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.
Posts about Adrian Peterson
Vikings re-sign Jerome Simpson to aid depleted receiving corps
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: March 12, 2013 - 12:32 PM
A day after trading receiver Percy Harvin to Seattle, the Vikings have made their first move toward replenishing their receiving corps. It comes by way of re-signing Jerome Simpson to a one-year deal, according to an NFL source.
Salary figures for the deal are not yet known. But the Vikings had been intent on giving Simpson a second chance to prove himself if they could see eye-to-eye on contract details.
Apparently, they have with Simpson's return assuring quarterback Christian Ponder at least some continuity with his receiving corps. After Monday's blockbuster trade, Ponder was left with only two receivers who he had completed passes to: Jarius Wright and Stephen Burton.
Now Simpson is back in the fold and looking to rediscover top form in an offense that plans to give him significant opportunity to do so.
By all accounts, the Vikings' 2012 experiment with Simpson was a disappointment. After signing the athletic receiver to a one-year deal worth approximately $2 million last April, the Vikings had high hopes that Simpson would jell quickly with Ponder and provide the deep threat and vertical speed that would keep defenses honest.
Instead ...
- Simpson sat out the first three games due to a league suspension, a punishment the Vikings knew was coming when they first signed him.
- Then, in Week 5, Simpson woke up the morning of the Tennessee game with a strange back problem that was causing sudden weakness and numbness in his lower leg. He went catchless against the Titans and then was declared inactive the following week against the Redskins.
- After that, Simpson had a seven-game stretch in which he contributed a total of 11 catches for 26 yards, struggles that reached rock bottom during a drop-filled performance during a lopsided loss in Chicago..
The 2012 season totals: 26 catches, 274 yards, zero touchdowns.
So why would the Vikings put their hand back on that stove after apparently being burned by the Simpson signing last year?
Because on a one-year deal, Simpson again is in a prove-it situation. It's low risk for the Vikings with a guy who already has familiarity with both Ponder and the offensive system of coordinator Bill Musgrave. Furthermore, General Manager Rick Spielman and coach Leslie Frazier seem convinced that Simpson's 2012 struggles were greatly exacerbated by his back troubles, which for a stretch, made it difficult for Simpson to push off and reach top speed when running routes. But with Simpson's back problems no longer a concern, there's a belief he can again fulfill his potential.
That, the Vikings promise, was evidenced in Simpson's debut with the team when he contributed four catches for 50 yards in a Week 4 win in Detroit. Simpson seemed closer to top form again in December aiding the Vikings' charge into the NFC playoffs with 11 catches for 98 yards in the final three wins.
Calvin Johnson numbers they weren't. But in an offense that relies so heavily on MVP running back Adrian Peterson, that modest production was cause for celebration. It gave the Vikings at least some potency in the passing game.
That gave Spielman hope. And he noted back in January that Simpson "has the potential to really thrive if we were able to get something done with him."
The deal is now done.
Vikings free agency tracker: What's happened, what's left to do, what it all means
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: March 15, 2013 - 10:13 PMIn what is a very busy and fluid week in the NFL business world, we’ll do our best to not only keep you up to speed with all the latest Vikings transactions but to provide a summary of what it all means. Be sure to check back with this post regularly for updates.
VIKINGS’ 2013 FREE AGENCY CHECKLIST
What has happened so far …
THE LATEST MOVE: (Friday night) The Vikings have signed receiver Greg Jennings, a 29-year-old veteran who had tormented them for the previous seven seasons with the Packers. Jennings was given a five-year deal, which reportedly could be worth up to $47.5 million with $18 million guaranteed. What it means: For starters, it means quarterback Christian Ponder gets a proven receiver to be his top target, a big move for the franchise after it traded away Percy Harvin on Monday. Jennings' versatility should be a plus. He can serve as a legitimate outside threat and is also potent out of the slot. On top of that, the Vikings are already raving about the positive energy and professionalism they expect him to lend to what figures to otherwise be a very, very young receiving unit. With Jennings signed as the top gun and a very deep pool of talent awaiting at receiver in this year's draft, the Vikings may no longer need to pull the trigger on a pass catcher in the first round -- even with picks Nos. 23 and 25. Logic says a standout talent should still be available in Round 2 and perhaps the Vikings use those two first-round picks to find help at middle linebacker and cornerback. Jennings' signing and the cash it took to complete means the team's significant offseason spending is done. Any free agent additions from here on out are likely to be minimal.
