Loss of Birk to Ravens continues confusing Vikings offseason

by | Mar 4, 2009 | 2009 NFL Free Agency

The Baltimore Ravens Wednesday signed long-time Minnesota Viking center Matt Birk to a three-year deal reportedly worth $12 million.

The signing fills a hole opened for Baltimore when Jason Brown signed with the St. Louis Rams. It also creates a chasm in the middle of a Vikings’ offensive line that, outside of left guard Steve Hutchinson, was overrated to begin with.

Ponder this. Former top pick and current left tackle Bryant McKinnie is maddeningly inconsistent. He was solid in 2008 but he has been in more jails than Pro Bowls and he’s struggled to live up to the hype that came with him from the University of Miami.

Anthony Herrera is a hard-working right guard. He’s fine as the fifth-best starter on your line, but on this team, he’s not. Vikings officials have talked openly about seeking better play from the right tackle position, manned last season by Ryan Cook. They’ve failed to land anyone thus far to challenge for Cook’s position.

Now, with Birk gone, the team faces the prospect of drafting a center far early than most “experts” think is wise or starting either second-year guy John Sullivan or Cook, who was originally drafted as a center.

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Don’t go overboard with Ward’s fantasy expectations

by | Mar 4, 2009 | Fantasy Football

Derrick Ward signed with Tampa Bay Monday night, leaving the New York Giants and establishing himself as the most Buccaneers’ most likely top rushing option for 2009.

Many fantasy writers are understandably excited about the prospect of Ward adding to his carry numbers in 2009. And rightfully so – the guy broke the 1,000 yard mark as a backup in 2008 in just 182 carries.

I’m not here to rain on anyone’s parade. I too expect him to be a solid fantasy back in 2009. But I wouldn’t expect the reincarnation of Michael Turner.

There are four main reasons I don’t expect him to do so. The first is simple: 1,700 yard, 17 touchdown seasons just don’t come around that often.

After that, though, there are still a few reasons to think twice before making him a first or second round pick.

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Providence writer worried about Brady

by | Mar 3, 2009 | NFL ... something

Jim Donaldson, a writer with the Providence Journal, wrote today that he’s worried about Tom Brady.

He’s not worried that New England’s quarterback is struggling to recover from knee surgery. He’s not worried that Brady is aging. He’s worried because Brady got married to his supermodel girlfriend, Gisele Bundchen, last week.

“I’m worried that he may be thinking more about Dolce and Gabbana than the Jets and Dolphins,” Donaldson wrote.

(Dolce and Gabbana, he writes, were the brand of floral lace collars worn by Bundchen’s dogs were wearing at the ceremony.)

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Cutler still on the market? Vikes fans sniffing glue

by | Mar 2, 2009 | 2009 Trades, Business of Football, NFL Random Thoughts

I still think the Denver Broncos made a mistake in considering any deals in which quarterback Jay Cutler would have gone to Detroit or Tampa Bay in a three-way deal that would have brought Matt Cassel in return.

That said, when I wrote this morning’s post I had yet to read Sports Illustrated’s Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback column.

The revelation that Cutler had already been upset with the team and asked for a trade when offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, a Cutler confidant, left for USC doesn’t change my mind. But it does raise questions about the genuineness of Cutler’s anger toward being included in talks in the first place.

Further reports throughout the day indicating that Cutler has now locked himself in his room like a petulant child and is refusing to speak with Broncos officials raise questions about his maturity.

Cutler, until proven otherwise, is still a better player than Cassel. His college resume is better, his professional performance is better – Cassel still has to prove that he can repeat the success he had in 2008 without Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Bill Belichick helping him out.

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McDaniels’ Cutler talks not worth the risk

by | Mar 2, 2009 | 2009 Trades, NFL News, NFL Random Thoughts

Last year Jay Cutler threw for 4,526 yards, third most in the NFL. In his first three seasons as “the next John Elway” he’s thrown for 9,024 yards and 54 touchdowns. He needs to cut down on his 37 interceptions but he’s without question the best quarterback Denver has seen since the Hall of Famer retired.

Over the weekend it was reported that Denver’s rookie coach Josh McDaniels floated – or was at least willing to listen to – offers from Detroit and Tampa Bay that would have sent Cutler away.

Those reported deals would have reunited McDaniels with New England backup Matt Cassel.

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