Set phasers to Grin and Bear It! Does one laugh manically as if insane or cry like a newly born baby? However one looks at it, the Vikes are again at the top of the chart when it comes to salary cap numbers.

For 2005, estimating the NFL salary cap to be approximately $85 M, the Vikings will be an estimated $30 million under. Think of who the Vikings could sign with that kind of dough.

Inside the NFL North division, the Bears come in at $19.28 million under, the Lions at $15 million under, and the lowly Packers at $3 million OVER.

So, whom could the Vikings target should McCombs (or Fowler or Taylor) decide to actually spend that projected money instead of saving it for a rainy day? The following summaries are players set to become free agents in 2005. Note that this list does not include players who are likely to void a year on their contract and thereby become free agents. I do not break out Restricted Free Agents and which will be Unrestricted. This list only includes players who started in 2004.

Defensive Back
Idrees Bashir (Colts)
Gary Baxter (Ravens)
Aaron Beasley (Falcons)
Jay Bellamy (Saints)
Donovin Darius (Jaguars)
Will Demps (Ravens)
Tony Dixon (Cowboys)
Andre Dyson (Titans)
Nicholas Harper (Colts)
Quentin Harris (Cardinals)
Ronnie Heard (49ers)
Anthony Henry (Browns)
Kelly Herndon (Broncos)
Renaldo Hill (Cardinals)
Joseph Jefferson (Colts)
Sammy Knight (Dolphins)
Marlon McCree (Texans)
Dwight Smith (Buccaneers)
Fred Smoot (Redskins)
Travares Tillman (Panthers)
Bracy Walker (Lions)
Adrian Wilson (Cardinals)
Charles Woodson (Raiders)

Linebacker
Jessie Armstead (Panthers)
Akin Ayodele (Jaguars)
Kendrell Bell (Steelers)
Gary Brackett (Colts)
Rocky Calmus (Titans)
Andra Davis (Browns)
Mark Fields (Panthers)
Scott Fujita (Chiefs)
Morlon Greenwood (Dolphins)
Nick Greisen (Giants)
Edgerton Hartwell (Ravens)
Sedrick Hodge (Saints)
Warrick Holdman (Browns)
Orlando Huff (Seahawks)
Rob Morris (Colts)
Ryan Nece (Buccaneers)
Julian Peterson (49ers)
Tommy Polley (Rams)
Matt Stewart (Falcons)
David Thornton (Colts)
Will Witherspoon (Panthers)

Defensive Line
John Abraham (Jets)
Raheem Brock (Colts)
Hugh Douglas (Eagles)
Marques Douglas (Ravens)
Jason Ferguson (Jets)
Carlos Hall (Titans)
Reggie Hayward (Broncos)
Darren Howard (Saints)
Aaron Kampman (Packers)
Chike Okeafor (Seahawks)
Seth Payne (Texans)
Corey Simon (Eagles)
Pat Williams (Bills)
Tony Williams (Bengals)

Offensive Line
Bennie Anderson (Ravens)
Joe Andruzzi (Patriots)
Rich Braham (Bengals)
Milford Brown (Texans)
Rick DeMulling (Colts)
Ryan Diem (Colts)
Chris Gray (Seahawks)
Ben Hamilton (Broncos)
Justin Hartwig (Titans)
Eric Heitmann (49ers)
Jonas Jennings (Bills)
Kenyatta Jones (Redskins)
Walter Jones (Seahawks)
Kyle Kosier (49ers)
Jermane Mayberry (Eagles)
Stockar McDougle (Lions)
Kareem McKenzie (Jets)
Seth McKinney (Dolphins)
Tom Nutten (Rams)
Matt O'Dwyer (Buccaneers)
Orlando Pace (Rams)
Tupe Peko (Colts)
Dominic Raiola (Lions)
Victor Riley (Saints)
Oliver Ross (Steelers)
Kevin Shaffer (Falcons)
Cameron Spikes (Cardinals)
Robbie Tobeck (Seahawks)
Keydrick Vincent (Steelers)
Matt Willig (Panthers)
Paul Zukauskas (Browns)

Kicker
Steve Christie (Giants)
Billy Cundiff (Cowboys)
Jay Feely (Falcons)
Todd Peterson (49ers)
Jeff Reed (Steelers)
Adam Vinatieri (Patriots)

Punter
Bryan Barker (Packers)
Toby Gowin (Jets)
Tom Rouen (Seahawks)
Kevin Stemke (Rams)
Dave Zastudil (Ravens)

Should be a few names on that list that the Vikes bring in for a look in the coming months. I hope.

More on Ownership

It is now being thought that Red McCombs is waiting for the NFL to conclude contract extensions for the league's Sunday night, Monday night and new eight-game Thursday-Saturday night TV package to rationalize his increased $650 million asking price for the Vikings. Nevertheless, just because McCombs is asking $650 million doesn't mean he'll receive any more visits to his Texas ranch. Without a stadium deal, it's almost a certainty he'll have to resolve for a smaller amount. A little used car haggling!

It could then be time for Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor to recommence his effort to buy the Vikings from Red McCombs in two weeks. That's how long Arizonan Reggie Fowler has before his negotiating rights understanding with McCombs ends. Let the countdown begin.

Posted by maasx003 at January 30, 2005 07:13 AM | TrackBack