The Vikes Have 20 million for free agency another 10-13 million later due to accelerants not met.

33 million to play with.

4 Targeted free agents as priorities.

1) If Oakland doesn't franchise him Nnamdi Asomugha CB
2) Max Starks Pittsburg ROT Jordan Gross will be franchised, Jon Runyan will be 36
( yes I know they are all better than Cook) Artis Hicks is better than Cook
3) TJ housayourmamma,(hehehee) we lose to bidding war. Boldin will resign.
4) Cassel will be lost in a bidding war and he's the Derek Anderson of last year. Get J.P.
Losman Cheap, then Draft one one in the Second Like Rhett Bromar. ( come on you Know Childress he'll sign
a retread QB and the way he picks qbs just be glad he doesn't Sign Ryan leaf.)

Yeah I heard of the money we'll have to play with this offseason... about 20 mil. Considering we have been signing quite a few FAs the last couple of offseasons we should be wary of making a bunch of big splashes due to contract maturation.

1) Asomugha (even though I can't say his name) would be where I'd make the splash. There are only a few holes in the lineup and CB isn't the most pressing need, but to put a lockdown corner opposite either Winfield or Griffin. My thinking is that Winfield will eventually be moved to FS or the Nickelback.
2) Max Starks- I want no part of that Pit O-Line. Gross will be franchised (like you said) plus his price tag would be enormous. Runyan would be the most likely of the bunch. He's got history with Chili and would be a manageable cap number IMO.
3) Houshmanzilly will command to much cap room... only a year after we threw big money at Berrian. Boldin would be awesome, but I don't see him here... again, big money and we'll lose the bid. I wouldn't mind seeing an Ike Bruce-type come in and provide vet experience to the corps.
4) Cassell has been rumored that he'll receive the Franchise Tag. Two 1st rounders appears to be too much for Chili to barter. DA isn't the answer and has a large cap number. Losman doesn't appeal to me. If it were me, I'd wait to see what happens next in the Kurt Warner saga. I think 'Zona will walk away from him b/c of Leinart's contract and the fact they have a couple of studs they'd be better off franchising. Considering his late season downfall in production, my guess is that his cap number won't be as high as it would've been had the Cards finished the regular season strong. We'll see how he performs in CAR this week...

My five priorities would go like this:
a) Asomugha
Warner
c) Runyan
d) DT option (w/ Williams Wall potentially not being there for weeks 1-4)
e) WR option

I dont quite agree with everything you said wookie. But i like most of what you said. Here is my spinoff.

1) I agree that signing Asomugha would be a great facelift to this defensive secondary. McCaulley hasnt quite matured the way the Vikings had hoped and Benny Sapp has killed us throughout the year on many plays and blown assignments. Sapp needs to be removed from the equation. Bringing in Asomugha would help ease the stress that the wear and tear of the NFL has to surely be taking on Winfield. I wouldnt dish out the huge amounts of cash that we have been handing out te last few years though.

2) It isnt much of a rumor. The Patriots organization has been leaking that Cassel will get the franchise tag for a long time now. FA QBs is very aged this year. I think Warner is ready to be put out to pasture his throws have started to get sparatic and his range has decreased as the season progressed. I would not want to risk any money on the horse that looks sickly. Ferotte should call it a good end to his career. With back injuries from this year ailing him how much more can the man stand. For his own well being i hope he calls it good and retires. My pick for candidates to join the Vikings is Kerry Collins. He has proved this year that, while not the flashy young stud when he lead the Giants to the Super Bowl, there is something left in the tank.

3)On the subject of the Right Tackle spot i say kick Cook out now. Sign some one with talent and a reputation for hard work and ethics that Childress has preached to this team. Also keeping AP happy and pain free as much as possible would be lovely. Any help that could be rendered from the right side to keep the quick DE and blitzes from eating our QB would help as well. I propose making a statement and giving serious cash to a premier player. I propose that the Vikings pursue Jordan Gross fervently.

4) I am all for the Vikings releasing Birk with little fanfare. His performance and attitude has plummetted. It is time to let the big guy leave and bring in a top rookie center.

5) NO BIG NAME RECIEVER!!!! we dont need to spend so much money to bring in a guy that has a history of trouble. Bring in some one that can take care of business and be a respectable member of the community. We have a pocession recieving option when rice is healthy and a home run hitter in Berrian! Bring in a Welker type of receiver, a reciever that can make the grabs and not make the police scanners.

So summed up (order i feel should be priority)
1) Bring in Gross to anchor the right side
2) Sign a veteran QB like Collins (not sold on any QB prospect in the draft)
3) Strengthen Secondary with Asomugha
4) Look to the future at Center (maybe time to start shopping Sharper)

Is Birk really more of a liability? I was under the assumption that he would be a huge loss for you guys. I'm rooting for Buffalo to pick him up and draft Mack to play at guard until Birk is gone.

He wants way more money than his performance has been showing. He is missing blitz reads and has began to really slow. He will be missed that is for sure. His leadership and dedication to the sport is astounding but if a guy doesnt want to be there and his skills aren't up to snuff it is time for him to try elsewhere. The bills are free to him in my opinion. I would like to see the vikings take Luigs to take birk's spot and put Cook on his way out the door.

possible FA targets (listed in my preference)
----QB---Kerry Collins, J.P. Losman, Kyle Boller, Kurt Warner
----RT---Stacy Andrews, Jordan Black
----CB--- Nnamdi Asomugha, Kelvin Hayden, Justin Miller
----TE--- Owen Daniels, Bo Sciafe, L.J. Smith

the Vikings can address the positions of:
Center
Nose Tackle
Slot Receiver
Linebacker
via the draft because of the levels of talent at the incoming prospects

any objections or critiques to my list?

For ROT I think the Vikes will look at Vernon Carey out of Miami. Strong run blocker that can be moved to LOT if needed. Also, I heard that Spielman wanted to draft him when he came out of school.

Nnamdi Asomugha will be franchised as far as I'm concerned so I look for CB to be addressed in the draft and some good ones should be available.

As far as QB, I have no idea what is going to happen. I hear rumors about Favre, Cassel, and DA. Warner is the only one that I think has no chance of wearing purple in my opinion.

For TE the Vikes better sign Kleinsasser. He is an important part of the Vikes run blocking and even catches a nice pass every once in a while. If Chilly signs L.J. Smith, who is another former Eagle, I will be very upset. L.J. Smith is not very good and Shiancoe looked good down the stretch.

I agree with the Kleinsasser part (especially since I am a cousin). L.J. wasn't all that effective as the season progressed and Shaincoe grew into himself.

QB though i have heart Farve would love to be back in NFC North and for the right amount could be lured out of retirement. Cassel would cost to much for the Vikings to snag him. I still vouch for Kerry Collins to be looked at for the spot. McNabb may be on the block.

Asmougha wants out of Oakland but i doubt the Raiders will let him out that easily. Easily draftable position for the 2nd round with players like Sean Smith of Utah lirking in the pool.

ROT we don't need to draft so high at the spot. And the flexibility Carey has will serve as an insurance plan if McKinney should slip up again.

We need to add a Center though. But if we trade down a little in the first and pick up another 3rd or 4th rounder in order to draft either Luigs or Mack the transition from the Birk era should be smooth.

We should know by the end of the month whether Favre will be an option... my guess is that he's going to be cut for cap reasons. I also believe that he's right for our situation and wouldn't have to shoulder the load every game.
I'd love to get Vernon Carey, but have a sneaky Chili suspicion that he's playing his cards close to the vest and a offer may be made to Runyan. He's going to be on the cheap and Chili's very familiar with what he can bring to the table (field)...
I'm betting they'll offer something to Kleinsasser...
What are some thoughts on the possibility of attaining Ben Hamilton to play C for us? New coach in Denver, possibly a new blocking scheme and Hamilton would be perfect for our tweaked ZBS.

