The biggest addition of 2008?
With Free Agency just around the corner, the Vikings may decide to do a lot, or a little this year when it comes to free agency.
Last year, the Vikings came out in a big way by signing both Madieu Williams and Thomas Tapeh within 24 hours of the start of Free Agency. They also inked Bernard Berrian to big deal within a week.
Some positions the Vikings could address in 2009 include RT, QB, S, WR, DT, C, and CB. Over the next few weeks before free agency, we will bring you possible options at every position.
Today we will take a look at possible free agent quarterbacks the Vikings may go after in the 2009 Free Agency.
Notable Quarterbacks available in 2009:
- Matt Cassel – New England Patriots
- Kurt Warner – Arizona Cardinals
- Jeff Garcia – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kerry Collins – Tennessee Titans
- David Carr – New York Giants
- Kyle Boller – Baltimore Ravens
- Byron Leftwich – Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – Cincinnati Bengals
- J.P. Losman – Buffalo Bills
The sad news for Vikings’ fans is that it is unlikely that either Kurt Warner or Matt Cassel will be available this year. Cassel was franchised tagged by the New England Patriots, while Kurt Warner has made it very clear that he wants to be a Cardinal in 2009, if he does not retire.
The good news for the Vikings is that it seems increasingly likely that Jeff Garcia will not remain a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. There is also a decent chance that Brett Favre of the New York Jets may become a free agent if he is cut by the Jets, who are dealing with salary cap problems.
Multiple sources also believe that Favre will either retire, or possibly come play for the Vikings. If reinstated, there is also that old Falcons’ quarterback by the name of Michael Vick. Vick is a complete wild-card as of now. He is likely to be out of Atlanta, but who is willing to pay him, and how much will be enough for Vick?
As it stands right now Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, and John David Booty are all under contract for the 2009 season. Many people, however, do not believe that the Vikings will be able to make a serious run at a title with only these three quarterbacks.
It is also noteworthy that Gus Frerotte has stated he would come back only if he was the unquestioned starter for the 2009 season, so it appears he may be on his way out. Brad Childress has also hinted that there will likely be at least a few moves to try and improve the quarterback position in 2009.
As of now, the four candidates I think are most likely to be added to the Viking’s roster via free agency are: Jeff Garcia, David Carr, Byron Leftwich, and Kerry Collins. I do not expect the Vikings to make a play at the other quarterbacks simply because they have not shown much promise in recent times, and the Vikings want to win now.
1) Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia will likely be highly sought after by many teams. If Brett Favre is not available, and Cassel and Warner stay with their teams, Garcia will be the head of the 2009 free agent class.
Why do we want him?
Jeff Garcia was the ninth highest rated quarterback last season, even higher than Matt Cassel. Garcia also has compiled a nice streak of three straight seasons with a quarterback rating higher than 90; he is one of only three players that have been able do that; (the other two are Peyton Manning and Tony Romo.)
Garcia also threw 12 touchdowns to 6 interceptions in 2008, while Gus Frerotte totaled only 12 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. Jeff Garcia has also proven to be a mobile quarterback, who can avoid the blitz better than any quarterback currently on the Vikings roster.
Why should we hesitate?
Garcia is already 38 years old, and he has yet to play a full 16-game season since 2002. In the final game of the 2008 season, he was unable to lead the Buccaneers over the woeful Raiders at home, and the Bucs missed the playoffs.
David Carr
2. David Carr
Why do we want him?
In his very few appearances last season, David Carr shined in the spotlight. Carr threw 2 touchdowns in only 12 passes, and almost led a bunch of backups to a win against the Vikings in Week 17. Carr would likely have to prove himself a starter for Minnesota if he was signed.
Last year was the first year Carr could even have been considered a good quarterback, but in his defense, he has not been behind very good offensive lines in his career. The Giants by far had the best line Carr has been behind, and the Vikings figure to have a nice line in 2009 as well.
Why should we hesitate?
Carr has been questionable to say the least throughout his entire career. In Houston he was more like a tackling dummy for opposing defenses, as he was sacked a whopping 49.8 times per year. Carr has also had the opportunity to throw to better receivers than the Vikings have to offer right now. Carr has also been on the wrong side of the touchdown to interception ratio more often than not in his career.
3. Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich
Why do we want him?
