and supporter who rooted for us on game days, who tailgated in the cold, who cheered for us when we won and jeered us when we lost. For the fans that made playing in NY the thrill that it was, I thank you, as it was a wonderful ride."
Sehorn wants to continue playing, and the Vikings have expressed interest. The Falcons and Panthers may also make a call. /b
Summing up his time with the Giants, Sehorn wrote "One thing is for sure, I've learned to have an opinion and stand for what I believe in. Whether or not others like that opinion or not isn't the determining factor behind the opinion, as you can't just sit on the fence passively and miss the adventure."
Help for the Giants' defensive line won't be coming from Indianapolis' Brad Scioli, who re-signed yesterday with the Colts.
Free Agency Ranked: Defense
By Dev Panchwagh
Date: Mar 1, 2003
Defensive Ends:
1. Hugh Douglas: Douglas is sure to get a lot of attention from various suitors, but don't bet all your cards on Douglas registering big time sack totals for his new team. Age is starting to creep up on him.
2. Vonnie Holliday: Holliday's game is similar to that of former teammate Joe Johnson. While he doesn't have the greatest speed, Holliday uses an effective bull rush to plow through offensive tackles in order to sack the quarterback, and he uses his hands well to disengage blocks.
3. Chike Okeafor: Not the biggest end, but Okeafor has a Tasmanian devil type motor, and he has the speed to get past the edge.
4. Brad Scioli: He's not ever going to get you 10 sacks in one season. However, he'll remind you of his former teammate Chad Bratzke, because he plays with a lot of energy against the run or the pass.
5. Duane Clemons: This former Chief was poised to breakout last season; now he'll look for a chance to be used in a rotation with some other club.
Defensive Tackles:
1. Daryl Gardener: Gardner answered some of the question marks dealing with his chronic back problems and poor attitude, by playing at a dominant level during the second half of the season.
2. John Thornton: Thornton is a defensive tackle who's on the rise, and is hitting the market during the perfect time in his career.
3. Sam Adams: Would be ranked No.1 on this list, if he had played with any deal of consistency last year. Adams still has a couple of good years left in him.
4. Brandon Noble: You may have never heard of him, but Noble is solid run stuffer, who is willing to do a lot of the grunt work up front.
5. Chester McGlockton: McGlockton never plays with any great amount of motivation and desire, which is why he's not been able to stamp his name among the elite defensive tackles in football.
Linebackers:
1. Roosevelt Colvin: A ferocious sack artist who will garner a great deal of attention from a number of teams around the league.
2. Anthony Simmons: Simmons is an underrated linebacker, who has the speed and coverage abilities to thrive on the weakside.
3. Mike Peterson: Like Simmons, Peterson is somewhat undersized, but he has tremendous speed to chase and rove in space.
4. Shelton Quarles: He's played on the inside and outside at a high level, but he's probably better suited to play in open-space.
5. Jamir Miller: Coming back from a torn Achilles is going to be tough for Miller. When healthy, he's one of the better pass rushers in football.
Cornerbacks:
1. Denard Walker: Walker has been a very solid No.2 cover corner throughout his career; he can blitz and tackle effectively, too.
2. Aeneas Williams: Williams is due to slow down, but would provide any team with a solid stop-gap option at the corner spot for one more season.
3. Dre' Bly: Bly can cover, and has great recovery speed, but he tends to take too many chances in coverage, and brings nothing to the table against the run.
4. Ashley Ambrose: As is the case with Williams, Ambrose's best days are behind him. However, given the barren market for corners, Ambrose should land a starting job with some team.
5. Tyrone Williams: Inconsistency has plagued his career this far. He would still be a solid No.2 option for a number of teams, though.
Safeties:
1. Sammy Knight: Knight makes a lot of big plays and big hits in the secondary, but his coverage skills are questionable.
2. Dexter Jackson: Perhaps he's not worth this high of a ranking. But given his lateral speed and ability to read and react quickly, Jackson may be ready to become an elite free safety.
3. Kwamie Lassiter: Lassiter has lost some speed, but he's still one of the better safeties on the market.
4. Rodney Harrison: It was just a year ago when Harrison was mentioned as one of the premier strong safeties in football. However, father time has ripped Harrison's lacking coverage skills away from him. Now, he's simply a hitter.
5. Keion Carpenter: Played at a surprisingly effective level with the Falcons last year. Carpenter should be a bargain fit for whoever signs him.
