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Slow negotiations Vikings frustrated by slow pace of talks with Steinberg
Posted: Tuesday March 28, 2000 10:07 PM
By Don Banks PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNNSI.com) -- Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green and the agent for free-agent quarterback Jeff George held their first face-to-face negotiating session of the week late Tuesday afternoon, but indications are that the Vikings are getting impatient with the slow pace of talks with Leigh Steinberg. A league source said that the Vikings are prepared to move on to other options at quarterback -- possibly as soon as Thursday -- if the two sides can't strike a deal on a one-year contract before today's close of the NFL's annual meeting. The Vikings are believed to be offering George a one-year deal worth in the range of $1.5 million including a sizable incentive package. Vikings owner Red McCombs said he remains optimistic of re-signing George, but added that the team had "a great alternative in the wings" if George didn't come to terms. Asked if he meant a quarterback not currently on the roster, McCombs answered in the affirmative. Green remains adamant that the team is only interested in a second consecutive one-year deal with George, who led the team to a 9-3 record as a starter in 1999. After showing little interest in George's return the past two months, Green has been pursuing a deal with George for almost two weeks, since Miami quarterback Dan Marino opted for retirement rather than a one-year Vikings contract offer. Just who the Vikings' other options are at quarterback remain unclear. Green has said he could start 1999 first-round pick Daunte Culpepper in 2000, but that is only considered a fall-back option if no veteran can be secured. Randall Cunningham continues to resist the team's attempt to cut his base pay to the $1 million range and may be released in a salary-cap move after June 1. "If we don't get Jeff, we have a great alternative," McCombs said. "But even if we get it done, Daunte's going to play a lot this season. Because he's ready. Daunte's ready to play and he's going to be a good one. "We want Jeff to start, but Daunte will play a lot. One year is all there is for Jeff here. That's what it's going to have to be. Jeff did great in that type of situation last year, so we'll see how he does this year." Steinberg could not be reached to comment Tuesday, but Monday night he reiterated that it was George's wish to return to Minnesota, and that he would do everything in his power to make that happen. Two names that have surfaced in terms of possible veteran options for the Vikings are former Minnesota starter Warren Moon and ex-San Diego quarterback Erik Kramer. But Moon, 42, is property of Kansas City and isn't seen as the most likely of options, and Kramer's recurrent neck problems make him a long shot as well.
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