Should the Vikings Resign Sheldon Richardson?

No, frankly I thought the guy was a disappointment.  His play could have contributed to our run D being lesser than 17’.

Grab a big body vet in FA (Parry?) and find the next Viking great DL in the first round.

For Richardson’s money we could bring back Easton and add a quality starting OG, with small money to spare (resign Tom Johnson)

I would like to see a DT rotation of Joseph and First Rounder, Johnson, Holmes, Johnson, Parry.  I believe J Johnson and Holmes are ready to take the next step.

Richardson  played every down like it was a passing down.  Ignored his lane and rushed in.  Usually he got caught up in a trap block and always seemed to be taken out of the running plays.  Shows a lack of discipline.

Can’t answer this question without knowing the price.  I wouldn’t break the bank for him, but I
would do another $8M.

If there’s any legit OLine available to upgrade in FA, do
that first over any defensive signings, though.  I certainly wouldn’t upgrade DLine before
OLine in the draft though.

At what cost?Is he coachable?

Getting him on this line wasn't quite the coup I thought it would be. The odd thing was that he wasn't very good against the run, considering his ability to play both the run and pass is what made him such a great DT early on. So go figure.

With the 2019 draft being the DT motherload that it is, and the fact that we have two pretty good looking prospects in Holmes and Jaleel, I'd be surprised if Richardson were brought back considering how much he'll command. I can see a team trying to rebuild its defense (or switching to a 4-3) giving him a lot more than we'd be willing to offer. 

@"MaroonBells" said: Getting him on this line wasn't quite the coup I thought it would be. The odd thing was that he wasn't very good against the run, considering his ability to play both the run and pass is what made him such a great DT early on. So go figure.

With the 2019 draft being the DT motherload that it is, and the fact that we have two pretty good looking prospects in Holmes and Jaleel, I'd be surprised if Richardson were brought back considering how much he'll command. I can see a team trying to rebuild its defense (or switching to a 4-3) giving him a lot more than we'd be willing to offer. 

Just wondering out loud, was that because he was on a one year deal, looking to cash in?  He needed some splash numbers and 1 sack wasn't going to get him paid?
Dunno, but I would agree that we can do better there.

I would not. But another question is whether people believe the Vikings will make a strong push to retain him.
As others have noted, Richardson seemed to break discipline a lot and fail against the run. Given Zimmer's emphasis on following assignments, I was a bit surprised he didn't get reduced snaps or even benched. My guess would be that Zimmer campaigned hard to sign Richardson, maybe claimed he was "the final piece of the defense". If so, that would have made it harder to admit he was a failure only trying to pad his stats for next year's UFA contract.
So I think the Vikings will claim they tried but were too far apart, and let Richardson walk.

@"Jor-El" said: I would not. But another question is whether people believe the Vikings will make a strong push to retain him. As others have noted, Richardson seemed to break discipline a lot and fail against the run. Given Zimmer's emphasis on following assignments, I was a bit surprised he didn't get reduced snaps or even benched. My guess would be that Zimmer campaigned hard to sign Richardson, maybe claimed he was "the final piece of the defense". If so, that would have made it harder to admit he was a failure only trying to pad his stats for next year's UFA contract. So I think the Vikings will claim they tried but were too far apart, and let Richardson walk.

I have already done one off season plan and I think they let Richardson and Barr hit the market mainly because there will be a difference of opinion on value (i.e., money).
Vikings need to let them go and get the compensatory picks in 2020 which means doing almost nothing in free agency.
Kind of ties into the other post about Vikings drafting DL in the 1st.  If Richardson walks then it is a no brainer with the draft class this year.
One player not talked about a lot is Zack Allen.  He could be the next JJ Watt.
Watt was 6'5.3" 290, ran a 4.91 forty, 1.71 10 yard, 34 bench reps, 37" vertical, 10" broad, & 6.88 three cone.
Allen is 6'4.5" 285 and should run somewhere between 4.8 and 4.9.
https://usatodayhss.com/2014/national-poy-watch-zach-allen-is-doing-one-terrific-j-j-watt-impersonation
As a defensive end and linebacker, Allen has amassed 72 tackles (14 for losses), 8.5 sacks, two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown),
four forced fumbles and eight passes defended through nine games this
season. As a goal-line tight end, he has hauled in six receptions for 70
yards and three touchdowns.
If the Vikings get Allen they can let Griffen and Rudolph go.  He can replace both!  :)

Internally the Vikings are really high on him so I'd assume they'll make an effort to hold onto him. He struggled against the run at times but some of that was scheme based and the fact it was his first year in the system. The Vikings play a lot of pre-snap games with the interior lineman which makes me believe he'd be much better after a season in the playbook. 

It will come down to cost though. If he wants to be paid like a top 5 DT the Vikings won't give him that money. If he wants a multi-year deal between $8-10M/yr that would at least keep the conversations moving. There is also a chance the interior D-line market gets suppressed due to the strong draft class. 

I hope we pass on both Richardson and Barr and put the money elsewhere.  