For a 6th round pick. Funny thing is, he won't be a starter over Aaron Brooks , annd Jack Delhomme, the back-up is better than he is as well. LOL
Walker In, Edinger Out for Vikes
By Viking Update Staff
Date: Mar 13, 2003
With Vikings fans getting vocal about the lack of free agent activity and questions arising about Red McCombs willingness to invest in a winner, Mike Tice said Wednesday that Denard Walker is the just the first (and not the last) free agent coming to Minnesota.
Mike Tice looked a little relieved Wednesday as the Vikings announced the signing of Denard Walker to help out their anemic secondary. Walker, a six-year veteran who played four years with the Titans and two with the Broncos, signed a four-year deal worth $13 million -- with $5 million of that coming this year in signing bonus (said to be $4 million) and base salary $1 million for 2003).
Tice said the Vikings have been looking for players and value, leaving some to speculate that the team is convinced the Lions grossly overspent on Dre Bly (five years, $24.5 million). He said Walker is the first (hint: more to come) big-name free agent the team will add.
One player who won't be coming is kicker Paul Edinger. After signing a five-year, $7 million offer sheet that included $1.6 million in up front money, the Bears matched his offer sheet Wednesday, so the search for a kickoff specialist (whether he's a punter or a field goal kicker) continues.
THURSDAY NOTES
Vikings: [3/13] RB Michael Bennett recently ran a hot-grease-through-a-goose 4.18 forty-yard dash; QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman will be traded to the Saints for a sixth-round draft pick; the deal hinges on Bouman's agreement to re-do his deal, which requires a $1 million bonus on April 1; we're hearing that QB Neil O'Donnell rejected a multi-year deal averaging $1.5 million per; the Vikes have given RB Moe Williams one week to sign; if he doesn't, the Vikes will pursue RB Lamar Smith; CB Denard Walker gets $5 million this year as part of a $13 million deal; coach Mike Tice's reaction to signing Walker -- "I think my hemorrhoids have calmed down" (lovely); the Vikes are negotiating with OT Orlando Brown; OT Mike Rosenthal and OT Jerry Wunsch were due to arrive Wednesday night; CB Tyrone Williams and CB Ken Irvin visited Wednesday; the Vikes will work out K Jake Arians; there's a two-year offer on the table for QB Shane Matthews; [3/12] CB Denard Walker has signed; the Vikings could be interested in DT Henry Ford and WR Oronde Gadsden; the Bears matched the offer sheet that K Paul Edinger signed; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] If the Vikes can't get Bears K Paul Edinger, they might pursue K Paul Nystrom; CB Denard Walker told his agent to commence "exclusive" negotiations with the Vikings, but talks broke down early, over money; Walker's price tag likely will exceed the deal signed by CB Tory James on Sunday with the Bengals; Giants OT Mike Rosenthal and Seahawks OT Jerry Wunsch will visit; the Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; the Vikes have discussed internally the possibility of restructuring the contract of QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman, who is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in April; the Vikings likely won't reach a long-term deal with TE Jim Kleinsasser by March 14, which will mean that there can be no further talks until July 15; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; QB Shane Matthews visited on Sunday; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning.
Well it looks like the trade for Smoot and Washington's 13th pick are not going to happen. The Jets probably will not match the offer the Skins gave Cole. This will give the Jets the 13th pick. Also Stephen Davis signed with the Panthers. This is going to be another crazy FF season. It will be interesting to see how guys like Davis, Coles, Plummer and Boston perform on new teams.
Yes, I am already trying to figure out who to draft for my FF team.
Who decides on which draft pick to surrender as compensation for a departing restricted freeagent?
Was Cole a first round draft pick?
My understanding is if you sign a restricted free agent, you have to give up your draft pick in the same round the person was chosen in.
Restricted FA WR list
Notice that the draft pick you give up varies from player to player.
Well, this does not sound right. What if a 3rd round pick who has been a probowler every year departs as a restricted freeagent? Is the compensation still a 3rd round pick?
I am not sure. Tell ya what, I will see if I can find anything on it.
Here is what I have found...
Under restricted free agent rules, the team would receive a draft pick commensurate with the round in which the player was selected,
Can anyone else find the actual rules? All I have been able to find is articles with lines like the one above in it.
Legend:
UFA:
Unrestricted Free Agents - Players with four years or more of NFL experience who can sign with their own team or any other team in the NFL. If they leave their previous team the team that signs them can do so without having to award the previous team compensation.
