Viking Nation

All Set

2008-07-23T17:40:00.003-05:00

Fans were starting to get a little worried with Vikes a couple of days ago not have one of their draft picks signed and training camp starting on Friday. All the picks have been signed to four year deals. Here is summary of the contracts of all the draft pick of 2008:

2nd Rd: Tyrell Johnson (S) contract with a bonus of around $1.5 million. His base salaries are $295,000 this year, $385,000 in 2009, $470,000 in 2010 and $555,000 in 2011. He also gets a one-time incentive bonus of $600,000 if is he on the field for 35 percent of the defensive snaps this season or 45 percent of the defensive snaps in 2009.
5th Rd: John David Booty (QB) received a signing bonus around $205,000. He likely received a larger signing bonus because he is a quarterback. He received the standard base salary starting at $295,000 escalating to $555,000 in the final season.
5th Rd: Letroy Guion (DT) base salary of $295,000 in 2008 and increases to about $555,000 in the final season.
6th Rd: John Sullivan (C) Sullivan received a signing bonus to Booty about $96,000 with a similar base salary structure.
6th Rd: Jaymar Johnson (WR) base salary of $295,000 in 2008 and increases to about $555,000 in the final season.

I cannot wait for Friday to come already. I for one is getting a little sick and tired with this bogus tampering change that the Packers filed against the Vikes. It was all orchestrated by Favre calling Darrell Bevell(suspected friend of Favre) with a team phone. The the hell is this about...I can smell conspiracy that id for sure.

What the hell??

2008-07-18T18:02:00.000-05:00

What the heck are these crazy Packers talking about? The Packers filed a tampering charge with the league, contending Favre, who has asked the Packers for his release, has been talking with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. The two became friends when Bevell was an assistant coach with the Packers. This being said I believe that these allegations are all crazy talk coming from an organization that in disarray with the whole Favre situation.

Like all of a sudden Childress would basically replace his QB just like that.All the hard work,time and patience with T-Jack out of the window. Everyone in the organization have been praising on the way that T-Jack has been playing in the minicamps thus far this year compared to last year. Childress called the situation a "soap opera," and said earlier this week that it's been interesting to watch, but he remained committed to going forward with Tarvaris Jackson as the Vikings' starting quarterback.

Farve to Come Back Kinda

2008-07-11T21:24:00.004-05:00

It was reported tonight, Brett Farve had asked to be released from the Packers, so that he will be able to play for another team. This news coming after his"itch" about coming back and playing in the NFL again. He would rather be release so he can choose what team and not the Packers organization.He does not want to be placing for a team that is "rebuilding" all he wants is playing for a winning team. So for all people in Wisconsin that have been kissed his a&& for the 16 years have been sucker punched in the gut from Farve when they all have heard this announcement.I highly that the Packer will take the request of just releasing Favre I can see a trade to the AFC before a release.
There have been rumors going around about him going to my beloved Vikes possibly, for what it is worth I HOPE THAT IT IS JUST A RUMOR. My hatred for Brett Favre is so deep I am not that sure what I would do if he play my team.I just don't think I would be able to take his cry baby antics all season long either. I am praying along with Daily Norseman, so this do not happen

Will Favre Make Up His Mind??

2008-07-06T21:39:00.003-05:00

Will Brett Farve finally decide if he wants to retire from the NFL once and for all? It is getting a little sickening with him interrupting my baseball season geez.Here is the scoop, he claims that it the media trying to stir up some news. This comes a couple of days after,Rodgers goes off on SI cover story about him replacing Farve. I for one thought that it was about frecken time to set these fans up here straight.
So Brett decide if you want out of no please, you have been dragging out this for a couple of years now.Just let Rodgers have his time already, you are yesterdays news except to those Packer fans.

Vikes Trim down to 80

2008-07-03T17:16:00.003-05:00

With training camp coming up fast around the corner, the Vikes had to release 3 players this past week to get the roster down to 80 for training camp. Who were the unlucky souls?Rookie defensive backs Marcus Griffin (Texas) and Travis Key (Michigan State). Both player were nothing more than average player is what they have shown the Vikes.

