Iloka to Minny

interesting...

Not seeing this anywhere else yet. Only read speculation on Dallas or GB making a play for him. 

Cap ramifications etc. would be interesting...

Wow. Major surprise, although I know Z loves this guy.

Courtney Cronin‏Verified account @CourtneyRCronin 47s48 seconds ago

Can confirm former Bengals safety George Iloka is visiting Minnesota today, per a source. Iloka played for Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati @nflnetwork 1st

@"StickyBun" said: Wow. Major surprise, although I know Z loves this guy.

Courtney Cronin‏Verified account @CourtneyRCronin 47s48 seconds ago

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Can confirm former Bengals safety George Iloka is visiting Minnesota today, per a source. Iloka played for Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati @nflnetwork 1st

 I wish Z cared about the offensive line half as much! (I kid)  :p

There we go then...The one OL I wish we went after was the one Dallas signed a year or 2 ago.  The one who had the criminal speculation surrounding him at draft time...Can't remember the name. 

Report: Vikings expected to sign George Iloka

The Vikings’ defense is about to add a veteran who should make an immediate impact.
George Iloka, the safety who was cut by the Bengals this week, is on his way to Minnesota and expected to sign with the Vikings, according to NFL Network.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator for Iloka’s first two seasons in Cincinnati, so there’s a comfort level between them, and a belief that Iloka can get up to speed in Minnesota quickly.
Iloka started all 16 games last season for the Bengals and should be able to start in Minnesota as well. In Minnesota Iloka would likely be the starting strong safety, and pairing him with starting free safety Harrison Smith would give the Vikings one of the best safety combos in the league.

How the hell are we going to keep the band together in upcoming years?

nice problem to have - better add to Brez's staff...

Just turned 28 years old. 6'4", 225 lbs. Looking for a ring is my guess. Cincy really did him a solid by releasing him this week so he can find a new home quickly. 

Embarrassment of riches on D....could trade someone for OL talent.

So the Vikings are still very clearly in the trade market for OL help and, apparently, LB help. Is Sendejo now on the market? Harris? Does Iloka, who goes 6-4, 225 maybe figure in at LB where the safety/linebacker hybrid is becoming very popular around the NFL. Or the Big Nickel, that gives you three safeties? 

@"MaroonBells" said:  Or the Big Nickel, that gives you three safeties? 

Yep. Or Sendejo is out. 

Many in Cincy org. not happy about his release:

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/8/22/17767026/former-bengals-dc-paul-guenther-surprised-cincinnati-cut-george-iloka-safety-nfl

From NFL.com:

The 28-year-old safety could slide alongside All-Pro safety Harrison Smith. Pairing Iloka with Smith would give Minnesota a dynamic duo on the back end. The pairs' versatility would give Zimmer scheme flexibility to get creative at the safety position.
The addition of Iloka thrusts into question the future of incumbent strong safety Andrew Sendejo in Minnesota. 
Bringing in Iloka upgrades an already stout Zimmer defense that has no visible weakness. Adding a starting safety of Iloka's caliber to a stud defense that already boasts Pro Bowlers at every level is akin to tossing bits of Oreo cookie into your double-chocolate fudge Sunday that is already topped with sprinkles, chocolate chips, candied nuts, whipped cream, and four cherries. 
With the Vikings' moves this offseason to lock up its in-house playmakers, and now bring in talent off the street, one thing is abundantly clear: Signing Kirk Cousins to a massive deal did not necessitate dismantling a dominant defense.

Expect some high dollar vet players to be cut and have rookies fill in for them.  The only way they can afford this team this year and the next.

@"ArizonaViking" said: Expect some high dollar vet players to be cut and have rookies fill in for them.  The only way they can afford this team this year and the next.

well they are covered for this year,  but next year is certainly up in the air.  Brez has to cringe everytime his phone rings or dings from the Rickster.

@"MaroonBells" said:

Does Iloka, who goes 6-4, 225 maybe figure in at LB where the safety/linebacker hybrid is becoming very popular around the NFL. Or the Big Nickel, that gives you three safeties?

 

Dejo is 3.4 million in cap space if they cut or trade him....  I dont see them carrying 3 safeties making multi million dollar deals when they are facing losing a quality LB and or CB next offseason.

@"JimmyinSD" said: Dejo is 3.4 million in cap space if they cut or trade him....  I dont see them carrying 3 safeties making multi million dollar deals when they are facing losing a quality LB and or CB next offseason.

Seems like someone will be leaving the dinner table hungry...

Interesting...I don't know what it means for Sendejo or Newman. The back end of the D is getting pretty crowded yet the middle is in Zims words thin. Not to mention the Oline is still sketchy at best.  Curious signing if it goes down. Sure it mean something else is in the works.
Don't know his game because I really don't pay attention to Cincinnati but know I already like him better then Sendejo. Zimmer probably does too.

the terms of this deal might be very telling.  if it a one year deal or on the cheap it doesnt mean much IMO,  but if its a multi year offering for decent money but what still represents an upgrade and maybe even savings over Dejo... well what was your favorite Andrew Sendejo moment?

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"ArizonaViking" said: Expect some high dollar vet players to be cut and have rookies fill in for them.  The only way they can afford this team this year and the next.

well they are covered for this year,  but next year is certainly up in the air.  Brez has to cringe everytime his phone rings or dings from the Rickster.

@"MaroonBells" said: So the Vikings are still very clearly in the trade market for OL help and, apparently, LB help. Is Sendejo now on the market? Harris? Does Iloka, who goes 6-4, 225 maybe figure in at LB where the safety/linebacker hybrid is becoming very popular around the NFL. Or the Big Nickel, that gives you three safeties? 

I see the safety/hybrid possibilities, but 3 safeties - do you mean keep some of our excellent CBs on the sideline just to endure Sendejo trying to cover?? No. 

"Sendejo or Harris on the market": do you mean "waiver wire"?

We just exchanged a 30-year-old mediocre safety for a 28-year-old who is bigger, faster, more accomplished, and knows our coach and defensive system.