Minnesota Vikings Offseason Shakeup: What the New Acquisitions Mean

A quick peak at any Viking-related message board/forum will likely yield a heap of similar headlines. Many of these headlines, which act as good barometer for the pulse of Viking-nation as we close in on the 2012 draft, reflect a Vikings fanbase that is somewhat divided. 

While there are many fans who applaud the meticulous approach the Vikings front office appears to have adapted, another strong demographic has taken a bolder, somewhat louder approach to their offseason opinions.

From the hopeless, "It'll certainly be different than last year, 0-16 here we come!" Or the confused, "Are they even trying anymore?" All the way down to my personal favorite, "Just wait! This time next year there will be a Hollywood blockbuster staring Brad Pitt as Rick Spielman. Pitt will draft a bunch of statistical player's no one wanted, and the Vikings will turn their season around. Moneyball 2!"

Sure, satirical headlines only represent a small portion of the Vikings fans out there who are a bit confused at some of the moves the Vikings front office has made thus far. Yet there seems to be a generally consistent feel that people are slightly confused as to just exactly what the 2012 Vikings are going to look like.

While certainly not sexy in the way the Jared Allen and Brett Favre acquisitions of the past were, many of the offseason moves the Vikings have made thus far tend to represent the idea that the Vikings are looking to contend sooner than later.

Just not in a way that might show itself as boldly on paper.

With that, here are four of the more significant offseason acquisitions the Vikings have made, and what they represent for the team going toward the 2012 season.

Geoff Schwartz

As any Viking fan would know, the Purple have a rich and storied history of impressive offensive lines, some of which have helped catapult the Vikings to the forefront of the entire NFL. And while recent results would propose another long season for Christian Ponder and the rest of the Vikings backfield, the start of the 2012 season could have a very different look than what conventional wisdom might suggest.

While many fans scratched their heads at the recent release of future Hall of Famer, Steve Hutchinson, others acknowledged that the longtime Viking starter had reached a point well past his prime. Regardless of what your stance on the matter may be, it's hard to deny that Frazier and Co. are set on rebuilding a new line for the 2012 season.

History suggests that draft day could yield a few surprises, however, many suggest that the Vikings are all but a lock to draft USC standout, Matt Kalil. So when news broke that the Vikings had signed former Carolina Panthers offensive guard Geoff Schwartz, the idea that Minnesota could have a stellar offensive line in 2012, didn't seem as far fetched anymore.

While Schwartz does present a few questions coming into the 2012 season, (a lingering hip injury being at the top of said list) recent free agent trackers suggested that Schwartz would have been a welcome addition to any team in the NFL. The fact that the Vikings managed to pick him up represents just how important the offensive line will be for Minnesota this year.

Standing 6-foot-6 and clocking in at 331 pounds, Schwartz could be the missing piece that helps propel Christian Ponder to that next level.

Right now the proposed line looks something like this: RT Phil Loadholt, RG Geoff Schwartz, C John Sullivan, LG Charlie Johnson, and at LT Matt Kalil. If this is indeed the look of the Vikes' line once opening day hits, Christian Ponder's life will be quite a bit easier than what he had to deal with during his rookie outing.

Prediction: Schwartz will be the starting right guard in 2012.

Lex Hilliard

It's no secret that the backfield situation for the Vikings looks a little different than it did at the start of the 2011 season. First off, the face of the franchise, Adrian Peterson, is coming off a major knee surgery which in turn caused a collective gasp across the entire Viking-nation. While recent reports suggest that he does seem to be on track in terms of rehabilitation, no one can say for sure exactly how that injury will impact Peterson's career going forward.

Enter Lex Hilliard: a 5-foot-11, 240-pound running back/fullback hybrid that has the type of body that will withstand the extra poundage Peterson may now avoid.

When also paired with Toby Gerhart, who will presumably have a bigger role in 2012, the Vikings have the type of backfield that will surely give opposing teams headaches come Sunday afternoon. And given the defensive squads the Vikings will meet just in the north alone, this is a quality trait worth exploiting.

Aside from the fact that Hilliard will be a quality bet for short yardage pickups, he is the type of player that can contribute to multiple facets of the Vikings squad.

From blocking and receiving to a suggested starting role on the special teams squad, look for Hilliard to be the type gritty player the Vikings will now gravitate towards.

Prediction: Key third own back, Starting spot on special teams.

Chris Carr

Anytime you acquire a player who held an important role on a defensive-minded team like the Baltimore Ravens, your defense automatically improves. That said, it's unclear exactly how much former Ravens starter, Chris Carr, will improve the Vikings defense

Coming from one of the best defensive backfields in the entire NFL, Carr will certainly add veteran depth to what many considered to be the worst backfield in the entire league last season. Utilizing a crafty mix of speed and tackling ability, Carr has the chance to immediately step into the Vikings starting lineup.

While it's been noted that some have felt a tad leery in the fact that Carr took a statistical step back in 2011, he is the type of player that seems to fit the mold perfectly for what the Vikings are now leaning towards: an under-valued veteran who has shown flashes of starting material in the past.

In 2010, Carr racked up 61 tackles, forced three fumbles, and brought in two interceptions on a team that already bolstered impressive backfield talent in Ed Reed and Lardarius Webb. Mixed with the fact that he holds the Oakland Raiders all-time record in kickoff returns, Carr can add depth to other positions along the Vikings roster. 

The Vikings also added former Chicago Bears cornerback, Zack Bowman. The addition of both players will add a sense of depth to the Vikings backfield that has been absent in recent years. However, whether or not either guy ends up playing a marquee role in the Vikings bid at improving their defense this year is something we'll have to wait and see.

Prediction: Depending on draft picks, could split considerable time with Antoine Winfield.

John Carlson

While tight ends rarely garner the attention and praise receivers and running backs do, having that intimidating presence up the middle is something that most offenses value in today's pass-oriented NFL.

In 2011, the Vikings added Notre Dame standout Kyle Rudolph to the roster as a complimentary asset to then starter, Visanthe Shiancoe. And while many considered Rudolph to be the eventual successor to Shiancoe, some assumed that it would take a bit longer for said transition to take effect.

While the promising play of Rudolph proved to most that the tight end position was locked up for years to come, the presumed departure of Shiancoe left a gap in the offense that was filled nicely by former Seahawks starter, John Carlson.

Bill Musgrave has made it apparent that he values the prospect of having two top players at the tight end position. Adding John Carlson (also from Notre Dame) to the mix has made that proposition a welcomed reality.

In the move that may be the most rewarding in terms of on-field production, Carlson immediately adds depth to the possible targets for second-year quarterback, Christian Ponder. While some speculated that the Vikings would make a stronger attempt at acquiring a true, downfield receiving threat, the combination of both Rudolph and Carlson should prove tricky enough for any defensive scheme.

In 2008 and 2009 respectively, Carlson reeled in 55 and 51 catches, and has amassed 1,519 receiving yards in just three short years of playing. Also worth noting, Carlson has been linked amongst the elite tight end run blockers in the game which can't hurt his relationship with No. 28 and the presumption that the Vikings intend to run the ball quite a bit. 

A common thread amongst many of the players the Vikings have added this offseason is that their 2011 season was either reduced by injury, or altogether nonexistent. While the latter is certainly accurate with Carlson, early performance suggests that the Vikings just may have the premiere tight end combination in the entire NFL.

Prediction: Will eventually start alongside Kyle Rudolph.