OFFENSE
- (Friday afternoon) Former Vikings backup offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. What it means: Not much to the Vikings. They had no interest in re-signing Schwartz, who wanted a chance to start. Joe Berger was re-signed to be the veteran interior backup. He can play all three inside spots. Plus, unlike last year, the Vikings are now committed to Brandon Fusco as their starting right guard. Fusco had his ups and downs during the 2012 season, but re-established a firm grip on the starting job late in the year. Schwartz's sports hernia in training camp kept him from having a chance to unseat Fusco.
- (Thursday afternoon) The Vikings have put the finishing touches on a deal to bring free agent quarterback Matt Cassel to town. Cassel was released by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the day in a move that had been a foregone conclusion for some time. The Chiefs had completed a trade for Alex Smith weeks ago and then signed free agent Chase Daniel as a back-up. What it means: To be clear, to fans hoping Cassel could win the Vikings' starting job heading into 2013, that's not in the plans. At least as they're stated anyway. Both General Manager Rick Spielman and coach Leslie Frazier have clearly stated the team's plan for Christian Ponder to be the unchallenged starter next season. Ponder will hold that job through the offseason and training camp with the organization expecting him to take a big leap forward in his third year as a starter. But if Ponder proves inept or is injured, the team wanted to have a safer back-up plan in play and some competition in place. Joe Webb was the team's No. 2 quarterback throughout 2012. And after not attempting a pass in the regular season, he was thrust into a playoff start in Green Bay after a badly bruised triceps injury sidelined Ponder. Webb's performance in that season-ending loss was woeful and left the Vikings in a hunt for a solution. Cassel will come in as an experienced veteran. He's entering his ninth year in the league and has started 62 games over the past five seasons.
- (Tuesday evening) Fullback Jerome Felton, as expected, has re-signed rather than test a market that wasn't very kind to him during the first four years of his career. After bouncing around Detroit, Carolina and Indianapolis with little success, Felton fell into a great situation as Adrian Peterson's lead blocker in 2012. The one-year tryout has now turned into a three-year, $7.5 million deal for the 26-year-old fullback. What it means: It means the lead blocker from Peterson's 2,097-yard season will be out front again this season. Felton made his first Pro Bowl while helping knock people aside (did someone say James Laurinaitis?) so that Peterson could run very long distances for touchdowns and the league's MVP trophy.
- (Tuesday afternoon) The Vikings have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with right tackle Phil Loadholt, reportedly a four-year $25 million extension. But by finding a way to secure Loadholt, the Vikings bring back a player who has been a mauler in the running game and continues to improve. What it means: All five starters from last season's offensive line are back. Continuity and stability should follow. General Manager Rick Spielman feels very strongly about Loadholt's worth to the running attack and you can bet Adrian Peterson will see the benefits. Early reports Tuesday in Chicago had the Bears making a heavy push to sign Loadholt. But the Vikings were determined not to let him get away with Spielman calling his re-signing "the top priority" in what promises to be a busy offseason.
- (Tuesday afternoon) The Vikings have re-signed offensive lineman Joe Berger to a one-year deal. What it means: Berger provides depth on the o-line. He's intelligent. He's been around for seven NFL seasons. He has the versatility to play center and both guard positions. In fact, when called upon in 2011, he started as an injury fill-in at all three positions.
