NFC North: Karl Paymah
Vikes, Pack among highest retention rates
Much can change between now and September, but the analysis is especially relevant when compared to the rest of the league. The Vikings' 94.4 percent retention rate is the league's highest, while the Packers' rate of 87.3 ranks fourth.
According to my records, the only players Minnesota hasn't brought back is running back Chester Taylor, cornerback Karl Paymah and offensive lineman Artis Hicks. The Packers' list includes punter Jeremy Kapinos, running back Ahman Green, safety Matt Giordano and defensive end Mike Montgomery. (The Packers' percentage is lower because they had a larger base of players when taking into account those on injured reserve.)
1. Tendering a 1-year contract, OR
2. "Non-tendering" the player, essentially cutting ties.
Remember, a restricted free agent (RFA) is a player with four or five years of experience whose contract has expired. Those players are free to seek offers elsewhere, but current teams at least have the right to match that offer and keep the player. Depending on the level of contract tender, the team could also receive draft-pick compensation.
If the player doesn't sign an offer sheet elsewhere, and can't agree on a long-term contract, he plays at the salary in the chart below. (There are slightly higher values for players in their fifth seasons.)
Because of the addition of a fifth year to the RFA list in the uncapped year, an additional 212 players are scheduled to be restricted free agents this offseason. Below is a list of the primary RFAs for each NFC North team.
There have been some reports about individual tenders, but no team has officially released its decisions. That will happen sometime between now and Thursday night. When it does, we'll analyze how easy or difficult it will be for those tendered to move on to another team.
Chicago Bears: Defensive end Mark Anderson, safety Josh Bullocks, safety Danieal Manning, linebacker Nick Roach, linebacker Jamar Williams.
Detroit Lions: Defensive end Copeland Bryan, offensive lineman Dylan Gandy, defensive lineman Jason Hunter, offensive lineman Daniel Loper, offensive lineman Manny Ramirez, safety Ko Simpson, linebacker Cody Spencer.
Green Bay Packers: Safety Atari Bigby, defensive back Will Blackmon, offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, safety Nick Collins, defensive end Johnny Jolly, running back John Kuhn, offensive lineman Jason Spitz, cornerback Tramon Williams, running back DeShawn Wynn.
Minnesota Vikings: Offensive lineman Ryan Cook, defensive end Ray Edwards, defensive tackle Fred Evans, safety Eric Frampton, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, cornerback Karl Paymah, fullback Naufahu Tahi.
To read all of our award-winning CBAWatch discussion, click here.
Potential 'new' RFAs in the NFC North
We’ve touched a bit on the potential changes if the NFL goes to an uncapped system in 2010. One is that players would need six years of experience to become unrestricted free agents instead of four. Below you’ll see a list of NFC North players who would be unrestricted in the current system but would become restricted in an uncapped year. Remember, restricted free agents can shop for contracts with other teams but can have those offers matched or else require compensation to depart.
Chicago Bears: Defensive end Mark Anderson, safety Josh Bullocks, defensive end Dusty Dvoracek, safety Danieal Manning and linebacker Jamar Williams.
Detroit Lions: Safety Daniel Bullocks, center Dylan Gandy, defensive end Jason Hunter, receiver Adam Jennings, guard Daniel Loper, safety Ko Simpson and linebacker Cody Spencer.
Green Bay Packers: Safety Atari Bigby, cornerback Will Blackmon, guard Daryn Colledge, safety Nick Collins, defensive end Johnny Jolly, fullback John Kuhn, safety Derrick Martin and center Jason Spitz.
Minnesota Vikings: Tackle Ryan Cook, defensive end Ray Edwards, nose tackle Fred Evans, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, cornerback Karl Paymah and fullback Naufahu Tahi.
We encourage interaction here at ESPN.com. Sometimes it’s a bit one-sided, but I do my best. You spew bile and/or make comments through the mailbag, over on Facebook or on Twitter. For an adrenaline rush, click here. For something on the lighter side, check this out. (And don’t you dare skip the intro.)
Let’s get to it….
Pat of Milwaukee writes: Something I haven't heard much detail about from you is special teams. Thought it was interesting that in Football Outsiders' special teams rankings the Vikings are second in the NFL. Remember how they were HORRIBLE on special teams last year? Looks like another reason for their success this year, besides the obvious AP/Favre combo.
Kevin Seifert: I haven’t devoted an entire post to it, Pat, but I agree. There is no doubt the Vikings have made dramatic improvements in their coverage -- at least since Week 1, when Cleveland’s Josh Cribbs returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. New special teams coordinator Brian Murphy deserves some credit, as does an influx of cover men from Kenny Onatolu (12 tackles) to Jasper Brinkley (eight) to Karl Paymah (seven). The return of special teams ace Heath Farwell (10) has also helped.
When you look at Football Outsiders’ rankings, it’s interesting to note the Vikings are not the only high-rated NFC North special teams group. Here’s where the four NFC North teams rank:
2. Minnesota
3. Chicago
23. Green Bay
29. Detroit
FO’s methodology is pretty complex. In essence, it takes five elements of special teams -- field goals/extra points, kickoffs, kick returns, punts, punt returns -- and assigns a performance statistic based on the yard line achieved in each endeavor. Those figures are then compared to the league average, adjusted based on weather/altitude and compiled into a ranking. A fuller explanation is here.
If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’m a big fan of FO’s work. But even if you don’t buy into their method for evaluation, you can at least accept that in this case, each team was considered using the same criteria. So each team’s ranking is relative to the others, giving you at least one fair version of how everyone compares to each other.
That’s a long way of saying that Vikings’ and Bears’ special teams have been performing at a high level this season relative to the rest of the league. The Packers’ and the Lions’ have not.
Mat of Seattle writes: Correction to the Challenge Tracker: You list Jim Schwartz's percentage as "--", as though it is not computable. In fact, his success rate is 0%. Total failure can be easily expressed as a percentage. For example, one has no problem understanding that the Vikings have won 100% of their games against the Packers this year, while the Packers have won 0% of those games. See?
Kevin Seifert: Thanks for correcting the terminology. I suppose 0-for-2 is 0 percent, but I maintain that 0-for-0 would still be “--.“ For example, one has no problem understanding that math majors get “--“ percent of the girls. (Goes for history majors, too.)
Ben of Chicago writes: Is Jarron Gilbert going to get a chance to play this year? Do the Bears even have a position for him? (Three technique? ... DE?) I understand that rookies often need a year or two to adjust to the NFL, but with the lesson Bears fans took away from Michael Haynes -- the team never said a word, he just never played and then got released -- I am a bit worried. I guess what I really want to know is: Do the Bears think Gilbert is part of their future, or are they just holding onto him to save face and because of his draft status?
Kevin Seifert: First of all, I wouldn’t compare Gilbert to Haynes in terms of their draft status. Gilbert was a third-round pick. Haynes was taken in the first round. If Gilbert never contributes, it would hardly qualify as the flop that Haynes was.
Gilbert mostly was used at the three-technique during training camp, and I’ve wondered if he would somehow surface during this latest run of uncertainty for defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Israel Idonije filled in for Harris last week, a reasonable move. But if Harris really is in his final season with the Bears, as some are suggesting, it might be nice to get Gilbert on the field at some point to give coaches a baseline for evaluating him next offseason.
PITTSBURGH -- Here is the key personnel news around the NFC North on Sunday:
- Minnesota was coy about cornerback Antoine Winfield’s replacement, listing Karl Paymah or Benny Sapp as the starter opposite Cedric Griffin. Oh boy. Whatever will they do?
- Vikings receiver Percy Harvin (shoulder) is in uniform and will play.
