They already had him for this year though. And this new deal gives him almost 2 million MORE this year, fully guaranteed, and guarantees almost 8 million next year to injury.
This extension doesn't help the team in the short term, they, unlike us, clearly value Rudolph long term.
I don't get it.

 

It supposedly clears cap space this year, which if they use, ok, this might make sense. If they don't use it, I don't get the deal at all. He's been fine to good, but not great.....

I'm with you on Barr but would've gotten Rudolph out by now.  I understand they may not have gotten fair market value but I don't believe they selected a mid-2nd round TE with the idea that Rudolph would be here.

 

And they could still trade him if a team has an injury leading into the deadline.

 

But I would also have unloaded Griffen and Waynes by now as well.  That's just me.  We'll have a glut at DE and I have little faith in Waynes.  I think Hill may have beaten him out for playing time last season.  Sadly, his suspension may have led to Waynes remaining.  But alas, there's the trade deadline.

Edited June 27, 20197 yr by Bavarian

 

I'm with you on Barr but would've gotten Rudolph out by now.  I understand they may not have gotten fair market value but I don't believe they selected a mid-2nd round TE with the idea that Rudolph would be here.

 

And they could still trade him if a team has an injury leading into the deadline.

 

But I would also have unloaded Griffen and Waynes by now as well.  That's just me.  We'll have a glut at DE and I have little faith in Waynes.  I think Hill may have beaten him out for playing time last season.  Sadly, his suspension may have led to Waynes remaining.  But alas, there's the trade deadline.

I'm not sure what you mean by "a glut at DE"... say you trade Griffen, then we have Hunter & Weatherly as the starters... and nothing proven behind them. Tashawn Bower has looked good during preseason games but hasn't gotten any run during the regular season, Ifeadi Odenigbo spent the 2018 season as a journeyman, and Ade Aruna blew his ACL last year. I guess they could move Jalyn Holmes to DE? 

 

I agree with trading Waynes, though. It sounds like Hughes' recovery is taking longer than expected so they are playing it safe there. They also probably didn't get an offer that they considered to be good enough to move Waynes.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "a glut at DE"... say you trade Griffen, then we have Hunter & Weatherly as the starters... and nothing proven behind them. Tashawn Bower has looked good during preseason games but hasn't gotten any run during the regular season, Ifeadi Odenigbo spent the 2018 season as a journeyman, and Ade Aruna blew his ACL last year. I guess they could move Jalyn Holmes to DE? 

 

I agree with trading Waynes, though. It sounds like Hughes' recovery is taking longer than expected so they are playing it safe there. They also probably didn't get an offer that they considered to be good enough to move Waynes.

I hear your point.  As a fan, I've seen enough out of Bower to warrant some playing time and to me, someone can man the left side among all those others where we'd be fine in any scenario.  Weatherly was quite productive in his short stint at DE and may be better suited on the left (run heavy) side than Hunter is making both a better fit at respective positions.  The glut part is that they promised Idenigbo a role (and outbid him over Philly to return) while utilizing a 4th rounder on Holmes last year for guys who can play both DE and on pass downs, DT.  Bower as you mentioned along with another draftee, Ade Aruna and a potential sleeper free agent in Schult.  That's a lot of talent that won't see the field with Griffen there.

 

Maybe it comes down to confidence in Weatherly who in opinion, is ready for break-out and could use playing time.  They have worked with him in developing and I think he showed last year that he's ready.  I think this is the heaviest position on the team in terms of talent.  I see Griffen as an extra.  I don't expect everyone to agree but that's where I'm at.  Could recoup a lot of cap space of course but that's not the first objective for a contender.

 

Overall, I've seen Hunter on the left side as being out of place and hurting the run defense as he gets engulfed by RT's.  He's small to play that side.  Griffen would be a better fit size-wise but they won't switch them.  Maybe it happens this season. 

Holton Hill failed another drug test. He is now suspended for the first 8 games of the regular season.

Holton Hill failed another drug test. He is now suspended for the first 8 games of the regular season.

Resigning Waynes is now skyrocketing up the priority list.

 

Resigning Waynes is now skyrocketing up the priority list.

Both Waynes and Alexander will be FAs next year... we'll have to keep an eye on Mike Hughes to see if he develops and could replace one of them. Plus Rhodes might be in his last year, so the CB position could be in a lot of flux.

Bad news but maybe my expectations for any form of long-term stability were too high for an UDFA who was kicked out of college for the same thing he can't drop now - weed. 

 

That joint was pretty expensive and now we're talking about the unlikelihood for any future NFL contract coming his way.  No one will sign him for more than a 1-year deal.  It will be interesting to see if the Vikes keep him on for only 8 games.  Probably so.   He's still very inexpensive and can provide excellent corner coverage.   This team is in win-now mode and may need him later in the year.  After this season though, he's a goner.   The Vikes cannot rely on his availability.  He's married to Mary Jane and he's not coming back.  Imagine throwing away tens of millions which he could've secured coming out as a 2nd-3rd rounder (had he kept clean at Texas) and ultimately earning his first big payday.  He has the talent.   All wasted.   Sad. 

 

I personally hope this doesn't mean we extend Waynes who was beat out by Hill for snaps late last season.   The sad thing is that we can no longer expect a draft pick for Trae now as we need to keep him this year.  I would loved that have gotten a 2nd for him.  Now, nothing.

Edited July 24, 20197 yr by Bavarian

 

Sounds like his time with the team will be coming to an end.

I think that's the right decision, if true.

I'm all for second chances. Not so much third chances, though.

You can't risk a situation where you're going into December, he gets popped again, the trade deadline has passed, and you're screwed.

