Six veterans who should be cut or should restructure

With the Vikings reportedly $5.1 million over the salary cap, yet desperately in need of a re-make at several positions on the roster — offensive line, safety and perhaps wide receiver too — Minnesota may have to follow Baltimore's lead and jettison a few veterans to make space. They could also give Adrian Peterson and Chad Greenway contract extensions. The two of them are reportedly set to count about $22 million combined against the cap. And that could be reduced to a more reasonable $14-16 million total — I'm thinking about $8-10 million for Peterson and $6 million per season for Greenway.

The problem could be swiftly solved by chopping a few of these veterans OR asking them to restructure their deals. So here's my list of candidates, in order from first to go, to last:

Madieu Williams – set to make $5.4 million each year from 2011-2013

This one's obvious. The 29-year old safety injured his neck before he played a snap for the Vikings and he was never the same. He wasn't the aggressive, ballhawk cover-guy they signed from Cincinnati and it seems as if the Vikings showed they know they need an upgrade at safety when they made a run at O.J. Atogwe. Williams' three interceptions in 39 games as a Viking just won't cut it.

Bernard Berrian – set to make $3.9 million in 2011, $6.9 million in 2012, and $7.9 million in 2013

Signing Berrian away from the Bears was one of the moves that set the whole NFC Championship game run in motion all those years ago. He finally gave Minnesota a deep threat, nearly reaching 1,000 yards in his first season as a Viking. The problem was, for the past two seasons he's been more of an empty threat.

Now, Berrian should be gone and it doesn't matter what happens with Sidney Rice. And Greg Camarillo should be given a chance to fill Berrian's shoes in the starting lineup. He never got the reps he deserved since coming over from Miami. He's much more reliable, tough and sure-handed than Berrian. Bernard's got the speed, just not the results. Camarillo is making just $1.7 million in 2011, in the final year of his deal.

The longest-tenured Viking may have to be shown the door this offseason if the Vikings want to keep Sidney Rice. Kliensasser is a blocking tight end and a true Viking to his core, so I'm not sure how quick the new coaching staff would be to cut him, or how unpopular of a move that would be. But Jeff Dugan does the same exact thing Kleinsasser does and also plays fullback. I'm sure Kleinsasser can play some fullback too, but Dugan makes less than $800K in 2011. Find the redundancy and let it go.

Bryant McKinnie –set to make $5.4 million in 2011, including roster bonus, then $4.5 million in 2012 and $4 million in 2014

Is he the only Viking to have survived the Love Boat scandal? Wasn't he also the one who partied too hard during the Pro Bowl week and was sent home? Well, he was reportedly working out with tennis star Venus Williams recently and was planning on dropping 15 pounds, trimming down to 340. If he does that, and there are results, and he plays like the Pro Bowl left tackle he is paid like, then don't touch his contract. But he may be a candidate for a restructuring.

This one really hurts. I love the way Cedric Griffin plays the game, larger than life, bigger than how tall the 6-foot cornerback stands. He's tough and feisty and not to mention a solid cover-2 corner. But he's torn two ACLs. Leslie Frazier did say earlier this offseason that Griffin could be the starting right corner, opposite Antoine Winfield, if he's healthy. But that's a gigantic IF.

He might never be the same player the Vikings gave that five-year, $28.5 million extension to in 2009. But, hey, if he can return to anywhere near the level he was playing at then the secondary would become much better immediately. Griffin may be a prime candidate to restructure.

Steve Hutchinson – set to make $6.68 million in 2011, $6.95 million in 2012

Paid like one of the best guards in the game, Hutchinson plays according to his pay when he's healthy. He looked old and not the same at times in 2010. I highly doubt the Vikings cut one of their team leaders and a man who can create four-yard gains on the left side by himself in the run game. But would taking a pay cut down to $5 million per season be out of the question? I'm not sure, but I would do it.