WR Reed heading back to Vikings March 23, 2001

By Len Pasquarelli

SportsLine.com Senior Writer

After a one-season absence from the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Jake Reed is returning to the franchise with which he entered the league and starred for most of his career. Reed, who played for the New Orleans Saints in 2000, on Friday agreed to a one-year contract with the Vikings. The deal is believed to be worth about $500,000 and affords Reed, 33, the opportunity to augment his base salary with a variety of performance clauses. The acquisition of Reed came just three days after the Vikings lost their No. 3 wideout, Matthew Hatchette, to the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent. Reed is expected to fill that role, playing behind starters Cris Carter and Randy Moss. Reed had been released earlier in the free agency period by New Orleans, where he suffered through an injury-marred 2000 season. He had signed with the Saints last spring after Minnesota released him for salary cap purposes. The former Grambling star played in just seven games last season, catching 16 passes for 206 yards and no touchdowns. For his career, Reed has played in 125 games and started 88 of them. He has 402 catches for 6,330 yards and 32 touchdowns. Reed was at his best during a brilliant four-year period 1993-97. In those seasons, he averaged 74.3 receptions, 1,200 yards and 6.5 touchdowns. He went over the 1,000-yard receiving mark in all four seasons. In recent years, the 10-year veteran has been hampered by a series of le

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), March 23, 2001

Answers

First Chris Doleman, then Roy Barker, next Fernando Smith, now Jake Reed, next Henry Thomas. Okay Denny, if these guys are the answer why did you ever let them get away???? Am I missing something? I like Henry Thomas, and I would love to see him retire as a Viking, but I also would have loved to see him play out his prime years in purple. Ditto for Doleman. Barker and Smith were never the answer and they still are not apparently and Reed may fit as a reserve, but he couldn't cut it here two years ago or in New Orleans last year. I understand the need to clear out $$$ for the Moss, Griffith, Culpepper, Wong and Birk contracts that are up next summer, but didn't we hear that same story about Rudd and R. Smith this summer and yet we seemingly cut a break capwise with the Smith retirement and still lost Rudd. Who is the odd man or who are the odd men out next summer? Even with our miserly offseasons this year and last we still can't afford to sign these 5 next summer can we? Are we not going to hear some crybaby excuse from Red McCombs at the height of his pandering for $$$ to build a new stadium? I can't wait....

IZ

-- Iz (izmorrow@aol.com), March 23, 2001.

Cutting Reed was a salary cap move two years ago,and last year he was hurt(broken leg) for most of the season. He will be good for 35-45 catches at most. I think the more pressing need is to sign Walsh he is invaluable on special teams and always catches what is thrown to him especially on 3rd down. I think he should be the 3rd receiver and Reed just in case of injury. I also read that negotiations have NOT gone smoothly. Go Vikes!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), March 24, 2001.