HAHA i can't beleive on a Vikings forum that i am going to say I want Farve back in the NFC North. Wookie you are totally right Farve is too much of a salary cap liablilty for the Jets to want to eagerly pursue keeping him in New York. If he decides NFL life is still his way of life and enters the FA pool I hope some one in that front office raises an eyebrow and really looks at obtaining his services. Farve has lacked the last few years any sure fire weapon at the Runningback position and has been the main workhorse of the Jets and Packers. With Peterson and Farve in the backfield who is more capable of carving the defense up week to week. Farve has even said he misses the rivalries and competion of the North. Plus we wouldn't have to waste any picks to acquire Cassel. I like the idea of getting a veteran QB or journey man in order to wait for the stronger QB class of next year.
Vernon Carey would be an amazing pick up. If he sneaks out of Miami I will be very disappionted if the Vikings dont entice him with a contract fitting of his 350 pound frame and leadership qualities that he showed in helping stabilize that Dolphins o-Line. Carey , though he may cost more, has the advantages of still being in his prime, isn't coming off of injury, deceptive speed for his size (to handle the speed rushers), and a mean streak while engaged in the run. Runyan either lacks or is not on the same level in my opinion in those qualities. I dont particularly like the fact that many coaches pursue individuals that they are more familiar with and have played with on former teams.
Jimmy would love to stay close to home, but will he be flexible enough to take the paycheck of the #2 TE?
At Center I still like the look the draft provides us. With the age on the line currently some youthful exuberance would be a breath of fresh air. And with the professionalism and leadership that Hutch and McKinnie provide on the left side and the potential prospects for the right any rookie hiccups or jitters would be easier aleaved.

Why haven't we courted a OT yet? Where is the center?
How much would bringing in the Raven's FA Center Jason Brown cost us?

I'm telling ya... we'll end up with Runyan. lol

The rumor mill has us having interest in Jason Brown... only if he gets here though.

Housh has stated that the Vikes are a team he has interest in, but I'm not sure we want to break the bank again on a WR.

At least we got Sasser back...

Didn't Jason Brown sign with some team on saturday? Might be too late guys.

I am a bear fan and even more alarming than not signing a FA o-lineman yet is the fact that the vikes would bring in sage rousenfals over Kurt Warner or Chris Simms.

The Vikes should hear an answer on Housh today...

So now Brown is gone. St. Louis beat us to him. Center is looking better for the draft more and more.

ROT that are still available--Mark Tauscher, Jon Runyan, Marvel Smith, Khalif Barnes, and Willie Colon.
Wouldn't it be something if we could lure that monster that has resided in Green Bay named Mark Tauscher to Minnesota to play for a real team!?! That would be a signing worth shouting from the rooftops. I actually prefer seeing money getting thrown at the men on the line than at the Divas that play WR.

Housh is going to Seattle. Is there any other reciever worth our time? I mean Rice is a WR 2 type reciever and Berrian began to grow into the WR 1 spot. Isnt the real deficit at the WR 3 or the slot in other words, much more targetable in the draft with our day 2 selections.

In the QB spot i told you all the Vikings would do this. I have been wanting to do this even though it is juvenile but I TOLD YOU SO!!!!! Fits so much better. The Vikings are going to go with the journeyman and battered veteran Sage Rosenfels this year and draft one of the big three next year.

Vonnie Holliday is a FA. He is an inticing wrinkle to the pool right now. His expertise if on the opposite side as Allen would create the most dominate DE dou possible probably!

Other than what I already said maybe signing some aged Vet like a Sammy Knight or Cory Chavous to back up the kid Tyrell Johnson and another behind Madieu Williams at safety I think the Vikings will focus their energies at signing a big name OLineman and bringing some depth and sitting back till draft day. It is the Childress way.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THAT FRONT OFFICE?!?!?! IS THERE ANYONE THAT WATCHED ANY OF THE SEASON EVEN THERE? WHY IS BENNY SAPP COMING BACK!?!?!?!?
He made bone head plays and hurt us all year. With so many other prospects in FA we resign that idiot. Where are the ROT that Childress said would be needed to upgrade that position?

either tauscher or runyan... whoever can pass their physical first.

