Credit Mike "Meathead" Tice for the dilemma that the Vikes will face when the time comes to open discussions with Tom Condon on a contract for defensive tackle Kevin Williams.
By declaring to the world via ESPN videoconference that the Vikes wanted Williams at No. 7, Tice has given Condon all the ammo that he needs to insist upon Williams getting paid like another Condon client, quarterback Byron Leftwich, who actually was the No. 7 pick.
The fact that Condon represents both the guy who was picked by the team that held the No. 7 spot and the guy who actually was picked at No. 7 could make it hard for him to get No. 7 money for both
, in our view. The simple reality is that, regardless of whether the Vikes would've taken Williams at No. 7, the teams that exercised the seventh and eighth selections (Jacksonville and Carolina) passed Williams by.
Thus, if the slotting process hinges on the manner in which the names come off of the board, the undeniable truth here is that Williams was the ninth player taken
.
Really, under Condon's coming argument, any team who trades down and still gets the guy they wanted before the trade should pay the guy as if he'd been picked in the original spot.
Even though Condon's contention is, in our view, hopelessly flawed, Condon surely knows that Williams could benefit from the possibility that the Vikes might be hoping to put to rest an ugly two-year string of rookie mistakes
regarding their rookies.
In 2002, the Vikes blew a chance to draft defensive tackle Ryan Sims after the clock ran out on the Cowboys-Chiefs trade. Then, the Vikings faced a protracted holdout from the guy they picked, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie. With another draft-day screw-up, the Vikes might not want another three-month holdout
. Given that they're still $16 million under the cap, there could be a desire in Minny to just get Williams signed, even if they have to pay him like the seventh pick.
williams' isn't getting #7 money, but he's not getting a straight #9 contract either.
The woman complied with demands from the suspects, who asked whether there were any other people in the apartment. The four suspects rushed inside the apartment, pointed guns and ordered Chukwurah, 6-1 and 250 pounds, to get face down on the floor, the report said. Chukwurah was tied up and the apartment ransacked.
"He's obviously shaken up. He's a stay-at-home type of guy," said a close associate of Chukwurah who asked not to be identified.
Favre wasn't surprised Sherman chose not to take a quarterback in the draft last weekend, after much had been made of the Packers possibly taking one in the first round because of Favre's uncertain future.
An impromptu visit by Sherman to Favre's Mississippi home in March apparently convinced the boss he didn't need to draft a successor.
"Obviously, he probably felt like he had more at stake with me and wants to make sure that I'm hungry for the season and during the season. He got that answer."
The recent draft debacle in Minnesota, combined with the team's sputtering failures to close various free-agent deals despite having more cap room than Abe Lincoln
, underscores the need for a true General Manager in Minnesota, according to several league insiders.
The Vikes haven't had a true G.M. since Mike Lynn, who authored in 1989 the trade that laid the foundation for three Super Bowl titles in four seasons.
In Dallas.
Dennis Green eventually finagled G.M. powers in the late 1990s. Since his departure in 2001, however, owner Red McCombs has used a committee approach to running the front office, which has led to the two biggest round one debacles in league history, in consecutive years.
Per our sources, the team needs a strong football guy, like a Tom Modrak, to run the team. The problem, per our sources, is that no football guy in his right mind would take the job while McCombs is trying to sell
the organization, since the new owner surely would want a hand-picked management team.
Guest coach:Former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie spent most of Friday shadowing Packers coach Mike Shermanduring both minicamp practices.
Davie, who has been working as a college football television analyst since he was fired from Notre Dame in 2001, was on the coaching staff with Sherman at Texas A&M in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“I talked to him right after the draft, and he said he might be coming up here for a visit because he and coach Sherman are friends,” said rookie tackle Brennan Curtin, a sixth-round draft pick from Notre Dame.
“It was good to see him. He was the reason I was at Notre Dame.”
burris was a highly-touted CFL prospect that GB picked up in '01, then released in the offseason. the guy did nothing but b*tch about being a scout team/backup the whole time.
