Vikings 2009 free agency guide

A look at the players signed, to be signed, and the stories surrounding the possibilities on the NFL's 2009 free-agent and trade markets.

2009 Transition/Franchise Values | Free-Agent Terms

VikingUpdate.com "Free Agent" Story Search

FREE AGENCY DATABASE

Overall Rankings | By Position | 2008 Team | Signed Team | College | Name
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C
DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

VIKINGS FREE-AGENT STORIES

Commentary: Is Cutler worth it?
Two good reasons for Griffin extension | Needs still exist
Scout's Notebook: Glenn Holt | Griffin gets extension
FB Weaver goes East | Are the Vikings done spending?
Holt hired for returns? | Caplan free-agent chat transcipt 3/19
Sharper signs with New Orleans | Uncapped year presents player pitfalls
Cutler formally requests trade | Vikings UFAs don't generate interest
Scout's Notebook: Karl Paymah | Jackson stay positive amidst doubt
Caplan free-agent chat transcipt | Kennedy getting another chance
Cutler talks didn't go well | Vikings re-sign Sapp
Playmaker possibilities | Spielman eyeing sale prices
Veteran tackle could hit market | A tender issue
Farwell excited to return | Attention on replacing Birk
Chat transcript: What's left? | Commentary: Vikings too late with Birk
Fallback option at WR? | Lurtsema's Reaction: Cutler, Birk
Birk becomes a Raven | Analysis: Rosenfels' upside
McDaniels needs Cutler | Vikings showed restraint with Housh
Cutler has traits Vikings seek | Vikings lose two WR targets
Action-packed free-agent notebook | Vikings take measured approach
Sharper shopping with Saints | Rosenfels-Manning connection
Kleinsasser inks three-year deal | Scout's Notebook: Sage Rosenfels
Another QB on the horizon? | Experience in system should help Sage
What's the Vikings' plan at tackle now? | Rosenfels officially a Viking
Market opens as Vikes negotiate | Notebook: Another tackle gone
Vikings needs and options | Cosell breaks down OL options
Caplan chat transcript 2/25 | Cosell evaluates QB trade options
Notebook: Free agency, draft collide | Gordon gets signed
Report: Vikings close on Rosenfels | Vikings interested in Vick? Really?
Vikings continue free-agent work | Will Gus be back
Franchise tag gets heavy use | Center to consider
Tackles thinned in free agency | Cosell breaks down the QBs
Favre retirement should stick | Grigsby uniquely approaches free agency
Wyms' versatility a factor | Jimmy Kennedy looking long-term
Cassel would be expensive, risky | Free agent chat transcript
CBA opt-out coudl be huge | Tahi talks free agency
Evans' opportunity came at ideal time | Thomas uncertain with free agency
QB options shrinking for Vikings | Caplan chat transcript 2/5
Free-agent expectations for Sharper | Caplan chat transcript 1/15

VIKINGS FREE AGENCY 2009 (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
Matt Birk	C		Signed a three-year, $12 million contract, including $6 million in guarantees, with Baltimore.
Darren Sharper	S		Signed a contract with the Saints. Terms unknown.
Jim Kleinsasser	TE		Signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Vikings.
Heath Farwell	LB		Signed a three-year, $7.75 million contract, including $3.25 in guarantees, with the Vikings.
Napoleon Harris	LB		Unsigned
Dontarrious Thomas	LB		Unsigned
Jimmy Kennedy	DT		Signed a one-year contract with the Vikings with a $620,000 base salary.
Ellis Wyms	DT		Unsigned
Kenderick Allen	DT		Unsigned
Benny Sapp	CB		Signed a one-year contract with the Vikings with a $620,000 base salary.
Michael Boulware	S		Unsigned
Marcus Johnson	OL		Unsigned
Restricted Free Agents
Naufahu Tahi	FB		Tendered a one-year, $1.01 million offer.
Charles Gordon	CB		Signed a one-year contract that could be worth more than $1 million with incentives.
Fred Evans	DT		Tendered a one-year, $1.545 million offer.
Otis Grigsby	DE		Unsigned
Jayme Mitchell	DE		Signed a two-year contract.
Released
* March 3: Released linebacker Vinny Ciurciu. * Feb. 27: Released QB Gus Frerotte. * Feb 18: Released running back Maurice Hicks.
Signed
* March 18: Signed WR Glenn Holt to a one-year contract. * March 14: Signed CB Karl Paymah to a one-year, $1.55 million deal that could exceed $2 million with incentives. * Feb. 27: Completed a trade with Houston for QB Sage Rosenfels in exchange for a fourth-round draft choice. * Dec. 31: Signed kicker Taylor Mehlhaff to a futures contract. * Dec. 29, 2008: Signed LB Kenny Onatolu to a futures contract. * December through early February: Re-signed guard Brian Daniels, defensive end Martail Burnett, offensive linemen Chris Clark, WR Jaymar Johnson, cornerback Derrick Roberson, safety Roderick Rogers, cornerback Marcus Walker and running back Albert Young to futures contracts.

RECENT VIKINGS FREE AGENCY

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002