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Vikings center Matt Birk, who is entering the final season of an eight-year contract with no signs of an extension, continues to stay away from voluntary offseason workouts in Minnesota. Also absent is running back Chester Taylor.
Birk clearly isn’t happy that the team hasn’t extended his contract, but he isn’t openly pining for a new deal. “I don’t feel like I need to plead my case for a contract,” he has said. “I think my career and my 10 years in this league speak for themselves.”
As to Taylor, the Minneapolis Star Tribune brushes off the absence by pointing out that Taylor often works out on his own during the offseason. Still, with Adrian Peterson poised to run away with the every-down job and Taylor possibly eyeing opportunities where he could be once again the guy that he was in 2006, we can’t help but wonder whether Taylor is quietly looking for a way out.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Being a Viking fan, this kinda news is a tad disconcerting. I do understand, to some degree, the frustrations that Birk has. As for Taylor, I am a bit more optomistic, and think he is working out on his own, rather than with the team. They are VOLUNTARY workouts. I would also hope that both of these PROFESSIONALS, can get some resolution with their current issues, and play for the TEAM and the FANS. If it weren’t for people like myself, these guys would likely be doing a far less lucritive job. I hope yhey bothe have GREAT seasons, and the VIKINGS play to their potential. That might also get management to realize what an awesome center, and running back they have, and pony up. GOD BLESS
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May 20th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
i would love to see taylor move to a team that desperately needs a proven running back.. say the chicago bears. i highly doubt that an inner-division trade will happen, but i can hope
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May 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
It is my opinion that Matt Birk will not be In a Vikings uniform next year. It is nothing against Birk It is just the fact that when you work the equation Age+Injurys+Monetary requirements Matt Birks price will be over what the organization is willing to pay. That’s not to say that the organization would not be willing to extend him a deal. But the fact is the current coaching regime has had only one healthy year to observe him. They will not give him an offer until they see how he performs this season. Now if the Vikings do well, Matt I guess would reconsider staying. But at this point in his career he is going to want to attach to a unit that has a legitimate super bowl shot. I would guess that both sides are content to take a wait and see approach. But Matt will not be cheap. Probowl centers are hard to come by. And if the organization has anything less than a successful season reaching past the first round of the playoffs. You can bet that the probability of the team being sold goes up 5 fold. Zigmund Wilf has promised to not move the team. But that is not to say that if he sells because of non-profitability that the next owner will promise the same.
As for Taylor, he is not going anywhere. He has shown he can be a 1000 yard rusher. He has talent and skills. Is he upset to not be the #1 back? My guess is probably. Everyone wants to be the featured player. That’s why he wanted out of Baltimore. But now he has the opportunity to be the left hook of a one two punch. He might lose out on some bonuses do to the fact that he will get less carries. But this is a move that will also prolong his career. His body will absorb less physical beatings, less ware and tare. Plus from an organizational stand point, He is more than capable to take the reins of the running game and carry this team if an injury happens. It is unfortunate that he is #2 on the charts but you just can’t ignore a talent like Adrian Peterson. Adrian may be great, but together they are the best running tandem in the league. So If I was Taylor I would be happy that I could be part of something really special. Aim my goals high. Try to set the league record for team rushing.
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May 20th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I think they wait until week three or four and assess Birk’s play, like they did with Big Pat last year. Matt’s not going to break the bank. He wants a fair deal to stay in MN and I think he’ll get it. He’s just making a point and so is the team. Is it August yet?!? I want training camp!!
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May 20th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
you think the vikings wont overpay for birk if he has a great season and the guy they drafted turns out to be a DUD? think again. look what they just gave berrian and M.williams. talk about the best chance to get overpayed-its from the vikings. i would welcome matty B accross the border to titletown with open arms. i bet the idea of handing the ball to a QB with ACTUAL potential would be very intriguing to birk, instead of handing it to a guy that everyone is STILL hoping can develope into his “potential”. odds are he will stay in minny though, he loves the home town thing.it would be a change of direction though for the pack to snipe an older player from MN instead of the other way around.
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May 20th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I saw that Chester Taylor had a family emergency to attend to. That’s the reason (atleast for now) he’s missing from Vikings workouts.
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