CHI picked him up in '02 and thought they had acquired another mark brunell or kurt warner. they were thrilled to have a guy who had tutored under favre.
apparently burris does mirror favre's passing game, but just the playoffs.
The Minnesota Vikings have finally used their #7 pick in the draft on Bowie State defensive end Charles Alston.
At 11:21AM EST today, one week after the first round of the NFL draft had ended, league commissioner Paul Tagliabue returned to the podium in an empty auditorium and announced that the Vikings would be selecting Alston with the #7 pick.
Using their pick after all other selections had been made in the draft was certainly an interesting move, but Minnesota became gun shy after a trade fell through and other teams rushed to pick ahead of them. Even though other teams raced in front of them, the Vikings were content with waiting not just hours, but an entire week after the first round of the draft had ended.
"After the trade didn't work out with Baltimore, we had to change our game plans," Vikings coach Mike Tice said.
Other teams started picking and we had to do something different, something unexpected. I feel by waiting a week we did just that. Sure, we may have missed out on a few players, but we feel by holding off we made sure we got the right player."
"We think Alston is a fantastic player," Tice finished. "In fact, he was the guy we'd been targeting all along."
LOL! I am going to go see it this weekend if possible. Been busy repairing my house after the break in. So I may have to wait to go see it. I really want to see X2 and Matrix reloaded.
Vikings owner Red McCombs resolved one of the biggest personnel questions facing the franchise Friday by signing quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a 10-year, $102 million contract extension that included $16 million in guarantees.
What the hell is he thinking? I wouldn't of devoted even 1/2 that kind of money to a QB that actually did something in the last 2 years, let alone Daunte.
Well Culpepper better play up to the money he is making now. With our new offensive line, I think he can. I think the Vikes are going to be a much improved team. I want to see who they sign in June. I see us ppicking up a safety.
The $102 million contract extension that quarterback Daunte Culpepper signed on Friday with the Vikings has ruffled feathers within the organization
-- and the curve-blowing deal for a mediocre-to-above-average passer likely will piss off personnel execs throughout the league as they try in the future to negotiate deals with their own so-so signal-callers.
According to a league source, several members of the Vikes' front office are extremely upset that they were cut out of the loop
regarding the impending deal. The present concern within the front office is that owner Red McCombs is becoming an older (much) version of Redskins' chief Dan Snyderbrenner.
Around the league, insiders are telling us that the streaky Culpepper shouldn't have gotten a contract of this kind unless he had a monster year in 2003. In our view (and in the opinion of others around the league), Culpepper's performance in three seasons as a starter (one great year, one good year, one crappy year) simply doesn't merit nine figures.
The other potential complication here is the effect of the big-money deal on Red McCombs ability to sell the team. The fact that this kind of money is tied up in one guy could scare away potential buyers. Then again, it's possible (as one league source speculated) that McCombs did the deal at the behest of a buyer who already is waiting in the wings
.
After all, the Vikings previously had decided to take a wait-and-see approach with Culpepper. For no apparent reason, McCombs decided on April 28 to get the deal done.
But McCombs' snap decision isn't out of character. He has a history of impulsive decision-making with the Vikes. Two years ago, the $75 million extension paid to receiver Randy Moss
came not long after McCombs told his crew to get it done. Now.
Speaking of Moss, we wonder how he'll react to the notion that he's not holding the fattest contract on the team
. In our opinion, the fact that Culpepper is getting only $16 million in guaranteed money was a nod to Moss, who got $17 million in 2001.
it's a big fat contract for daunte, but i'm wondering how it's structured?
you have to wonder if this isn't a PR move as much as it is a personnel move. i have a feeling it sounds good but that it's more media-friendly than it is culpepper-friendly. i bet it's extremely backloaded, even by NFL standards.
When VU got wind Thursday night that a big contract signing was in the offing for Daunte Culpepper, we had to ask twice if the numbers we were being told were correct – 10 years, $100 million. As it turned out, they were (and then some). Friday the team announced Culpepper’s deal was 10 years for $102 million – with $16 million tied up in a guaranteed signing bonus.