- Chicago defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) did not practice all week and won’t play at Cincinnati, although that won’t become official for a few hours. Harris’ situation with the Bears merits further inspection. There’s no indication Harris has anything other than chronic knee pain, the same issue that has bothered him since last season. The Bears are only five games into their season and already Harris is having trouble staying on the field.
- Green Bay won’t have left tackle Chad Clifton (ankle), but center Jason Spitz (back) was not among the eight inactive players announced before its game at Cleveland. It’s expected that veteran Scott Wells will start at center, however. Clifton will be replaced by rookie T.J. Lang.
Here’s the final ruling on Minnesota cornerback Antoine Winfield: sprained right foot.
|
That was the word Monday from Vikings coach Brad Childress, who told local reporters that it’s unclear whether the injury will force him to miss any time.
“People heal so differently it’s hard to know,” Childress said. “... Guys have different recuperative skills and I’m not going to rule him in or out at this point.”
Childress wouldn’t say if the Vikings would use Karl Paymah or another player in place of Winfield if he can’t play Sunday at Pittsburgh. Baltimore targeted Paymah on a number of throws Sunday at the Metrodome, and Childress went out of his way to note that second-year player Husain Abdullah played well Sunday in spot duty.
You wonder if the nature of the Vikings’ upcoming schedule would impact Winfield’s timetable. They play the Steelers on Sunday, followed by an NFC North matchup Nov. 1 at Green Bay. If I had to choose, I’d rather have Winfield on two weeks rest against the Packers than risk him at less than 100 percent against an AFC foe this week.
After Minnesota’s 33-31 victory Sunday over Baltimore, here are three (mostly) indisputable facts I feel relatively sure about:
- In trying to convey the chance nature of this victory, I glossed over the career-changing performance of receiver Sidney Rice. His 58-yard reception in the fourth quarter not only set up the eventual game-winning field goal, but it also gave him the first 100-yard receiving game of his career. Rice has developed an indisputable connection with quarterback Brett Favre; on the 58-yard reception, he adjusted a 12-yard comeback route into a straight go route. Favre followed Rice’s thinking and was rewarded for giving him a chance to make the catch in traffic. With a 6-foot-4 frame and a near 50-inch vertical leap, Rice makes it extraordinarily difficult for cornerbacks to beat him to the ball. Once pigeon-holed as a red zone specialist, Rice has now emerged as an all-field threat.
- Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe has 12 touchdowns since the start of the 2008 season, second only to Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez (13) over that span. But if Minnesota had its way, his 1-yard scoring reception Sunday would never have happened. The Vikings had the wrong personnel on the field for the formation, according to Favre, and coach Brad Childress tried to call a timeout. Fullback Naufahu Tahi, for one, had never been used in the play before. But Favre pushed on and ran the play anyway. “I knew by [Tahi’s] look that he had no clue,” Favre said. “He hadn’t run that play. You just have to be able to adapt sometimes. I thought we did a good job at it. … I feel real confident with our guys that we can do things like that.”
- Runs of 26 and 58 yards helped tailback Adrian Peterson to his first 100-yard game since opening weekend, an especially impressive statistic considering the opponent. Yes, the Ravens had allowed 127 yards to Cincinnati’s Cedric Benson a week before. But Peterson’s 143 yards Sunday were an 11-year high against a Ray Lewis defense, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Lewis has missed some games over his career, but the last time he played in a game in which an opposing runner had a better day was in 1998, when Chicago’s James Allen rushed for 163 yards.
And here’s one question I’m still asking:
What’s the prognosis for cornerback Antoine Winfield? The Vikings’ top cornerback left Sunday’s game in the first half and did not return. The injury was first reported to be a turf toe, but Winfield said afterward it was an injury “to the top of my foot.” He lobbied to return to the game, but the Vikings considered it significant enough to keep him on the sideline even with Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco on his way to a 244-yard second half. The Ravens often targeted Winfield’s replacement, Karl Paymah, as the Vikings decided to keep Benny Sapp in the nickel position. Few teams have a suitable replacement for a No. 1 cornerback, but I think you got a pretty good picture of how important Winfield is to the Vikings’ pass defense after he departed.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Check here for a full list of Minnesota’s roster moves.
