2018 Vikings Off-Season Thread

[Taildragger8791]

It's hard to be sold on Cousins at that price. This is going to cost the Vikings a key player or two elsewhere on the roster and Cousins hasn't proven to be the type of QB to cover up deficiencies elsewhere. If you could get Teddy at half that price and he provides at least 80% of the production he'd go so much further.

[SF Twins Fan]

Now solidify the offensive and defensive line and the Vikings should be all set. It will be interesting how Cousins performs with a team around him that actually has talent.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

It's hard to be sold on Cousins at that price. This is going to cost the Vikings a key player or two elsewhere on the roster and Cousins hasn't proven to be the type of QB to cover up deficiencies elsewhere. If you could get Teddy at half that price and he provides at least 80% of the production he'd go so much further.

 

I'm going to have to disagree with you because the way the salary CAP has increased each year. Since 2012 it's increased by at least $10 million from the season before. The Vikings were roughly $13 Million under the CAP last season so that carries over to 2018, which will allow them to structure the deal in a way where the first year of the deal has a higher CAP hit. The Vikings have roughly $47 Million in CAP space this offseason and from reports the first year of the deal could be in the $35-$37 Million range. If it's $35 Million the first season the remaining two years it will be in the $24 - $25 Million range. There will be plenty of room for the team to sign players they deem necessary. The biggest challenge will continue to be drafting and developing players. To have continued success in any sport drafting players to replace aging and expensive players is the only way to remain competitive. 

[nicksaviking]

It's hard to be sold on Cousins at that price. This is going to cost the Vikings a key player or two elsewhere on the roster and Cousins hasn't proven to be the type of QB to cover up deficiencies elsewhere. If you could get Teddy at half that price and he provides at least 80% of the production he'd go so much further.

I liked Teddy a lot and he was the guy I wanted in the draft all along.

 

But he couldn't or wouldn't throw downfield. From Ponder to Bridgewater to Bradford that was a problem, either they couldn't throw down field or were too cautious to do so, I don't want hesitant QBs.

 

And the Vikings likely don't have to lose a key player. Mike Florio had a good rundown on dollar allocation for the Vikings a week ago in regards to Cousins and what the Vikings have left for the rest of the team. The only guys they have to worry about extending now really are Barr, Hendricks, Hunter and Diggs. If they do it right they can probably extend all of them in the next couple of years, but really, what are the odds that in the next couple of years none of the four are going to stumble and not be worth extending? Pretty low, the odds are that one or more aren't going to make it two-three more years as studs.

[Vanimal46]

Bradford to Arizona.

Keenum to Denver.

Cousins to Minnesota.

 

And poor Teddy waiting for a call. Probably from the Jets.

[luckylager]

https://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/03/report-jets-lose-cousins-will-turn-bridgewater/

 

Teddy and the Jets.

[Mike Sixel]

I really like Teddy, but I endorse this move.

[TheLeviathan]

I hope they front loaded it. If they did....perfect start to the offseason.

 

Love it either way though.

[nicksaviking]

The Vikings have lost Keenum, Bradford, Bridgewater and McKinnon. All of those guys can likely be replaced with little to no issue. All but Bridgewater look like they are going to start and Teddy might end up starting if he can beat out a geriatric QB. It's been awhile, but the Vikings might load up on compensatory draft picks in 2019. 

 

I believe they are weighted on salary and playing time. Keenum and Bradford sure are going to help the Vikings case in the salary requirement and hopefully the playing time requirement. MicKinnon looks to be the starter in SF at the moment.

[Mike Sixel]

Bradford cancels out cousins for draft pick determination, so they should get a third for keenum. My guys is they sign two more players, cancelling out the gain from McKinnon and Bridgewater. They might lose another player or two, netting them a late pick or two. At least that's my guess right now

[Vanimal46]

The Vikes are set at QB.

 

 

Cousins - Siemian - Sloter

[DocBauer]

I'm a fan of Cousins, though to be honest, a big part of me wanted to keep Keenum and Teddy both with fair contracts and bumps for Teddy. But Cousins really does check boxes the other 2 simply can't, at least with certainty. I get Cousins isn't perfect. And I get the argument that if he was so good why did Washington trade for Smith and let him walk? But Washington is also probably the most dysfunctional franchise in the league since Snyder took over.

 

Losing McKinnon hurts. But if losing a backup RB is the worst that happens to your team, you are in pretty good shape!

 

They will sign an OL, Berger or otherwise, and very possibly a CB to pair/compete with Alexander and Newman, (who I think will be back again). After that, it's some fliers on guys rebounding, coming off another team's practice squad, or just pushed off a roster but with some upside. They will keep the cap healthy for extensions and the draft.

 

BTW, really like the trade for Trevor Siemian. Little cost, experience, some mobility and even a little potential maybe.

[Vanimal46]

Well, ink has been put to paper and Cousins is officially a Viking.

 

[Vanimal46]

Vikings must be banking on the salary cap continually rising. I figured they would front load it for the upcoming season.

