New York Jets Set to Release Alan Faneca: Minnesota Vikings Should Make Move

After drafting Vladimir Ducasse in the second round, the New York Jets will release Pro Bowl offensive guard Alan Faneca.

The current report is that Faneca will be "officially" released sometime on Monday, April 26.

Faneca was due $7.5 million this season. New York was not prepared to offer that amount of money to an aging offensive guard that probably won't be able to hold up for too much longer.

Alan has started in 128 games for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jets respectively.

In his 12-year career, Faneca has not started only seven times out of 192. That is a great honor that he should thank the good Lord for.

Whether or not he'll be able to stay injury-free for the next few years to come is the biggest question out there right now.

Once Faneca is a free agent, what teams will look to acquire his services for a fair price?

I can see the Minnesota Vikings as one of the front-runners to get the nine-time Pro-Bowler.

Minnesota has a relatively big need at right guard at the current time.

Anthony Herrera is no slouch at right guard, but he is easily replaceable. The Vikings will look for his replacement in the draft.

They could also elect to sign Faneca and go for a guard in the 2011 draft.

The Vikings are a team that will run the ball a lot more often next year than they did this year.

If they want to be one of the greatest teams in the league to run the ball, they will need to solidify the offensive line with tremendous talent.

Faneca is certainly not the long-term option for the Vikings, but he would increase their chances of making it to the Super Bowl in February of 2011.

The Jets are not releasing him because he can't play. He can. They are releasing him because his contract is too much for them to handle right now.

As some of you may know, the Jets brought in both Favre and Faneca in the same off-season. Perhaps they will have some sort of chemistry with one another.

I can't really find any negative with the Vikings at least pondering the idea of bringing Alan in for a try.

Minnesota could go back to having one of the best offensive lines in football if they sign him.

Minnesota's 2010 projected starting offensive line:

Left tackle: Bryant McKinnie
Left guard: Steve Hutchinson
Center: John Sullivan
Right guard: Alan Faneca
Right tackle: Phil Loadholt

In my opinion, that would be the best offensive line in football. If anybody can honestly think of one that's better, let me know.

Sure, John Sullivan played poorly last season, but it was basically his rookie year with Minnesota. Cut the man some slack, please.

In conclusion, the Vikings have already brought in one former Jet (Lito Sheppard) this offseason, why not give another one a chance?