Biggest surprise: There weren’t many, but it was a bit startling to see the Vikings part ways with tight end Garrett Mills. He’s always demonstrated soft hands and seemed to be an offensive playmaker in the waiting. The Vikings carried him on their roster for two years hoping that would be the case, but this year they decided to go heavier at the receiver position. They kept three tight ends -- Visanthe Shiancoe, Jim Kleinsasser and Jeff Dugan -- along with six receivers. Essentially, No. 6 receiver Darius Reynaud beat out Mills.
No brainers: There will be some hand-wringing over the decision to release quarterback John David Booty, especially if he is claimed by another team. I don’t deny that he’s in the middle of his development, but to this point I’ve never seen anything to suggest he’ll be any better than a No. 3 quarterback. The Vikings have three passers on their roster who are better than him. I don’t think there are many people in the NFL who consider Booty the Vikings’ quarterback of the future. It’ll be OK.
What’s next: Minnesota will have to determine whether Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels will be the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Brett Favre. I’m guessing it’s Jackson. Coach Brad Childress loathes interceptions, and Rosenfels threw a bad one Friday night against Dallas. I’ll also be interested to see if some of the Vikings’ roster decisions help improve their coverage units. Linebackers Jasper Brinkley and Kenny Onatolu, along with defensive backs Jamarca Sanford and Karl Paymah, made the team based almost exclusively on special teams.
MANKATO, Minn. -- Monday is the last full day I'll be spending here at Minnesota's camp, a development I'm sure will be a relief to some of you who are have been feeling a bit Purple-dosed during this extended weekend. As I've mentioned, I'll be hitting all four NFC North camps and everyone will get their turn.
With that, here are some observations and thoughts about the Vikings after seven practices:
- Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (knee) stepped up his rehabilitation a bit Monday afternoon, throwing and jogging on the field during practice. The next step will be jumping into stretching and individual drills. Coach Brad Childress continues to be vague on the severity of the injury and Jackson's timetable for return. Jackson didn't speak to the media Monday. My suspicion level always rises to the level of secrecy, and confirmed details have been scarce in this case. But if I had to guess, I would say Jackson is several days away from returning at full speed.
- In his absence, Sage Rosenfels has improved with every practice. Monday was by far his best day, highlighted by two long completions to Bernard Berrian and Jaymar Johnson. Rosenfels is also looking much more confident and sure of himself as he feels his way through the offense. If nothing else, he has used this opportunity to pull himself dead even with Jackson in their competition. The more time Jackson misses, the better for Rosenfels. And for all of you rooting for John David Booty: I've seen nothing to suggest he is contender for the starting job. He's smoother than last year but still significantly behind Rosenfels in terms of accuracy and knowledge.
- Rookie cornerback Asher Allen, a third-round pick from Georgia, has flashed a number of times during practice and drew strong praise Monday from Childress. Allen is aggressive, fluid and not afraid to stick his nose into a pile. At this point, he appears to have a legitimate chance to win the job at nickel back. Even if he doesn't, it looks like he has a future in that role. On the flip side, I've not noticed free agent Karl Paymah once in defensive drills. Paymah ostensibly was signed to play in the nickel defense.
- The team appears to have better depth at linebacker after getting Heath Farwell back from a knee injury and adding fifth-round pick Jasper Brinkley. Farwell made an athletic interception Sunday while chasing tight end Visanthe Shiancoe downfield. Brinkley plays with anger and is going to be a good hitter, perhaps right away on special teams. The Vikings had to go out and sign Napoleon Harris last year when E.J. Henderson was injured, but this year they should be able to absorb an injury internally.
- First-round pick Percy Harvin doesn't look comfortable as a punt returner but seems relatively natural as a kickoff returner. Special teams coordinator Brian Murphy agreed with that analysis. Harvin also has a habit of catching the ball with his hands over his shoulder or near his face mask. Murphy termed it an "oddity" and said it will have to be adjusted.
