Ray Edwards is "all but gone" from Minnesota

[Sporkdevil]

Quote:Ray Edwards-DL- Vikings Jan. 31 - 11:01 am et


The Pioneer Press says impending free agent LE Ray Edwards is "all but gone."
Edwards is looking for a massive payday and he's highly unlikely to get it from the Vikings. They are already committed to Jared Allen on the right side as their high-priced pass rusher. With 16.5 sacks in his last 30 games, Edwards will attract significant attention on the open market.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Presss

Not sure how the CBA will work out, but franchising Edwards will be really expensive. This should allow another 4-3 team to go after Edwards, and would fit in great with our current group, giving our pass rush the immediate boost it needs across from Abe.

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

I wanted him last season . Think he would be solid move . We just cant go into season with Bierman starting . We need another pass rusher. TD might not do this cause it would imply he has been a failure at trying to find that other DE spot who were suppose to be 2 of his draft picks..Sidbury & Bierman

It would be smart move where we can groom him to take over for Abe and hope Bierman develops more and becomes more consistent

[TonyGraziani]

The keywords IMO are "massive payday". Is it gonna be another Dunta "overpaying the top FA" situation? Or worse? I've never been really impressed by him, and he's averaging only a little over 8 sacks a year according to those numbers. He would need to put up at least that, and dozens of pressures, to be worth the deal. In a vacuum, I'm not a big fan of signing him, but in reality I think it could be a good pickup.

[g-dawg]

I think Ray Edwards is the likely target. He will be the #1 DE UFA to hit the market - Charles Johnson will be tagged or signed by Panthers. Kiwanuka is injury prone and coming off neck injury.....although I could live with Kiwi...

[Sporkdevil]

(01-31-2011 01:44 PM)Swift Is a Die Hard Wrote:  I wanted him last season . Think he would be solid move . We just cant go into season with Bierman starting . We need another pass rusher. TD might not do this cause it would imply he has been a failure at trying to find that other DE spot who were suppose to be 2 of his draft picks..Sidbury & Bierman

It would be smart move where we can groom him to take over for Abe and hope Bierman develops more and becomes more consistent

I (shockingly) agree with Swift. It makes a lot of sense to get an immediate impact at pass rusher, and we can be sure we have at least one proven DE two years from now. I think we should grab Edwards and get a 2nd or 3rd round DE.

(01-31-2011 01:46 PM)TonyGraziani Wrote:  The keywords IMO are "massive payday". Is it gonna be another Dunta "overpaying the top FA" situation? Or worse? I've never been really impressed by him, and he's averaging only a little over 8 sacks a year according to those numbers. He would need to put up at least that, and dozens of pressures, to be worth the deal. In a vacuum, I'm not a big fan of signing him, but in reality I think it could be a good pickup.

The market will set how much Edwards will get. I'm certain we aren't going to pay him twice what anyone else will pay him. On the positive side, he's an option for only about half the NFL teams, and a number he won't go to (Raiders, Bengals) and a number that don't pay free agents (Colts) and cheap teams (Bucs). Putting in an 8 sack guy in the rotation would be great, and he is still getting better. He really didn't start until 2008, so has pretty much just 3 years under his belt. No one is saying he is Peppers good, but he isn't going to get Peppers money. Without an immediate guy, we are relying solely on an aging DE without any legitimate proven replacement.

[Jesus]

He might not get Peppers money but if he is the number one DE in free agency someone will overpay for him which is what happens regularly.

[Sporkdevil]

(01-31-2011 03:33 PM)Jesus Wrote:  He might not get Peppers money but if he is the number one DE in free agency someone will overpay for him which is what happens regularly.

DE is a premium position. If they were easy to get, we would have developed and drafted a number of potential starters. It was clear playing the pass heavy teams, such as Green Bay and New Orleans, that we only have one starting defensive end, and a number of rotational players.

[FullMetalFalcon23]

(01-31-2011 01:44 PM)Swift Is a Die Hard Wrote:  I wanted him last season . Think he would be solid move . We just cant go into season with Bierman starting . We need another pass rusher. TD might not do this cause it would imply he has been a failure at trying to find that other DE spot who were suppose to be 2 of his draft picks..Sidbury & Bierman

It would be smart move where we can groom him to take over for Abe and hope Bierman develops more and becomes more consistent

I agree with the logic behind picking up someone like Edwards, and I think it is going to happen. They said they were going to address a lot of things with FA acquisitions this off season. I don't think he will have a problem picking up a player who is better than the guys he has bought in. You've really put across an image that our FO has some sort of stubborn ignorant pride. I think they have been slow to react at times, and in some instances even too quick to react but I don't see refusing to try and get someone like Edwards when they know that the Pass Rush on this team is in clear trouble.

Can i ask you directly what would be your opinion if they picked up Edwards or Kiwi, and also took and End in first round if they were the BPA on their board? I have thought about this a few times and if it happened it would not be a bad thing in my opinion especially if we are addressing other need in FA too e.g. picking up someone like Steve Smith. To me it would give immeadite impact but also insurance for the future in the event of Sid and Bier really not being any more than situational rushers.

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

(01-31-2011 03:47 PM)FullMetalFalcon23 Wrote:  Can i ask you directly what would be your opinion if they picked up Edwards or Kiwi, and also took and End in first round if they were the BPA on their board? I have thought about this a few times and if it happened it would not be a bad thing in my opinion especially if we are addressing other need in FA too e.g. picking up someone like Steve Smith. To me it would give immeadite impact but also insurance for the future in the event of Sid and Bier really not being any more than situational rushers.

I wouldnt mind the move of Kiwi or Edwards.. that solidifies the dline and still allows Bierman & Sidbury some playing time . You can sell this move to them the most hey we see what you young guys are doing and you will get playing time still . I would be against a 1st round pick at DE . A first pick at DE is basically admitting Bierman & Sidbury were mistakes and with a 1st round pick you truly want that player to see the bulk of the action ..so that is a move against your prior draft picks doesnt make the best of sense even if a 1st round draft pick is to replace Abe


Go after Kiwi or Edwards ..start either of them with Abe and rotate the young guys Bierman and Sidbury ...and when time comes move Kiwi or Edwards to where Abe is at and by then hopefully Bierman would solidly the other DE

[ggp]

The Vikings also have another FA DE. His last name is Robison. I don't know a lot about him, but I am sure that TD will look at him as well. The Vikings certainly think highly enough of him to let Edwards go.

Another option is to trade for a DE. Indy would be a good partner. They desperately need to revamp their OL. Peyton is the show in Indy, so they have to invest in protecting him. They have big money invested in their highly talented DE's. Mathis is thirty years old and may be viewed as trade bait. If so, TD should certainly investigate. I can see us giving Indy a second round pick for Mathis......just thinking out loud.