- (Tuesday morning) According to an NFL source, the Vikings have re-signed wide receiver Jerome Simpson to a one-year deal. Terms of the contract are not yet know. What it means: Even after a highly disappointing 2012 in which he totaled only 26 catches for 274 yards without a score, Simpson is the Vikings' leading returning receiver. Yep, that's just how depleted that unit is. Still, Simpson won't have to learn Bill Musgrave's offensive system from scratch, has built-in rapport already with quarterback Christian Ponder and returns on a low-risk deal with incentive to prove that last season's flop was an unfortunate byproduct of a strange back injury that limited him for a 10-week stretch in midseason. That's what the Vikings are betting on anyway in a risk-reward scenario that makes perfect sense for both sides.
- (Tuesday morning) A league source has confirmed that tight end John Carlson has done some minor restructuring to his contract, taking a cut in his 2013 base salary, which had been scheduled to be $2.9 million. Carlson was the Vikings' biggest free agent signee in 2012. And he was an even bigger bust than Simpson, catching only eight passes for 43 yards after securing a five-year contract worth $25 million. Like with Simpson, the Vikings weren't ready yet to cut their losses with Carlson by releasing him. So they've tweaked his contract slightly. What it means: The exact details of Carlson's restructuring have not been made available. But one source said it won't change much for the tight end in 2013, where he is still guaranteed more $1.2 million of his base salary and could still make up to $3 million when all is said and done with base salary, workout bonus and incentives. Big picture, this is not a major financial transaction whatsoever, just a reduction in the 2013 base salary that should give the Vikings just a little more salary cap wiggle room.
- (Monday afternoon) The Vikings have traded standout receiver Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for three draft picks: the No. 25 overall pick and also a seventh-rounder this year plus a third-round selection in 2014. What it means: The Vikings have lost their biggest playmaker from a passing attack that already ranked in the bottom two of the league in production in 2012. The needs at receiver are greater than they’ve ever been. Still, the team received a healthy amount of compensation from Seattle, making it easier to part with a mercurial playmaker whose unhappiness had created a tense and strained relationship.
DEFENSE
- (Late Thursday) Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, a starter last season, moved on, as expected, signing with the Arizona Cardinals. He had visited the Giants a day earlier. What it means: The Vikings weren't going to keep both Erin Henderson, their starting weak-side linebacker, and Brinkley. Once the team re-signed Henderson to a two-year, $4 million deal on Tuesday, that was it for Brinkley. The Vikings are looking for a three-down playmaker to put in the middle of their defense. Whether that's a young star in the draft (Manti Te'o?) or an aging stopgap star (Brian Urlacher?) remains to be seen. Brinkley was an OK starter, but the Vikings can do better. Brinkley was miscast as the deep middle read defender in the Tampa 2 nickel when Henderson went down with a concussion early in the season. Henderson eventually reclaimed that important role in the nickel, but he's not the best fit there either. Henderson has more upside as a two-down backer on the weak side. Now, it's just a matter of finding that playmaker to plop in the middle.
- (Tuesday night) Linebacker Erin Henderson will return to the Vikings, re-signed to a two-year deal. Henderson was the sixth player the Vikings re-signed on a busy Tuesday. The organization has yet to sign any outside free agents. What it means: Henderson was one of three Vikings linebackers who hit free agency along with Jasper Brinkley and Marvin Mitchell. Originally acquired as an undrafted free agent in 2009, Henderson has made steady growth during his time in Minnesota. Last season was certainly his best. As the starting weakside linebacker, he tallied 112 tackles according to team stats, plus 10 tackles for loss and three sacks. Henderson finished the season playing as the team's middle linebacker in nickel packages, a role Brinkley had taken over early in the season after Henderson missed two games with a concussion. Whether Henderson can flourish in that role going forward remains to be seen. The Vikings still may target a three-down middle linebacker in the draft. But the Vikings do feel very good about Henderson's potential going forward.
