Boulware Becomes The Latest Free Agency Signing For Vikes
Well, Gus Frerotte made his visit to Winter Part and left without signing a contract. So it's hard to say if the visit went well -- the Vikings could have decided that his contract demands were unreasonable, or Frerotte might have been unimpressed with the situation he'd be entering with the Vikes.
Of course, the visit could have also resulted in the two sides opting to take a wait-and-see approach...in other words, the front office may have simply informed Frerotte that they'd give him a call if they cannot find someone else for the job in the near future.
The bigger news during the past few days was the Vikings' acquisition of free agent safety Michael Boulware. And if that's the top non-McKinnie story of the week, you know this has been a pretty slow time for news.
Boulware made a splash in his rookie year after getting drafted by Seattle, intercepting five passes during the season -- but he's been quiet since then. He's been in the league for four seasons, and has played both linebacker and safety. Boulware spent the 2007 season with the Texans, but received scant playing time and didn't make much of an impact.
No complaints here...I'm perfectly cool with this signing. It's always a good decision to take a chance on someone who's still young and displayed flashes earlier in his career. Also, some depth at safety was needed with the departures of Tank Johnson and Mike Doss. (indeed, the Mike Doss era is officially coming to an end after he arrived in Minnesota last year, and proceeded to be injured for practically the entire season...I honestly don't have a single memory of seeing Doss play last season.)
Boulware certainly doesn't have the coverage skills to play frequently in the secondary, but he's athletic and should make an impact on special teams.
The Vikes have done a good job of bolstering their kick coverage units during free agency. Heath Farwell is almost certain to remain with the team for another season, and the signing of Derrick Pope also gives the Vikes a player who is solid in kick coverage. Throw Boulware into the mix, and we won't be seeing as many big returns this season as we did in 2007. While the special teams coverage units were generally decent last year, there were still plenty of times when the kick coverage was quite shaky.
In completely irrelevant news, the Vikes signed Kendrick Allen, a defensive tackle who's played two games in the past two seasons. He'll be cut in training camp, and you'll never hear his name again.
And in completely random news, the headline writers for the Pioneer Press apparently don't know which position Bryant McKinnie plays -- their headline for a recent McKinnie story was "DT Bryant McKinnie faces unsure future with Minnesota Vikings."
On that note, it'd be an interesting experiment to put McKinnie at DT...I think he'd be solid against the run simply because he takes up so much space, but he'd be brutal against the pass (seriously, it would take him forever to reach the quarterback). To summarize this pointless discussion, McKinnie is clearly best suited for his current position as a left tackle.
Interesting tidbit from Pro Football Talk: Former Jacksonville quarterback Quinn Gray plans to visit the Texans compound in the very near future. But why would Gray entertain an offer from Houston when he'd surely be the third quarterback on the depth chart, behind Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels?
Well, perhaps Houston's interest in Gray is a sign that their attitude is changing towards the Vikings' offer of a third-round pick for Rosenfels. Perhaps the Texans' front office folks have determined that they'd prefer to have Gray and a third-rounder over Rosenfels.
Here's hoping that Gray inks a deal with Houston -- because if he does, you'd have to suspect that Rosenfels would be departing from Houston.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta get back to my NCAA tournament viewing. I'm loving the Big Dance, although my bracket's not looking so good. The West region is absolutely killing my bracket
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Take on the Backup Quarterback Position?
First we need to find a starting quarterback for that position. If it were not for the monster play of Adrian Peterson last year our draft posion would have been in the top 5 and rumors of drafting Matt Ryan. RB’s don’t last long in this league and AP is going into his second year looking at 8 in the box again.
Bollinger isn’t an option that was clear to see last year. Ferrotte, well he is a backup like the one we have starting right now, only much older and with no upside. The same can be said about Dilfer. Rosenfels, well after seeing him play for Miami I was surprised he landed on another team. There might be something there and who know maybe he will push Tjack or show how to play the position. Not going after Carr was a mystery for a “backup” since he seemed good enough to backup Manning and the Superbowl Champs in NY. I’m hoping we pick up a QB in the draft, maybe move up in the second to get Brohm?
When I look at Tjack the big question is… Do you think he can get us to a Super Bowl? That’s what it’s is all about.
If Losman is not in the picture anywhere then we should be getting worried. Its not a matter of whether Tjack will shoot himself in the foot, its when he will do it that is the question. I think Rosenfels and Frerotte, are Bollinger and Holcomb. We could be looking at a long season if we have to draft a qb, which won’t be ready to come in and be productive if Tjack goes down or gets pulled.
Jeff- Agreed 100% on Carr. As a last resort, I like Frerotte…but you’re right that his age is definitely a concern and he certainly isn’t the same player he was when he backed up Daunte. I think the Vikes are looking for someone who can push Tarvaris but not seriously challenge him for the starting spot, and I agree that Rosenfels could fit that role well. Gotta disagree on the Rosenfels analogy, Jeremy…but I too would like to see Losman in purple. I guess I’d be satisfied with either Rosenfels or Losman.
I agree with a lot of what everyone is saying, but heres my take. Tjack is the starter. Thats the way it is. I think we made a good call in getting Berrian and in resigning Ferguson, who had 32 catches over half a season, if you remember. We have the WR core to win, but we need a tight end. Shiancoe is better suited to play CFL than NFL. If we get a good TE in the second round or so then give up the third to get Rosenfels. I think Losman would work or even Chad Pennington could be a nice fit. Then Brooks Bollinger can play third string, which is where he belongs. But i really think a good TE is what our offense lacks.
On another note, I heard rumors of the vikes making a push for julius peppers. If its true, and I hope it is, than I think our offseason is looking great.
You guys make a valid point with Losman, I wasn’t a fan of his coming out of college with his ego but if he were to be dressed in purple I would be an instant fan. Lets go get him, I doubt Chili wants someone who might show up “his” starter. I heard a recent interview and he made it sound like he was only interested in a backup. My earlier comment on Brohm making it to the second round is a pipe dream, Flaco could be there though. With the new recievers in Jax it looks like Matt Jones might be looking to play somewhere else, he could go back to QB and come to the Vikes to beat out Tjack like he did in college… just a thought
At this point I think the Vikes have made some key moves .The QB issue isn’t an issue.I think you keep Jackson in the lineup for the start of this season,use that deep receiving group to free up the run. trust me it will work. “GO VIKES” p.s. Jackson reminds me of a young Randall Cunningham
Daunte as a back up is better than any of the remaining QBs. Jackson could learn for him, and will hit our deep threats, if Jackson fails. Draft a good backup…mid rounder. Flacco, Brahm, Brenan all could slip far enough not to clost of a huge contract! If the NFL has shown anything, its that you have to have a quality backup these days. ie: Cleveland, Jacksonville, Green Bay, Pittsburg, and Dallas 2yrs ago.
Jackson may or my not be our long term guy…but i know this draft has some talent at the QB position, and the FA market doesnt.
TJack is the Vikings’ starting quarterback. It’s his job to lose–after the season. I think he’ll be much improved with better receivers to throw to. His stats would have been much better without all of the huge drops that occurred. Not only Troy but also the TE (whatever his name is).
I really think all doubt was removed that Childress and Co. are in fact looking for a new starter when they supposedly pursued Derrick Anderson. I’m guessing they would have given up a first and third for him but time ran out and the contract couldn’t be negotiated.
Honestly I think the teams’s brass is really sweatting this one out as the QB situation in MN is a complete and utter mess. What makes it bad is the talent and money that has been spent everywhere on this squad the last 4 years and the clock is ticking on many once in a decade type players like Pat Williams and Antoine Winfield. If they could somehow get Matt Ryan out of this draft, a player I would bet a hundred dollars the team is in love with, they would do it (get your money ready if he falls past the Falcons).
So barring a miracle trade-up with the Pats for Mr. Ryan, I think this team takes Brohm at 17 (if they like him). I would imagine they like Flacco who seems simlar in style to Anderson. As for Carr as was mentioned above, Chilly was all over his mechancs when the thought of signing him last year came up (you didn’t know Carr had a hitch, did you, either did I).