Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts' excellent run in special teams coverage suffered a setback when New England's Wes Welker broke a 67-yard punt return last week. Welker is no slouch. He leads the NFL with a 15.1-yard average on punt returns. Kickoffs and punts can be an unpredictable element from week to week. And as Colts fans will remind, this team hasn't exactly set the world on fire when returning kicks. Here are a few specialists who have been burning hot: Courtney Roby, the Indianapolis native and former Colts returner who is now with the New Orleans Saints, ran a kickoff back 97 yards for a score at St. Louis last week. Suppose the Colts would like to have him back? The former North Central ..."

Vikings reward Childress with two-year contract extension

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November 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings coach Brad Childress is finally enjoying the fruits of his labor. "The plum job," as he referred to the Vikings' vacancy in January 2006, is ripe. At least for him. Childress on Thursday night signed a contract extension with the Vikings. Terms of the deal were not announced, but ESPN reported he was signed through the 2013 season and would make between $4 million and $5 million annually. Mike Holmgren was believed to be the league's highest-paid head coach, making $8 million a year before leaving the Seattle Seahawks after the 2008 season. "My family and I are very fortunate to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings organization," Childress said in a statement. "I value the ..."

Hindsight is 20/20, but Vikings are 8-1

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November 20

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Many things appealed to T.J. Houshmandzadeh about the Vikings as they courted the free-agent wide receiver last winter. Houshmandzadeh loved the Vikings' top-notch ground game that featured Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson and a solid offensive line that would open up things for the pass. He felt extremely comfortable with Vikings coach Brad Childress and wide receivers coach George Stewart. Heck, Houshmandzadeh even thought owner Zygi Wilf was "super cool." But one thing bugged the veteran. "When it came down to it, I felt like the quarterback situation -- which kind of makes a receiver go -- it was a better situation here so I did what any receiver would do," Houshmandzadeh said. ..."

Source: Childress, Vikings agree

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November 19

ESPN.com

"The Minnesota Vikings reached a contract extension with Brad Childress that will keep the coach with the team through the 2013 season, a source told ESPN.com Thursday. Financial terms weren't immediately available but it is believed to be between $4 million and $5 million a year, the source said. In 2006, Childress signed a five-year, $10 million contract, which was scheduled to expire after the 2010 season."

Hutchinson still a leader, but just for other team

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November 19

Tacoma News Tribune

"It's been almost four years since Pro Bowl offensive guard Steve Hutchinson got away from Seattle to Minnesota, and it's still a sore spot for Seahawks fans. And Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had no problem pouring salt in the wound Wednesday. "I'm doing a dance right now because we got him and y'all don't," Peterson said when asked about Hutchinson during a conference call with Seattle-area reporters. "He's the ring leader of the offensive line. It's still funny to me how y'all let this guy go. But he's a leader. He gets the job done. And he's a beast. That's the way I explain how he is on the field." Peterson should know. He's widely considered the best back in the league right ..."

On second thought: T.J. Houshmandzadeh's flirtation with Minnesota

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November 19

Seattle Times

"T.J. Houshmandzadeh visited two teams in free agency, first coming to Seattle and then heading to Minnesota. Seahawks coach Jim Mora kept a Breitling watch as collateral, the Vikings used a ruse to get rid of a limousine designated to take Houshmandzadeh to the airport. Houshmandzadeh felt comfortable with Vikings coach Brad Childress, thought owner Zygi Wilf was "super cool" and counted running back Adrian Peterson among the assets. "They had a great run game," Houshmandzadeh said of Minnesota. "They had a great offensive line and the offensive line is the backbone of every team, but when it came down to it I felt like the quarterback situation -- which kind of makes a receiver go -- it ..."

