Packers interested in Matt Birk

[Pugger]

Why does Birk hate GB? Or is this just a player saying this about a major rival?

[Rastak]

Why does Birk hate GB? Or is this just a player saying this about a major rival?

I highly doubt he said that.

[AV David]

Birk has never said he hates the Packers. He is as much a gentleman as any professional athlete I can think of. He grew up in the Highland district of St Paul and is really well grounded. He has not forgotten his roots. He went to Harvard. He is extremely approachable.

He asked the Vikes to talk about a new contract last summer. The Vikings basically said "NO". He kept his mouth shut and played. Not one word of complaint.

Every couple of years a guy comes along that makes it difficult to hate the Vikings. This is the guy.

(PS He makes it difficult, but not impossible.)

[Pugger]

Well, if the queens don't want him, this is just the type of guy I'd want to be a leader of an O line especially if Tauscher and Cliffy are done...

[Rastak]

Well, if the queens don't want him, this is just the type of guy I'd want to be a leader of an O line especially if Tauscher and Cliffy are done...

I think they'd like him back but aren't willing to pay top dollar to do it. Birk wants to stay, so it depends on what he's looking for I guess.

[rbaloha1]

Great pickup. Wells, Spitz and Moll could be fighting for roster spots.

The o-line requires an overhaul.

[denverYooper]

Why does Birk hate GB? Or is this just a player saying this about a major rival?

Maybe you're thinking of Hovan.

[mngolf19]

Vikes have his successor in place so it really depends on his price. He's local and would like to finish with Vikes so his price would be lower for them. Just a matter of whether they can agree on it being worthwhile for both. I've actually wondered whether he could step into the guard or tackle spot for Vikes. Would help shore of the RT spot if he could.

[mngolf19]

Kleinsauser, Birk, Sharper and Udeze are all UFA's. Plus they need a QB. Plus they're staring to approach the cap. They've traded away a few high picks. Their depth is suspect already (as evident by really bad ST's). I think Birk would be a guy you could pry away from a very reasonable price and although he's a little older, he's been one of the best centers in football for a long time. He'd bring some savvy and knowledge to the unit as well as being a guy who was great in his prime so is still damn good on the downside of it. I don't think us taking him would be all that high of a price and I do think it would hurt the Vikings.

Vikes are not approaching the cap. They have over $20M. Their depth is not suspect. They may have Birk's successor already, Sharper's successor already, were fine with their 4th string MLB. (how does bad ST's mean you are suspect in depth?) I'd argue they have great depth. They don't have a high 1st rounder to pay this year and there are no great WR's so they can easily afford Kleinsasser, a new QB, and Birk if they want to.