Vikings Cut Josh Kline

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"medaille" said: Yeah, this is a pretty big WTF move.  Now we need 2 guards?  What is the plan here?

Or,

Is there a plan?  :p

If you want to really read into it'd suggest they're happy with Samia and are ready to throw him into the ring. Dead money sucks but if you know Samia is your guy you're better off eating the dead money sooner than later. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Kentis" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"medaille" said: Yeah, this is a pretty big WTF move.  Now we need 2 guards?  What is the plan here?

Or,

Is there a plan?  :p

If you want to really read into it'd suggest they're happy with Samia and are ready to throw him into the ring. Dead money sucks but if you know Samia is your guy you're better off eating the dead money sooner than later. 

What about the Dark Elf? Does he factor in at all this season...? We could’ve gained more cap w/ his release, or is it too early for them to admit his drafting was a mistake!?

The value in Elf is that he can also play center, so even as the backup interior lineman you get a little more versatility. With that consideration it makes sense moving on from Kline now since it gets you his full $6M cap hit to use in 2021. So its more of a long play. 

What it would suggest is that they're fully committing to retooling (not a rebuild) this off-season. The idea would be to take a small step back next season to recharge for another push in 2021+. Not saying that is the gameplan but everything they've done suggests it. 

Is this Rick's way of announcing that the Vikings are throwing their hat in the ring for Trevor Lawrence?

Two full pages of replies to this cut and still no one can make sense of it.
Glad I'm not the only one. Bizarre move.

@"pattersaur" said:

Two full pages of replies to this cut and still no one can make sense of it. Glad I'm not the only one. Bizarre move.

You read the answer already, you just don't want to admit it. The team is retooling for another run in 2021. Next season is getting a bunch of young guys and maybe 1 more FA acclimated. 

The fact that the Wilfs signed off on this is also a pretty clear indication Rick and Mike will be back. Why allow them to follow this path otherwise?

@"JimmyinSD" said: At this time this is a total WTF move.  1.5 in cap space isnt shit. 

I wonder if the concussion injury Kline had will end his career....

Kline was just not very good. He doesnt get out in the run game very well and was serviceable in pass pro but not even good. We thought he was great cause Elf was a train wreck 

Kline was overrated on this board, that much I know. But still surprising. My only guess is somebody on the current roster has some promise and they plan to backfill in the Draft. 

Kline was definitely competent and benefited from lining up to O'Neill. The move is certainly puzzling, but certainly no reason for angst. Let's see what the rest of FA, the draft, June 1 cuts, and final roster cut downs bring.

@"FSUVike" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

Two full pages of replies to this cut and still no one can make sense of it. Glad I'm not the only one. Bizarre move.

You read the answer already, you just don't want to admit it. The team is retooling for another run in 2021. Next season is getting a bunch of young guys and maybe 1 more FA acclimated. 

The fact that the Wilfs signed off on this is also a pretty clear indication Rick and Mike will be back. Why allow them to follow this path otherwise?

@"Norse" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said: Makes 0 sense from a cap management standpoint. We'll have to see if it is a post June-1 cut since that at least spreads the cap hits out a little bit. Otherwise they nearly paid him to go away. 

Harris trade for Joel Bitonio?

Isnt Dozier about the same as Klein production wise? 

@"Bullazin" said: Isnt Dozier about the same as Klein production wise? 

I'd say that's a fair statement. Did the line suffer when he went in for Kline?

Good take.

@"Bullazin" said: Isnt Dozier about the same as Klein production wise? 

Actually, considering how many people missed this, take $100 from petty cash and take the rest of the day off.

Astute observation.

@"BarrNone55" said: Kline was definitely competent and benefited from lining up to O'Neill. The move is certainly puzzling, but certainly no reason for angst. Let's see what the rest of FA, the draft, June 1 cuts, and final roster cut downs bring.

I though Kline lined up next to Reiff?  Elf lined up next to O'Neill?  Did my dyslexia kick in again?

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Kentis" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"medaille" said: Yeah, this is a pretty big WTF move.  Now we need 2 guards?  What is the plan here?

Or,

Is there a plan?  :p

If you want to really read into it'd suggest they're happy with Samia and are ready to throw him into the ring. Dead money sucks but if you know Samia is your guy you're better off eating the dead money sooner than later. 

What about the Dark Elf? Does he factor in at all this season...? We could’ve gained more cap w/ his release, or is it too early for them to admit his drafting was a mistake!?

The value in Elf is that he can also play center, so even as the backup interior lineman you get a little more versatility. With that consideration it makes sense moving on from Kline now since it gets you his full $6M cap hit to use in 2021. So its more of a long play. 

What it would suggest is that they're fully committing to retooling (not a rebuild) this off-season. The idea would be to take a small step back next season to recharge for another push in 2021+. Not saying that is the gameplan but everything they've done suggests it. 

@"ArizonaViking" said:

@"BarrNone55" said: Kline was definitely competent and benefited from lining up to O'Neill. The move is certainly puzzling, but certainly no reason for angst. Let's see what the rest of FA, the draft, June 1 cuts, and final roster cut downs bring.

I though Kline lined up next to Reiff?  Elf lined up next to O'Neill?  Did my dyslexia kick in again?

This makes zero sense to me. He had an average salary for the spot and was a nice improvement when he came in. I just don’t get this one. I’m not sure on pressures but I think he only gave up like two sacks on the season. Have to wonder if they have their sights set on someone they need more cap for.

@"Havoc1649" said: This makes zero sense to me. He had an average salary for the spot and was a nice improvement when he came in. I just don’t get this one. I’m not sure on pressures but I think he only gave up like two sacks on the season. Have to wonder if they have their sights set on someone they need more cap for.

Kline was not a "great" IOL by any stretch, but he was, in terms of pass blocking anyway, our highest graded interior lineman last year (Elflein rated higher as a run blocker and can also play center). But here's the real head scratcher: Kline's cap number was $6M. $4.5 of that is dead. So you save only $1.5M by releasing him. Elflein's cap number is $2.4M with only .2 dead. Cap savings would've been nearly $2.2M. So I don't think this was about saving money. 

This combined with the Diggs trade suggests to me the Vikings are going serious run heavy.