Minnesota Vikings
Phil Loadholt Entices on WWE Raw
This past Monday evening, February 20th, World Wrestling Entertainment presented Monday Night Raw from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was an awesome night of body slams, ring girls, plot twists, and steroids, and who else would be in the center of the action than our very own Phil Loadholt?
Now, Phil Loadholt is technically a professional football player, not a professional wrestler. We say football player because, technically again, that’s what he gets paid to do; play the game of football. Now, whether he does that any more effectively than he did Monday night on WWE Raw, that’s probably up for debate. You see, Monday was the first time – to my knowledge – that the Vikings right tackle had stepped into the wrestling ring with a leotard on to wrastle with some of the world’s best. I also fully admit that I haven’t watched or gave a **** about wrestling since the Ultimate Warrior died, so I cannot confirm nor denying the factuality behind all of …
Vikings official: Stadium negotiations ongoing
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Vikings vice president Lester Bagley says negotiations for a new stadium are ongoing.
Team owner Zygi Wilf met Tuesday with Gov. Mark Dayton and chief authors of the stadium bill.
Bagley says there are “complicated negotiations” going on between the Vikings, the state and the city of Minneapolis.
He compared the talks to a prenuptial agreement. He said, “We have to live with each other for the next 30 years.”
He says the negotiations are focused on putting a new stadium on the current Metrodome site.
Adrian Peterson plans on playing week one
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson told the Dan Patrick show on Tuesday that he plans on being ready for week one of the 2012 regular season.
“Right now my goal is to be back for the first regular-season game,” Peterson said.
Peterson also reiterated that he plans on running and testing his knee out on February 28th.
If Peterson is able to play week one of next season, he has to be considered super-human after tearing his ACL and MCL late in the 2011 season.
Thanks to ProFootballTalk.com for the quote.
Peterson wanted to be like Mike
Coming back from ACL and MCL surgery on his left knee, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson seems pretty certain he’ll return to being one of the best players in the NFL.
His desired jersey number switch this offseason proves just how much of a splash he expects to make.
Peterson wanted to switch from his familiar No. 28 to No. 23 before finding out it would cost him 1 million to make the change. Speaking on the “Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday, he shared why he wanted No. 23, a number he once wore while playing basketball growing up in high school and middle school.
“When you think about 23, you definitely think about the great Michael Jordan,” Peterson said of the former NBA star. “So to me, it was like, ‘Hey, be like the Michael Jordan of football.’ ”
Peterson decided against the switch after hearing how much it would cost him. Due to the league merchandising rules, players must buy back all unsold gear if they want to switch numbers.
“Yeah, so 23, that’s a number I was considering,” Peterson said. “You know, it’s a cool number, but 28 sounds a lot better for a million dollars.”
Peterson will have to continue making his own mark in his familiar No. 28 when he returns from tearing the two knee ligaments in a late-season game at Washington. The four-time Pro Bowl selection said he believes he is ahead of a projected eight- to nine-month recovery schedule and that he still has his sights set on being ready for the first regular-season game next season.
Peterson had surgery on Dec. 30 by noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews. He’s spent time in Minnesota and is currently following his rehabilitation plan at home in Houston. Peterson, second all-time in Vikings history in rushing yards, will begin running next week.
“I’m planning on just start running and testing it out on the 28th,” Peterson told Patrick. “So, I’ll be able to see. I’m not going to be out there running sprints, but to test it out and see how I feel to try and run on it. It will feel good to be able to do that for the first time.”
Peterson said he felt three pops when he was hit in the side of the knee by Redskins safety DeJon Gomes. Peterson said he knew right away he suffered the ACL tear and had to wait to see what else went wrong. An MRI revealed the two tears and some meniscus damage as well.
He had surgery less than a week later and told Patrick he has been progressing well.
“So, I think right now I’m ahead of schedule, just being patient and not trying to overdo myself and hopefully I’ll be able to meet that mark, “Peterson said of returning for the first game of 2012. “But ultimately I’ve got to make sure I’m 100 percent before I get back out there. But it’s going good so far.”
Peterson was also asked by Patrick which direction Minnesota should go with the No. 3 pick in April’s NFL draft.
“To be honest with you, we’re hurting in so many different areas, offensively and defensively, I don’t really feel like we can go wrong,” Peterson said.
