Minnesota Vikings News

Vikings gambled on John Randle — and won
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February 9
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"You can thank Frank Gilliam and Jerry Reichow for the team's eighth player to be chosen to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, John Randle, who was elected last weekend. Excluding short-time Vikings who make it to Canton, the seven other players chosen in the team's 49-year history are Randall McDaniel, Gary Zimmerman, Carl Eller, Ron Yary, Paul Krause, Alan Page and Fran Tarkenton. It was Gilliam and Reichow, the pair who for years oversaw the Vikings' personnel and scouting departments, who deemed that Randle, despite his size (6 feet 1, 240 pounds in college), could make it in the NFL as a defensive lineman rather than linebacker. Other teams figured Randle, signed out of tiny Texas ..."
Loss of NFL revenue sharing would hit teams like Minnesota Vikings in the wallet
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February 8
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Vowing to cease subsidizing low-revenue teams such as the Vikings, NFL owners are taking their fight with the NFL Players Association to a Minnesota judge, intensifying labor tensions and the team's campaign for a new Twin Cities stadium. The league said last week it would appeal an arbitrator's ruling blocking owners from dissolving a revenue-sharing system that supplements the Vikings with $15 million to $20 million annually. The threat of losing that financial assistance is a key talking point in the team's lobbying the Minnesota Legislature to negotiate funding to replace the Metrodome. At issue is $220 million in subsidies the NFL's wealthiest teams are projected to pay 10 clubs that ..."
With or without Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings' future looks bright
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February 8
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Even as Brett Favre mulls retirement, the Vikings can take comfort knowing that essentially the same team will return next season. Favre's return would be a welcomed gift for the Vikings, who could use his stellar play at the most important position on the field. With or without Favre, though, the Vikings have every reason to believe they can contend for a run at the Super Bowl next season. "We had a heck of a season," receiver Percy Harvin said. "We've got a lot of young players. Whether (or not) Brett comes back, I know our quarterbacks have learned from him. We'll be back (with) a lot of our firepower, our young players and people we hope to be back next year." The Vikings could have ..."
Sharper pulls off a perfect landing in New Orleans
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February 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Darren Sharper is a Super Bowl champion. Finally. "We're the best in the world, baby! Can you believe it? The best in the world!" the Saints' safety yelled as he grabbed teammate Reggie Bush and shook him after Sunday's 31-17 win over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium. Sharper, 34, joined the Saints during the offseason when the Vikings didn't make what he considered a serious offer to bring him back for a fifth season in purple. He ended up becoming one of the missing pieces in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' aggressive unit. It was a perfect fit that resulted in the 13-year veteran helping beat the Vikings in the NFC title game to reach the Super Bowl for the ..."
Randle motors on right into Canton
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February 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"One of the greatest rags-to-riches stories in NFL history began in little Mumford, Texas, traveled through Minnesota and will now live forever in Canton, Ohio. Welcome to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, John Randle. They said you were too small to play Division I football. They said you weren't worth drafting in 1990. Boy, were they wrong. Saturday, a selection committee of 44 media members named the former Vikings defensive tackle as one of the 260 greatest men to be a part of the NFL's 90-year history. Joining Randle in the Class of 2010 are 49ers receiver Jerry Rice, Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, Saints linebacker Rickey Jackson, Redskins guard Russ Grimm, Lions cornerback and ..."
Former Viking John Randle elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
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February 7
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle John Randle has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was announced today. Randle joins San Francisco receiver Jerry Rice, Dallas running back Emmitt Smith and Washington guard Russ Grimm, Detroit cornerback Dick LeBeau and Denver running back Floyd Little."
Vikings need to hear from Brett Favre soon
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February 7
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"If Brett Favre has decided to retire as Vikings quarterback, it would seem an announcement could come this week, after the Super Bowl, because the NFL prefers not to have distractions that would interfere with its big game. If Favre is undecided and wants the Vikings to improve the $13 million deal for which he is signed for next season, that should be known by the end of the month. The consensus guess is that Favre, 40, will return. But Favre has proved it's virtually impossible to predict what he'll do next. If Favre has decided to retire, he no longer has any motive to drag out the drama as he did with the Green Bay Packers to get to the New York Jets, and with the Jets to get to the ..."
