Chester Taylor?  LaDainian  Tomlinson? Brian Westbrook?

These are three names that a lot of Vikings fans are talking about today.

Chester Taylor, the Vikings solid, can-do-everything backup running back is about to become a free agent.

LaDainian Tomlinson was released a couple days ago by San Diego.

Brian Westbrook was released yesterday by Philadelphia.

Are the Vikings looking at any of these guys as options?  Let’s break it down a bit.

Will Chester Taylor Stay With The Vikings

I for one will hate to see Chester Taylor go if he leaves.  His playing time has obviously diminished since the Vikings drafted some

guy named Adrian Peterson, but Taylor is such a solid player in the running game, passing game, and he’s a very solid blocker.  The screen pass to Taylor was one of Favre’s favorite security blankets this year, and it often went well.

But Taylor knows that he’s a third down back in Minnesota, and there are a lot of teams in the league that would be willing to feature him for a couple years as his career winds down.  While it’s tempting for a player to stay with a team that (if Favre returns) has a shot to win it all, it’s also tempting to go to a team that will use that player more often.  I completely understand why Taylor would leave Minnesota if he chooses that option.  To be honest, I see that as being a likely scenario.

Will LaDainian Tomlinson be a Viking?

Long time San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson was released from his contract this week.  Because Tomlinson currently does not have a team, the Vikings would be able to sign him without worrying about letting one of their other free agents go.  In case you don’t know, because of the rules of the uncapped year, any free agent signed by the Vikings from another team would require the Vikings NOT to sign one of their own players.

A lot of people are fascinated by the potential one-two punch of Peterson and Tomlinson, and I’ll admit that it is fun to think about, but I really see this one as a long shot.  Tomlinson is definitely going to feel like he should start somewhere, and based on some comments made about Peterson at the beginning of this past season, I have a feeling he would not think too highly of sitting behind AD on the depth chart.

I think Tomlinson will go to New England, and I think he’ll have a big year there.

Will Brian Westbrook be a Viking?

Brian Westbrook was released from his contract with the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday.

If Chester Taylor leaves, I could see this one happening.  Westbrook is still a great player, but he’s been held down with concussions and leg injuries in the past several years.  It might be a smart move for him to go to a team where he could take the role of a 3rd down back.

I think Taylor is great at what he does, but if healthy, I think Westbrook can do all those same things… but slightly better.  He can block, he can run, and he can catch.  He’s extremely dangerous out of the screen.

I also think the fact that he has ties with coach Childress makes this likely.  Childress likes to bring in guys that he’s coached before, and there aren’t many better than Brian Westbrook that fit that description.

My feelings about it

I really like Chester Taylor, and I’d love to see him stay, but unfortunately I don’t think it’ll happen.  I really think that Brian Westbrook will be a Viking next year.

Personally, though, I’m really high on Albert Young, and I think he could fill Taylor’s role well.  But I don’t think that’s likley to happen.

The one up-side to Taylor leaving and the Vikings signing a guy like Westbrook would be that it would give the Vikings a shot at picking up another free agent to fill another gap on the field (maybe defensive back?)

It should be an interesting couple of weeks.

Further Reading on the topic

• Philadelphia Eagles release Brian Westbrook (ballhype.com)
• LaDainian Tomlinson Released by San Diego Chargers: What’s Next? (bleacherreport.com)
• Six Places LaDainian Tomlinson Should Play If He Wants A Ring (bleacherreport.com)
• Philadelphia Eagles release versatile running back Brian Westbrook (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Tomlinson eager to find new team after release (ballhype.com)

Other Viking Ship Articles You Might Like

1. Reader Submitted: Will LaDainian Tomlinson Replace Chester Taylor?
2. Do the Vikings want LanDainian Tomlinson?
3. Everyone’s Talking about Tomlinson as a Viking