Ten & Six With Mike Otto: The Greg Jennings & Matt Cassel Signings

What's that justice system do?

Well hello again, football fans!  Welcome to another offseason edition of Ten & Six!

Much like he did when the Vikings traded Percy Harvin last week (and like we hope he'll do as this offseason continues to shake out), Mike Otto is back to give us his take on the latest move made by his beloved Purple.

This time Mike joins us to celebrate two free agency acquisitions: Wide Receiver Greg Jennings (signed away from the Green Bay Packers) and Quarterback Matt Cassel (signed away from the Kansas City Chiefs).

Mikey, thoughts on the new guys?

Hello all! What a great weekend it was to be a Vikings fan! Not only did my prediction that Rick Spielman would aggressively pursue one of the top-tier free agent WR's come to fruition, but it came true to the tune of Greg Jennings! Whenever you can take the top receiver from the hated Green Bay Packers, you've done well.

Jennings wasn't the only signing by our beloved Purple this weekend, the team also took a one year flier on QB Matt Cassel, this signing finally puts a viable back up option behind starter Christian Ponder and one that can actually throw a ball accurately 15 yards down the field (no offense, Joe Webb).

I'm going to break down what all this means for the Vikings, and also what it means to me from a personal vengeance standpoint.

Welcome to a the Vikings, Greg Jennings! This must be a breath of fresh air for you. You're finally playing in a real city for a decent, classy fan base after 8 years stuck in the muck that is Green Bay, surrounded by the classless boars and hayseeds that inhabit Lambeau Field every Sunday. No more cheese obsessed, half naked fat guys in the stands, no more racial slurs hurled at you on Twitter if you drop a ball. A breath of fresh air indeed, literally and figuratively.

The Jennings signing elevates the Vikings into legitimate position to compete for a division title. Factoring in Rick Spielman's recent draft success and the 6 picks through the first 4 rounds that the Vikings hold, it could be a great year for the guys in purple. All the ingredients for success are on the table, all the team has to do is put them together.

Greg Jennings is the Vikings 1st legitimate number one wide receiver since Sidney Rice in 2009 and, while he might not be the athlete that Percy Harvin was, he certainly is more versatile from a route-running standpoint. Jennings can go deep, short, or intermediate and he can do it from the outside or over the middle. Best of all, Jennings starts every route the same (full speed) making it impossible for opposing d-backs to get a tell on where he might be going. The fact that a receiver of Jennings' caliber is willing to sign here speaks volumes to the growth and ability that Christian Ponder put on tape last year.

At 29 years old and $18 million guaranteed, the Vikings will get their money's worth if Jennings can stay relatively injury free the next 2-3 years. I'm excited. The future is starting to look bright and Vikings management finally seems to have a real plan for the first time in my life.

(Editor's Note: He's also tangentially responsible for YouTube's high-water mark)

While the Matt Cassel signing is much less splashy, it may be no less important.

Consider that Christian Ponder knew last year just how awful Joe Webb was at throwing a football and anything short of losing his right arm in a thresher accident wasn't going to cost him his starting job. Even though Matt Cassel has been underwhelming in recent years, he is still a guy who will take your job if you go through a 5 game slump like young Mr. Ponder did last year. Maybe the little pressure Matt Cassel provides as back-up will be enough to push CP7 from an average quarterback to a consistently good one.

As you may know I live a thoroughly revenge-based lifestyle, and I also enjoy the sadness of Packer fans even more than watching Viking victories. It's a very healthy existence.

Although this wasn't quite to the level of elation I experienced when Brett Favre turned traitor in '09, it was close, and it was extremely enjoyable to watch the fat, moronic green and gold fan base go into "we didn't want him anymore" mode. So much denial, so much anger, so much binge meat loaf consumed. It really was like a second Christmas for me.

The only thing sweeter will be this year, when Jennings is walking off Lambeau Field in that purple 85, having just hung a "W" on his old team.

The Vikings were a playoff team last year and this off season they have only got better, while the other teams in the NFC North have, for the most part, been standing pat. The Vikings are a playoff team right now. In addition to that, it's my opinion that they are one good draft class away from having a legitimate chance to win the division this year.

It's the teams last year in the Metrodome, and its shaping up to be a special one.

There you have it, Vikings fans!  Two big signings and one happy, spiteful Mike Otto.  It's been a fun offseason so far.

For more of Mike's takes on the Vikings and whoever is sitting next to him at any given time be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry breaking down the week in news in our Trendsetting column.

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