- The Vikings are throwing a lot at Harvin right away. In addition to kickoff and punt return duties, they're lining him up in the slot, on the outside and in the backfield. He's also involved in plenty of pre-snap motion and was used in Wildcat formations during minicamp. Coaches believe Harvin can handle the big load. "He has good football IQ," Childress said. "He likes football and has done a few different things. A lot of things we aren't doing for the first time with him."
- Tailback Adrian Peterson has never been considered a top-flight pass receiver, but I saw him drop more passes over the past four days than in quite some time. Peterson seemed to be looking upfield too early on some of them, but others simply slipped off his hands. I've seen nothing to suggest that Chester Taylor won't be the third-down back this season.
- I'll post a more in-depth look Tuesday at new right tackle Phil Loadholt and how his presence will impact the entire offense. For now, I'll just say he is one big dude who has without question upgraded the position. He still has a lot to learn, but his 6-foot-8 frame allows him to cover for some of his inexperience.
Camp Confidential: All quiet for Vikings ... for now
 | |
| AP Photo/Jim Mone | |
| With Brett Favre out of the picture, the Vikings' quarterback competition comes down to Tarvaris Jackson (7) and Sage Rosenfels (2). |
Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert
MANKATO, Minn. -- The scene was set for a rock concert. Now, temporary bleachers sit empty at one end of the practice fields at Minnesota State University, Mankato. A super-sized interview tent now seems out of place. One lowly blogger sits in the overflow media room.
| |||||||
Vikings training camp opened to a quiet and anticlimactic scene, one that once seemed destined to be dominated by the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre. Instead, the Vikings have been left with Plan B and C at quarterback as they prepare to defend their NFC North title. And a largely veteran roster has been left to pick up the pieces and steer clear of the letdown that surrounds it.
"That's our job as adults," defensive end Jared Allen said. "We're not in high school. You don't need to carry little grudges with you. It's professional football. [We're] professionals. Let's go do our job. Our job is to win games, defend our division championship and hopefully win the Super Bowl."
Key questions
1. Can Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels be a competent starting quarterback?
| |||||||
Christopher Harris analyzes Bernard Berrian and the Vikings receivers from a fantasy perspective now that Brett Favre is in town. It's a fair question. After all, in a combined 11 NFL seasons, neither player has proved worthy of a full-time starting job. For what it's worth, camp hardly started in ideal fashion. Rosenfels appeared still to be growing comfortable with the offense while a sprained knee felled Jackson in the third practice.
Jackson's injury is not serious, but his long injury history illustrates the perils of counting on him to be a full-time starter. Rosenfels, meanwhile, is a career backup who now realizes the Vikings' offense isn't as familiar as he previously believed. His transition from Houston's version of the West Coast scheme will take some time.
 | |
| Tom Dahlin/Getty Images | |
| Rookie Phil Loadholt is the early favorite to win the starting right tackle spot. |
But at this point, the Vikings have given themselves no choice but to count on one of them to step up after Favre turned down their overtures last month. In the competitive NFC North, that gambit could mean the difference between the division title and missing the playoffs.
2. Can the offensive line withstand the addition of two new starters?
Rookie Phil Loadholt appears set to take over the right tackle position, and his sheer girth -- 6-foot-8, 343 pounds -- will make it difficult for most defensive ends to get around him. Loadholt also looked relatively smooth as a run-blocker early in camp, and it's hard to imagine him losing a competition for the starting job.
The prognosis for new center John Sullivan, however, is not as certain. He is universally recognized as a smart player, but his ability to match up with the NFL's top defensive tackles has not been measured yet. From a physical standpoint, Sullivan might be at a disadvantage. The Vikings list Sullivan at 6-foot-4, but he has an odd build -- short legs and a long torso -- that make him look and play much shorter.
I asked Pro Bowl nose tackle Pat Williams if he thought Sullivan was ready.
