Free agency is a risk. Like trying to drive somewhere between 3 and 7 p.m. in the Twin Cities. Or like trying to drive in downtown Minneapolis without hitting an orange cone or having your car fall into a pothole like a 2-foot putt.
When pro teams sign free agents they often get damaged goods, or arrogant goods, or selfish goods.
Somehow, the Vikings and General Manager Rick Spielman have avoided these Minneapolis pothole-like pitfalls. Captain Munneryln and Terence Newman arrived as veteran free agents, and rank as two of the best personalities and most savvy players in the Vikings locker room.
Joe Berger and Linval Joseph arrived as veteran free agents and became important players and admired professionals.
This winter, Spielman signed two potentially important offensive linemen in free agency to try to fix the Vikings' biggest problem, protecting the quarterback. Alex Boone immediately became the starting left guard, and just as quickly demonstrated that his will be one of the bigger personalities in the organization.
Spielman also signed veteran offensive tackle Andre Smith away from the Bengals. Smith is not guaranteed a starting job, but he may win one, and the first impression upon meeting him is that he is another likable professional who could prove to be a free-agent steal.
Smith spent time at right tackle with the first-team offense during practice on Wednesday. He also appeared to perform better than expected starter Phil Loadholt, who hasn't played a regular-season snap since Week 12 of 2014.
After practice, Smith sounded what are becoming familiar themes. Having played for the Bengals when coach Mike Zimmer was their defensive coordinator, he wanted to be reunited with Zimmer. And he wanted a chance to win big.
"I have a relationship with Zim," Smith said. "Great team. Great organization. The locker room, there's a lot of camaraderie. I knew a couple of guys here, and I wanted to go somewhere I had a chance to win. Minnesota's on the rise."
