Vikings Brining Back Shamar Stephen on a 3 Year Deal

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@MarkSP18 said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@MarkSP18 said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@MarkSP18 said:

Stephen is mediocre at best.  Why would they bring him back on such a long deal?
Crazy stupid.
Just sign him to a one year deal.
And why not wait?  There are plenty of defensive tackles similar to Stephen that probably will get signed for less in a week or two on one year deals.
Like a Rodney Gunter.
Does this mean they are going to skip over this great DT class this year because now they have the great Stephen back?

Its probably more like a one year deal with two option years whether they're official options or not. There won't be so much money guaranteed they couldn't move on next off-season. If they end up losing Sheldon I'm sure they will end up find another pass rusher in the draft. 

I have to see the terms but this is not very impressive to go back to what you did not want to pay to keep last year.
With limited cap space I was hoping it would be used on the offensive line.
And not for over aged on the decline players.

I would have patience when it comes to the O-line. They aren't going to be throwing around $10M+ for slightly above average players. They'll make more cap room, I'm sure of that. But this is simply a depth move and an improvement to the run defense that significantly regressed. 

OK.  But what does that say about Jaleel and Jayln?

I think it probably still leaves Jaleel a role. Jayln is more of a wildcard its still possible they could move him over to DE as well. 

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@"Geoff Nichols" said:
Its probably more like a one year deal with two option years whether they're official options or not. There won't be so much money guaranteed they couldn't move on next off-season. If they end up losing Sheldon I'm sure they will end up find another pass rusher in the draft. 

Seems like a depth signing.  And I think Sheldon is moving on.

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To me this signals Vikings going to use the depth of DT in this draft to get their guy

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@SFVikeFan said:
To me this signals Vikings going to use the depth of DT in this draft to get their guy

I think that would be a fair approach. They could find a piece in the 3rd/4th who could get some run early. Also with the assumption they keep Everson (not saying they will) they could also sub him inside to get Weatherly more reps as well. 

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@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@SFVikeFan said:
To me this signals Vikings going to use the depth of DT in this draft to get their guy

I think that would be a fair approach. They could find a piece in the 3rd/4th who could get some run early. Also with the assumption they keep Everson (not saying they will) they could also sub him inside to get Weatherly more reps as well. 

I think the opposite.  I believe the draft is great at the top for defensive linemen.  After that it is just like getting Jaleel or Jalyn.
A box of chocolates.

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Whoo-hoo! Super Bowl here we come! 

Ricky is truly a master. His well documented history of playoff success (Chicago, Miami, Minnesota) makes this an immediate slam dunk!

Kudos!!

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This is a solid signing to take some NT snaps to keep Linval refreshed. Stephen is a  solid rotational piece against the run game

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@Bullazin said:
This is a solid signing to take some NT snaps to keep Linval refreshed. Stephen is a  solid rotational piece against the run game

That’s the way I read it too.  I don’t think this necessarily impacts Richardson at all. Now if we take a DL at 18 that’s another story.  

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Stephen is decent enough rotational depth at NT and our run defense was not great last season, but at the same time bringing him back when we have younger players like Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes feels a bit odd. Holmes is more of a UT/LDE, but Johnson had switched to NT, so I'm not sure where that leaves things if Richardson is not re-signed. I've been on the fence about bringing back Richardson, but I'm not super confident in a trio of Stephen, Holmes, & Johnson right now. But maybe Stephen is purely a depth signing independent of other moves. Either way it feels like we are just adding needs right now without a lot of resources to replenish things. It's the cost of success, but I wish I was more confident in the young players we have at DT and LB.

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Getting goosebumps.