Vikings claim TE Garrett Mills (1 Viewer)

[TheBradyBunch]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

September 2, 2007

Mills to Minny

By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff

Tight end Garrett Mills, a fourth-round draft choice of the Patriots in 2006, has been claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Vikings.

Mills was cut by the Patriots yesterday and because he still had practice squad eligibility, he was open to returning to the squad if he cleared waivers. But the Vikings put in a claim, and Mills is on his way to Minnesota as a member of the team's 53-man roster.

 

[Bri]

I thought this had to wait til Monday....oh well

 

[Biabreakable]

Nice move by the Vikings.

Sep. 2, 2007 - 1:56 p.m. ET Vikings claimed TE/FB Garrett Mills off waivers from New England. Mills, a 2006 fourth-round pick, is a good pass receiver and could fit in well as an H-back situational player in Brad Childress' West Coast offense. Source: Boston Globe

I can see this guy fitting in well with what Childress likes to do in the short passing game. Still expext Sause to be the main guy at H-back because of his blocking though.

 

[JMon348]

You know it was a good move by the Vikes after Belichick threatned Childress.........KC got there them a good qb

Childress defeats Belichick/Thigpen claimed by Kansas CitySeptember 2nd, 2007 – 11:16 AM by Kevin Seifert

The Vikings were awarded former New England TE Garrett Mills today on waivers, according to a report in the Boston Globe. He will become part of the Vikings’ 53-man roster, which means someone will have to be released today to make room for him.

Mills was a fourth-round draft pick last year but was placed on injured reserve midway through the season. The Patriots wanted to put him on their practice squad so badly that coach Bill Belichick called Vikings coach Brad Childress this morning about him. As Chidlress recounted this morning during an appearance on WCCO-AM’s Softballs with Sid, Belichick apparently was suggesting he would claim a Vikings castoff if the Vikings did not back off of a player that must have been Mills.

According to Childress, Belichick said: “Is there any way that you don’t take our guy and we don’t take your guy?”

Childress said he replied: “Well, I’m really interested in your guy. We’ll have to let our guy slide.”

“He didn’t really care for that,” Childress said. “He was trying to leverage. You always find out who is honest and straightforward.”

It’s not yet known whether Belichick followed through on his threat to claim the potential Vikings practice squad player.

Here is a link to a draft profile on Mills from last year. Apparently he can play fullback or tight end, just like half of the other players on the Vikings roster.

Meanwhile, the Vikings were unable to sneak QB Tyler Thigpen through waivers and onto the practice squad. The Kansas City Chiefs were awarded him this morning, according to agent Joel Turner.

This is an unexpected blow because the Vikings heavily scouted Thigpen before the draft and wanted him to be the No. 3 quarterback. But the decison to trade for Kelly Holcomb, and to keep Brooks Bollinger as the No. 3, necessitated Thigpen’s move to the practice squad.

Earlier this morning, Childress acknowledged Philadelphia was poking around Thigpen as well. Childress said if the Vikings lost Thigpen: “I’d be sick.”

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Childress said if the Vikings lost Thigpen: “I’d be sick.”

That is too bad that they lost Thigpen.But at least Chili knows how we fans feel going into this season.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I can't believe they kept Bollinger over Thigpen...at least Thigpen has potential - we know Bollinger doesn't. If we get to the 3rd QB we are in trouble anyway, just as well have it be a rookie that could develop. Bad move by the Vikings in this case. I do like everything else they have done this offseason, however.

 

[Tick]

I think it was the PFT draft preview where they said that Mills was perhaps the best receiver of his class.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I can't believe they kept Bollinger over Thigpen...at least Thigpen has potential - we know Bollinger doesn't. If we get to the 3rd QB we are in trouble anyway, just as well have it be a rookie that could develop. Bad move by the Vikings in this case. I do like everything else they have done this offseason, however.

And yes, I do like the claiming of Mills!

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

I think it was the PFT draft preview where they said that Mills was perhaps the best receiver of his class.

Hey Tick, I was high on Mills while he was at Tulsa. Few college tight ends have 1k receiving yards. He has ability to catch and reminds me of Cooley.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I do like everything else they have done this offseason, however.

You know, I think I agree with you. They didn't throw money at mediocrity in free agency and their draft was excellent, albeit it won't show for about a year. Seems like they're doing their best with what they've got.I still think you've got to roll the dice with picking up Leftwich. Don't know what that'd do to the team dynamic though. Probably is best to not have TJ looking over his shoulder.

 

[mozzy84]

I can't believe they kept Bollinger over Thigpen...at least Thigpen has potential - we know Bollinger doesn't. If we get to the 3rd QB we are in trouble anyway, just as well have it be a rookie that could develop. Bad move by the Vikings in this case. I do like everything else they have done this offseason, however.

this just bugs the hell out of me, bollinger is junk and they've had him on the roster too long already. I do agree with your last statement for the most part....

 

[Boston]

I think it was the PFT draft preview where they said that Mills was perhaps the best receiver of his class.

Hey Tick, I was high on Mills while he was at Tulsa. Few college tight ends have 1k receiving yards. He has ability to catch and reminds me of Cooley.

His big issue is blocking. Until he improves in that area he'll be a liability.