- (Tuesday afternoon) In a surprise move, the Vikings have released veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield, a three-time Pro Bowler and the veteran leader of the Vikings' green secondary. Winfield was due to make $7.25 million in 2013, the final year of his contract, and had expressed interest in playing out his career and finishing his 15th season before hanging it up. What it means: This seems to be a salary dump move more than anything else. The loss of Winfield's presence and knowledge will be immediately obvious on game day's and also, amongst teammates in the locker room and classroom. Winfield's brilliant resurgence in 2012 was a big part of the Vikings' run back to relevance. He contributed 110 tackles, 11 for loss, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and 13 pass deflections. Winfield suffered a hand injury in Week 16 that limited him in the final two games and the playoff loss at Green Bay. But all indications were that he would be back around in 2013 with coach Leslie Frazier making a point at season's end to deliver his endorsement of a Winfield return for a 10th season in Minnesota. "The intangibles," Frazier said, "is a big deal when you're trying to get the locker room the way you want it." Now? At present, the Vikings' cornerback depth is thin with Chris Cook, A.J. Jefferson, Josh Robinson, Marcus Sherels and Brandon Burton in the fold.
- (Tuesday evening) Jamarca Sanford -- the ultimate NFL overachiever, special teams standout, capable starter, non-pouty backup if need be and team leader -- tweeted that he has re-signed with the Vikings. What it means: This was expected because, well, Sanford is the poster child for all of the intangibles that GM Rick Spielman looks for in an NFL player. Sanford can start and do well at strong safety or accept a backup role with class if asked to do that. He's one of the league's best special teams players. This is a boost for special teams, secondary depth and the morale boost that Sanford's loud, chatterbox of a mouth provides on all those long, hot days in Mankato.
- (Monday night) Have placed the low tender on cornerback A.J. Jefferson, the team's only restricted free agent. Also issued a tender to exclusive rights free agent Marcus Sherels, a back-up cornerback and return specialisty. What it means: The Vikings will play Jefferson $1.323 million for 2013 and have the option to match any offer that another team gives him. If the Vikings choose not to match an offer from another team, they will not receive draft compensation for losing Jefferson. Sherels, meanwhile, will be in line to make $550,000 next season and could again carve out a niche as a reliable return guy. The loss of Harvin has heightened the Vikings' needs in the kick return game.
****
What’s left to do
OFFENSE
- Determine the future of receiver Devin Aromashodu --> Aromashodu's likely to be on the free agent market for quite some time. Perhaps, when all is said and done, the Vikings opt to bring him back at a deep discount. But Aromashodu's meager two-season totals: 37 catches, 650 yards, one score would seem to indicate the Vikings should move on.
DEFENSE
- Determine the future of linebacker Marvin Mitchell --> Mitchell is one of those lower-tier free agents who won't get a sniff until much later in the free agency. The Vikings may opt ultimately to bring him back. But the market will have to play itself out and settle.
- Continue to pursue free agent options to fortify the secondary.
Notes: Vikings put tender on restricted free agent A.J. Jefferson
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: March 11, 2013 - 8:02 PMIn other news …
Yes, yes, we know. All other Vikings news is incredibly minor today in the wake of the Percy Harvin trade, a blockbuster deal that has triggered widespread reaction. But there is other business to tend to. So, a few notables to put on the table …
-- The Vikings have put the low tender on cornerback A.J. Jefferson, the team’s only restricted free agent. With free agency officially set to open Tuesday at 3 p.m., the move puts the Vikings in position to pay Jefferson $1.323 million for 2013 while also giving the team the right to match any other offer Jefferson gets from another organization. If Jefferson is given an offer from another team that the Vikings don’t choose to match, they will not be awarded draft compensation. The 24-year-old cornerback came to the Vikings through a trade with Arizona just before the start of the regular season last summer. He wound up starting seven games, taking on a heightened role after Chris Cook broke his wrist in Week 8.
-- The Vikings have 10 unrestricted free agents due to hit the open market on Tuesday. They are right tackle Phil Loadholt, fullback Jerome Felton, linebackers Jasper Brinkley, Erin Henderson and Marvin Mitchell, safety Jamarca Sanford, receivers Jerome Simpson and Devin Aromashodu and offensive linemen Geoff Schwartz and Joe Berger. Here was our weekend projections on how all of those situations might play out. We’re told the Vikings have heavy interest in bringing Simpson back into the fold for a second season. And the needs at receiver just got a little more dire with the Harvin deal. Simpson has attracted interest from multiple other teams and will have a decision to make. We’re expecting Jerome Felton back as well, though it will be interesting to see if he ultimately makes a cash grab and rewards the highest bidder for his services or if, as expected, he truly values the situation he has found in Minnesota in a run-first, fullback-reliant offense that features league MVP Adrian Peterson.
