Saints release Larry Warford

@"BigAl99" said: What if Gabe Jackson from the Raiders becomes available?  Would there be any takers, he's a potential cut and a true left guard.

Of course, that may not be the case. It's possible that we won't find a player worthy of starting. But I don't think we'll  bring in a vet until we know that. Vikings probably don't want to be forced to cut a young, promising player like Collins or Udoh to bring in a stop gap. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"BigAl99" said: What if Gabe Jackson from the Raiders becomes available?  Would there be any takers, he's a potential cut and a true left guard.

I think we're done, honestly.  If Collins is ready to start, we wouldn't want Jackson delaying his development. Same with Kline. Between Reiff, Elflein, Collins, Dozier, Samia, and Udoh, Vikings probably think they have enough competition to forge a couple of pretty good starters. 

Of course, that may not be the case. It's possible that we won't find a player worthy of starting. But I don't think we'll  bring in a vet until we know that. Vikings probably don't want to be forced to cut a young, promising player like Collins or Udoh to bring in a stop gap. 

@"minny65" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"BigAl99" said: What if Gabe Jackson from the Raiders becomes available?  Would there be any takers, he's a potential cut and a true left guard.

I think we're done, honestly.  If Collins is ready to start, we wouldn't want Jackson delaying his development. Same with Kline. Between Reiff, Elflein, Collins, Dozier, Samia, and Udoh, Vikings probably think they have enough competition to forge a couple of pretty good starters. 

Of course, that may not be the case. It's possible that we won't find a player worthy of starting. But I don't think we'll  bring in a vet until we know that. Vikings probably don't want to be forced to cut a young, promising player like Collins or Udoh to bring in a stop gap. 

I just can't count Collins as part of our guard solution.  He has appeared in 2 regular season games and has been injured mostly the rest in 3 seasons.  He was also an injury risk coming out of college.  Udoh is a Tackle who appeared in that meaningless Bears game along with our other supposed starting Guard Samia.  I think we are pretty good at Tackle if Cleveland develops as expected.  It is the Guard's that are the BIG problem and question mark - IMO.  Your probably right Maroon but I don't want to wait until we see how things shake-out and then react late into the preseason to then scramble and pick up scraps.  

Elflein needs to backup if even that.  Collins needs to get out of the tent.  Samia has about 3 great highlight plays and a few miscues in the only game he appeared in vs the meaningless Bears.  Dozier is a decent vet that could not beat out Kline who we cut.

I just want our little remaining resources focused at Guard.  I am extremely surprised that we did not address earlier in the draft (meaning late 3rd or 4th round).  Obviously we valued other players over that position and the coaches now way more then any of us.  But as an armchair analyst I am very worried about our interior OL.  Bradbury wasn't exactly lights out either.  Our interior was manhandled by teams with a good interior DL.  Of course the 49'ers but they are not alone.  Both interior OL and DL were played with vs the 49'ers.  

Again, I would make a play for Warford.  I don't expect a 3X pro bowl Guard to become available again who is 28 years old.  He would allow the odds of the mix of Samia, Dozier, Collins to fight and develop for the other Guard position.  It would be nice to have one side of the OL set for years to come.  

There are 2 questions to answer: 
1.Are the Vikings interested in Warford?  
2.Will Warford play for what the Vikings have in cap room? 

The Vikings waiting until 2 picks before Mister Irrelevant to draft a guard indicates "No" to #1. 
Warford being a 3-time Pro Bowler in his prime at 28 makes #2 unlikely as well.  He'll deservedly want to be one of the highest paid guards and the Vikings don't have the room for that. 

Dare to dream, but don't hold your breath for it.

Well, I understand there's less major bleeding with Warford.

Warford is 28 (29 next month) and has been let go by 2 teams. Not saying he's horrible, but...why?

@"StickyBun" said: Warford is 28 (29 next month) and has been let go by 2 teams. Not saying he's horrible, but...why?

@"RS Express" said: There are 2 questions to answer:  1.Are the Vikings interested in Warford?   2.Will Warford play for what the Vikings have in cap room? 

The Vikings waiting until 2 picks before Mister Irrelevant to draft a guard indicates "No" to #1. 
Warford being a 3-time Pro Bowler in his prime at 28 makes #2 unlikely as well.  He'll deservedly want to be one of the highest paid guards and the Vikings don't have the room for that. 

