This past season was awful for the Minnesota Vikings and, unfortunately, it was difficult to pinpoint one single problem that needs fixing before next year begins. The upside to that, however, is that the team will be able to look at nearly every option that becomes available this offseason.
One of the top options on the board just a few seasons ago is available at one of the Vikings positions of need, too, as Stanford Routt is a free agent after being released by the Oakland Raiders earlier in the offseason. There isn't anything concrete being mentioned, but ESPN Dallas cited Routt's agent saying the Vikings are one of the teams that have shown interest in the veteran defensive back.
Routt wasn't spectacular last season, but Daily Norseman's Christopher Gates outlines the reason he could be a solid pickup for the Vikings at the right price.
Routt has decent size (6'1", 195 according to the numbers from NFL.com), but isn't really considered a "Cover 2" sort of player. Then again, new defensive coordinator Alan Williams, while a Tampa-2 disciple of sorts, might be more interested in something more aggressive -- man, I hope so -- that Routt could do well in.
It'll be interesting to see where this goes, if anywhere, as the offseason rolls on through the upcoming NFL Draft.
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