Vikings free agent linebacker and special teamer Heath Farwell is returning to the Minnesota Vikings. Farwell and the Vikings have agreed to a three-year, $7.75 million contract that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid special teams player. Farwell’s contract also includes $3.25 million in guarantees. Vice president Rick Spielman said the Vikings started contract negotiations with Farwell’s agent, Bruce Tollner, Thursday night. Farwell made visits to New England and Cleveland, but settled on returning to Minnesota instead.
Well the speculation was fun while it lasted, but Vikings vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman, has all but squashed the possibility of Minnesota signing free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens. "We never say never, but I know you can put the pieces together and the history with coach (Brad) Childress," Spielman said today. Owens was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday evening and several teams have already said that Owens will not be coming to their city. Super agent, Drew Rosenhaus, claims he’s already negotiating with several teams and expects to have a deal in place by the end of next week. Whether or not this is just positive thinking or not is unknown, but at this time it seems that the Vikings are not one of the several teams that Rosenhaus is dealing with. Stay tune as the TO saga continues.
A recent story on NFL.com, reports that Minnesota might be a likely landing spot for recently released wide receiver Terrell Owens. Owens was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday evening and his likely landing spot will only include a few teams. Vikings head coach Brad Childress has had clashes with Owens in the past when both were with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Vikings are in need of a receiver after missing out on T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who signed with Seattle earlier in the week. Owens does have a good relationship with Vikings receivers coach George Stewart according to the report. If Owens does indeed sign with the Vikings, it would likely be an incentive laden deal and two years at the most. Stay tuned as the TO watch continues.
Long time Vikings center Matt Birk will now be a Baltimore Raven as the Ravens have reached an agreement with the Vikings free-agent. Birk has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract, but the specifics of the deal are not yet known. Birk will fill the center spot left by Jason Brown, who signed with the St. Louis Rams on Friday.
Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Carl Eller will continue to be held in a county run workhouse while he appeals his driving under the influence and assault misdemeanour convictions. District Judge Dan Mabley of Hennepin County ruled on Tuesday that the 67-year-old Eller must continue serving his 60-day sentence while his lawyers pursue the appeal. Mabley stated that Eller has not shown remorse or taken responsibility for his actions.
The Vikings have released long time reserve linebacker and special teams player Vinny Ciurciu on Tuesday. Ciurcui had previously signed a three-year contract with the Vikings in 2006 worth up to $3 million dollars with $500,000 in guaranteed money. Ciurciu had been injury prone and his play on special teams was not up to par. Ciurcui has played seven seasons and was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Boston College. Ciurcui played in 14 regular-season games in 2008 for the Vikings and recorded eight tackles on special teams and three on defense. The Vikings will be forced to eat the remainder of the signing bonus in 2009.
