Red McCombsThoughts
A few comments about Red McCombs. It is true that Red hasn't spent up to the cap in recent years but a few things I would like to point out.
A. How many players are in the NFL that have left the Vikings that they could have resigned at the time? This being when they would have had cap-room after the 2002 and 2003 season. Todd Steuisse left before, they had this cap room. Robert Griffith is currently greatly on the downside of his career. Fred Robbins, maybe the Vikings thought that Chris Hovan would bounce back and with Hovan and Williams they didn't see the need to pay Robbins the type of money he got in a back-up role. Nor do I think their defense would have been much better with Robbins this year. So they have not lost any players that would really help from previous teams.
B. Most of thier best players they are in no danger of losing soon. Here is a partial list of Vikings they have for at least 2 more years under contract Daunte Culpepper, Onterrio Smith, Mewelde Moore, Randy Moss, Nate Burelson, Jim Kleinsasser, Marcus Robinson, Bryant Mckinnie, Chris Liwenski, Matt Birk, Mike Rosenthal, Adam Goldberg, Kenechi Udeze, Darrion Scott, Kevin Williams, Antonie Winfield, E.J. Henderson, Dontarrious Thomas, and Spencer Johnson. This is pretty much thier nuclues which consists of their 2 head and shoulders best defense players. I would say their 6 best offensive players are in this group.
C. Can you name a player not in this group that is irreplacable.
D. Big contracts can often lead to a lot of dead money, when players start to detiorate, as has caused problems with the Vikings after 2000. The 49ers this year, The Ravens in 2002, The Titans in the upcoming year, and the Jaguars after 1999. So making wise investments like the Vikings have done in resigning thier own players to cap-friendly deals (Culpepper, Moss, Birk, Liwesnki, Kleinsasser, and Rosenthal.) While also bringing in other pieces (Winfield, Claiborne is a smart way to play the cap.
E. Could Red invest more in a player here and there, yes. But if people think throwing around a lot of big money contracts is good business. Look at examples of some of the franchises I started. Also, Rob Brezenki is the star of the Vikings front office with the way he manages the cap.
F. Some might criticize Red on retaining Mike Tice after two huge collaspes. When he did retain him in late Decemeber, it was the week before a game against the Redskins to get in to the playoffs. Tice probably saved his job with their win against the Packers, which gave them one more shot at it next year. As far as letting Scott Linehan go, you are letting go a guy who was a successful offensive coordinator at Louisville in 2001, ( Louisville hasn't missed a beat after his departure) who had three years of success with the Vikings for Steve Loney, a guy who was a good offensive coordinator at Iowa State in 2001, and has helped develop lineman for the Vikings for the last three years. I'm really not too worried about it.
G. I will criticize Red for letting this QB and WR coaching search to be unsettled somewhat, and also goofy behavior during the season (i.e. after Giants loss in 2003, Joe Buck fiasco 2005) .
I will also criticize Red for not conducting a more-extensive search after Denny Green left in 2001. I also question bringing back Mike Tice after execution problems the second half of this season. At the same time, Red has made clear next year is make or break for Mike Tice.
That's my persepctive on Red McCombs, next I will give mine on a perspective sale.
A. How many players are in the NFL that have left the Vikings that they could have resigned at the time? This being when they would have had cap-room after the 2002 and 2003 season. Todd Steuisse left before, they had this cap room. Robert Griffith is currently greatly on the downside of his career. Fred Robbins, maybe the Vikings thought that Chris Hovan would bounce back and with Hovan and Williams they didn't see the need to pay Robbins the type of money he got in a back-up role. Nor do I think their defense would have been much better with Robbins this year. So they have not lost any players that would really help from previous teams.
B. Most of thier best players they are in no danger of losing soon. Here is a partial list of Vikings they have for at least 2 more years under contract Daunte Culpepper, Onterrio Smith, Mewelde Moore, Randy Moss, Nate Burelson, Jim Kleinsasser, Marcus Robinson, Bryant Mckinnie, Chris Liwenski, Matt Birk, Mike Rosenthal, Adam Goldberg, Kenechi Udeze, Darrion Scott, Kevin Williams, Antonie Winfield, E.J. Henderson, Dontarrious Thomas, and Spencer Johnson. This is pretty much thier nuclues which consists of their 2 head and shoulders best defense players. I would say their 6 best offensive players are in this group.
C. Can you name a player not in this group that is irreplacable.
D. Big contracts can often lead to a lot of dead money, when players start to detiorate, as has caused problems with the Vikings after 2000. The 49ers this year, The Ravens in 2002, The Titans in the upcoming year, and the Jaguars after 1999. So making wise investments like the Vikings have done in resigning thier own players to cap-friendly deals (Culpepper, Moss, Birk, Liwesnki, Kleinsasser, and Rosenthal.) While also bringing in other pieces (Winfield, Claiborne is a smart way to play the cap.
E. Could Red invest more in a player here and there, yes. But if people think throwing around a lot of big money contracts is good business. Look at examples of some of the franchises I started. Also, Rob Brezenki is the star of the Vikings front office with the way he manages the cap.
F. Some might criticize Red on retaining Mike Tice after two huge collaspes. When he did retain him in late Decemeber, it was the week before a game against the Redskins to get in to the playoffs. Tice probably saved his job with their win against the Packers, which gave them one more shot at it next year. As far as letting Scott Linehan go, you are letting go a guy who was a successful offensive coordinator at Louisville in 2001, ( Louisville hasn't missed a beat after his departure) who had three years of success with the Vikings for Steve Loney, a guy who was a good offensive coordinator at Iowa State in 2001, and has helped develop lineman for the Vikings for the last three years. I'm really not too worried about it.
G. I will criticize Red for letting this QB and WR coaching search to be unsettled somewhat, and also goofy behavior during the season (i.e. after Giants loss in 2003, Joe Buck fiasco 2005) .
I will also criticize Red for not conducting a more-extensive search after Denny Green left in 2001. I also question bringing back Mike Tice after execution problems the second half of this season. At the same time, Red has made clear next year is make or break for Mike Tice.
That's my persepctive on Red McCombs, next I will give mine on a perspective sale.
posted by Stew at 9:15 PM
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