Professor

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci...nclick_check=1

A little more than a week into the free-agent signing period, the Vikings have filled holes at wide receiver, safety, fullback and kick returner, but have gone 0 for 3 in their search for a starting defensive end.

All things considered, Rick Spielman called it a pretty good start.

"Right now, we're very excited about the players we were able to add," the Vikings' vice president of player personnel said Friday. "I think we signed four guys who will help us going forward at some places where we needed some help. We like the guys we have here, and to add these new guys to that gives us a lot of excitement looking ahead to this season."

The Vikings moved quickly to sign wide receiver Bernard Berrian and safety Madieu Williams in the first two days of free agency and added a couple of less-expensive role players in fullback Thomas Tapeh and running back/kick returner Maurice Hicks.

The Vikings haven't been as successful in their attempts to find a defensive end — Justin Smith, Antwan Odom and Jevon Kearse signed elsewhere before visiting Winter Park — but Spielman said there's still time.

"We don't play until September, so a lot of things can happen," he said. "As you go through this thing, we've evaluated all the defensive ends that are available. It's more about doing your due diligence. Also, contractually where you think their value is compared to what is being offered elsewhere. We'll continue to look at players as they come available."

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