One of my VU buddies forwarded me this list of 2006 free agents. I don't know where it came from, but it looks to be the real deal. Vikings players are underlined and people I'd like the Vikes to consider are bolded:

QB’s

UFA’s

1)Drew Brees SD
2)David Carr Hou
3)Josh McCown Ari
4)Jon Kitna Cin
5)Kurt Warner Ari
6)Jeff Garcia Det
7)Chris Weinke Car
8)Vinny Testaverde NYJ
9)Doug Flutie NE
10)Tim Hasselbeck NYG
11)Craig Nall GB
12)Anthony Wright Bal
13)Sage Rosenfels Mia
14)Rohan Davey FA
15)Charlie Batch Pit
16)Todd Collins KC
17)Jamie Martin Stl
18)Ty Detmer Atl
19)Shane Matthews Buf
20)Damon Huard KC
21)Jeff Blake Chi

RFA’s

1)Chris Simms TB
2)Seneca Wallace Sea
3)Quinn Gray Jax
4)David Ragone Hou
5)Shaun Hill Min

RB’s

1)Edgerrin James Ind
2)Jamal Lewis Bal
3)Brian Westbrook Phi
4)Shaun Alexander Sea
5)Ahman Green GB
6)DeShaun Foster Car
7)Chester Taylor Bal
8)Travis Minor Mia
9)Michael Bennett Min
10)Marshall Faulk Stl
11)James Mungro Ind
12)Shawn Bryson Det
13)Ron Dayne Den
14)Najeh Davenport GB
15)Sammy Morris Mia
16)Maurice Morris Sea
17)Johnathan Wells Hou
18)Lamar Gordan Mia
19)Tony Fisher GB
20)Verron Hayes Pit
21)Moe Williams Minn
22)Anthony Thomas Dal
23)LaBrandon Toefield Jax
24)Chad Morton NYG
25)Antowain Smith NO
26)James Jackson Ari
27)Avieon Cason Dal
28)Rock Cartwright Was
29)Arlen Harris Stl
30)Fred McAfee NO
31)Amos Zereoue Ne

RFA’s

1)Artose Pinner Det
2)Earnest Graham TB
3)Shaud Williams Buf
4)Reno Mahe Phi

FB’s

UFA’s

1)Tony Richardson KC
2)Lorenzo Neal SD
3)Fred Beasley SF
4)William Henderson GB
5)Mack Strong Sea
6)Jeremi Johnson Cin
7)Fred McCary Atl
8)Jameel Cook TB
9)Paul Smith Det
10)Chris Hetherington SF
11)Nick Luchey Cin
12)Heath Evans Sea

WR’s

UFA’s

1)David Givens NE
2)Reggie Wayne Ind
3)Josh Reed Buf
4)Randy Hymes Bal
5)Antonio Bryant Cle
6)Antwaan Randle El Pit
7)Eric Moulds Buf
8)Joe Jurevicius Sea
9)Peter Warrick Sea
10)Jabar Gaffney Hou
11)Rod Gardner Car
12)Corey Bradford Hou
13)Kevin Johnson Det
14)Peerless Price Dal
15)Dez White Atl
16)Koren Robinson Min
17)Quincy Morgan Pit
18)Az-Zhair Hakim NO
19)Tim Carter NYG
20)David Boston Mia
21)Ike Hillard TB
22)Troy Brown NE
23)Tim Dwight NE
24)Jerome Pathon Atl
25)Charles Lee Ari
26)Marc Boerighter KC
27)Reggie Swinton Ari
28)Troy Walters Ind
29)Patrick Johnson Bal

RFA’s

1)Brandon Lloyd SF
2)Patrick Crayton Dal
3)Nate Burleson Min
4)Eddie Drummond Det-KR
5)Kevin Walter Cin
6)Shaun McDonald Stl
7)Willie Ponder NYG
8)Kevin Curtis Stl
9)Kelley Washington Cin
10)David Tyree NYG
11)Derick Armstrong Hou
12)Kaseem Osgood SD
13)Arnaz Battle SF
14)Chris Horn KC
15)Bryan Gilmore Mia

TE’s

UFA's

1)Chris Baker NYJ
2)Brandon Manumaleuna Stl
3)Matt Schobel Cin
4)Justin Peelle SD
5)Stephen Alexander Den
6)Dan Campbell Dal
7)Aaron Shea Cle
8)Jermane Tuman Pit
9)Robert Royal Was
10)Christian Fauria NE
11)Darnell Dinkins Bal
12)Terry Jones Jr Bal
13)Teyo Johnson Ari
14)Tony Stewart Cin
15)Billy Miller Cle
16)Keith Henrich Car
17)Lamont Hall NO
18)Brian Kozlowski Was
19)Dave Moore TB
20)Cam Cleeland Stl
21)Marcellus Rivers Hou
22)Steve Bush SF
23)John Gilmore Chi
24)Mike Seidman Car
25)Zeron Flemister Oak

