Post by Purple Pain on Sept 7, 2020 1:19:21 GMT -6
Demarious Randall - LV ( was with Capers when they were in GBay)
Sean Davis - Wash
George Iloka - FA
Ha HA Clinton-Dix - Dal
JJ Wilcox - Atl
Eric Reid - Car
Reshad Jones - Mia
Tony Jefferson - Balt
Clayton Geathers - Ind
Some thoughts from Arif Hasan:
The roster isn’t complete
We’re often reminded on cutdown day that the roster isn’t complete — and that every team makes changes every year from the initial roster to the Week 1 roster — but the Vikings made that spectacularly clear when they released the first iteration of their 53-man roster for 2020.
They do not have any safeties on the roster behind the two starters, and though they traditionally carry fewer safeties than most NFL teams do into the season, they will likely have some backup plan in mind in case either player in their safety duo gets hurt.
They’ll be scouring the veteran market and the waiver wire to find players that fit. The best candidates among the bubble players this offseason were the Browns’ Andrew Sendejo and the Eagles’ Marcus Epps, both of whom played under Mike Zimmer with the Vikings. Both made their teams’ initial roster, however, so they’ll have to look elsewhere.
They may also be willing to trade less-valuable assets for either of those players, perhaps using their depth at receiver or one of their 11 defensive linemen as trade bait. If not, a late-round pick might be enough. But with the amount of talent available at the position, they might choose to hang on to their players and picks.
One player who specifically has experience and familiarity with the Zimmer defense is former Viking (and former Cowboy) George Iloka. The Vikings recently held a tryout with him, and are therefore familiar with his physical conditioning at this point, and could have him on speed dial if they don’t like their other options on the waiver wire. Another recent Cowboy, HaHa Clinton-Dix, not only has more talent than most backups, but the former Packer and Bear is familiar with two NFC North defenses and could provide scouting reports in more depth to the offense on game day — as well as help explain how exactly those defenses shut down the Vikings in their meetings last year.
Damarious Randall is another safety with some experience in the NFC North that could fit in with the Vikings after failing to make the Raiders roster. For a hard-hitting safety that might be able to fill a potential role as a big-nickel type player, they could also take a look at Johnathan Cyprien, formerly of the 49ers.
Younger players that could catch their eye include Grayland Arnold (Eagles), Adrian Colbert (Chiefs), D’Cota Dixon (Buccaneers) and Sean Davis (Washington). If they want a special teams ace alongside Chisena, they could pursue former Chief Brad Sorensen or former Raven Jordan Richards.
That conversation at safety could also be had at linebacker. The Vikings might be suitably impressed with Hardy Nickerson Jr., but it’s not often that a player added late in the offseason process actually makes the roster — after all, the team had already made the decision that other players were better bets several times. And those other players weren’t fit for the roster, either.
With that in mind, they might be willing to pursue former Viking Edmond Robinson, recently cut by the Falcons, or a player that comes from a similar system to the one the Vikings employ, like the Raiders. Javin White was a surprise cut for the squad and as a young, capable linebacker could be part of the next wave of future Vikings. On the other hand, if they continue to opt for special teams aces, they could be interested in Kyle Wilber. The Raiders added a number of linebackers to their roster this year, so it may not be a lack of talent that let them get away.
If they’re really interested in special teams players, they could go after safety/linebacker/edge defender Shaquem Griffin, recently cut by the Seahawks. Francis Bernard, former Cowboy, could be an addition that provides both special teams play and genuine depth at linebacker. Former Charger Malik Jefferson could also fit the special teams role while he develops his remarkable athleticism.
If they’re invested in backups who primarily perform as linebackers, former Bronco Todd Davis would be an excellent addition. Ryan Connelly — who might be an addition at special teams as well — was a promising rookie last year for the Giants before his ACL injury and could be an addition.
Even at other positions, the Vikings might be aggressive about adding depth or practice squad talent. Dare Ogunbowale, running back formerly of the Buccaneers, has special teams experience, and Salvon Ahmed, former Dolphins running back, has rare athleticism and return experience.
