Anthony Barr...

[purplefaithful]

A big priority for the Vikings, but... What kind of $$ is he looking at? 

I think he's had a solid year, not as splashy as years past. Maybe more fundamentally sound. 

Would hate to lose him thats for sure. 

[Guest]

His 5th year option is 12.??? million for next year.   I'm wondering if they try to lock him up long term starting around the 10 mill mark to start.  It's not much savings, but a couple mill here and there can get you another guy or two somewhere else on the roster.

[Guest]

Yeah, this will probably be our next deal...it'll be big and probably not a great value when you look at tangible stats...but he allows Zim to do multiple things on D...big part of the overall unit...

[Guest]

I'll be curious to see what kind of deal he gets...  I'm guessing it'll be a "SpielBrez Special" that is pay-as-you-go after the first two years (or 3 depending in the term).

Definitely a critical piece to the defense.  I was thinking around 7-8 million per year, but looking at Jamie Collins and Telvin Smith's recent contracts...  It might be more.

Yikers.

[Guest]

I think his best years are still ahead of him, if he stays healthy (knocking wood).

[Guest]

I think Barr's versatility really allows Zimmer to do a ton with his defense. Barr is pivotal to Zimmer's scheme IMO

[Guest]

@Canthony said:
I think Barr's versatility really allows Zimmer to do a ton with his defense. Barr is pivotal to Zimmer's scheme IMO

Yup, him and Dirty Harry are straws that stir the drink...

[Guest]

@purplefaithful said:

@Canthony said:
I think Barr's versatility really allows Zimmer to do a ton with his defense. Barr is pivotal to Zimmer's scheme IMO

Yup, him and Dirty Harry are straws that stir the drink...

I would agree. Then you have Rhodes and Kendricks that shut down everything.

[Guest]

Mike Zimmer said he was ‘coasting,’ and Vikings LB Anthony Barr responded

Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr entered this season with something to prove to his head coach.
Last December, with Barr finishing up a disappointing season, Mike Zimmer said he “sometimes has a tendency to coast a little bit.” Barr said he used the comment as motivation.
“Yeah, I mean I felt I wanted to prove myself that I was a better player than I was (in 2016) and that I could meet expectations, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job,” Barr said in a recent interview. “From a year ago, I’ve come a long ways from there.”
Pro Football Focus ranked Barr 79th out of 86 NFL linebackers for the 2016 season. He made the Pro Bowl as an alternate, but that was mainly based on reputation from his strong 2015 season, when he had made his first Pro Bowl.
Pro Bowl selections will be announced Tuesday night on NFL Network, and Barr seems to be in line to make it for a third straight year.
“I would be humbled and blessed to have that opportunity,” said Barr, ranked 20th this season by Pro Football Focus among linebackers. “To be selected among my peers, it’s always a pretty cool thing.”

When it came to Barr, Zimmer’s tone Monday was a lot different than it was last December.
“He’s having a great year,” Zimmer said. “He’s playing really good. He’s been very active, he’s on top of things, he makes a lot of checks for the defense and things going on on the field. He’s been physical, very active in really all phases of the game.”
Barr said he took Zimmer’s criticism last season to heart because “it comes from your coach, someone you respect.” This season, Barr has made a concerted effort to be more active.
“I think I’ve just been focusing on each play and trying not to take any plays off and being engaged throughout the game,” he said. “Even if it’s kind of a slow day for me, I still feel I’ve been able to make an impact on the games.”

http://www.twincities.com/2017/12/18/mik...responded/

[Guest]

What a difference a year makes. He is going to get paid. I think he has grown a lot as a player and took his coach's words as a challenge to improve.