RFA:
Restricted Free Agents - Players with three years of NFL experience. Like an unrestricted free agent they are free to negotiate with any team however the current team has the right to match any offer and if they do so they retain the rights to the player. Failure to meet the offer means the player is awarded to the new team but the new team must give the old team compensation in the form of draft picks.
EFA:
Exclusive-Rights Free Agents - Players with two or fewer years of experience who have no outside negotiating power. Their rights belong to their 2002 club provided they are made a minimum qualifying offer.
FFA:
Franchise Free Agents - Unrestricted free agents who have been designated as the "Franchise" player. Current team has the right to match any offer. If they refuse, they are given compensation by the new team, usually TWO 1st-round draft picks.
TFA:
Transitional Free Agents - Players who can negotiate with any club but current team retains matching rights.
Failure to meet the offer means the player is awarded to the new team but the new team must give the old team compensation in the form of draft picks.
But how is this determined? That is what I want to know.
2003 free-agency period; 533 free agents
NEW YORK (Feb. 28, 2003) -- The National Football League announced that 533 players are free agents who now can negotiate with all 32 clubs.
The free agents include eight players who this year have been designated by their clubs as "franchise" players, and two who have been named "transition" players. Franchise and transition players are special categories for restricted and unrestricted free agents. The deadline for making these designations for 2003 was Feb. 20.
Franchise Players Transition Players
Donovin Darius, DB, Jacksonville Cletidus Hunt, DL, Green Bay
(re-signed)
Tebucky Jones, DB, New England Takeo Spikes, LB, Cincinnati (to Buffalo)
Walter Jones, OL, Seattle
Jimmy Kleinsasser, TE, Minnesota (re-signed)
Chris McAlister, DB, Baltimore
Orlando Pace, OL, St. Louis
Peerless Price, WR, Buffalo (Traded to ATL)
Todd Sauerbrun, P, Carolina
In 2002, eight players were designated as franchise players and none as transition players.
There are two types of franchise players. Clubs retain exclusive negotiating rights to an "exclusive" franchise player by committing to a minimum offer of the average of the top five salaries at the player's position as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 18, or a 20 percent increase over his 2002 salary, whichever is greater. No other clubs can negotiate with exclusive franchise players. There were no exclusive franchise players named this year. The second type of franchise player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at his position in the 2002 season, or a 20 percent salary increase, whichever is greater. This latter type of franchise player may negotiate with other clubs. The original club may match the offer and retain the player, or receive two first-round draft choices as compensation if the original club elects not to match.
Each club is permitted one franchise designation in any year of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If a designated franchise player signs a multiyear contract with the designating club between Feb. 28 and March 14 at 4:00 p.m. ET, the club retains its franchise player designation for the following league year. After March 14, if the player signs a multiyear contract while under this designation, the club exhausts its franchise player rights for each year of that contract unless it matched another club's offer for that player, in which case the designation is used only for that year. Any club which elected not to use its franchise player designation in 2003 retains franchise designation rights for 2004 and subsequent years of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, provided the club did not exhaust those rights from a previously signed franchise player.
Also, a club may designate a transition player in lieu of a franchise player in any year when the franchise designation is available. A transition player designation gives the club a first refusal right to match an offer sheet given to the player by another club. To designate a transition player, the club must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of 2002 at the player's position, or a 20 percent salary increase, whichever is greater.
In the event a player retires, suffers a career-ending injury, or is otherwise unavailable due to non-football circumstances, a club has the right to designate another franchise or transition player for the remaining years covered by the club's prior designation.
A club may withdraw a franchise or transition designation at any time. The player becomes an unrestricted free agent when that withdrawal occurs.
Unrestricted veteran free agents are players who have completed four or more accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired. They are free to sign with any club through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). On July 23, their exclusive rights will revert to their original club if that club makes a June 1 tender to these players. Teams will have until the 10th week of the season (Nov. 11) to sign their unrestricted veteran free agents to whom a tender was made on June 1. If the player does not sign by Nov. 11, he must continue to sit out the remainder of the season. If a June 1 tender is not made to an unrestricted free agent, he continues to be free to sign with any club.
Restricted free agents are players who have completed three accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired. They have received qualifying offers from their old clubs and are free to negotiate with any club until April 18, at which time their rights revert to their original club. If a player accepts an offer from a new club, the old club will have the right to match the offer and retain the player. If the old club elects not to match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the level of the qualifying offer made to the player.