Former Vikings Carter, Randle are up for Hall election
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February 6
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Former Vikings Cris Carter and John Randle have a shot to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday when the selection committee meets in Miami. Carter, a receiver, had more than 1,000 catches and played 12 seasons with the Vikings. Randle, a defensive tackle, played 11 seasons with the Vikings and has 137 1/2 career sacks. Another of the 17 finalists is Roger Craig , a star running back with the 49ers who played two seasons with the Vikings. Five modern-era finalists will be elected. There are also two senior nominees -- Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little -- who will be considered separately. Considered shoo-ins are Emmitt Smith , the NFL's all-time rushing leader, and ..."
McKinnie downplays missing bowl
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February 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"A week after being dismissed from the NFC Pro Bowl team because of unexcused absences, Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie offered no apologies and made it known he felt too much was made of the situation. "I understand I missed it," McKinnie told reporters at the Super Bowl media center Thursday in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. "But they tried to make it seem like it was because [I was] at the [night] club and couldn't get up. No. I had called [agent Drew Rosenhaus] and told Drew I wanted to withdraw." McKinnie, a first-time Pro Bowl selection, skipped Pro Bowl practices last Friday and Saturday before the NFL kicked him off the team. He said he had taken a cortisone shot in his foot the week ..."
Fans tell Favre: Please come back
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February 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"While Vikings players and management might be giving Brett Favre time and space to make a decision on whether to come back next season, a group of fans is taking time and space to make it clear that Favre in purple is all they want. And they have the billboard to prove it. A Facebook group called "4 MILLION VIKINGS FANS WANT BRETT FAVRE BACK IN MINNESOTA FOR 2010" is responsible for an electronic billboard that went up earlier this week in Favre's offseason home of Hattiesburg, Miss. The message on the billboard is distinctly Minnesotan: "Hey #4, do Minnesota fans love you and want you back next year? You Brettcha!" The message is slated to appear through Tuesday, said Jay Tappe, the ..."
Harvin wins Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award
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February 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Vikings rookie Percy Harvin won another award Thursday when it was announced that he was the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. "Oh, man, it's a tremendous honor," Harvin said by phone as he drove down here from Jacksonville. "Just to be mentioned along with all the past winners like AP [Adrian Peterson] and Randy Moss and a lot of those guys in the past. It makes my season all the better knowing that all the hard work and effort I put in helped me win this award." Harvin was supposed to accept the award during a press conference at the Super Bowl media center today, but couldn't make it. He said there was a problem with his flight from Jacksonville, so he decided to drive. He's due to arrive ..."
NFL players preparing for 2011 lockout
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February 5
Boston Globe
 
"As collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the NFL Players Association and the NFL owners continue to drag, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said he expects the owners to lock out the players before the 2011 season. Chad Ochocinco, representing OCNN, asked the first question of a press conference this afternoon in which the NFLPA laid out their message. He asked Smith how worried he is about a lockout next season. "On a scale of 1 to 10," Smith said, "it's a 14." Smith said he and NFLPA president Kevin Mawae have informed players to save 25 percent of their paychecks in order to prepare for a lockout. Mawae said negotiations for a CBA have been "frustrating" and moved ..."
Pawlenty hints at stadium solution
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February 4
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty inched closer Wednesday to becoming a pivotal player in the Minnesota Vikings stadium debate, suggesting that state lottery money and other means could help publicly finance the controversial project. Pawlenty, whose office has taken a more active role in exploring funding options, said in a radio interview that the state could use proceeds from a new state lottery game to generate an estimated $12 million annually for a stadium. While Pawlenty said he was not specifically proposing such a funding plan, he said lottery funds could be part of a public subsidy package that would generate the $29 million to $42 million annually that team officials say would be needed for a ..."
And now the waiting game begins
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February 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Scott Favre wants to get his younger brother out on the golf course, but . . . "Right now he couldn't swing," Scott said. Brett Favre left Minnesota last week and returned to his home in Mississippi. Wounded physically and drained emotionally after a 31-28 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game, Favre said he needs time before deciding whether to return to Vikings. Scott said Brett needs to recover after falling just short of his third Super Bowl. "He was beat up physically and mentally," Scott said by phone from southern Mississippi. "He hurt both wrists, both ankles, one leg, head bruised. He was beat all to hell. That's part of it. "I'm not going to bring ..."
