Hello Sage, Goodbye Gus

Well not exactly breaking news, but the Vikes traded a fourth round pick to the Texans for quarterback, Sage Rosenfels. This means Rosenfels will likely be the Vikes starter in 2009.

After completing the trade, the Vikes cut quarterback, Gus Frerotte. The Gus Bus has once again left Minnesota.

Minnesota also re-signed defensive end, Jayme Mitchell and tight end, Jim Kleinsasser. Both are good backup signings.

It appears that safety, Darren Sharper’s days are done as a Viking. Thank God!

Matt Birk however may be back as the Vikes center. The Vikes were said to have interest in center/guard, Jason Brown, but he appears likely to sign with the Rams.

Several fun names being thrown around but won’t happen are wide receiver, TJ Houshmandzadeh (did I mention I once bought him a $6 water at a club in Vegas?) and safety, Brian Dawkins. I’d love both, but neither will be Vikes.

However realistic names the Vikes may be interested in are wide receiver, Nate Washington and cornerback/return man Chris Carr. Washington interests me none and Carr, sure if he’s cheap. We could use a nickel back and definitely a return man.

Vikes Close to Trade for Rosenfels

The Minnesota Vikings are close to having a new quarterback. Minnesota is negotiating with the Houston Texans on a trade for quarterback, Sage Rosenfels. Houston wants a third rounder and Minnesota is offering a fifth. It likely will be Rosenfels for a fourth round pick in the upcoming draft.

Here is the Sage Rosenfels bio:

He was drafted in fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Iowa State.

In 2001 he was the third stringer in Washington.

In 2002 – 2005 he was in Miami as a backup.

In 2006 – 2008 he was in Houston. Rosenfels spent most of the time backing up Matt Schaub. He did start in ten games with the Texans going 6-4.

Rosenfels has 30 career touchdowns with 29 interceptions. He has thrown for 4,156 yards in the NFL.

Last year, the Vikings offered Houston a third-round pick but the talks ended when the Texans asked for a second-rounder.

The trade can’t become official until this Thursday at 11 pm, the start of Free Agency.

Rosenfels will compete (and win) with Tarvaris Jackson for the Vikes starting quarterback job. Gus Frerotte, who is under contract, will likely be released. Frerotte said he didn’t want to play for the Vikes unless he was the starter.

I don’t really know what to think of this. Rosenfels doesn’t blow me away, but I guess I’m not ready to say it is a disaster…yet. Giving up a fourth rounder isn’t too high of a price and he does have some experience.

The Free Agent quarterback field was weak. Basically Minnesota’s options were trade two first rounders for Matt Cassel, sign Jeff Garcia or trade for Derek Anderson.

I’m not sold on Cassel or Anderson, but I think I would rather have had Garcia, who I thought we’d end up with.

Although this is not official yet, it sounds like it will happen. The Vikes new quarterback depth chart is: Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson, John David Booty. Wow, thank God for Adrian Peterson!

Vikes Cut Mo Hicks

The Minnesota Vikings cut running back/return man, Maurice Hicks on Wednesday. Hicks was signed as a Free Agent last off-season and was penciled in as the Vikes kickoff return man.

Hicks had injury and fumblitis issues throughout the season, so his role became very limited. Minnesota still is in need of a genuine return man. Wide receiver, Aundrae Allison is currently number one on the kickoff return man depth chart for the Vikes.

With Free Agency set to begin next Friday (Feb 27), the Vikes also are in need of help on the offensive line (particularly right tackle), quarterback and in the secondary.

Skol Vikes on Twitter

I’m trying to stay hip with it in this techy world we live in.

Skol Vikes is now on twitter at: https://twitter.com/SkolVikesBlog

If you are a Twitterer, feel free to become a follower.

Happy Belated Mossmas!

Top Free Agents

Free Agency starts February 27th. Below is a list of the top Free Agents by position. Obviously the Vikes HAVE to address quarterback somehow (Matt Cassel was Franchised so possibly a trade). Also the Vikes need help at Guard and Tackle.

Minnesota currently is $28 million under the cap.

Quarterback:
Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh Steelers
J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills
Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Simms, Tennessee Titans

Running Back:
Correll Buckhalter, Philadelphia Eagles
Jesse Chatman, New York Jets
Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers
Aaron Stecker, New Orleans Saints

Wide Receiver:
Jabar Gaffney, New England Patriots
Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals
Sam Hurd, Dallas Cowboys
Amani Toomer, New York Giants

Tight End:
Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears
Jim Kleinsasser, Minnesota Vikings
Leonard Pope, Arizona Cardinals

Offensive Line:
Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings
Vernon Carey, Miami Dolphins
Mike Goff, San Diego Chargers
Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers
Seth McKinney, Cleveland Browns
Jon Runyan, Philadelphia Eagles
Mark Tauscher, Green Bay Packers
Tra Thomas, Philadelphia Eagles

Defensive Line:
Jonathan Babineaux, Atlanta Falcons
Bertrand Berry, Arizona Cardinals
Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee Titans
Tank Johnson, Dallas Cowboys
Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers
Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
La’Roi Glover, St Louis Rams

Linebacker:
Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins
Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals
RayLewis, Baltimore Ravens
Willie McGinest, Cleveland Browns
Bart Scott, Baltimore Ravens
Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans Saints
Zach Thomas, Dallas Cowboys

Defensive Back:
Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders
Mike Brown, Chicago Bears
Phillip Buchanon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Gamble, Carolina Panthers
Rodney Harrison, New England Patriots
Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta Falcons
Dunta Robinson, Houston Texans
Darren Sharper, Minnesota Vikings

NFC Tops AFC in Pro Bowl

Six Minnesota Vikings players helped the NFC defeat the AFC 30-21 in the Pro Bowl. Even the die hard football fan I am, the Pro Bowl is tough to watch.

Adrian Peterson had eight carries for 48 yards including a 10 yard touchdown.

Jared Allen had three tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.

Kevin Williams had four tackles, while Pat Williams had three.

Antoine Winfield had four tackles and an interception.

Steve Hutchinson played a majority of the game at Guard.

Now it is officially the off-season! Bring on Free Agency and the NFL Draft!