Red sucks!

[Iron Cowboy]

Anyone else listen to the fan yesterday and hear Chris Carter? He was talking about how the purple will be good but could be a lot better if they would spend the money available. He said they do things like instead of spreading out the signing bonus of big time free agents (Winfield) over the length of the contract (like every other team). They counted all 12 million against it this year to help get them up to the minumum amount they have to spend according to league rules. They are still 10 mill under the cap now (lowest in nfl) with no intentions of spending it. Wow with an extra 18 mill imagine what kind of addition we could have made in free agency to that defense? Or just to that linebacking crew which is still a huge question mark. A team only has a small window of opportunity to make it to the big dance in this league and if the vikes are going to contend and be as good as a lot of the experts say it sure would be nice if big Red would run the team with a passion for the sport and respect for the fans that bleed purple. not a company worried about his bottom line. Red do us all a favor and buy your ugly a** daughter a different toy and sell the vikes to Glen Taylor. Now theres an owner (from here) that knows and respects Minnesota fans and works as hard as they would to bring a championship to the state.

[Guest]

And you are going to listen to anything carter says?...lol.

They are just fine the way they are.

There was a large lack of talent in free agency this year, especially in the LB corps. Not to mention, it does not matter how much you have to spend, if a guy does not want to come here and play, he won't no matter how much they are willing to throw this way.

The LB situation for the vikes is not a question mark. Claiborne, Thomas, and Henderson all have the potential of being impact players for years to come, and the back-ups are adequate.

The line will be the strongest it's been for years especially with the addition of Udeze.

The secondary is also solid.

The biggest question mark is the kicking situation. We'll see how that plays out.

[sunnyj]

I have to disagree with you ICB. I belive the front end load on Winfields contract is a good thing. The teams that backload contracts get into all kinds of salerycap issues latter down the line, look at San Fran. Even with all the money left over the VIKES are rated 4th, ESPN Power Rankings, before the ball is even snapped. I too, would like to see the team sold to a local but atleast Red hasn't mortgaged the furture for the present.

IBOT #213

[eyehunter]

I have to disagree too.

I believe that outside of maybe Jevon Kearse, they got the best defensive guy on the free agent market this year, in Antowain Winnfield. And by giving him all of his signing bonus this year and not spreading it out into next year they in turn are leaving themselves with more cap room next year to hit the free agent market with.

Don't blame it all on Red, he doesn't draw up the contracts, he just signs the checks, believe me, the guys in charge of that stuff know what they are doing, why do you think they have so much cap room? It's because they are doing what is best for the team as far as the salary cap is concerned.

[lots of luck]

Look at what the Redskins have done lately.
Throw money at everything and everyone, what has it gotten them. We'll see this year with Portis.

[Iron Cowboy]

The vikes are so under the cap not because of cap smarts but because of not spending. Tom , The linebackers are just what you said, a bunch of guys with potential. that means a bunch of guys who have done nothing yet. If we are in that "window" of oportunity now and have good pieces in place to make a serious run why take a chance on a bunch of maybes or well sees? There are trades that can be made and there were good linebackers available that would of really helped, but they were at a price the vikes wouldnt pay. Try to remember how many times the vikes lost out on a free agent because he was too expensive? The fact that Winfield is the biggest name free agent to ever sign here is a joke in itself and the only reason they did it is because of how horrible the corners were last year and we had to do something. Name another team that slid down and let two other teams draft in front of them with no compensation (this way his slotted pay was less)? who in the league has the lowest payroll? Vikes by far despite the fact they have the highest paid reciever. who has the lowest paid coach? Vikes by far. and for you guys that think all is great with the defense, depite the big free agent pickup we made to help bolster the backfield name the first backup defensive back and his credentials??
No depth anywhere. all "lots of potential" linebackers. and we are not spending 15 mill that we could? Ok so the backers are great, then use that money to add Kearse to our line and what would our defense look like? Remember Winfields bonus was all up front to get them to the league payroll minumum and they havent spent a dime since. If you think this is just because of great managment I have some ocean front property here in Minnesota I'd like to sell ya.

[This message has been edited by Iron Cowboy (edited 08-12-2004).]

[Guest]

All I have to say is lets talk about it after the season.

Henderson tore it up last year.
Claiborne is VERY solid
And Thomas was THE best LB in the draft.

I looked over the entire list of free agents that were available this offseason and I challenge you to name just ONE that is better than Claiborne or Henderson.

Why is it that people think that owners have to max out on the salaries? The Vikes are and will be one of the top tier teams this season....regardless of what Rev. Carter has to say.

[IFallsRon]

I think Carter is a racist.

Red let Denny Green ruin the team while he was stuffing cap money in his pants and he's doing it again this year. It must be killing him to spend another million to have eight players on the practice squad.

[Guest]

The Rev. title was laced with sarcasim...lol

[Piker]

The Winfield signing bonus was structured that way for both reasons mentioned. Obviously the Vikings wouldn't have made the minimum if they wouldn't have done it that way and they are preventing Winfield from becoming a future cap casualty. I don't understand why they didn't grab the bonus for Pep, Moss and McKinnie and pay on those too. Obviously, these people aren't *****s that do these things so it can't be as cut and dry as it sounds. However it could be a business move to increase the value of the franchise. Red's at 600 mil and Taylor's at 400 mil supposedly. The franchise will never move as long as there is interest in local ownership and Taylor's certainly viable. I heard Taylor was at camp this week. Hummmm?? Hopefully they can work something out and send McCombs back to Texas. I appreciate what he's done since he's been here, but I don't trust him because his loyalty isn't in Minnesota. The Vikings mean nothing to me, but the Minnesota Vikings are extremely important.

[walleyehawk]

I am a Chiefs fan first, then Vikings.

Both teams needed defensive players, but there was very little quality out there. Then you have all the other teams out there driving the prices up on the few available players. And there is no guarantee how they will perform. The "stud" free agents a year ago were no shows last season-most signed by the Redskins were released, or had poor seasons like Hugh Douglas.

Teams these days are locking up their players. Sign the ones to keep before their free agent season. Lock them up with longer contracts. And the guys they let go are either too expensive or the team knows they don't have it any longer.

The Vikings are watching the release wires for a back up corners they said during the game. Good luck as so is every other team.

The Vikings are doing it right.