"He doesn't have a choice," Williams said. "That's all we've got. He's still learning, but I think he'll be a good center for us."
Williams, however, also noted the long list of big defensive tackles Sullivan will have to match up against this year -- starting with Cleveland's Shaun Rogers in the Sept. 13 season opener.
"He's got to be strong," Williams said. "The guys he is going to be playing are some big dudes."
3. Are the Vikings prepared for the possibility of losing the Williams Wall?
|
|
The team is developing a contingency plan in the event that defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams are forced to serve their four-game suspensions. (A Minnesota judge will decide by Aug. 7 whether the players' legal case can proceed in state court.) Few teams have starting-caliber defensive tackles in reserve, but the Vikings are hoping to patch together a decent lineup if they have to.
Fred Evans, Jimmy Kennedy and Letroy Guion have been working as the second-team defensive tackles during practice. Guion also has been working with the first-team nickel defense when Pat Williams takes a breather.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier acknowledged it will be "a bit of a drop-off" if Evans, Kennedy and/or Guion is forced into the starting lineup. But Frazier added: "We feel confident we will still be able to play good defense with those other guys in the lineup."
I think that's a fair way of looking at it. The question will be whether the replacements can hold their own, not whether they can maintain the NFL's top-rated run defense. That's an unrealistic expectation.
Market watch
You have to wonder where veteran receiver Bobby Wade will fit in after the Vikings drafted receiver Percy Harvin and welcomed back a healthy Sidney Rice. Even with Harvin unsigned at the beginning of training camp, it seemed clear that Wade will lose some playing time after leading the team in receptions the past two seasons.
If everyone stays healthy, early indications are that Bernard Berrian, Rice and Harvin are first in line for snaps this season. Wade could share some slot responsibilities with Harvin, but the Vikings want the exciting rookie on the field as often as possible.
It's hard to imagine Wade not making the team after catching 107 passes since 2007. But he does appear to be in a fight for playing time that also includes youngsters Jaymar Johnson and Darius Reynaud. Depending on how many receivers they carry on the roster, the Vikings might have to decide whether to keep a reliable veteran or an intriguing up-and-comer.
|
Newcomer to watch
Harvin missed the first three days of training camp, but it wasn't difficult to see the multi-faceted role the team has mapped out for him.
Reynaud played Harvin's role during practice, roving all over the field -- much like Harvin did while playing at the University of Florida. It's also possible the Vikings will use Harvin as a punt and kickoff returner if he gets into camp soon enough.
Harvin is the kind of open-field runner who can change the dynamic of a game on one play. He'll give the Vikings the best weapon they've ever had in taking defensive attention away from tailback Adrian Peterson. If he and Peterson stay healthy, Harvin is an early candidate for rookie of the year.
Observation deck
Middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is back after a pair of dislocated toes caused him to miss the final 12 games last season. In his first practice this summer, Henderson brought the entire defense together to discuss his goals for this season. "You could hear a pin drop in our huddle," Frazier said. Henderson is normally a quiet leader. "For him to do that," Frazier said, "it makes everyone feel as if this is for real. No more playing around." ... The Vikings signed free agent Karl Paymah ostensibly as their nickelback, but early in camp he was playing with the third team. Benny Sapp, Marcus McCauley and rookie Asher Allen were rotating at nickel. ... Coaches would like to get Peterson more involved in the passing game, but so far tailback Chester Taylor has gotten most of the third-down snaps. "We have a Chester Taylor and we might as well use him," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. ... Peterson on rushing for 2,000 yards in a season: "It is something I think about and dream about." ... With Loadholt the likely starter at right tackle, Ryan Cook is getting a chance to win a backup center/tackle job.
A Vikings roster move, but not THAT one
Minnesota made a roster move Monday morning, but it wasn't the one you've been waiting on.
