McKinnie’s agent Drew Rosenhaus recently sent out a mass email offering McKinnie’s services at the low price of $2.5 million for one year plus “reasonable incentives.” It will be interesting to see what Baltimore ends up paying McKinnie if they do indeed sign him up. Undoubtedly, McKinnie will be brought in for a work out before any decision is made. He claims he’s been working his butt off – hence my sarcastic remark in the first sentence of this post – but I’m guessing the Ravens won’t just take his word for it.

The Ravens’ interest in McKinnie is understandable given the offensive line issues they’ve already suffered this preseason. Their starting tackles Michael Oher and Oniel Cousins allowed three sacks in the preseason opener against Philadelphia, prompting John Harbaugh to shift Cousins to right guard and insert rookie Jah Reid at tackle. Reid got decent grades after his performance vs. Kansas City but Baltimore might not be ready to commit to a rookie at right tackle given their Super Bowl aspirations, hence their interest in the veteran McKinnie, who spent his entire Minnesota career at left tackle.

It’s also possible they want to push Michael Oher a little bit, and think flirting with or even signing McKinnie would get his attention. It’s either that or have Sandra Bullock stand on the sideline clapping.

Update: Sean Jensen tweets that the Ravens have signed the newly-svelte McKinnie to a deal, money and length of contract not yet known. McKinnie is reunited with former teammate Matt Birk in Baltimore. Knowing the Vikings’ luck, McKinnie will play at an all-pro level this year.

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“Free agent Bryant McKinnie would be willing to sign a one year contract for $2,500,000 plus reasonable incentives,” reads Rosenhaus’ electronic announcement. “Please let me know if you have an interest.”

The “reasonable incentives” part is what made me laugh. Hmm…how about a bonus if he gets his weight under 400? And a weekly bonus if he gets to each Sunday without suffering a cholesterol-related heart attack? And an extra $10,000 if he agrees never to touch a Big Mac again?

Here’s what I’d demand of McKinnie before I’d even think of signing him: That he become a vegan. Get him in touch with Prince Fielder, maybe he can get a few pointers. Also, if he so much as shows up in the vicinity of a Miami nightclub during the bye week, he should be immediately cut, no questions asked.

Obviously Rosenhaus is doing what he has to do by sending out this email, but still, the idea of McKinnie making any demands after the way things ended with the Vikings is kind of laughable. At this point Bryant should be focused on getting in shape, and once that happens, then he can contact teams and set up meetings and try to get a job.

I would personally be shocked if McKinnie is ready by the beginning of the season. Unless the embarrassment of this whole thing has finally taught him a little motivation. Then maybe.

One last note: It says in La Canfora’s story that Rosenhaus sent the email to all 32 NFL teams. Wonder what Rick Spielman thought when that particular message showed up in his inbox. Probably the same thing I think when I get one of those Nigerian prince spam messages.

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Rice’s agent Drew Rosenhaus has refused to confirm the contract offer. Speculation is that the offer is a restricted free agent tender, which would entitle the Vikings to draft pick compensation in the event Rice receives an offer sheet from another team and they elect not to match. The usual “the new CBA could nullify all tenders, tags, etc.,” caveat must now be applied.

As to the question of whether there’s any acrimony lingering from last off-season’s hip surgery drama, here’s what Leslie Frazier said of Rice: “We want to get Sidney signed and take care of him.”

“Take care of him” could be a reference to the arthritic condition Rice is reportedly suffering in the same hip he had surgery on. Injury concern is the main factor listed when people debate whether Rice is worthy of the lucrative long-term contract he seems to think he deserves.

Frazier, for his part, indicated that he is not concerned about Rice’s health. “Our medical staff has assured us that he’s going to be fine and he’s going to be able to play and be productive for years to come,” Frazier said.

The Vikings may say they think Rice will be fine for years to come, but they still have to be leery of giving him a long-term deal. If they lose Rice however, they face the prospect of going into a new offensive era without a legitimate deep receiver. Unless they want to give Randy Moss another go. Which they do not.

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