Teammate on Harvin's mystery December exit: 'We never got a clear answer on that'
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: March 11, 2013 - 7:36 PMWell, all that Percy Harvin speculation came to a head in a big way Monday with the Vikings pulling the trigger on a trade and sending the dynamic 24-year-old receiver to Seattle in exchange for three draft picks: a first-rounder and a seventh-rounder this year and a third-rounder in 2014.
Still, even if General Manager Rick Spielman has a master plan to push the Vikings closer toward championship contention, a roster full of players is still awaiting a full explanation on why the Harvin trade was made.
League MVP Adrian Peterson took to Twitter to vent.
“The best all around player I ever seen or you'll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!” Peterson wrote. “I wish my boy Percy nothing but success! God bless you homie.”
Veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams also took time out Monday to speak with the Star Tribune, sharing his candid thoughts on the deal.
On his initial reaction to the trade …
“I mean I wasn’t exactly celebrating when I heard about the deal. I wouldn’t say that I’m disappointed. But I mean, when you look at it on the surface, you say to yourself ‘Why in the world would we do this?’ It’s a situation where you never want to be going backwards or feel like you are. I guess we’ll see what we get in the draft or maybe even free agency. But that’s a crapshoot when you’re trying to make up for a guy as proven as Percy.”
On letting the news sink in …
“With losing a player like Percy, initially it’s always going to seem like a bad thing. But if we’re able to get somebody who’s really good in the draft, it can become a good thing. You wait and see. You have to. But that initial first look, makes you take a step back and go. ‘Man, why did we do this?’ At the same time, it’s a business and you have to understand that.”
On losing a top playmaker so late in his career …
“It’s tough. Because you look at our situation when we go 3-13 a couple years ago and 6-10 the year before that. Then we have such a good year last year and it seems like we’re in good shape. I still wish Percy could have finished the season. He could have helped us. But other things happened and we still ended up doing well when he was out. But he could have been another weapon down the stretch for us. And so you have to now look at a situation where you’re waiting to see what’s next. Like I say, it’s a crapshoot depending on what we get out of this draft. I’ll have to see what the compensation is that can help us try to make up for this.”
On the reaction amongst teammates when Harvin left the team after being placed on injured reserve in Week 14 …
“I wouldn’t say it bothered me. Because I don’t know what all what went on. And I couldn’t say for sure what the relationship was like between him and the coaching staff and management. We just don’t know what that situation was about. I don’t know what his reason was for taking off. I just know that he was gone. And that’s the way it was left. Nobody every just came out and explained it to us, like, ‘Hey, he left for A, B, C and D.’ So I don’t know what that relationship turned into. Was there something talked about? Was there a big problem? Or did he just leave? None of us really knew. I’m pretty sure it was addressed and we never got a clear answer on that. At all.”
On Harvin’s reputation as a hot-tempered problem child and whether that gets blown out of proportion …
Peterson: `I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!'
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: March 11, 2013 - 4:05 PMWell, it's pretty clear the Vikings didn't consult with the NFL's Most Valuable Player before making today's Percy Harvin trade.
Running back Adrian Peterson, the guy who nicknamed Harvin "Mighty Mouse" during Harvin's NFL Rookie of the Year season in 2009, took to Twitter to voice his shock and disappointment with the news that Harvin had been traded to Seattle for first- and seventh-round picks this year and a mid-round pick in 2014.
Tweeted Peterson:
The best all around player I ever seen or you'll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) March 11, 2013
For the record, that's five exclamation points of surprise/anger from the face of the franchise. This won't affect Peterson's preparation for the 2013 season, but the Vikings might want to sit down with their best player and 'splain what went down and why.
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