The Vikings could also look at system fits. Players with experience with wide zone play — like those who practiced with Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland — might be interesting, like guard Michael Dunn. Former Jets center Jonotthan Harrison has experience under offensive line coach Rick Dennison. Former Washington offensive linemen Ross Pierschbacher and David Steinmetz may also make sense, as could athletic rookie Prince Tega Wanogho, recently cut by the Eagles. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert learned Stefanski’s offense for the Browns and could port his skills over to the Vikings practice squad if they’re interested. If they want to continue their trend of finding Big Ten quarterbacks, the Cowboys’ recent cut of Northwestern product Clayton Thorson likely grabbed their attention. And of course, they’re probably weighing the costs and benefits of adding former Dolphin Josh Rosen to the roster and might be interested in former Bronco Brett Rypien or former Raven Tyler Huntley.
The Vikings missed out on defensive tackle P.J. Hall when he failed his physical, but former Buffalo Bill Justin Zimmer has a similar athletic profile and history of production. He could be a practice-squad addition at a thin position as could super-athlete and former second-round pick Breeland Speaks, recently cut by the Chiefs. Edge rushers like former Bronco Derrek Tuszka, former Eagle Shareef Miller and former Packer Tim Williams also fit what the Vikings tend to look for in the position.
There are any number of receivers who could provide veteran depth, like former Patriot Mohamed Sanu — who has experience in similar systems as the one the Vikings run — or those with an element the receiving corps lacks, like size mismatch Hakeem Butler, recently cut by the Cardinals.
Otherwise, deep threats could catch their eye, like former Chief Kalija Lipscomb, former Bill Robert Foster, former Cowboy Devin Smith, former Eagle Travis Fulgham, former Bronco Trinity Benson or former Seahawk Penny Hart.
Even at corner, where the Vikings have six bodies, they might want to reach out to veterans like Prince Amukamara, former Raider, or Aaron Colvin, former Washington defensive back. Athletes Madre Harper, another former Raider, former Panther T.J. Green and former Cowboy Saivion Smith could suit their needs as well.
Either way, the Vikings are clearly not done adding to the roster.
We’re often reminded on cutdown day that the roster isn’t complete — and that every team makes changes every year from the initial roster to the Week 1 roster — but the Vikings made that spectacularly clear when they released the first iteration of their 53-man roster for 2020.
They do not have any safeties on the roster behind the two starters, and though they traditionally carry fewer safeties than most NFL teams do into the season, they will likely have some backup plan in mind in case either player in their safety duo gets hurt.
They’ll be scouring the veteran market and the waiver wire to find players that fit. The best candidates among the bubble players this offseason were the Browns’ Andrew Sendejo and the Eagles’ Marcus Epps, both of whom played under Mike Zimmer with the Vikings. Both made their teams’ initial roster, however, so they’ll have to look elsewhere.
They may also be willing to trade less-valuable assets for either of those players, perhaps using their depth at receiver or one of their 11 defensive linemen as trade bait. If not, a late-round pick might be enough. But with the amount of talent available at the position, they might choose to hang on to their players and picks.
One player who specifically has experience and familiarity with the Zimmer defense is former Viking (and former Cowboy) George Iloka. The Vikings recently held a tryout with him, and are therefore familiar with his physical conditioning at this point, and could have him on speed dial if they don’t like their other options on the waiver wire. Another recent Cowboy, HaHa Clinton-Dix, not only has more talent than most backups, but the former Packer and Bear is familiar with two NFC North defenses and could provide scouting reports in more depth to the offense on game day — as well as help explain how exactly those defenses shut down the Vikings in their meetings last year.
Damarious Randall is another safety with some experience in the NFC North that could fit in with the Vikings after failing to make the Raiders roster. For a hard-hitting safety that might be able to fill a potential role as a big-nickel type player, they could also take a look at Johnathan Cyprien, formerly of the 49ers.
