Post by Jor-El on Oct 22, 2021 11:15:14 GMT -6
Looking at the positional grades, I thought it also worthwhile to see how everyone feels about the players brought in this offseason. I saw an article from summer saying how Zimmer was "rejuvenated by free agency", so how has that really worked out? I'll throw my uneducated grades for each, but more interested in others' evaluations.
CB Patrick Peterson: B+
I'm sure he will get higher grades from most, but I won't give this an A for a few reasons: first, he wasn't all that cheap at $8M, so he should be above average. Second: he has failed in a few spots when tested, and I think he is benefitting from poor play by Breeland making teams stay away from him. And last, now he's hurt. Not his fault, but knocks his value to this team down.
CB Bashaud Breeland: F
There is some optimism for him based on playing better against Carolina - but I'm not buying it. He played like crap for 5 games, probably interfered with development of Dantzler, and insulted fans. How is that worth $2.7M?
CB Mackensie Alexander: B-
Mac isn't setting the NFL on fire but he has started at the nickel every game and been relatively inconspicuous - which is not a bad thing. He also signed for $1.2M, half as much as Breeland.
S Xavier Woods: B
Like Alexander, I see Woods as a solid if not spectacular addition, as well as also being a salary bargain at $1.7M. If I ran the Vikings, Alexander and Woods are the two I would try to bring back after this year.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson: C
In some ways, I feel this grade is generous. He sure as hell has not shown that "hidden ability to pressure the passer" that was ballyhooed after everyone asked, "why another NT?", and he isn't making anyone forget Linvalle Joseph as a run stuffer. I think he'll improve as he gets more comfortable, but he's averaging $10.5M a year, and if we let him go after one season, he'll have $16M just for 2021. Ouch.
DT Sheldon Richardson: F
What happened to Richardson - and what was the point of signing him? Sure, some will say he "wasn't too expensive", but $3.6M isn't exactly vet minimum.
DE Everson Griffen: A
I really wasn't in favor of bringing Griffen back, but he is THE success story of this FA group, especially making barely over $1M. He'll turn 34 next month...what are they going to do about him after this season? Obviously depends who is in charge here by that time...
DE Stephen Weatherly: F
Maybe I shouldn't even be issuing any grades, because I thought Weatherly was a better signing than Griffen. $2.5M didn't sound bad when he was signed, but he's been nearly invisible - and would any other team have signed him for even half that salary if we had passed him up?
LB Nick Vigil: C
He had a couple good moments, but really has been unremarkable. Best thing I can say is that we needed him since Barr can't stay healthy. You might argue that $1.7M for Vigil has been far wiser than +$8M for Barr...
WR Dede Westbrook: C
Another signing I applauded that has resulted in little. In fairness, the emergence of KJ Osborne has kept us from needing Westbrook to play much as a receiver. He hasn't showed much juice in the return game, though. I gave this a C because we got him as insurance in case no one else was ready to be the #3 WR. Luckily, we haven't needed him.
Overall: C
The defensive improvement this year has mostly been fueled by the return of Hunter and Pierce. Woods, Alexander, and Peterson have improved the secondary, but they added 4 FA defensive linemen, and all but 1 have disappointed.
CB Patrick Peterson: B+
I'm sure he will get higher grades from most, but I won't give this an A for a few reasons: first, he wasn't all that cheap at $8M, so he should be above average. Second: he has failed in a few spots when tested, and I think he is benefitting from poor play by Breeland making teams stay away from him. And last, now he's hurt. Not his fault, but knocks his value to this team down.
CB Bashaud Breeland: F
There is some optimism for him based on playing better against Carolina - but I'm not buying it. He played like crap for 5 games, probably interfered with development of Dantzler, and insulted fans. How is that worth $2.7M?
CB Mackensie Alexander: B-
Mac isn't setting the NFL on fire but he has started at the nickel every game and been relatively inconspicuous - which is not a bad thing. He also signed for $1.2M, half as much as Breeland.
S Xavier Woods: B
Like Alexander, I see Woods as a solid if not spectacular addition, as well as also being a salary bargain at $1.7M. If I ran the Vikings, Alexander and Woods are the two I would try to bring back after this year.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson: C
In some ways, I feel this grade is generous. He sure as hell has not shown that "hidden ability to pressure the passer" that was ballyhooed after everyone asked, "why another NT?", and he isn't making anyone forget Linvalle Joseph as a run stuffer. I think he'll improve as he gets more comfortable, but he's averaging $10.5M a year, and if we let him go after one season, he'll have $16M just for 2021. Ouch.
DT Sheldon Richardson: F
What happened to Richardson - and what was the point of signing him? Sure, some will say he "wasn't too expensive", but $3.6M isn't exactly vet minimum.
DE Everson Griffen: A
I really wasn't in favor of bringing Griffen back, but he is THE success story of this FA group, especially making barely over $1M. He'll turn 34 next month...what are they going to do about him after this season? Obviously depends who is in charge here by that time...
DE Stephen Weatherly: F
Maybe I shouldn't even be issuing any grades, because I thought Weatherly was a better signing than Griffen. $2.5M didn't sound bad when he was signed, but he's been nearly invisible - and would any other team have signed him for even half that salary if we had passed him up?
LB Nick Vigil: C
He had a couple good moments, but really has been unremarkable. Best thing I can say is that we needed him since Barr can't stay healthy. You might argue that $1.7M for Vigil has been far wiser than +$8M for Barr...
WR Dede Westbrook: C
Another signing I applauded that has resulted in little. In fairness, the emergence of KJ Osborne has kept us from needing Westbrook to play much as a receiver. He hasn't showed much juice in the return game, though. I gave this a C because we got him as insurance in case no one else was ready to be the #3 WR. Luckily, we haven't needed him.
Overall: C
The defensive improvement this year has mostly been fueled by the return of Hunter and Pierce. Woods, Alexander, and Peterson have improved the secondary, but they added 4 FA defensive linemen, and all but 1 have disappointed.
... and neither is this Chris guy.