Vikings release DT Ayodele, agree to terms with OL Schwartz

Published: Mar 21, 2012 at 07:24 PM

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have dumped another veteran starter, releasing nose tackle Remi Ayodele one unproductive season into a three-year contract.

Harrison: Free-agency winners/losers

Which teams have vastly improved in free agency? Which teams are dropping the ball? Elliot Harrison weighs in.

The timing of Wednesday's move was curious, if coincidental, coming hours after the NFL's announcement of fines and suspensions for New Orleans Saints officials that rewarded players financially for trying to injure opponents.

Ayodele won a with the Saints at the end of the 2009 season and played three years for them before signing with the Vikings. The league has yet to issue discipline for specific players involved in the bounty program.

The Vikings also agreed to terms with Carolina offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, re-signed backup defensive tackle Fred Evans and signed running back Lex Hilliard on a busy, if not particularly splashy, day.

"Minnesota presented a great opportunity for me. I'm excited to help them win," Schwartz said on Wednesday night.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.