Vikings free agency rewind, fast-forward

Rewind: The Vikings sat out the first week of free agency, letting older, big-name free agents sign elsewhere. The team re-signed several of its own UFAs (LB Erin Henderson, WR Devin Aromashodu, QB Sage Rosenfels, DT Letroy Guion and DT Fred Evans). With many holes to fill, the Vikings signed TE John Carlson (Seahawks) and OL Geoff Schwartz (Panthers) to help the offensive line and also signed FBs Jerome Felton (Colts) and Lex Hilliard (Dolphins). They addressed the struggling secondary by offering a contract to Viking SS Husain Abdullah and then signed speedy arena league DB Nick Taylor and former Bears CB Zack Bowman. Fast-forward: Vikings fans looking for a big free agency splash from new GM Rick Spielman will have to wait until next season; Spielman says the team won't spend a lot of money on a few players, is looking to "get younger" and is focused on rebuilding through the draft. The Vikings still need safety help, have yet to sign an MLB (or bring back E.J. Henderson) and haven't located the field-stretching WR they desperately need. Spielman has made some cost-efficient moves -- e.g. re-signing Erin Henderson to a one-year, $2 million deal -- and is content to wait for more. Expect more bargain-basement moves before free agency is finished.