B-Rob back!

@"96POPS" said:

@"RS Express" said: No mention of his taking a pay cut, so hopefully the initial report of that months ago was wrong.

Welcome back Brian!

News of that will probably come later. It was a deep cut. If there was ever any
question as to his need or desire to make more money over his loyalty to this team and his love of this game it should be put to rest. After a long conversation with him 
I realized he chose to return  because he truly has been where he's always wanted to be. This may and probably will be his last chance to complete some unfinished business.

How much cap room do we have?

@"mgobluevikes" said: How much cap room do we have?

Less than $15M. And we have a few players we may want to keep who are coming up for new deals: Barr, Hunter, Diggs, Richardson (I hope). They just picked up the 5th year option on Waynes at close to $10M and extended Kendricks on a big deal.  RS is not cutting players or salaries in order to take that money for himself.  He is just doing his job. Rather than kill RS, I would prefer the NFL (i.e., the owners of the teams) increased the rosters and the salary cap.  The sale of the Panthers will give us a good idea of what most teams are currently worth. Whatever that number turns out to be, the owners are billionaires.  I know the deal now is to accumulate all the wealth in the world in as few hands as possible. I would prefer a different model, where you shared the wealth with the people who helped you make it.  But whatever.

@"dadevike" said: RS is not cutting players or salaries in order to take that money for himself.  He is just doing his job. Rather than kill RS, I would prefer the NFL (i.e., the owners of the teams) increased the rosters and the salary cap.  The sale of the Panthers will give us a good idea of what most teams are currently worth. Whatever that number turns out to be, the owners are billionaires.  I know the deal now is to accumulate all the wealth in the world in as few hands as possible. I would prefer a different model, where you shared the wealth with the people who helped you make it.  But whatever.

All true. Maybe some people should wait to see the contract details before crucifying management. The Vikings have already paid Robison $42M over his career.

@"Jor-El" said:

@"dadevike" said: RS is not cutting players or salaries in order to take that money for himself.  He is just doing his job. Rather than kill RS, I would prefer the NFL (i.e., the owners of the teams) increased the rosters and the salary cap.  The sale of the Panthers will give us a good idea of what most teams are currently worth. Whatever that number turns out to be, the owners are billionaires.  I know the deal now is to accumulate all the wealth in the world in as few hands as possible. I would prefer a different model, where you shared the wealth with the people who helped you make it.  But whatever.

All true. Maybe some people should wait to see the contract details before crucifying management. The Vikings have already paid Robison $42M over his career.

Eh...as much as I'd be all for BRob making gazillions per minute, the team's looming young free agent contracts are a topic that isn't going away anytime soon.  If BRob is OK with it in one more pursuit of a ring, I'm OK with it.

Again, I'd have been fine with paying RBob what Richardson got, just because I've loved him being on the team.  That said, hating on RS and/or the Vikings over this doesn't help anything.  I'd rather concentrate on sending good juju to BRob and the team in pursuit of that evasive Lombardi...and hoping that he can retire with a ring and maybe a mega-successful autobiography or something.

I can't imagine there is a Vikings fan, player, executive, or owner that does not appreciate what Brian has done as a Viking. He has been a first rate representative of the team on and off the field. Nobody is trying to screw him.  And he is in a position such that he would not allow anyone  to take advantage of him.
I'm glad he and the team found a way to bring him back for one more ride.

@"dadevike" said: I can't imagine there is a Vikings fan, player, executive, or owner that does not appreciate what Brian has done as a Viking. He has been a first rate representative of the team on and off the field. Nobody is trying to screw him.  And he is in a position such that he would not allow anyone  to take advantage of him. I'm glad he and the team found a way to bring him back for one more ride.

Gonna say that "executive" and the phrase about not trying to screw him probably aren't compatible.  I think in general, the "how can I get more for less" is the mantra of the executives.  These guys are gladiators and often get treated as such.

