The best way for the Vikings to create distance from their 2010 meltdown is to cultivate a new culture inside the Winter Park walls and assemble a roster ready to embrace coach Leslie Frazier's new outlook.
And that process requires a front-office strategy that likely will involve a purple-and-gold facelift.
The Vikings have 17 players headed for unrestricted free agency who must be addressed. One decision is already made — Brett Favre is out, back to cutting grass in Hattiesburg.
But difficult decisions loom.
The Vikings plan to wait for a new collective bargaining agreement before pulling the trigger on free agency, according to vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski. The current CBA expires March 4, leaving teams and players wondering how long a lockout might persist before new deals can be reached.
By waiting for a new CBA, the Vikings risk losing marquee pieces such as linebacker Chad Greenway and wide receiver Sidney Rice, who are eligible for free agency.
One Vikings player who also is facing free agency said the team's strategy could backfire.
"They are going to mess around and lose Chad," he said.
One option for the Vikings is to work out small-scale deals with role players now, then wait on bigger contracts. The Vikings also know they must get younger at positions while acquiring new talent at quarterback, offensive line, cornerback, safety and the interior defensive line.
Regardless of the Vikings'timing, expect an overhauled roster after two consecutive seasons of the same 22 starters.
"It will be dramatically different. We have a number of free agents," Frazier said. "But that's not any different than most teams in the NFL. You go through an evolution almost every season, it seems, with roster change."
FREE-AGENCY REPORT
The Vikings' free agents, their 2010 salaries and what the future might hold:
QB BRETT FAVRE
2010 salary: Approximately $16 million
Buzz: Twenty-year veteran is expected to retire.
QB TARVARIS JACKSON
2010 salary: $540,330
Buzz: Even Jackson isn't optimistic he'll be back, and it's tough to blame him. The Vikings are moving forward with Joe Webb and future quarterback plans through the draft or free agency.
LB CHAD GREENWAY
2010 salary: $1.295 million
Buzz: Team leader is one of the league's best tacklers and has earned the right to be a Vikings cornerstone. Also has leverage after a 143-tackle season, but do the Vikings want to pay Greenway top-five-linebacker money? That's something they must address. One option is franchising Greenway for one year at a hefty salary and negotiating a longer-term deal during the season.
WR SIDNEY RICE
2010 salary: $550,000
Buzz: This might be the Vikings' toughest offseason call. Franchise wideouts are rare, especially in free agency. The last big-name, free-agent signee for the Vikings, Bernard Berrian in 2008, has not panned out. With Rice's hip-surgery debacle and the mixed results after his return for seven games in 2010, it wouldn't be surprising if the Vikings slap the transition tag on Rice and let him prove his worth over another full season with a new quarterback.
LB BEN LEBER
2010 salary: $3.95 million
Buzz: A reliable veteran and a good locker-room guy, but the Vikings might want to get younger at this position. Leber, 32, still has something to offer, but at what price?
DT PAT WILLIAMS
2010 salary: $4.25 million
Buzz: The Williams Wall could come tumbling down unless Frazier and VP Rick Spielman feel they need to keep a veteran nose tackle in the fold. Williams' snaps decreased this season, and it's uncertain whether, at age 38, he can be relied upon as an every-game starter. However, the Vikings do not have another proven nose tackle on the roster.
K RYAN LONGWELL
2010 salary: $2 million
Buzz: Longwell again was one of the game's most accurate kickers, connecting on 17 of 18 field-goal attempts. Combine his reliability with the risk of turning to a young kicker, and the guess here is Longwell will return.
DE RAY EDWARDS
2010 salary: $3.2 million
Buzz: Has publicly doubted whether he'll return, and it seems the Vikings are ready to part with the fifth-year player, who recorded eight sacks this season.
DE BRIAN ROBISON
2010 salary: $465,330
Buzz: Could be a reliable option for future depth at DE, but it's uncertain whether Robison has established himself as a potential starter. Let's say he's 50-50 to return.
DT FRED EVANS
2010 salary: $1.759 million
Buzz: Was among a cluster of backup defensive tackles on and off the inactive list all season. Is a steady backup who could be back.
WR HANK BASKETT
2010 salary: N/A
Buzz: It's hard to believe the Vikings will resign Baskett, who was inactive for most of the season and was a Brad Childress guy.
WR GREG LEWIS
2010 salary: $805,000
Buzz: Vikings might want to keep Lewis for backup receiver help. Lewis, also a Childress guy, is questionable to return.
CB FRANK WALKER
2010 salary: $1,606,760
Buzz: Walker could return, but it would have to be on the cheap.
CB LITO SHEPPARD
2010 salary: $2 million
Buzz: Signed a one-year deal and didn't lock down a role for himself. The guess is that both player and team want a fresh start.
OL RYAN COOK
2010 salary: $540,330
Buzz: Not a starting-caliber lineman, but he's a versatile backup who can play three positions. Let's say the Vikings re-sign him.
FB NAUFAHU TAHI
2010 salary: $1.176 million
Buzz: His backfield blocking didn't seem to stand out this season. The Vikings could sign him to another one-year deal or decide maybe a new, more versatile option at fullback would reinvigorate the backfield.
S ERIC FRAMPTON
2010 salary: $1.101 million
Buzz: A staple on special teams who likely could come to an agreement with the Vikings on the cheap. Expect him back.