RFA’s

1)Casey Fitzsimmions Det
2)George Wrightster Jax
3)Zach Hilton NO

C’s

UFA’s

1)LeCharles Bentley NO
2)Justin Hartwig Tenn
3)Seth McKinney Hou
4)Jeff Mitchell Car
5)Trey Teague
6)Mike Flanagan GB
7)Andy McCollum Stl
8)Roberto Garza
9)Melvin Fowler NO
10)Brock Gutierrez
11)Bob Hallen

OG’s

UFA’s

1)Steve Hutchinson Sea
2)Stephen Neal NE
3)Tutan Reyes Car
4)Montrae Holland NO
5)John St Clair Chi
6)Fred Weary
7)Grey Ruegamer GB
8)Tom Nutten Stl
9)Ray Brown Was
10)Steve Edwards Chi

RFA’s

1)Alonzo Ephraim
2)Vincent Manuwai
3)Ryan Lilja
4)Adam Goldberg Minn

OT’s

UFA’s

1)Jeff Backus Det
2)Tom Ashworth NE
3)Jon Runyan Phi
4)Victor Riley Hou
5)Kyle Kosier Det
6)L.J. Shelton
7)Ephraim Salaam Jax
7)Kevin Shaffner Atl
8)Kevin Barry GB
9)Stockar McDougle Mia
10)Matt Willig Stl
11)Anthony Clement SF
12)Barry Stokes Atl
13)Bob Whitfield NE
14)Todd Steussie TB
15)Todd Fordham Chi
16)Scott Gragg
17)Barrett Brooks Pit
18)Rex Tucker

RFA’s

1)Jason Peters Buf
2)Torrin Tucker Dal
3)Jordan Black
4)Sean Bubin Min
5)Anthony Davis
6)Sean Locklear
7)Blaine Saipaia
8)Chad Slaughter

DT’s

UFA’s

1)Larry Tripplet Ind
2)Maa’ke Kemeatu Bal
3)Ron Edwards Atl
4)Grady Jackson GB
5)Ryan Pickett Stl
6)Damione Lewis Stl
7)Lional Dalton KC
8)Chris Hovan TB
9)Willie Whitehead NO
10)Monsanto Pope Den
11)Edward Jasper Oak
12)Justin Bannan Buf
13)Kendrick Clancy NYG
14)Rob Meier Jax
15)Langston Moore Cin
16)Cedric Killings
17)Rocky Bernard
18)Travis Hall Sf

RFA’s

1)Jordan Cartsens Car
2)Kindal Moorehead Car
3)Terdell Sands Oak

DE’s

UFA’s

1)John Abraham NYJ
2)Darren Howard NO
3)Kimo von Oelhoffen Pit
4)Anthony Weaver Bal
5)Orpheus Roye Cle
6)Aaron Kampman GB
7)Raheem Brock Ind
8)Kyle Vanden Bosch Tenn
9)Carlos Hall KC
10)Kalimba Edwards Det
11)Jared Devries Det
12)Carl Powell Cin
13)Ryan Denney Buf
14)Lance Johnstone Min
15)Brett Keisel Pit
16)Rodney Bailey Sea
17)Tyoka Jackson Stl
18)Marcellus Wiley Jax
19)Marco Coleman Den

RFA’s

1)Robert Mathis Ind
2)Jarret Johnson Bal
3)Cory Redding Det
4)Brandon Green Stl
5)Kenny Peterson GB

MLB

UFA’s

1)Andra Davis Cle
2)Derek Smith SF
3)Angelo Crowell Buf
4)Gary Brackett Ind
5)Earl Holmes Det
6)Sam Cowart Min
7)Brad Kassell Tenn
8)Clint Kriewaldt Pit
9)DeShon Polk Hou
10)Ben Taylor Cle
11)Orlando Ruff Cle
12)Rob Morris Ind
13)Jason Glenn Hou
14)Wali Rainer Det
15)Ronald McKinnon NO
16)Tim Johnson Oak
17)Trav Faulk Stl

OLB’s

UFA’s

1)Julian Peterson SF
2)Akin Ayodele Jax
3)David Thornton Ind
4)Will Witherspoon Car
5)Sedrick Hodge NO
6)Keith Adams Phi
7)Nick Greisen NYG
8)Rocky Boiman Tenn
9)Tommy Polley Atl
10)Keith Newman Minn
11)Grant Irons Oak
12)Warrick Holdman Was
13)Bart Scott Bal
14)Paris Lenon GB
15)Scott Fujita Dal
16)Patrick Chukwurah Den
17)Lester Towns Ari
18)Hannibal Navies Cin
19)Marcus Wilkins Cin
20)Rocky Calmus Tenn
21)Keith Burns Den
22)Matt Chatham NE
23)T.J. Slaughter NO
24)DeLawrence Grant Oak
25)Don Davis NE

