Vikings Sign Jennings (5y/47.5m/18g), Loadholt (4y/25m), Cassel, Felton, Cut Winfield

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Vikings released CB Antoine Winfield.

It's a financial move, perhaps setting the table for a run at Mike Wallace. Winfield played 94 percent of the snaps last season, grading out as ProFootballFocus' best run-defending corner and also allowing zero touchdowns in the passing game. But he declined a paycut, so the Vikings made the questionable decision to save $7.25 million and move on from their best cornerback. Although Winfield is entering his age-36 season, he'll find plenty of interest on the open market as a physical slot corner and potential team leader.

Vikings re-signed RT Phil Loadholt to a four-year, $25 million contract.

The Bears tried swooping in on Loadholt; GM Phil Emery may now turn his attention to Jake Long, or perhaps more affordable Sam Baker or Jermon Bushrod. At 6-foot-8, 343, Loadholt's return is a huge plus for Adrian Peterson. Loadholt recently turned 27 and graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 4 run-blocking offensive tackle in 2012. He's missed one start in his four-year career.

Vikings re-signed FB Jerome Felton to a three-year, $7.5 million contract.

Felton was high on the Vikings' wish list, and they've gone all in to keep Adrian Peterson happy after trading Percy Harvin. Felton is one of the game's best lead-blockers.

Vikings re-signed WR Jerome Simpson to a one-year contract.

Vikings fans will hardly miss Percy Harvin. Simpson's return is a major surprise for a team that appeared dead-set on moving on after he caught just 26 passes for 274 yards his first year in Minnesota. Now he's back as the Vikes' nominal No. 1 receiver until they inevitably address a WR corps that was among the worst in the NFL last season. Simpson's athleticism is ever appealing, but he's not going to have fantasy value in 2013.

Vikings re-signed WLB Erin Henderson to a two-year contract.

Henderson recorded a career-high 80 tackles and three sacks in 14 games with the Vikings last season. He's also a fine run defender. Minnesota wanted to bring back at least one of Henderson or Jasper Brinkley. It might be wise to move on from Brinkley now and address the middle linebacker spot elsewhere.

Vikings re-signed S Jamarca Sanford.

A 14-game starter in 2012 -- including playoffs -- Sanford was a big upgrade on Mistral Raymond and appears to have solidified a starting role at strong safety, across from FS Harrison Smith. Sanford, 27, finished last year with 66 tackles and forced four fumbles. He has not shown ball skills through four NFL seasons.

Vikings re-signed C/G Joe Berger to a one-year contract.

It's a minimum deal for Berger, who started seven games in 2011 but none last season. He'll serve as interior depth once again.

 

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Vikings agreed to terms with QB Matt Cassel on a multi-year contract.

The Vikings were nearly as eager to sign Cassel as they were to unload Percy Harvin. They were the only team linked to the fading signal caller both before and after his release from the Chiefs. Cassel is an upgrade on Joe Webb in that he could conceivably be thrown into the fire without crumbling, but it's hard to strongly recommend a player who's committed 30 turnovers over his past 18 games, even as a backup. Even if Christian Ponder struggles again in 2013, Cassel is not a serious threat to his job.

 

[bluntside]

It's time the Vikings decide on who they really want as the backup QB. They've been high on Bethel-Johnson for a couple years, yet leave him at the #3. Choose a #2 and move on.

Not really that high on Cassel, but if the price is right they could do much worse at backup. Joe Webb has shown flashes, but still hasn't shown he is a capable QB at the NFL level.

 

[Apocalypse]

:jonesy:

 

[BiggaAdams]

Vikings picking up a less athletic Christian Ponder in Cassel.

:lol:

 

[JimLeavy59]

Vikings signed Greg Jennings. I would guess it would be around 50million maybe 4-5 years.

 

[Nico]

Jennings switching from Rodgers to Ponder and Cassel. Have fun! :jonesy:

 

[JimLeavy59]

This could be the biggest bust in free agency this year. I'll take a wild guess and say its $25-$30 million guaranteed.

 

[BigBucs]

Ehhh, AP gonna wash his back but will the QB get er done?

 

[MrBill]

Any details on the Jennings deal? It's in the subject line but I don't see anything about it in the thread.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Any details on the Jennings deal? It's in the subject line but I don't see anything about it in the thread.

I've seen a few things that states he is getting a deal similar to Mike Wallace.

 

[Hasselbeck]

So the Vikings traded Percy Harvin for Greg Jennings?

:lol:

 

[TheImmortalGoud]

He'll get a five-year, $47.5 million contract, including $18 million guaranteed.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Should have just paid Harvin.

 

[MrBill]

I am a big Jennings fan and wish the Packers had been able to keep him but he's not as talented as Harvin, in addition to being older and just as injury prone.

 

[Nucking Futs]

So the Vikings traded Percy Harvin for Greg Jennings?

:lol:

Nope. We still have the Seahwaks first. Can still get an additional young WR with that pick. Harvin was becoming a cancer.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Christian Ponder is your QB.

 

[Nucking Futs]

Christian Ponder is your QB.

No fucking shit.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Matt Cassel is the back up.

 

[JimLeavy59]

So the Vikings are looking into signing Brian Urlacher. So do the Vikings just want to sign every NFC North free agent? They have a long history of doing this type of shit.