The signing period for unrestricted free agents began today (Feb. 28) and concludes on July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). The signing period for restricted free agents also began today but concludes on April 18.
nothing real specific is available, Wolvie.
wolvie,
This will be kinda like Green Bays draft after they met Moss on the field. You know what is really funny? They still can not cover him one on one!
We lost out on OT Brown. He has signed a one year deal with the Ravens. I hope we go after Rosenthal now. If we really need a new OT.
not half as funny as the MN secondary, and that's a fact.
Oh sure go ahead and start posting facts. SHEESH! =)
Moe Williams has resigned with the Vikes. Lamar Smith will not be a Viking.
Vikings | Williams Returns with Multi-year Deal - posted at KFFL (http://nfl.kffl.com)
16:57 PT: ESPN.com’s Len Pasquarelli reports the Minnesota Vikings have re-signed unrestricted free agent RB Moe Williams to a multi-year deal. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed but Williams is believed to have received a $1 million signing bonus.
And the Bears signed QB Stewart today.
Bouman Traded to Saints
By Viking Update Staff
Date: Mar 13, 2003
The Vikings have announced within the last 20 minutes that Todd Bouman has been traded to the New Orleans Saints.
The Vikings announced this afternoon that backup QB Todd Bouman has been traded to the New Orleans to the New Orleans Saints.
While the team has not disclosed the terms of the deal, VU has been told by a Saints source that the deal will involve a sixth-round draft pick in next month's draft and possibly a conditional pick in 2004 depending on how much playing time Bouman receives.
VU has also been told that the trade was likely predicated on the team reaching an agreement with a veteran quarterback -- as reported earlier, VU was told by a Bucs source that Shane Matthews had a two-year deal from the Vikings on the table.
VU will get additional information for our next update.
Junior Seau's agent received permission to seek a trade, apparently ending the star linebacker's 13-year run as leader of the San Diego Chargers.
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If his agent isn't able to make a deal, Seau expects to be released, he told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
"It's definitely good and bad," Seau said. "It's time for us to part ways. There will be some disgruntled people and disgruntled fans, but it was time."
Neither Seau nor Chargers executives were available for comment.
However, the director of Seau's charitable foundation, Bette Hoffman, confirmed the move.
"He just feels that it's time to part ways with the Chargers," Hoffman said.
Seau was named to his 12th Pro Bowl last season, but missed the all-star game after undergoing surgery for an ankle injury that bothered him most of the season. He missed three games and part of another because of the injury.
"Look, this is not easy for me," coach Marty Schottenheimer told the Union-Tribun. "Junior Seau embodies everything you want in a player -- work ethic, dedication, passion. But we felt this was something we needed to do, and we wanted to do it right.
"That's why we extended the courtesy to Junior and his representative to try to see if there's a trade that can be reached."
Seau was a first-round draft pick in 1990 out of Southern Cal.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Stuff like Sehorn and Seau's situations are a justification for teams that are patient in the free agent market. = )
You never know who will become available.
That would be totally awesome to have Seau and Biekert. I gotta stop dreaming.
Vikings: [3/14] The Vikes are negotiating with LB Barry Gardner; RB Moe Williams has re-signed; the Vikings apparently favor QB Shane Matthews over QB Gus Frerotte as the new backup to starter Daunte Culpepper; coach Mike Tice was satisfied with workouts of OT Mike Rosenthal and OL Jerry Wunsch; no immediate contract offers are expected for the cluster of cornerbacks who visited this week; the Vikes are officially out of the hunt for QB Neil O'Donnell; [3/13] The trade with the Saints for QB Todd Bouman is a done deal; OT Orlando Brown turned down an offer from Minnesota worth three times more than his Ravens deal; RB Michael Bennett recently ran a hot-grease-through-a-goose 4.18 forty-yard dash; QB Todd "Hot Tub" Bouman will be traded to the Saints for a sixth-round draft pick; the deal hinges on Bouman's agreement to re-do his deal, which requires a $1 million bonus on April 1; we're hearing that QB Neil O'Donnell rejected a multi-year deal averaging $1.5 million per; CB Denard Walker gets $5 million this year as part of a $13 million deal; coach Mike Tice's reaction to signing Walker -- "I think my hemorrhoids have calmed down" (lovely); the Vikes are negotiating with OT Orlando Brown; OT Mike Rosenthal and OT Jerry Wunsch were due to arrive Wednesday night; CB Tyrone Williams and CB Ken Irvin visited Wednesday; the Vikes will work out K Jake Arians; there's a two-year offer on the table for QB Shane Matthews; [3/12] CB Denard Walker has signed; the Vikings could be interested in DT Henry Ford and WR Oronde Gadsden; the Bears matched the offer sheet that K Paul Edinger signed; CB Tyrone Williams visited on Tuesday; LB Barry Gardner visited on Tueday; RB Moe Williams visited Buffalo; [3/11] The Vikings also have expressed interest in Cowboys OT Solomon Page; [3/10] if the market stalls for DE Vonnie Holliday, the Vikes could be interested; NFL Europe punter Nick Murphy is a candidate to win the punting job; courted by the Giants, DE Lance Johnstone is leaning toward returning.
