Wednesday, March 14, 2012

2012 Vikings Free Agency

From what I'm hearing, the Vikings have minimal desire to pursue any O-linemen in the free agency. Much of this is giving the picture that the O-line is going to be a 2 year project. Current projections have us drafting Matt Kahlil, the stud LT from USC, 3rd overall in the draft. This will help shore up a poor left side. This will also result in moving C. Johnson to the LG position, where it is stated he will be more comfortable. John Sullivan will remain our starting center. The RG position will be filled by the 2nd year Brandon Fusco, who was praised for his progress last year. And Loadholt will remain the RT. There was no talk about D. Love competing for that RT position, which could be good. While I'm not thrilled about this, I'm willing to give it a shot.
But without the Vikings pursuing O-line in day 1 of the draft, I'm shocked they did not go for one of the deep threat receivers or shut-down corners. With the salary cap space, it would have been well spent on one of those positions. Instead, the Vikings are to bring in 4th year TE John Carlson (Seattle) for a visit today. Like Rudolph, who will be our #1 TE, he is a product of Notre Dame, emerging out of the 2008 draft in the 2nd Round (38th overall). Like Rudolph, he is a soft hands, pass catching TE. He did sit out on IR in 2011 due to a shoulder injury, but if that is healed having both TE's would have the Patriots' Hernandez/Gronkowski feel.
And as far as our free agents go, we signed DT Guion to a 3 year deal and QB Rosefels has resigned also but there is no word on any potential re-signing of OLB Erin Henderson. This would be a smart move for the Vikings, thereby only leaving one hole in the MLB position. Secondly, if the proposed O-line in the first paragraph bodes well for Ponder, if we can resign our FA WR's cheap, that may provide some weapons for Ponder as he will have a bit more time for them to get down field or get open. The secondary likely won't see any help this free agency, and will likely be "upgraded" early in the draft. However, many of the CB's that fall out of the first round have a ring similar to that of Cook with off field issues. But that Vikings appear to like that so we should be set.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on Day 1 of the free agency. There's still lots of time left, and who knows what moves the Vikings will make, but I must say I'm not impressed with the brass doing minimal in the FA the first day.

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