Anthony Barr...

His 5th year option is 12.??? million for next year.   I'm wondering if they try to lock him up long term starting around the 10 mill mark to start.  It's not much savings, but a couple mill here and there can get you another guy or two somewhere else on the roster.

Yeah, this will probably be our next deal...it'll be big and probably not a great value when you look at tangible stats...but he allows Zim to do multiple things on D...big part of the overall unit...

I'll be curious to see what kind of deal he gets...  I'm guessing it'll be a "SpielBrez Special" that is pay-as-you-go after the first two years (or 3 depending in the term).

Definitely a critical piece to the defense.  I was thinking around 7-8 million per year, but looking at Jamie Collins and Telvin Smith's recent contracts...  It might be more.

Yikers.

I think his best years are still ahead of him, if he stays healthy (knocking wood).

I think Barr's versatility really allows Zimmer to do a ton with his defense. Barr is pivotal to Zimmer's scheme IMO

@"Canthony" said: I think Barr's versatility really allows Zimmer to do a ton with his defense. Barr is pivotal to Zimmer's scheme IMO

Yup, him and Dirty Harry are straws that stir the drink...

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"Canthony" said: I think Barr's versatility really allows Zimmer to do a ton with his defense. Barr is pivotal to Zimmer's scheme IMO

Yup, him and Dirty Harry are straws that stir the drink...

Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr entered this season with something to prove to his head coach. Last December, with Barr finishing up a disappointing season, Mike Zimmer said he “sometimes has a tendency to coast a little bit.” Barr said he used the comment as motivation. “Yeah, I mean I felt I wanted to prove myself that I was a better player than I was (in 2016) and that I could meet expectations, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job,” Barr said in a recent interview. “From a year ago, I’ve come a long ways from there.” Pro Football Focus ranked Barr 79th out of 86 NFL linebackers for the 2016 season. He made the Pro Bowl as an alternate, but that was mainly based on reputation from his strong 2015 season, when he had made his first Pro Bowl. Pro Bowl selections will be announced Tuesday night on NFL Network, and Barr seems to be in line to make it for a third straight year. “I would be humbled and blessed to have that opportunity,” said Barr, ranked 20th this season by Pro Football Focus among linebackers. “To be selected among my peers, it’s always a pretty cool thing.”

When it came to Barr, Zimmer’s tone Monday was a lot different than it was last December.
“He’s having a great year,” Zimmer said. “He’s playing really good. He’s been very active, he’s on top of things, he makes a lot of checks for the defense and things going on on the field. He’s been physical, very active in really all phases of the game.”
Barr said he took Zimmer’s criticism last season to heart because “it comes from your coach, someone you respect.” This season, Barr has made a concerted effort to be more active.
“I think I’ve just been focusing on each play and trying not to take any plays off and being engaged throughout the game,” he said. “Even if it’s kind of a slow day for me, I still feel I’ve been able to make an impact on the games.”

http://www.twincities.com/2017/12/18/mike-zimmer-said-he-was-coasting-and-vikings-lb-anthony-barr-responded/

What a difference a year makes. He is going to get paid. I think he has grown a lot as a player and took his coach's words as a challenge to improve.

The important  part is  bar  took his coaches words to heart and is  better for it  says a lot about him as a player and a person  a lot players would throw a fit and  regressed and became a cancer 

I fully expect him to start 'coasting' again with a new contract.....its just part of his DNA. But he's talented when motivated. 

I offer him a fair contract.  I don't overspend.  

Not sure he isn't replacable with a younger player with heart.  

We can't pay everyone.  

@"StickyBun" said: I fully expect him to start 'coasting' again with a new contract.....its just part of his DNA. But he's talented when motivated. 

I hope that's not the case but I do worry about the same thing.

I think that last hit he made on Rogers earned him a new Viking contract.  I'm not sure the Vikes would've wrapped up the NFC North title already without that play.

He kind of reminds me of a bigger Matt Blair.  Barr can do it all at LB, and still is improving.

whatever a top 3 4-3 OLB is getting paid right now. look at what Lavonte David is making on his new deal in Tampa. thats a good indication of what Barr will make. 

money well spent in my opinion. without Barr and Harrison Smith we arent running Zims defense like we are now. 

Hope Zim keeps stroking him to up his game---challenge and praise will get more out of a player than riding their arse to improve themselves.  Good job Zim in knowing when to be honest to your players

i personally think barr is overrated and should not be given a huge contract. He is a great chase defender and versatile but he is soft at the point of attack.  i think a 3-4 team will overpay. my biggest regret is we spent a high pick on him and did not choose Aaron Donald, who was easily the best player in that draft

if Z wants him and Brez figures it out im all for it, until then i would spend on other priorities