Kyle Wright was the final player to be sent packing his bags. Wright was worth a look, especially given his credentials coming out of high school. His college career was a little up and down at times.Wright did not display of what they Vikes were looking for in a backup quarterback. Someone will probably pick him up.

Robert Griffith Retires

2008-06-30T09:10:00.003-05:00

Robert Griffith on Thursday signed a one day contract to retire with the team that he start out with. He played with the Vikes from 1994-2001. Griffith was a solid and consistent DB we had back there. SOme of the name that we had along side of him make some people wonder. Griffith knew he was not going play the game he loves again. Life after football now,, Griffith and former NFL Linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila join Jim Laslavic as co-hosts on Laslavic's weekly show called "Football Night in San Diego"

What the Hell Dr.Z

2008-06-23T08:52:00.003-05:00

If Vike fans have to seen the Dr. Z Article yet. In the article, he has destined the Vikes the take it all this season. Just seeing that and now that would be sweet. I just do not believe that it going to happen considering that it is only June Dr. Z. Sure we have a great chance to run the tale this season. He is counting our eggs before they are hatched.Why in the hell would you even phantom a prediction so early. Maybe he needed to jinx the team that made the most progress this past offseason. But Zimmerman makes some very good points. He points out the Vikings proficiency in both running the football and stopping the run. The first of those two can be debated. . .the second one most certainly can not. He also goes on to praise the Jared Allen acquisition, and says that Allen isn't just a looping speed rusher that leaves big gaps on the inside, but rather a technician that "honors the down home of the game."We shall see if Dr. Z will feel the wrath of the people of Viking Nation for jinxing their beloved team WAY to damn early. If he is correct on his pick I will congratulate him on his prediction.

Training Camp Schedule

2008-06-20T06:12:00.004-05:00

The Vikes have released the training camp schedule in "Viking Village" aka MSU- Mankato. Here is the practice lineup below:

JULY

25: 9-11 a.m., 3-5 p.m.
26: 9-11 a.m., 7-9 p.m.
27: 3-5 p.m.
28: 9-11 a.m., 3-5 p.m.
29: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
30: 9-11 a.m., 2:45-3:45 p.m.
31: at River Falls, Wis., vs. Chiefs, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

AUGUST

1: 3-5 p.m.
2: 9-11 a.m., 7-9 p.m.
3: No practice.
4: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
5: 9-11 a.m., 2:45-3:45 p.m.
6: 9-11 a.m., 2:45- 3:45 p.m.
7: 11-noon.
8: vs. Seattle, 7 p.m., Metrodome.
9: No practice.
10: 3-5 p.m.
11: 9-11 a.m., 2:45-3:45 p.m.
12: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
13: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
14: 9-11 a.m., 2:30-3:15 p.m. (times subject to change)

Bentley To Replace Birk?

2008-06-16T08:59:00.004-05:00

LeCharles Bentley was asked to be released from the Browns this past week. is getting some attention from the media in being a viable replacement for Birk this season. The Vikes have plenty of depth at the center position. If the Vikes were to go with getting Bentley, maybe it would be much better to have him on the right side of the line. Bentley suffered a serious knee injury during camp ahead of the 2006 season, then contracted a near-fatal staph infection in the same knee. He would end up missing the entire 2007 season as well. He would be more valuable to the team as a guard for the Vikes. Why would to Vikes take a veteran leader out and put in damaged good to replace Birk. I know that Birk is a little pissed off about the contract talk. He is a hell of a player and works his ass off when he is playing.Birk had proven to protect a young QB, in which trusts him to the full extent. It makes more sense to leave Birk in there one more year, knowing you’ll get solid work, and then deal with the center situation after the season.

The Mini-Camp Wrap Up

2008-06-09T18:23:00.002-05:00

A few players stood out from this mini-camp, in my humble opinion.

* TE Visanthe Shiancoe was the absolute star of Friday's practice for the offense, with a diving catch and a one-handed catch. Shiancoe is leaner, and he is determined to show that he's not a free-agent bust.I hope that he can use the TE postion more than we did last season. TO keep defenses honest with our short passing game.

