Vikes Sign Wyms

The Vikings’ mini-flurry of backup free-agent signings continued by agreeing to terms with veteran defensive lineman Ellis Wyms and outside linebacker Dallas Sartz.

Wyms played the first six seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who play a similar defense to Minnesota’s signature scheme (although how much the Vikings actually employ the Tampa-2 defense is up for debate). While with the Bucs, Wyms registered 14½ sacks, including a career-high five in his final season in Tampa Bay.

But agent Brian Levy said the familiarity of the scheme wasn’t the biggest factor in Wyms signing with the Vikings. He said Wyms enjoyed his visit with the Vikings’ coaches on March 8, and opportunity also played a role. Wyms figures to be a part of the Vikings’ regular rotation at defensive tackle behind Pro Bowl players Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. Currently, the Vikings have only Fred Evans and Wyms behind them. Spencer Johnson, a backup for the last four seasons with the Vikings, signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills that included $6 million in guarantees.

Last year, Wyms played for the Seattle Seahawks, where he had two sacks and was credited with 11 tackles. For his career, he has 145 tackles and 16½ sacks, along with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Wyms was originally drafted in the sixth round (183rd overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State and has played in 79 games with nine starts during his career. He started a career-high eight games at defensive tackle for Tampa Bay in 2006 but has experience at both tackle and end during his career. Wyms was a part of the Buccaneers squad that won Super Bowl XXXVII against Oakland, a game in which he notched a sack of Raiders QB Rich Gannon.

Wyms agreed to a one-year contract that could pay him about $1 million.

Source: Scout.com