Vikings turn up heat over stadium

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November 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"In the clearest sign that the Minnesota Vikings are drawing a line in the sand over a new stadium, the team abruptly broke off relations Wednesday with the Metrodome's owners over plans to play there after the next two years. Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf sent a strongly worded letter to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission that said they were "shocked, exasperated and extremely disappointed" by the commission's attempt to keep the Vikings at the Dome beyond 2011, when the team's lease expires. The Wilfs have said they have no plans to move the team out of Minnesota, but Wednesday's move indicates that the team is tiring of the lack of progress on a new stadium even as the ..."

Hindsight is 20/20, but Vikings are 8-1

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November 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Many things appealed to T.J. Houshmandzadeh about the Vikings as they courted the free-agent wide receiver last winter. Houshmandzadeh loved the Vikings' top-notch ground game that featured Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson and a solid offensive line that would open up things for the pass. He felt extremely comfortable with Vikings coach Brad Childress and wide receivers coach George Stewart. Heck, Houshmandzadeh even thought owner Zygi Wilf was "super cool." But one thing bugged the veteran. "When it came down to it, I felt like the quarterback situation -- which kind of makes a receiver go -- it was a better situation here so I did what any receiver would do," Houshmandzadeh said. ..."

Childress' new deal isn't completed yet

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November 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Amid multiple reports Wednesday that Brad Childress is close to finalizing a multiyear contract extension with the Vikings, the coach said such information was "news to me" as he left the practice field. "I'm not even going there," Childress said, adding there also was a report in October that he was close on an extension. The NFL website reports the deal should be finalized and announced soon but later added the extension likely will be announced before the playoffs. Earlier reports suggested an extension might get done during the Vikings' recently completed bye week. Impending job security for Childress shouldn't come as a surprise, although some believe owner Zygi Wilf should wait to ..."

Favre clarifies 'best team' remark

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November 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Brett Favre ruffled some feathers east of the Twin Cities earlier this season when he called the Vikings the "best team I've ever been on." That comment, not surprisingly, didn't sit well with Packers fans and members of the 1996 Super Bowl-winning team. Favre heard the criticism, but he said he doesn't feel any vindication now that the Vikings are 8-1 and considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Favre said it's no different from when he predicted big things for the Packers in 2007 after the team went 8-8 the previous season. "Everybody thought I was crazy, and then we went 13-3 [in 2007]," Favre said Wednesday. "I believed it. I believe that about this team. Is it the '96 team? No. ..."

Antoine Winfield '85 percent' sure he'll return to Vikings' secondary on Sunday

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November 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield bounced off the practice field Wednesday, upbeat after his best workout in a month. Winfield didn't know what to think after what he believed to be an ankle injury suffered Oct. 18 against the Baltimore Ravens turned out to be more serious. He and the team have declined to address the specifics — a fractured right foot — but Winfield said Wednesday that the timing of the "freak injury" wasn't so bad, after all. "It's the perfect timing," said Winfield, who estimates there's an 85 percent chance he will play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. "I'm glad it happened now instead of Week 14 and miss the playoff run." More important, the Vikings are ..."

VIkings backup Tarvaris Jackson says he has learned a lot watching Brett Favre

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November 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Aaron Rodgers watched Brett Favre from the Green Bay Packers' bench for three seasons before succeeding the future hall of fame quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson, 26, is watching Favre, 40, through nine games with the Vikings this season and improving, coach Brad Childress said Wednesday. Jackson said the most important thing he has learned as Favre's top backup is to be himself and not be influenced by others. "There are little things, but the biggest thing probably is not football related, but it's how he's going to be himself regardless of the situation," Jackson said of Favre on Wednesday. "He's going to do what he knows; he's going to be Brett. What this really boils down to is being what ..."

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress close to contract extension, reports say

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November 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings coach Brad Childress is close to being rewarded with a contract extension, according to reports. CBSSports.com, ESPN.com and NFL.com reported Wednesday the extension would be done soon but weren't specific. NFL.com reported the multiyear extension likely would be announced before the playoffs. The CBSSports.com report was written by Clark Judge, who reported essentially the same thing Oct. 20. He reported Nov. 10 that the talks had slowed; apparently they've heated up again. CBSSports.com reported that Childress is paid $2 million annually, making him the lowest-paid coach in the NFC North Division, but his salary could be doubled with the new deal."

