BillyBalata Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Vikings trade for starting middle linebacker BY SEAN JENSEN Pioneer Press The Vikings have agreed to trade a seventh-round pick in next month's draft to the New York Jets for veteran linebacker Sam Cowart, coach Mike Tice said Friday afternoon. Continuing their push to bolster their defense, the Vikings addressed their most glaring question mark heading into the April 29-30 NFL Draft. "What excites me about this trade, in spending time with Sam, is he's got veteran awareness," Tice said. "It gives us another veteran leader, and he walks in as our starting middle linebacker." In 2001, when he played for the Buffalo Bills, Cowart tore his right Achilles tendon in the first regular-season game. But in 2002, after reuniting with defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell with the Jets, Cowart rebounded with 127 tackles, two sacks and eight passes defended. He had 140 tackles and two sacks in 2003. During the 2004 preseason, Cowart sprained his knee and was replaced by Jonathan Vilma, who played brilliantly as a rookie. Cowart passed a physical Thursday with the Vikings. "I talked to him about certain situations, and he gave me wonderful veteran answers," Tice said. "He's a guy who will be vocal for us in the huddle. As I've said throughout the offseason, I think we lack veteran leadership. With Darren Sharper and Pat Williams, Fred Smoot and Sam, we've added some players who bring veteran awareness and leadership to our huddle." Asked about the future of last year's middle linebacker, E.J. Henderson, Tice said, "He's got to learn from Sam, No. 1. Then, No. 2, he needs to dedicate himself to being the best player he can be." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBalata Posted March 18, 2005 Author Share Posted March 18, 2005 never mind 7th round pick.... :doah: where's the delete button Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauders11 Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I was gonna say- #7 overall for an aging, coming off of an injury Sam Cowart :bigshock: I know The Vikes front office are a bunch of bone heads, but come on now..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBalata Posted March 18, 2005 Author Share Posted March 18, 2005 sorry...stuck at home today with 15 inches of snow out the front door and still coming down pretty good. Might need to take a break from the "indulging" for a little while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Dang. I was doing this until I read that it was only a seventh rounder. I thought Tice had been even more of a than ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSab Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 :doah: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 darnit Billy! You just about gave me a freaking heart attack? Wow, there's a guy on another board that is a known insider for the Vikes. He mentioned a couple days ago that the Vikes were looking at Cowart. Another sign he's legit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloArtist Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 are the vikes switching to a 3-4??? I don't get what's up with all these middle linebacker signings. They have EJ, Napolean (from the moss trade), Dontrelle (the guy everyone was raving about last spring camp, and a freak of nature), and now Cowart. Why are they trading for middle backers when they already have middle backers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 are the vikes switching to a 3-4??? I don't get what's up with all these middle linebacker signings. They have EJ, Napolean (from the moss trade), Dontrelle (the guy everyone was raving about last spring camp, and a freak of nature), and now Cowart. Why are they trading for middle backers when they already have middle backers. 740528[/snapback] Because they suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 never mind 7th round pick.... :doah: where's the delete button 740506[/snapback] That make's much more sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Scorp Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I guess Cottrell is still picking up former players. So can we consider Cowart part of the Moss deal as the Vikings got an extra 7th rounder from Oakland. Billy, where are you at...I'm up in Brainerd and we haven't seen a flake at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I guess Cottrell is still picking up former players. So can we consider Cowart part of the Moss deal as the Vikings got an extra 7th rounder from Oakland. Billy, where are you at...I'm up in Brainerd and we haven't seen a flake at all. 740582[/snapback] Yeah, and if D Johnson falls to # 7, the Vikings could very well have traded Moss for their entire new starting LB corps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
policyvote Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Because they suck. 740532[/snapback] Aye aye, Cap'n! Peace policy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBalata Posted March 18, 2005 Author Share Posted March 18, 2005 I guess Cottrell is still picking up former players. So can we consider Cowart part of the Moss deal as the Vikings got an extra 7th rounder from Oakland. Billy, where are you at...I'm up in Brainerd and we haven't seen a flake at all. 740582[/snapback] Way down south in Rochester. TV just said another 8-10 inches tonite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 I guess Cottrell is still picking up former players. So can we consider Cowart part of the Moss deal as the Vikings got an extra 7th rounder from Oakland. Billy, where are you at...I'm up in Brainerd and we haven't seen a flake at all. 740582[/snapback] im about right in the middle of you two ,geographicly speeking that is , and we have had about 6-7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 never mind 7th round pick.... :doah: where's the delete button 740506[/snapback] i fixed the title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBalata Posted March 19, 2005 Author Share Posted March 19, 2005 Thanks BJ I hereby nominate the snow-blower as the best darn invention ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 ill take the truck with a plow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Rock Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 Good deal for the Vikes. Cowart might be a little past his prime, but half the time, 7th rounders don't make the team anyway. I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 Cowart's days of being a play maker are behind him, there won't be any sideline to sideline plays, or sacks, or O line penetration by him.... he never regained his speed after that injury in Buffalo a few years ago. What he does bring is veteran leadership and very good defensive play calling to a defense that needs a leader. He will play well against the run up the gut, but struggles in pass coverage. this is, in part, meant to put a fire under EJ's arse. Cowart had asked the Jets for his release some months ago, and they declined, preferring to shop him. The fact that he could only bring a 7th round pick is testamony to the erosion of his play making abilities. Still, a very good play caller on the D, with great leadership qualities. EJ, here is your mentor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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