Vikings Might've Paid Too Much for Bobby Wade

I'll put this pretty high on the List of Things Vikings Fans Would Prefer Not to Know:

...[T]wo executives for an NFL team called a Pioneer Press reporter to mock the Vikings for signing free-agent wide receiver Bobby Wade the previous night for five years and $15 million.

Yeah, I'll admit it -- I thought that was a lot for Bobby Wade, the same guy cut mid-season by the Chicago Bears, and who was no more than a part-time player for the Tennessee Titans.

To be honest, though, it's not like the free-agent market was teeming with capable pass catchers. Of course, that doesn't mean a team should just blow through the salary cap because they have the room; obviously, it makes sense to get a player who might actually contribute.

Minnesota targeted Kevin Curtis, but because he's off finding himself in Utah, he has yet to sign with any team even though he was probably the second-highest-rated wideout entering free agency. This coupled with Ashley Lelie signing with the 49ers might have forced the Vikings into overpaying Wade. Frankly, neither Wade nor Lelie are worth more than the veteran minimum, but at least Wade isn't a pain in the ass. Lelie moaned about losing his job in Denver to Javon Walker, and last year in Atlanta, he wasn't much better (and certainly less productive).

Yeah, the Vikings gave Wade a ridiculously large contract given his production, but that's free agency: a seller's market. But who knows, maybe 2007 will finally be Troy Williamson's year (crosses fingers).