Vikings: Free Agent Wednesday Extravaganza!

Okay, let's recap this exciting day shall we!? Class is in session so let's get some grades on the new students at Vikings University of Minnesota Awesomeness!  Starting with the top grades.

(Associated Press: Ben Margot)

Alex Boone: Guard: formerly of San Fransisco.
A+
I give the signing of Alex Boone an A+ not only because we fill a huge need on the line, but we can also move players around to positions that better suit them.  You get arguably one of the best guards in free agency, as well as a top rated guard from 2011-2014. In 2015 he had a bit of a down year after moving to the left guard position, but the hope is that he will emerge again as his former self at right guard for the Vikings.  This also allows Brendon Fusco to move back to his original position at left guard where he flourished as a starter and ranked high on the PFF scale at that position.  This signing could be like a double signing letting both guards play their original spot. (Also, he wants to punch Clay Matthews in the face, which is fuggin awesome. That moved my A rating to the + area.)

Emmanuel Lamur: Outside Linebacker: formerly of Cincinnati.
A
That's right.  I'm giving this signing an A.  Want to know why? Because he's a former Zimmer project, had a stellar year in 2014 (92 tackles, 2 INT, 7 PDef), and has been said to make athletic, game-busting plays.  I believe if healthy, Lamur will take over opposite Barr in Zimmer's defense.  He's still young at 27 and it's a great move if he can return to his play from a year ago. I think this is a better option than starting aging Greenway, who still might be signed to one more year.

Audie Cole: Linebacker: Vikings.
B
This is a "oh okay, cool" type signing.  Isn't anything to write home about, but is a great depth and special teams signing.  I've always liked the guy, but he's never taken that next step to be a legit starter.  Still, good move by the Purple.  Can't give a bad grade for a good special team guy.

Mike Harris: Guard: formerly of ... oh the Vikings.
B-
This was a smart move considering he will be a solid back up and competition to the starters in Fusco and Boone.  You can never be too deep at a position like offensive line and the Vikings found this out last year the hard way.  A nice one year deal will keep our line in tact for a little longer.

Travis Lewis: Linebacker: formerly of Detroit.
B-
I always like signings for depth and special teams, and this was just that.  Lewis was a core special teamer for the lions and will fit in nicely with the Vikings in this spot. Like Cole, I assume Zimmer will love him as a back up in his young linebacking core moving forward.   In Zimmer We Trust!

Andrew Sendejo: Safety: Vikings.
C-
I'm torn on this.  Not because he wasn't horrible.  Not because he wasn't good.  Because we gave him way too much money to be a mediocre guy.  I understand Reggie Nelson might have been asking for too much money or an undesirable amount of years, but this...was just odd.  $16 million over 4 years. Ouch. My head hurts on this one.  In Zimmer We Trust?

Michael Griffin: Safety: formerly of Tennessee.
C-
A part of me loves the player he used to be.  A part knows he's not that same player. A part of me doesn't care and thinks Zimmer can make him play like a top 15 safety again.  A part of me knows that's wrong.  Maybe he's just here as a camp body, because I honestly don't see him beating out Sendejo (I know, weak) but there is hope.  We will see what he still has left in the tank, but I'm still sour the Vikings didn't get Reggie Nelson.

Overall I give the Vikings a solid B+.  They didn't sit back and let other teams make all the moves, filled a lot of holes that they had needs at, and didn't reach and over pay for players that other teams have done (exception Sendejo).  Good day to be a Vikings fan!

Skol!

Vikings: It's Teddy Time

So, as I've mentioned before and now Rick Spielman agrees: Teddy Bridgewater needs to take over the Vikings offense.  He says "Teddy needs to be more aggressive" but I say, take the whole ship over.  There has rarely been a time in NFL history where a running back is the leader of an offense. Since Peterson seems to be nothing of a leader, I think now is a better time than ever for everyone to start expecting a Teddy Time turnover in Minnesota.  

(Getty Images: Hannah Foslien)

My issues before on the offense was the play calling (Norv, I'm still here complaining and you can't get rid of me) and the offensive line.  As of today, the Vikings signed Alex "The Rhino" Boone out of San Fransisco.  Huge signing. This allows the Vikings to move Fusco back to right guard where he belongs.  With Kalil in a contract year (and history shows contract years usually make players realize they like and enjoy money), Sullivan and Loadholt coming back from injury, this once weakness now could be a strength.  This is all hoping, I know.  But hope is a good thing according to the end of The Shawshank Redemption.  And that movie was amazing, so maybe the Viking's line will be amazing because of the connection? Makes sense? Science!

With that being in line (pun) all that's left is for Teddy to make that next step.  I believe he has the ability to, so lets look at the numbers so we can get all excited about what could be if everything goes to the Vikings dastardly plan! Mwahahahaha. (On a lighter note: Mwaha.)

Now, I've read this article saying Teddy was the most accurate quarterback last year.  Take a look.

"What the traditional stats don’t show, however, is just how accurate Bridgewater is. The Viking led the NFL in 2015 with an accuracy percentage of 79.3. While this number is inflated by the large amount of short throws required by the Minnesota offense, it is no small feat to be the most accurate in the league. In fact, Teddy scored his best passing grades on throws between 10–19 yards, and broke even on throws over 20 yards.

You have to wonder if Bridgewater’s modest touchdown and yardage totals are more a product of the Vikings’ offensive style, rather than an indictment of the QB’s abilities."

-ProFootballFocus - Ryan Jenson

Knowledge bombs. Took out our entire civilization of smarts and replaced them will more advanced, well informed smarts.  This is a pretty eye opening piece to read, and being an avid watcher of Teddy and the Vikings, I could totally accept it.  He is remarkably accurate on short to medium length throws.  Which also makes me wonder if he had more time to pass (due to better line play) and wasn't forced to go by a run-first style, what kind of quarterback could Teddy be?  

Hopefully we find out in 2016 because this needs to be a better scoring offense and I don't think this negative weight is on Teddy's shoulders.  And yeah, I get that 28 touchdowns to 21 interceptions in his career isn't much to look at, but when you look at the play calling he's had to deal with you understand. And knowing is half the battle. 

If Norv took a dose of reality and relieved himself of his "Childress Syndrome", he could be a great “offensive mind” again.  Right now...it’s not happening so let's hope it changes.

Teddy has shown that without a player like Peterson on the field, he can be up there with the top 10 quarterbacks in the league.  He proved in games where Peterson was removed that he could handle himself way beyond what people expect.  Remember the game against the Bears on December 12, 2015? 231 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown ring a bell? I remember.  I also remember many 4^th quarters where he march us down the field to set us up for a win without Peterson in (because of his lack of abilities to pass protect or run out of the shot gun).

(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

I believe that if he is able to take over as the true leader of the offense, the face of the offense, the face of the team, and not just the "guy who hands off to Peterson"; he will shine. Even in the Preseason (without Peterson playing one down), Teddy was 29 of 35 (82.9%) with a touchdown.  Granted it is the preseason, but he looked crisp and was able to spread out defenses because he wasn’t forced to rely on Peterson.  Teddy Time is now if the Vikings want to be a legitimate contender.  Let's take this ship to the championship!

Skol!