Z Smith Signing?-Done Deal

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Za’Darius Smith going to Minnesota would be scary for Packers AND Vikings.

Two very good pass-rushers with surgically repaired backs

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) March 21, 2022

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said:

Za'Darius Smith

@zadariussmith

·1h

“Meet at the Quarterback”

Us old schoolers know that one! 

sendajo sp? might be willing to ax a few of our players

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"AGRforever" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said:

Chris Tomasson

@christomasson

· 3m

If the #Vikings were to land Za'Darius Smith, he could be the pass rusher on one side and Danielle Hunter the pass rusher on the other side. In the last season in which both were healthy, they combined for 28 sacks in 2019. Hunter had 14 1/2 and Smith 13 1/2.

Where do you put the odds that both would be able to play a full season?  Something like almost none?

i don't know about Smith, but Hunter was hurt both of the last two seasons. Do you think that makes him more likely to get hurt, or less? Just curious 

dont have to cover very long with Z Smith and D Hunt coming 

The NFL free agent market has been kind to veteran edge rushers this month. Five players — the Raiders' Maxx Crosby, the Bills' Von Miller, the Titans' Harold Landry, the Raiders' Chandler Jones and the Eagles' Haason Reddick — agreed to contracts reportedly worth at least $15 million per season and for at least $30 million in guarantees. The contract that Smith backed out of in Baltimore was said to be worth up to $12.5 million per year.

Smith played only 18 snaps last season. They came during the Packers' season opener while he tried to play through a nagging back injury that he had upon reporting to training camp. He spent time on the non-football injury list during camp and landed on injured reserve following surgery.
"Would have been nice to have him out there the whole time, because our defense was playing at a very high level," Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said of Smith at the NFL scouting combine this month. "What Za'Darius can bring is certainly something we missed at times, you know? Really proud of Rashan and Jonathan Garvin and Preston and those guys, the way they picked up the slack. Za'Darius is a really, really good player.
"https://www.startribune.com/zadarius-smith-vikings-free-agent-packers-edge-rusher-back-surgery/600158049/

@"Bullazin" said: dont have to cover very long with Z Smith and D Hunt coming 

He'll be 30 by the time the season starts and coming off back surgery. Extremely productive when healthy, but we're already gambling on an injured Edge guy. 

Honestly, I think their interest in Smith is a bargaining tool for Hunter. With an outstanding Edge class available, this doesn't add up for me.

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: A part of me wishes TC was right around the corner so we know who'll most probably be on the roster for the season. My head's going to explode thinking of all the different things that may happen in the next couple months.

I really have pretty low expectations for this coming season,  I think the notion that KOC will come in and install an offense, learn playcalling, as well as how to be a head coach quickly enough to have a real shot at doing anything this year is really sporting the shades.  I see a lot of potential hurdles to success this year so I have kind of resigned to just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Not hard to call plays better than the ass hat we had last year...ie no Fullback or TE fade routes and obvious 2nd down runs that get stuffed at the LOS every play. I just want to see a healthy, competent defense out there. I think that gives us the best chance to full evaluate everything because for the last two offseasons it has been difficult to analyze based on several game injuries and off the field distractions (Gladney, Griffen again, etc).

Put me on the no side of Za'Darius stictly because of injury concern and the depth of this DE class. If we do sign him and he stays healthy, then I expect him to be a very good player for us

What is Smith's injury concern? He has a back issue last year but prior to that had played 16 games in 3 straight seasons, which is pretty good by NFL standards. As a pure pass rusher he ranked top 5 in NFL efficiency in 2019 & 21. So if you can add him you would be foolish not to. There is no guarantee that Hunter is going to stick on the roster anyways, that still hasn't been settled yet. 

@"JustinTime18™" said: He'll be 30 by the time the season starts and coming off back surgery. Extremely productive when healthy, but we're already gambling on an injured Edge guy. 

Honestly, I think their interest in Smith is a bargaining tool for Hunter. With an outstanding Edge class available, this doesn't add up for me.

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said: He'll be 30 by the time the season starts and coming off back surgery. Extremely productive when healthy, but we're already gambling on an injured Edge guy. 

Honestly, I think their interest in Smith is a bargaining tool for Hunter. With an outstanding Edge class available, this doesn't add up for me.

I was thinking the same thing last night. What if Kwesi is trying to get Za'Darius because he still has plans to trade him and draft a DE? They've held their cards close to their chest all FA so this could be another play

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said: He'll be 30 by the time the season starts and coming off back surgery. Extremely productive when healthy, but we're already gambling on an injured Edge guy. 

Honestly, I think their interest in Smith is a bargaining tool for Hunter. With an outstanding Edge class available, this doesn't add up for me.