Julius Jones won't play this week against Vikings

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November 18

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones will miss this Sunday's game at Minnesota due to his bruised lung, but could be back next week, coach Jim Mora said Wednesday. Jones was injured in the first quarter of Sunday's 31-20 loss at Arizona and spent one night in a Phoenix hospital, but is back with the Seahawks attending meetings as the team prepares for this week's game against the 8-1 Vikings. "He says he's feeling good, but he won't be available Sunday," Mora said. "We'll see how he progresses. Hopefully (he'll be back) next week. We have to be careful though." Second-year back Justin Forsett will start in Jones' place after rushing for a career-best 123 yards on 17 carries against ..."

Childress to get new deal "soon"

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November 18

CBSSports.com

"It appears a resolution to the Brad Childress negotiations is in the works and that the Minnesota head coach will gain a new contract in the near future. Sources close to the Vikings said that Childress, who is 8-1 and who has increased the team's victories with each year he's been in Minnesota, will be rewarded with a contract "soon," though they were not specific. It is unclear what is left to be done, but there are, sources said, no major obstacles left and an announcement is expected. At $2 million annually, Childress is the lowest-paid coach in the NFC North, but sources said that will change -- with Childress expected to at least double his annual salary."

Source: Childress close to new deal

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November 18

ESPN.com

"A contract extension for Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress that many thought would be done during the team's recent bye week will be done soon, according to a source close to the situation. Childress has one more year on his contract after this season. He has helped bring quarterback Brett Favre out of retirement and lead the Vikings to an 8-1 record that is good enough for first place in the NFC North."

Is Brett Favre's return to Minnesota Vikings next season a done deal?

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November 18

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Vikings quarterback Brett Favre already has had his revenge on the Green Bay Packers by defeating them twice this season, proving they should have retained him after the 2007 season. It's unclear whether those victories alone might have been satisfying enough for the 40-year-old to retire after the season. That's hard to predict. But there could be other factors that determine whether Favre, who already is signed for $13 million for the 2010 season, returns for another season. Those could include what players return to give him a chance to win a Super Bowl, who the coach and staff are, and the team's ownership status in its quest for a new stadium. It would seem satisfying enough for Favre ..."

Mark Wilf: Favre welcome to return

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November 18

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Vikings owner and President Mark Wilf said Tuesday the franchise has received the boost it was looking for when it signed Brett Favre and made it clear the quarterback would be welcomed back in 2010 to play the second season of the two-year, $25 million deal he received in August. This comes as no surprise, given the Vikings are 8-1 and atop the NFC North in large part because of Favre's performance. The 40-year-old Favre has an NFL-leading 107.5 passer rating and has thrown 17 touchdown and only three interceptions. "When we signed Brett, we were hoping he would give us a spark," Wilf said. "He's got that great track record and so far, so good." Wilf said Favre's contribution has been ..."

Seahawks game at Minnesota will be another reminder of the Steve Hutchinson fiasco

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November 18

Seattle Times

columnist Danny O'Neil

"Free agency was days away and the youngest of Seattle's six Pro Bowlers on offense was about to enter the marketplace when the Seahawks caved. They upped their offer to guard Steve Hutchinson, increasing the $6 million a year average they'd been sticking with to about $6.4 million. Too late. The NFL's free-agent marketplace was on the brink of an explosion. Hutchinson would be a prime beneficiary while the Seahawks took the business end of the stick. Four years later, it remains the most volatile of all Seahawks topics. Some fans are still gnashing their teeth, others insist it's well past time to get over it. Seattle lost its Mr. Mean from an offensive line that was considered one of the ..."

