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The Minnesota Vikings have been very active early in this free agency signing period, adding three projected starters in the first two days.

• The Vikings found a replacement for free agent All-Pro FB Tony Richardson by signing Thomas Tapeh from Philadelphia. Thomas is a native of Minnesota and was a running back for the Golden Gophers in college at the University of Minnesota. I think T2 is a great pickup, but I feel it’s a mistake to let Tony Richardson go. He was a big reason the Vikes had the best running game in the NFL last season. Thomas will not only have to plow a path for Adrian Peterson (like he did for Brian Westbrook), he’ll have to occasionally catch the ball, something TR did quite well when asked to.
• Minnesota added 26-year-old former Cincinnati Bengals free safety Madieu Williams. Madieu is very solid at his position with good cover skills (he came into the NFL four years ago as a cornerback). He had 74 tackles, two picks and two sacks in 13 games last season.
• The Vikings wooed and won over former Chicago Bears WR Bernard Berrian who was considered by many the second best wideout in this free agency class behind Randy Moss. B2 had a breakout season in ‘07 with, by far, the best numbers of his four-year career — 71 catches for 951 yards. Minnesota desperately needs help at the receiver position. They finished dead last in receptions last season. Now with Bernard on one side and the exciting Sidney Rice on the other — plus speedy WR/KR Aundrae Allison — the Vikings have a young and talented group to help take the pressure off the ground game.

Minnesota has not yet addressed their need for a defensive end who can apply pressure on the quarterback. They wanted to bring former Bengals DE Justin Smith in for an interview but he negotiated with the 49ers and never left San Francisco. Titans DE Antwan Odom is a great candidate. Despite his injury history, I still like Jevon Kearse, who is also available. Jags DE Bobby McCray is also out there. Sure the Vikes have a herd of players that could fill this pass-rushing role. They’ve addressed the need in previous Drafts, but none have proven, for one reason or another, that they are capable of the role yet — namely Erasmus James, Ray Edwards and Kenechi Udeze (who is now battling leukemia). The verdict is still out on Jayme Mitchell and Brian Robison.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Minnesota Vikings Active in Free Agency, Bernard Berrian Fills Need at Wide Receiver

I hate to see things like this, but Minnesota Vikings DE Ray Edwards has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Because of the confidentiality surrounding the policy, it wasn’t made public what the substance was. The suspension is effective immediately. Ray is eligible to return to the team after the December 30 season finale against Denver and could play if the Vikings make the playoffs, which I believe they will. Vikings head coach Brad Childress wasn’t pleased:

“It’s disappointing, but there are policies in place and our players have to adhere to those policies. Every team goes through challenges as you go through the year. We’ve been through some of our own. It’s an opportunity to have others step up.”

Ray is a very promising young defensive end and edge rusher (four sacks this season so far). If there’s one position the Vikes can’t afford to lose depth in, it’s on the edge. They’re currently last in the NFL in pass D so they need all the rush they can get to take the pressure off their DBs. Erasmus James, rookie Brian Robison and Jayme Mitchell will fill-in during Ray’s absence.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Vikings DE Ray Edwards Suspended for Violating NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy