The Sporting News blurb on Claiborne from Vikes writer

**Nick** · #1 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

From the Vikings Team Report--

"Upgrading at linebacker is one of the team's main offseason goals, and it has not attempted to re-sign starting OLB's Chris Claiborne and Keith Newman, who are free agents. Claiborne, one of the team's few playmakers on defense, finished strong last season but has been injured much of the past two years."

*psycho9985* · #2 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Damn I hope we didnt waste money on the guy.If hes getting hurt in minny,just wait till he plays on th EJD.

*rampete* · #3 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

claiborne's injuries were hamstring and calf related last year. i don't know what the viking staffs were thinking of playing him at the strong side and chasing TEs...

don't know about the 2003 injury...

*Fargo Ram Fan* · #4 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

I simply dont like this move. The guy is entering his 7th season and in each of the last 2 he has missed a full 1/4 of the season...last year it was a calf injury and 03 was achilles. As you get older you dont get more durable...period. When you are freely let go by one of the worst defenses in the league its not a positive sign. The prize at LB was either Bell or Hartwell. They should have spent all they could on one of these younger bulls who could have anchored the D for years to come. I hope Claibourne proves his last 2 seasons were NOT a trend...but Im not gonna hold my breath. I feel these signings are more window dressing than real difference makers. Had they signed these guys 3 years ago it would be a different matter.

#5 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Fargo, we would not have been able to afford these guys three years ago. These guys are not superstars, they are however, upgrades from what we had, they are solid tacklers and they are affordable within the cap.

general counsel

#6 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

I tend to agree with Fargo on this one but i also understand the ram posture which is clearly to upgrade the defense so that it is a respectable unit. I don't think that they are looking to match the baltimore or patriots D. Rams will always be about offense while Martz is in charge, and what surprises me is that no move has been made on the OL yet.. its here were i expected a big FA signing (even though my hope was on the D side)

*majorram* · #7 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

I agree with what the FO is doing, getting SOLID players in there, not superstars I know, but with what prescious dollars we have, we are filling the holes and cheaply like GC said....OL we come from the draft and the June cuts.

Going back to the LB's hey anything is better than what we had!!!!

steve :ramlogo:

**HUbison** · #8 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fargo Ram Fan

The prize at LB was either Bell or Hartwell. They should have spent all they could on one of these younger bulls who could have anchored the D for years to come.

Fargo, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and I respect it, but I have to disagree with you on some of these points.

Birthdate
Bell - 7/02/1980
Hartwell - 5/27/1978
Claiborne - 7/26/1978

Only 2 years separates Bell and Claiborne, and Hartwell is actually older than Claiborne.

Stats over the past 4 years
Bell - 47 games, 240 tackles, 18 sacks, 1 int., 6 pass def., 2 FF
Hartwell - 64 games, 337 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 int., 7 pass def., 4 FF
Claiborne - 56 games, 355 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 4 int., 18 pass def., 3 FF

Avg. annual salary for Coakley and Claiborne combined = $6.6 million
Avg. annual salary for Pierce = $6.5 million
-and Pierce is supposed to be the cheapest of the big 3 (Pierce, Bell, Hartwell)

I'd say we did pretty good.

*Scidog68* · #9 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Gotta go with HUbison on this one...too much cap wrapped up in one position will weaken our ability to fill other needs. Not flashy but solid LB corp is a BIG upgrade from last seasons Pop Warner-level of play. Affordable playmakers on D, without breaking the bank, are a great addition, IMO.

*MauiRam* · #10 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Good points HUbison!! Those stats are surprising considering how much Bell and Hartwell were being hyped. Now if we can find an affordable replacement for Rich "Whiff" Coady we will really have upgraded our D.

GO RAMMS!!!!!!!!!!!!! :ramlogo:

*theodus69* · #11 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Not only did we get 2- 4 the price of one, I do believe that we just up graded our S-Teams by 2 also! We do need a defense that can be above the middle of the NFL. They don't have to be the best! This Offense , If it gets the Help it needs in the draft, Then I think things should balance out. :tough:

**Nick** · #12 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fargo Ram Fan

The prize at LB was either Bell or Hartwell. They should have spent all they could on one of these younger bulls who could have anchored the D for years to come.

And then not have the money to add more depth to the LBs, safeties, and offensive line. Awesome.

I think we all would have put Hartwell and Bell as our first choice, but early word out of New York is that Bell is seeking a double-digit signing bonus. Simply outrageous.

Tell me how well the "spend all you can" philosophy has worked out for the Redskins.

**Nick** · #13 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUbison

Fargo, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and I respect it, but I have to disagree with you on some of these points.

Birthdate
Bell - 7/02/1980
Hartwell - 5/27/1978
Claiborne - 7/26/1978

Only 2 years separates Bell and Claiborne, and Hartwell is actually older than Claiborne.

Stats over the past 4 years
Bell - 47 games, 240 tackles, 18 sacks, 1 int., 6 pass def., 2 FF
Hartwell - 64 games, 337 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 int., 7 pass def., 4 FF
Claiborne - 56 games, 355 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 4 int., 18 pass def., 3 FF

Avg. annual salary for Coakley and Claiborne combined = $6.6 million
Avg. annual salary for Pierce = $6.5 million
-and Pierce is supposed to be the cheapest of the big 3 (Pierce, Bell, Hartwell)

I'd say we did pretty good.

That about sums it up. Nice summary, bison.

*theodus69* · #14 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

Hell Claibourne led in 3 fo the 5 stat's. can't be all thay bad. Lord knows the Vike's D was not all that great as a team!

*rampete* · #15 (**permalink**) -04-03-2005

in detroit, they had claiborne play the weakside and strongside, partly due to the fact that they had a probowler mlb s. boyd...

in minn., they had claiborne play the weakside in 03 and strongside in 04, partly due to the fact that they wanted to put e. henderson on the field and he was a natural mlb...

now the rams have offered the mlb to claiborne, a position he had played at usc and excelled. i'm looking forward to seeing claiborne play at his preferred position and play well...