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Matt Asiata

Vikings Re-Sign Matt Asiata

March 16th, 2016 at 5:11pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings announced that they have re-signed Matt Asiata. It’s a one-year deal, according to a source who spoke with Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). Matt Asiata

A little over a week ago, we heard that the Vikings and Asiata were far apart on a possible contract. Several other teams expressed an interest in the running back at the start of free agency, but Asiata did not make a secret of his desire to stay in Minnesota. Minnesota has been said to value the tailback’s pass-blocking acumen, as well as his prowess near the goal line.

Last year, Asiata re-upped with the Vikings on a one-year deal worth less than $1MM. The deal also included a fair amount of performance bonuses, since neither side was sure about how the running back would be used. In 2015, Asiata ran the ball just 29 times for 112 yards over the course of 16 games. That was a stark contrast to the previous year in which Asiata rushed for more than 500 yards and scored nine touchdowns, and was heavily involved in the passing game, securing 44 receptions. As long as Adrian Peterson stays healthy and the athletic Jerick McKinnon lives up to his potential, Asiata probably isn’t primed for a major role in the Vikings’ offense.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Rumors: Wisniewski, Browns, Pacman

March 7th, 2016 at 4:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns have expressed interest in Jaguars free agent center Stefen Wisniewski, a league source tells Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter). The Browns are in danger of losing three-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack to free agency and they could turn to the 26-year-old as a replacement. Hue Jackson was the coach in Oakland when the Raiders used their 2011 second round draft choice on Wisniewski.

The latest free agent rumors from around the NFL:

  • The Browns have expressed interest in free agent cornerback Adam Jones, a league source tells Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter). Jones, a Bengals free agent, has been heavily linked to Miami in recent weeks thanks to his connection with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
  • The Vikings and Matt Asiata are far apart on a possible contract, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter) hears from a source. Several other teams expressed an interest in the running back on Monday, he adds. Asiata has previously stated that he would like to return to Minnesota.
  • 49ers free agent Alex Boone and Cardinals free agent Bobby Massie are two offensive linemen who could get north of $8MM per season, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears.
  • The Vikings have reached out to the representative of Bengals free agent linebacker Vincent Rey, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). The Vikings are in need of a linebacker and Mike Zimmer is familiar with Rey from their previous time together.
  • Backup quarterback Drew Stanton is unlikely to return to the Cardinals, an NFL source tells Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter).
  • The Eagles had significant interest in signing wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey before he re-upped with the Steelers, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets.

FA Rumors: J. Jones, Incognito, Asiata, Butler

March 5th, 2016 at 8:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier today (SoundCloud link), veteran receiver James Jones said that while he’d like to return to the Packers in 2016, it appears as though he’ll hit the open market once again. Jones, who will turn 32 later this month, had an excellent season in Green Bay, averaging nearly 18 yards per reception and scoring eight touchdowns. His age will be hindrance, but Jones should be able to latch on with another club early in free agency.

Free agency opens in less than four days, so let’s dive into the latest news and rumors…

  • The Bills never made guard Richie Incognito an extension offer during the season, according to Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News, and they’ve since “lowballed” Incognito and have gone several-day stretches without contacting his agent. If that’s the case, it’s perhaps no wonder Incognito is reportedly frustrated with how the talks are proceeding.
  • Like Jones, running back Matt Asiata has spent a lot of time in the NFC North, and he tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) that he’d like to re-sign with the Vikings. If Minnesota doesn’t offer a contract to Asiata’s liking, however, he’s perfectly willing to listen to other clubs when the legal tampering period begins on Monday.
  • Linebacker Donald Butler, released by the Chargers on Thursday, tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link) that he expected to be released, especially after San Diego drafted fellow linebacker Denzel Perryman last year. Additionally, Butler says he has’t draw much (if any) interest on the free agent market yet.
  • The Steelers don’t often spend in free agency, but every rule has an exception, and Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune argues that the club should look to the open market as they search for a Heath Miller replacement at tight end. Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, and Ladarius Green are a few of the top options who might be available next week.

Free Agent Rumors: Roddy, Irvin, Conte, Mack

March 2nd, 2016 at 6:22pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons released wide receiver Roddy White earlier today, ensuring that the veteran pass-catcher won’t spend a 12th season in Atlanta. But another NFC club could soon come calling, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) says the Buccaneers are a team to “keep an eye on” as White looks for his new home. The connection makes sense, as new Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter was the Falcons offensive coordinator from 2012-14.

Only one week remains until the start of free agency, so let’s round up the latest rumors…

  • In a piece looking at NFL free agency from a broad point-of-view, John Clayton of ESPN.com suggests that Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin should be able to garner $9.5MM per year on the open market, and points to the Jaguars and Falcons as potential suitors. But according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), NFL front offices “would do cartwheels” if Irvin could be had for that price, as the 28-year-old is expected to command a “significantly higher” salary.
  • The Buccaneers are meeting with the agent for free agent safety Chris Conte this week as part of an effort to re-sign him before the beginning of free agency, reports Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link). A report last week indicated that Tampa would like to retain Conte, who just finished up his first season with the club after four years in Chicago.
  • Running back Matt Asiata will hit free agency for the first time next week, and the Vikings seem to want to keep him around, writes Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Minnesota reportedly values Asiata’s pass-blocking acumen, as well as his prowess near the goal line.
  • Center Alex Mack opted out of his Browns contract earlier today, and is now the top center available in free agency. One team that isn’t expected to show interest in signing Mack is the Cardinals, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, who notes that the Cards simply have too many internal free agents and other holes to fill to cough up the $10MM salary that Mack will surely request.

