Reiff Released

Ezra Cleveland era begins 

Was hoping we could figure out a way to keep him at a reduced cap hit, but this has always been the pivotal move of the offseason. Vikings now have significant cap space. And it's not like we didn't just draft a LT in the 2nd round last year. We can also draft one at 14. We can also move O'Neill over if Udoh can be trusted. Some solid options here...and a lot more money. 

Amazed they actually made a smart move for a change.

@"comet52" said: Amazed they actually made a smart move for a change.

This is going to continue to be a frustrating process.

@"comet52" said: Amazed they actually made a smart move for a change.

And K. Mack, Z. Smith and other better rush DEs we play this coming season are just drooling at the chance to smoke Rashod Hill or Ezra Cleveland.  
I get it’s still early in the process, and we may come away with a early round draft pick, or a bargain FA, but still risky.  I wish they could have worked out a restructured deal.  I am sure Kirk is not thrilled with Reiff being cut.

Best?  He's league average at best.  What is Brian O'Neill in that case?  I don't know who needs to learn to let go more, that fans or the front office lol.  The hanging on to average in the delusional belief that it's going to get you somewhere.. the desperate unwillingness to face facts and move on.  It's just written all over the franchise. 

But covid slashed the cap and it's a blessing in disguise, as the TCO gang that can't shoot straight is forced to make tough decisions they would normally avoid, kicking cans down the road and fantasizing about another imaginary "Viking title run".

It's time to let Cleveland take over, it's time to get serious about draft and develop an oline.  I realize that Ricky and Mikey have stumbled at it for 7 years now but since we are stuck with them I'll just be a pie-eyed optimist and call this a first step on the road out of oline crapville.  Imagine that, me an optimist about the Vikings lol.

Hate this move. I understand the money aspect but you find a way to keep your starting LT who had an excellent year. You are essentially now having to use a high draft pick to fill that spot and making a lateral move instead of improving the roster in another area. Nobody knows if Cleveland can fill that spot and even if he does it leaves you with a huge holes at BOTH guard positions. 

@"comet52" said: Best?  He's league average at best.  What is Brian O'Neill in that case?  I don't know who needs to learn to let go more, that fans or the front office lol.  The hanging on to average in the delusional belief that it's going to get you somewhere.. the desperate unwillingness to face facts and move on.  It's just written all over the franchise. 

But covid slashed the cap and it's a blessing in disguise, as the TCO gang that can't shoot straight is forced to make tough decisions they would normally avoid, kicking cans down the road and fantasizing about another imaginary "Viking title run".

It's time to let Cleveland take over, it's time to get serious about draft and develop an oline.  I realize that Ricky and Mikey have stumbled at it for 7 years now but since we are stuck with them I'll just be a pie-eyed optimist and call this a first step on the road out of oline crapville.  Imagine that, me an optimist about the Vikings lol.

so a guy plays average at RG,  has had zero work at LT in the pros,  and you say its time to hand him the starting LT job?  Come on,  did Riley used to date your best girl?

Basic football here. Your LT is the second most important piece on the O, outside of QB. With what we have invested in Cousins, I like having a dependable LT in place. 

Not crazy about opening up a hole on the right side, either by moving Ezra or O'Neill, and replacing them with unknowns. Udoh gets a shot I'm guessing or a pick. 

Christian Darrisaw, c'mon down!

I’m pretty shocked by this. As supa and I have been saying, you’re now praying someone steps up and this becomes a lateral move at best. But even if the O-line God shines down on us and that happens, you still have to fix the LG position too. It’s good to have money and picks but we now need 2 O-lineman in my eyes. Hope this move pays off. 

Bottom Line- Starting LT gone. Starting LB Barr said he won’t restructure. All Pro DE Hunter is liking trade speculation posts on Twitter. While I’m not panicking yet and will never abandon ship, we might be in for some choppy waters here folks.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"comet52" said: Best?  He's league average at best.  What is Brian O'Neill in that case?  I don't know who needs to learn to let go more, that fans or the front office lol.  The hanging on to average in the delusional belief that it's going to get you somewhere.. the desperate unwillingness to face facts and move on.  It's just written all over the franchise. 

But covid slashed the cap and it's a blessing in disguise, as the TCO gang that can't shoot straight is forced to make tough decisions they would normally avoid, kicking cans down the road and fantasizing about another imaginary "Viking title run".

It's time to let Cleveland take over, it's time to get serious about draft and develop an oline.  I realize that Ricky and Mikey have stumbled at it for 7 years now but since we are stuck with them I'll just be a pie-eyed optimist and call this a first step on the road out of oline crapville.  Imagine that, me an optimist about the Vikings lol.

IIRC Riley was the top rated OLman for the Vikes last year and did a damn good job at it,  likely above league average as IIRC he was near the top of the league in fewest sack and pressures allowed (not sure on that one)

so a guy plays average at RG,  has had zero work at LT in the pros,  and you say its time to hand him the starting LT job?  Come on,  did Riley used to date your best girl?

@"supafreak84" said: Hate this move. I understand the money aspect but you find a way to keep your starting LT who had an excellent year. You are essentially now having to use a high draft pick to fill that spot and making a lateral move instead of improving the roster in another area. Nobody knows if Cleveland can fill that spot and even if he does it leaves you with a huge holes at BOTH guard positions. 

But it's funny to me how a team takes a LT in the 2nd round of the draft--a LT  most thought would go in the 1st round--but now with a year of experience, coaching and weight room, he's worthless. 

@"supafreak84" said: Hate this move. I understand the money aspect but you find a way to keep your starting LT who had an excellent year. You are essentially now having to use a high draft pick to fill that spot and making a lateral move instead of improving the roster in another area. Nobody knows if Cleveland can fill that spot and even if he does it leaves you with a huge holes at BOTH guard positions. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"comet52" said: Amazed they actually made a smart move for a change.

I don't know how "smart" it is to take the best offensive lineman off a team with offensive line problems. But the Vikings obviously feel good about their other options there and want some money to improve the defense. 

IIRC Riley was the top rated OLman for the Vikes last year and did a damn good job at it,  likely above league average as IIRC he was near the top of the league in fewest sack and pressures allowed (not sure on that one)

so a guy plays average at RG,  has had zero work at LT in the pros,  and you say its time to hand him the starting LT job?  Come on,  did Riley used to date your best girl?

Riley's 10 years of average or worse don't matter cuz he had one good, outlier year so now let's pay him 13 mil we don't have, is what you're saying.

I would have rather cut Barr.  

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"comet52" said: Amazed they actually made a smart move for a change.

I don't know how "smart" it is to take the best offensive lineman off a team with offensive line problems. But the Vikings obviously feel good about their other options there and want some money to improve the defense. 

It is a new Viking tradition -- cut the best performing offensive lineman during the offseason.

O-line guru Mike Tice would take Ezra Cleveland over Brian O’Neill as new #Vikings LT “I really like (Cleveland) I like Cleveland’s athleticism & to me (I think) he would be their first shot and then leave O’Neill where he’s at on the right side and O’Neill’s going to get better"

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 10, 2021