Barber's warning: Peterson becoming a liability
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February 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Tiki Barber knows Adrian Peterson's pain. The former New York Giant evolved from a fumble-prone running back early in his career by making adjustments to hold onto the football. Barber's change to a high-and-tight style serves as the model for players who want to correct carrying the ball loosely. After Peterson fumbled twice in the Vikings' loss in the NFC title game and played a role in a botched handoff, there's plenty of angst regarding his fumbling. "He's becoming a liability for his team," Barber told WFAN in New York on Monday, according to sportsradiointerviews.com. "It's all mechanics. It's the same thing I had to learn. You do something one way for so long, you get away with it ..."
Favre to make Super Bowl appearance
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February 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Minnesota Vikings fans watching the Super Bowl telecast on Sunday will get to see Brett Favre during the game after all. The 40-year-old quarterback, whose pursuit of another NFL championship appearance came up short this season, stars in a television ad for automaker Hyundai that plays off Favre's longevity and uncertainty about when to retire. The ad was shot late last year before the playoffs in the Vikings locker room and will run once, during the second quarter of the Super Bowl. It touts Hyundai's 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Favre, who holds the league record for consecutive games started, in the ad accepts the MVP award after the 2020 season."
Barber: Peterson becoming a liability
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February 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Tiki Barber knows all about being labeled a fumbler. The former New York Giants running back had issues holding onto the football during the course of his 10-year career and had 35 fumbles (17 lost) in a four-year span from 2000-2003. Tom Coughlin took over as the Giants coach in 2004 and one of the first things he did was go to work on Barber's fumbling.In fact, Barber was taught an entirely new way to hold the football. Over the last three seasons of his NFL career, Barber had a total of nine fumbles with four lost. That was a major improvement for a guy who had fumbled the ball nine times each season in 2000, 2002 and 2003. So Barber certainly knows what he's talking about when it comes ..."
Vikings coaches all appear set to return
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February 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Vikings coaching staff is likely to remain intact for the 2010 season. That became more of a certainty Monday when the Chicago Bears hired Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator. Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers had been a finalist for the job, by all accounts impressing everyone during his interview Thursday at Halas Hall. Rogers, 58, has been with the Vikings since 2006, Brad Childress' first year as coach. Rogers also had been linked to offensive coordinator openings at the collegiate level with Syracuse and Virginia, but both those jobs are filled. Syracuse coach Doug Marrone is going to double as the offensive coordinator; Virginia hired former Seattle Seahawks assistant ..."
Brett Favre: Fun while it lasted
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February 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Brett Favre's year with the Vikings was a blast for all parties, even despite its abrupt ending. But was it enjoyable enough for Favre to make an encore? The disappointment was still fresh on the plane ride home from New Orleans; Vikings players hadn't started to feel the gamut of emotions that would flood them later. Shock described the mood Sunday night in the nearly silent Airbus A330 headed north. The quiet was broken as Ryan Longwell approached Brett Favre. Longwell was Favre's teammate with the Packers before signing with the Vikings in 2006, and the kicker then played an instrumental role in getting Favre to join the Vikings last August. Now, in the aftermath of a heartbreaking ..."
NFL might take further action against Bryant McKinnie
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February 1
Palm Beach Post
 
"The NFL on Sunday was reportedly looking into the possibility of further discipline against Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who was dismissed from the Pro Bowl on Saturday for missed practices. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail that McKinnie's actions would "be reviewed for a possible fine in addition to his loss of Pro Bowl check." Aiello also said a suspension was not being contemplated, he did not rule it out as "we have not completed our review." McKinnie's absence forced David Diehl of the Giants and Jason Peters of the Eagles to play the entire game, and Diehl wasn't happy about it. "I can't speak for him, but I ..."
Pro Bowl is bittersweet for Vikings' selections
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February 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Sun Life Stadium was a hard place for the healing to begin for the four Vikings who played in Sunday's Pro Bowl game. "Yeah, it's tough being here," left guard Steve Hutchinson said. And that was the guy who got to play in his hometown. Friends and family who hadn't traveled to Hawaii for any of Hutchinson's first six Pro Bowls were able to watch him in person as the NFC lost to the AFC 41-34 in front of an announced crowd of 70,697, the second-largest in the history of the game and the most since 1959. Hutchinson and teammates Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen and Heath Farwell seemed to enjoy the game but couldn't help feeling bittersweet while looking around and imagining what could have ..."
