The rumors are coming in buckets now – anyone who’s available or may soon become available is having their name attached to the Vikings, especially if they’re a wide receiver or a quarterback.
First up, Quinn Gray. He’s not expected to be retained by the Jaguars. He’s a quarterback who may be marginally better than what we have. I like him more than Cleo Lemon, and about as much as Trent Green. Which means I’m not going to be jumping out of my underwear over the thought of him in purple next year.
Next…D.J. Hackett, wide receiver from the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle wants to keep him but not badly enough that they’ll over-spend. He might be an option if Bernard Berrian and Jerry Porter don’t work out.
Speaking of Berrian…Scout.com’s Adam Caplan says the Bears wide receiver is believed to be the Vikings’ #1 target in free agency, and Judd Zulgad said the Vikings will “almost certainly make a run” at him and Porter.
Also, everything I’ve heard has convinced me the Vikings are going defensive end in the draft, not wide receiver as every mock on earth is predicting. Calais Campbell and Derrick Harvey are the names being bandied about. It makes sense to pick up a free agent wide receiver (or two), given how many decent options there are at that position compared to defensive end. Then draft a defensive end, since there are plenty of those who figure to be available when the Vikings pick at 17. The only guy I might jump at receiver-wise is Malcolm Kelly, but I think he’ll be off the board by 17.
Wild, idiotic chat-room rumor of the day: the Vikings offering Troy Williamson and a 4th round pick to the Dolphins for Jason Taylor. Oh, I’d make that trade in a heartbeat if I were the Vikings. And if I were a Dolphins fan and Bill Parcells made that trade? I’d find Fat Tuna and beat the hell out of him.