I think Pops has been more than  transparent in the past as to how Brian  and some of the others have been handled.  Like I said before,  they knew last year what this year was going to be about and B has said all along that 18 was going to be his final season... if they were gonna  chop his legs out they should have made it clear when he redid his contract last year instead of going back to the same well once again.  They had him in a tough spot and used it against him,  that's not loyalty.... that's chicken shit IMO.

He's earned his money,  they should have given it to him.  Hell Rick has made a career of over paying and now when a good loyal player  is on the table... sorry its just plain a shitty thing to do.

Some said it's ok since Brian has made 42 million in 10 years... well kirk was just guaranteed double that and he's done nothing for the team yet.   The system is screwed up. 

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think Pops has been more than  transparent in the past as to how Brian  and some of the others have been handled.  Like I said before,  they knew last year what this year was going to be about and B has said all along that 18 was going to be his final season... if they were gonna  chop his legs out they should have made it clear when he redid his contract last year instead of going back to the same well once again.  They had him in a tough spot and used it against him,  that's not loyalty.... that's chicken shit IMO.

He's earned his money,  they should have given it to him.  Hell Rick has made a career of over paying and now when a good loyal player  is on the table... sorry its just plain a shitty thing to do.

Some said it's ok since Brian has made 42 million in 10 years... well kirk was just guaranteed double that and he's done nothing for the team yet.   The system is screwed up. 

JA and Adrian finished their contracts with a last huge overpayment year.  So why is Brian different?  Because he has shown weakness.  he admitted he was loyal and wanted to finish here.  So they used it against him.  As Jimmy sez, shitty thing to do.

I wonder where are the angst was when Antoine Winfield was cut an hour before free agency started while he was working out at Winter Park?  Maybe there was a lot?

How bout when Steve Hutchinson did not get the last year of his deal?

Both seemingly gave their all to the team.

In the end, this is part of the business and all players are well aware what happens with the latter years of contracts and careers.

I do agree that it would be better to let a guy know he is not going to be needed early in the process (i.e., before free agency starts).  And they should let the player know the amount they want to cut as well early on and come to an agreement or they can part ways.

I have to imagine that it is much more harder for players to uproot their families than fans want to believe.

What I read is he took a cut this season but they added a year and guaranteed it.  So not really a cut.  

Is this incorrect?

That was last year. 

@"MarkSP18" said: I wonder where are the angst was when Antoine Winfield was cut an hour before free agency started while he was working out at Winter Park?  Maybe there was a lot?

How bout when Steve Hutchinson did not get the last year of his deal?

Both seemingly gave their all to the team.

In the end, this is part of the business and all players are well aware what happens with the latter years of contracts and careers.

I do agree that it would be better to let a guy know he is not going to be needed early in the process (i.e., before free agency starts).  And they should let the player know the amount they want to cut as well early on and come to an agreement or they can part ways.

I have to imagine that it is much more harder for players to uproot their families than fans want to believe.

While Hutch and Toine were great as Vikings,  they were hired guns,  they took the top money when they got their chance.  Brian started here and made it a career goal to win here and as a result he bypassed his chance to maximize his pay day along the way,  now his loyalty is being punished once again making him play for a discount or lose his last chance to fulfill his career goal of bringing us a championship.

I am happy as hell to see him finish his career as a Viking,  but really disappointed in our franchise for their track record of overpaying some guys and completely forgetting the guys that always put the team first.

I am glad he is back. He is the ultimate team player. There was never any question about his loyalty. And it doesn't matter how much money he has made, the team lowballed him. That is straight up bullshit. Nothing but love for BRob. His leadership and flexibility is incredibly valuable.

I see where the Vikings are paying a 40 year old CB 3.25 million this year (1.5 guaranteed) after drafting a CB with their 1st round pick.  Brian was set to make about the same this year.  IF they cut his money, I’m pissed... but it’s his choice to play for the team.  I respect the hell out of the man and hope he gets that ring.  Always hated the business side of the NFL but sometimes you just have to do the right thing and pay the man. 

