Should the Vikings Resign Sheldon Richardson?

[ThunderGod]

https://thevikingage.com/2019/01/10/shou...ichardson/

[Guest]

No, frankly I thought the guy was a disappointment.  His play could have contributed to our run D being lesser than 17’.

Grab a big body vet in FA (Parry?) and find the next Viking great DL in the first round.

For Richardson’s money we could bring back Easton and add a quality starting OG, with small money to spare (resign Tom Johnson)

I would like to see a DT rotation of Joseph and First Rounder, Johnson, Holmes, Johnson, Parry.  I believe J Johnson and Holmes are ready to take the next step.

[Guest]

Richardson  played every down like it was a passing down.  Ignored his lane and rushed in.  Usually he got caught up in a trap block and always seemed to be taken out of the running plays.  Shows a lack of discipline.

[Guest]

Can’t answer this question without knowing the price.  I wouldn’t break the bank for him, but I
would do another $8M.


If there’s any legit OLine available to upgrade in FA, do
that first over any defensive signings, though.  I certainly wouldn’t upgrade DLine before
OLine in the draft though.

[Guest]

At what cost?Is he coachable?

[Guest]

Getting him on this line wasn't quite the coup I thought it would be. The odd thing was that he wasn't very good against the run, considering his ability to play both the run and pass is what made him such a great DT early on. So go figure.

With the 2019 draft being the DT motherload that it is, and the fact that we have two pretty good looking prospects in Holmes and Jaleel, I'd be surprised if Richardson were brought back considering how much he'll command. I can see a team trying to rebuild its defense (or switching to a 4-3) giving him a lot more than we'd be willing to offer. 

[Guest]

@MaroonBells said:
Getting him on this line wasn't quite the coup I thought it would be. The odd thing was that he wasn't very good against the run, considering his ability to play both the run and pass is what made him such a great DT early on. So go figure.

With the 2019 draft being the DT motherload that it is, and the fact that we have two pretty good looking prospects in Holmes and Jaleel, I'd be surprised if Richardson were brought back considering how much he'll command. I can see a team trying to rebuild its defense (or switching to a 4-3) giving him a lot more than we'd be willing to offer. 

Just wondering out loud, was that because he was on a one year deal, looking to cash in?  He needed some splash numbers and 1 sack wasn't going to get him paid?
Dunno, but I would agree that we can do better there.

[Guest]

I would not. But another question is whether people believe the Vikings will make a strong push to retain him.
As others have noted, Richardson seemed to break discipline a lot and fail against the run. Given Zimmer's emphasis on following assignments, I was a bit surprised he didn't get reduced snaps or even benched. My guess would be that Zimmer campaigned hard to sign Richardson, maybe claimed he was "the final piece of the defense". If so, that would have made it harder to admit he was a failure only trying to pad his stats for next year's UFA contract.
So I think the Vikings will claim they tried but were too far apart, and let Richardson walk.

[Guest]

@Jor-El said:
I would not. But another question is whether people believe the Vikings will make a strong push to retain him.
As others have noted, Richardson seemed to break discipline a lot and fail against the run. Given Zimmer's emphasis on following assignments, I was a bit surprised he didn't get reduced snaps or even benched. My guess would be that Zimmer campaigned hard to sign Richardson, maybe claimed he was "the final piece of the defense". If so, that would have made it harder to admit he was a failure only trying to pad his stats for next year's UFA contract.
So I think the Vikings will claim they tried but were too far apart, and let Richardson walk.

I have already done one off season plan and I think they let Richardson and Barr hit the market mainly because there will be a difference of opinion on value (i.e., money).
Vikings need to let them go and get the compensatory picks in 2020 which means doing almost nothing in free agency.
Kind of ties into the other post about Vikings drafting DL in the 1st.  If Richardson walks then it is a no brainer with the draft class this year.
One player not talked about a lot is Zack Allen.  He could be the next JJ Watt.
Watt was 6'5.3" 290, ran a 4.91 forty, 1.71 10 yard, 34 bench reps, 37" vertical, 10" broad, & 6.88 three cone.
Allen is 6'4.5" 285 and should run somewhere between 4.8 and 4.9.
https://usatodayhss.com/2014/national-poy-watch-zach-allen-is-doing-one-terrific-j-j-watt-impersonation
As a defensive end and linebacker, Allen has amassed 72 tackles (14 for losses), 8.5 sacks, two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown),
four forced fumbles and eight passes defended through nine games this
season. As a goal-line tight end, he has hauled in six receptions for 70
yards and three touchdowns.
If the Vikings get Allen they can let Griffen and Rudolph go.  He can replace both! 

[Guest]

Internally the Vikings are really high on him so I'd assume they'll make an effort to hold onto him. He struggled against the run at times but some of that was scheme based and the fact it was his first year in the system. The Vikings play a lot of pre-snap games with the interior lineman which makes me believe he'd be much better after a season in the playbook. 

It will come down to cost though. If he wants to be paid like a top 5 DT the Vikings won't give him that money. If he wants a multi-year deal between $8-10M/yr that would at least keep the conversations moving. There is also a chance the interior D-line market gets suppressed due to the strong draft class.