Vikings look to be active in pursuing free agents

Bernard Berrian, Madieu Williams and Justin Smith are among the players the team is expected to try to sign.

By KEVIN SEIFERT, Star Tribune

Last update: February 27, 2008 - 11:54 PM

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This much is clear: The Vikings are poised to open the NFL's free agency period tonight with gusto.

The league's rumor mill is abuzz with indications that the Vikings will pursue Chicago Bears receiver Bernard Berrian and Cincinnati safety Madieu Williams, among others. Bengals defensive end Justin Smith -- who, like Williams, played for current Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier in Cincinnati -- is another possible target.

Meanwhile, the Vikings could eventually pursue former Gophers fullback Thomas Tapeh if they decide to go outside the organization to replace Tony Richardson, who is expected to test his market value with other teams. Tapeh played for Philadelphia when coach Brad Childress was the Eagles' offensive coordinator.

The interest of those players remains unknown; technically, they cannot take part in free agent discussions until 11 tonight.

But based on discussions with people around the league, the Vikings seem determined to land a more productive group than they did last year when they signed tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, receiver Bobby Wade and special teams player Vinny Ciurciu.

Vice President of Player Personnel Rick Spielman hinted at that strategy during the NFL scouting combine last week.

"We do have some older vets here that we have a little bit of a window here with," Spielman said. "We may be more aggressive. If we feel there is a blue-chip guy out there, [we will] go out there and take a swing at him."

The Vikings had relatively ambitious plans last year but were unable to lure receiver Kevin Curtis, who ultimately signed with Philadelphia, or receiver Wes Welker, who preferred a trade to New England. With more than $30 million in salary cap space this year, the Vikings have the money to outbid most suitors for the players they want.

Berrian, 27, caught a career-high 71 passes last season for the Bears and has been the receiver most often linked to the Vikings this offseason. He likely will be seeking guaranteed money well above the $9.5 million Curtis got from Philadelphia last year. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Berrian turned down the Bears' last offer, $25 million contract over five years that included $8 million in guarantees.

Other receivers -- including Oakland's Jerry Porter, Arizona's Bryant Johnson, Seattle's D.J. Hackett and Houston's Andre Davis -- will sign for less money and also could pique the Vikings' interest. But Berrian represents one of the few legitimate downfield threats available on the market.

Williams, meanwhile, is a relative unknown but gained valuable experience in Frazier's defense in Cincinnati during the 2004 season. Williams had a career-high 103 tackles that season, while also tying his career high with three interceptions. He would replace the recently released Dwight Smith, who signed a two-year contract Thursday with Detroit.

Should Williams sign elsewhere, the Vikings could also pursue the New York Giants' Gibril Wilson to start alongside Pro Bowl strong safety Darren Sharper.

Of all the positions, the Vikings could prove most active at defensive end. Left end Kenechi Udeze is battling leukemia and is not expected to play in 2008, and right end Erasmus James is recovering from a third operation on his right knee.

Smith, who turns 29 in September, has 43.5 sacks in his seven-year career. Despite a career-low two sacks last season, Smith likely will command a hefty salary. Last year, for example, Seattle defensive end Patrick Kerney received $19.5 million guaranteed as part of six-year, $39 million contract.

Staff Writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.