Favre Retires, Vikings add Berrian
Monday, March 3, 2008
I think I'm going to start trying to make shorter and more frequent posts again... although this one might not be too short.
A while ago, Jan. 11th to be exact, I posted that the Vikings biggest needs coming into the offseason were:
1. WR
2. DE
3. QB2
4. WR
5. FB
6. CB
7. S
8. Mewelde Moore
After the cutting of Dwight Smith I'd say that safety jumped up to 2nd on that list. In the first three days of free agency the Vikings did a good job of addressing three of their biggest needs: WR, FS and FB. As previously stated, I'm a big fan of both of the Williams and Tapeh signings. Williams is a solid starting FS, the best on the market, and Tapeh is is good guy to have at FB.
I've also rethought my position on Moore. I'm sure the team would be better with him on it, but I'm also glad that he might finally have found somewhere where he can actually get on the field. GL in Pittsburgh mini-Barry!
Bernard Berrian: 6 years, $42m, $16m guaranteed.
I've had a lot of time to think about this. My first thought was: "Oh great, $16m guaranteed for a slightly better version of Troy Williamson." While they are certainly very similar receivers, that might be slightly unfair to Berrian. Here is how I see it:
Same height
Berrian is smaller and will have more trouble with being jammed. Its something he is getting better at.
His size also hinders his ability to run block, something Williamson was pretty good at.
His route running might be slightly behind Williamson, but they've both shown the ability to learn in that part of the game, which is very important for a fast and not particularly tall receiver.
He knows how to adjust to a deep ball. Something Williamson has a ton of trouble with.
His catching ability, while still not where it needs to be is miles ahead of Troy's.
I'm not sold that he can be a true #1, but I think he will do a good job of stretching the field. Combined with Rice and Wade I think the Vikings are going into next year with a competent receiving core, something they certainly didn't have this year. I'm OK with Allison as the #4. I'm not sure why we are considering bringing Ferguson back, I'd prefer we add further depth through the draft if we think our starting 3 are set.
Another nice thing about adding Berrian is that it certainly looked like he was going to be the best receiver for the Bears next season. Stealing a guy from a division rival in the NFL is actually a pretty big deal considering they make up 1/8th of your schedule.
I'd say I think we overpaid Berrian, but given some of the other contracts being given out this offseason and the job Rob Brzezinski does handling our cap, I'm not too worried about it.
Favre retires! Whatever you may think about Favre, he was certainly the most valuable player in the division. Its impossible to say where Rodgers is at this point and how big a fall off he will be from Favre, but you have to assume this improves the Vikings chances next year. With the Lions and Bears both looking pretty inept at this point, the Vikings could be poised to put the NFC North on lock down!
He will probably go down as the only Green Bay Packer I ever give a standing ovation to (at the game he broke Marino's career TD passes mark). He was a great QB and part of me will miss getting to watch him play, although my favorite Favre memory will always be the Vikings-Packers playoff game in 2004.
Side note: I was disturbed to read today that 2004 was the only season in the last seven that the Vikings reached the postseason... ugh.
Next post, maybe even later today, an updated "top needs" going forward in free agency.
Dizzee Rascal (Awesome British rapper!) - Sirens
Posted bySL__72 at 6:20 PM