Kris Jenkins: Brett Favre's 'superstar status' caused 'animosity' in New York
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January 31
USA Today
 
"Vikings QB Brett Favre pulled out of tonight's Pro Bowl after the vicious beating he took from the Saints in last weekend's NFC Championship Game. But even Favre's image took a bit of a shot in Friday night's NFL Total Access on NFL Network (watch the video) when former Jets teammate Kris Jenkins said Favre's presence caused a rift in the New York locker room in 2008, though it's possible the issues could have been more rooted in jealousy among Favre's teammates that season. When asked if the locker room chemistry was ok when Brett was a Jet, Jenkins replied, "No, no it was not." And though he didn't call out Favre or any of his teammates in particular, Jenkins cited some negative comments ..."
Childress is valued as coach, recruiter
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January 31
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"Brad Childress did more than a great job coaching the Vikings this year, and he definitely deserved the three-year contract extension he received in November to keep him with the team through the 2013 season. When the Vikings coach was able to convince quarterback Brett Favre to join the team, he no doubt created the best financial year the Wilfs have had since they bought the team. However, the Wilf family would have given up all the extra revenue for a victory over the Saints last Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. They are really broken up by the loss. Before Favre came aboard, the Vikings were way down in new and renewed season-ticket purchases. It appeared that, for the first time, ..."
McKinnie flagged for too much partying
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January 31
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The next time Bryant McKinnie uses Twitter to plead for your Pro Bowl vote, tell him to go tweet himself. The Vikings left tackle was dismissed from the NFC team Saturday, capping a week in which the first-time Pro Bowl selection embarrassed himself, the Vikings and the league by blowing off his Pro Bowl responsibilities by day and tweeting up his well-documented partying exploits by night. Scheduled to play right tackle in Sunday night's game, McKinnie leaves the NFC team with the Eagles' Jason Peters and the Giants' David Diehl as the only tackles. Needless to say, McKinnie's Pro Bowl teammates weren't happy that Big Mac openly partied while skipping three of the four practices, the team ..."
McKinnie dismissed from NFC team
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January 31
1111122222
 
"According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie was dismissed from the NFC's Pro Bowl squad due to unexcused absences Friday and Saturday. McKinnie missed practices those days and, according to the NFL, is subject to a potential fine, the AP reported."
McKinnie dismissed from the Pro Bowl
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January 31
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Vikings offensive tackle officially has partied his way out of the Pro Bowl. A league official just told me that McKinnie has been dismissed from the NFC team and will not play in Sunday's game."
New Orleans Saints' Garrett Hartley shrugs off acclaim after historic kick
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January 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"The New Orleans Saints' 5-foot-9, 196-pound kicker is diminutive by NFL standards. His baby face and big brown eyes make him look 23 going on 18. You'd walk past him on the street or stand next to him in the checkout line at the grocery store and never know he was the guy who just kicked the Saints into the Super Bowl. He wears his blonde hair in spikes and leans toward X Games fashion: T-shirts, hoodies, conductor hats and knit caps. His unassuming demeanor makes him fade into the background on a Saints roster loaded with stars such as Drew Brees, Darren Sharper, Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush. "I'm just the 5-foot-9 guy walking around with long hair that looks like a surfer dude, " ..."
NFL fines New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray for late hits on Brett Favre
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January 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"The NFL fined New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray a total of $20,000 for two incidents involving unnecessary roughness against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, according to an NFL.com report. In the first quarter of the NFC championship game on Sunday, McCray delivered a blow to Favre after the quarterback had made a handoff to receiver Percy Harvin. Officials penalized the Saints 15 yards for the unnecessary roughness infraction."
Fran Tarkenton: 'Stupid play' by Brett Favre caused Vikings to lose to Saints
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January 29
USA Today
 
"Fran Tarkenton won't lay off the criticism of Brett Favre. The Hall of Fame former Vikings QB who called Favre's return to the NFL "despicable" last year said he blames Favre for the team's loss to the Saints on Sunday in the NFC championship game. Said Tarkenton to 97.5 FM in Philadelphia: "They were the better team. Their offense turned the ball over five times, the Viking offense. But still if he didn't make that stupid play at the end of the game they would have won the game." It's the second straight week that Tarkenton (who said last summer he was rooting for Favre to "fail") has teed off on Favre. Last week, he said he would not back off his comments that Favre was out of line in ..."
