Vikes Sign Safety & Fullback

WILLIAMS & TAPEH
The Vikes inked two free agents today. Safety, Madieu Williams and fullback, Thomas Tapeh. Williams will replace Dwight Smith and Tapeh will replace Tony Richardson.

Williams is 6-1, 203 pounds. He was picked in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Bengals. Williams played under Les Frazier in Cincy during his rookie season.

Williams was considered by many to be the top safety available. He is a ball hawk with solid coverage skills. I’m excited to see him in action.

Tapeh is 6-2, 240 pounds. He was picked in the fifth round in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Eagles. He played his college football at the University of Minnesota.

BERRIAN
Other good news is that receiver, Bernard Berrian is in town tonight and hopefully will be a Viking by tomorrow.

SMITH
The Vikes are also interested in defensive end, Justin Smith. Smith is in San Francisco today, but is set to visit Winter Park tomorrow.

Free Agency Begins Tonight

Remember back when you were a kid and you were so excited for Santa to come? That’s kind of how I feel right now. Only problem is, I have to go to work in the morning.

I’m really debating whether I’m going to stay up super late to see if the Vikes land somebody big, or if I’m going to go to bed at the normal time.

At 11:01 central time tonight, Free Agency begins.

Rumors are out that the Vikes were offering a third round draft pick to the Texans for quarterback, Sage Rosenfels. The Texans want a second.

I’m not overly excited about the possibility of the Vikes landing Rosenfels, although my uncle, and Iowa State Alum, I’m sure would be pumped!

It now sounds like the Vikes will either have to look at JP Losman (trade) or acquire one of the quarterbacks available like Cleo Lemon, Trent Green or Josh McCown.

None of them excite me either.

However, what does excite me is hearing that the Vikes are HIGHLY interested in former Bear’s receiver, Bernard Berrian. Berrian is considered the best receiver available besides Randy Moss (of course).

It sounds like the Vikes, Titans and 49ers are all very interested in Berrian.

Also, rumors keep floating that the Vikes will target Bengals safety, Madieu Williams (pictured). He is considered the first or second best safety available pending who you believe.

If the Vikes land Berrian and Williams tonight/tomorrow, that would be a great start.

I still hope somehow the Vikes can trade for McNabb. And sign Randy Moss.

Okay, let’s be real. Berrian and Williams are what we need right now.

Also, a defensive end or two.

Vikes Cut Holcomb

Today the Minnesota Vikings cut quarterback, Kelly Holcomb. Holcomb turned out to be not so good and likely his NFL career is over. I’m sure he will be a third stringer somewhere, but he is terrible. Good move by Childress.

With Free Agency to begin at 11:01 tomorrow night, the Vikes are expected to be major players.

It sounds like Minnesota will be letting Mike Doss, Tank Williams and Tony Richardson all test the market. Mewelde Moore is also sure to be gone.

The Vikes are rumored to be interested in:
Dolphins quarterback, Cleo Lemon
Bears wide receiver, Bernard Berrian
Bengals safety, Madieu Williams
Bengals defensive end, Justin Smith

I don’t know much on Williams, but he sounds like a lock to come here. I’d like to see Berrian, but I’m not totally sold on Lemon or Smith.

I guess we will find out soon!

As a side note, recently cut safety, Dwight Smith signed with the Detroit Lions. I can’t wait to watch him watch AD run by him!

T-Bust to the Jags

Although it’s not official until Thursday night, the Minnesota Vikings have agreed in principal to trade wide receiver, Troy Williamson to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2nd day pick.

It is unknown whether the draft pick is a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th rounder.

If it is anything above a 7th, this is a STEAL for Minnesota.

Williamson is junk. The guy is a wide receiver that CAN’T catch. The most important thing for a wide receiver is to CATCH the ball and he CAN’T! Good riddance.

Now with T-Bust gone, the Vikes have NO ONE on their team from the Randy Moss trade. That worked out well. Whatever happened to that Moss guy…

The above picture shows Williamson crying because he just found out someone still thinks he can hack it in the NFL!

McKinnie Arrested

Another Vikings was arrested last night. And of course, it was one of the usual suspects, Bryant McKinnie.

Mount McKinnie was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence outside a night club in Miami.

I’m guessing in the end this won’t amount to much, but it just goes to prove that McKinnie is STILL a bad decision maker. The Vikes are grossly overpaying him and all is does is get in trouble and get beat by every defense end in the league.

It won’t happen, but if the Vikes could get any decent value from him, I’d trade him immediately. He’s nothing but a headache that can’t pass block.

What a waste of talent!

Is This a Joke?

WILLIAMSON TRADE?
Apparently the Vikings have granted wide receiver, Troy Williamson permission to seek a trade. According to Williamson’s agent, eight teams are interested in him.

