Vikings Offseason Update

NFL Network Fantasy Football commercial aside, TJ Houshmandzadeh has a new nickname in Vikings land… Housh Bag. 

As most of us know by now, TJ snubbed the Vikes and signed with Seattle and it is widely speculated the deal was about money.  The Vikings simply weren’t willing to offer TJ the type of money he was looking for.  For this, I applaud the Vikings brass for sticking to their guns and not overpaying for a 31 year old receiver.  On the other hand, there will be no such applause for Housh.  TJ seemed to show his true colours by playing the three teams showing interest in him – Seattle, Minnesot and Cincinnati – against each other to get what he wanted.  Good luck in Seattle TJ and make sure your listening for the “Housh bag” chants when you visit the Dome this year…

Now, for the moves that actually happened:

Acquiring Sage Rosenfels for a 4th round pick – So far, this has been the big news of the offseason.  Rosenfels is not an elite quarterback, we all know that, but he is a guy that the Vikings have targetted and I think will prove to be an upgrade over Gus Ferotte.  Sage has never played with the talent he has here in Minny and if he can make some plays and hang onto the football, which is really all the coaching staff has ever asked for from their quarterbacks, then he could be a great addition.  If he starts trying to do too much and pulls out some stupid plays like he did against Indy last year, then it could be another disappointing year for Vikings fans.   Either way, with this addition, the Vikings QB need went from P3 to P6.  Management always seems to like late round QBs for good value, if there are any. 

Re-signing Jimmy Kleinsasser – Great move.  Best blocking TE in the game and a key to our offence.  Doesn’t make a lot of catches, but always seems to come up big when he’s called upon.  Adrian and Chester are sure happy he’s back.   With his re-signing and Shiancoe and Mills in the fold, I can’t see us drafting a TE early. 

Outside of those two moves, there hasn’t been any big moves.  Minnesota has been linked to many names in the papers – Nate Washington, Michael Clayton, Chris Carr, Ray Willis, Daniel Loper, Jason Brown, Mark Tauscher – but no signings to report. 

The big news of today is Matt Birk going to the Ravens, leaving what most believe to be a big hole in the middle of our line.  Though we are currently without a proven starter at OC so far, I’m not worried.  Birk’s play deteriorated over the past couple years and I don’t think he was worth signing for the money he was probably looking for.  Chalk up another good non-signing for Childress and co. 

The big question is, where do the misses on TJ and Birk leave the Vikings in the early rounds of the draft?  Currently, I have a grab on Hakeen Nicks for round 1.  Some scouts say Nicks has similar skills to Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward – tough, strong, solid hands, reliable.  I have a feeling that the Vikings could be looking at him as well.  On the surface, WR isn’t a major need on this team, but clearly the Vikes are looking to upgrade that position and so, for now, I’m pencilling Nicks in at 22 for us.    

With all of the big name Centers being signed, I think Minnesota will look to fill this need through the draft as well.  The question is, will they reach for a guy in the first or hope one of the top prospects fall to the 2nd round or later?  I don’t think they’d reach, but it’s certainly a possibility.  Max Unger is a guy I could see us reaching for.  Unger was a Center in college, but can play 4 OL spots and Childress loves versatile lineman.  As the draft nears, you may see a grab for Unger at #22. 

 - Brett the Vikings guy

Online Draft Simulator Update – a new 7-round ODS ??

We’ve been frantically de-bugging the new ODS over the past couple weeks, and after the last few days its looking bug free.

The new ODS can be found at:

http://www.drafttek.com/new simulator

Currently, all the links on the website still point to the old ODS  simulator.  We’re still in final debug mode for ODS REV2.  But we’re confident enough in its functionality to invite users in to checkout the new model via the link above.

Another reason we’re not quite ready to do the full public release:  the documentation needs to be updated, and we’ll do that over the next few days.

Hightlights of ODS Rev2:

1) Full 7 rounds of output

2) Uses all the player positional codes from the CMD

3) User can select to use the CMD grabs and lockouts, or keep the model clean

More later . . .

Caveat Emptor, Matt Cassel Trade

Draft Tek gang. I posted this on ArrowheadAddict.com a few days ago. Since it is of general interest, I am cross posting it here.

“I look at Cassel and I think Scott Mitchell,” an unnamed NFC executive told the (Boston) Herald. “That’s who I see.”

My feelings exactly. Anyone thinking that Bill Belichick would do anyone any favors is deluding themselves. To borrow a phrase from the movie Wall Street, he would sell his own mother and send her COD.

