The Minnesota Vikings made no big moves on the first two official days of NFL free agency but they were uncharacteristically active. They added four new players to the roster.
Alex Boone, G
Michael Griffin, S
Emmanuel Lamur, LB
Travis Lewis, LB
The biggest signing of the four was Alex Boone. The Vikings had to improve the offensive line this offseason. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has to be protected better. Running backs Adrian Peterson, Jerick McKinnon, and whoever had to be given some room to run. The addition of Boone is a nice step first in that direction. He also brings attitude. A little bit of nasty that the line really needs. The Vikings are actively looking at bringing in more linemen. It sounds like tackle Andre Smith is at the top of the list. The more linemen the better as competition makes the entire unit better. The line improves and the offense improves.
Safety was another hole that the Vikings were looking to fill in free agency. They needed a more complete safety on the field next to the very talented Harrison Smith. They turned to Michael Griffin to fill that need. At 31, he's a little older than most free agents that the Vikings typically target but allows for youngsters Anthony Harris and/or Antone Exum to gain some more experience without the pressure of being forced on the field too early. If the youngsters do prove to be ready then they play. The competition makes the entire team better but Griffin is a proven player. His addition boosts the talent level at the back of the defense and increases competition. Vikings defensive backs coach Jerry Gray was Griffin's defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans from 2011-13. That familiarity probably went a long ways in getting Griffin in Minnesota.
Emmanuel Lamur is a curious signing mostly because he's a very intriguing football player. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was Lamur's defensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals. So, it's another case of a coach's familiarity with a player being a part of the process. Zimmer knows Lamur and likes what he's seen. Lamur hasn't started many games but he's a tremendous athlete. At 6'4" and 245 lbs, he also has terrific size. A size that has a striking similarity to Vikings emerging strong-side linebacker Anthony Barr. He played a little safety at Kansas State so he has some advanced coverage skills. At worst, Lamur is a nice depth signing behind Barr and as a situational nickel linebacker. He should also be a solid special teams contributor. At best, maybe he cracks the lineup in the Vikings base defense. A linebacking trio of Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Lamur presents excellent speed and athleticism to an opposing offense. Travis Lewis is a linebacker depth signing as well. He's also a terrific special teams player and was likely signed for that talent in particular.
The Vikings have done a nice job of bringing back their own free agents.
Andrew Sendejo, S
Mike Harris, G
Audie Cole, LB
Adam Thielen, WR
Carter Bykowski, T
Zach Line, FB-tendered as a restricted free agent
Sendejo, Harris, and Line were starters last year. Line should enter training camp as the starting fullback. The addition of Griffin likely puts Sendejo on the bench but there will be competition at the position. Harris will compete for a spot on the offensive line. Actually, every position on the offensive line is probably up for grabs. Although it's fairly certain that Alex Boone will be one of the starting guards come September.
Sendejo's re-signing last weekend caused many Vikings fans to lose their minds. On the surface a 4-year, $16 million contract seems a bit pricey for a backup safety and special teams player. Despite being one of the Vikings starting safeties last year most with an opinion on the matter didn't see Sendejo as a starting-caliber safety. The fans saw that $4 million/year contract as starter money and assumed that the Vikings search for a terrific safety to pair with Harrison Smith was over. It's going to be Sendejo and Smith for evermore. No one seems to have the patience to actually look at the details of a contract. The contract is incentive-based. If Sendejo is the Vikings starting safety and hits the incentives for the entirety of the contract then he gets the $16 million. If he doesn't hit all those incentives, it's a nice contract for a backup safety and strong special teams player. The contract said nothing about the Vikings intentions to find a solid safety to pair with Smith and it did nothing to keep them from signing other players. All the contract did was allow them to retain a solid football player. Fans can be so crazy.
The Vikings shouldn't be done signing their own free agents. They have a few more.
Chad Greenway, LB
Terence Newman, CB
Rhett Ellsion, TE
Marcus Sherels, CB
Matt Asiata, RB
All indications from the team have been that Greenway will be re-signed. Same is probably true for Newman. I hope that Ellison is also re-signed. I don't care that he's recovering from a torn patellar tendon. He's terrific football player and will be back.
There was nothing earth-moving about the Vikings moves on the opening days of free agency but the team did get better. That's all that really matters.
No comments:
Post a Comment