Any news from camp at all?

Any news from camp at all?

I'm trying to think of the position battles at camp, and not a lot comes to mind. The roster is mostly set.

 

Backup QB - Sloter vs. Browning vs. Mannion. If any of these guys is a starter for more than a game the Vikings season is over anyways.

 

Backup RB - the 3rd round draft pick vs. Abdullah

 

WR #3 - Someone HAS to beat out Treadbust for his snaps.

 

DT #2 - Shamar Stephen vs. ???

 

I'm trying to think of the position battles at camp, and not a lot comes to mind. The roster is mostly set.

Backup QB - Sloter vs. Browning vs. Mannion. If any of these guys is a starter for more than a game the Vikings season is over anyways.

Backup RB - the 3rd round draft pick vs. Abdullah

WR #3 - Someone HAS to beat out Treadbust for his snaps.

DT #2 - Shamar Stephen vs. ???

Treadwell (I like to call him Bustwell) is currently 5th on the depth chart, behind Chad Beebe and Jordan Taylor, so he's probably toast. 

 

The DT battle is mostly for snaps, Stephen is a run stopper, and the real competition may be Jalyn Holmes vs Hercules Mata'afa for the spot when it's a passing down. Jaleel Johnson and 6th round rookie Armon Watts will be in the thick of it as well.

 

But that's basically it for position battles, unless you don't count the incredibly exciting long snapper battle between Kevin McDermott and Austin Cutting.

Treadwell (I like to call him Bustwell) is currently 5th on the depth chart, behind Chad Beebe and Jordan Taylor, so he's probably toast.

 

The DT battle is mostly for snaps, Stephen is a run stopper, and the real competition may be Jalyn Holmes vs Hercules Mata'afa for the spot when it's a passing down. Jaleel Johnson and 6th round rookie Armon Watts will be in the thick of it as well.

 

But that's basically it for position battles, unless you don't count the incredibly exciting long snapper battle between Kevin McDermott and Austin Cutting.

I'm looking forward to Cutting giving McDermott the heave ho.

I hope Treadwell is a healthy scratch every game this year. I also hope he saved his money because odds are this is his last year he will receive paychecks from an NFL team.

I hope Treadwell is a healthy scratch every game this year. I also hope he saved his money because odds are this is his last year he will receive paychecks from an NFL team.

I don't see why he'd make the team in that case.

Ideally if the Vikes can absorb the cap penalty releasing Treadwell I would do that.

 

As far as getting RB depth too, I'm curious how Jay Ajayi's recovery is going after tearing his ACL last year. He could be cheap insurance for Cook who also hasn't proven he can stay healthy.

Ideally if the Vikes can absorb the cap penalty releasing Treadwell I would do that.

 

As far as getting RB depth too, I'm curious how Jay Ajayi's recovery is going after tearing his ACL last year. He could be cheap insurance for Cook who also hasn't proven he can stay healthy.

Since there is no dead money beyond this year, I think they actually save 200 or 300 grand against the cap if they cut him.

 

Dan Bailey in mid season form!

https://twitter.com/ArifHasanNFL/status/1159194701309915136?s=19

 

Dan Bailey in mid season form!

Not good.

Not good.

Who knows, they could be rotating long snappers and holders. It still would be nice not to have to worry about kickers... But, you know, it's the Vikings.

Who knows, they could be rotating long snappers and holders. It still would be nice not to have to worry about kickers... But, you know, it's the Vikings.

He was 4 of 6 the day before. At some point, it's him.

But, you know, it's the Vikings.

 

He was 4 of 6 the day before. At some point, it's him.

So what’s this stuff I heard on Barreiro about the new snapper sweats too much and Cousins can’t grip the ball after the center has handled it? I’m sure it’s nothing and mostly in fun, but the excuses this team (really, all Minnesota (male) sports teams).. the excuses these teams use to hedge their future performance will never cease to amaze me.

 

I’m so old, I remember when the Twins manager, front office and media were stating their concerns about all the scheduled off days this past April and the team not having a chance to get into a rhythm. Somehow, the players persevered.

Yeah, Dan Bailey looks like he's going to be the next kicker to get replaced midseason. I'm not sure why they didn't at least bring in a few UDFA kickers to push Bailey...

Yeah, Dan Bailey looks like he's going to be the next kicker to get replaced midseason. I'm not sure why they didn't at least bring in a few UDFA kickers to push Bailey...

They just brought in a dude to push both Bailey and Wiley.

 

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1160617062244519938?s=19

 

Yeah, Dan Bailey looks like he's going to be the next kicker to get replaced midseason. I'm not sure why they didn't at least bring in a few UDFA kickers to push Bailey...

My complaint has been answered:

 

 

 

A 5th rounder for a kicker is a pretty high price, but I'm glad they paid it. Vedvik has been brilliant for the Ravens in practice and in their preseason games. 

 

@Vanimal, I know Vedvik is a punter too, but I think they'll keep both him and Wile on the roster. Wile had a very good 2018 season, and I doubt he replaces him as the main punter. Bailey is the one who's getting chased out of here IMO.

I found this old comparison to Wil Lutz encouraging:

 

"As current New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz did in training camp two years ago, when he was a relative unknown out of Georgia State, Vedvik has so far gone virtually toe-to-toe with Tucker, a two-time Pro Bowl selection."

 

https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-kicker-kaare-vedvik-0802-story.html

Didn't the spend a 5th on Carlson?  Well, at least it wasn't a 2nd like the Bucs bust.

Most fifth round picks never play a meaningful down. It's not a high price to pay, if he's good.