Addicts, you keep drinking the Kool-Aid. However, ask yourselves two questions. What QB has come off the bench, had a good year then moved to another team and became a top QB? Scott Mitchell? Matt Schaub? Billy Volek? What QB has moved away from throwing to Randy Moss and done as well elsewhere? Daunte Culpepper?

When I got news of this trade, I was sick to my stomach. Vrabel? fine, we needed veteran leadership on D (and we still need more). Cassel? I am not impressed. Before this is raised in the comments, I am not buying the rumor that Belichick turned down a first-round pick from Tampa Bay. Belichick is ruthless and football is war to him. If a deal looks too good to be true, you better start counting your fingers and toes.

- Merlin, Arrowhead Addict

Quick FA Update

3/4/09

–Michael Schottey Lions/Packers/Chargers correspondent; Senior Writer

Hey everyone, happy hump day. Just a quick little update on free agency activity for the three teams I’m following. Detroit (predictably) has had the most because of the massive turnover expected with new regimes. Green Bay and San Diego have already expressed desire to stay away from big money free agents.

However, interestingly all have free agents in town today. Detroit-LJ Smith and Daniel Loper; Green Bay-Mike Adams; San Diego-Kevin Burnett

Detroit:

• Grady Jackson (DT/NT) close to signing pending physical
• LJ Smith (TE) visiting Allen Park complex today
• Daniel Loper (OT) arrived in town last night and will meet with team today
• Chris Carr (CB/KR) and Jabari Greer (CB) still mulling over offers from multiple teams
• Mike Peterson (MLB) expected to be in talks with Lions soon
• Vonnie Holliday expected to visit later this week
• Rumors have been cited connecting the Lions with JP Losman/Rex Grossman/Chris Simms

Green Bay:

• Met yesterday with Mike Adams (FS)
• Interested in Igor Olshansky (3-4 DE)
• Rumored to be in contact with Jason Taylor (DE/OLB/Phenominal Dancer)

San Diego:

• Lost out on Drayton Florence (CB) to the Bills and denied rumors that Antonio Cromartie was on the trade block
• Kevin Burnett (LB) meeting with team today
• Visit scheduled with Jermaine Phillips (SS)

Good News in DC…The Coach is Zorny for Discipline

March 3, 2009 – Scott Lilliston, Senior Writer/Analyst www.drafttek.com

Lost amongst all the media ripping, after the Redskins free agency haul, was quite an interesting story.  Though the free agent windfall was spun in its usual anti-Skins fashion, Skins fans who have followed their team for more than a few years had to perk their ears up just a bit. 

Defensive end Jason Taylor was cut this week after being with the team for only one season.  Pundits immediately pounced on Washington for cutting Taylor after giving up two draft picks to retain his services and getting minimal production from him.  Those pundits forgot that on the first day of training camp last summer, two of the Skins top 4 DE’s went down with season ending injuries.  Simple supply and demand dictated to the Redskins who brought in the best (or so they thought) talent at the position with the means they had available.

Lost in the shuffle of all the on-air hoopla was the ”why” Taylor was cut and it is the “why” that should make Skins fans smile.  

As it turns out Head Coach Jim Zorn, who had an eye on Taylor, requested that he work out with team trainers during the offseason.  Taylor missed 3 games last year and dropped dramatically in tackles, sacks, etc, from his 2007 numbers.  Zorn spoke to his coaches and identified how they wanted to handle the player they compensated so highly to make sure Taylor brought his level of play back up to par. 

Zorn and co, while attempting to negotiate Taylor’s contract, wanted a $500,000 clause thrown into the mix.  Taylor would not get the half million if he did not work out with the team in the offseason.  Taylor declined…and it’s the next part that sent the message to everyone on the team.

…they cut Jason Taylor.

You want the other guys on the roster to get a wake-up call?  Toss out Jason Taylor on his ear for what amounts to a hill of beans in NFL compensation.  I think they got the message. 

One other thing to think about here is that it is very evident that Taylor’s heart is not in it these days and Redskins fans should thank the brass for not getting duped out of another year long contract. 

Greg Blache, the Redskins Head Coach in charge of defense had to be licking his chops as he was about to line up Taylor next to newly acquired DT Albert Haynesworth.  Taylor would likely see nothing but one-on-one blocking for just about the entire season, yet he couldn’t bring himself to put forth the effort  to work out in the offseason in DC?  I’m afraid you tipped your hand there, Mr. Taylor….and Zorn trumped you.

I’m betting the rest of the roster is playing their cards a little closer to the vest.

