TJ in Purple by Today?

According to multiple sources TJ will make a trip to Minnesota today. TJ is reportedly looking for a $10 million contract. TJ is 31 years old, and looking for a three year deal, but TJ also said he wants to make a decision on his future by Sunday. Last year Bernard Berrian got a massive contract from Minnesota, and TJ might this year. The Vikings did not let a free agent leave the building last year without a contract, so maybe TJ will not either. We will post more details later.

Update:

Matt Cassel has reportedly been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round pick. Apparently the Buccaneers were also pursuing Cassel, but he was eventually traded to Kansas City.

Nate Washington may not end up in Detroit after all. Today the Lions signed Free Agent WR Bryant Johnson. The Lions may sign both WRs, but if anything the odds Detroit will sign Washington have gone down a little.

The Detroit Lions have been pretty active today, they not only signed WR Bryant Johnson, but they also traded QB John Kitna to the Dallas Cowboys. Kitna was basically a cast off after Cullpepper arrived in Detroit last year, but he looks to become the backup to Tony Romo, after the Cowboys cut former Vikings’ QB Brad Johnson earlier in the week.

Jim is back in purple and gold

Per Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the Vikings have re-signed TE Jimmy Kleinsasser. Kleinsasser reportedly got a deal worth $9 million over the next three years. Kleinsasser has been one of the few guys that has played for the Vikings since the year 2000, when the Vikings got to the NFC Championship last. Surprisingly, another player that has been around since that season is also a free agent this year. It remains to be seen if the Vikings will be able to re-sign Matt Birk this year too. Here are a few updates on what has happened the past few hours:

1) TJ Houshmandzadeh has apparently not signed a contract with the Seahawks yet. He should have already arrived in Seattle, although there is not much information to suggest that either TJ and Seattle are close to striking a deal, or whether they are nowhere close to a deal. It is believed that teams do not want to pay TJ what he wants due to his age, and the length of the contract. That could be potentially good news for Vikings’ fans, because last season, the Vikings were certainly not one of the more frugal teams. If TJ gets to Minnesota, he may be able to get the contract he is looking for.

2) Nate Washington has still not signed a deal with Detroit yet, but it appears more and more probable that he will sign with the Lions. Chip Scoggins of Access Vikings said he got off the phone with Washington, and Washington said it was a “long shot” that he would end up in Minnesota.

Brad Childress said that the Vikings have yet to set up any appointments with Free Agents, but he also said they “in the process” of trying to get one or two guys to come in. After the recent statements from TJ that suggests he would like to be a Viking, I would think Minnesota would at least bring him in for a look if nothing else. The Vikings are obviously looking for a wide receiver, so when the best wide receiver available tells people that he wants to play in Minnesota, one would think an appointment could be set up.

UPDATES:

TJ Houshmandzadeh stated eariler that he only wanted to play for four different teams, the Eagles, Giants, Vikings, and Seahawks. It is slowly becoming more and more likely that TJ will be a Viking next season. According to Pro Football Talk, the Eagles are telling TJ that they do not want him. That likely narrows TJ’s list down to 3 teams. The fact that no news is coming out of Seattle right now, could mean that he is not close to signing with the Seahawks either. If that is true, it would be down to Minnesota and the Giants.

Jason Brown was one of the Centers believed to be on the Vikings’ target list. Earlier today we reported that Brown got a big offer from St. Louis, and Pro Football Talk is reporting that Brown will accept the money, rather than take a pay cut to play somewhere more appealing.

We are in TJ's Final Four

According to Pro Football Talk, Free Agent WR TJ Houshmandzadeh has narrowed the teams he would like to play for in 2009, down to four teams. TJ’s four teams, the Eagles, the Giants, the Vikings, and the Seahawks. TJ said he would like to get a deal done with one of these teams done by the weekend.

Access Vikings also reports that the Vikings have shown interest in WR Michael Clayton, and CB Chris Carr. Clayton had a big year in his rookie season, going for 1,193 yards receiving, but since then Clayton has been a fairly average WR at best. Clayton could be brought in as a dual threat, and not only be a WR, but also be a weapon on special teams. Clayton like WR Nate Washington is visiting the Detroit Lions today. Carr has only started 6 games in his four year career, but he has yet to miss a game. Carr played in all 16 games in all four of his NFL seasons. Carr put up career highs in tackles, passes defended, and interceptions last season, and could be brought in to be the nickel corner back for the Vikings in 2009.

Nate Washington is on the Vikings radar, and would be a good young addition to Minnesota, but it is starting to look like that will not happen. Tom Kowalski, who reports for the Lions said, “It would be suprising” if Washingoton did not sign a contract in Detroit.

Jason Brown the C/G for the Baltimore Ravens has been visiting the St. Louis Rams today. Brown is someone that could be on the Vikings radar as a talented young Center, and possible replacement for Matt Birk.