This HAS to be a joke! If the Vikings get ANYTHING for T-Bust, I will be floored. If Chilly can get something from Williamson, he may be a genius after all.

Williamson is horrible. He has ZERO chance of ever being good. He can’t catch!

I assume in the end he will just be cut, but we can hope.

OPTIONS
Speaking of receivers, the Vikes have a fair amount of talent to look at in terms of wide outs. Here are the available quality receivers:

Randy Moss (I assume will re-sign in New England, but what if…)
Bernard Berrian
Donte Stallworth
Javon Walker (likely to be cut soon)
Bryant Johnson
DJ Hackett

Anyone of those guys would be an upgrade. I think the likely targets for Minny are Walker, Johnson and Hackett. I’d take any of them.

Vikes Cut Smith

The Vikes cut safety Dwight Smith today. Smith started the most of the 2006 and 2007 season for the Vikings opposite Darren Sharper.

As a Viking, Smith was good at times and horrible at other times. He is a decent veteran, but a HUGE headache off the field.

While with the Vikes, Smith was busted for having sex in a stairwell and smoking pot. These were separate instances.

This move is not surprising at all and it’s not a move that I have a problem with. Now that Smith is gone, Sharper is the only decent safety the Vikes have under contract.

Both Mike Doss and Tank Williams are unrestricted free agents.

Free Agency officially beings February 29th.

2008 NFL Draft

The 2008 NFL Draft takes place on April 26th & 27th.

As of now, the Vikes have eight draft picks. One in each round plus an extra third rounder from Denver (2007 Draft Day trade) and minus their sixth rounder (Kelly Holcomb trade).

Currently here are the Vikes picks.


Compensatory selections will be given out by the league among rounds three through seven so some of this will change in terms of overall selection number.

Round One: #17 overall
Round Two: #47 overall
Round Three: #73 overall
Round Three: #82 overall
Round Four: Vikes have a pick
Round Five: Vikes have a pick
Round Seven: Vikes have a pick
Round Seven: Vikes have a pick

AD Named Pro Bowl MVP

Thanks in part to Adrian Peterson’s 129 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns, the NFC defeated the AFC 42-30 in the Pro Bowl. After the game, Peterson was named the 2008 Pro Bowl MVP.

The Minnesota Vikings had seven representatives. Peterson, Tony Richardson, Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and Darren Sharper represented the Vikes. All started except Birk.

Here is how they fared.

Peterson: game MVP, 129 yards (2nd most in Pro Bowl history) on 16 carries and two touchdowns

Richardson: gained a first down on a fake punt by the NFC team punter, one catch for 11 yards

Hutchinson: played a majority of the game blocking for AD

Birk: blocked on one of AD’s touchdown runs

K Williams: one tackle

P Williams: two tackles

Sharper: was beat by TJ Houshmandzadeh for a touchdown but had an interception late in the game

Once again, “All Day” steals the show! I already can’t wait for football to start again!

Top 10 Offensive Free Agents

With the Super Bowl behind us, it’s now officially time to look forward to 2008. On offense the Vikes biggest needs are quarterback, wide receiver and tight end. Here is a breakdown of the Top 10 Offensive Free Agents.

#1 Randy Moss, Wide Receiver – Obviously he would be awesome to have back in Minnesota, but it won’t happen. Moss set the NFL record for most touchdowns caught in a season with 23 last year. Moss will re-sign with the Pats.

#2 Michael Turner, Running Back – The top talent at running back, but with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor both in place, the Vikes have no need for another back.

#3 Bryant Johnson, Wide Receiver – Been hidden behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in Arizona. At 6’3 with good hands, he should be the Vikes number one target. Unfortunately many teams are in need of a good set of hands. Starting Johnson across from Sidney Rice would be a nice duo for the Vikes to have start in 2008.

#4 Alan Faneca, Guard – Unhappy in Pittsburgh, he would be a great land for the Vikes. However, the Vikes seem fairly set on the line and are in greater need of pass catchers.

#5 Bernard Berrian, Wide Receiver – Besides Moss, Johnson and Berrian are the two wide receivers worth throwing money at. Berrian is more of a deep threat and would be nice to have, but I’d prefer Johnson. I expect the Bears to keep BB.

#6 Jamal Lewis, Runnning Back – Many including myself thought J-Lew was too old, but he proved everyone wrong last year. Lewis will likely be re-signed by the Browns.

#7 Jake Scott, Guard – As an anchor on the right side of the line for the Colts, I fully expect Scott to be re-signed by Indianapolis.

#8 Jordan Gross, Tackle – Likely will get a big pay day as the best tackle available. Not worth the Vikes time or money. Minnesota already has an overpaid (left) tackle.