The deal, while clearly reworkable after five years from the extenstion of his current contract, is a sign that the Vikings have maintained their confidence in Culpepper as their man of the present and the future.
With only one year left on his current contract signed as a rookie, Culpepper was prepared to let the chips fall where they may if a deal wasn’t struck.
“I was prepared to go into this season as it was,” Culpepper said Friday. “But now that it’s done, I’m very happy and blessed to be able to be secure and take care of my family.”
Unlike recent deals signed by aging veterans like Brett Favre and Drew Bledsoe, Culpepper’s deal is more in line with that signed by Philly’s Donovan McNabb – since there is a realistic chance they will both see the final years of their current contracts.
A league source tells us that the supposed interest of the Packers and Bears in quarterback Brian Griese was merely a ploy by Griese's agent, Ralph Cindrich
, to squeeze a little more money out of the Dolphins.
Though both teams actually showed interest in Griese, the source says that there never was a legitimate desire by either of them to outbid the Fins for Griese's services.
As we hear it, the Bears even called Kordell Stewart's agent, Leigh Steinberg, to ensure that Stewart wouldn't get his nose out of joint once word broke that Griese could be coming to Chicago.
The source tells us that Cinrich also approached the Vikings about Griese, but the Vikes opted not to place any pressure on $100 million starter Daunte Culpepper
.
In the end, Griese got a two-year deal that will either be extended or terminated after 2003. So why didn't they sign a one-year deal only? With a two-year contract, Griese's $1 million bonus gets spread over two seasons, counting for $500,000 against the 2003 cap and $500,000 against 2004.
As a 37-year-old Viking fan from birth I have come to realize that I actually have two favorite NFL teams. The Vikings and whoever is playing the Green Bay Packers. And I started to think about why that was. Do I really "hate" the Packers? What did they do that was so bad? Have they dominated our division? No. Have they dominated us? Negative. Was there one defining moment where we lost something precious at the hands of this hated rival? Not that I can remember. If anything we should dislike the Dallas Cowboys by that standard. So why do I feel the way that I do? Why do I despise them so?
I must tell you that this was not an easy question to answer. I had to sit down and actually try to write down the things about them that I disliked the most. I thought and I thought and I sat there for almost an hour before I finally had the epiphany I was looking for. Now before I say this I want everyone to know that "hate" is a relative word. In this particular context it means "to dislike during the course of a football game or season" and has nothing to do with personalities or anything like that. Also, there are exceptions to the rule so I guess I'm just speaking about the majority. But what I realized is that I don't hate the Green Bay Packers, I hate their FANS!!!
I think one of my big pet peeves has got to be that F-in John Madden and how he's always has his hands in Favre's pants all the time. I wonder if he's still gonna be a GB fan now that his favorite butt buddy will be missing? I will miss the drinking game that goes with that tho.
I see Hattchette has told the Vikings he is going to the Jags. I say good! He was a flop with the Jets. I would also like to see the Vikes get rid of Alexander. I think one of our rookies could do better or bring in a vet.
Good day! I like what the Vikes have done. I was really bummed about Hatchette, but life goes on. They made Sandbox a pay site. So much for the fantasy football tradition there. I ain't paying for their sorry ass service. LOL I'll probably join a league on Yahoo or something. Registration starts in July for that. I've been playing fantasy basketball, hockey, baseball, and nascar, but fantasy football is the best. No ifs or buts about it! = ) Do you still have contact with Chuck, Geno, and those guys?
So much for the fantasy football tradition there. I ain't paying for their sorry ass service. LOL I'll probably join a league on Yahoo or something. Registration starts in July for that. I've been playing fantasy basketball, hockey, baseball, and nascar, but fantasy football is the best. No ifs or buts about it! = ) Do you still have contact with Chuck, Geno, and those guys?
Derek and I are going to start anothe league using Yahoo. I hope most of the guys from dandbox decide to join. I still e-mail chuck from time to time. I haven't heard much from Geno. I think not signing Hatchette was a good thing. We are better of with out him.
