EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings on
Thursday said goodbye to defensive leader John Randle, releasing
the six-time Pro Bowl left end.
| |  | |
| Randle |
Randle, 33, had two years left on a five-year, $32.5 million
contract and was set to make $5.25 million in each of the next
two seasons. The club was reportedly trying to restructure the
contract, a move that Randle objected to.
"We are faced with the same thing that every other team in the
National Football League is faced with, which is a salary cap
limit on players salaries," Vikings coach Dennis Green said. "In
our effort to get under the salary cap we have to use a lot of
different avenues.
"John Randle had a great career with the Minnesota Vikings. He
did a great job for us all these years and has meant as much to
us as any player we have had and we are going to miss him."
The Vikings needed to cut about $7 million to get under the
salary cap by Friday. Randle's backup, John Burrough, also was
released.
Known for his high-energy style of play, Randle was critical of
the organization following the Vikings' 41-0 loss to the New
York Giants in the NFC championship game and asked for a trade.
Losing Randle is a huge blow to the Vikings' defense, which
ranked 28th in the league last season and allowed at least 30
points on four occasions.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Randle led the team with 7½ sacks last
season, stopping a streak in which he collected double-digits in
sacks in eight straight seasons. He has 113½ career sacks in
371 games.
Signed as a rookie free agent in 1990 out of Texas A&I, Randle
enjoyed his best season in 1997 when he led the NFL with 15½
sacks.
The Vikings on Thursday also signed starting right guard David
Dixon and third-string quarterback Todd Bouman to contract
extensions.
The club also tendered offers to four restricted free agents,
Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, offensive lineman Chris Liwienski and
linebackers Kailee Wong and Jim Nelson.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
| |
ALSO SEE
Stubblefield cut; Titans let Pickens, Del Greco go
|
