Minnesota Vikings: Under New Management

[King Kota]

I will mess with David G but, you better draft a top guy

 

[Bobby Barrows]

I will mess with David G but, you better draft a top guy

You're gonna love the draft.

 

[Bobby Barrows]

March 20th, 2009

Free Agency
​

Minnesota Nails Kicker Josh Brown on 3-year Deal (Josh Brown (3)) Minnesota has officially signed their kicker for the forseeable future. After an immensely disappointing contract year for Ryan Longwell, Minnesota had opted to let him walk in the offseason, looking onwards for better options. Josh Brown enters the vacant position after a solid 2008 season with the St. Louis Rams, where he went 31/41 on Field Goal Attempts, and a perfect 34/34 on Extra Point Attempts. Brown signed a 3 year $3.60M contract with a $480K signing bonus.​

Free Agency Recap​

Vikings Sign QB David Garrard (91) [31] 5 Year / $29.40M + $7.50M SB
Vikings Sign WR Nate Burleson (84) [28] 2 Year / $7.64M + $1.3M SB
Vikings Sign K Josh Brown (90) [30] 3 Year / $3.60M + $480K SB
Vikings Sign C Alex Stepanovich (75) [27] 3 Year / 3.30M + 570K SB

April 24th, 2009

The Day Before The NFL Draft
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Brian Billick: We made some good moves this offseason. Nothing too spectacular, but I can work with this. ???: I'm glad to hear it. We have the draft tomorrow and, well, I think we should draft a Quarterback. Billick: Well uh... We're not in a great spot to make QB picks. Middle of the first round isn't prime territory for a Quarterback. Most of the good ones will be picked early. ???: That's true. But, never underestimate the power of a great trade. Dennis Green: What did you have in mind, boss? Billick: Who do you have in mind to trade with?​ ???: Don't worry. It's a surprise. You'll know when the news comes. It's a deal they simply can't refuse. Green: I got a bad feeling about this...

Next Episode:

​

 

[Chris]

Josh Brown what a stud

 

[Kiffy Lube]

Did we somehow get Matthew Stafford?

 

[Bobby Barrows]

Did we somehow get Matthew Stafford?

Without spoiling much, because of how Madden works, from 2009 onwards, it's all randomly generated players, so any NFL player that debuted in 2009 and after, has, in this universe at least, disappeared from existence and replaced by random names.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

That is true, they do that. Licensin' issues and shit, also you can't predict players from even 2 years further really.

I hope this dude has a really cool name.

 

[Hoss]

If you only you had used a Madden on a current gen console. You'd have years of real draft classes to play with.

Nonetheless.

Why does the owner sound like a sneaky motherfucker? Keeping his own coaching staff in the dark about Draft day trades. What a wild card.

 

[Bobby Barrows]

April 25th, 2009

Day 1

​

Chris Berman: Well we've been waiting for months now, and the draft is here.

Trey Wingo: Absolutely. It's an exciting night for many NFL teams and for many young prospects, hearing their name called upon to join the big leagues.

Berman: Well, as has been covered for a while now, the Buffalo Bills, the team with the #1 Overall Draft Pick are looking to draft that incredible Quarterback from Army, Colby Arden. With us now is Mel Kiper to tell us more about Colby.

Mel Kiper Jr.: Thanks Berman, Wingo. Colby Arden exploded onto the scene for Army in 2005 when he threw for 3,556 yards, far and away the largest single season record in Army's history. He finished his career with 13,385 Yards, best for 6th all time in NCAA history behind Phillip Rivers. He averaged 3,346 Yards a year. Even though that's fairly impressive, his touchdown stats are even more impressive. His standout year in 2005? He threw for 31 touchdowns, an impressive amount considering the run-heavy offense of Army's philosophy. He finished his four year career with 101 touchdowns, averaging approximately 25 TDs a year. I have no doubt the Bills are going to draft Arden, as, in a bold prediction here, I believe he could be the quarterback of the 2010's.

Wingo: Thanks Kiper, great analysis. I love Colby as well, I think if the Bills draft him, they have their Franchise Quarterback with a big chance at making it back to the playoffs soon.

Berman: Well hold on now, I'm just getting word that there's a lot of rumbling and chaos going on in the Buffalo Bills' camp. Erin Andrews do you have any news?

Erin Andrews: Well, guys, there appears to be a lot of noise being made in the Buffalo Bills camp as it appears they've received several offers from other teams for the #1 Overall Pick. Some teams that have made offers include the Cleveland Browns, the Detroit Lions, the Arizona Cardinals, and perhaps most surprisingly of all, the Minnesota Vikings. We'll keep you posted if we find out anything.

Wingo: Well, Buffalo must be getting some very good offers if they're considering trading away the #1 Draft Pick and arguably their franchise quarterback in Colby Arden.

A Few Minutes Later...
​

Berman: Well it appears the pick is in, here comes Commissioner Goodell with the selection.

Roger Goodell: With the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills... have opted to trade for the Minnesota Vikings' first, second, and third round draft picks. With the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Quarterback Colby Arden, Army.