Younger players that could catch their eye include Grayland Arnold (Eagles), Adrian Colbert (Chiefs), D’Cota Dixon (Buccaneers) and Sean Davis (Washington). If they want a special teams ace alongside Chisena, they could pursue former Chief Brad Sorensen or former Raven Jordan Richards.
That conversation at safety could also be had at linebacker. The Vikings might be suitably impressed with Hardy Nickerson Jr., but it’s not often that a player added late in the offseason process actually makes the roster — after all, the team had already made the decision that other players were better bets several times. And those other players weren’t fit for the roster, either.
With that in mind, they might be willing to pursue former Viking Edmond Robinson, recently cut by the Falcons, or a player that comes from a similar system to the one the Vikings employ, like the Raiders. Javin White was a surprise cut for the squad and as a young, capable linebacker could be part of the next wave of future Vikings. On the other hand, if they continue to opt for special teams aces, they could be interested in Kyle Wilber. The Raiders added a number of linebackers to their roster this year, so it may not be a lack of talent that let them get away.
If they’re really interested in special teams players, they could go after safety/linebacker/edge defender Shaquem Griffin, recently cut by the Seahawks. Francis Bernard, former Cowboy, could be an addition that provides both special teams play and genuine depth at linebacker. Former Charger Malik Jefferson could also fit the special teams role while he develops his remarkable athleticism.
If they’re invested in backups who primarily perform as linebackers, former Bronco Todd Davis would be an excellent addition. Ryan Connelly — who might be an addition at special teams as well — was a promising rookie last year for the Giants before his ACL injury and could be an addition.
Even at other positions, the Vikings might be aggressive about adding depth or practice squad talent. Dare Ogunbowale, running back formerly of the Buccaneers, has special teams experience, and Salvon Ahmed, former Dolphins running back, has rare athleticism and return experience.
The Vikings could also look at system fits. Players with experience with wide zone play — like those who practiced with Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland — might be interesting, like guard Michael Dunn. Former Jets center Jonotthan Harrison has experience under offensive line coach Rick Dennison. Former Washington offensive linemen Ross Pierschbacher and David Steinmetz may also make sense, as could athletic rookie Prince Tega Wanogho, recently cut by the Eagles. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert learned Stefanski’s offense for the Browns and could port his skills over to the Vikings practice squad if they’re interested. If they want to continue their trend of finding Big Ten quarterbacks, the Cowboys’ recent cut of Northwestern product Clayton Thorson likely grabbed their attention. And of course, they’re probably weighing the costs and benefits of adding former Dolphin Josh Rosen to the roster and might be interested in former Bronco Brett Rypien or former Raven Tyler Huntley.
The Vikings missed out on defensive tackle P.J. Hall when he failed his physical, but former Buffalo Bill Justin Zimmer has a similar athletic profile and history of production. He could be a practice-squad addition at a thin position as could super-athlete and former second-round pick Breeland Speaks, recently cut by the Chiefs. Edge rushers like former Bronco Derrek Tuszka, former Eagle Shareef Miller and former Packer Tim Williams also fit what the Vikings tend to look for in the position.
There are any number of receivers who could provide veteran depth, like former Patriot Mohamed Sanu — who has experience in similar systems as the one the Vikings run — or those with an element the receiving corps lacks, like size mismatch Hakeem Butler, recently cut by the Cardinals.
Otherwise, deep threats could catch their eye, like former Chief Kalija Lipscomb, former Bill Robert Foster, former Cowboy Devin Smith, former Eagle Travis Fulgham, former Bronco Trinity Benson or former Seahawk Penny Hart.
Even at corner, where the Vikings have six bodies, they might want to reach out to veterans like Prince Amukamara, former Raider, or Aaron Colvin, former Washington defensive back. Athletes Madre Harper, another former Raider, former Panther T.J. Green and former Cowboy Saivion Smith could suit their needs as well.
Either way, the Vikings are clearly not done adding to the roster.
theathletic.com/2047423/2020/09/06/breaking-down-the-vikings-roster-what-saturdays-cuts-tell-us-about-the-team/
... and neither is this Chris guy.
