2 Opposing OpEd's: Anthony Barr vs Stefon Diggs extensions
With the signing of Danielle Hunter, the Vikings have two key players scheduled to reach free agency next spring: Stefon Diggs and Anthony Barr.
Because Vikings capologist Rob Brzezinski did his undergraduate studies at Hogwarts, there is a chance the team could find a way to sign both. Today, let’s presume the Vikings have to prioritize. Which do you value more?
Offense or defense? Maximum effort or occasionally questionable effort? A No. 2 receiver with star potential or one of the league’s most versatile linebackers?
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-face-decision-on-anthony-barr-and-stefon-diggs-so-here-s-some-advice/487037601/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Wetlander" said:@"StickyBun" said: The Vikings have hopes that Richardson pans out and they'd love to sign-him long term.....Zimmer has said as much. For Z, Sheldon is the guy that really is vital in his D and he's never really had.So I don't know what happens with Barr/Diggs, but its obvious that Minnesota wants Richardson, too....if it works out.
Richardson has the potential to finally be the "Geno Atkins" of Zimmer's defense... a dominant 3T that can really collapse the pocket and open up the double A gap blitzes. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings let Barr walk and re-sign Richardson if he has a great season.
I wonder if that is part of the delay on both Diggs and Barr.
That's what I've been thinking. If Sheldon has a great year--and with this supporting cast he really should--then he rockets to the top of the must-sign list. It would be silly to dismiss him as a one-year hired gun when the position he plays is so important to this defense...hell, to all defenses. At 27 years old, he could become the "face" of this defense for years to come. We were incredibly lucky to land a player of his caliber, and we should use to our advantage the fact that he can't talk contract with any team but us for several months. It might be very wise to wait on all three until we're through the bulk of our schedule. The development of Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, Treadwell and Downs could also have a say in this decision.
whats next years draft look like for athletic LBs?
Looks like the 1st round is studded with edge players who look more like 34 OLBs than 43. But then so did Barr. No clue yet whether any of them can play off the ball and cover anyone.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Wetlander" said:@"StickyBun" said: The Vikings have hopes that Richardson pans out and they'd love to sign-him long term.....Zimmer has said as much. For Z, Sheldon is the guy that really is vital in his D and he's never really had.So I don't know what happens with Barr/Diggs, but its obvious that Minnesota wants Richardson, too....if it works out.
Richardson has the potential to finally be the "Geno Atkins" of Zimmer's defense... a dominant 3T that can really collapse the pocket and open up the double A gap blitzes. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings let Barr walk and re-sign Richardson if he has a great season.
I wonder if that is part of the delay on both Diggs and Barr.
That's what I've been thinking. If Sheldon has a great year--and with this supporting cast he really should--then he rockets to the top of the must-sign list. It would be silly to dismiss him as a one-year hired gun when the position he plays is so important to this defense...hell, to all defenses. At 27 years old, he could become the "face" of this defense for years to come. We were incredibly lucky to land a player of his caliber, and we should use to our advantage the fact that he can't talk contract with any team but us for several months. It might be very wise to wait on all three until we're through the bulk of our schedule. The development of Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, Treadwell and Downs could also have a say in this decision.
whats next years draft look like for athletic LBs?
Looks like the 1st round is studded with edge players who look more like 34 OLBs than 43. But then so did Barr. No clue yet whether any of them can play off the ball and cover anyone.
well considering that is the mold that Barr is from... that should benefit the team in that we should be able to find a serviceable replacement for Barr in the draft if they cant get him to come to terms.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Wetlander" said:@"StickyBun" said: The Vikings have hopes that Richardson pans out and they'd love to sign-him long term.....Zimmer has said as much. For Z, Sheldon is the guy that really is vital in his D and he's never really had.So I don't know what happens with Barr/Diggs, but its obvious that Minnesota wants Richardson, too....if it works out.
Richardson has the potential to finally be the "Geno Atkins" of Zimmer's defense... a dominant 3T that can really collapse the pocket and open up the double A gap blitzes. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings let Barr walk and re-sign Richardson if he has a great season.
I wonder if that is part of the delay on both Diggs and Barr. They both want top money and neither are really top of their game guys on a regular basis... they have that ability but they dont show it every game. If Richardson is able to really open things up and create havoc himself it really lessens the need for Barr as you say, but on the other side of the ball, if Cousins continues to spread the wealth in terms of pass distribution, that would also lessen Diggs impact for the offense. Dont get me wrong, it would be great to keep them, but I think we need to pay great money to great players and both Barr and Diggs have the ability, but to date they seem to be more of a Good player in terms of contribution to the team. (Poor, Weak, Average, Good, Great--scale)
But, as the contract conversations move to Richardson - isn't he very similar to Barr and Diggs, in that he has shown more potential than consistency? I think we're all assuming the best of various players...