As for the “younger team” talk, it is put to rest with Newman’s signing, not sure how adding a 40 year old keeps the team young.  Bullshit favortism is bullshit.  Newman’s play isn’t above Brian’s at all.  Both can be seen as “player coaches”,,,, just have to wait and see how bad the Vikings screwed a loyal employee... the easiest thing to do.... it’s almost lazy management.  

Go get ‘em ‘96, see you this fall.... one last time.  

I'm delighted to see him back.  Beyond that, this is a business with a binding collective bargaining agreement with the player's union.  Every single player is entitled to negotiate his contract however he sees fit within the "rules" established by the CBA.

@"Bezerker88" said: I see where the Vikings are paying a 40 year old CB 3.25 million this year (1.5 guaranteed) after drafting a CB with their 1st round pick.  Brian was set to make about the same this year.  IF they cut his money, I’m pissed... but it’s his choice to play for the team.  I respect the hell out of the man and hope he gets that ring.  Always hated the business side of the NFL but sometimes you just have to do the right thing and pay the man. 

As for the “younger team” talk, it is put to rest with Newman’s signing, not sure how adding a 40 year old keeps the team young.  Bullshit favortism is bullshit.  Newman’s play isn’t above Brian’s at all.  Both can be seen as “player coaches”,,,, just have to wait and see how bad the Vikings screwed a loyal employee... the easiest thing to do.... it’s almost lazy management.  

Go get ‘em ‘96, see you this fall.... one last time.  

Newman is making slightly over $1M this year

https://overthecap.com/player/terence-newman/383/

@"Bezerker88" said: I see where the Vikings are paying a 40 year old CB 3.25 million this year (1.5 guaranteed) after drafting a CB with their 1st round pick.  Brian was set to make about the same this year.  IF they cut his money, I’m pissed... but it’s his choice to play for the team.  I respect the hell out of the man and hope he gets that ring.  Always hated the business side of the NFL but sometimes you just have to do the right thing and pay the man. 

As for the “younger team” talk, it is put to rest with Newman’s signing, not sure how adding a 40 year old keeps the team young.  Bullshit favortism is bullshit.  Newman’s play isn’t above Brian’s at all.  Both can be seen as “player coaches”,,,, just have to wait and see how bad the Vikings screwed a loyal employee... the easiest thing to do.... it’s almost lazy management.  

Go get ‘em ‘96, see you this fall.... one last time.  

Newman is only getting 1.05 mil this year.

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2018/05/04/details-on-vikings-cb-terence-newmans-contract/
https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Bolt/Reported-details-emerge-on-Terence-Newman-contract-terms-117908880
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/terence-newman-2440/

I do not know where this 3.25 mil number is coming from for 2018.  That looks like the 2019 number.

I don't know anything about how the Vikings treat Robison.  They extended him in 2011 and again in 2014.

I do not know if he could have received better offers elsewhere if he tested the market.  I have to imagine there was interest.

I do not think they put a gun to his head to make him sign the extensions either.

Players at the end of their careers or contracts often get asked to restructure (i.e., take a pay cut).

That is the nature of the business and they all know it.

I do not see what Newman who played very very well last year, has to do with Robison.

He is taking pay cuts too.

This wont be the last time a player is asked to reduce their salary.

It happened to Loadholt who was trying to come back from his injury and who was with the Vikings his entire career.

Nobody was crying over Loadholt taking a pay cut.  Just because he was injured most likely.

Wow, we really do see the world through different lenses lol!

Nobody was holding a gun to #96's head to play here. He's not some hero for signing here.

He wants a ring and I sure as hell dont blame him. I've been waiting even longer - 50 years now lol!

As a fan, I'm glad he's back for a swan song. He's still an important player. I  hope he gets his wish for that elusive ring. Somehow I think that might make me happy too if he does.