The Vikings waived cornerback Charles Gordon, who hasn't played or practiced since dislocating his ankle last November. The team had already signed free agent Karl Paymah to replace Gordon as its primary nickel back, and as of now veteran Benny Sapp and rookie Asher Allen are set to compete for the dime back position.
As Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune points out, the Vikings now have 81 players on their roster. That's one over the NFL limit, meaning they'll have to make room for first-round draft pick Percy Harvin and second-round choice Phil Loadholt when they sign contracts. And another for Hewhoshallnotbenamed, if and when it comes to that.
Black and Blue all over: Sims keeps it real
There was no shortage of optimism at Detroit's practice facility following a strong offseason program and a 4-0 preseason. Some players and coaches believed the franchise had turned the corner. Then, 0-16 happened.
Lions linebacker Ernie Sims, for one, has learned his lesson. Speaking to Detroit-area reporters, Sims wouldn't agree that there should be cautious optimism about the 2009 team:
"Naw, I'm not cautious because that's what it is. I'm being real. It might look good on paper right now and it might look good because they're running good in offseason training, but it really matters when it's Sunday and the lights are on and it's game time."
(Quote courtesy Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com.)
Sims said he has spent the past 2 1/2 months mostly in isolation to put last season behind him:
"I went home and went into the country and didn't come out and didn't talk to nobody. And now I'm back. I went into the country, into the woods. I disappeared. I went fishing and caught me a 10-pound bass. I did all kinds of stuff. I just got away, relaxed and let my body heal up."
Sims is a pretty quiet guy and mostly keeps to himself. But from this vantage point, it seems he has the right kind of personality to navigate the Lions' rebuilding project.
Continuing around the NFC North a bit later than normal on this Friday morning:
- Lynn Henning of the Detroit News attended Thursday's pro day for Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. Lions general manager Martin Mayhew also was in attendance but declined comment.
- Chicago receiver Earl Bennett said he had trouble learning the Bears' plays as a rookie, according to Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald.
- The Bears completed their three-day minicamp Thursday and will return April 6 to begin the strength and conditioning portion of their offseason.
- According to this story from Megan Manfull of the Houston Chronicle, Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris will join a group of NFL players traveling this month to Nigeria.
- Cornerback Karl Paymah and receiver/kick returner Glenn Holt believe they have a chance to win the Super Bowl with Minnesota, an unbelieving Mark Craig reports for the Star Tribune.
- In case you missed it Thursday night, Green Bay safety Nick Collins has skipped the start of the Packers' offseason program because of a lack of progress towards a new contract. Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal has the story.
Black and Blue all over: Kampman's silence
We're keeping an eye on the situation involving Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, who told ESPN.com on Sunday night that he has asked the Broncos to trade him. If that comes to pass, as many as three NFC North teams will be mentioned in the public discussion of possible destinations.
We'll get to all that in a post a bit later Monday morning, but those teams rhyme with Bicago, Letroit and Vinnesota. First, however, let's catch up on a few items of weekend news.
The big story coming out of this weekend's Fan Fest in Green Bay was that the Packers don't plan to retire Brett Favre's No. 4 jersey this season for reasons that team president/CEO Mark Murphy articulated here. But the most interesting note that jumped out to me was new veteran Aaron Kampman's decision to decline interview requests about his move from defensive end to linebacker.
As Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal notes, Kampman is one of the Packers' most media-friendly players. He is a not a rock-the-boat character by any means. But he understands the media game and has always been willing to answer any question while simultaneously avoiding any inflammatory comments.
All of which makes you wonder why Kampman has shut down the interview circuit this offseason and whether it relates to his mid-career position switch -- one that on paper, at least, figures to be a challenge. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers said over the weekend that Kampman had some understandable concerns about the move, but by all accounts the plan to use him at linebacker is moving forward.
Kampman will no doubt bear down and do what's asked of him. But does he think it's a good idea? That's for another time -- and question.
