The Money's Getting Crazy: Vikings Spend Big for Tight End

We all knew that there would be some wild contracts this year during free agency, but the numbers for new Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe are pretty shocking.

Shiancoe, a backup tight end for the Giants with 35 career catches, signed a five-year, $18.2 million deal with the Vikings. Clearly Minnesota likes the athletic potential of Shiancoe, who has been a backup partly because the Giants have a pretty good starting tight end in Jeremy Shockey. ESPN.com rated Shiancoe as the 18th best free agent tight end, but that seems somewhat low as Shiancoe has good speed and good hands. What he seems to lack is the lower body to drive block and get good push in the running game. And it's a lot of money to spend on a guy who is requiring a lot of projection to envision as an everydown linebacker.
What this clearly means is that the Vikings won't be bringing Daniel Graham to town as was once rumored.

The Vikings have also locked up special teamer/linebacker Vinny Ciurciu with a three-year, $3 million deal, which is again a sign that everyone is expensive this offseason. Ciurciu is good on special teams, but he's not expected to make an impact on defense.

There is bad news, as Kevin Curtis left Minnesota without a contract and is now in Detroit looking for a deal. With Drew Bennett (Rams) and Ashley Lelie (49ers) already off the market here are few wide receivers left to woo.