Rohan: The offseason's saving grace

All it takes is one move to make this offseason a success. One simple move could forgive the Vikings for letting Sidney Rice walk. And it would forgive the Vikings for being in such a bad cap situation in the first place, tying their hands during this crucial offseason.

Minnesota doesn't even have to do penance for not addressing the offensive line issues early in the NFL draft. This move is so obvious, yet seems so unfortunately unlikely.

Just sign Olin Kreutz.

The 34-year old center is one of the smartest players in the game. His teammates love him. He's made Pro Bowls. He was, at one time, considered one of the best centers in the game. He hasn't missed a game since 2002. And it was just one game that season. You have to go back to 2000, which was the last year he missed a big chunk of the season. The streak is now up to 134-straight games played. At center, no less.

Old-reliable, and consistent is Kreutz, which is exactly what this Vikings' offensive line needs right now. He can line up the protection schemes for Donovan McNabb at the line of scrimmage, and fit nicely next to a fellow mauler, Steve Hutchinson.

Like the McNabb move, signing Kreutz away from the rival Bears would show the Vikings veterans that they're all-in again; That this isn't the Christian-Ponder era, yet.

John Sullivan has been bullied as the Vikings center ever since he took over for the first old-reliable, Matt Birk. The push up front has been weak and Minnesota's redzone offense has been a casualty of Birk's departure. Oftentimes, Peterson has to shake a defender in the backfield before he can even reach the line of scrimmage. And that worsens in the red zone when defenders pin their ears back.

Their best receiver is gone. Also, their defense seems to be in shambles, thanks to past injuries, one suspension and uncertainty surrounding players who need to prove themselves.

Without Kreutz, the offensive line looks old and slow. That's not going to change if Minnesota can somehow finagle a Kreutz signing, but they'll be old, slow, AND mean.

The center's the glue that holds the whole line together, and with a strong line, the rest of the skill players have one less thing to worry about, and about two more seconds to think. Kreutz is that green, slimy kind of glue. It just looks mean and nasty.

Bring him in for a 1-year, $4.5 million deal, which is what Kreutz is reportedly seeking. Have him help transition rook Brandon Fusco, or tutor John Sullivan or whatever you want to do. But just having a quality guy like Kreutz around is going to help. The glue will touch everywhere.

It's telling that he only wants a one-year deal. It says he's almost done, which some would say is a sign to stay away from him. But even a 34-year old Kreutz is better than an entering-his-prime Sullivan or the rookie Fusco. Then if neither Sullivan or Fusco are the successors — and I'm sure Kreutz will be able to tell the Vikings before he leaves if either is worth a dime — the Vikings could always upgrade the center position next year, when Kreutz is done.

"He's always wanted to make a deal with the Bears. But right now, it doesn't look like it's going to happen," Kreutz's agent, Mark Bartlestein, told ESPNChicago.com.

The Vikings have done their fair share of swooping in on other free agents before. So, fuel up Ziggy's jet. Send three team leaders to go pick him up. Do whatever it takes. He's worth it.

Ever since Matt Birk left, the Vikings have placed their trust at a very important position in a sixth-round pick. That worked out with Birk, and Sullivan has had two very average years to prove himself. That's longer than a whole lot of other players have had.

Strength up the middle would allow McNabb to get those quick passes off cleanly, for sure. And when the Vikings want to pull a guard around the corner, Kreutz would be able to make sure the line stays clean of defenders. Want McNabb to have a safety blanket while he's throwing to a less-talented receiving corps? Want Adrian Peterson to get a running head start, for once?

Want to stick it to the Bears?