The Official Vikings Offseason Thread!

[Scott K]

Quote:

Vikings signed KO specialist Rhys Lloyd, formerly of the Panthers.

Vikings PK Ryan Longwell had five touchbacks last year. It's scary to think what Lloyd, who had 51 over the last two years outdoors on grass in Carolina, could do in the Metrodome. 35 touchbacks should be within reach.

[zepman]

Good move...Vikings can't tackle/cover on special teams so they might as well just slam it through the end-zone.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Vikings agreed to terms with CB Benny Sapp on a two-year contract.

Sapp has been mediocre as a nickel and dime back the past few seasons, but the Vikes were desperate for veteran insurance with Antoine Winfield (foot) and Cedric Griffin (torn ACL) recovering from injuries this offseason.

[FISHINGURU]

We needed a kicker for kicking off forsure, Longwell barely makes it past the 5 yard line very often.

Lets Go LT !!!! AP and LT in the same backfield would be awesome!

[zepman]

I think Sapp really played well down the stretch...I'm glad they got him signed...we're going to need him this year.

It would be nice if the Vikes could sign or trade for another veteran c-back before the draft. I hope they trade Leber and a draft pick for a true "starter" type corner. Leber's gone next year anyway and he plays only sparingly now. We can fill his shoes in the draft.

[FISHINGURU]

Yeah Sapp turned it on a bit, he's a physical player and still on the come up.

I'd love to have a true blue #1 shutdown corner on this team, we've needed one of those in the worse way for as long as I can remember. The FA corner market isn't that good this year so far.

[zepman]

Vikes also just signed back Jimmy Kennedy...this will prove to be a huge signing for the Vikes over the next few years. IMO, he's better than Fat Pat right now.

[FISHINGURU]

Glad we got Jimmy, he was turning it on hard last season.

[Randyjr.]

I don't know anything about Sheldon, but any more help and coaching the Vikings can get on defense the better.

Quote:

The Minnesota Vikings have added former Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Rams assistant, and Minnesota Golden Gopher defensive back, Matt Sheldon to its coaching staff as Assistant Defensive Backs coach.

Sheldon, who is heading into his 10th season as an NFL assistant, joins the Vikings following 4 seasons coaching LBs with the Buffalo Bills. With Buffalo, the Bills LBs were instrumental to the team ranking No. 2 in the NFL in passing defense, led by MLB Paul Posluszny who emerged as a playmaking force.

Prior to his stint in Buffalo, Sheldon spent 2001-05 with the St. Louis Rams, where he assisted on special teams and with the secondary and LBs on defense. Before joining the staff at St. Louis, Sheldon served as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Wisconsin (1997-99) with the defensive secondary. Wisconsin’s defense led the nation in 1998 and the Badgers were the first team in Big Ten history to win Rose Bowls in consecutive seasons (1998-99).

Sheldon played DB for the University of Minnesota after prepping at D.C. Everest High School in Schofield, WI.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/viking...y9cP3DieyckcUsI

[greebs]

Just read the article on star trib website about vikes possibly opening on thursday night in norleans. It simply amazes me when you read the comments how some people are still whining about how the vikes actually won that game. And others posting how they need to go after brees legs in that game to end his season with an injury, or how the whole thing was a conspiracy, refs lost it, etc. etc. Apparently I must not be as big of a fan but I can't believe that people still haven't gotten over that game. Do they think that if they whine and complain about it enough that history is going to change the outcome?

And then you see the few usual comments where people mention that at least they aren't like (fill in other team name here) fans who whine because their team lost to the vikings last year. I suppose it's probably a lot of the same posters who insist that the twins would have beat the yankees if not for the mauer play. You read these comments and it's almost embarrasing to say you are a fan of the same teams.

[Scott K]

I realize there is a lot of offseason left, but are the Vikes going to do anything this year? Are they going to sign someone, fill in some of our big holes?

[Rick]

Just read the article on star trib website about vikes possibly opening on thursday night in norleans. It simply amazes me when you read the comments how some people are still whining about how the vikes actually won that game. You read these comments and it's almost embarrasing to say you are a fan of the same teams.

You are whining about people whining so what's the differance.

You're not the one who is saying those things so why be embarrased to be a fan of whatever team you like?

I don't see an issue with fans talking about the facts. Errors and dirty play determined the outcome of that game pure and simple. Fans will always pick the errors and dirty play that stand out to them.

[Jim Panfish Uran]

I realize there is a lot of offseason left, but are the Vikes going to do anything this year? Are they going to sign someone, fill in some of our big holes?

Sounds a lot like last year doesn't it? I'm begining to think they won't make any "big" moves.

