Adding Moulds should be no-brainer for Vikings

By Krupka  |   Friday, March 30, 2007  |  Comments( 24 )

Minnesota Vikings
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The biggest area of concern heading into free agency for the Minnesota Vikings was the beleaguered wide receiving corps. Thus far, the organization has subscribed to the "addition by subtraction theory," letting go of veterans Travis Taylor, Bethel Johnson and Marcus Robinson (prior to the end of the season) with the only addition being Bobby Wade, a wideout who has never had a season over 500 yards receiving and has just two career touchdowns.

Wade's most productive season was in 2004 with the Chicago Bears. He started 14 games, registering career highs with 42 receptions and 481 yards. After a semi-productive season with the Tennessee Titans this past year, in which the 5-foot-10 Wade produced 461 yards and two touchdowns on just 33 receptions, he signed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Vikings.

Currently, Minnesota has what many would call a cast of unknowns at receiver. Names like Troy Williamson, Billy McMullen, Bobby Wade, Martin Nance. Randy Hymes, Maurice Mann, Jason Carter, and Justin Surrency are a far cry from the days of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Jake Reed, Matthew Hatchette and Chris Walsh.

While the bulk of NFL teams have been throwing money around like confetti on New Year's Eve, the Vikings have been quiet as a mouse, leaving the fan base unsettled and questioning Minnesota's direction. However, the franchise is being left with money to spend.

And what better way to spend it than on a hard-working, sure-handed receiver? Late last week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Minnesota has made casual inquiries about free-agent receiver Eric Moulds.

Moulds, an 11-year veteran, has 732 career receptions and 49 touchdowns. Currently, Minnesota's receivers have a combined career total of 254 catches, 11 touchdowns and just 16 years of NFL service. Hymes has the most career touchdown grabs with a lowly four. Moulds also holds the advantage 4-0 in 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

If those numbers aren't enough to make the front office want to bring in a veteran presence who has accomplished a great deal in the league, then maybe defensive tackle Pat Williams can convince the Vikings' higher-ups otherwise.

Williams, a friend and former teammate of Moulds for eight seasons in Buffalo, thinks Moulds is just what the Vikings' receiving corps needs.

"I think he would help the other receivers out. He trains hard," Williams said.

He added, "I'm hoping it happens. If we get him, it would take pressure off of everybody. We wouldn't need to draft a receiver."

There is a lot of truth in what the big defensive tackle said. However, even if Minnesota were to sign Moulds, drafting a receiver should still be a priority -- maybe not until the second round, though.

The 33-year-old is the antithesis of the current crop of Vikings receivers. He is dependable, an established possession wideout, and physical, which has made him so good over the years.

"This group of receivers that we've got has the ability to be great," said Wade.

By adding Moulds, plus another receiver in the draft, there's no reason for Wade's statement not to ring true in 2007.

Eric Krupka is a senior writer for RealFootball365.com. He can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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CommentsComments: 24  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
michael		10:24 AM
03/30/2007
The Vikings need to sign Moulds and still draft a receiver at no. 7. Their present receiving core is not NFL caliber in any way...
No.2
Steve		11:40 AM
03/30/2007
Moulds would be nice and brings in some size and more importantly a veteran to help Tavaris Jackson out. The Vikings will most...
No.3
Randy Moss		12:47 PM
03/30/2007
First off its "corps" and "Troy Williamson." I agree that the Vikings should pursue Moulds or inquire to trade for Darrel...
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