 

Like this article?  Hate it?  Send comments to slilliston@drafttek.com.  Also check out the online draft simulator to see how your draft might shake out.

Lions’ Free Agency Thus Far

–Michael Schottey Lions Correspondent/Senior Writer

The Detroit Lions have been one of the most active teams so far this off season–hoping to get the stink off of them from an 0-16 season. Although management will seek to build long term through the draft a bevy of Free Agents are also needed to achieve a turnover of at least 10-15 bodies and change a culture of losing and a habitual lack of depth.

Before we get to the good stuff, first a word for former DE Corey Smith. Currently lost while boating in the Gulf of Mexico, I urge all Drafttek readers to pray for Corey and friends while they await Coast Guard help. Also pray for those rescuing them–that they may be kept safe–and for the families for whom this experience is surreal.

UPDATE: The search has NOT been called off!! The Air Force has begun helping, pray they are found soon.

Now on to Free Agency….

Resigned:

• Jason Hanson (K): This speaks to the nature of the Lions’ situation that their biggest FA was their kicker whom they were ready to franchise. He holds franchise records in points, FG, XP, and games played. He was also one of the most efficient kickers in the league in the past year.
• Stephen Peterman (OG): After starting 14 games for the dismal 2008 Lions, Peterman was given starters’ money at the very beginning of the free agency period. Although it is always a good idea to keep your better players around, Peterman is probably not worth penciling in at this point.
• Ramzee Robinson (CB): The former “Mr. Irrelevant” has proven to be a valuable special teams gunner. Very raw with great athleticism this is a good investment with little risk.
• Daunte Culpepper (QB): The most shrewd move of the off season is also the most polarizing. Among differing reports of the nature of this contract restructuring hides an escape clause that is Martin Mayhew’s saving grace. Daunte was out of shape and rusty last year. With both a weight limit and a workout bonus Culpepper will be given every chance to succeed and if he fails the Lions are not hamstrung in any way.

Much More News Below….

Redskins Draft Predictions (After the Spending Spree)

02/28/09 – Senior Writer Scott Lilliston, Drafttek.com

Oops, they did it again!  While no one will mistake Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, or his right-hand man Vinny Cerrato, for Britney Spears, Danny and Vinny hopped into the free agent pool like two fat kids trying to see who could make the biggest splash.  With the signings of DT Albert Haynesworth, CB Deangelo Hall an OG Derrick Dockery on free agency’s opening day, it’s safe to say that they both win the cannonball contest and managed to get Aunt Sally’s plate of potato chips wet. (Hey!  She should have been standing there!)

The Skins surprised me, actually, with being able to keep Deangelo Hall.  I know he’s a local guy but, heck, the guy went all the way to Oakland to get paid, there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t have gone elsewhere for a few more green fun-tickets.  Turns out the Skins decided to overpay him for half a season’s body of work.  They do see him as a player with a lot of potential at a position of need after jettisoning the oft-injured Shawn Springs so the need to sign him can be argued.   They also used the potential signing of DT Albert Haynesworth to keep Hall in the fold. 

The Hall deal could explode on the Skins, though, and the deal itself certainly didn’t make teams trying to sign, say Dominique Foxworth, happy as it upped the ante on what free agent corners are now expecting.  The question is, can Washington’s new cast wreak as much havoc when the games begin as Vinny and Danny are in the free agent pool.   

Earlier in the year, Drafttek.com received many e-mails from fans wondering how the highest positional team need could be set at linebacker.  A study of how the Redskins have historically addressed certain positions, particularly the positions Cerrato has been successful in drafting, leads to the truth.  You want to know the future?  Sometimes you have to look to the past. 

Historically, Cerrato has not really had much success drafting skill position players.  He has been succesful at finding defensive backs, linebackers, tight ends and the occasional QB here and there in the draft.  He believes in the “best player available” mantra and mostly because he doesn’t want to be caught reaching for a first round player that turns out to be a bust.  Last year he knew he needed a wide receiver and, in fashion, he moved the Skins down and selected a few, three to be exact, pass catchers.  His thought?  Throw a handful of players at the position and one of them has to stick. 

The Skins have historically done this in the trenches as well, only they get the handful of players through free agency and mid to late-round draft picks.  There’s no shock that the Redskins boast one of the oldest offensive lines in the league.  Dockery will help them get younger and is an upgrade over Pete Kendall.  Will they draft an offensive lineman with the #13 pick overall?  Don’t count on it. 