[Jim Panfish Uran]

I don't see an issue with fans talking about the facts. Errors and dirty play determined the outcome of that game pure and simple. Fans will always pick the errors and dirty play that stand out to them.

Couldn't agree more, some of those calls were awful, but so was putting the ball on the ground about 20 times and that one pick at the end of the game... arghhhh it still haunts me.

[greebs]

Originally Posted By: greebs

Just read the article on star trib website about vikes possibly opening on thursday night in norleans. It simply amazes me when you read the comments how some people are still whining about how the vikes actually won that game. You read these comments and it's almost embarrasing to say you are a fan of the same teams.

You are whining about people whining so what's the differance.

You're not the one who is saying those things so why be embarrased to be a fan of whatever team you like?

I don't see an issue with fans talking about the facts. Errors and dirty play determined the outcome of that game pure and simple. Fans will always pick the errors and dirty play that stand out to them.

hate to tell you, but it's a fact that the vikings did not win that game.

[Jim Panfish Uran]

Wow, really? lol!!!

We can still dwell on it and make excuses as to why we lost. That's what fans do.

[greebs]

yeah, I suppose so.

unfortunately "fact" for some fans is that it was all a conspiracy because of a hurricane and that the vikes made absolutely no mistakes in the game or the games leading up to the playoffs where the vikes could have grabbed home field advantage and despite this, somehow the game was taken from them. and then that same poster would go on to say that at least he isn't a whiner like fans of the packers, cowboys, bears, etc. etc.

[FISHINGURU]

We can't afford to do any "Big" moves, we have alot of younger players that are gonna need some big contracts to stay in town soon.

[Jim Panfish Uran]

Like Kevin Williams, Greenway, Peterson, Rice, Shiancoe!!!!

[Scott K]

We dont need any big moves, just sign someone to fill the holes we have.

[BrianLucky13]

Still cant believe the queens got rid of Taylor!!! I would have traded AP for a 3rd round draft pick. Taylor was way better if you ask me. Vikings will be the same as last year if Favre plays. If he doesnt you guys will be 10-6 and the Pack will be 13-3.

[Randyjr.]

Still cant believe the queens got rid of Taylor!!! I would have traded AP for a 3rd round draft pick. Taylor was way better if you ask me.

Um. I'd actually like (love to) to see you attempt to defend your position here. Seems like a fun little jab, but Taylor over AP - Laughable. Cripes, your about a month late on this one too.

[BrianLucky13]

AP is in the top 5 for running backs but everyone is on to him. The Vikings need to change things up instead of doing the same running plays with him all the time. He had a bad year. AP isnt a game changer anymore. Something different has to happen. Sorry for the late responses!!!

[BRULEDRIFTER]

AP isnt a game changer anymore.

That's hillarious right there!

He can make or break a game on any play! Look at the Saints game.... He sure changed the outcome of that game!

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Yep!!!!!

Fumble

Fumble

Fumble

Fumble

Fumble

[Dylan33]

Brett Favre is a grandpa! just reported this morning by ESPN.

[Scott K]

A few signings today.

Quote:

Vikings re-signed restricted free agent S Eric Frampton to a one-year, $1.101 million contract.

Frampton, 26, isn't a big contributor on defense, but has settled in as a core special teamer for Minnesota. The former fifth-round pick out of Washington State racked up 16 tackles on kick and punt coverage last season.

Quote:

Vikings re-signed restricted free agent OL Ryan Cook to a one-year, $1.176 million contract.

Minnesota's right tackle in 2007 and 2008, Cook struggled in the first-team role and was more than adequately replaced by Phil Loadholt last season. Cook can play center, so he figures to hang around as a swing-type backup.

Quote:

Vikings re-signed restricted free agent DT Fred Evans to a one-year, $1.759 million contract.

Pat Williams' backup on the hose, Evans appeared in 12 games last year, making nine tackles off the bench. The 26-year-old's role is unlikely to increase significantly this year behind the Williams Wall and Jimmy Kennedy.

[FISHINGURU]

Sounds like we are showing quite a bit of interest in Tebow lately.

[koonie]

Smokescreen. Trying to get another team to trade up and get him. Could get us another first rounder next year when the quarterback crop is much deeper and much, much better. This is what I'm hoping for. Teams do this quite often.

[Scott K]

One more signing

Quote:

Vikings re-signed restricted free agent FB Fahu Tahi to a one-year, $1.176 million contract.

Tahi, entering his age-29 season, has appeared in 31 games over the past two years with seven starts. He's caught 26 passes during that span, but has just three rushes and won't push for playing time as a ball carrier this year.