2016-2017 Vikings Offseason Thread

[TheLeviathan]

I didn't say you should feel good. I said you shouldn't write them off. And you shouldnt, not yet at least.

[Mike Sixel]

 

  On 3/14/2017 at 8:31 PM, TheLeviathan said:

I didn't say you should feel good. I said you shouldn't write them off. And you shouldnt, not yet at least.

 

Fair, but last year counts. And, they returned negative or no value last year. That's really bad, and unusual in today's NFL. 

[TheLeviathan]

  On 3/14/2017 at 8:41 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Fair, but last year counts. And, they returned negative or no value last year. That's really bad, and unusual in today's NFL.

 

They weren't good last year, no debate. But I wouldn't cut them or write off their chances of contributing yet. Get back to me after this year.

[Mike Sixel]

Signed Datone Jones.

 

I assume he plays DE some, and some DT in passing downs. I doubt he plays LB here.

[Vanimal46]

Yay? Good job Rick for signing a guy. 

[Mike Sixel]

Only $3.75MM, could make $5MM. They needed a back up DL. No idea if this is the right one or not.

[TheLeviathan]

Probably a running down LB and a pass rusher on passing downs.

[Mike Sixel]

Looks like they are losing Newman also.

 

This D could get bad really fast if Alexander and Waynes aren't really good.

[Vanimal46]

A CB is much needed on this roster.. 

Wonder what happened with the Buffalo CB they were supposed to be talking to? He would work. There's some other names I recognize that are available (Verner from TB, Shields from GB, Claiborne from DAL, Leon Hall) but frankly I don't know if they are still good options or if they've fallen off some. 

[Mike Sixel]

Claiborne had maybe his best year last year. But, I haven't read boo about him looking anywhere at all. I think Shields is done. Not sure about the others.

 

You need 5 CBs, they have lost 2 of their starters from last year, and people don't seem all that concerned on the one site I go to. They can be a bit pollyanna...

[Mike Sixel]

Or, looks like they just signed Newman. 

[Vanimal46]

He's a nice insurance policy in case if Alexander is bad. He played in 73% of defensive snaps last season, and I wouldn't expect him to play more than 50% this season. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

  On 3/15/2017 at 4:55 PM, LA VIkes Fan said:

Pop quiz - who was the highest rated CB on the Vikings last year by Pro Football Focus? Newman in a landslide. He was the 9th highest rated corner and the ONLY Viking in the top 101 players at number 76 with an 86.4 rating. So not only was he the Vikings highest rated CB, he was the Vikings highest rated PLAYER. Resigning Newman is a BIG DEAL. The defense just got a lot better. By the way, Rhodes made the "10 big names who didn't make the top 101" list. PFF liked his overall numbers but thought he gave up too many big plays and had too many penalties. I know this is only one source but others like Peter King have echoed the praise for Newman (King had him in the top 10 corners in the NFL).  

 

We may see Newman a whole lot more than 50% of the snaps. I think they are turning the left CB spot over to Waynes but Alexander showed nothing last year that would suggest he's ready to play the slot. I think Newman will wind up as the starting slot corner and the defense will be a lot better for it. I would advocate for Alexander if this was a rebuilding team but it's not - this is constructed as a win now team. Newman will help that a lot. 

 

Excellent post.

[nicksaviking]

 

  On 3/15/2017 at 2:49 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Claiborne had maybe his best year last year. But, I haven't read boo about him looking anywhere at all. I think Shields is done. Not sure about the others.

 

You need 5 CBs, they have lost 2 of their starters from last year, and people don't seem all that concerned on the one site I go to. They can be a bit pollyanna...

 

Maybe they're like me, concern went out the window around November last year, and out right resignation has already set in.

 

I like Zimmer a lot, he's the kind of coach I always wanted even while I barely knew he existed. But maybe my affinity for him has clouded my judgment because something isn't right with this team and I'm becoming less and less convinced that Spiellman's recent spell of poor drafting and poor free agent moves are solely to blame.

 

Maybe I'm reading the vibe wrong, and I hope I am, because to me it's coming across as if this current iteration of the organization has hit a wall and recovery is unlikely.

[Mike Sixel]

Adam Thielen back on the team, 3 year deal.

 

Very good news, imo.

[Bark's Lounge]

 

  On 3/15/2017 at 8:20 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Adam Thielen back on the team, 3 year deal.

 

Very good news, imo.

Agreed. He is a nice success story. Although he has only had the one good season, it seemed like he made a lot of big receptions in limited playing time the previous two seasons.

 

I hope Thielen & Diggs build upon last year's successes and Treadwell can live up to his 1st round billing a year late.

[Bark's Lounge]

 

  On 3/15/2017 at 6:43 PM, nicksaviking said:

Maybe they're like me, concern went out the window around November last year, and out right resignation has already set in.

