Minnesota Vikings: Free Agent QB Market Open for Business... Almost

Well, March 1 is right around the corner, and so is the 2011 NFL Free Agency Period. There are some interesting names that could easily pique the Minnesota Vikings' interest, but this article is strictly dedicated to the position of quarterback.

There are a bevy of FA QBs on the market this year. The problem with this year's crop is that most of the decent ones are either injury prone or head cases. Most, if not all, of the head coaches in the NFL have egos the size of Montana, the state not the Hall of Famer, and many feel they can rehabilitate or resurrect a guy's career. So let's roll the dice on some FA QBs about to test the waters.

So let's kick the tires and check under the hood as we take a look at some of the more interesting names and reasons they could fit under the new offensive system heading into 2011.

There are too many QBs to list, and honestly most of them do not seem to be a good fit for Minnesota, so let's concentrate on those who might look decent/okay/good in purple.

There Once Was a Man Named Matt: Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Moore and Matt Leinart

Two are young, one is old. One is a proven winner, the other two unproven. My money is on the elder Matt and here's why.

The other two are intriguing only to the point of being intriguing, nothing more. Leinart would be a reclamation project and Moore is just as raw as Joe Webb, so you might as well stick with the more mobile guy in Webb.

Hasselbeck brings leadership and experience to a team that is, in my estimation, still close to being a deep playoff caliber team. If the Vikings want to groom Webb or grab a QB in the first or second round, Hasselbeck would be a good alternative for that transition.

Seneca Wallace

Believe it or not, just a few years ago many thought this guy would replace Hasselbeck in Seattle, and now he is on the "outs" in Cleveland and looking for another chance to be the guy.

He would add some veteran leadership and has shown flashes, but consistency, health and another offensive system are too much to overcome. Wallace, if he lands somewhere, most likely goes to the Carolina Panthers to back up Jimmy Clausen if Moore is not re-signed by the Panthers.

Alex Smith

According to most pundits, Smith likely stays in San Fran because Jim Harbaugh thinks he can do what no other coaches have been able to do thus far, and that is make Smith a star.

We'll see, but by all accounts Smith is damaged goods. Sorry Alex, but as you get older it's tougher to shut off the switch to past failings. Smith clearly needs a new start, but Minnesota should shy away from Smith's, Leinart's and Vince Young's (who is still with the Tennessee Titans) excess baggage.

Even Southwest Airlines would have to charge these guys for their baggage.

Marc Bulger

Okay, now I am intrigued. Man, if this guy could just stay healthy. With Joe Flacco tossing the ball around Baltimore there is no reason for Bulger to stick around. He still thinks he can start, and he can. Bulger has the skills and tools, and if healthy could help the Vikings further groom Webb or groom their first or second-round pick.

Bulger clearly can run most offenses with his intelligence and quick release. This will be one interesting FA to watch.

Chad Pennington

This is almost a redux of the last QB. Pennington is an effective leader with a lot of wins under his belt, but injuries have plagued his career. There is nothing that says the next home will be any different, but he might be worth a stab, even if it's only for one year.

Pennington is getting up there and is professional enough to see the business aspect as well as the mercenary aspect of the NFL. He is smart and could quickly learn a system that would fit him nicely. I like Bulger's mobility over Pennington, but Pennington's leadership over Bulger's. It's a toss-up on this one.

Bruce Gradkowski

This guy has moxie, there is no denying that, and he is the type of guy who wants to go somewhere to have the opportunity to be the long term guy.

He kind of reminds me of Jeff Garcia, albeit not as successful yet, but he is a fighter and any team that lands Gradkowski is getting an instant winner and fighter. Plus, he is only 28. It would be ironic, but when this guy was coming out of college (Toledo), I was hoping the Vikings would draft him and now there is an opportunity for him to don the purple.

Now if he, like most of these other guys, can just stay healthy.

Toss Up: Kellen Clemens/Jim Sorgi

This one is a toss up, and now we seem to be bottom fishing here, but Clemens (28) and Sorgi (29) have something to prove; one moreso than the other.

For Clemens it's about redemption. He could come in and compete with another free agent, Webb, and possibly the new No. 1, and this would be a good fit because of the running game.

For Sorgi the jury is clearly out. How often does one guy get to back up two brothers? With the "castoff" Rosenfels now Eli Manning's back up, Sorgi is free to roam the country, and Minnesota is close to his home in Indy.

I think the question for Sorgi is is he okay just being a backup or does he want to start? Sometimes when a guy gets to this point in his career, he is happy being a perennial backup, claiming a decent check and learning the ropes on being an eventual coordinator someday, ala Gary Kubiak.

Other QB's on the FA market: Todd Collins, Drew Stanton, Brady Quinn, Tyler Thigpen, Brodie Croyle, Rex Grossman and a few more.

Now, if you put all these QB's into a mixer you'd come up with a pretty good signal caller, but individually it's a shot in the dark that any of these guys makes any kind of impact from here on out.

Too bad about Quinn. I was really pulling for the kid, but he clearly spent more time in the weight room than he did the film room. Maybe he'll re-dedicate himself, and if he learned anything from Tim Tebow it's that it takes a tremendous heart, dedication and desire to be an NFL QB. Perhaps he was too caught up, as was Leinart, in the limelight of it all.

Thigpen would be an interesting guy only in that Minnesota allowed him to get plucked off the squad by the Kansas City Chiefs a few years back.

Well, I have the same chance as the next guy predicting who Minnesota pursues in free agency at the QB position, if at all, and on that here is a final note.

If the Vikings do not take advantage of the No. 12 spot to grab a QB, there will be outright protests like the ones in Wisconsin lately. If Minnesota has their eye on three guys, surely one of them will be there at No. 12.

This QB class is not as stellar as some in the past, but it is a solid class, just as last year's was, and it would seem prudent for them to consider grabbing one earlier rather than later.

My concern is that both Rick Spielman and Leslie Frazier have talked about the QB position being a priority, so that tells me they are not going to take one at No. 12. Isn't the NFL Draft all about stealth and jockeying?

My money is on Jake Locker. Blaine Gabbert will be gone, Cam Newton is a one-year wonder who will be looked at for his athletic prowess more than his QB skills and Ryan Mallett just bothers me for some reason. He is dropping in my rankings. I have moved Andy Dalton ahead of Mallett.

Finally, if I am GM of the Vikings I would do the following: sign a veteran FA, release Jackson, keep Bomar and obviously Webb and draft Locker at No. 12. If Locker is not there, drop and draft an OL, then draft Christian Ponder or Dalton (if he's there) in Round 2.