Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Matt Kalil (Southern California) is introduced as the number four overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Recently a new term has been introduced to football fans: offset language. What is that you ask? It’s a fancy-schmancy contract thingie that agents are trying to keep out of rookie deals but teams want in there so they can cover themselves on the guaranteed money front in the latter years of these CBA-mandated 4-year-with-a-5th-year-option contracts. It’s all too much for my brain. All I know is, agents and teams have been fighting over this stuff for weeks, which is why most of the top picks from this year remained unsigned, including Matt Kalil the #4 overall pick.

But now all that fighting appears to be over. On Wednesday #2 pick Robert Griffin III signed a deal with the Redskins and there is no offset language. This will presumably set a precedent that is followed by the remaining teams when negotiating with their picks. So we should probably expect a Matt Kalil deal to be done in the next few days, also without offset language. Case you’re wondering, Griffin’s deal is fully guaranteed for four years at $21 million and change with a $13.8 million signing bonus. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t thrown a single pass.

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Feb 26, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

There are two ways of looking at this whole situation with Robert Griffin III’s draft stock and the Rams holding all the cards and locking the Vikings out of the trade talk. There’s the glass half empty side of things which says the Vikings got very unlucky not being in a position to trade down with one of these teams now jockeying to lavish draft picks on the Rams. And there’s the glass half full position which I shall now outline in brief:

Well the Vikings may not be able to make that crazy trade for multiple picks but look on the bright side. At least now they won’t have to worry about Matt Kalil not being there. No matter what happens, Kalil is going to fall to 3.

That should come as something of a relief. Because think about the alternative. What if the Rams decided not to make the trade and took Kalil themselves? That would leave the Vikings trying to trade out of #3. And what if they themselves were unable to make that trade? We know they were never going to take RG3, in spite of Rick Spielman’s talk. It was always trade down or take Kalil for the Vikings. And barring either of those? They would’ve been stuck taking someone like Justin Blackmon or Morris Claiborne. Once upon a time Riley Reiff looked like a possibility there too but after the combine he might not even be a top 10 pick let alone a #3. On some draft boards, Reiff isn’t even considered a tackle anymore.

The Vikings might be disappointed that they’re not getting in on the trade talk, but at the same time, they have to be somewhat relieved that they’ll no longer have to worry about the nightmare Blackmon-or-Claiborne scenario coming to pass. They’ll get to take Matt Kalil no matter what.

Yes it would’ve been nice to score that bounty of draft picks, but the chance to draft a potential multiple-time Pro Bowl left tackle is a pretty nice consolation prize. I wouldn’t knock it.

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Jan 1, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) lines up for a play against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. San Diego defeated Oakland 38-26. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

There’s almost too much speculation to keep track of these days, but that won’t stop us from trying. Here’s your Wednesday speculation round-up:

Don Banks says Mike Shanahan loves Brandon Weedon and may trade down to get him. Obviously this would take the Redskins out of any Robert Griffin III trade up scenarios. It’s possible at this point that the Browns are the only team looking to trade up. Which makes it less likely that they would need to trade up. Which increases the possibility of the Rams taking Matt Kalil at #2. Which increases the possibility of a lot of Viking fans crying on draft day.

Michael Gehlken of NBC San Diego says the Chargers are “reluctant” to use the franchise tag on Vincent Jackson. This comes as good news to those who hope Jackson lands with the Vikings. Many think Jackson should be the Vikes’ #1 free agency target but I actually like Dwayne Bowe better for his red zone talents. Speaking of Bowe…

Scott Pioli said on a radio show that the Chiefs would love to have Bowe back. And what are the words of general managers worth this time of year? Less than squat. Bottom line for the Chiefs is, they can only franchise one player. After signing Stanford Routt, it seems unlikely the tag would be used on Brandon Carr. This increases the likelihood of the tag being used on Bowe. Which is good news for Viking fans who like Brandon Carr and not so much Bowe.

Mayock Section:

It wouldn’t be a speculation round-up without a Mayock section. This isn’t really a speculation link it’s just Mayock talking about Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck. I personally can’t get enough of Mayock’s lisp. And insight.

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