Andre Smith couldn't pin down one reason why he signed with the Vikings.
Speaking on a conference call Friday, Smith first said he was just looking for an opportunity to compete for a starting job. Then he said he wanted to join a winner. And then he cited the presence of coach Mike Zimmer, whom he said was "like a father figure" during their overlapping days in Cincinnati.
In the end, the free-agent tackle got all three with the Vikings, plus a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million that included $1 million guaranteed.
"I'm just trying to take advantage of what I have in front of me right now," the 29-year-old said. "Yeah, it's a one-year deal. But it's an opportunity for me to join a great team, and I feel like I can make this team better."
Smith will compete with veteran Phil Loadholt and second-year lineman T.J. Clemmings for the starting right tackle spot. The 6-foot-4, 335-pound right tackle started 73 games at that position in seven seasons with the Bengals.
"[The Vikings] have some really good linemen there right now, and I just want to come in and compete for a starting position," Smith said.
Smith, who visited Minnesota on Sunday and Monday, said his relationship with Zimmer was one of the deciding factors in choosing the Vikings over Arizona, though he admitted that no visit with the Cardinals, who might not have been serious suitors, was ever scheduled.
"[Zimmer] made it feel like it was a great place for me to be at," Smith said. "It just felt like home, and I felt like it was a better opportunity."
Spring Lake Park native signs
The Vikings signed tight end Brian Leonhardt, a Spring Lake Park native, to a one-year deal worth $600,000, according to a league source.
Leonhardt played 12 games and made three starts for Oakland in 2014 and caught six passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. He spent last season in San Francisco, where his position coach was new Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano, and he caught one pass for 4 yards in four games.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder has been more of a blocking tight end and could provide insurance in case tight end Rhett Ellison is unable to bounce back from the knee injury he suffered in the 2015 regular-season finale.
Blanton signs with Buffalo
Former Vikings safety Robert Blanton signed with the Bills.
The writing was on the wall for him here in Minnesota after the Vikings chose to re-sign safety Andrew Sendejo, then added free agent Michael Griffin.
Blanton started 13 games next to Harrison Smith in 2014. But last season, Zimmer went with Sendejo at that strong safety spot. Blanton, who was a fifth-round draft pick in 2012, started 16 games in four seasons with the Vikings, recording 213 tackles, one interception and five pass break-ups.
Blanton is the second Vikings free agent to sign with another team. Cornerback Josh Robinson joined the Buccaneers earlier this week.