Peterson is striving to be receiver, too

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November 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Sid Hartman

"Adrian Peterson reached 4,000 yards rushing fourth-fastest among running backs in the history of the NFL, but now he is also complementing his running with some great pass catching. A year ago after nine games, Peterson had 15 catches for 98 yards. Well, after Sunday, when he had two receptions for 10 yards, he now, in the same number of games, has 21 catches for 199 yards, quite an improvement. "Yeah, I just didn't get a lot of opportunities last year to catch the ball," Peterson said. "This year we're spreading the ball out a little more so opportunities are there. "I feel like pass receiving, it comes natural to me, but you can always work to improve." Peterson said he learns a lot from ..."

Rookie point guard Jonny Flynn still adjusting to Timberwolves' triangle offense

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November 16

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The player and coach are still smiling about it, which is a good sign. But sooner or later, Jonny Flynn is going to have to do what Kurt Rambis asks him to do. Currently, this is a sometimes proposition. There are still too many Timberwolves possessions that start with the rookie point guard looking for a lane rather than a teammate, a style that runs counter to the constant ball movement required of Rambis' triangle offense. "It's tough," Flynn said, breaking into an impish smile. "I'm just following the game plan, doing what Kurt wants. Me being a guy who likes to create off the dribble, likes to get into the lane, it's tough coming into a system like that." It seems Flynn's first ..."

Vikings coach Brad Childress not happy with roughing call on Ray Edwards

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November 16

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings coach Brad Childress said he spoke to the NFL head of officiating immediately after Sunday's game about the controversial roughing-the-passer penalty on defensive end Ray Edwards. Childress said he wanted an explanation from Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating, before conducting his press conference, and he got the impression that the officiating czar agreed with him. "You obviously can't cause a collision with your head. There are launches all over the field in football. That's football," Childress said. "I didn't think it was a personal foul. It was kind of a changer right there because they go on to get seven points. "I don't believe he (Pereira) thought it ..."

Two more things with Vikings owner Zygi Wilf

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November 16

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Bob Sansevere

"Here is Vikings owner and real estate developer Zygi Wilf ... On whether business associates want to talk about the Vikings before they get down to business: "I think football really has taken over my life. I'm happy because the other end of the business isn't doing so well. (Laughs.) It's good to see that we're doing well and that we can really enjoy the moment. It's great to see how this team has really come together.""

Red-zone fumble is humbling gaffe for Peterson

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November 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson reached 4,000 yards rushing faster than any player in Vikings history on Sunday, and he also got caught from behind on a breakaway run. Yep, truly a historic day. Peterson said he felt "sick" after getting caught and stripped of the ball, but his performance still ended on a high note with a 27-10 victory over the Lions at the Metrodome. Peterson rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. But he also was credited with two fumbles, including one that prevented what would have been a highlight-reel touchdown run. "In the NFL when you are playing good teams you definitely know there are going to be ups and downs so you can't be caught up and still be looking behind ..."

Pounding fails to make Stafford go away

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November 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"At least Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford took Sunday's colossal beating with a veteran's toughness and a good sense of humor. "He was joking with me the whole game," Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards said. "He was saying, 'Ray, why you keep hitting me? Stay away from me a little bit.' He's definitely a fun guy. I can see that he enjoys the game." Stafford lost the game 27-10, but the rookie No. 1 overall draft pick seemed to gain a certain amount of respect from some players in the Vikings' locker room. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact Stafford absorbed three sacks, 13 additional knockdowns and at least six dropped passes but kept bouncing back for more. Despite ..."

Paymah, Allen get chances after injury sidelines Sapp

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November 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield was still sidelined because of a right foot injury, and his replacement in the Vikings starting lineup, Benny Sapp, left Sunday's game in the third quarter because of an injured groin. Sapp said he just moved in a weird manner on the play on which he was hurt, and remained on the sideline doing some running. "The trainers, they know what they are doing," Sapp said. "I wanted to go back in, but the trainers were just doing their job." With Sapp out, Karl Paymah got all the snaps at left corner and rookie Asher Allen took over as the nickel back. "You definitely want your best players on the field," Paymah said. "It's going to be beneficial to the team ..."