I think Seattle has a very good shot at the NFC West. Holmgren has done a good job getting an offense there. Alexander is a great running back and Hasselback came into his own last year. The 49ers are not going to be good under Erickson and the Rams are a former shell of themselves. There is one more team, but they are not worth mentioning at this time. I like the Seahawks chances.
Geno stiffed Sloop for $100. Here's the proof...No cash ever changed hands.
SLOOP - (PFID:13d443) - 03:15pm Mar 20, 2002 PST (# 28 of 952) A LIFT for shorter posters Chamberlain is a great signing.
He's a very good tight end, but TE's aren't as valuable as a running game which you don't have...or a blocking O-line, which you don't have or a possession receiver which you have when he isn't whining...
I make this prediction...
The vIKEs total reg season wins in the upcoming season added to the last season's wins won;t equal what the Packers had last year...
Wallet's open, ladies...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Â Crazy George - (PFID:13d3f3) - 04:21pm Mar 20, 2002 PST (# 29 of 952) Vikes will win at least 8 games next year.
Open my wallet... I already have a Jackson with a buddy at work.
Christy Set to Retire? By Viking Update Staff Date: Jun 28, 2003
Former Viking Jeff Christy has his Super Bowl ring and looks ready to call it a career after 11 years. For years, Jeff Christy was a Pro Bowl caliber center for the Vikings. However, when the salary cap got in the way, the Vikings allowed him to leave via free agency.
As it turned out, the move worked out well for the Vikings and Buccaneers. The Vikes were able to bring along Matt Birk, who has developed into a Pro Bowler himself. Meanwhile the Bucs got a Pro Bowl center who helped lead them to a Super Bowl title.
Now after 11 years, VU has been told Christy is considering retirement from a source close to both the team and Christy.
Christy is set to meet next week with Bucs coach Jon Gruden and the topic of his status will be center stage. While Gruden is leaning toward trying to convince Christy to come back for one more season, as it stands now, he's ready to retire.
SATURDAY NOTES
Maybe one of the reasons the Vikings didn't go after a defensive tackle in free agency was because they knew that there would be vets available during the summer cap casualty season. DTs such as Ted Washington of the Bears, Dan Wilkinson of the Redskins, Travis Hall of the Falcons and Grady Jackson of the Saints could all become victims of their own contractual largesse.
July 10 will be the NFL's supplemental draft, but don't expect the Vikings -- or many other teams to get involved. In the last 26 supplemental drafts, only 32 players have been taken, but the draft has played something a role in Vikings history. In the fourth round of one such draft, the Eagles took Cris Carter.
One of our Chicago moles has confirmed for us that folks high within the Bears' organization are beginning to recognize that the acquisition of quarterback Kordell Stewart was a mistake.
Very recently, a senior member of the front office was overheard conceding that Kordell "looks lost" on the practice field.
In contrast, rookie Rex Grossman quietly is impressing the coaching staff and the front office. Word is that, next to Kordell, Rex looks like a seasoned vet.
The thinking is that Grossman could end up giving Kordell a run for the starting job in 2003.
WILLIAMS AGENT WANTS "SEVEN" MONEY
williams' isn't getting #7 money, but he's not getting a straight #9 contract either.
Signing Williams could get interesting.
Texans LB Patrick Chukwurah and his girlfried were robbed and carjacked at gunpoint.
the drum that i've banged for years ...
VIKES NEED A G.M.
2003 NFLE League Leaders
LEADING PASSERS
LOL!
Nice one!
wolvie,
LOL! I am going to go see it this weekend if possible. Been busy repairing my house after the break in. So I may have to wait to go see it. I really want to see X2 and Matrix reloaded.
I saw X2. I'm an X-men fan and I really liked it.
Been busy repairing my house after the break in.
It was thugs, the girls would have been better! =)
I'm a model, hehehe, will you buy me something?
And most of us would go "uh ok".
