Vikings sign Hutchinson for a bazillion dollars

Mile High Mania · 03-12-2006, 03:57 PM

Wow... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2365600

Vikings sign Hutchinson to gigantic offer sheet

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Seattle Seahawks star Steve Hutchinson, designated as a transition free agent by the NFC champions, has signed an offer sheet with the Minnesota Vikings that will make him the highest paid guard in NFL history, ESPN.com has learned.The offer sheet is for seven years, at $49 million, and includes $16 million in guarantees. Once the offer sheet is executed, Seattle will have seven days to match all its principle terms, or allow Hutchinson to move to the Vikings. If the Seahawks do not match it, they will receive no draft-pick compensation.How rich is the Vikings' deal, negotiated by Tom Condon and Ken Kremer of IMG Football, for the five-year veteran guard? Consider this: Only three NFL offensive tackles, a position that is always paid much higher than guards, can match Hutchinson's average of $7 million. Larry Allen of Dallas, currently the league's highest-paid guard, averages $6.1 million on his Cowboys contract.It is believed that, before the start of the free agency period, Seattle was offering Hutchinson an average of $5.8 million per year.Seattle opted to use the less expensive transition designation on Hutchinson, rather than the franchise tag, and the difference is significant. In most case, the franchise marker is enough to scare off any suitors, because the level of compensation is a pair of first-round draft choices. The transition label carries no compensation and it is easier for veterans under that marker to attract other teams.Under the current system, implemented in 1993, just three franchise players have every switched teams in free agency. During the same period, 18 transition players have changed teams.By signing Hutchinson to the offer sheet, the Vikings, who entered the free agency period with $30.9 million in available salary cap room, second-most in the league, are remaining aggressive as the club attempts to upgrade the roster under first-year coach Brad Childress. The Vikings broke from the chute quickly on Saturday, either signing or reaching agreements with five players.Hutchinson, 28, would certainly provide the kind of toughness and mauler's mentality the Vikings have lacked on their offensive line, and would team with tackle Bryant McKinnie to give Minnesota one of the best leftside blocking tandems in the league.A first-round choice in the 2001 draft, Hutchinson is a three-time Pro Bowl performer. The former University of Michigan star has appeared in 68 games, all of them starts, and has played all 16 games in all but the 2002 campaign. That year, a broken leg limited Hutchinson to four appearances.Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

Mile High Mania · 03-12-2006, 03:57 PM

Ok, so it's just an "offer sheet" at this point, but damn!

Mecca · 03-12-2006, 03:58 PM

I don't think Seattle has the money to match that....

**Dunit35** · 03-12-2006, 03:59 PM

that's T.O. type money there.

Demonpenz · 03-12-2006, 04:00 PM

He is a stud thats for sure.

**Bob Dole** · 03-12-2006, 04:00 PM

Insane.

**cdcox** · 03-12-2006, 04:03 PM

For a guard? Vikings are nuts, but the whole FA market is insane.

Chiefs better get a deal done on LJ before he hits the market.

Mile High Mania · 03-12-2006, 04:05 PM

If LJ has the same level of per game perforance this year... he'll demand the most $ ever paid to an NFL player.

Eleazar · 03-12-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

If LJ has the same level of per game perforance this year... he'll demand the most $ ever paid to an NFL player.

I don't know if he'll be worth what he'll eventually sign for, but he's too good not to pay it.

Brock · 03-12-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

I don't know if he'll be worth what he'll eventually sign for, but he's too good not to pay it.

I'd say he deserves a substantial raise, to say the least.

**cdcox** · 03-12-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

I don't know if he'll be worth what he'll eventually sign for, but he's too good not to pay it.

Too true.

If it were a QB and you inked him to a huge, very long term deal (ala Manning and the Colts) it would be one thing because they generally have long careers once they reach greatness. But a RB could blow his knee out tomorrow, or burn out two years into a 7-year deal.

I guess its a good problem to have.

Demonpenz · 03-12-2006, 04:13 PM

i remember when we gave LJ a token draw play like 2 years ago i was like. WTF he is slow as hell. Oh my times have changed.

Skyy God · 03-12-2006, 04:17 PM

Another victim of the dreaded transition tag. They've been using the franchise for years with Alexander and Jones. I'm a little surprised they went the cheap route considering their abundance of cap space.

Hootie · 03-12-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

i remember when we gave LJ a token draw play like 2 years ago i was like. WTF he is slow as hell. Oh my times have changed.