Dare to dream, but don't hold your breath for it.

Read today that Warford wants about the same money he was supposed to get - around 7 or 8 million.  We have 12.3 space right now.  I would look very hard at Warford and then maybe cut Elf which would save around 2 million.  So solidify one Guard spot with a youngish Pro Bowler for about 8.  Space: 12.3  - less 8 + 2 = 6.3 remaining.  

@"minny65" said:

@"RS Express" said: There are 2 questions to answer:  1.Are the Vikings interested in Warford?   2.Will Warford play for what the Vikings have in cap room? 

The Vikings waiting until 2 picks before Mister Irrelevant to draft a guard indicates "No" to #1. 
Warford being a 3-time Pro Bowler in his prime at 28 makes #2 unlikely as well.  He'll deservedly want to be one of the highest paid guards and the Vikings don't have the room for that. 

Dare to dream, but don't hold your breath for it.

Read today that Warford wants about the same money he was supposed to get - around 7 or 8 million.  We have 12.3 space right now.  I would look very hard at Warford and then maybe cut Elf which would save around 2 million.  So solidify one Guard spot with a youngish Pro Bowler for about 8.  Space: 12.3  - less 8 + 2 = 6.3 remaining.  

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/28/vikings-estimated-cap-space-after-nfl-draft/

About $4.6 million for rookies. So, we could in theory fit Warford.

Post rookie payouts plus the cutting of ELF = enough room for Warford and emergency cap space.

Reiff-Warford-Bradburry-Samia/Udoh/Collins/Dozier-ONeil with Cleveland and Hill ready for starting OT reps would make a lot of sense.  Question is, will be a good fit for the KUBES ZBS?  I don’t know enough to know, some say yes, some say no.

@"Skodin" said: Post rookie payouts plus the cutting of ELF = enough room for Warford and emergency cap space.

Reiff-Warford-Bradburry-Samia/Udoh/Collins/Dozier-ONeil with Cleveland and Hill ready for starting OT reps would make a lot of sense.  Question is, will be a good fit for the KUBES ZBS?  I don’t know enough to know, some say yes, some say no.

Another added benefit of adding an experienced Pro Bowl LG would be for Cleveland's development at LT and even Bradburry at Center. He could potential improve the whole left side day 1.   I would assume that having him next to Cleveland would be helpful for a smoother transition this year or next when we move on from Reiff.   

I don't think Warford is a world beater by any means but is he a Top 15 Guard?  I think so.  His projected salary with the Saints and what he is said to want is in the 7.5 - 8 million a year range.  According to Spotrac that would put him around the 15-20 highest paid Guards.  I think all the scheme fit stuff is somewhat silly and reminds me of why we supposedly didn't take Hernandez a couple seasons ago.  I sure would like Hernandez on this team now.  Sure is Hernandez/Warford the ultimate ZBS Guards, no.  But are they Top 20 NFL Guards despite scheme, yes.  The Saints, from all I can see, run a very hybrid blocking scheme of both zone and man with a ton of screens to Kamara (like we want with Cook).  Warford was an all pro alternate all 3 years in that scheme.  He can do the job very well and I think at a good price for his services.

Here is another example of value/cost - Joe Kline cap hit last year was 5.7 million and by cutting him we lost 2.7 million in dead money this year.  So when it is all said and done Kline cost us 8.4 million for 1 season.  I am positive that spending around 8 million on Warford will be a better investment for the whole OL.

Im changing my opinion on Warford. 32 pressures sucks. Rather roll the dice on Elf if no one else beats him out 

@"BarrNone55" said: https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/28/vikings-estimated-cap-space-after-nfl-draft/

About $4.6 million for rookies. So, we could in theory fit Warford.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"BarrNone55" said: https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/28/vikings-estimated-cap-space-after-nfl-draft/

About $4.6 million for rookies. So, we could in theory fit Warford.

and we could use a signing bonus to back load any deal if there is any interest... the space this year isnt likely a problem if he doesnt want to reset any positional markets.

He was a pro bowl alternate 3 times. He’s not very athletic, he struggles to pull on runs & screens, he is good at the point of attack but doesn’t fit the athletic profile that our offense requires... Also he struggled against us in our playoff OT victory.