I thought the exact same thing!!! I am a bear fan and am happy to see the millen-esque move, but I thought that too.

Would they be interested in signing Orlando Pace? I couldn't decide which team that is close to contending next year might want Pace, my buddy suggested Minn.

it would have to be at RT. that's the second (or, third) part of that. you don't move mckinnie for pace at LT.

There is only one ROT that is even worth the money and trouble. I beleive Mark Tauscher is the best option in the FA Pool. Tauscher is a seasoned vet that knows how play with a QB that can either be extremely hot or cold. Tauscher also doesnt have a long list of injuries and is still in his mid to late 20s and hasnt had the brunt of long career taking a toll on his knees yet. He is a good ethics player that would fit with Hutchinson's hardworking mentality and help aid the development of any center we take in this years draft! He is hands down the best option for the ROT spot.

Oh ya and it would help to further weaken our rival packers line and locker room while continuing to bolster our own.

I believe he'll be 32 in June. Not a bad player, but not a dominant player either. Would be a good pickup for a couple of years so they can focus on other needs in the draft and perhaps groom someone for a year or two.

Really i was thinking he was turning 28 I thought Runyan was the one that was approaching mid 30s

CUTLER!!!! CUTLER!!!! GET HIM NOW!!!

We should trade Chester Taylor, TJack (or Booty or Sage) and our 1st round selection for Jay Cutler and J.J. Arrington.

This way we can add a QB that can lead us to the promised land. A KR that has the intangibles to break the big one everytime and keep our depth at the RB spot.

I'm wondering just how long it would take you to eat those words should you be able to pull off such a deal. First off, your team's offense is predicated on the running game, and Chester Taylor is great insurance, and provides one heck of a RB for you to spell Peterson with when he needs a breather. Not to mention Peterson has experienced an injury already in his career, and I'm not saying it will happen, but with his upright running style he is also more prone to future injuries.

Secondly, Cutler has one of the best set of WRs in the NFL that likely had more than just a little bit to do with his success, which you don't even come close to matching.

Thirdly, many media people who really don't look, along with Cutler himself like to project him as a fearless "gunslinger" type of QB. Well, gunslinger might be an apt moniker, but fearless is far from the truth. If you really start digging into his meaningful stats a pattern begins to emerge. He is not very good on deep passes down the field, despite his vaunted arm strength (actually was easily outperformed in this category by a rag armed Philip Rivers...just had to throw that in there). He does take a lot of chances by throwing into coverages that result in a lot of interceptions, but is that him being fearless, or crumbling under pressure? With what has transpired between him and the Broncos, I'd bet it's the latter. He is fine, so long as he's ahead, and his uniform is kept clean.

Fourth, once things start going bad, he has proved to be a gunslinger alright, having no problem throwing his teammates under the bus with the best. However, in his last 3 games last year, not once did he break 80 in QB rating (which I think is overall an over-rated stat, but it's still telling in many instances).

Lastly, he was great in Shanahan's system...what makes you think he'll be nearly as good in your system. When it all comes down to it, that's probably why he wants out of Denver. He will not be the QB many thought him to be if he has to play under control and lead a long drive down the field with more runs than passes. After all, he is the gunslinger.

My point? Jeff George was an equally, if not more gifted QB a few years back, and what did he ever do? Will Cutler win you some games? Sure. Will he look awesome on some days...better perhaps than John Elway? Sure. But what's likely to happen is you'll see the other side of the coin, or persona, if you will...and see it a lot more often than you will the "awesome" side. What you'll get is the dumb throw that gets picked off in the red zone near the end of the game. The dumb throw to the wide open WR that is too far way more often than not. He has proved time and time again to be less than reliable when under pressure, and when behind. He also suffers from a serious case of diabetes, and as unfortunate as that is, it is still a fact. This disease could easily cut his career short, if not end it entirely, depending on its progression. I know this well, because in 1990, I lost a dear friend who was only 40 to this disease almost overnight when he appeared to be in prime health and with the disease under full control. So, go ahead...make your deal. Kind of like the crossroads...selling your soul to the devil is how I see it.