Minnesota Vikings Rumors
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Vikings may sign Matthews
March 14
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Scroll Down): "Free agent Shane Matthews appears to have emerged as the favorite of coach Mike Tice."
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Minnesota no longer considering O'Donnell
March 14
Tennessean: "Just three weeks ago Minnesota Vikings Coach Mike Tice stood in Indianapolis' RCA Dome and called former Titans quarterback Neil O'Donnell 'just the kind of guy we're looking for.' But yesterday Tice said the Vikings have formally crossed O'Donnell off their wish list."
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Wunsch could land with Vikings
March 14
Tacoma News Tribune: "Jerry Wunsch proved his value and versatility during his lone season with the Seattle Seahawks. His reward could be a starting job with the Minnesota Vikings."
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Bouman, Brown Gone, Moe Back
By Viking Update Staff
Date: Mar 14, 2003
Speculation about the Vikes being near a deal with a new QB (Shane Matthews?) was confirmed Thursday with the trade of Todd Bouman to the Saints for a sixth-round pick in next month's draft.
The initial reaction pertaining to the Todd Bouman trade to the Saints has been questioning why the team would give up a potential starter for a sixth-round pick? The bottom line speaks volumes.
VU has been told Bouman adjusted his deal to eliminate the $1 million he was due in April. VU was also told by a Ravens source that Brian Billick wanted Bouman but was told to wait until he was cut - nobody would trade a draft pick. Guess what? The Saints did. While persisting talk about Bouman centers on his non-role in last month's incident at the team's Arctic Blast event, VU can confirm for the record that his trade had nothing to do with that.
From what VU has been told, Bouman eliminated his roster bonus clause as part of the deal and signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Saints. There has been a lot of speculation about the condition of the throwing shoulder of Aaron Brooks. The Saints are interested in Bouman as an insurance policy that the Vikes aren't concerned with - Daunte's throwing shoulder is just fine, thank you.
As reported earlier this week, VU broke the gig that Shane Matthews has a two-year deal on the table. It is hard for us to believe that the Vikings would let Bouman go without having a replacement in the house. Whether the Vikes sign Matthews or Gus Frerotte, a final deal has been struck with someone, because Bouman was the team's ace in the hole. If all else failed, the team had a contingency plan. While a sixth-round pick is 50-50 at best to make the team, it was clear that the Vikings wouldn't have Bouman after this year. Here's hoping the flier they take as compensation works out.
FRIDAY NOTES
Seau is to old, he is in his 13th season. I would rather get someone younger. Matthews has sign with Tamps, thank god. I do not want to see Ferotte on the Vikes either.
I'm not worried about his age. The guy performs. Same with Sehorn. And Biekert and blah, blah, blah. It's the free agency era. Teams turn over regularly. They don't develope players only to lose them as free agents. That was denny green's error. Give seau and sehorn a one year contract. Our defense sucks. We can't be picky. Take what we can get.
Back to the RFA question...
Compensation - Qualifying Offer
Right of First Refusal + Original Draft Pick Compensation: $512,000
Right of First Refusal + 1st Round Draft Pick Compensation: $1,115,000
Right of First Refusal + 1st and 3rd Round Draft Picks in Compensation: $1,488,00
This is based from 2001 numbers. I would guess the dollar amounts went up.
Give seau and sehorn a one year contract. Our defense sucks. We can't be picky. Take what we can get.
I want our D to be good for a years not just one year. Seau has been injured lately, I think he is a risk at his age. Plus i do not think he is nearly as good as he useed to be. Sehorn was a good CB, now I want to see if he can be a good safety. I would only go after Sehorn if we can not land Lassiter or Knight. I would like to see Lassiter on this team.
We know our wants and needs. All I'm saying is that they should pursue help anywhere they can get it.