Tarkenton: If not for Favre's 'stupid play,' Vikings would be in Super Bowl
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January 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Former Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton took the gloves off once again. After being fairly reserved in his comments about Brett Favre during the season, Tarkenton took some new shots at the current Vikings quarterback Tuesday during a radio interview with Philadelphia's 97.5 FM The Fanatic. Here are excerpts of what Tarkenton had to say about Favre's performance in the NFC title game at New Orleans and more, courtesy of Sportsradiointerviews.com: On the Saints vs. Vikings game and Favre throwing the interception near the end of regulation: "Well, before that I think the Vikings were clearly the best team. They held this New Orleans offense to under 300 yards. They made Drew Brees look ..."
Metrodome parties try to make up
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January 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"For the first time since their messy spat two months ago, the Minnesota Vikings and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission got back together Thursday to consider how they can make the Metrodome more profitable for the team in the two years it has left there as a tenant. Still, it wasn't exactly flowers and candy and all-is-forgotten. "Unless they repeal that resolution, there's no point in any further stadium development discussions with the commission," Vikings public affairs vice president Lester Bagley said. "That resolution" passed Nov. 19, when stadium commissioners approved a mix of financial incentives and threatened penalties trying to entice the team to extend its Metrodome ..."
Childress is valued as coach, recruiter
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January 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"Brad Childress did more than a great job coaching the Vikings this year, and he definitely deserved the three-year contract extension he received in November to keep him with the team through the 2013 season. When the Vikings coach was able to convince quarterback Brett Favre to join the team, he no doubt created the best financial year the Wilfs have had since they bought the team. However, the Wilf family would have given up all the extra revenue for a victory over the Saints last Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. They are really broken up by the loss. Before Favre came aboard, the Vikings were way down in new and renewed season-ticket purchases. It appeared that, for the first time, ..."
NFL: Refs missed call on low hit on Favre
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January 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating, admitted on the NFL Network's "Total Access" show this week that referee Pete Morelli's crew should have called a 15-yard penalty against the New Orleans Saints in the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game on Sunday when Vikings quarterback Brett Favre absorbed a low hit from defensive end Bobby McCray. Favre was hit low by McCray and high by nose tackle Remi Ayodele and injured his left ankle on the play. His pass was intercepted by linebacker Jonathan Vilma. New Orleans took over at its own 31 with the score 21-21 but did not score on the ensuing series. A penalty would have nullified the interception and given the Vikings the ..."
Improvement is next hurdle for proven rookies
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January 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"As Jasper Brinkley packed up his locker to head into the offseason, the Vikings middle linebacker was already thinking about getting back to work. "I might take a couple days off and then get back to the grind," he said. Thrust into the starting role after E.J. Henderson suffered a horrific leg injury, Brinkley got valuable on-the-job training as a rookie and likely will enter training camp as the starter again. Henderson is able to put weight on his left leg now, but his football future remains uncertain. While Henderson recovers, Brinkley said he will prepare as if he will be the starting middle linebacker next season. He might not be the only 2009 rookie who lands a starting gig on ..."
Vikings Adrian Peterson calls Pro Bowl an honor despite his pain
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January 29
Miami Herald
 columnist David J. Neal
"Free shoes heightened the post-Pro Bowl practice giddiness as the NFC team filed from buses to locker room to late morning activities. One player, arguably the best player who will play for either team Sunday, could manage only politeness and a tired smile as if he had just left four quarters packed with emotion and collisions. In a way, maybe he had. Adrian Peterson, though outside the NFC locker room in Fort Lauderdale in body, seemed mentally to still be in New Orleans. Last Sunday's overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game looked fresh on his face. ``I don't think I'll get over it,'' the Minnesota running back said. ``It's something that'll be in the back of my head while I'm working ..."
Vikings better off than a season ago
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"The Vikings committed five turnovers against the New Orleans Saints and blew a chance to go to the Super Bowl, but they could be the No. 1-ranked team in the NFL when the Las Vegas oddsmakers come out with the favorite to win next year's Super Bowl. The Vikings will be in much better shape than at the end of last season, when there wasn't any thought of Brett Favre being the team's quarterback and nobody knew how well rookies from the 2010 draft and other young players would develop. I am convinced Favre will come back for another year because the owners will make it so attractive financially that he won't be able to turn them down. Nobody on the Vikings is closer to Favre than kicker Ryan ..."