I was thinking the same thing last night. What if Kwesi is trying to get Za'Darius because he still has plans to trade him and draft a DE? They've held their cards close to their chest all FA so this could be another play

It is a great edge class right? On paper anyways.

But I bet they'd like the freedom to go DB @ 12 or BPA vs need.

Chess...or checkers?  

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Bullazin" said: dont have to cover very long with Z Smith and D Hunt coming 

but what about the last 10 games of the season once both of them are back on the IR? ( ok not fair on Smith,  but with Hunter its a fair question)  do you pay on potential or performance?

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: A part of me wishes TC was right around the corner so we know who'll most probably be on the roster for the season. My head's going to explode thinking of all the different things that may happen in the next couple months.

I really have pretty low expectations for this coming season,  I think the notion that KOC will come in and install an offense, learn playcalling, as well as how to be a head coach quickly enough to have a real shot at doing anything this year is really sporting the shades.  I see a lot of potential hurdles to success this year so I have kind of resigned to just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Not hard to call plays better than the ass hat we had last year...ie no Fullback or TE fade routes and obvious 2nd down runs that get stuffed at the LOS every play. I just want to see a healthy, competent defense out there. I think that gives us the best chance to full evaluate everything because for the last two offseasons it has been difficult to analyze based on several game injuries and off the field distractions (Gladney, Griffen again, etc).

Put me on the no side of Za'Darius stictly because of injury concern and the depth of this DE class. If we do sign him and he stays healthy, then I expect him to be a very good player for us

What is Smith's injury concern? He has a back issue last year but prior to that had played 16 games in 3 straight seasons, which is pretty good by NFL standards. As a pure pass rusher he ranked top 5 in NFL efficiency in 2019 & 21. So if you can add him you would be foolish not to. There is no guarantee that Hunter is going to stick on the roster anyways, that still hasn't been settled yet. 

I think I would rather see money spent on OL and try and win a race to 50.

Edge rusher is a much more premium position than a guard or center. 

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: A part of me wishes TC was right around the corner so we know who'll most probably be on the roster for the season. My head's going to explode thinking of all the different things that may happen in the next couple months.

I really have pretty low expectations for this coming season,  I think the notion that KOC will come in and install an offense, learn playcalling, as well as how to be a head coach quickly enough to have a real shot at doing anything this year is really sporting the shades.  I see a lot of potential hurdles to success this year so I have kind of resigned to just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Not hard to call plays better than the ass hat we had last year...ie no Fullback or TE fade routes and obvious 2nd down runs that get stuffed at the LOS every play. I just want to see a healthy, competent defense out there. I think that gives us the best chance to full evaluate everything because for the last two offseasons it has been difficult to analyze based on several game injuries and off the field distractions (Gladney, Griffen again, etc).

Put me on the no side of Za'Darius stictly because of injury concern and the depth of this DE class. If we do sign him and he stays healthy, then I expect him to be a very good player for us

What is Smith's injury concern? He has a back issue last year but prior to that had played 16 games in 3 straight seasons, which is pretty good by NFL standards. As a pure pass rusher he ranked top 5 in NFL efficiency in 2019 & 21. So if you can add him you would be foolish not to. There is no guarantee that Hunter is going to stick on the roster anyways, that still hasn't been settled yet. 

I think I would rather see money spent on OL and try and win a race to 50.

Edge rusher is a much more premium position than a guard or center. 

Not when you are paying a QB 35M per year and who turns into a turtle and the first sign of pressure up the middle.

They want to keep Cousins.  Fine.

Get the dude some better protection up the middle and maybe yore offense will get into the top 10 in scoring.

Yards don't matter.  Points do.

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: A part of me wishes TC was right around the corner so we know who'll most probably be on the roster for the season. My head's going to explode thinking of all the different things that may happen in the next couple months.

I really have pretty low expectations for this coming season,  I think the notion that KOC will come in and install an offense, learn playcalling, as well as how to be a head coach quickly enough to have a real shot at doing anything this year is really sporting the shades.  I see a lot of potential hurdles to success this year so I have kind of resigned to just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Not hard to call plays better than the ass hat we had last year...ie no Fullback or TE fade routes and obvious 2nd down runs that get stuffed at the LOS every play. I just want to see a healthy, competent defense out there. I think that gives us the best chance to full evaluate everything because for the last two offseasons it has been difficult to analyze based on several game injuries and off the field distractions (Gladney, Griffen again, etc).

Put me on the no side of Za'Darius stictly because of injury concern and the depth of this DE class. If we do sign him and he stays healthy, then I expect him to be a very good player for us

What is Smith's injury concern? He has a back issue last year but prior to that had played 16 games in 3 straight seasons, which is pretty good by NFL standards. As a pure pass rusher he ranked top 5 in NFL efficiency in 2019 & 21. So if you can add him you would be foolish not to. There is no guarantee that Hunter is going to stick on the roster anyways, that still hasn't been settled yet. 