When pressed by Patrick, who said he has Southern Cal left tackle Matt Kalil penciled in for the Vikings, Peterson at least offered a little insight.
“When you first that question came out your mouth, that’s the name that popped up in my mind,” Peterson said of Kalil. “That would definitely be good. But we’ll see. I’m sure the organization is going to make the best decision for us.”
Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman said last week that the team would look at all options, including taking one of a few “blue-chippers,” trading the pick or, curiously, taking a quarterback if one was “too good to pass up.”
The Vikings selected Christian Ponder with the 12th overall pick last year, and Peterson supports the young QB.
“Are we set at quarterback? I feel like we are,” Peterson told Patrick. “I feel like Christian Ponder got a year under his belt. He did a great job, and there’s always room for improvement in the NFL. I thought he got his feet wet, and I look for him to come in with the competition, and it’s his job to lose and to just show he’s taking steps forward. We’ll see how things go.”
Follow Brian Hall on Twitter.
Peterson wanted to be like Mike
Coming back from ACL and MCL surgery on his left knee, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson seems pretty certain he’ll return to being one of the best players in the NFL.
His desired jersey number switch this offseason proves just how much of a splash he expects to make.
Peterson wanted to switch from his familiar No. 28 to No. 23 before finding out it would cost him 1 million to make the change. Speaking on the “Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday, he shared why he wanted No. 23, a number he once wore while playing basketball growing up in high school and middle school.
“When you think about 23, you definitely think about the great Michael Jordan,” Peterson said of the former NBA star. “So to me, it was like, ‘Hey, be like the Michael Jordan of football.’ ”
Peterson decided against the switch after hearing how much it would cost him. Due to the league merchandising rules, players must buy back all unsold gear if they want to switch numbers.
“Yeah, so 23, that’s a number I was considering,” Peterson said. “You know, it’s a cool number, but 28 sounds a lot better for a million dollars.”
Peterson will have to continue making his own mark in his familiar No. 28 when he returns from tearing the two knee ligaments in a late-season game at Washington. The four-time Pro Bowl selection said he believes he is ahead of a projected eight- to nine-month recovery schedule and that he still has his sights set on being ready for the first regular-season game next season.
Peterson had surgery on Dec. 30 by noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews. He’s spent time in Minnesota and is currently following his rehabilitation plan at home in Houston. Peterson, second all-time in Vikings history in rushing yards, will begin running next week.
“I’m planning on just start running and testing it out on the 28th,” Peterson told Patrick. “So, I’ll be able to see. I’m not going to be out there running sprints, but to test it out and see how I feel to try and run on it. It will feel good to be able to do that for the first time.”
Peterson said he felt three pops when he was hit in the side of the knee by Redskins safety DeJon Gomes. Peterson said he knew right away he suffered the ACL tear and had to wait to see what else went wrong. An MRI revealed the two tears and some meniscus damage as well.
He had surgery less than a week later and told Patrick he has been progressing well.
“So, I think right now I’m ahead of schedule, just being patient and not trying to overdo myself and hopefully I’ll be able to meet that mark, “Peterson said of returning for the first game of 2012. “But ultimately I’ve got to make sure I’m 100 percent before I get back out there. But it’s going good so far.”
Peterson was also asked by Patrick which direction Minnesota should go with the No. 3 pick in April’s NFL draft.
“To be honest with you, we’re hurting in so many different areas, offensively and defensively, I don’t really feel like we can go wrong,” Peterson said.
When pressed by Patrick, who said he has Southern Cal left tackle Matt Kalil penciled in for the Vikings, Peterson at least offered a little insight.
“When you first that question came out your mouth, that’s the name that popped up in my mind,” Peterson said of Kalil. “That would definitely be good. But we’ll see. I’m sure the organization is going to make the best decision for us.”
Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman said last week that the team would look at all options, including taking one of a few “blue-chippers,” trading the pick or, curiously, taking a quarterback if one was “too good to pass up.”
The Vikings selected Christian Ponder with the 12th overall pick last year, and Peterson supports the young QB.
“Are we set at quarterback? I feel like we are,” Peterson told Patrick. “I feel like Christian Ponder got a year under his belt. He did a great job, and there’s always room for improvement in the NFL. I thought he got his feet wet, and I look for him to come in with the competition, and it’s his job to lose and to just show he’s taking steps forward. We’ll see how things go.”