Continuing around the NFC North on a busier-than-expected weekend:
- Free-agent offensive lineman John St. Clair plans to visit Cleveland on Monday, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times. That move means St. Clair isn't likely to be at the Bears' mandatory minicamp, which begins Tuesday. Chicago is trying to re-sign him to play right tackle and have offered a three-year, $4.5 million contract, according to Biggs.
- Bears linebacker Nick Roach will sign his exclusive rights contract tender on Monday, Biggs reports. The formality allows Roach to participate in minicamp.
- David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune has more questions than answers on the eve of Bears minicamp. Noting the possibility that only one defensive starter will change from last season, Haugh writes: "This is the most secure mediocre defense in the league."
- Nicholas J. Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press thinks the Lions have filled enough holes in free agency that they can enter the draft without being forced to address a particular need.
- New Minnesota cornerback Karl Paymah upon signing with the Vikings: "I got the talent, but not the guidance. They got a legendary staff." Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Paymah in line to be Vikings' nickel back
You might not have heard of Karl Paymah before the free agent market opened -- and we're looking in the mirror here -- but chances are he'll be Minnesota's nickel back in 2009 after agreeing to a one-year contract Saturday worth $1.55 million.
ESPN's John Clayton reports the deal could exceed $2 million if Paymah reaches all of his incentives. Those aren't dime back/special teams contributor numbers. That's what you pay a player who you consider a likely candidate to be your third cornerback.
The Vikings have also re-signed both players who held down the nickel job last year, Charles Gordon and Benny Sapp. Each signed one-year deals: Gordon for $530,000 (plus $500,000 in incentives) and Sapp for $841,000. So I doubt the Vikings would have pursued Paymah and paid him what they did if they didn't think he represented an upgrade.
Want to know more about Paymah the player? Here's Scouts Inc.'s analysis as the free agent market opened:
Paymah has been a career backup who has five starts in his four-year career, while in Denver. He has more value on special teams than he does as a cornerback. He shows above-average, straight-line speed on coverage and willingness to throw his body around with abandon. He is an adequate athlete for the cornerback position and has the size and strength to press receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is inconsistent in off coverage, does not show great route recognition and will bite on fakes. He is a little stiff in the hips and comes out his pedal in stages. He lacks the premier top-end burst of speed to catch up when receivers gain separation from him, but enough speed to shadow most receivers on go routes. He is Denver's No. 4 corner, but does not have enough explosive quickness or agility to start in the league. He is getting to the stage in his career that he will be fighting for a job every year.
Black and Blue all over: Bullocks mania
This is how player acquisitions get discussed among the general populace in the year 2009: Via YouTube highlight reels.
Yes, this is a small sampling, but the current cut-up making the rounds on new Chicago safety Josh Bullocks isn't exactly the stuff of inspiration. I can't embed it on this blog, but you can view it on the Chicago Tribune's blog here. Go ahead. It won't bite.
David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune is guessing the Bears believe new defensive backs coach Jon Hoke can point Bullocks in the right direction. Or maybe they'll find their actual 2009 free safety next month in the draft. All that's assured now is Bullocks will be in uniform for next week's mandatory minicamp at the Bears' practice facility.
Continuing around the NFC North:
- Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times believes it's possible the Bears will consider new free agents Marvel Smith and Kevin Shaffer if they cannot make a quick deal with free-agent offensive lineman John St. Clair.
- Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald looks back at the performances of recently-drafted wide receivers.
- Free-agent defensive end Michael Montgomery might make another visit before deciding whether to return to Green Bay, according to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
- Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson speaks with Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune, among other things revealing that his now-infamous recruiting discussion with free-agent receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh was a 1-minute conversation -- by phone.
- Free-agent cornerback Karl Paymah is scheduled to visit the Vikings on Friday morning, according to Rick Alonzo of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- The Star Tribune reports the Vikings are also considering a late run at free-agent fullback Leonard Weaver, who spent the past four seasons in Seattle.
- Pat Carter, who spent the past three seasons as Detroit's tight ends coach, is working as a volunteer coach for the University of North Alabama. Here's the story from the TimesDaily.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and children.