@"Geoff Nichols" said: Internally the Vikings are really high on him so I'd assume they'll make an effort to hold onto him. He struggled against the run at times but some of that was scheme based and the fact it was his first year in the system. The Vikings play a lot of pre-snap games with the interior lineman which makes me believe he'd be much better after a season in the playbook. 

It will come down to cost though. If he wants to be paid like a top 5 DT the Vikings won't give him that money. If he wants a multi-year deal between $8-10M/yr that would at least keep the conversations moving. There is also a chance the interior D-line market gets suppressed due to the strong draft class. 

His struggles against the run are what make me a bit hesitant to re-sign him. Though the hard part to know as a fan is what the coaches are asking him to do, so if there are pre-snap issues that should smooth out in year 2, then he is less risky from that perspective. I've seen some speculation that his price would be $12 million per year, so it would help out a lot if a strong DT draft class drives the market down. We also have two developmental tackles in Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes, not claiming they are Richardson's caliber, but they at least have a backup plan and could address further in the draft.

Out of curiosity, do you have any insight on why Linval Joseph had an off year? Was he hurt, slowing down due to age, stuck trying to compensate for Richardson, or is my perception of him having a down year wrong? It seemed like he was getting gashed badly up the middle on runs on a relatively consistent basis. Is NT a position we should start to be getting concerned about?

@"minny65" said: I hope we pass on both Richardson and Barr and put the money elsewhere.  

I could see a case being made for that, but that's still a lot of talent to let walk. My gut feeling is to keep Barr, since his skill set will be harder to replace. The hard part with Barr is that I'd want to see more consistency out of him, but I guess it depends on how much you believe that he's sacrificing production for the good of the scheme.

Edit: I'm also curious to see if the development of Hill and the early progress that Hughes showed pre-injury means that Waynes is unlikely to see a second contract with Minnesota. It just seems like the Vikings are at a point where they will need to start letting some talent walk on D and the question will be how good they are at replenishing it?

@"minny65" said: I hope we pass on both Richardson and Barr and put the money elsewhere.  

This. Will the team ever learn or just do the same thing and expect a different result? 

@"Tyr" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said: Internally the Vikings are really high on him so I'd assume they'll make an effort to hold onto him. He struggled against the run at times but some of that was scheme based and the fact it was his first year in the system. The Vikings play a lot of pre-snap games with the interior lineman which makes me believe he'd be much better after a season in the playbook. 

It will come down to cost though. If he wants to be paid like a top 5 DT the Vikings won't give him that money. If he wants a multi-year deal between $8-10M/yr that would at least keep the conversations moving. There is also a chance the interior D-line market gets suppressed due to the strong draft class. 

His struggles against the run are what make me a bit hesitant to re-sign him. Though the hard part to know as a fan is what the coaches are asking him to do, so if there are pre-snap issues that should smooth out in year 2, then he is less risky from that perspective. I've seen some speculation that his price would be $12 million per year, so it would help out a lot if a strong DT draft class drives the market down. We also have two developmental tackles in Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes, not claiming they are Richardson's caliber, but they at least have a backup plan and could address further in the draft.

Out of curiosity, do you have any insight on why Linval Joseph had an off year? Was he hurt, slowing down due to age, stuck trying to compensate for Richardson, or is my perception of him having a down year wrong? It seemed like he was getting gashed badly up the middle on runs on a relatively consistent basis. Is NT a position we should start to be getting concerned about?

@"minny65" said: I hope we pass on both Richardson and Barr and put the money elsewhere.  

I could see a case being made for that, but that's still a lot of talent to let walk. My gut feeling is to keep Barr, since his skill set will be harder to replace. The hard part with Barr is that I'd want to see more consistency out of him, but I guess it depends on how much you believe that he's sacrificing production for the good of the scheme.

Edit: I'm also curious to see if the development of Hill and the early progress that Hughes showed pre-injury means that Waynes is unlikely to see a second contract with Minnesota. It just seems like the Vikings are at a point where they will need to start letting some talent walk on D and the question will be how good they are at replenishing it?

@"Geoff Nichols" said: Internally the Vikings are really high on him so I'd assume they'll make an effort to hold onto him. He struggled against the run at times but some of that was scheme based and the fact it was his first year in the system. The Vikings play a lot of pre-snap games with the interior lineman which makes me believe he'd be much better after a season in the playbook. 

It will come down to cost though. If he wants to be paid like a top 5 DT the Vikings won't give him that money. If he wants a multi-year deal between $8-10M/yr that would at least keep the conversations moving. There is also a chance the interior D-line market gets suppressed due to the strong draft class. 

Zimm does love him some Sheldon Richardson...I suspect the same can be said of Dre

Vikings' Sheldon Richardson becomes a better version of himself

To grasp how high Sheldon Richardson’s stock is rising as a Viking in December 2018 one must understand how low it fell as a Jet on July 31, 2015.

