AP - What do we do?

[The Duke]

Let me start off by saying I consider him the best in the league without a doubt, however what would you do if you were the front office.

-AP has openly said he'll wait until the end of the season to discuss contracts
-Likely Johnson will get something done before the season, meaning Vikings will have to beat that contract (to give to AP)
-AP knowns we have a soft line
-Playoff potential is low
-Without 8-9 guys in the box if increased his injury risk
-Stadium situation?
-Is Ponder good enuff?

If your the Vikings FO what package would you take mid-season if the season is going bad?
You cant lose him for nothing, and theres no gareentee his stays with the uncertainty in MIN plus its a passing league now, backs dont take you far usually.

[Worm Guts]

Unless they got rid of the franchise tag in the new CBA, you just throw that on him and he ain't going anywhere.

[The Duke]

Unless they got rid of the franchise tag in the new CBA, you just throw that on him and he ain't going anywhere.

Granted the tag is an option if its in the new CBA.
But what package would you be willing to part with if someone came asking mid-season and we were 2-6 (for example).

Team get by in todays game with an average back, a good o-line and a QB with lots of time to make decisions. If you give him enough protection and time eventually they find someone (and accuracy increases).

Will we EVER get to see AP play behind an above average O-line "again" ?
Could the argument be made that other teams with developed stacked o-lines utilize AP better then Minnisota (hence would give somethinf of value for his services)

[The J Rocka]

Just have to build the line through the draft, we HAVE to lock up AP. If it means the Vikings losing a few seasons to build the team better for the future/better line for Ponder & AP, you just offer a lot of money he can't refuse so he's with us through his prime. By that time I would hope the Vikings would be a serious contender again.

[Worm Guts]

AP's 26 and workhorse running backs are normally done by 30, so you can't really expect to endure a few losing seasons and still have prime AP when we start winning again.
I think the smart move would probably be to trade him if you can get a haul, but even then it would be tough. He's the face of the franchise and still makes the team fun to watch.

[The Duke]

Exactly, we are potentially running a tight rope here constantly putting AP behind a very below average O-line. (Likely ranked in the bottom 5% of the league in terms of starters/backup/depth).

It does take years to build a good line. Prolly 3-4 years of dedicated drafting of at least 2 OL per drafts (1 in the 1st 2 rounders, 1 following rounds).

Rotoworld ranked our OL worst in the league last week.

How much longer can we see AP getting hit in the backfield.
AP is the franchise, but I'd move him if we get solid value.

[The J Rocka]

Kind of sucks because had the Vikings addressed the OL issues in the past 3 drafts, we might not be in the situation we are in. We just focused on QB, WR, and S --->(who all suck anyways). Even adding guys like Loadholt & Sullivan were avg/below-avg moves. I would just hate to see AP leave.

[The Duke]

Lets talk numbers...

Fitzgerald got 8 years, 120 Million, ~ 50 Million Garenteed

What does AP command?
What number would price us out?

[The J Rocka]

Lets talk numbers...

Fitzgerald got 8 years, 120 Million, ~ 50 Million Garenteed

What does AP command?
What number would price us out?

Sounds like AP wants that Fitz money. I heard on the radio a contract somewhere in the 100 mil along with 40 mil guaranteed.

[hermes]

how many years? if its 8 like fitz then he'll be 34 when its up

[Worm Guts]

Fitz couldn't be franchised (it was in his contract), so he had more leverage.

[The Duke]

I understand the "AP can be franchised" for another year argument.

So for example... given AP making a bit more then 10 milllion this season and he gets franchised the following season for approximately a bit more then 12 million.

What happens after that ... he inched up 2 more years and would have effectively most of the leverage in negotiations. Trade value would diminsh and we'd have to pay serious figures or lose him as he'd likely want at least a 4 year deal (2 years from now).

Theres the argument, well we can negotiate during the "frachised year". While completely true, he has not seen the need to sign long term now entering the final year of his deal .....