Berman & Wingo: What!?

Wingo: I don't believe this!

Berman: I can't believe the Buffalo Bills actually accepted that trade. Erin Andrews, tell us what happened?

Andrews: I can't exactly explain it myself. It appears the Buffalo Bills felt it was an offer they simply couldn't refuse, and Minnesota steals the draft by taking the most highly touted Quarterback coming into the league since Peyton Manning.

Wingo: How do you like that? Minnesota has simply stole the show with that trade and that pick. But it brings up an interesting question regarding their recent acquisition David Garrard. Lots of interesting things going on in Minnesota this year.

Round 1 Draft Pick:

Quarterback Colby Arden, Army [21 Years Old]​

 

[Chris]

Does he have to serve in the military before coming into the league like Staubach did?

 

[Bobby Barrows]

Does he have to serve in the military before coming into the league like Staubach did?

Nope.

 

[Cwalker]

Wait that’s all you had to give up to get the number one pick?

 

[Bobby Barrows]

Wait that’s all you had to give up to get the number one pick?

Yep. Poor Buffalo.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

ARDEN, ARDEN, ARDEN!

 

[Bobby Barrows]

April 27th, 2009

Day 3


Vikings Trade R4, R5, and R6 Pick to Cardinals for R4 Pick

Round 4 Draft Pick (From Arizona):

Middle Linebacker Dana Russell, South Dakota State [22 Years Old]
​

Trey Wingo: Mel, tell us more about this pick from the Minnesota Vikings.

Mel Kiper Jr: Dana Russell was excellent in the Middle Linebacker position for South Dakota State, recording at least 70 tackles in each of his three starting seasons for the Jackrabbits. His biggest strength is his ability to sniff out the run and stop it, having recorded a program high 30 tackle for losses in a single season in 2006. He'll be in good hands as a backup to EJ Henderson and may see quality starting time down the road if the Vikings feel comfortable about letting Henderson go. Excellent pick for Minnesota who has a stacked defense.

Wingo: Thanks Mel.

Round 5 Draft Pick (From Jacksonville):

Fullback Ricardo Smith, Wisconsin [21 Years Old]

Round 7 Draft Pick:

Kicker Bradley Taylor, Arizona [23 Years Old]



Draft Recap:
​

- Vikings Trade 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for 1st Overall Pick in 2009

- R1: Vikings Draft QB Colby Arden From Army 1st Overall [21 Years Old]

- Vikings Trade R4, R5, and R6 Pick to Cardinals for R4 Pick

- R4: Vikings Draft MLB Dana Russell From South Dakota State [22 Years Old]

- R5: Vikings Draft FB Ricardo Smith From Wisconsin [21 Years Old]

- R7: Vikings Draft K Bradley Taylor From Arizona State [23 Years Old]

Post-NFL Draft:

June 12th, 2009
​

Minnesota Signs Massive 7-Year Deal with QB Colby Arden The Minnesota Vikings are paying the farm for Quarterback Colby Arden, with a huge 7-year $67.83M contract, with a $17M signing bonus. The 21 year old Quarterback from Army was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings who traded half of their draft to the 3-13 Buffalo Bills to nab the #1 spot.​

Minnesota Releases Shiancoe, Jackson, and Allison (Shiancoe (Top Left), Jackson (Top Right), Allison (Bottom))​ Minnesota has made three surprise releases to clear up cap space to sign their rookie draft picks. TE Visanthe Shiancoe was given his release today after having played for Minnesota for 2 years. In the 2008 season, Shiancoe caught 44 passes for 484 Yards and two touchdowns. Former first round draft pick Tavaris Jackson (QB) also saw his release from his rookie contract after being seen as excess baggage for the Minnesota Vikings, with the signing of David Garrard and drafting of Colby Arden. His career in Minnesota ends with a stat-line of 234/412, 2543 yards, 11 Touchdowns and 18 Interceptions. A sad end to a promising career with the Minnesota Vikings. Wide Receiver Aundre Allison was the final release today for the Minnesota Vikings. Allison last season had five receptions for 34 yards. He spent two years in Minnesota.​

​

Minnesota Marks Dana Russell Future Starter With 7-Year Deal The Minnesota Vikings sign Dana Russell to a huge 7-year $13.58M contract, complete with $3.08M signing bonus. Dana Russell was picked in the 4th round of the 2009 NFL Draft to be a future starter and heir apparent to EJ Henderson's position of Middle Linebacker.​

Transactions:

- Vikings Release TE Visanthe Shiancoe

- Vikings Sign QB Colby Arden to 7 Year / $67.83M + $17M SB (87 Overall)

- Vikings Release QB Tavaris Jackson

- Vikings Release WR Aundre Allison

- Vikings Sign MLB Dana Russell to 7 Year / $13.58M + $3.08M SB (77 Overall)

- Vikings Sign FB Ricardo Smith 1 Year / $670K + $100K SB (77 Overall)

- Vikings Sign K Bradley Taylor to 1 Year / $480K + $60K SB (71 Overall)

Coming Next: Training Camp and Preseason​