                       UPDATE: Jason Brown – The Rams have offered Brown a $7 million contract, but Brown does not want to play with St. Louis. Brown was hoping another team may match the offer, but as of now, no one else will.

Brian Dwkins was visitng Denver today, but in very recent news, Dawkins has agreed to sign wth the Denver Broncos.

The NFC North is at it again, this time it the Detroit Lions. The Lions did not sign Viking target Nate Washington, but they did sign former SEA running back Maurice Morris. 

Update: The Vikings have just released QB Gus Frerotte. Once the deal for Rosenfels was made official, it was only a matter of time befor Frerotte was released. Frerotte appeared to be the odd man out in Minnesota.

Sage is Officially a Viking!

 It is now official; Sage Rosenfels has officially joined the Minnesota Vikings. Sage seemed very happy to be with the team as he became the first ‘new guy’ to join the 2009 Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings sent the Texans a fourth round draft pick, and as part of the deal Rosenfels also received a new contract from the Vikings. Rosenfels was in the last year of a $1.35 million dollar deal, but today Rosenfels signed a deal with the Vikings that will be worth $9 million dollars over two years. 

Free Agent Updates:

1) TJ Houshmandzadeh is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks today. Don’t be surprised if he does not leave Seattle without a contract. The Seahawks desperately need help at the WR position, but if they cannot work a deal with Houshmandzadeh, the Vikings may get a chance at signing him. We will keep you updated on the Houshmandzadeh information.

Who's Your Momma?

2) Nate Washington will also be visiting elsewhere today. Washington has decided to go to Detroit today. This move struck me as surprising, I guess I just expected for Detroit to take a WR in round one of the draft, is that era actually over? Anyway, Washington may just be the hottest WR out there this year. He is reportedly drawing interest from several teams including Minnesota, Detroit, and Tampa Bay.

3) Albert Haynesworth has officially become the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. Today Haynesworth signed a deal with the Washington Redskins for $100 million dollars over 7 years. For all you wondering, Jared Allen was the highest paid defensive player, but he was in the $70 million dollar range, just a few million shorter than Haynesworth. According to ESPN, the deal could be worth up to $115 million dollars if Haynesworth performs at a certain level. The Redskins have also re-signed DeAngelo Hall, so far they have dished out $145 millon in just two signings. They are easily the most active team in terms of money.

Stay with Viking Vigil for more breaking news throughout the weekend.

The Highest Paid Defensive Player EVER!

4) Bart Scott according to ESPN has officially become a member of the New York Jets. Scott agrees to a 5 year $40 millon dollar deal with the green team in New York.

5) Fred Taylor has agreed in terms to join the New England Patriots in 2009. Per ESPN, he will be competing for playing time with former University of Minnesota running back Laurence Marooney.

6) The NFC North has already produced its first official signing. The Chicago Bears have signed former Panthers OT Frank Omiyale. Omiyale is a fouth year pro, but last year was the first year he saw real action in. Omiyale started one game, and played in ten last season.

7) Kellen Winslow of the Cleveland Browns has been traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for draft picks.

Houshmandzadeh could spark the 2009 passing game.

We all know who TJ Houshmandzadeh is, is it actually possible we could see him in purple next season? It may be something the Vikings have successfully kept quiet over the past few days. In an interview on ESPN, TJ Houshmandzadeh said he was so nervous he may even lose some sleep tonight. When asked about teams he might like to join, Houshmandzadeh listed four teams, and one of them was the Minnesota Vikings.

Houshmandzadeh seemed particularly happy when the thought of playing with Adrian Peterson came up. Good news for Vikings fans is that Houshmandzadeh would likely be in single coverage here a lot, and Houshmandzadeh said he would win “98.6 percent of the time” when he is in single coverage.

Houshmandzadeh would certainly bring a threat to the passing game. Houshmandzadeh is likely the best possible upgrade the Vikings could get in this offseason, and the move would certainly please the fans. TJ probably does not mind the fact that Bernard Berrian got a major deal last season from Minnesota either.

The impact of TJ on offense would likely put the Vikings offense near the top of the league. After building up a respectable offense last season, the additions of TJ Houshmandzadeh and Sage Rosenfels will likely make the Vikings a solid threat through the air and on the ground. Even if Rosenfels does not start, he will certainly provide plenty of heat to make Tarvaris Jackson either perform, or enjoy the bench in 2009. Houshmandzadeh would provide the Vikings with a solid number one wide receiver and alongside a pretty good number two in Bernard Berrian, teams could no longer beat the Vikings by just loading the box every play. Add Bobby Wade in the slot, Vinsanthe Shiancoe developing as a solid TE, and Chester Taylor as a relief for Adrian Peterson, and the Vikings are likely a serious offensive threat.

Although it is just a rumor right now, it is fun to think of the possibilities that Houshmandzadeh would bring to the Vikings offense in 2009.

Stay with us throughout the weekend for up to date news and rumors on the Vikings 2009 Free Agency plans.