The headline in the New York Daily News that day screamed, “Big Apple Idiots.” The first sentence asked, “Who’s New York’s dumbest athlete?”
“Me and Jason Pierre-Paul were on there,” said Richardson, referring to the then-Giants defensive end who mangled his right hand with a firecracker. “I got ranked ahead of JPP. Said I was dumber than him blowing his fingers off. Harsh. But, hey, what’s New York without drama?”
Richardson turned 28 Thursday. He’s in a good spot as the happy, focused father of 2-year-old Riley Rose Richardson. He’s also one of coach Mike Zimmer’s most coveted type of player — rarely found three-technique D-tackles with quick-twitch, high motor and 300-pound frame. And he’s also the guy who sacked Aaron Rodgers twice in last week’s win over the Packers and heads to New England on Sunday with 2 ½ career sacks of Tom Brady.
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-sheldon-richardson-becomes-a-better-version-of-himself/501716861/

@"Tyr" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said: Internally the Vikings are really high on him so I'd assume they'll make an effort to hold onto him. He struggled against the run at times but some of that was scheme based and the fact it was his first year in the system. The Vikings play a lot of pre-snap games with the interior lineman which makes me believe he'd be much better after a season in the playbook. 

It will come down to cost though. If he wants to be paid like a top 5 DT the Vikings won't give him that money. If he wants a multi-year deal between $8-10M/yr that would at least keep the conversations moving. There is also a chance the interior D-line market gets suppressed due to the strong draft class. 

His struggles against the run are what make me a bit hesitant to re-sign him. Though the hard part to know as a fan is what the coaches are asking him to do, so if there are pre-snap issues that should smooth out in year 2, then he is less risky from that perspective. I've seen some speculation that his price would be $12 million per year, so it would help out a lot if a strong DT draft class drives the market down. We also have two developmental tackles in Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes, not claiming they are Richardson's caliber, but they at least have a backup plan and could address further in the draft.

Out of curiosity, do you have any insight on why Linval Joseph had an off year? Was he hurt, slowing down due to age, stuck trying to compensate for Richardson, or is my perception of him having a down year wrong? It seemed like he was getting gashed badly up the middle on runs on a relatively consistent basis. Is NT a position we should start to be getting concerned about?

@"minny65" said: I hope we pass on both Richardson and Barr and put the money elsewhere.  

I could see a case being made for that, but that's still a lot of talent to let walk. My gut feeling is to keep Barr, since his skill set will be harder to replace. The hard part with Barr is that I'd want to see more consistency out of him, but I guess it depends on how much you believe that he's sacrificing production for the good of the scheme.

Edit: I'm also curious to see if the development of Hill and the early progress that Hughes showed pre-injury means that Waynes is unlikely to see a second contract with Minnesota. It just seems like the Vikings are at a point where they will need to start letting some talent walk on D and the question will be how good they are at replenishing it?

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"Tyr" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said: Internally the Vikings are really high on him so I'd assume they'll make an effort to hold onto him. He struggled against the run at times but some of that was scheme based and the fact it was his first year in the system. The Vikings play a lot of pre-snap games with the interior lineman which makes me believe he'd be much better after a season in the playbook. 

It will come down to cost though. If he wants to be paid like a top 5 DT the Vikings won't give him that money. If he wants a multi-year deal between $8-10M/yr that would at least keep the conversations moving. There is also a chance the interior D-line market gets suppressed due to the strong draft class. 

His struggles against the run are what make me a bit hesitant to re-sign him. Though the hard part to know as a fan is what the coaches are asking him to do, so if there are pre-snap issues that should smooth out in year 2, then he is less risky from that perspective. I've seen some speculation that his price would be $12 million per year, so it would help out a lot if a strong DT draft class drives the market down. We also have two developmental tackles in Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes, not claiming they are Richardson's caliber, but they at least have a backup plan and could address further in the draft.

Out of curiosity, do you have any insight on why Linval Joseph had an off year? Was he hurt, slowing down due to age, stuck trying to compensate for Richardson, or is my perception of him having a down year wrong? It seemed like he was getting gashed badly up the middle on runs on a relatively consistent basis. Is NT a position we should start to be getting concerned about?

@"minny65" said: I hope we pass on both Richardson and Barr and put the money elsewhere.  

I could see a case being made for that, but that's still a lot of talent to let walk. My gut feeling is to keep Barr, since his skill set will be harder to replace. The hard part with Barr is that I'd want to see more consistency out of him, but I guess it depends on how much you believe that he's sacrificing production for the good of the scheme.

Edit: I'm also curious to see if the development of Hill and the early progress that Hughes showed pre-injury means that Waynes is unlikely to see a second contract with Minnesota. It just seems like the Vikings are at a point where they will need to start letting some talent walk on D and the question will be how good they are at replenishing it?

Linval is a case where the team will need more tape. At the beginning of the season he was his normal self which makes it seem less likely his deteriorating play was age based. Add in the fact that he was pretty banged up by mid-season and I would personally lean in that direction. But you can't deny that he is about to be 31 this coming season. I wouldn't be surprised if they began looking for a replacement. 

Only if he is "reasonable" in his demands.  I don't think he will be and both he and Barr are likely to ask for a mountain of money. 

Nope, not going to work.