"uh ok".
LOL!
Most of us.
Culpepper signs for a nice payday.
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Vikings owner Red McCombs resolved one of the biggest personnel questions facing the franchise Friday by signing quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a 10-year, $102 million contract extension that included $16 million in guarantees.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayton_john/1551537.html
What the hell is he thinking? I wouldn't of devoted even 1/2 that kind of money to a QB that actually did something in the last 2 years, let alone Daunte.
Well Culpepper better play up to the money he is making now. With our new offensive line, I think he can. I think the Vikes are going to be a much improved team. I want to see who they sign in June. I see us ppicking up a safety.
It was thugs ...
CULPEPPER COIN CAUSING COMMOTION
it's a big fat contract for daunte, but i'm wondering how it's structured?
you have to wonder if this isn't a PR move as much as it is a personnel move. i have a feeling it sounds good but that it's more media-friendly than it is culpepper-friendly. i bet it's extremely backloaded, even by NFL standards.
When VU got wind Thursday night that a big contract signing was in the offing for Daunte Culpepper, we had to ask twice if the numbers we were being told were correct – 10 years, $100 million. As it turned out, they were (and then some). Friday the team announced Culpepper’s deal was 10 years for $102 million – with $16 million tied up in a guaranteed signing bonus.
The deal, while clearly reworkable after five years from the extenstion of his current contract, is a sign that the Vikings have maintained their confidence in Culpepper as their man of the present and the future.
With only one year left on his current contract signed as a rookie, Culpepper was prepared to let the chips fall where they may if a deal wasn’t struck.
“I was prepared to go into this season as it was,” Culpepper said Friday. “But now that it’s done, I’m very happy and blessed to be able to be secure and take care of my family.”
Unlike recent deals signed by aging veterans like Brett Favre and Drew Bledsoe, Culpepper’s deal is more in line with that signed by Philly’s Donovan McNabb – since there is a realistic chance they will both see the final years of their current contracts.
Why do Packer fans come in here and attack Viking fans? I never could figure it out!
Why don't you come clean, Thumper?
I know it's you, Bob.
Why do Packer fans come in here and attack Viking fans?
LOL! Besides it helps keep this place going during the off season and keeps a friendly rivalery alive!
... the off season ...
Amen to that machias!
thx,
Gays seem to be quite a preoccupation with me.
NO ONE ELSE WANTED GRIESE
As a 37-year-old Viking fan from birth I have come to realize that I actually have two favorite NFL teams. The Vikings and whoever is playing the Green Bay Packers. And I started to think about why that was. Do I really "hate" the Packers? What did they do that was so bad? Have they dominated our division? No. Have they dominated us? Negative. Was there one defining moment where we lost something precious at the hands of this hated rival? Not that I can remember. If anything we should dislike the Dallas Cowboys by that standard. So why do I feel the way that I do? Why do I despise them so?
I must tell you that this was not an easy question to answer. I had to sit down and actually try to write down the things about them that I disliked the most. I thought and I thought and I sat there for almost an hour before I finally had the epiphany I was looking for. Now before I say this I want everyone to know that "hate" is a relative word. In this particular context it means "to dislike during the course of a football game or season" and has nothing to do with personalities or anything like that. Also, there are exceptions to the rule so I guess I'm just speaking about the majority. But what I realized is that I don't hate the Green Bay Packers, I hate their FANS!!!
Why do Vike fans hate the Packers?
I think this guy nails it!
Awesome article!!
I think one of my big pet peeves has got to be that F-in John Madden and how he's always has his hands in Favre's pants all the time. I wonder if he's still gonna be a GB fan now that his favorite butt buddy will be missing? I will miss the drinking game that goes with that tho.
Thanks for posting Wolvie.
I see Hattchette has told the Vikings he is going to the Jags. I say good! He was a flop with the Jets. I would also like to see the Vikes get rid of Alexander. I think one of our rookies could do better or bring in a vet.
Is it football season yet???? Man I hate the off season!
