FanHouse NapoleonHarris

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

In an NFC that is heading into the offseason without a clear favorite, the Minnesota Vikings have almost all the pieces to be the presumptive favorite. They have an outstanding defensive line, an improved secondary and the best running back in the business. They also have a very good offensive line and thanks to Bernard Berrian, the receiver corps no longer is a joke.

As long as he can pass a physical, Napoleon Harris will return to the Vikings to fill a definite need.

Harris was just dumped by the Chiefs, but he should actually have a little more luck in Minnesota, where his strengths (speed and coverage ability) fit the role he'll fill (backup middle linebacker). If Harris has anything left--the Chiefs thought that he was done--it will be as a Cover Two middle linebacker.

With David Herron banged up, it may sound crazy but Harris could go from signing on Thursday to seeing serious playing time on Sunday considering the team's hospital ward of linebackers. Starting middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is on injured reserve and it's not clear whether Herron will be able to play. The Vikings signed Dontarrious Thomas Monday to help fill in, but he's more of a run-plugger while Harris is a better coverage backer. The two of them could end up splitting time until Herron gets a little healthier. And since they're both former Vikings, they should remember most of the playbook.

It's never a good thing to have your top two middle linebackers hurt, but at least in the Vikings chance they can go out and find players who at least know the system.

The Minnesota Vikings finally waived Erasmus James after he couldn't pass a physical.

James, who is recovering from three operations on his left knee in a 13-month period, did very limited work during the Vikings' opening four days (Monday-Thursday) of organized team activities this week. "We decided today to waive Erasmus and we wish the best for him in the future," Vikings coach Brad Childress said in a statement on the team's website.

James blew out his knee in Week 2 of the 2006 season. He spent most of last year battling injuries before re-injuring the knee late last season.

And so it goes with the Vikings 2005 draft, which may go down as one of the worst/hardluck in franchise history. James was the #17 overall pick in that draft -- one that sees just OL Marcus Johnson remaining from that class.

Remember that Minnesota traded Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders for the #7 pick in the draft and linebacker Napoleon Harris. Harris played two years in Minnesota before moving on to Kansas City. That #7 pick turned into WR Troy Williamson, who sucked was less than stellar. Williamson was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars before last month's draft.

Third round pick Dustin Fox never played a down for the Vikings. Fourth round pick Ciatrick Fason became a goal line back before being release prior to last season. Sixth round pick DT C.J. Mosley played decent in his rookie season ... and was sent to the Jets for QB Brooks Bollinger. Seventh round pick Adrian Ward didn't make the roster.