Hit by the news that the Seattle Seahawks have acquired Tarvaris Jackson and Sidney Rice for many millions of dollars, I cannot help but smile. Rice was very good, and with Brett Favre he was sometimes magical. But there was the hip. Then there was the poorly timed surgery. Jackson always carried the burden of having been a lousy draft pick. He had a few good games, some great, but every mistake just screamed "Why a quarterback in the second round?".

Now Madieu Williams is cut. Possibly Pat Williams, too. Meanwhile, Ray Edwards is off to Atlanta. Others are rumored to be gone soon. What is going on? Have the Vikings gone mad? No. When a team finishes 6-10 changes will have to be made. The Vikings as of a day ago were still five million dollars over the proposed cap. More will have to be done. Restructuring of contracts. Signing of cheaper players. And we are not alone.

I heard on ESPN radio today that 2nd overall pick Von Miller signed for about 1/3 of the value of 2010's number two pick, Ndamukong Suh, who signed with the Detroit Lions. And less guaranteed money. Teams are not going to be paying out as much to unproven rookies. Call it the Jamarcus Russell clause, if you will. In 2007 he held out from joining the Raiders until they caved with a 61 million dollar contract, 32 guaranteed. Russell proceeded to go 7-18 as a starter.

No, teams are tightening their belts. The new CBA focuses less monies on the rookies, and provides better futures for the retired. Kind of like most of today's working class. Forego the vacations and restaurants, save for tomorrow. With the smorgasbord of free agents available, teams can look in many directions for help. And the Vikings are visiting some foreign markets.

One receiver who has not made a media splash to date is Emmanuel Arceneaux. You know, the two year Canadian Football League veteran from British Columbia? Formerly of Alcorn State? You say you have never heard of him? Well he caught 130 passes in two seasons for 12 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards. In three playoff games he had 17 catches for 269 yards and a TD. The 6'2, 210 pound receiver may not be a household name, but he is a bargain. And then there is former Colts and Bears receiver Devin Aromashodu. He ran a 4.35 in the combine five years ago. In his five seasons he has caught a total of 41 passes. These are the kind of deals bargain shoppers get.

The tightening of the belt is putting your monies in areas of importance, and then getting by in lesser areas. Missing out on paying Sidney Rice 44 million dollars is not a terrible thing. Wide receivers are not like your gas and electric bills. They are more like cable television. Sure it is great to have a good one, but you cannot afford 210 channels when you struggle to buy food. Want proof that it is a luxury? Look at the last few Super Bowl winners. The Packers and Colts are two teams that have quality at receiver, but also fill ins. We already have Percy Harvin. Signing Sidney Rice was a luxury we could not afford.

The Vikings must focus their monies on essentials. Check those SB winners again. Notice how each contained a great quarterback, a good offensive line, and definitely a strong pass rush. That is where the budget must give a little.

Times are tough everywhere. While we all scrimp and save we can understand the letting go of players who are not essential, and maybe a few who are. Vikings fans just hope that the guys making the budget decisions are thinking about the future. With Green Bay and Detroit ready to compete in 2011, saving is only one of our present worries.