Vikings' 2005 Free Agents

The Vikings have been making decisions on 15 restricted and unrestricted free agents this offseason, but have focused most of their money at acquiring outside unrestricted free agents.

VIKINGS FREE AGENCY 2005 (updated from the start of the free-agent period to the start of training camp in July)
RATING SYSTEM Viking Update ranks its FREE AGENTS with the following guidelines based on our assessment of the players: = All-Pro quality player, player deserving but league depth at position keeps player back. = Would start for most teams, elevated growth/fringe All-Pro. = Starting quality, average to slightly above average player. = Solid to serviceable player, backup for most teams. = Roster bubble long-shot, special teams only type contributor, no defined role in position.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Morten Andersen				K		Unsigned
Chris Claiborne				LB		Signed with the St. Louis Rams for three years, $10.5 million.
Billy Conaty				C		Unsigned
David Dixon				G		Unsigned
Gus Frerotte				QB		Signed with the Miami Dolphins for two years, $3 million.
Chris Hovan				DT		Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Terms undisclosed.
Keith Newman				LB		Unsigned
Jermaine Wiggins				TE		Re-signed with the Vikings for five years, $7.3 million, including a $1 million signing bonus.
Restricted Free Agents
Kelly Campbell				WR		Signed his one-year contract tender from the Vikings for $656,000.
Jose Cortez				K		Unsigned.
Adam Haayer				G		Unsigned.
Rhett Nelson				CB		Signed with the Arizona Cardinals for one year, $380,000.
Willie Offord				S		Signed his one-year contract tender from the Vikings for $656,000.
Brian Russell				S		Signed with the Cleveland Browns for two years, $3 million.
Brian Williams				CB		Tendered a one-year contract for $1.43 million. Vikings retain the right to match any other offers or receive a first-round draft pick as compensation.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Shaun Hill				QB		Signed a one-year, $656,000 contract.
Brandon Newton				OL		Signed a one-year, $230,000 contract.
Butchie Wallace				RB		Signed a one-year, $230,000 contract.
Released
• Released backup center Cory Withrow, cornerback Terrance Shaw, running back Larry Ned, cornerback Rhett Nelson and wide receiver Kenny Clark.
Signed
• March 29 — Re-signed center Cory Withrow to a one-year, $540,000 contract. • March 18 — Traded a conditional seventh-round draft pick to the New York Jets for linebacker Sam Cowart. • March 16 — Signed quarterback Brad Johnson (Tampa Bay) to a four-year, $6 million contract, including a $1.2 million signing bonus. • March 15 — Signed wide receiver Travis Taylor (Baltimore) to a two-year, $2 million contract. • March 12 — Signed safety Darren Sharper (Green Bay) to a four-year, $14 million contract, including a $5 million signing bonus. • March 8 — Signed cornerback Fred Smoot (Washington) to a six-year, $34 million contract, including a $10 million signing bonus. • March 8 — Re-signed tight end Jermaine Wiggins to a five-year, $7.3 million contract, including a $1 million signing bonus. • March 2 — Signed defensive tackle Pat Williams (Buffalo) to a three-year, $13 million contract, including a $6 million signing bonus. Incentives could make the deal worth $15 million. • March 2 — Traded wide receiver Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders for linebacker Napoleon Harris, the seventh overall draft pick and a seventh-round draft pick in the 2005 draft.