So what’s the best way to rid an NFL franchise from the stink of a washed-up top-ten wide receiver?  Possibly, the ideal strategy is to sign someone else’s washed-out top-ten wide receiver.

Earlier this year, the Vikings traded receiver Troy Williamson, the No. 7 overall pick in 2005, for a sixth-round pick and a box of SnackWell’s cookies with a “sell by” date of November 2007.  So now the Vikings reportedly are sniffing around receiver Charles Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in 2003.

Rogers was cut by the Lions in 2006, but failed to land with another NFL team.  As rumor/legend has it, Rogers ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds or slower during one or more workouts in the wake of his release.

Most recently, there were reports that he’d sign with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.  But Rogers apparently backed out. 

According to former Saginaw High coach Don Durrett (who talked to the Saginaw News and whose comments were picked up by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune), Rogers “has” a workout with the Vikings.

The timing is unknown.  “Has” implies that it hasn’t happened yet.  But it gives no clue as to when it might be.

The Vikings clearly need help at the position.  Since Randy Moss was traded to the Raiders, the team has struggled to find anyone with even a third of his ability.  Troy Williamson was supposed to be “the guy,” and he ended up being “the guy who can’t catch.”  Koren Robinson (another former top-ten flame-out) showed promise in 2005, before playing real-life “Need for Speed” with the Mankato police in August 2006.

Though there’s currently cause for optimism, due to the strong rookie year of Sidney Rice and the free-agent acquisition of Bernard Berrian, a gamebreaking wideout is still missing from the offense.

The fact that they’d even kick Rogers’ tires tells us that the Vikings are willing to look anywhere in search of their next Moss. 

Or at least their next 33 percent of a Moss.