With a less-than-stellar free agency crop this year, in addition to restrictions placed on the Vikings, each player who gets cut has to be considered by the Vikings front office.

Typically, a player cut at this point is not going to be an attractive option for teams, but rather merely considered another team’s junk.

In today’s case, the Bears choice to cut fullback Jason McKie, the player is being cut because he doesn’t fit a new scheme being implemented not because he is considered talentless.

Mike Martz being brought into Chicago means there is less use for a traditional fullback, and they are going to be more interested in your H-back type of player instead.

The Vikings, however, do utilize traditional fullbacks and many fans would love to see them upgrade at the fullback position.

So is McKie a possibility?  Let us compare him to Fahu Tahi and see what you all think.

Jason McKie (Age 29, 5’ 11”, 247 lbs., 8 Seasons in NFL)

CAREER:  29 rushes, 84 yards, an average of 2.9 yards, with 3 touchdowns.  68 receptions, 364 yards, an average of 5.4 yards, with 3 touchdowns.  3 career fumbles.

2009:  No rushes.  5 receptions, 13 yards, an average of 2.6 yards, and no touchdowns.  PFF run blocking rating of -8.9.  PFF pass blocking rating of 0.1.

Naufahu Tahi (Age 28, 6’ 0”, 254 lbs., 5 Seasons in NFL)

CAREER:  9 rushes, 20 yards, an average of 2.2 yards, with no touchdowns.  27 receptions, 111 yards, an average of 4.1 yards, with 1 touchdown.  1 Career fumble.

2009:  3 rushes, 5 yards, an average of 1.7 yards, with no touchdowns.  10 receptions, 67 yards, an average of 6.7 yards, and one touchdown.  PFF run blocking rating of -2.4.  PFF pass blocking rating of -2.0.

So, what say you?  Is it worth looking at a smaller, older, equally as unproductive fullback.  Or are we fine with Tahi until something better comes around?

UPDATE:  There were some questions in the comments section immediately after posting this and I’ll try to answer them.

PFF blocking rating comes from the website ProFootballFocus.com.  They do a good job of recording just about every stat possible from every play of every game.  They use a complex system to come up with these rating, but instead of boring you with the details I’ll just let you click here if you are interested in learning more.

And now, for Ole…

Jeff Dugan (Age 28, 6’ 4”, 258 lbs., 6 years in NFL)

CAREER:  9 rushes, 21 yards, an average of 2.3 yards, with no touchdowns.  23 receptions, 161 yards, and average of 7.0 yards, with 3 touchdowns.  1 fumble.

2009:  3 rushes, 7 yards, an average of 2.3 yards, no touchdowns.  6 receptions, 52 yards, an average of 8.7 yards, and 2 touchdowns.  PFF run blocking rating of -2.4.  PFF pass blocking rating of -0.9.