Only the most critical wouldn't consider the Minnesota Vikings' 2013 offseason a productive one. They did a terrific job of re-signing their own free agents like tackle Phil Loadholt, fullback Jerome Felton, linebacker Erin Henderson, safety Jamarca Sanford, and receiver Jerome Simpson. They even made a little splash in the free agent market in signing Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel. More recently they've added some defensive depth in the signings of defensive end Lawrence Jackson and cornerback Jacob Lacey. The Vikings made a big splash in the 2013 NFL Draft when they came out of the opening night events with three first round selections. Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd will see significant playing time in the defensive line rotation, Florida St. corner Xavier Rhodes will likely open the season as a starter, Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson will make an immediate impact as a kick returner as he becomes more integrated into the offense. Later round picks like Penn St. linebackers Gerald Hodges and Mike Mauti could push for starting gigs. Jeff Locke as the Vikings punter is no longer written in pencil. It's been a very nice offseason. It's also been a pretty brutal offseason.
Longtime fans of teams, in any sport, see a lot of players come and go. Some of those players impact a team and fans in such a way that is hard to forget. You don't want to forget. Their time with a team always comes to an end and it's sad to see them go. It's especially sad to see them go when they still have some playing life left. It's exciting to see Floyd, Rhodes, Patterson, Jennings, and the rest starting their Minnesota Vikings careers. It's very disappointing and sad to see Percy Harvin, Antoine Winfield, and Chris Kluwe end their Minnesota Vikings career. All three have been among my favorite Vikings football players. Harvin was one of the most exciting and dynamic football players that I've ever seen in Minnesota. Right there with Chuck Foreman, Fran Tarkenton, Anthony Carter, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, and Adrian Peterson. He was a fast, elusive, little bull with the football in his hands. The most frustrating part of his trade to the Seattle Seahawks is that I believe that we've only seen a fraction of what Harvin is capable of doing. It's so sad that this incredible level of play will be seen in Seattle. Four years was not enough. Twenty years wouldn't have been enough. The Vikings did very little in the first decade of free agency. That changed when they signed Buffalo Bills corner Antoine Winfield in 2004. With his tough, physical play at the elfish size of 5'9" 180 lbs, Winfield was an immediate fan favorite. Film of his tackling technique should be required viewing at every level of football. For nine years he inspired teammates and fans. Unfortunately, the business of balancing the salary cap led to his release this offseason. Even more unfortunately, he'll finish his NFL career in Seattle with Harvin. Yesterday, the Vikings made a similar economic decision in releasing Kluwe. It's rare that a punter is respected, even noticed. Kluwe is like no other punter. He's actually like no other player. His voice on equal rights, especially same-sex marriage, was inspiring and often entertaining. He opened eyes and ears that have been shut for a long time. He probably did more for social issues than any NFL player, ever. He was also a damn fine punter for eight years in Minnesota. The best punter in franchise history.
It's rough losing players like Harvin, Winfield, and Kluwe. It's especially rough to lose all three in the same offseason. They will all be missed and never forgotten.
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