Packers Kampman Football

So, as long as the bye week seems to have me stuck in a rut where I am looking at the 2010 offseason.  I wanted to see what the chances are that the Vikings continue their illustrious history of stealing the best of the best from Packer Nation.  Ryan Longwell, Darren Sharper, and now Brett Favre are all some of the most recent examples and have all seemingly worked out pretty darn well.

In all fairness, the Packers did obtain Koren Robinson for a period of time.  Giggle.

So are there any players worth stealing away in this year’s free agency class?  You betchya, and here is a look at who I am thinking:

  1.  Aaron Kampman, DE, Age 29:  If Dom Caper’s 3-4 system sticks in Green Bay then the Pack might as well just bail on Kampman as he has stunk ever since they forced him to play a position he shouldn’t be playing.  In the three seasons prior to Capers coming to town, Kampman was averaging over twelve sacks per season and was feared by many offensive coordinators.  Since switching to the 3-4, Kampman has only managed 2.5 sacks in eight games.  The Packers should have been building their defense around this guy, but instead they’ll toss him aside in the name of a new scheme.  One team’s trash in another’s treasure, however, and Kampann would a treasure to many teams.  I highly doubt the Vikings let Ray Edwards leave after this season, but Kampman would doubtless be a large enough upgrade to warrant the money spent.  Watching Aaron Kampman sack Aaron Rodgers would continue to drive the stake that Brett Favre put in the heart of Packer Nation this year.  If Kampman hits free agency, he should perhaps be the Vikings top target.
  2. Atari Bigby, S, Age 27:  Bigby is known for big hits and being injury prone.  He’s a pretty good all-around athlete with good range, and a knack for the exciting play.  With the Vikings needing some depth and competition at the safety spot, Bigby would not be a terrible addition if the price isn’t too high.
  3. Nick Collins, S, Age 26:  Collins probably shouldn’t be a starter in this league, but he isn’t that bad.  Again, adding depth and competition at the safety spot should be the Vikings top priority on defense this offseason.
  4. Tramon Williams, CB, Age 26:  I like Williams a lot.  He could be a starter in this league if he wasn’t stuck behind those geriatric cheap-shot artists that the Packers love so much.  Williams could possibly end up being talented enough to allow Winfield to move into the nickel spot.
  5. Will Blackmon, CB, Age 24:  He’s not that great of a corner and the Vikings don’t really need a return man anymore.  But I’m sick of seeing this guy destroy our special teams, so it’d be nice to steal him away just so they cannot have him.
  6. Brandon Chillar, ILB, Age 26:  The Vikings don’t really lack for linebacker depth or special teams players anymore, but Chillar is a solid rotational linebacker and an excellent special teamer.  He’s probably not a big enough upgrade to make it worth the move, but if one of our linebackers experiences a major injury this season then it’s a possibility.
  7. Johnny Jolly, DT, Age 26:  Jolly is kind of an idiot.  Okay, he’s a lot of an idiot.  Regardless, if Pat Williams decides to hang it up after this season then defensive tackle all the sudden becomes a bit of question mark for the Vikes.
  8. Chad Clifton, OT, Age 33:  Clifton has yet to prove that his career is not over yet.  The former great would probably never jump ship to join the Vikings only to become a backup.

So there you have it.  I’m saying it now, and I’ll be saying it for awhile, but Aaron Kampman should possibly be the Vikings biggest free agent target of 2010.  If we can get him back into a 4-3 defense, lined up across from Jared Allen, well, that would just be ridiculous.

Here is my current list of the Vikings top ten (in my opinion) free agent targets, and remember that many of these guys will probably be re-signed or franchised:

  1. Aaron Kampman, DE, Packers:  Adding him to our current group of defenders would put this front seven in a whole other world.  Also, who doesn’t like seeing Packers fans cry?
  2. DeMeco Ryans, MLB, Texans:  I own an E.J. Henderson jersey and am one of his biggest fans, but Ryans is younger and better.  This would be an immediate upgrade.  He could also play outside, replacing Leber.
  3. DeMarcus Ware, DE, Cowboys:  Here we have a guy that could start at either defensive end or outside linebacker.  He’s be an upgrade over either Jared Allen or Ben Leber, and would continue to strengthen our front seven.
  4. Vince Wilfork, DT, Patriots:  The Vikings have to start thinking about the eventual retirement of Pat Wiliams.  Wilfork is a dirty, nasty beast constantly causing disruption.
  5. Richard Seymour, DT, Raiders:  Again, a viable solution if Pat Williams decides to hang it up.  Seymour would also be a candidate to play defensive end.
  6. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins:  Chester Taylor may very well be on his way out, and Brown would be the best available person to backup Adrian Peterson.  His versatility would prove useful for sure.
  7. Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers:  Sproles is the perfect third down back.  Speedy, great hands, explosive return man… he could be a solid option to replace Chester taylor.
  8. Dunta Robinson, CB, Texans:  Robinson is not the best cornerback ever, but he’s very solid and could help the Vikings secondary become more consistent.
  9. Tyson Clabo, OT, Falcons:  If the Vikings could ever find a new franchise left tackle and trade Bryant McKinnie for a 1st or 2nd rounder I would not shed a tear.  Even if Clabo was a slight downgrade, he’s a better long term option that isn’t going to be suspended at elast once every two years.
  10. Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers:  Wide out is no longer much of a need for the Vikings.  But obtaining a true #1 like Jackson would be too sweet to pass up if the price is right… which it won’t be.