Rebuilding the Vikings: John Carlson Makes Free Agent Visit

Who says the Vikings are totally sitting out of free agency? They’re having John Carlson in for a visit today. John Carlson is a former tight end for the Seahawks who missed the entire 2011 season with a shoulder injury. He’s not to be confused with John Carter the hero of Disney’s new flop science fiction film.

The Vikings’ interest in Carlson – who incidentally went to Notre Dame like Kyle Rudolph – would seem to signal the end of Visanthe Shiancoe’s time in Minnesota. Shank himself is certainly taking it that way as indicated by this wistful tweet. “Good memories in minn…especially ’09!” We’ll always have our memories Shank. And that dong shot. That dong shot will live forever.

Those of you holding out hope that the Vikes will pass on Carlson and maybe invite Shank back? Doesn’t look good. Reports are that the Vikings won’t let Carlson out of the building. They will kidnap him and make him sign a contract. Carlson is considered a solid pass catcher but a below average blocker. So he’s basically Kyle Rudolph but a few years older, somewhat less talented and with a fairly significant shoulder injury in his past. He seems like he’ll make a good #2 TE and obviously the shoulder isn’t a problem or there wouldn’t have been so much interest in him so early in free agency.

So there you go. The Vikings are about to sign someone. Somebody should ring a bell somewhere or… something.

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