It sure took a long time. But in the end, it was worth the wait. Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson is now a Viking. At 6′ 5", 313 pounds, Hutchinson will be a massive presence lining up between center Matt Birk (6’4", 309 lbs) and the even more massive tackle Bryant McKinnie 6’8", 335 lbs). This left side helps explain why the Vikings didn’t go after a marquee running back like Edgerrin James: Anyone should be able to run behind these guys.
Anyone is Chester Taylor and the Vikings new back got some help today, as well, when the team signed Kansas City Chiefs fullback Tony Richardson. Richardson was a nice pick up. At 6’1", 238 lbs, Richardson is a true fullback who can do it all. Though he has been used primarliy as a lead blocker for the past several seasons, he’s got soft hands and he can carry the ball as well.
Frankly, if the Hutchinson deal had fallen though, the Vikings efforts in free agency would’ve been a disappointment. We needed at least one rock star signing and we got that with Hutchinson, turningg a weakness into a strength by shoring up at least half of a line that was disasterous last season.
But we did sign him and you gotta give the Vikings all the credit for putting their money where they mouth is.
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