I know what you o-line proponents are thinking…”but what if Alabama Offensive Tackle Andre Smith falls to #13?”  Harken back to Cerrato’s philosophy.  Smith’s issues off the field may hurt him, but Cerrato will be looking at other players.  (I’ll throw out a scenario later that might make the Smith pick happen.)  Mind you I’m not telling you this will be the right move.  The tape on Smith shows him to be an absolute mauler, but I foresee that the Skins will stay true to form and try to find another offensive lineman with their 3rd round pick.  Perhaps a Duke Robinson or someone similar makes it to them there.  The one thing that is clear in this draft is that it is chock full of offensive line prospects. 

The Haynesworth signing ensures that the Skins won’t be going with a defensive tackle in the 2009 draft and I think they see the injury to Jason Taylor from last year as a reason to give him a second try to see what he can do when he’s healthy.  They really want to see what he can do next to Haynesworth.

So…where does that leave us boys and girls?  You got it…the linebacking corp.  Marcus Washington is gone and H.B. Blades is not the answer at the Will backer spot.  London Fletcher is an animal but is aging and may only have a year or two left.  Sam backer, Rocky McIntosh came off a serious knee injury in 2007 to play fairly well in 2008.  He should remain there.  There is talk of the Skins diving back into the free agent pool (this time Cerrato will do a “flying squirrel” to see if he can get Uncle Harolds tupee wet) and pick up LB Angelo Crowell from the Bills.  This seems unlikely however as the Bills have trimmed their roster and have room to sign him if they want him. 

Prediction time…where the rubber meets the road.  I think Snyder and the V-man have 3 prospects in mind at the #13 spot.  Word out of the Senior Bowl was that Cerrato was highly enamored with USC MLB, Rey Maualuga.  At the scouting combine, he apparently was smitten with UT DE/OLB, Brian Orakpo and I think Cerrato would take the much maligned Andre Smith if he falls AND Maualuga and Orakpo are gone.  If all three are gone, look for the braintrust in DC to try to trade back and land a guy like James Laurinaitis or Brian Cushing.  Welcome to the offseason guys and gals…try not to get wet. 

 

Like this article?  Hate it?  Send comments to slilliston@drafttek.com or Redskins@drafttek.com.  Don’t forget to check out the online draft simulator to see how your own mock draft might shake out!

Raiders -Free Agency and the First Round

Hey Raider fans and haters alike – I’m sure you are all wondering, like I am, what the Raiders are going to do with that 7th pick and the months of free agency

Let’s look first at what are percieved to be the Raiders’ greatest needs: OT, WR (feature – Higgins is the speedy deep threat, and Chaz is growing to be a slot receiver), DE (4-3), and OLB (4-3). Now, there are other positions the Raiders would like to address, but those are the most seem to be the most pressing needs on the roster.

OT- The Raiders  have already expressed interest in two OT’s, Khalif Barnes Marvel Smith, two potential bargains in this free agent market. I believe that this is in response to the success of Jason Smith’s workout (and subsequent rising up the Big Boards everywhere). Depending on who they end up getting (Smith is 30 and spent most of the last two seasons on IR, Barnes is only 26), they could be looking at addressing the OT need later in the draft (doesn’t make too much sense to pick up a free agent and a first round pick – that first rounder should be automatically starting. If the Raiders go OT in free agency, look for them to look elsewhere for that 7th overall pick

WR – The big free agency news in this area isn’t who the Raiders are bringing in, it’s who the Raiders are keeping. No news yet on any release of Javon Walker, and if you ask me, I’d say it’s a great idea. He’s getting paid this year regardless, now I’d rather see something for that cash than a huge cap hit. Keep him, line him up at the feature wideout with Higgins on the other side and Chaz in the slot. Why, you may ask, why not – I say! Unless some top talent (Crabtree) is available at the 7th overall pick, there are other, greater areas of need that we don’t have answers for on the roster. I’ll continue to say this – there were too many injuries to fairly evaluate the WR position last year, but a great receiver will help JaMarcus Russel develop. It will just be hard to say which rookie can be that great receiver.

DE(4-3) Here is an area that I see the Raiders looking seriously at when pick #7 rolls around. Depending on who is available, I could see Orakpo or Brown getting into the silver and black. Though our current simulation doesn’t have those players available (I’ll adress that in a moment), the Raiders need someone of starting caliber to fill that need. Burgess could be on his way out, we have already cut Kalimba Edwards which could leave us with 4 DE’s on our roster – non the kind of combination edge-setting, run stopping, and pass rushing end, that we need to help shore up our D.