[Mr. Brooks]

Vikings must be banking on the salary cap continually rising. I figured they would front load it for the upcoming season.

Me too, but this tells me they must plan on other significant signings this off-season, which is good news, IMO.

[Vanimal46]

Me too, but this tells me they must plan on other significant signings this off-season, which is good news, IMO.

Yeah I'm all for it. As we know, it can all come crashing down quickly. The pieces are in place now to go all in.

[SF Twins Fan]

Sounds like Sheldon Richardon is in town visiting with the Vikings as well.

[Mike Sixel]

Need a CB more than safety, but my priorities were....

 

QB

DL

OG

CB

DL

S

OT

 

Rumor has it they are moving Remmers inside, making OT a top priority.

[Mike Sixel]

Sheldon Richardson.... Wow

[TheLeviathan]

8M for him is a steal. Still plenty of money for Mathieu or Pugh too

[Vanimal46]

 

Concur with Levi. There should be room for one more big(ger) signing. Then fill out the rest through the draft and lower priced guys.

[DaveW]

 

8M for him is a steal. Still plenty of money for Mathieu or Pugh too

I would have liked one of those two, but hard to complain with the moves made so far. Also with some big contracts next off-season it may make sense for the Vikings to 'save' and push forward some extra cap room for next off-season. Honey Badger would have been a nice get, but the Vikes are pretty set with their safeties and starting CB's IMO.

Need to focus on O Line and depth now IMO

[Mike Sixel]

They also brought back their mediocre kicker for league minimum. Yay?

[snepp]

 

They also brought back their mediocre kicker for league minimum. Yay?

 

Because Kirk Cousins.

 

 

Go kicker?

[nicksaviking]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/27/nfl-passes-rule-against-lowering-head-to-initiate-contact-with-helmet/

 

So this new rule sounds like the NFL is going to become even more pass-happy?

 

No one anywhere on the field can lower their head to initiate contact. The first teams that realize that this going to draw flag after flag after flag from the running backs and change their offenses accordingly are going to thrive.

[Mike Sixel]

Kendall Wright was signed, I believe sherels was also re signed.

[Vanimal46]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/27/nfl-passes-rule-against-lowering-head-to-initiate-contact-with-helmet/

 

So this new rule sounds like the NFL is going to become even more pass-happy?

 

No one anywhere on the field can lower their head to initiate contact. The first teams that realize that this going to draw flag after flag after flag from the running backs and change their offenses accordingly are going to thrive.

This rule sounds really dumb, and will cause nothing but controversy. Will the refs flag and eject Tom Brady when he lowers his head on a QB sneak for a TD? What about a big offensive lineman pulling to the outside making a block?

 

I would hope the refs don't take this rule literally because we'll see 5+ ejections a game.

[TheLeviathan]

I don't see how it can be consistently enforced.  If the NFL really wants to make headway (no pun intended) on this issue they should spend a bunch of money on reaching out to coaches at the youth level.  

 

Show them how to make the Rugby/Hawk tackle their emphasis.  No more "head in front" technique, teach them to take the head out of the tackle.  Put millions of dollars into re-educating that and putting the word out to ADs at every level of football.

 

That is how you change this problem.  And, as a bonus, you'll teach a better and more effective tackling technique in addition to being safer.

[Mr. Brooks]

This rule sounds really dumb, and will cause nothing but controversy. Will the refs flag and eject Tom Brady when he lowers his head on a QB sneak for a TD? What about a big offensive lineman pulling to the outside making a block?

 

I would hope the refs don't take this rule literally because we'll see 5+ ejections a game.

It's not an automatic ejection, it just allows for an ejection.

I imagine that will be reserved for repeat offenders.

 

And you can still lower your helmet, just not to initiate contact with it. Can still go low and initiate contact with the shoulder.

 

If guys can't adjust to the new rule, that's on them, there are plenty of other careers.

 

Seems like the NFL can't win in this regard. If they give lip service to player safety, they get ripped for being disingenuous, but when they implement a rule with actual teeth, that will actually improve safety, they get ripped.

 

And this actually encourages proper tackling, so IMO it doesn't lessen the game. Forming a habit of improper tackling (head down), shouldn't be an excuse for not being able to adjust.

[TheLeviathan]

 

It's not an automatic ejection, it just allows for an ejection.
I imagine that will be reserved for repeat offenders.

And you can still lower your helmet, just not to initiate contact with it. Can still go low and initiate contact with the shoulder.

If guys can't adjust to the new rule, that's on them, there are plenty of other careers.

Seems like the NFL can't win in this regard. If they give lip service to player safety, they get ripped for being disingenuous, but when they implement a rule with actual teeth, that will actually improve safety, they get ripped.

And this actually encourages proper tackling, so IMO it doesn't lessen the game. Forming a habit of improper tackling (head down), shouldn't be an excuse for not being able to adjust.

 

While that's all fine and good, this is essentially the NFL's version of the "targeting" rule.

 

I don't think anyone in their right mind would call that rule effective, useful, or game-changing.  It's been pretty much a disaster in enforcement.