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Vikings, University of Minnesota reach tentative deal on use of TCF Stadium
The Minnesota Vikings have reached a tentative deal with the University of Minnesota that would allow the Vikings to use TCF Stadium while their potential new stadium is being built.Vikings spokesman Lester Bagley announced that the agreement in principle would add 3,000 temporary end zone seats to the stadium that already has a 50,000 capacity.Bagley didn’t comment on the financial terms of the agreement, but the Star Tribune reported the Vikings paid $1.7 million to play at TCF Stadium after the roof at the Metrodome collapsed in December 2010.The Vikings reached a preliminary agreement with
Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota to build a new stadium last week.
Vikings reach deal to play at TCF Bank Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings say the organization has reached a tentative deal with the University of Minnesota on how much the team will pay to use TCF Stadium while a new Vikings stadium is being built.
Vikings spokesman Lester Bagley declined to name a dollar amount, but said the “agreement in principle” would add about 3,000 temporary end zone seats to the 50,000-seat stadium. Bagley says other details need to be resolved before both parties sign off on the deal.
The Star Tribune says the Vikings paid 1.7 million to play a game at TCF Stadium after the Metrodome roof collapsed in December 2010.
Vikings look to undertake roster overhaul
Veteran guard Steve Hutchinson seems to know that his time in Minnesota may be up. That will likely be the case for a number of Vikings veterans. Tom Pelissero of espn1500.com points to guard Anthony Herrera ($3,583,335) and cornerback Cedric Griffin ($4.65 million) as two other veteran players likely to get the boot this offseason. If Hutchinson is also…
Vikings, UMinn reach tentative deal on TCF stadium
(Eds: APNewsNow.) The Minnesota Vikings say the organization has reached a tentative deal with the University of Minnesota on how much the team will pay to use TCF Stadium while a new Vikings stadium is being built.
Vikings spokesman Lester Bagley declined to name a dollar amount, but said the ”agreement in principle” would add about 3,000 temporary end zone seats to the 50,000-seat stadium. Bagley says other details need to be resolved before both parties sign off on the deal.
The Star Tribune (http://bit.ly/xnotMv ) says the Vikings paid $1.7 million to play a game at TCF Stadium after the Metrodome roof collapsed in December 2010.
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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com
Minnesota Vikings Free Agent Target: Cornerback Brandon Carr
The Minnesota Vikings finished 26th in the NFL against the pass in 2011 (251.2 yards per game), and they also intercepted a tied for league-low eight passes. The need for playmakers in the secondary should be one of the primary needs for the team as the pre-draft process and free agency gets going now.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed cornerback Stanford Routt to a three-year, $19.6 million deal on Monday ($4 million dollar signing bonus), creating the possibility they will use their franchise tag on wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and let cornerback Brandon Carr, who is scheduled to become a free agent, test the open market. He would offer an immediate upgrade for any interested team, and the Vikings should be among those in line for his services should he be available.
Carr is firmly in his prime, as he will turn 26 in May, and has played all 16 games in each of his four NFL seasons. He has good size for a corner (6’0″, 207 lbs.) and intercepted a career-high four passes in 2…
Vikings might release Steve Hutchinson
According to the Associated Press, guard Steve Hutchinson is well aware that the Vikings are headed towards a youth movement that might end his time in Minnesota.
“I know what the cap situation is and all that, but it’s out of my control,” said the 35 year-old Hutchinson.
Hutchinson indicated that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings ask him to redo his contract or even release him before the new league year begins on March 13th.
“Any player has to worry about that in the NFL,” said Hutchinson.
Vikings weighing all options with No. 3 pick
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. Long before the Vikings finishedlast season with a 3-13 record and assured themselves of the third-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, theories about what Minnesota needed most were already being offered. Fans and the media alike offered opinions on what positions were needed most fora team that had slipped from the 2009 NFC Championship game to the third-worst record in the league last season. New Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has heard those assumptions.
There have been calls for a dominating left tackle, which could solidify the position for years. There’s also hope for a top-flight wide receiver to help out last year’s first-rounder, quarterback Christian Ponder. Surely the secondary could use an upgrade after allowing a historic season to opposing quarterbacks.
