Vikings Offseason: A look at offensive "skill position" FAs
Friday, January 11, 2008
I’m not going to bother with predictions this week because I think that all 4 home teams are better then their opponents and as such would just be predicting they all win anyway. The only game I like from a betting standpoint is the Jags covering. They played really well down the stretch and the weather could help keep that game a little closer. Also, FO does excellent game previews for the playoff games:
NFC Preview
AFC Preview
What I am going to do is make my first post of what I’m sure will be many about the Vikings offseason. From a player/personal standpoint, here is how I basically see the Vikings priorities:
1. WR
2. DE
3. QB2
4. WR
5. FB
6. CB
7. S
8. Mewelde Moore
For today I’m going to focus on the options at the offensive skill positions.
QB:
It seems unlikely to me that the Vikings are going to be able to field a QB better then TJ in 2008. It sounds like Cleveland is looking at signing DA to a long-term deal, there aren't any really good FA QBs and starting a rookie QB isn't really ever a good option, especially when you have the 17th pick in the draft.
The Vikings should have two priorities at this position this offseason.
1. Look for a solid backup for TJ for 2008.
2. Continue an ongoing search for a "franchise" type QB. In my opinion this comes down to just doing a good job of scouting QBs every year, finding someone with the potential to be really good and then let them learn for a few years as QB2/3.
Back to #1. Here are some FA names they should look at (listed in order of my preference)
Quinn Gray: Gray is a veteran backup QB who is somewhat similar to TJ (Gray is 6-3, 246 and is moderately mobile...) which has two advantages. The first is that Gray could help with TJ's development and the second is that the offense woultn't have to change too much when he enters the game. This season Gray got to see some action when starter David Garrard went down and he played quite well. The problem is that the Jaguars will likely re-sign him. The only way I see him not signing with them is if he thinks he could start somewhere else...
Cleo Lemon: Lemon is another QB who is a lot like TJ (6-2, 215, quick). He is very mobile and uses his mobility well. While he wasn't terribly effective running the (bad) Miami offense this season, when you consider his running contribution he grades out as above replacement level which isn't too bad for a backup.
Jared Lorenzen: Lorenzen has only attempted 8 passes at the NFL level, but was good enough to be #2 in NY I guess. He is also awesome because hes the biggest, fattest QB in NFL history (I think). His listed weight this season was 6-4, 285.
Other options:
Rex Grossman: Yea right. This is worth reading, rereading or rerereading though.
Daunte Culpepper: hahahahaha. Don't see it happening although he's probably be an ideal backup if he were willing.
Josh McCown: Mike Martz thinks he’s a wide receiver and he looked terrible in Oakland this year so... maybe he’s right?
RB:
Obviously the Vikings are set at the HB postion. They are probably going to think long and hard about any trade offers they recieve for Chester Taylor, but I'd like to see him back next year. Beyond that I'd like to see the Vikings re-sign both Mewelde Moore and Tony Richardson. After watching the WVU bowl game I’d have to say that I think Owen Schmidt is an intriguing option at FB. He is 6-3, 260 and supposedly has 4.85 speed but looked pretty quick during that game. Peyton Hillis, from Arkansas, is also supposed to be a good FB prospect but is a smaller/quicker type.
WR:
RANDY MOSS! Fine, he is probably the Pats' #1 priority this offseason and I can't see any reason he would want to leave, but wouldn't it be awesome to have him back??
What the Vikings really need is a #1 receiver. Moss is the only player set to become a FA who I think is a true #1. There are a couple of other decent FA WRs and I'd hope the Vikings sign at least one of them, even if they are planning on addressing this position through the draft. Listed below based on my order of preference:
Bryant Johnson: 27yo. Johnson was the Cardinals 1st pick in the 2003 draft but he now finds himself stuck behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Has spent a lot of time as the slot guy in AZ but at 6-3, 216, he definitely has the side to play outside. The Cardinals definitely would love to have Johnson back next year but he is likely going to be looking for a starting spot somewhere and he probably deserves it.
Bernard Berrian: 27yo, fast, questionable hands, only 6-1, hard to judge because he’s played w/ bad QBs.
Andre' Davis 29yo, 6-1, 195lbs. Did a good job filling in as the #1 guy when Andre Johnson was hurt and also as the KR when Jerome Mathis went down. His 30.3 yards per kick return was bested only by Joshua Cribbs and he tied Leon Washington with a league leading 3 returns for TDs, including back-to-back TD returns against the Jags in week 17.
Justin Gage 27yo, 6-4, 212lbs. Lead the Titans in receiving yards this season. I’d expect them to try to re-sign him, but that haven’t yet.
D.J. Hackett 27yo, 6-2, 199lbs Solid receiver who was sidelined for most of the season with an ankle injury. Lead the Seahawks with 6rec for 101yards and a TD vs. Was. in their wild card game last week. Again, I’d think they would re-sign him but they haven’t yet.
Drew Carter 27yo, 6-3, 200lbs. #2 receiver for the Panthers who has had a lot of injury problems so far in his career.
Like last year, WR could be a good position to address through the draft. One guy I find kind of intriguing is Indiana junior James Hardy. Hardy is 6-7! 220 and supposedly has good speed. He had over 1000 yards this season despite catching passes from Kellen Lewis who isn't exactly the best passing QB ever. The problem is I don't think he will fall to the Vikings in the 2nd round and probably won't be the best option at #17. I can tell you one thing for sure though, I will draft him in Madden, like every draft, next year.
I like where the Vikings are at the TE position. Shiancoe looks like a decent receiver and a good blocker for a receiving type TE and obv. Kleinsasser is a great blocker and for a 3rd OT (which is almost what he is) makes for a decent receiver.
Posted bySL__72 at 5:23 PM
Labels: 2008 NFL Free Agents, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Playoff predictions
I disagree about Shiancoe. I feel like every time T-Jack threw it to him he either dropped it or caught it and proceeded to fumble it. What needs to happen is that Brad Childress needs to call Jermaine Wiggins and apologize for letting him leave, and locking him up to a deal in the tune of 4 years 30 million dollars to ensure that there will be no hard feelings over the initial divorce.