Vikings might take a plunge in the free agent talent pool

Personnel chief Rick Spielman said the team could be more aggressive this year if a blue-chip guy is available.

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: February 21, 2008 - 10:23 PM

INDIANAPOLIS - Rick Spielman isn't eschewing his belief that it's best to build through the draft, but the Vikings vice president of player personnel also knows that with veterans such as safety Darren Sharper and nose tackle Pat Williams only having so much time left in their careers the franchise might be well served to be active in free agency when it begins a week from today.

"We have a little bit of a window here with some of our veterans," Spielman said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We may be more aggressive if we feel there is a blue-chip guy out there that we go out and take a swing at. We were pretty aggressive trying to go after some guys last year. But also I think there comes a point where you have to [say] enough ... a breaking point."

The Vikings, coming off an 8-8 finish in Brad Childress' second season as head coach, will be about $30 million under the $116 million salary cap when free agency commences. The Vikings had about the same amount to spend last year but didn't make a big splash by signing receiver Bobby Wade, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and two backups in linebacker Vinny Ciurciu and safety Mike Doss. Among the players the Vikings pursued but didn't get were receivers Kevin Curtis and Wes Welker.

The receiver, defensive end and safety positions likely will be where the team puts much of its focus this year. Options at receiver could include Chicago's Bernard Berrian or Jerry Porter, who got out of his contract with the Oakland Raiders by exercising a clause to void the final two years. Marty Booker, recently jettisoned by the Dolphins, also could get a look.

"I have to be very careful about talking [about] players that are still under contract," Spielman said. "We're monitoring who gets franchised and who does not get franchised. [The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag was Thursday.] I know speaking with the ownership and laying out our game plan with Brad that if there are some blue-chip-type players out there we'll try to do everything to make a swing at them regardless of position."

Although many NFL player agents are at the combine, the Vikings technically can't talk to them about pending free agents from other teams. The team, though, can have dialogue about its own free agents and Spielman said that is his plan while in Indianapolis.

The list of Vikings set to become unrestricted free agents includes safeties Mike Doss and Tank Williams; defensive linemen Spencer Johnson and Darrion Scott; linebacker Dontarrious Thomas; wide receiver Robert Ferguson; running back Mewelde Moore; and fullback Tony Richardson. Linebacker Heath Farwell will be a restricted free agent, and the Vikings hold the right of first refusal on cornerback Ronyell Whitaker.

The release of starting free safety Dwight Smith on Wednesday could increase the chances of Doss and/or Williams returning.

"A lot of times it may be [players] want to go out and look and see what their market value is," Spielman said. "But we always want to keep the door open and try to get those guys back if we can. But we also know when you get out in the UFA market that there is a likelihood you may lose them as well."

Spielman also made it clear that while his philosophy to free agency has changed "a little bit" from last year he isn't about to start throwing money around.

"I still feel very strongly about building this thing through the draft because I think that's where your foundation is and that's where your best value is," he said. "As long as you're fortunate enough to hit on your draft picks. That's the best way to still continue to build this roster even though we will be aggressive in free agency if there is someone out there we covet."