Hey Wolvie,
Good day! I like what the Vikes have done. I was really bummed about Hatchette, but life goes on. They made Sandbox a pay site. So much for the fantasy football tradition there. I ain't paying for their sorry ass service. LOL I'll probably join a league on Yahoo or something. Registration starts in July for that. I've been playing fantasy basketball, hockey, baseball, and nascar, but fantasy football is the best. No ifs or buts about it! = ) Do you still have contact with Chuck, Geno, and those guys?
So much for the fantasy football tradition there. I ain't paying for their sorry ass service. LOL I'll probably join a league on Yahoo or something. Registration starts in July for that. I've been playing fantasy basketball, hockey, baseball, and nascar, but fantasy football is the best. No ifs or buts about it! = ) Do you still have contact with Chuck, Geno, and those guys?
Derek and I are going to start anothe league using Yahoo. I hope most of the guys from dandbox decide to join. I still e-mail chuck from time to time. I haven't heard much from Geno. I think not signing Hatchette was a good thing. We are better of with out him.
Wolf II,
I think Seattle has a very good shot at the NFC West. Holmgren has done a good job getting an offense there. Alexander is a great running back and Hasselback came into his own last year. The 49ers are not going to be good under Erickson and the Rams are a former shell of themselves. There is one more team, but they are not worth mentioning at this time. I like the Seahawks chances.
I have a friend who is interested in playing and of course I'm always interested . = )
Geno stiffed Sloop for $100. Here's the proof...No cash ever changed hands.
SLOOP - (PFID:13d443) - 03:15pm Mar 20, 2002 PST (# 28 of 952)
A LIFT for shorter posters
Chamberlain is a great signing.
He's a very good tight end, but TE's aren't as valuable as a running game which you don't have...or a blocking O-line, which you don't have or a possession receiver which you have when he isn't whining...
I make this prediction...
The vIKEs total reg season wins in the upcoming season added to the last season's wins won;t equal what the Packers had last year...
Wallet's open, ladies...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Crazy George - (PFID:13d3f3) - 04:21pm Mar 20, 2002 PST (# 29 of 952)
Vikes will win at least 8 games next year.
Open my wallet... I already have a Jackson with a buddy at work.
And where did the 100 dollar payoff come from?
http://footballinsider.com/
It has everything centralized in one site.
Hey guys if you set up in Yahoo, the SSSSnakeman may want to slither his way back in, that is if you crazy football folls will have me.
You guys ain't got a chance if I play. I'm gonna "Bring it tall!" ; )
Christy Set to Retire?
By Viking Update Staff
Date: Jun 28, 2003
Former Viking Jeff Christy has his Super Bowl ring and looks ready to call it a career after 11 years.
For years, Jeff Christy was a Pro Bowl caliber center for the Vikings. However, when the salary cap got in the way, the Vikings allowed him to leave via free agency.
As it turned out, the move worked out well for the Vikings and Buccaneers. The Vikes were able to bring along Matt Birk, who has developed into a Pro Bowler himself. Meanwhile the Bucs got a Pro Bowl center who helped lead them to a Super Bowl title.
Now after 11 years, VU has been told Christy is considering retirement from a source close to both the team and Christy.
Christy is set to meet next week with Bucs coach Jon Gruden and the topic of his status will be center stage. While Gruden is leaning toward trying to convince Christy to come back for one more season, as it stands now, he's ready to retire.
SATURDAY NOTES
Rumor mill.....
KORDELL "LOOKS LOST"
One of our Chicago moles has confirmed for us that folks high within the Bears' organization are beginning to recognize that the acquisition of quarterback Kordell Stewart was a mistake.
Very recently, a senior member of the front office was overheard conceding that Kordell "looks lost" on the practice field.
In contrast, rookie Rex Grossman quietly is impressing the coaching staff and the front office. Word is that, next to Kordell, Rex looks like a seasoned vet.
The thinking is that Grossman could end up giving Kordell a run for the starting job in 2003.
I love it when teams in our division screw up! Please let them start Stewart.