“We’ve got a couple of areas where we think we have big needs,” Spielman said last week. “More than one.”
Of course, Spielman wasn’t ready to tip his hand either, joking, “The ones that you guys write about.”
Spielman and his staff have been deep in evaluation since the season ended and Spielman was promoted to the vacant general manager position from his post as vice president of player personnel. It’s been nearly two months since the season ended, and there is still much time before the draft begins on April 26. Spielman and staff are headed to Indianapolis this week for the combine and while Spielman knows his team’s areas of needs, he made it clear he is keeping all options open when it comes to the No. 3 pick.
He said his staff will do its due diligence on the quarterbacks and didn’t rule out a quarterback if one was “too good to pass up”, despite drafting Ponder No.12 overall last year. Spielman knows trade offers will come in too, though he said he won’t hear the “nitty-gritty deals” until right before the draft.
One aspect is nearly certain movement is likely around the Vikings’ pick. The economics of new collective bargaining agreement means teams might be willing to risk jumping ahead because the financial concerns aren’t as great.
“I think when you’re up there in that top five, there are some pretty talented people,” Spielman said. “We’ll have to make that determination that if we do stay at three, is that player too good to pass up or would we be able to get a player that could still come in and be a very good football player for us, but also accumulate more draft picks as well. I think with the new CBA and the rookie pool, it makes it a lot easier to make trades when you’re in the top three because before, no one wanted to come up there because of the financial commitment.”
Much of the early speculation for trades has centered on the St. Louis Rams’ pick at No. 2 and Baylor’s Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III. The Indianapolis Colts are expected to make Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck the top-overall pick, leaving any quarterback needy teams to approach St. Louis. Teams still use the popular draft value chart, which assigns points to each pick and is used league-wide to evaluate potential trades.
“You don’t want to sell a Ferrari for 10, but you don’t want to pay 2 million either,” Spielman said. “So, it’s a tool. It’s a bridge between teams too, as you sit there and negotiate on the phone, because most teams use that value chart. So, no one’s trying to fleece each other.”
If he’s approached, most likely for the rights to Griffin, Spielman has to weigh his options.
“If somebody’s going to give you potentially a two and maybe a number one next year those are the things you’ve got to weigh in, as well as how far you have to move back in the draft,” Spielman said. “To potentially move back and maybe have two number ones next year would be something that would be intriguing.”
Spielman said he sees a few “blue-chip” talents and the possibility of getting one of them might be too good to pass up. With the expectations that a team could go to St. Louis for a chance to select Griffin III, the Vikings have most often been linked to Southern Cal left tackle Matt Kalil.
“Kalil is a wonderfully gifted left tackle,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock. “He’s got great feet, long arms, and he fits the bill for the athleticism look in an all-pro left tackle. What he doesn’t have yet is the core strength that you’re going to look for that will happen two or three years from now. And every once in a while he gets bull rushed. Every once in a while at the point of attack, he’s going to struggle.
“But he does what the NFL demands from their left tackles, which is he ultimately will be an exceptional pass protector.”
While Griffin III, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, Louisiana State cornerback Morris Claiborne or a trade could all be possibilities for Minnesota, franchise left tackles don’t come around often. The Vikings have selected just one offensive lineman left tackle Bryant McKinnie in the first round of the past 16 drafts. Free agency begins on March 13, but Spielman knows the league’s top left tackles typically come from the front of the draft and aren’t available in free agency.
“If they’re that good, they are usually not out there,” Spielman said. “You weigh the decisions if (the quarterback) has more playmakers around him does that make the LT better because the ball is coming out quicker and he is not getting hit as much, or do you have a chance to put a cornerstone left tackle, which is very important because he has to block the premiere pass rushers every week, is that better for your club. So there is some different philosophies there and again, hopefully I have a pretty good idea on how we are going to do that.”
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Vikings face a tough decision with Hutchinson
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings are going younger this offseason in their attempt to catch up with the rest of their division. Some of their most experienced starters have contracts and ages that make them candidates for a pay cut — or for simply being cut altogether.
One of them is five-time first-team All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson, who is scheduled to make 6.95 million in 2012, the final installment of a seven-year deal worth as much as 49 million. He is well aware of the way his salary sticks out.
