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We floated earlier this week the possibility that the Minnesota Vikings will pursue free-agent center LeCharles Bentley, as the possible future (or present) replacement for veteran Matt Birk and his $5.32 million base salary.
Per Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Vikings won’t say whether they’re chasing LeCharles.
“You’re not going to work out a guy like that because he’s a vested veteran, but we always keep a book on all those things,” coach Brad Childress recently said. “Right now, we’ve got a lot of guys who are able to snap the football, which is rare.”
Agent Jonathan Feinsod told Zulgad that ten teams are interested in Bentley. We’ve heard that the number is more like eight, with teams like the Chargers, Dolphins, and Rams among them.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:35 am
The 49ers should make a serious play here. Sign Sims, Bentley, and move Hietmann back to his utility role (backup LG,RG and C).
That would give some freakin’ depth on an oline that’s about as deep as Chris Henry’s personality.
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June 14th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Why would the fins want him? Hes a vet and he plays center.
We have a 1 year starter Hiwaiian in Statele
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June 14th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I love this site, read it every day, etc etc etc.
But this rumor is kind of ridiculous. The idea that the Vikes would go after Bentley was originally floated here, and then Zulgad from the trib picked up on it and asked Childress to respond. Childress essentially responded by saying he hadn’t really thought about it, they always do their due diligence on any available player, and that they have several players on the roster that can play center. To me, that doesn’t mean “the Vikes won’t say if they’re chasing” Bentley, it actually means that they are in fact NOT chasing Bentley and really don’t have a good reason to do so.
The rumor does not have any merit, but hey, whatever, this is a rumor mill and that’s what Florio does. But the fact that a local reporter picked up the rumor and is slanting the story to give it merit is inexcusable. Just horrible reporting.
The Vikings will not sign Bentley, who will have no interest in being stuck behind a pro bowl center for at least a year. Childress may not have said so directly, because he rarely says anything directly, but the Vikings have no interest in Bentley either.
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June 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Could not agree more “spooneyjoe”
Matt Birk is the Center for the number 1 rushing team in the NFL. Matt Birk is a “leader” on the team and really the whole Offense.
TJ and AD rely on Birk’s steady influence to not just call blocking schemes but to adjust-on-the-fly for what these young players can do.
It is not a mistake that All Day rushed for 1400 yds as a rookie. Matt Birk is the biggest reason on the whole offensive line.
Huge mistake for the Vikes to diss Matt Birk and they won’t. He will get an extension early in the season. Bentley will have to be parked somewhere else and not in Minny. The Vikes do have “other” OL concerns anyway!
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June 14th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
The BiQueens might have a lot of people to snap the football but they are short in a decent QB to accept it.
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June 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I could definitely see the Dolphins taking a look at him, but only as a G. Our current right guard spot is being occupied by Trey Darilek, who I doubt is a capable starter. Others in the mix are rookie Shawn Murphy and Ike Ndukwe. Bentley, if he can return to form, could definitely compete in and mostly win that training camp battle, adding another decent option to a much improved Miami offensive line.
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June 14th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Unless Birk injures himself before the preseason, he will have an extension and all this will be over. The only way the Vikes persue this is if Biurk gets hurt while he is still available. A good LOT the VIkes would pick up in a second, maybe even trade Sharper for.
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June 14th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I understand what spooneyjoe is saying. But the way I understand it is this. He has already looked at bentley he knows what he can do. The Vikings are meticulous about keeping track of who is on the market. They will not even bother bringing him in unless there is a need. That is a two way street he would have to understand that He would not have a shot at center for a whole year. this is even before he does a visit. then he would have to get by the medical staff before anything serious would materialize. But Is childress saying he is not interested.. No because there is some interest this guy is a two time probowler you have to have some interest.but you gotta kick the tires abit before you make a decision then you have to figure out what your willing to pay. If the price is right and both sides agree that It would be a year before he would start then you might see things heat up. But there are more teams desperate for a solid starting center now. And I am sure they will pay more money now than the Vikings will. The odds of him coming here are Slim at best.
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June 16th, 2008 at 11:41 am
The Vikes need to worry more about McKinney and his status for the upcoming season. I believe that getting rid of Birk would be a HUGE mistake. There are several reasons they are so solid when they run the ball. He is definitely one of those reasons. KEEP BIRK, and GO VIKES!!!!!
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