I thought the same thing when he came in for Blaylock in the Tampa Bay game in 2004. He ran like he was scared, and like a total puss. I was like, this guy ****ing sucks. Then I realized he probably wasn't even preparing for the games because he never had a chance to play.

The very next week he came out and showed signs, and then he exploded.

Pitt Gorilla · 03-12-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

i remember when we gave LJ a token draw play like 2 years ago i was like. WTF he is slow as hell. Oh my times have changed.

He was never slow. He may have been indecisive, but never slow.

03-12-2006, 03:57 PM
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3707229	Vikings sign Hutchinson for a bazillion dollars Wow... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2365600 Vikings sign Hutchinson to gigantic offer sheet By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Seattle Seahawks star Steve Hutchinson, designated as a transition free agent by the NFC champions, has signed an offer sheet with the Minnesota Vikings that will make him the highest paid guard in NFL history, ESPN.com has learned.The offer sheet is for seven years, at $49 million, and includes $16 million in guarantees. Once the offer sheet is executed, Seattle will have seven days to match all its principle terms, or allow Hutchinson to move to the Vikings. If the Seahawks do not match it, they will receive no draft-pick compensation.How rich is the Vikings' deal, negotiated by Tom Condon and Ken Kremer of IMG Football, for the five-year veteran guard? Consider this: Only three NFL offensive tackles, a position that is always paid much higher than guards, can match Hutchinson's average of $7 million. Larry Allen of Dallas, currently the league's highest-paid guard, averages $6.1 million on his Cowboys contract.It is believed that, before the start of the free agency period, Seattle was offering Hutchinson an average of $5.8 million per year.Seattle opted to use the less expensive transition designation on Hutchinson, rather than the franchise tag, and the difference is significant. In most case, the franchise marker is enough to scare off any suitors, because the level of compensation is a pair of first-round draft choices. The transition label carries no compensation and it is easier for veterans under that marker to attract other teams.Under the current system, implemented in 1993, just three franchise players have every switched teams in free agency. During the same period, 18 transition players have changed teams.By signing Hutchinson to the offer sheet, the Vikings, who entered the free agency period with $30.9 million in available salary cap room, second-most in the league, are remaining aggressive as the club attempts to upgrade the roster under first-year coach Brad Childress. The Vikings broke from the chute quickly on Saturday, either signing or reaching agreements with five players.Hutchinson, 28, would certainly provide the kind of toughness and mauler's mentality the Vikings have lacked on their offensive line, and would team with tackle Bryant McKinnie to give Minnesota one of the best leftside blocking tandems in the league.A first-round choice in the 2001 draft, Hutchinson is a three-time Pro Bowl performer. The former University of Michigan star has appeared in 68 games, all of them starts, and has played all 16 games in all but the 2002 campaign. That year, a broken leg limited Hutchinson to four appearances.Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
Posts: 30,261

03-12-2006, 03:57 PM	#2
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3707229	Ok, so it's just an "offer sheet" at this point, but damn! __________________
Posts: 30,261

03-12-2006, 03:58 PM	#3
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2647050	I don't think Seattle has the money to match that....
Posts: 110,818

03-12-2006, 03:59 PM	#4
Dunit35 Keepin it Real Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oklahoma Casino cash: $1567045	that's T.O. type money there.
Posts: 10,489

03-12-2006, 04:00 PM	#5
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3152136	He is a stud thats for sure. __________________
Posts: 54,267

03-12-2006, 04:00 PM	#6
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2614497	Insane.
Posts: 48,522

03-12-2006, 04:03 PM	#7
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2361769	For a guard? Vikings are nuts, but the whole FA market is insane. Chiefs better get a deal done on LJ before he hits the market.
Posts: 45,536

03-12-2006, 04:05 PM	#8
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3707229	If LJ has the same level of per game perforance this year... he'll demand the most $ ever paid to an NFL player. __________________
Posts: 30,261

03-12-2006, 04:13 PM	#12
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3152136	i remember when we gave LJ a token draw play like 2 years ago i was like. WTF he is slow as hell. Oh my times have changed. __________________
Posts: 54,267

03-12-2006, 04:17 PM	#13
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	Another victim of the dreaded transition tag. They've been using the franchise for years with Alexander and Jones. I'm a little surprised they went the cheap route considering their abundance of cap space.
Posts: 22,416