The 2008 free agency season is well and truly underway at this point, and with all the different signings that have taken place thus far, people will analyze and tell the masses whether they think a team has "overpaid" for a particular player, or whether they got them for some sort of bargain price.  But can a team really "overpay" for a football player in the traditional sense of the word?  read more »

Last year, I listed my top six wants for free agency. I was fairly accurate with it, as the Browns were able to get my No. 1 and No. 5 players in Eric Steinbach and Robaire Smith, respectively. Last year, there were some very attractive options available to the Browns on defense: cornerback Nate Clements and linebacker Adalius Thomas. Both players signed lucrative deals elsewhere though, something that really turned me off to certain players in this year's pool.

Crennel reportedly has an interest in cornerback Asante Samuel. So do I, but so does every other team in the league. And although Clements didn't seem to be worth what the San Francisco 49ers paid for him last season, I think Samuel's years of consistency against higher-level teams (since the Patriots always finish atop their division, and make the postseason), would make him a more reliable signing.  read more »

And with the 46th pick in the 2008 Arrowhead Pride Community Mock Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select:

Draft Profile

PVChiefsfan with the pick:  read more »

Here's an analysis on why Eagles fans should forget about trading for a WR this offseason and focus on a more likely scenario: acquiring Bernard Berrian through free agency. That's a more likely scenario as long as the Bears don't franchise him, which they haven't.

zzawarski posted 40 minutes ago from www.allphiladelphiasports.com [link]  read more »

A quiet Sunday as far as free agency goes, though I have learned a few interesting tidbits.

1. Fantastic Commenter NASF Confirmed that the Jaguars did make a play for Randy Moss  .  I'm glad to know that they were aggressive, but also relieved that Randy won't be a Jaguar.
   
2.  The Jaguars were in play for Safety Gibril Wilson.  The Jaguars were willing to go up to 12 million dollars up front and something like 5 million per year, but Wilson wanted more.  He's off to Oakland where he gets to be on a non-contender for the next six years.  Sometimes I wonder if it's SO about the money that  players will sacrifice winning for the dollar.

Believe me. . .you have absolutely, positively no idea how much it hurt me to type that title.

So there we all were yesterday. . .and thanks, by the by, to everyone that participated in the game thread. . .watching the Beloved Purple battling tooth and nail with the Detroit Lions.  After a Detroit punt had Minnesota set up with 1st and 10 from their own 14-yard line, the Vikings came out in a four-wide receiver, no back formation with Gus Frerotte lined up in the shotgun.  Frerotte zipped a pass to his right to Bernard Berrian about seven yards down the field. . .and #87 proceeded to do the rest on his way to an 86-yard touchdown and the second-longest pass play in Vikings' history.

What happened after that is something that has been a bone of contention among folks in the comments here on the site.  read more »

A deep pass that gets caught?  What an amazingly novel idea! (Picture courtesy of ChicagoBears.com)

"I feel the need. . .the need. . .for SPEED!!" - Maverick and Goose, Top Gun  read more »

Update [2008-3-4 10:19:14 by Brian Galliford]: As many of you are aware, three more free agents - Titans TE Ben Troupe, Chargers S Marlon McCree and Falcons FB Corey McIntyre - are visiting with the Bills today. Keep it locked in here throughout the rest of the day, as someone will update if anything happens regarding any of the four free agents the team has visited with over the past two days. End Update

Free agent WR Bryant Johnson came to Buffalo for a visit. We don't know if he left. What is clear about Johnson's status with the team at this point is that nothing is clear. Were the Bills and Johnson's agent, Joel Segal, negotiating into the night? Are highly speculative reports (once again) that he's got an agreement with the Bills incorrect (once again)?

 read more »

Free-agent receiver Bernard Berrian left the Chicago Bears for the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, agreeing to a six-year, $42 million contract that includes $16 million in guaranteed money. Berrian arrived in the Twin Cities on Friday night for dinner with coach Brad Childress and other members of the organization before spending the day at Winter Park while agent Drew Rosenhaus hashed out a deal...  read more »

[Solving Our Problems is an ongoing series here at the Ragnarok where I evaluate the Vikings' options going into the offseason.  read more »