 

I like Zimmer a lot, he's the kind of coach I always wanted even while I barely knew he existed. But maybe my affinity for him has clouded my judgment because something isn't right with this team and I'm becoming less and less convinced that Spiellman's recent spell of poor drafting and poor free agent moves are solely to blame.

 

Maybe I'm reading the vibe wrong, and I hope I am, because to me it's coming across as if this current iteration of the organization has hit a wall and recovery is unlikely.

I have been a fair weather fan of the Vikings, probably since the end the 2000 season, but a year ago at this time, the sky seemed to be the limit for this team and my excitement for the foreseeable future was pretty high... it was damn high.

 

Now, it seems like all of the air has been let out of the balloon.

 

I tend to agree Nick, that something is wrong in this organization and it is not just one person who is at blame. Who knows?

[Mike Sixel]

I hope to never get my hope up again....or maybe I do want my hope to get up again, and experience the highs and lows. That's more fun than the "mehs"....

[Vanimal46]

Wow, Thielen got PAID! Good for him! 3 yrs, $27 MM with $11 MM guaranteed. 

Go Mavericks! 

[Bark's Lounge]

 

  On 3/15/2017 at 9:32 PM, Mike Sixel said:

I hope to never get my hope up again....or maybe I do want my hope to get up again, and experience the highs and lows. That's more fun than the "mehs"....

Funny. If I use that as the epitaph inscribed on my tombstone when my time has come and gone, I hope you don't mind.

[snepp]

  On 3/15/2017 at 4:55 PM, LA VIkes Fan said:

Pop quiz - who was the highest rated CB on the Vikings last year by Pro Football Focus? Newman in a landslide. He was the 9th highest rated corner and the ONLY Viking in the top 101 players at number 76 with an 86.4 rating. So not only was he the Vikings highest rated CB, he was the Vikings highest rated PLAYER. Resigning Newman is a BIG DEAL. The defense just got a lot better. By the way, Rhodes made the "10 big names who didn't make the top 101" list. PFF liked his overall numbers but thought he gave up too many big plays and had too many penalties. I know this is only one source but others like Peter King have echoed the praise for Newman (King had him in the top 10 corners in the NFL).

 

Running a bit off-topic, but since I don't delve into the analytics of football like I do baseball, how much do these kind of rankings account for quality of opponent being covered? So Rhodes giving up more big plays but covers higher quality receivers more often, etc.

[Mr. Brooks]

  On 3/15/2017 at 9:32 PM, Vanimal46 said:

Wow, Thielen got PAID! Good for him! 3 yrs, $27 MM with $11 MM guaranteed.

 

Go Mavericks!

Base salary is 17 million, with an additional 10 million in incentives, so it sounds like the Vikings have protected themselves a bit in case Thielen falls back to earth.

[Vanimal46]

Latavius Murray.... Your thoughts?

[Mike Sixel]

 

  On 3/15/2017 at 9:47 PM, Bark's Lounge said:

Funny. If I use that as the epitaph inscribed on my tombstone when my time has come and gone, I hope you don't mind.

 

Let's just say I learned a lot about life the last 12 months or so...and I've decided ups and downs are more my style than is boring contentment. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

  On 3/16/2017 at 1:21 PM, Vanimal46 said:

Latavius Murray.... Your thoughts?

 

He was pretty average as a runner behind a great OL in Oakland.....

 

But, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, and is rated as a very good pass protector.

 

IMO, he's a much better version of Asiata, who should be able to split time with McKinnon.

[Vanimal46]

Agreed. I'm slightly concerned that he put up pedestrian rushing yards behind one of the best OLs in the league last year. A better version of Matt Asiata is a good way to put it. 

Even with this signing, I still think I would draft another RB. 

[TheLeviathan]

I also still want to draft one. I'm curious on the terms, but I don't love this move.

[Mike Sixel]

I like the move, because it frees them up from having to draft a RB. Now they can if they want, but don't have to feel compelled to do so.

 

Still want a RG in round 2, followed by CB/LB/RB/S/OT in later rounds. Maybe a C or even another OG.

[nicksaviking]

 

  On 3/16/2017 at 2:08 PM, Mike Sixel said:

I like the move, because it frees them up from having to draft a RB. Now they can if they want, but don't have to feel compelled to do so.

 

Still want a RG in round 2, followed by CB/LB/RB/S/OT in later rounds. Maybe a C or even another OG.

 

I agree, It would help a ton if the team had the pieces to put 22 starters on the field and only use the draft to grab BPAs.

 

I'd be nice if they signed another couple interior lineman and another DB. And WR. And QB. Also a LB or two. And a punter of course.

 

OK, nevermind, let's just get to the draft.

[TheLeviathan]

Sounds like only one year with any guaranteed money. If true, I can roll with that.