He would rather be on his way to Miami
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Scott Favre wants to get his younger brother out on the golf course, but ... "Right now he couldn't swing," Scott said. Brett Favre left Minnesota on Tuesday and returned to his home in Mississippi. Wounded physically and drained emotionally after a 31-28 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, Favre said he needs time before deciding whether to return to the Vikings. Scott said Brett needs to recover after falling just short of his third Super Bowl. "He was beat up physically and mentally," Scott said by phone from southern Mississippi. "He was emotionally drained. Physically, he hurt both wrists, both ankles, one leg, head bruised. He was beat all to hell. That's part of it. "I'll go up ..."
Brett Favre not needed
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January 28
Boston Herald
 columnist Steve Buckley
"What you are about to read is not - repeat: not - a Brett Favre rip job. The man has already had his public beating, both in print and on the airwaves. And if you own a computer, surely you've heard Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen's fire-and-brimstone condemnation of Favre's interception against the New Orleans Saints in last Sunday's NFC Championship Game. (I'm trying to imagine the late, great Ken Coleman going off like that after the ball went between Bill Buckner's legs.) So, sorry, no gasoline here for the Brett Favre fire. (However, one more observation about Paul Allen's awesome call: Imagine how folks in Motown feel about Allen screaming, "This is not Detroit, ..."
NFL admits it missed low hit on Favre
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"When Brett Favre threw his first interception in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints, he ended up on the ground in pain after a high-low hit by defensive linemen Bobby McCray and Remi Ayodele. McCray hit Favre in the knees, causing a left ankle injury. Favre had to be helped off the field and had his ankle wrapped on the sideline. Many people wondered why a penalty wasn't called on McCray? Hitting quarterbacks in the knees became a point of emphasis this season and that one looked pretty obvious. The league now admits that the officials missed the call."
Vikings' Rogers to interview with Bears on Thursday
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers is scheduled to interview for the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator's job on Thursday, according to an NFL source. In a story first reported by the Chicago Tribune, the Bears asked for permission to speak to Rogers earlier this week. Rogers, who just completed his 35th season as a coach, has been with the Vikings since Brad Childress arrived in 2006. This is his first job as an NFL assistant but he has extensive experience at the collegiate level."
Let the speculation begin: McNabb a possibility in Minnesota?
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"First off, let me make it clear that there is a reason covering the Vikings is so much fun. That's because there is an endless supply of speculation to keep a beat writer busy 12 months a year. Want evidence? Well, here it is. Three days after the Vikings' heart-breaking loss to New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game, there already is conjecture about what the franchise might do at quarterback. Yes, Brett Favre is signed for 2010 and all indications are the Vikings want him back, but what fun is actually waiting on a decision from him? Instead, the name being thrown out there as a possibility to replace Favre is longtime Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. The reality is that just when ..."
Winfield will see a foot specialist
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January 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield is scheduled to see a foot specialist in North Carolina within the next two weeks. Winfield missed six games after breaking his right foot in October and struggled in two games shortly after returning in December as he attempted to play all the snaps at his regular left corner spot. The Vikings moved him into the slot in nickel situations in the final regular-season game against the Giants in order to decrease his workload and help give him more time to heal. Winfield was believed to have reinjured his foot in overtime of the Vikings' loss to New Orleans on Sunday, but coach Brad Childress denied that was the case at his season-ending news conference on ..."
Vikes to pursue McNabb if Favre walks
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January 27
ESPN.com
 
"I think this is a no-brainer for Brad Childress if Brett Favre retires. And by trading for McNabb, you'd basically be blocking Favre from changing his mind and trying to return to Minneapolis. John Clayton said on ESPNEWS on Tuesday that the Vikings will make a play for McNabb if Favre walks away. He thinks that the Vikes might be willing to trade the No. 62 overall pick for McNabb. Something tells me, though, the Eagles will be asking for a first-rounder. By the way, McNabb's old quarterbacks coach at Syracuse is now in the same position with the Vikings."