# 9 Daunte Culpepper, Quarterback – Sadly Pep leads the way as the top FA quarterback. No chance he’s coming back so the Vikes will either have to trade for Donovan McNabb or stick with Tarvaris Jackson.

#10 LJ Smith, Tight End – As a former Eagle, Childress will at least consider him. I’d love to have Smith over Visanthe Shiancoe, but the Vikes gave Shanks a ton last year. Unfortunately I expect that the Vikes will give Shiancoe another year before he proves to be worthless.

Top 10 Defensive Free Agents

With the Super Bowl behind us, it’s now officially time to look forward to 2008. On defense the Vikes biggest needs are defensive end and safety. Here is a breakdown of the Top 10 Defensive Free Agents.

#1 Jared Allen, Defensive End – One of the premier pass rushers in the league, Allen would be a gem to land. Although he has off-field issues, he would instantly improve the Vikes pass rush. Bad news is that I highly doubt he will be a Viking. Look for KC to re-sign him.

#2 Asante Samuel, Cornerback – Now considered one of the leagues best shut down corners, he will be in high demand. Corner is not a position of need for Minnesota so Samuel will land elsewhere.

#3 Lance Briggs, Linebacker – He’s solid but not near worth as much as he thinks he is. Someone will over pay for him, but it won’t be the Vikes.

#4 Albert Haynesworth, Defensive Tackle – The Vikes have no need for a d-tackle, but Haynesworth will land a monster deal somewhere. He is a poor man’s Kevin Williams, a run stuffer who can rush the pass.

#5 Terrell Suggs, Defensive End – He should be the Vikes number one target on the defensive side of the ball. While Allen will be too high priced, Suggs may be reasonable. He would instantly start for the Vikes and finally would give them a LEGIT pass rusher.

#6 Karlos Dansby, Linebacker – Similar to Briggs but for less money. The Vikes have no need for a linebacker, but Dansby is a good player.

#7 Marcus Trufant, Cornerback – Although he is quite a step down from Samuel, he is a solid number two corner who teams will be interested in. Again, the Vikes has little need.

#8 Boss Bailey, Linebacker – Talented, but injury prone. Someone will take a gamble on him and if he remains healthy it will be worth it. Vikes won’t be taking that gamble.

#9 Ken Hamlin, Safety – A hard hitter that the Vikes may consider. I expect Minnesota to look safety in the draft as opposed to another so-so veteran safety.

#10 Justin Smith, Defensive End – Unproven, but flashes huge potential. Smith is a notch up from Kenechi Udeze, but not a huge step. If can get at a decent price would be willing to do, assuming Allen and Suggs are already gone.

Giants Shock Pats

So the team the Vikes beat 41-17 on the road, win the Super Bowl. How does that work?

Seriously, how did the Giants beat the Patriots? I think besides the fans in Boston, I’m the only other person that was pulling for New England to win.

Tom Brady struggled all night long, but hit Randy Moss for the go ahead touchdown with 2:42 to go in the game. I was jacked! Moss only had five catches for 62 yards, but it appeared he scored the Super Bowl winner.

Eli Manning rallied down the field and scored on a pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds to go. That would be the ball game.

I honestly feel bad for Randy. A 15-1 season with no Super Bowl and now a 16-0 season with no Super Bowl. Although it makes me think, if the Giants can win the Super Bowl then anyone can. Time to look forward to 2008!

As a side note, nearly all of the commercials this year were bad, but Tom Petty jammed at half time. I’m thinking lots of people lost money on this game. Glad I don’t gamble…

CC Snubbed by the HOF

CRIS CARTER
Somehow, the NFL Hall of Fame voters did NOT put Cris Carter in on the first ballot. What a sham! What a bunch of bull! CC is one of the greatest wide receivers ever.

Before their was Randy Moss, the Vikes had Cris Carter. Later Carter would mentor Moss and together in 1998 they would go 15-1 and to the NFC Championship game.

CC’s life is an amazing story. He was a star receiver at Ohio State who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. As an Eagle, Carter made little impact. He scored touchdowns, but he was dealing with alcohol and drug problems. The Eagles cut him.

The Vikes picked up Carter in 2000 for $100. Seriously!

Carter was an eight time Pro Bowler and a four time All-Pro winner. He was a fan favorite who turned his life around and will be remembered as one of the greatest wide receivers ever.

He went on to have 1,101 career receptions (2nd All-Time), 13,899 yards (5th All-Time) and he scored 130 touchdowns (6th All-Time).

Redskins receiver Art Monk was selected to the HOF today. He has 940 career receptions (161 less then Cris Carter), 12,721 yards (1,178 less then Cris Carter) and he scored 68 touchdowns (62 less then Cris Carter).

How in the world did Monk get in and not Carter. Carter nearly DOUBLED Monk’s career touchdowns. What a screw job!

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS!