vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Will Vikings use their franchise tag?
Posted by: Chip Scoggins under Quarterbacks, Vikings, Vikings off the field, Chad Greenway, Sidney Rice, Vikings quarterbacks Updated: February 3, 2011 - 9:00 AM
The NFL announced on Wednesday that teams can use franchise tags starting on Feb. 10. They will have until the collective bargaining agreement expires on March 4 to use that tag on one of their pending unrestricted free agents.
The two most obvious candidates for the Vikings are linebacker Chad Greenway and wide receiver Sidney Rice.
Greenway and Rice are the top priorities among the Vikings long list of free agents this offseason. But is the team willing to franchise either one?
The franchise tag, which binds free agents to their team for one season, is the average of the top five salaries at each position. That number for wide receivers this past season was $9.521 million; for linebackers it was $9.68 million.
The team believes Greenway has steadily developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker and is a key part of their defense. Greenway has not rocked the boat in terms of his contract status and said all the right things this season. He and his wife and children have made the Twin Cities their home and are very active in the community.
Greenway obviously wants a fair deal, but it seems there’s a very good chance the Vikings can sign him to a long-term contract this offseason.
Rice is more of a wild card. The wide receiver was no doubt frustrated by the lack of a new deal after his breakout Pro Bowl season in 2009. But his situation became more complicated this season when he delayed hip surgery and missed the first nine games.
There’s no question that Rice is one of the NFL’s top downfield threats when healthy and he makes difficult catches in traffic look routine. Rice and his agent Drew Rosenhaus are going to want to maximize his value and get a lucrative deal, whether with the Vikings or elsewhere.
The franchise tag is high for someone with Rice's injury history, but can the Vikings take the risk of him signing elsewhere?
What are your thoughts on whether the Vikings should use a franchise tag on Rice or Greenway?
Rogers a candidate
The Boston Globe reported that former Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers has emerged as a leading candidate to become offensive coordinator at Boston College. Rogers coached at the college level for many years, including stints at Syracuse, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- With contract issues on hold, Jared Allen aiming to have big 2013
- Brian Urlacher retires, assuring he won't be Vikings middle linebacker
- NFL calendar change could push draft into May, combine into March
- Vikings' Chris Kluwe to sign with Oakland Raiders
- Vikings sign three more draft choices; only first-rounders left
- Hold off on buying that Urlacher jersey ...
- Vikings sign three draft picks; Chuck Muncie dies; Urlacher "rumored" to Vikings ...
- Access Vikings blog: ESPN's Bayless, Smith debate whether Ponder was as responsible for playoff run as Peterson (really)
- Bar to be higher for Ponder, lower for Peterson in 2013
- Dayton, PTI hosts question Vikings over Kluwe cut
- Vikings sign Mankato receiver Adam Thielen, tackle Brandon Keith
- Vikings make it official: Punter Chris Kluwe has been cut
- Vikings searching for best development plan for Cordarrelle Patterson
- Rookie Locke could have punter's job locked up by Monday
- Erin Henderson stepping into new role with 'more lead in my pencil'
- Ponder talks: Cassel, Harvin and a scary visit to the emergency room
- Vikings announce signings of 16 undrafted free agents
- Vikings sign defensive end Jackson, cornerback Lacey
- Craig blog: Vikings to give Cris Carter's son, Duron, a tryout
Post By Category
- With contract issues on hold, Jared Allen aiming to have big 2013
- Brian Urlacher retires, assuring he won't be Vikings middle linebacker
- Three local firms bid on Vikings stadium parking
- Vikings' Chris Kluwe to sign with Oakland Raiders
- Vikings stadium design unveiled
- Vikings sign three more draft choices; only first-rounders left
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters