Hide Your Players, It's the Vikings!

**Prophet** · 01-14-2010, 08:04 AM

Hide Your Players, It's the Vikings!
Minnesota Storms to the Playoffs by Plundering Other Teams' Top Free Agents; 'It Never Snows Here'
The Wall Street Journal
JANUARY 14, 2010

**VikingLance** · 01-14-2010, 08:11 AM

Looks like the Vikings organization knows what they are doing. Now let's win a Super Bowl and show the rest of the league how it's done!

**marstc09** · 01-14-2010, 08:17 AM

Ray Edwards is a FA next year, enter Aaron Kampman. Make it happen staff. Especially if they want to keep this scheme.

**HEY** · 01-14-2010, 08:51 AM

Great article. The author makes some good points. I'm proud of this organisation.

Think about it! with Vikings owner Zigi Wilf, the Vikings have possibly had the most success in signing players outside the draft than any other NFL team.

2006 - Steve Hutchinson (best lineman in the league)
2006 - Chester Taylor (do-it-all running back who broke 1000 rushing yards in his first season with the Vikes)

2007 - Visanthe Shiancoe (has been a top 5 tight end in the last couple of seasons, broke Vikings' record for most TD by a TE, he's still underrated)

2008 - Bernard Berrien (his second season has been hampered by injuries and a change at QB, but he had his career best season in his first season with the Vikes. Put on nearly 964 yards, had 7 receiving TD's, and lead the league in average yards per catch)
2008 - Jared Allen (best 4-3 pass rusher. The greatest upgrade to the defense in many years. Allen has 15 sacks in every season with the Vikes)

2009 - Brett Favre (had his best season with the Vikes, next to Drew Brees in most TD's and highest passer rating)

I dare anyone to find a more impressive list! Seems like we have picked up or traded for the best position player in every season.

**Prophet** · 01-14-2010, 08:52 AM

This article does a nice job of summarizing some of the major offseason acquisitions. Nothing of this sort has been done with the consistency and effectiveness in the Vikings franchise since its inception. Given the cap, FA, tags, etc. they have done a damn good job. I'm surprised another team hasn't offered Brzezinski double the salary he gets from Winter Park.

**tastywaves** · 01-14-2010, 09:27 AM

Agent Vann McElroy, who represents linebacker Ben Leber, who came to Minnesota as a free agent, says what sets the Vikings apart from other teams is that they don't confuse a player's public image with his actual ability to play. "The media attention or the sizzle of a player means absolutely nothing," he says.