@"Jor-El" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Wetlander" said:@"StickyBun" said: The Vikings have hopes that Richardson pans out and they'd love to sign-him long term.....Zimmer has said as much. For Z, Sheldon is the guy that really is vital in his D and he's never really had.So I don't know what happens with Barr/Diggs, but its obvious that Minnesota wants Richardson, too....if it works out.
Richardson has the potential to finally be the "Geno Atkins" of Zimmer's defense... a dominant 3T that can really collapse the pocket and open up the double A gap blitzes. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings let Barr walk and re-sign Richardson if he has a great season.
I wonder if that is part of the delay on both Diggs and Barr. They both want top money and neither are really top of their game guys on a regular basis... they have that ability but they dont show it every game. If Richardson is able to really open things up and create havoc himself it really lessens the need for Barr as you say, but on the other side of the ball, if Cousins continues to spread the wealth in terms of pass distribution, that would also lessen Diggs impact for the offense. Dont get me wrong, it would be great to keep them, but I think we need to pay great money to great players and both Barr and Diggs have the ability, but to date they seem to be more of a Good player in terms of contribution to the team. (Poor, Weak, Average, Good, Great--scale)
But, as the contract conversations move to Richardson - isn't he very similar to Barr and Diggs, in that he has shown more potential than consistency? I think we're all assuming the best of various players...
but he is at a position that lifts others around him in this scheme. Barr can be lightning in a bottle, but his excellence really doesnt make life easier for the rest of the D like Richardsons would. so much happens front and center that having dominance in that position will only pay dividends for everybody else on the field.
Richardson is one and done. He will give maximum effort (which he inarguably hasn't always done) and get good to great results, which will be artificially elevated to at least some extent by the quality of players around.
Then he'll ask for Aaron Donald type money and get it from a bottom feeder with tons of cap space and go back to being a good but not dominate player.
Waiting on signing your own drafted and developed players in the hopes that your mercenary rental guy has a great year and then wants to stay for the proverbial home town discount is irresponsible and I guarantee you that is not what the FO is doing.
@"FSUVike" said: Richardson is one and done. He will give maximum effort (which he inarguably hasn't always done) and get good to great results, which will be artificially elevated to at least some extent by the quality of players around.Then he'll ask for Aaron Donald type money and get it from a bottom feeder with tons of cap space and go back to being a good but not dominate player.
Waiting on signing your own drafted and developed players in the hopes that your mercenary rental guy has a great year and then wants to stay for the proverbial home town discount is irresponsible and I guarantee you that is not what the FO is doing.
Tough to guarantee this. You make a bunch of sense, but at the same time, it remains to be seen what kind of wrecking crew Joseph-Richardson develop into. The spot is a key position for Zimmer's defense. To your point, it will be extremely difficult to accomplish if Richardson has a stellar year. But there's no guarantees. I happen to think that this board likes Barr a bunch more than the Viking's front office. We'll see.
Regardless, I would take a one-and-down outstanding season from Richardson: it would mean very good things for this team in 2018.
@"Jor-El" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Wetlander" said:@"StickyBun" said: The Vikings have hopes that Richardson pans out and they'd love to sign-him long term.....Zimmer has said as much. For Z, Sheldon is the guy that really is vital in his D and he's never really had.So I don't know what happens with Barr/Diggs, but its obvious that Minnesota wants Richardson, too....if it works out.
Richardson has the potential to finally be the "Geno Atkins" of Zimmer's defense... a dominant 3T that can really collapse the pocket and open up the double A gap blitzes. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings let Barr walk and re-sign Richardson if he has a great season.
I wonder if that is part of the delay on both Diggs and Barr. They both want top money and neither are really top of their game guys on a regular basis... they have that ability but they dont show it every game. If Richardson is able to really open things up and create havoc himself it really lessens the need for Barr as you say, but on the other side of the ball, if Cousins continues to spread the wealth in terms of pass distribution, that would also lessen Diggs impact for the offense. Dont get me wrong, it would be great to keep them, but I think we need to pay great money to great players and both Barr and Diggs have the ability, but to date they seem to be more of a Good player in terms of contribution to the team. (Poor, Weak, Average, Good, Great--scale)
But, as the contract conversations move to Richardson - isn't he very similar to Barr and Diggs, in that he has shown more potential than consistency? I think we're all assuming the best of various players...
Sure, but this isn't pie in the sky optimism. Richardson was rookie of the year and made the pro bowl his 2nd season. He hasn't always been a model citizen, so that could rear its ugly head again, but in terms of ability and fit, it would be a pretty enormous surprise if he didn't explode in this defense. I would say our interest in him long term is probably just as much about Johnson and Holmes as it is about Richardson himself.
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