Vikings To Re-Sign Matt Asiata

March 9th, 2015 at 7:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings have agreed to a deal with restricted free agent running back Matt Asiata, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, who reports that Asiata will sign the incentive-laden contract tomorrow. Minnesota had the option of offering Asiata an RFA tender, but it looks the two parties worked out a separate deal.

Specifics of the deal aren’t yet known, but it’s worth less than $1MM, tweets Tomasson. Part of the reason for the heavy use of incentives, explains Tomasson, is that neither the Vikings nor Asiata are sure of how his large his role will be in 2015. Given the ongoing uncertainty regarding Adrian Peterson, Asiata could see himself as the starter, part of a tandem with Jerick McKinnon, or on the backburner altogether.

In his third season with Minnesota, the 27-year-old Asiata rushed for more than 500 yards and scored nine touchdowns, and was heavily involved in the passing game, securing 44 receptions.

Free Agent Rumors: Melton, Parker, Graham

March 9th, 2015 at 11:48am CST by Zachary Links

The chase for defensive tackle Henry Melton is heating up, as Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports tweets. Melton has heard from six teams so far and he’s likely to take a few trips this week to visit with interested teams. The Cowboys declined Melton’s option in February after he compiled 15 tackles, five sacks, and four passes defended in 2014. His season ended in December when he was placed on IR with a serious bone bruise bordering on a fracture. Here’s the latest free agent news from around the league..

  • The Dolphins‘ interest in free agent safety Ron Parker is quite real, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. However, they have some serious competition for his services as there are six to eight teams that stand as legitimate suitors for his services. We heard recently that the four-year veteran, who played corner and safety for the Chiefs last year, has drawn the eye of several teams, including the Giants, Jets, Buccaneers and Falcons. The Jets also have interest in Parker and he could be on the Eagles’ radar now that Devin McCourty is off the board.
  • Eagles free agent linebacker Brandon Graham is leaning towards the Dolphins and Titans, but now the Giants may make him an offer he can’t refuse, Derrick Gunn of CSNPhilly.com tweets. Pass rushing is thought to be a priority for the Giants this offseason. Recently, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer speculated that Graham could net a deal north of $40MM in total value and $20MM in guarantees.
  • The Vikings still aren’t close on a deal with center Joe Berger, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com tweets. They’re working on one with restricted free agent running back Matt Asiata, however.
  • The Bears are currently targeting inside linebackers and safeties, Aaron Leming of BearReport.com tweets. He lists Mason Foster, Da’Norris Searcy, and Antrel Rolle as names to watch. Rolle is one of the Bears’ top targets and they appear to be the frontrunners for his services, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com tweets.

Vikings Notes: Berger, Johnson, Ponder, FAs

December 27th, 2014 at 9:37pm CST by Luke Adams

The Vikings have at least a dozen potential free agents on their roster at the moment, though not all of those players will have the opportunity to reach the open market. Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press spoke to several of those potential free-agents-to-be about their futures, so we’ll round up the notable comments right here:

  • Offensive lineman Joe Berger had been considering retirement, but may elect to continue his career after receiving plenty of playing time in the second half this season. “I’ve had fun playing and it’s been great the last eight, nine weeks, so I don’t know that [retirement] is what I’d want to do yet,” Berger said, adding that if he returns for an 11th season, he’d like to stay in Minnesota.
  • While Berger would be fine with another one-year contract, that’s not the case for defensive tackle Tom Johnson. “I’m trying to get more than a year deal somewhere,” Johnson said. “I want to go somewhere where I can pretty much end my career at. I got a couple of more years left in these legs.”
  • As Tomasson points out, Johnson may be the Vikings’ most sought-after free agent, but quarterback Christian Ponder will be the club’s biggest name available. Asked about what he’ll be looking for if he hits the open market, Ponder indicated that his top priority would be potential playing time. “Whether it’s (being with) a guy who is older and will be out of the league soon or a questionable quarterback situation where I can go in and compete,” Ponder said.
  • Linebacker Jasper Brinkley says he “definitely” wants to re-sign with the Vikings.
  • Of Minnesota’s two free agents, running back Matt Asiata is very likely to return, while tackle Mike Harris has a chance to be back, according to Tomasson.

Free Agent Notes: Freeman, Jets, Daniels

April 7th, 2014 at 4:46pm CST by Ben Levine

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has a trio of re-signings (via Twitter): running back Matt Asiata (Vikings), wide receiver Jeremy Ross (Lions) and linebacker Craig Robertson (Browns). Each player signed an exclusive rights free agent tender to stay with their respect teams. The trio was solid in 2013; Asiata ran for 166 yards on 44 carries, Ross had six receptions and six kick returns and Robertson compiled 85 tackles.

Let’s take a look at some more free agent rumors…

Contract Tenders: Rams, Vikings, Raiders

March 5th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

With free agency approaching, teams are working to lock up their exclusive rights free agents and to retain the right of first refusal on their restricted free agents. Here are the contract tenders teams have placed on those FAs so far on Wednesday: