Archive for March, 2009

The Matt Birk Watch may not be as compelling as the T.J. Houshmandzadeh Watch, but given how thin the free agent options on the offensive line are getting – and how thin the Vikings already are at certain spots on the line – it may be just as meaningful.  At this point, with Jason Brown having been signed by the Rams, Birk is without question the best center on the market – which is why the Ravens brought him in for a visit yesterday…a visit Birk characterized with all sorts of glowing terms like “impressive” and “pretty great” (he forgot [...]

The Dan Patrick Show is today’s source for all things relevant in the land of Vikings.  Earlier we learned of T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s less-than-positive assessment of the Vikings’ quarterbacks via Patrick’s program, and now, from the same show, comes this (also unflattering) characterization of the man some would like to see join that quarterbacking corps, one Jay Cutler.  The new negativity arrives courtesy of Denver Nuggets TV analyst Scott Hastings…who must be some kind of authority on the NFL, otherwise why would Dan Patrick be asking him questions about Jay Cutler?  Maybe Patrick just likes helping the careers of people no [...]

The Star-Trib reported Tuesday morning that talks are “on-going” between the Vikings and Broncos over quarterback Jay Cutler, who remains in a state of supreme miffedness after finding out the team wanted to trade him for Matt Cassel.  The paper notes that it is “unknown” what the Vikings might be offering in exchange…but my guess is that they’re trying to sell Denver on Tarvaris Jackson, who would become completely useless to us were we to acquire Cutler.  Obviously, draft picks would have to be included.  I do not, however, think the Vikes would have to cough up Chester Taylor as [...]

There was already plenty of fan fuming in the wake of the Vikings‘ failure to secure the services of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who spent all weekend enjoying the team’s hospitality only to spurn them in favor of the Seattle Seahawks.  And, I’m guessing that unhappiness is not going to be helped by what Housh said this morning on Dan Patrick‘s radio show about why he chose Seattle over Minnesota: It was the quarterbacks. Well, it wasn’t only the quarterbacks – it was also that seaplane ride the Seahawks gave T.J. and his kids.  Yes, Housh specifically mentioned the nice treatment his [...]

What I predicted earlier today has come to pass:  T.J. Houshmandzadeh has chosen the Seattle Seahawks over the Vikings and Bengals.  Michael Smith says the contract is five years, $40 million (more years than I expected, less money).  Hope T.J. enjoys playing with Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace.  Yeah.  Great QB situation there. Way better than the Vikings.  Oh, and look at those terrific running backs Seattle has.  Um…what are their names again? (Editor’s Note: I spent a good hour making that picture – that’s supposed to be confetti by the way – and didn’t want to waste it.)

Kevin Seifert thinks the Vikings should take advantage of Jay Cutler‘s anger at the Denver Broncos in the wake of Denver’s attempts to trade him for Matt Cassel: Denver quarterback Jay Cutler isn’t a free agent, and it’s hard to believe the Broncos will part ways with him when they don’t have another option at the position. But even after acquiring Sage Rosenfels from Houston, the Vikings should do everything in their power to find out if they can pry Cutler away from Denver. He’s proven he can run a West Coast offense and would be dynamic in an offense [...]

It appears the Vikings have lost out on T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  The bad indications began with this morning’s news that the wide receiver hadn’t spent the night in Minneapolis as previously believed but had instead boarded a flight to L.A. Sunday evening.  Now comes word that T.J. has turned down an offer from the Bengals that would’ve paid him over $35 million for 5 years…meaning some team out there has a very large deal on the table, something on the order of 4 years at up to $10 million-per.  And that team is believed to be the Seahawks.  So, if the [...]

Lost in all the T.J. Houshmandzadeh madness has been the fact that the Vikings still don’t have a right tackle they like as their starter.  The best options – Jordan Gross and Vernon Carey – came off the table early, leaving a lot of unproven or over-the-hill guys to pick through.  One player who fits firmly into the latter category is Mark Tauscher, the 31-year-old long-time Packer, who may not be returning to Green Bay.  The Wisconsin State Journal says the Vikings are interested in Tauscher, who (red flag alert!) is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee.  [...]

T.J. Houshmandzadeh spent Sunday night in Minneapolis, and is expected to make a decision some time today on which team will have the privilege of paying him millions of dollars to play for them the next few years.  Cincinnati remains at the top of the list – in fact, T.J.’s old quarterback Carson Palmer spent the last few days stalking calling him to make sure he knew he was still wanted on the Bengals.  Cincinnati is reportedly prepared to give T.J. a handsome financial package, said to be worth more than Plaxico Burress‘s or Hines Ward‘s (speaking of feeling wanted).  [...]

Those who remain on T.J. Houshmandzadeh watch will evidently have to maintain the vigil a little longer.  According to Bengals.com, there’s a good chance now that T.J., who was still enjoying the Vikings‘ hospitality the last we heard, will not make up his mind until Monday about where he wants to play in 2009.  The good news is that Seattle seems to have all but dropped out of the race, meaning it’s between the Vikes and Cincinnati.  Zygi Wilf‘s presentation to Housh the last two days is being described as a “full-court press,” but the Bengals could still be willing [...]