Lions12th straight game in the Metrodome

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November 16

Detroit Free Press

"In the second quarter Sunday, Lions cornerback Phillip Buchanon fired up his afterburners and caught perhaps the best running back in the NFL, the Vikings' Adrian Peterson. Buchanon went back to what he had learned as an 8- or 9-year-old, playing for the Riverdale Wildcats in Ft. Myers, Fla. "The first thing that flashed in my head was, 'Strip the ball,' " Buchanon said. Buchanon forced a fumble, linebacker Jordon Dizon recovered it in the end zone, and the Lions took possession at the 20. "I was open and swinging the ball, and he came up and punched it out," Peterson said. "You got to give him credit. He made a great play." It was great. It was the Lions' play of the day. There was ..."

Vikings WR Sidney Rice big thorn for Lions

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November 16

Detroit News

"Beating the Lions is about as glorious as cleaning out the litter box. It's something necessary and expected, but not always appreciated. But there remains the possibility something wonderfully exciting will happen during this otherwise mechanical exercise. On Sunday, those in attendance saw a landmark performance by Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice, who caught seven passes for 201 yards. Only Sammy White (210), Randy Moss (204) and Paul Flatley (202) have recorded more receiving yards for the Vikings in a regular-season game. At 6-feet-4 and a couple of celery stalks over 200 pounds, Rice appears almost gangly when he lines up at wide receiver. In fact, he's superbly coordinated, which ..."

McKinnie's stature on the rise

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November 15

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Bryant McKinnie is hard to miss on the football field. Inconspicuous doesn't generally apply when you're 6-8, weigh 335 pounds and wear a size 18 shoe. But sometimes, when members of the Vikings offense are watching film, it's impossible for them to ignore the damage inflicted by their gigantic left tackle, Big Mac. "It's rare when you see an offensive lineman just use one arm and literally rag-doll people out of the screen with one throw," right guard Anthony Herrera said. "When he gets his hands on somebody, he can reject him," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "It's like he's throwing somebody out of the bar. Gone. That guy flies off the film, the guy's on his back. We'd like ..."

From Fran to Favre and lesser Vikings, QB list is longer than it is distinguished

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November 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Vikings have four Super Bowl appearances and 15 inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yet the team's track record at the most important position, quarterback, is modest at best. That is one of the driving forces of Favremania, the buzz generated this year by the arrival of Brett Favre, one of the most decorated quarterbacks ever. Fran Tarkenton, the franchise's most celebrated signal caller, isn't thrilled about having the former Green Bay Packer in purple. But thanks to a brilliant start — and the team's checkered quarterback past — Favre has skyrocketed up the Vikings' charts and is threatening Tarkenton's perch. In their 49th season, the Vikings have started 28 different ..."

Vikings finally hit on old-QB roulette

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November 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Tom Powers

"Throughout their history, the Vikings have had a thing for elderly quarterbacks. The creakier the better. As soon as a fellow began swigging Ensure or prune juice in the mornings, he became prime Vikings material. Unfortunately, many times when the Vikings thought they were acquiring experience, they instead got brittle bones and weak ligaments. Without the help of a battery of psychiatrists, it's impossible to say how this trend developed. There have been several regimes and general managers in power over the years. Perhaps by a rare coincidence, they all were searching for father figures. But I can't begin to even estimate how many conversations with various Vikings head coaches began ..."

Vikings' Harvin is speedy, dangerous on kickoffs

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November 15

Detroit Free Press

"The Vikings have enough offensive firepower with quarterback Brett Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and company. The Lions don't need to give them a head start today by letting rookie Percy Harvin break free on kickoff returns. Harvin, the No. 22 overall pick this year, ranks second in the NFL in kickoff return average (30.7). The Vikings rank first in average field position after receiving kickoffs (34.9). The Lions rank last in average field position allowed after kickoffs (32.0). "That's going to be one of -- if not the biggest -- keys to winning the game, period, between offense, defense, special teams, is limiting their field position and stopping him," Lions special-teams ..."