“I know what the cap situation is and all that, but it’s out of my control,” said Hutchinson, who recently turned 35.
He said he wouldn’t be surprised if the team asks him to redo his deal to stay this season. He also acknowledged he has considered the possibility of being let go before the new league year begins and free agency opens next month.
“Any player has to worry about that in the NFL,” Hutchinson said in a phone interview Monday with The Associated Press.
Last year, the Vikings jettisoned left tackle Bryant McKinnie and wide receiver Bernard Berrian well ahead of the expiration of their contracts. Right guard Anthony Herrera, due to draw 2.65 million this season, is another candidate for the same fate, though cornerback Cedric Griffin, with three more years on his current deal at more than 14 million combined, is the most glaring contender after a down season and a public expression of frustration with being benched.
Hutchinson, the mainstay of the offensive line who started 131 consecutive games including the playoffs until a broken right thumb sidelined him at the end of 2010, has the most complicated and highest-profile case. His last of seven Pro Bowl selections came two years ago, and his durability and dominant blocking isn’t what it was. But the Vikings would surely miss him if he goes.
They averaged 144.9 yards rushing per game last season, fourth-most in the NFL, despite a new left tackle and instability at right guard. There are enough positions in need of an upgrade that they can’t address them all in one year. Plus, Hutchinson’s experienced presence has certainly helped the others playing around him, particularly center John Sullivan, who parlayed a breakout season into a new contract.
General manager Rick Spielman said last week “sometimes you just have to make some tough business decisions” regarding players on the roster with high salaries, but said he hadn’t yet contacted the agents of anyone the Vikings will renegotiate with or release early.
When asked to assess his performance in 2011, Hutchinson said he played “great.” After shoulder surgery in 2010 to repair an injury he played through in 2009, Hutchinson wasn’t as strong that year as he wanted to be because of all the time spent on rehabilitation rather than training. With extra time to rest last summer during the lockout, he came back much healthier.
“It was the best shape I’ve been in in a number of years,” Hutchinson said.
He missed the last two games with a concussion, just the third of his 11 pro seasons he didn’t play in all 16 games. His helmet came off during a play against the New Orleans Saints, and he got kicked in the back of the head hard enough that his teeth cut his lip.
“I took quite the blow to the head. I was fortunate to not have any concussions before that. I passed the baseline test and remembered everything, but it was more of a balance issue I was dealing with, an equilibrium-type thing,” Hutchinson said.
His 2011 season ended early, but that wasn’t necessarily a negative. The Vikings finished 3-13, an embarrassing mark on everyone’s resume.
“It was a rough year,” Hutchinson said. “What could’ve gone wrong went wrong. I’ve been fortunate enough that it was the first time in my career I had a season like that. It’s not fun. I hope to never have that happen again. Hopefully it was a one-year deal.”
Vikings face difficult decision on Hutchinson
The Minnesota Vikings are going younger this offseason in their attempt to catch up with the rest of the NFC North.
Some of their most experienced starters have contracts and ages that make them candidates for a pay cut – or for simply being cut from the roster themselves.
One of them is a five-time first-team All-Pro. Left guard Steve Hutchinson is scheduled to make $6.95 million in 2012, the last year of his contract. Hutchinson tells The Associated Press he realizes the salary cap situation but says it’s beyond his control.
The 35-year-old says he has considered the possibility of being let go before free agency begins next month.
Yo Adrian! Do not expect to see the real Adrian Peterson in 2012
While the New York Giants are still relishing their Super Bowl victory, the Minnesota Vikings still must be reeling from a disastrous season. Not only was the Donovan McNabb experiment a huge failure but the Vikings also lost their star running back, Adrian Peterson, to a knee injury in Week 16. Not only did Vikings fans have to suffer through a horrific season but they also lost their franchise back to a career-threatening injury in the process.
Will we ever see Adrian Peterson be as dominant?
Peterson is about as big of a physical marvel as you can find in the NFL and he has already aggressively begun rehab work on his knee, but the Vikings should look at NFL history before relying too heavily on AP in 2012. Whether it is Ronnie Brown, Edgerrin James, or Terrell Davis, running backs that suffer an ACL injury are nowhere near as effective in their first year back on the field.
Peterson has been the only running back who has been a lock to be picked in the top 5 in your fantasy…