Byron Leftwich, much like David Carr, proved to be a solid quarterback in his short playing time last season. Leftwich has not been as bad as Carr has been throughout his career, though. In fact, when he was in Jacksonville, Leftwich threw 51 touchdowns to only 36 interceptions. Leftwich also took the Jaguars to the playoffs in 2005, but they were destroyed when they got there. As with almost all the quarterbacks on this list, Leftwich usually does not play well when the games matter the most.
Why should we hesitate?
Leftwich was lucky to even find a job for last season. He also has not been a starting quarterback in two years, and even then he only played about half a season. Leftwich has not had the greatest completion percentage, but he has also lacked a talented group of wide receivers.
Kerry Collins
4. Kerry Collins
Why do we want him?
Kerry Collins not only led the Tennessee Titans to the best record in the NFL last season, but he also did it at age 36. Collins posted his highest quarterback rating in six years last season, and did it with little help at the wide receiver position. Collins earned a Pro Bowl spot this season. He has also had the experience of playing in a Super Bowl, along with plenty of playoff games.
Why should we hesitate?
Collins has never posted a quarterback rating of 90 or better, and at times has had major problems fumbling the ball. In fact, one season he amassed 23 fumbles. Collins is also 36-years old, and seems to have a Gus Frerotte-like attitude about being the starter.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Great work, Michael. I strongly doubt that Collins will be allowed to leave Tennessee. There is not much support for Young out there at all. They’ll find a way to hang on to the veteran for another year or two.
From the list, I would obviously like Garcia the best. With him, the Vikings are transformed into serious postseason threats.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I agree, Garcia has been solid for a few years, and with the Vikings secondary improving, the last piece to the puzzle is the passing game. Both the run Defense, and Offense are great already.
February 7th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
[...] Viking Vigil gives us a full run down on the free agent quarterbacks of 2009 [...]
February 9th, 2009 at 11:17 am
yo listen the viking despretly need mike vick
in the worse way just think about it if we gotta bangin
ass rb ap and all we need is vick we got the wide outs ya never know who we can get in freeagency at wide out if we get vick alot would like to play for him
and i think are defence is gonna be unstopble this season comen up i smell super bowl lets get one finaly
February 9th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I agree, Curtis. The Vikings are scarily close to a Super Bowl; except for the fact that the most important position on the field is Tarvaris Jackson.
I’d be more happy with Vick than Jackson. Thanks for dropping by!
February 11th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
More happy with Vick than Jackson?
Did you ever watch Vick play? He is more of a running back than a QB. We don’t need a running back, we need someone who can pass the ball.
Vick’s completion percentage is a lifetime average of 53.8% and he never did better than 56.4%. Jackson, even in his rookie year, never had a percentage lower than 58%.
Vick’s passing numbers have dropped almost every year, whereas Jackson has only been improving.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Garcia or Bryon. We have Travaris and Booty as backups. I like Garcia the best but his age scares me. Bryon would bring back a Culpepper hay-days like feel to the team. I think he would be able to fight through a blitz. I like Garcia’s accuracy more. Either way Jackson starts atleast two games next year while either would be down. Jackson has proven he is good for a couple games. With this running game and Defense either of these guys would help bring more of a threat to score when the box is stacked.
February 11th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
If you guys really think we can get vick you must be far from your rocking chair cuz there no way he is coming back to play in the NFL, the vikings will probably get some washed up QB and not do crap with him, and then in a few years AP will leave them too. Vikings will not win a superbowl in the next 15 years.
February 17th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I’m unsure why you think 15 years; that’s a long time. Hopefully, they can put together a team and make it to the Super Bowl as soon as possible. With solid play at the quarterback position, they could make a run as soon as this year.
Though I do agree, Michael Vick would not be a good answer as QB.
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Get serious, enough of the Vick talk he did noT do squat in atlanta! Look how good atlanta is now with someone smart who can read defenses and pass accurAtely and only a rookie! HEY VICK can you speak canadian? (canada is looking for a dog fighting doper)CFL here I come! Garcia is the one for the Vikes and ferrotte should stay as second string with T JACKSON as 3rd string. They will need two starters with Garcia and Ferrotte trading off like jackson and ferotte did last year, and replace COOK he’s terrble too many penalties. Get Hanesworth and move kevin williams to end, pat williams might get hurt again
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 am
I love the idea of getting Haynesworth, but he is likely going to get paid more than Jared Allen did last year, and that is too much for Minnesota when they have needs at QB and RT as you said
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 am
Does anyone else have any experience with this?