Vikings' research, risk paying off with rookie receiver Percy Harvin

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November 15

Detroit News

"Vikings coach Brad Childress went the extra mile -- a few thousand miles, actually -- to see if Percy Harvin was worth the risk. He decided he was. If he's right -- and Childress admits this is a gamble he wouldn't have taken with a less-stable team a few years ago -- the Vikings might've pulled another Randy Moss out of their draft hat. Different players, no doubt. But similar circumstances. Moss was a game-breaking receiver out of Marshall, but questions about his character after a three-stop collegiate career allowed him to fall all the way to the Vikings with the 21st overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Moss went on to earn offensive rookie of the year honors as the Vikings went ..."

Winfield not ready to return

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November 14

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield said he's not ready to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions but hopes to be on the field the following week against the Seattle Seahawks. "I'm close," he said Friday in the locker room. "I've been working the last, what, four weeks, three weeks trying to get this injury [healed]. ... I feel like next week. I've been out the last couple of days running on it, testing it. It's good going forward, but I still have a little problem cutting. But I would say next week I should be OK." Winfield injured his right foot in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 18. He missed the second half of that game and the two games before the ..."

Can the Lions slow Vikings DE Jared Allen?

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November 14

Detroit Free Press

"How do you stop Vikings defensive end Jared Allen?

"Probably shoot him," said Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who once coached him in Kansas City. "I'm saying that in a joking way. I love him. I respect him." If only the Lions had a silver bullet Sunday at Minnesota, so to speak. Allen is tied for the NFL lead in sacks with 10 1/2 and, according to Cunningham, is playing the run as well as ever. The last time these teams met, Sept. 20 at Ford Field, Allen had a sack, a forced fumble and three tackles for loss. The Lions put rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew on Allen at times. "Brandon Pettigrew got him pretty good in the first game on a ..."

Vikings' Antoine Winfield hopes to return for Seattle on Nov. 22

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November 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield said he hopes to return against Seattle on Nov. 22. Winfield has been sidelined with a fractured right foot he injured Oct. 18 against Baltimore, and he has been limited in practice this week. Winfield was officially listed today as out for Sunday's game against Detroit. "I've been out the last couple days running on it, testing it," Winfield said. "It's good going forward, but I still have a little problem cutting. But I say next week I should be OK." Winfield said it's been frustrating missing time, but he understands coming back from an injury is a process that shouldn't be rushed. "Myself and the training staff have been doing a ..."

Winfield aiming for Nov. 22

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November 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield, sidelined since for the past month with a fractured right foot, said he hopes to return against Seattle on Nov. 22. Winfield suffered the injury Oct. 18 against Baltimore and has been limited in practice this week. He was officially listed Friday as out for Sunday's game against Detroit. "I've been out the last couple days running on it, testing it," Winfield said. "It's good going forward, but I still have a little problem cutting. But I say next week I should be OK." Winfield said it has been frustrating to miss games, but he understands the healing process. "A lot of guys try to come back from injuries real early, and something else ..."

To his surprise, the Vikings have been a good fit for DT Jimmy Kennedy

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November 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Jimmy Kennedy recognizes the irony of his situation. He's playing the best football of his career with a team he never wanted to join. "I always tell people that," the defensive tackle said. "In my prayers, I didn't think the Vikings were for me. Even coming out of the draft, I never wanted to be a Viking. I literally had tears in my eyes praying that they didn't draft me. "Looking at it now, that was me feeling that God didn't want me here. But boy, was I wrong. I look at it and I say, wow, for a place I never wanted to be for whatever reasons ... now it's like, wow, look at it. It's just funny how God works in your life." Kennedy thought he wouldn't fit in with the Vikings, but he has ..."