Handicapping the McNabb sweepstakes
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January 27
ESPN.com
 
"Eagles fans have been pondering life without Donovan McNabb for years, but now there's a pretty good chance he ends up with another team. McNabb's heading into the final year of his contract, and at age 33, the Eagles could still expect to land a first-day draft pick for their starting quarterback. Let's take a quick look at the leading candidates for McNabb's services: 1. Minnesota Vikings: I think this is a no-brainer for Brad Childress if Brett Favre retires. And by trading for McNabb, you'd basically be blocking Favre from changing his mind and trying to return to Minneapolis. John Clayton said on ESPNEWS on Tuesday that the Vikings will make a play for McNabb if Favre walks away. He ..."
No buzz to Vikings without Favre
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January 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Tom Powers
"Twelve men in the huddle. Twelve men in the huddle. Twelve men in the huddle ... That's all people are talking about. They still are shocked at the high school type of error that doomed the Vikings' Super Bowl chances. What's next, a couple of guys getting penalized for having their jockstraps on backward? But here is the Vikings' real problem going forward. Here's what people will be talking about at the start of next season: Twelve men in the huddle. Twelve men in the huddle. Twelve men in the huddle ... There's nothing on tap to shove that to the back burner. There's no other story line that will shift the focus elsewhere. What do you do after Brett Favre comes and goes? What happens ..."
Brad Childress takes blame for 12th-man gaffe
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January 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Brad Childress took full blame for the Vikings' already infamous 12th-man gaffe in Sunday's NFC title game loss at New Orleans. "That's my mistake, not that I've accepted it myself," the coach said Tuesday. "I'm harder on myself than any of you guys are. It hurts a great deal, and it hurts everyone a great deal. I'm disappointed it happened, but it happened." Though one can realistically point to a number of reasons the Vikings lost — such as any of their five turnovers, including four in Saints territory, two in the red zone — that penalty in the closing seconds of regulation has drawn the most negative energy from Vikings fans. The five-yard penalty for too many men on the field gave the ..."
Griffin faces long road back from knee surgery
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January 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin has torn a knee ligament and might not be ready for training camp, coach Brad Childress said Tuesday. "He's going to have surgery within a week or so," Childress said. Griffin hurt his left knee during overtime of the Vikings' 31-28 loss to New Orleans in the NFC title game. Training camp typically starts the last weekend in July. "Those are typically six- to nine-month deals," the coach said. "Everybody heals a little different, so he'll be right on the edge, I'm sure." Peterson's problem: Adrian Peterson's seven regular-season fumbles brought his three-year NFL total to 20, so the Vikings knew the tailback hadn't licked his problem. But three fumbles in ..."
Rice, Williams pull out of Pro Bowl
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January 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice has pulled out of the Pro Bowl, according to ESPN. Rice was extremely banged up after Sunday's loss to the Saints in the NFC Championship game. He will be replaced by Atlanta's Roddy White. Rice is the fourth Vikings player to withdraw from the Pro Bowl, joining Brett Favre, Antoine Winfield and Percy Harvin. There could be more too. Left guard Steve Hutchinson battled several injuries this season and defensive tackle Kevin Williams was listed as questionable last week because of a knee injury."
Griffin might miss beginning of season
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January 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Vikings could open the 2010 regular season without starting right cornerback Cedric Griffin. Griffin, a second-round pick in 2006, suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament in the Vikings' 31-28 overtime loss to the Saints on Sunday. Coach Brad Childress said Griffin likely would undergo surgery within the next week. "[He] has to get some strength back and some range of motion back before they'll go ahead and do that surgery," Childress said. "Those are typically six-to-nine month deals. Everybody heals a little bit differently." If Griffin is sidelined six months, that would mean he could return in August. A nine-month timetable would put Griffin out until November. Griffin was ..."
Peterson's fumbling will be examined in offseason
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January 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Adrian Peterson has rushed for more yards than any NFL running back the past three seasons. He has also fumbled more times, and that has become a major problem for the Vikings running back. Peterson fumbled twice and also took responsibility for a botched handoff in Sunday's 31-28 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game. Afterward, Peterson acknowledged that he needs to make changes this offseason to solve the problem. "I know that he is sick about those fumbles," coach Brad Childress said Tuesday. "They reared their ugly head. I don't have my head in the sand saying there's not an issue. He needs to hold on to it, but I'm sure he and [running backs coach Eric ..."