I think I would rather see money spent on OL and try and win a race to 50.

Edge rusher is a much more premium position than a guard or center. 

Not when you are paying a QB 35M per year and who turns into a turtle and the first sign of pressure up the middle.

They want to keep Cousins.  Fine.

Get the dude some better protection up the middle and maybe yore offense will get into the top 10 in scoring.

Yards don't matter.  Points do.

You don't like Kirk, and that's fine, but getting a quality center is needed for whatever QB we have as you can have that bad of internal OL and expect to win. This can be done with Kirk's cap hit this year no doubt. That being said, if the defense can get to league average in points given up per game then I think we make the playoffs, where anything can happen. Posted this before but:

2020: PPG was 26.87 and 25.14 against playoff teams. Defense gave up 29.69 and 32.71 vs playoff teams
2021: PPG was 25 and 25 against playoff teams. Defense gave up 25 and 30 vs playoff teams.

Need the defense to be healthy and on the field...hell, the Titans were like 20th in the NFL in points given up but still got the 1 seed. If we sign Za'Darius and he stays healthy, along with Hunter, then this drastically changes. I know those are both big ifs, but we gotta have our best defensive players on the field.

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: A part of me wishes TC was right around the corner so we know who'll most probably be on the roster for the season. My head's going to explode thinking of all the different things that may happen in the next couple months.

I really have pretty low expectations for this coming season,  I think the notion that KOC will come in and install an offense, learn playcalling, as well as how to be a head coach quickly enough to have a real shot at doing anything this year is really sporting the shades.  I see a lot of potential hurdles to success this year so I have kind of resigned to just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Not hard to call plays better than the ass hat we had last year...ie no Fullback or TE fade routes and obvious 2nd down runs that get stuffed at the LOS every play. I just want to see a healthy, competent defense out there. I think that gives us the best chance to full evaluate everything because for the last two offseasons it has been difficult to analyze based on several game injuries and off the field distractions (Gladney, Griffen again, etc).

Put me on the no side of Za'Darius stictly because of injury concern and the depth of this DE class. If we do sign him and he stays healthy, then I expect him to be a very good player for us

What is Smith's injury concern? He has a back issue last year but prior to that had played 16 games in 3 straight seasons, which is pretty good by NFL standards. As a pure pass rusher he ranked top 5 in NFL efficiency in 2019 & 21. So if you can add him you would be foolish not to. There is no guarantee that Hunter is going to stick on the roster anyways, that still hasn't been settled yet. 

I think I would rather see money spent on OL and try and win a race to 50.

Edge rusher is a much more premium position than a guard or center. 

Not when you are paying a QB 35M per year and who turns into a turtle and the first sign of pressure up the middle.

They want to keep Cousins.  Fine.

Get the dude some better protection up the middle and maybe yore offense will get into the top 10 in scoring.

Yards don't matter.  Points do.

You don't like Kirk, and that's fine, but getting a quality center is needed for whatever QB we have as you can have that bad of internal OL and expect to win. This can be done with Kirk's cap hit this year no doubt. That being said, if the defense can get to league average in points given up per game then I think we make the playoffs, where anything can happen. Posted this before but:

2020: PPG was 26.87 and 25.14 against playoff teams. Defense gave up 29.69 and 32.71 vs playoff teams
2021: PPG was 25 and 25 against playoff teams. Defense gave up 25 and 30 vs playoff teams.

Need the defense to be healthy and on the field...hell, the Titans were like 20th in the NFL in points given up but still got the 1 seed. If we sign Za'Darius and he stays healthy, along with Hunter, then this drastically changes. I know those are both big ifs, but we gotta have our best defensive players on the field.

I was a fan of the Cousins signing in 2018 before the team signed him and wrote a post about it.

I was not a fan of the first extension cause I thought it was premature and the results did not warrant one.

I am even less a fan of this extension because one playoffs in four years is not good enough.

I have said that it would not matter who the QB was either.

Paying big bucks to a QB has failed.

I do not agree with trying to get the defense to average before getting the offense closer to great.

Kirk Cousins struggles mightily with pressure up the middle.

All I am saying is that since they reinvested in this dude, it would seem like a good idea to provide him with the best protection possible in order to get the maximum ROI.

The defense can come along slower and via the draft hopefully.

If the offense is scoring at will, then the defense may have an easier job.

So it seems Za'darius Smith is still in town. Both sides have interest.

According to @DWolfsonKSTP Vikings are having ongoing talks with his agent.

Pffft.....Smith....THIS is the signing we've been waiting for!

The #Vikings are re-signing backup QB Sean Mannion to a one-year deal, per source.

So starting QB Kirk Cousins stays for 2022 and now so does Mannion, whom Cousins values.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 22, 2022