Missed tackles hurt Vikings in first half of season

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November 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The scouting reports leading up to the 2008 draft stated that safety Tyrell Johnson was an excellent tackler in college. Although he hasn't lived up to that billing in his first full season as a Vikings starter, his confidence remains high when it comes to tackling. "It doesn't bother me at all," Johnson said. "I'm one of those guys that I don't look at the negative stuff, you know what I mean? I look at the missed tackles, and all that stuff, but to me, it's all about how you bounce back. We've responded good. We're 7-1." The more concerning issue for the Vikings is that the tackling issues aren't confined to one player. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier analyzed his unit's play ..."

Adrian Peterson making progress in learning to wait for plays to develop

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November 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Adrian Peterson constantly hears a voice — usually raspy from overuse — repeat the same lines over and over. Be patient. Slow to (the line of scrimmage), fast through. Let the scheme work for you. "I'm always in his ear, and he's tired of me saying the same things," Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy said of Peterson. "But throughout the course of a game, you have to calm him down. "I'm a coach-slash-psychologist." Repetition has yielded execution in one of Peterson's primary preseason goals: letting his blocks develop, then launching himself upfield. Bieniemy and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell do not have tangible statistics to track Peterson's patience. But they insist their ..."

Brett Favre back for more vs. Lions

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November 13

Detroit Free Press

"The first time the Lions played Brett Favre this season, he was the crusty quarterback making a comeback. He had been with the Vikings for only a month. He was still getting his legs under him and still getting comfortable with his new teammates. Favre completed 23 of 27 passes Sept. 20. He threw two touchdowns, too, as the Lions lost, 27-13. But his longest pass was only 13 yards, and his yardage total was only 155. Now, after turning 40 on Oct. 10, he is playing at an elite level again and could cause major problems for the Lions' struggling pass defense Sunday at the Metrodome. "When we played them early in the season, he was a little bit more game-managing," Lions coach Jim Schwartz ..."

Foote says he's playing against Vikings

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November 13

Detroit News

"Larry Foote missed a second day of practice Thursday resting a sore knee, but he said he expects to play Sunday when the Lions face the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham does, too, though he also expects his veteran middle linebacker and captain to play better. Foote was signed as a free agent in May after getting released by Pittsburgh, where he spent his first seven NFL seasons, winning two Super Bowl titles. He had a productive start with his new team, including an impressive showing in the home opener against the Vikings, when Foote had a game-high 10 tackles and a sack. But his play has slipped a bit the last couple weeks, and it hasn't ..."

Lions coordinators have history with Vikings defensive end Jared Allen

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November 12

Michigan Live

"Gunther Cunningham was so sure that Jared Allen would become a premier pass rusher in the NFL that he wanted to deliberately break one of his fingers. Allen was a rookie fourth-round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004 when Cunningham, who now is defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, held the same job with the Chiefs. "He was drafted to be a deep snapper,'' Cunningham said. "There are a lot of people taking credit for drafting Jared Allen.'' Allen quickly became one of the league's best pass rushers and eventually was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 for a first-round pick and two third-round selections. He is tied for the league lead in sacks this season with 10 ..."

Vikings' Brett Favre rested, ready to go after taking a week off

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November 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Brett Favre spent part of the bye week in a deer stand. At age 40, any break from football is good for him. Favre joked Wednesday that the only thing he killed was "time." Halfway through the Vikings' season, Favre is encouraged by the way he's feeling. When he signed with the Vikings, he said he had no way of knowing whether he would be able to make it through a full season. But now the Vikings are comfortably ahead in the NFC North Division, and he's on pace to have one of his best seasons statistically. "I feel pretty good, mentally and physically," Favre said. "It's hard for me to say what I thought I would feel like. But I know that if you had asked what would our record be at this ..."

Time might be right to see more Percy Harvin in Vikings' offense

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November 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Bob Sansevere

"The Vikings' offense has improved steadily since starting the season ranked among the league's worst. The offense was ranked 27th in the NFL after a 27-13 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Now, as they prepare to host the Lions on Sunday, the Vikings are ranked 11th. So, has the time come for the Vikings' offense to showcase some new wrinkles? "We'll see," rookie receiver Percy Harvin said. "We practice a lot of different stuff. Whether we run it, that's up to the head man (coach Brad Childress)." Harvin said he's not itching to try anything in particular. "I kind of like it all," he said. "As long as I'm out on the field, helping this team, it's kind of whatever with me. So we'll ..."

Winfield practices but status unclear

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November 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Antoine Winfield returned to Vikings practice Wednesday for the first time since injuring his right foot on Oct. 18, but it remains unclear whether the Pro Bowl cornerback will play Sunday against Detroit. Winfield had limited participation in practice after doing some conditioning work on the side on Monday. Winfield suffered the injury against Baltimore on Oct. 18 and then missed the final two games before the bye week. "He's done a great job of attacking this thing, and if at all possible he wouldn't miss one more snap," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. Winfield was unavailable for comment. Protecting the football Brett Favre has thrown the most interceptions in NFL history, but he ..."

Redskins TE adores Jared Allen's manly mullet

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November 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The tough-guy charm of Vikings defensive lineman Jared Allen that plays out in a recently released professional video has won him a long-distance admirer in a fellow NFL player. Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, in a series of Twitter postings, is dumbstruck that the video has only collected a few thousand views on YouTube since it went live two week ago. In the clip produced by the National Football League Players Association, Allen extolls the machismo of the mullet hair style as he has his manly mane carefully cut and combed at a barbershop while country music plays in the background. "The mullet isn't just a hairdo, it's definitely a lifestyle," he says in the video. Allen ..."

Lions LB Ernie Sims unlikely to play against Vikings

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November 12

Detroit News

"Linebacker Ernie Sims was held out of practice Wednesday with a right hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday's loss in Seattle. Lions coach Jim Schwartz called the injury "fairly significant" during Monday's press conference. "As of right now it looks like I'm not going to play this week," Sims said Wednesday. The Lions travel to Minnesota for a 1 p.m. game this Sunday. "I've never had a hamstring injury so I'm taking it day-to-day," Sims added. "I'm hoping God blesses me and lets me get back a little sooner. I hate the feeling of being away from football and not being on the field." It is not clear how long Sims will be out. "They say it takes a good two or three weeks depending on how ..."

Brad Childress

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November 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings coach Brad Childress — who is in his 32nd season as a football coach, his 12th in the NFL — indicated on SIRIUS NFL Radio on Tuesday that the 2009 Vikings are one of his favorites. "This is a great group of guys, not without its challenges," Childress said on the SIRIUS show "Movin' the Chains." "They enjoy each other, and they compete like crazy with each other. "This is a (heck) of a group of guys." He again applauded the play and professionalism of Brett Favre and added, "You kind of marvel at a guy who is 40 throwing to a guy who is 21," a reference to rookie receiver Percy Harvin. Childress said Favre is "not too bad right now," noting that his quarterback was healthy enough ..."

Cards-Vikings has primetime potential

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November 11

Arizona Republic

"Beginning next week, the NFL can begin utilizing its "flexible scheduling," allowing NBC to switch its scheduled Sunday night game with a more attractive one. The Cardinals home game against Minnesota on Dec. 6, scheduled for 2:15 p.m., seems to be an ideal candidate. Word is Fox, which is scheduled to broadcast the game, didn't protect it, leaving it available for NBC to grab for the 6:20 p.m. slot. NBC is scheduled to show the Patriots-Dolphins game, but Cardinals-Vikings might be more attractive. The Dolphins are 3-5 and could nearly be out of the playoff race by Dec. 6. The Vikings (7-1) have not appeared on NBC this season, and with games against Detroit, Seattle and Chicago in the ..."

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