* WR Aundrae Allison has definitely made an impression, especially hauling in a few bombs from Tarvaris Jackson. Allison flashed his potential last year, especially on a 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He is an explosive athlete with good hands.

* DE Jared Allen surely humbled second-year offensive tackle Chase Johnson on a couple of snaps on Saturday. Allen also didn't fare too poorly against starter Bryant McKinnie, getting enough penetration on Friday to bat down a pass attempt from Tarvaris Jackson.

With these results coming from some of our potential playmakers this upcoming season. How can you not be excited to see what kind of road that is ahead of us with the coming season. I know that it is a little early.

Viking News

2008-05-31T18:41:00.003-05:00

Matty Birk's agent has confirmed that his client will infact be at next weekend’s full-squad minicamp. Birk who has missed all the Viking minicamps thus far. I think that more of the players will be actually partipating more than they have been as of lately.

Profootballtalk.com, citing an unidentified NFL source, is reporting that Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie met with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday. With the incident that happened over the offseason, depening on how the trial turns out from the fight that McKinnie was involved in in Miami. he faces possible discipline under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

Erasmus James 2.0

2008-05-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Here is twigstfor the Vikes and Erasmus James. It was ONLY 3 days ago that the Vikes waived James. But the paper work was not finalized in the NFL office. James was dealt to the Washington Redskins for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft. A two-paragraph news release issued by the Vikings said the team, “originally waived James on May 23, but rescinded the transaction today and finalized the trade with Washington.” At least we got something for James it is better than nothing. ESPN reports that in order for the Vikings to get the pick James has to make the Redskins roster.Washington made this offer because they felt that James was going to be picked up off waivers. So this inclied them to make an offer to Vikes for him.

Erasmus James waived

2008-05-23T17:58:00.003-05:00

The former 2005 first round draft pick, Erasmus James has been waived by the Vikes after failing his physical today. In his first three seasons, he has spent more time on IR than he did on the playing field. James had four sacks as a rookie, when he played in 15 games and started nine.He played in only eight games the past two years and had only one sack in that time. James, who is recovering from three operations on his left knee in a 13-month period, did very limited work during the Vikings’ opening four days (Monday-Thursday) of organized team activities this week. James was a partipant in this weeks OTA, but was VERY limited in these sessions. With this news, only second-round pick Marcus Johnson, an offensive tackle, is left from the Vikings’ 2005 draft class. Also gone are Troy "Sir Drops Alot" Williamson, safety Dustin Fox, defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and cornerback Adrian Ward.Man, Tice was a draft master when it came to the draft.

Vikes Start OTA

2008-05-21T17:58:00.003-05:00

On Monday, the Vikes started their OTAs(Organized Team Activites).

With center Matt Birk, running back Chester Taylor and offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie missed the first open day of this week's organized team activities.

Coach Brad Childress said Taylor had a family emergency.

Matt Birk is still holding out coming into the last year of his contract. I can see where his coming from being a perennial Pro Bowler. Chilly and Zygi wanting to see what to do at the end of the season.We shall see what the Vikes do come that time.

McKinnie was in Florida to attend a court hearing and could return as early as Wednesday.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield and defensive tackle Pat Williams were limited in practice while coming back from off-season surgeries and defensive end Erasmus James did some stretching and not much else.

Running back Adrian Peterson was held out of some drills, but he and Childress said it was nothing serious. We do not want to overwork AD too early now ladies and gentlemen.

Is T-jack the Guy??

2008-05-16T17:37:00.003-05:00

In a recent article by Star Tribune saying the Rich Gannon foresees T-Jack reaching his potential in this upcoming season. With the play that he displayed in the latter part of the season last year. We know what we have in the running game with two great backs in AD and Taylor. If Jackson can continue the way that he was playing last season and stay healthy all season. i cannot see them not going to the playoffs this season. One big things that he does have to work on is his consistently all season long.He needs to be more efficient and more consistent. And if he can do those two things -- with the running game they have, the offensive line, they've upgraded their receivers, they're going to be better defensively.
I believe this upcoming season he will show that he is the leader of this Viking team. If he does this this season we will win the NFC North.

Viking Training Camp Dates

2008-05-05T17:46:00.002-05:00

Now with the draft over and free agents signed that the Vikes wanted. What is next?? Training Camp at the campus of Minesota State, Mankato, MN. It will be the 43rd consecutive summer that the Vikings will call Mankato their training camp home.
July 23 – Players report
July 25 – Practices begin
August 8 – vs. Seattle Seahawks (preseason)
August 15 – Break camp at Mankato
August 16 - @ Baltimore Ravens (preseason)
August 18 – Practices resume at Winter Park
It is getting closer and closer to July 23 and see if our team is going to the post season this year.

Udeze on reserve-NFI list

2008-05-02T18:01:00.002-05:00

The Vikes place Kenechi Udeze on the Nonfootball illness list today. So that he can focus on his fight against leukemia, without financial worries.With this move, he will not be able to play in the 2008 Viking season. This also guarantees him his $807,500 salary for the year on his contract. Udeze signed a five-year contract as a first-round draft pick out of Southern California in 2004 and will be a free agent next March. Once the upcoming season is over, Childress said the Vikings will revisit Udeze's status.Udeze revealed the cancer was in remission right now, and that his older brother has matching bone marrow for a pending transplant. All of us in the Viking just hope that he can get through the battle with leukemia.

Did the Vikes Address??

2008-04-28T08:29:00.003-05:00

With the Vikes in need of 4 postions coming into the offseason. I looks like to me at least they have done a pretty good job in doing so.
Wide Reciever-signed Bernard Berrian, drafted Jaymar Johnson
Saftey-signed Madieu Williams, signed Michael Boulware, drafted Tyrell Johnson
Quarterback-signed Gus Frerotte, drafted John David Booty
Defenseive End-The Jared Allen trade.

With the recievers that the Vikes have now. I hope that the Vikes can run a more balanced offenive attack. So that teams are not putting 9 guys in the box to stop our running game.I just hope that in T-Jacks second year as the starting QB he can show us that he is our leader of the future. I glad that they drafted a pretty good QB in Booty. I was impressed in his place while he was at USC.
They have fulfilled my thoughts of saftey HOLES he had out their last season. I am not worried about those two areas that were a comsern coming into the offseason.I hope that we are singing a different tune on Week 17.
Offseason Grade: B+

Viking Draftees

2008-04-28T07:57:00.005-05:00

The Vikes have the smallest draft class in team history. With the Vikes have a great free agency this off season. They really did not have to rely on the draft to cover 5 different postions and hope that the player was still in the mix. Over all the VIkes have had a great offseason.
SECOND ROUND
Tyrell Johnson -Safety 6-0 207 Arkansas State
FIFTH ROUND
John David Booty- Quarterback 6-3 213 USC
Letroy Guion- Defensive tackle 6-4 303 Florida State
SIXTH ROUND
John Sullivan -Center 6-4 301 Notre Dame
Jaymar Johnson -Wide receiver 6-0 176 Jackson State

Undrafted Free Agents
Erin Henderson LB Maryland*
Jeremy Leman LB Illinois
Travis Key CB Michigan State
Brandon Sumrall CB S Ole Miss
Marcus Walker CB Oklahoma
Marcus Griffin S Texas
Husain Abdullah S Wash State
Martail Burnett DE Utah
Leger Douzable DT Cent Fla
Nate Jones WR Texas
Darius Reynaud WR West Vir
Tim Mattran C Stanford
Drew Radovich T USC
Kyle Wright QB Miami
Albert Young RB Iowa
Steven Hauschka K NC State
*Brother of current Viking EJ Henderson

Jared Allen is a Viking

2008-04-24T18:10:00.003-05:00

The Vikes owner has done what he set out to do. Bring the best players that he can afford to Minnesota. The Wilf family is committed in bring a championships to Minnesota. On Wednesday, the Vikes acquired Jared Allen from Kansas City. The Chiefs gets Minnesota's first-round pick, No. 17 overall, and both of the Vikings' third-round selections. The teams also swapped sixth-rounders in the deal announced Wednesday. Allen lead the league is sacks last season. Now he is the defensive most paid player. The deal is six-year deal that includes $31 million in guaranteed money and could be worth more than $74 million if he reaches certain incentives. "It's just starting to sink in. As a player it's cool because it shows appreciation for what you have done. But at the same time, personally, I look at it as a new challenge."Allen says

I hope that he works out and stays out of trouble with the league. He has some issues that come alsong with him. Three drunken driving arrests since 2002.I am happy to see this guy for the good 'ole Purple and Gold.

Jared Allen are You For Real

2008-04-18T18:01:00.002-05:00

With the Viking going into the draft in a great need of a DE. The Vikes have a visitor in town this weekend.Jared Allen is talking with the Vikes as I type this up right now. If they are talking this long. I may mean that they Vikes are going to be getting themselves a pretty good man at the corner of the line. With Uedeze out for one season at least with cancer, but it may be a career ending thing.Being able to get Allen in a Viking uniform sounds like it is going to be a tricky one. I looks like that the Chief was a mutiple draft pick deal considering that they are in a rebuilding stage after a 4-12 year in 2007.
Any team obtaining the 6-6, 270-pound Allen would have to pay a steep price to Kansas City and the fifth-year veteran. It placed the franchise tag on Allen, meaning he would make $8.8 million in 2008 (the average of the NFL’s five highest-paid defensive ends.)With Allen causing havoc in the backfield would be sweet. I do not think that front linemen for the offense will be able to stop Allen and the Williams Boys from destroying the play. With that kind of pass rush maybe out backfield will not be getting toasted like it has been the past couple of years.

Pretty Girl's Brett Favre Farewell Tribute Song!

2008-04-16T18:17:00.001-05:00

Up dar in the UP some people have just WAY too much time. Take a look at this tribute to Favre.

2008 schedule

2008-04-15T22:44:00.004-05:00

The schedule is finally out when the Vikes play their opponents. I think that the Vikes have a nice chance of making the post season this upcoming season.The first half of the season they have some tough ones. After that I think we have some very favorable games in the latter part of the season.The Vikes have some favorable weather in the late season games, so they should see snow one time in the last half of it.I hope that is for the good.

Monday, 8 September - Minnesota at Green Bay(Monday Night)
Sunday, 14 September - Indianapolis at Minnesota
Sunday, 21 September - Carolina at Minnesota
Sunday, 28 September - Minnesota at Tennessee
Monday, 6 October - Minnesota at New Orleans (Monday Night)
Sunday, 12 October - Detroit at Minnesota
Sunday, 19 October - Minnesota at Chicago
BYE WEEK
Sunday, 2 November - Houston at Minnesota
Sunday, 9 November - Green Bay at Minnesota
Sunday, 16 November - Minnesota at Tampa Bay
Sunday, 23 November - Minnesota at Jacksonville
Sunday, 30 November - Chicago at Minnesota (Sunday Night)
Sunday, 7 December - Minnesota at Detroit
Sunday, 14 December - Minnesota at Arizona
Sunday, 21 December - Atlanta at Minnesota
Sunday, 28 December - New York Giants at Minnesota

My Viking Draft

2008-04-13T16:39:00.004-05:00

With the Draft coming up quickly I will do the players I feel that Vike will have a chance of acquiring in a couple of weeks.

First Round (#17 Overall) Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Second Round (#47 Overall)Sam Baker, OT, USC
Third Round (#73 Overall) Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Third Round (#82 Overall)Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
Fourth Round (#117 Overall)Thomas DeCoud, FS, California
Fifth Round (#150 Overall)Frank Okam, DT, Texas

These are some the potential player(s) in the draft I feel the Vikes may have good chance in getting in a couple of weeks.

Eller arrested

2008-04-11T17:52:00.002-05:00

Former Purple People Eater Carl Eller was arrested after being pulled over for apparent DUI,and a variety of other charges. The 66 year old Eller went by the pigs going a mere 40 miles over the limit. He did not "notice them" to he just went home.When the police came out the two police could not stop him or a taser. They had to call in more unit to subdue Eller.Boy for a 60 year old he still has it.