RFA’s

1)Cato June Ind
2)James Harrison Pit
3)D.D. Lewis Sea
4)Hunter Hillenmeyer Chi
5)Shantee Orr Hou
6)Saleem Rasheed SF

CB’s

UFA’s

1)Nate Clements Buf
2)Charles Woodson Oak
3)Deshea Townsend Pit
4)Lenny Walls Den
5)Kenny Wright Jax
6)Jerry Azumah Chi
7)Andre Goodman Det
8)R.W. McQuarters Det
9)Brian Williams Min
9)Willie Middlebrooks SF
10)Chad Scott NE
11)Jamar Fletcher SD
12)Dale Carter Bal
13)Deion Sanders Bal
14)Tony Beckham Tenn
15)Juran Bolden TB
16)Fakhir Brown NO
17)Will Allen NYG
18)Terry Cousin
19)Ray Mickens Clev
20)Rashad Bauman Cin
21)Ralph Brown Min
22)Jimmy Williams Sea
23)Terry Fair Stl
24)Corey Ivy Stl
25)Jason Bell Hou
26)DeWayne Washington KC

RFA’s

1)Terrence McGee Buf-KR
2)Roderick Hood Phi
3)Ike Taylor Pit
4)Ricky Manning Jr Car
5)Leigh Bodden Clev
6)Jabari Greer Buf
7)Chris Johnson Stl
8)Raymond Walls
9)Dante Wesley
10)Jacques Reeves
11)DeJuan Groce

S’s

UFA’s

1)Adam Archuleta Stl
2)Chris Hope Pit
3)Tank Willliams Tenn
4)Will Demps Bal
5)Corey Chavous Min
6)Dexter Jackson TB
7)Sam Brandon Den
8)Marlon McCree Hou
9)Keion Carpenter Atl
10)Deke Cooper Jax
11)Idrees Bashir Car
12)Anthony Mitchell Cijn
13)Ifeanyi Ohalete Cin
14)Lance Schulters Mia
15)Bracy Walker Det
16)Earl Little GB
17)Kevin McCadam Atl
18)Ronnie Heard Atl
19)Keith Davis Dal
20)Ken Irvin Min
21)John Howell
22)Marquand Manuel
23)Ryan Clark NYG
24)Omar Stoutmare NYG
25)Ramon Walker Hou

RFA’s

1)Terrence Holt Det
2)Guss Scott NE
3)Scott Connot KC
4)Mike Adams
5)Clinton Hart
6)Mel Mitchell NO
7)Jarrod Cooper
8)Yeremiah Bell Mia
9)Reggie Myles Cin
10)Willie Pile Dal

K’s

UFA’s

1)Adam Vinateri NE
2)Jeff Wilkins Stl
3)Mike Vanderjaght Ind
4)Ryan Longwell GB
5)Neil Rackers Cinn
6)Josh Brown Sea
7)Todd Peterson Atl
8)Matt Bryant TB
9)Joe Nedney SF

P’s

UFA’s

1)Jason Baker
2)Dave Zastudill Bal
3)Kyle Richardson
4)Tom Rouen Sea

RFA’s

1)Filip Filpovic
2)Matt McBriar Dal
3)Kyle Larson
4)Ben Graham

More on Russia

On Monday I had written about visiting the local Museum of Russian Art. It had reminded me of a visit to Russia The Wife® and I had embarked on back in 1995. We spent time in Moscow as well as St. Petersburg.

The art we viewed at the Museum of Russian Art had brought back memories of purchasing art from street artists…which was actually very good.

I recall walking the streets of Moscow looking at the work of various street artists. And of course, we had to pet every dog since we missed our dogs back in Minnesota.

In the evenings we were entertained by folk dancers, or ballet, or attending the Moscow Circus.

The Moscow Circus with its live animal acts and tremendous talent, such as this little girl, were a highlight.

Another was getting inside the walls of the Kremlin. Guards were stationed all around.

But inside the walls was a rich history of the Russian people. Not to mention their military history as well.

The day we spent inside the Kremlin walls was picture postcard perfect with a deep blue sky. The sun glistened off the onion shaped domes of the various buildings and churches.

I also recall our last day in Moscow. I had found out earlier that morning that the Vikes had thrashed the Pittsburgh Steelers 44-24. During breakfast I was busy telling this to all the people on the trip with us. A waiter had sensed that we had something to celebrate and informed us that he would be back with something "very special" to help us continue our merriment.

We wondered if we would receive some fabulous caviar or perhaps some vintage champagne. The waiter returned a short time later with a covered silver tray. With a proud look in his eye he removed the cover and we found ourselves looking at.....hot dogs. "Oscar Meyer for your victory," announced the waiter. "Very difficult to obtain."

There was some minor snickering from the group which I quickly pooh-poohed and went on to explain to the waiter the joys of football tailgating and how much this meal meant to me, having missed out on a Vikings football game while being in a foreign country.

Tomorrow, St. Petersburg.

Posted by maasx003 at January 24, 2006 01:41 AM