OLB(4-3) The Raiders recently brought back two OLB’s that started last year – Ricky Brown and John Alston, neither of whom did well in shedding blocks and being the strong-side force that we need to stop the run. There is some phenominal talent in the draft this year, but it would be quite a reach for the drafttek mock (the closest OLB4-3 is Cushing, and he would be a -8 reach).

Basically this brings me to the Raiders worst nightmare. Right now (in the drafttek mock) the Raiders face a situation where all of the players they want have already been taken. Assuming a deal is done for an OT (if not, I see the Raiders going with Oher instead of Maclin, the roster just demands more OT than it does a WR, and Maclin is very similar to Higgins), the Raiders will be looking at defense and the best player available. Now, if Orakpo and Brown are gone, I don’t know how deep the raiders will go in looking at Cushing (seeing as how they re-signed Alston and Brown). My best guess is that the Raiders pick up Raji. Now, I’m not thrilled with Raji going to us, we already have Tommy Kelley, and Terdell Sands. I also feel that a lot of Raji’s success comes from Ron Brace handling double and triple teams. But, Raji is better against the run than Kelley, and better against the pass than Sands, so I won’t complain too much, I would love for the Raiders to address other, more pressing needs.

Who do you think the Raiders will go with at #7?

-Tim, your Raider’s Team analyst

Commissioner Goodell’s 20%

Rick  McGlothlin, Drafttek.com Senior Writer

Roger Goodell has announced he is taking a 20% reduction in his salary in order to off-set the current economic problems facing companies throughout the U.S., including his own – the National Football League. Although the move might seem rather nice of the commish, he earns a mere $11 million overall in a single year, with bonuses. So that means instead of the potential $11 million he would have made, he’s willing to try and struggle through an entire year on a paltry $9 million, give or take a few bucks.

You know what REALLY would’ve been super-cool for the Commish to do? In order to show how concerned (and serious) he was about the state of the economy and how it is impacting his own employees and that of the rest of the nation, he could’ve taken that 20% and used it to keep the employees he already laid off. Perhaps he has done so, although I haven’t heard that was the case. If he did so, bravo! If not, he should’ve used that 20% and kept his employees for as long as he could and added another 20%.

After all, this is the highest revenue generating business in the U.S. (other than oil companies and political lobbyists) and I think the commish MIGHT be able to get by on a measely $5 mil a year for doing something he has states is his passion and love. Tell ya what Commish, you give me $50k a year and I’ll pinch-hit for you, and you can just sit back and answer the phones for the other $5 million in salary. And you can still have the final say in all matters, do all the TV public relations stuff and even go to the Super Bow. I’ll just hang back and do the grunt work.

How many other execs in the NFL have offered up a 20% reduction in salary in order to help keep those other 1,100 staff members to keep their jobs? More importantly, how many franchises in the NFL have lowered ticket prices in order to keep season-ticket holders in the seats they have held for many, many years, rather than losing them to the current economic crisis? My guess is that THEIR bonuses are more important than the life-long fans that made them all that money in the first place. Not to mention that the corporate fatcats or ticket brokers will now race up to the recently relinquished tickets like hyenas swarming onto a dead carcas.

So thanks for the gesture Commish – but it comes off as a rather lame attempt at convincing the average football fan that you want to help in some small way. Why don’t you take the 20% and buy tickets for some fan(s) who have lost their season tickets due to a layoff or debilitating health crisis that sucked their savings away? Or why not fund some youngster whose parents can’t afford to buy their kid(s) some new school shoes, socks or shirts – or even books – to get to school. Or peel off a few Benjamins for a student who needs help with a student loan for college? Or use it on kids for the upcoming Christmas holiday – which is certainly going to be a rather bleak one for many families, in terms of the ability to put some gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.

Again, it’s nice the Commissioner made the decision to cut his salary and freeze all others. But that’s not pain…which is what millions of Americans are feeling every single day. Many of them are life-long football fans who have supported the team they love, and in turn, made the NFL millions. One would think that in the seriously harsh economic times we face these days, a little more would be done to repay that support.

It’s just a thought Mr. Goodell.

Online Draft Simulator REV2

Last Thursday our contractor delivered Revision 2 of the Online Draft Simulator.   We kicked the tires over the weekend, and found that it works flawlessly, just some minor issues to be cleaned up before a formal release.  Thats not to say that some issues wont arise over the next several days.

We’re not formally linking to the new ODS out in the Drafttek web site just yet, but for those of you interested in a sneak preview, here’s the link:

http://www.drafttek.com/new simulator

Here are some of the feature of Rev 2: