The Vikings
had just finished a 2011 season going 3-13 and to add to the misery the team
tied for worst record in franchise history. It was time to move on to the 2012
season and more specifically the free agency period. The closer time got the
more excited it got as I was envisioning the team bringing in some big names to
help the 2012 team.
As the
saying goes the clock struck 12 and I seemed to be reading the internet every
chance I got as I knew there were some big time named receivers out there. The
names Vincent Jackson and Pierre Garcon were just a couple of names I would
have loved to see in purple. I was really high on Jackson with his height and catching
ability. It was a wish of mine that he comes to Minnesota. I was obviously
wrong as Tampa Bay signed him.
It seemed as
each passing day it just was not meant to be to get a big name free agent. The
Vikings signed Jerome Simpson, Geoff Schwartz, Tyrone McKenzie, Jerome Felton,
Marvin Mitchell and John Carlson.
I was very
excited to see Carslon come back to his home state but it seemed to be a
disappointing season with the injury bug.
The names
were not big but one of the names, Jerome Felton came through with a huge
season even landing a Pro Bowl spot. Who would have seen that coming? The season
he had I cannot thank enough for what he did for the team and help the running game
just that much more.
Jerome Simpson
suspended the first 4 games did not have spectacular numbers but did use his
speed a few times to draw the flag for inference. He is a free agent in 2013
and I would not mind seeing him try it one more time.
Schwartz was
a nice find to help the O-Line and McKenzie and Mitchell were nice special team’s
players.
The 2013
season free agency period is coming soon. March 9-11 teams can negotiate with
free agents.
March 12th
is a big day with 4:00 New York time players contract expire. The same day and
same time all teams must be under the salary cap. Once again this day players
can sign contracts after 4:00.
The Vikings
have made it clear they want to build through the draft and the way the year
went last year with the 2012 draft class lets hope 2013 brings more winners to
the fold.
I am not
getting my hopes up like last year for free agency. There are some big name
receivers such as Mike Wallace (Steelers), Greg Jennings (Packers), Dwayne Bowe
to name a few. I believe these guys will command big bucks the Vikes will not
pay.
The
quarterback situation I am real curious how they handle the number 2
quarterback. There are 2 names I will look for to see if they end up here. The
names Tyler Thigpen and Matt Moore I believe one of these guys will sign here.
I am going
to trust Rick Spielman and the Vikings organization for keeping this ship going
forward.
March 12th
is an important date and will be fun to watch the 32 teams do some Christmas
shopping.
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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