Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Derby: Vincent Jackson
By brianaker
The Minnesota Vikings are in the hunt for a deep threat number one wide receiver. Assuming they don’t end up with Justin Blackmon in this year’s draft, they will be going after a free agent receiver, and WOW what a crop of talented wide outs are available! But which ones are really, legitimately available for our boys in Purple?
How about Vincent Jackson from the San Diego Chargers? This guy is an absolute MONSTER to defend. Standing at 6’5” tall and 230 lbs., he has tight end size with wide receiver speed and hands. He is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to defend…and that’s right…he’s available!
Now, normally I’m not big on the “hold-out” players, which Jackson has been in the past. I’m very proud of our Adrian Peterson, who did NOT hold-out while waiting on his new contract. That’s more MY kind of player…NORMALLY…but these aren’t normal times anymore. They are in fact desperate times for our Minnesota Vikings, and we all know that old saying. “Desperate times call for desperate measures”. That’s why I am overlooking the hold-out thing, and saying the Vikings have got to make an effort sign Vincent Jackson! He is undoubtedly one of the most talented receivers in the league, and I honestly think that he would be happy on our ball team if he gets that big contract he’s been lusting after and the majority of targets in the passing game. Pay the man, and throw him the ball. Nothing to complain about there!
Throwing Jackson the ball will not be an issue. He will get most of the targets from Ponder, and in the process open things up for Percy Harvin and Kyle Rudolph. So that is not going to be an issue at all. What could be an issue? Remember that whole “pay the man”, thing? THAT could be the issue. There are going to be a lot of teams going after number 83 this offseason. Can we truly compete?? That will be the deciding factor in whether or not Vincent Jackson will end up in Vikings purple in 2012. There has been some buzz that the San Francisco 49er’s, the Chicago Bears, and several other teams are seriously interested in him. That could make him a difficult target for us to land. There is also still the chance that the Chargers could put the franchise tag on him. However that is somewhat unlikely, due to the amount (reportedly around $13 million) they would have to pay him next season if they do so.
All in all is Vincent Jackson a legit target for the Minnesota Vikings to pursue this offseason? Yes, he definitely is! Is he a likely acquisition for our beloved Vikings to actually land this offseason? I would have to say no. There are just too many teams and too much money involved in this race. Crazier things have happened, though. If you’re a dreamer and you think big and you want to go on hoping the Vikes can pull off a deal with Mr. Vincent Jackson, hey you go right ahead! It just might happen! Just try not to get your hopes up too high on this one.