Roster Turnover

With yesterday's signing of linebacker Desmond Bishop, the Minnesota Vikings filled their most significant remaining hole. There will be competition for several spots throughout training camp. There should be competition at every position. Well, every position but running back. Adrian Peterson has a firm grasp on that job. The Vikings will put solid football players at every position for the 2013 season. There's always room for improvement but there are no glaring weaknesses. That's pretty remarkable considering that they stumbled through a 3-13 season as recently as 2011. Even more remarkable is that there are only six starters remaining from the terrific 2009 team that outplayed the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game. The Vikings returned all 22 starters from that team the next season. In only two seasons, there has been a nearly complete turnover of the Minnesota Vikings roster.

When Leslie Frazier replaced Brad Childress as head coach the team was certain to move in a different direction. That change in direction was further cemented by the promotion of Rick Spielman to general manager following the 2011 season. The Vikings have a pretty promising operation going now. Strong drafts in recent years have shown that. Those drafts have improved the talent level on the field. Having five first round picks in the last two drafts have certainly added to that talent. If quarterback Christian Ponder can take the next step as a leader and passer the Vikings have an incredible nucleus of young players in Minnesota. The future is bright. The future didn't look too bright as everything fell apart, including the stadium roof, during that disastrous 2010 season. The turnover of the roster has been incredible. Even the kicker and punter have changed. On offense, only Adrian Peterson, center John Sullivan, and right tackle Phil Loadholt remain from that 2010 season. On defense, only defensive end Jared Allen, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, and linebacker Chad Greenway remain. Allen and Williams are entering the final year of their contract so further changes are likely in store for the 2014 season. The hope here is that Allen will be re-signed.

Ever since free agency entered the NFL about twenty years ago, roster turnover has taken place at a greater clip. The salary cap has also done a number on roster stability. I think that the Vikings turnover since 2010 has still been remarkable. I also think that the Vikings turnover has much more to do with the coaching change from Childress to Frazier and the greater decision-making authority given to Spielman. By the way, Rick Spielman has done a fantastic job reshaping the Vikings roster. Childress was always quick to rely on free agency to build his roster. The Vikings have backed away from that since the coaching and administration changes. They're still willing to spend in free agency if need be. The addition of receiver Greg Jennings earlier this offseason is proof of that. The Vikings free agency acquisitions are more likely bargain players on one-year deals. The draft is the path to roster building for the Minnesota Vikings these days. They've quickly become one of the youngest teams in the league. They've also become a much more talented team. If Ponder progresses as we all hope, the Vikings are setting themselves up to be a strong team for a while.