Archive for April, 2011

Something big happened today in the ongoing NFL labor battle, but no one seems to know exactly what. Here’s what we do know: On Monday, Judge Nelson issued an 89-page ruling that, besides contributing immensely to deforestation, enjoined the lockout. The immediate reaction to this ruling was a giant yawn, mostly from legal experts who predicted it all along, and further predicted that the move would be followed by a stay, an appeal and possibly a bunch of clowns springing from a tiny car and doing a dance. But a funny thing happened on the way to Judge Nelson’s ruling [...]

The greatest football insider of them all, Adam Schefter, is at it again. The Guru’s latest report should come as great news to those who want the Vikings to be active on draft day. According to the Scheft – my new pet-name for him – the Vikings are among several teams currently seeking to trade up. What we don’t know yet is what level of trade-up the Vikings are looking for. The report could mean they’re trying to trade into the top 10 to go after a Cam Newton or a Blaine Gabbert. Or it could mean they’re trying to [...]

Well Vikings fans, we now have less than a week until we find out if this will be the year that a quarterback of the future is delivered to us.  This offseason has been much more interesting and/or frustrating than in years past due to the labor situation and lack of free agency.  This has not only complicated the player evaluation process for teams, who typically have the opportunity to address many of their needs during free agency and before the draft, but also for fans attempting to understand team game plans come draft day.  Because of this, the deception [...]

Most everyone knows of the Pouncey Twins – Maurkice & Mike – who played at the University of Florida at both guard and center. Maurkice entered the draft last year to be picked 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike is available for pickings next weekend where he likely to be selected in the mid-to-late first round. Over the last couple of weeks there have been rumors floating that the Vikings have been “kicking themselves” for missing out on Maurkice Pouncey in last years draft. Maurkice was long gone when the Vikings were on the clock at 30, but [...]

Hello Vikings fans, I’m new to The Viking Age but don’t worry ill spare you the boring details about me and my life, Im a Vikings fan that’s all you need and im sure want to know. So down to the football, with the draft vastly approaching and the Vikings holding the 12th pick the franchise could go in a lot of different directions. So then who should the Vikings Draft with the 12th pick? They could decide to take a shot at finding that elusive franchise Quarterback they so desperately need, solidify the ageing offensive line, take a corner [...]

Is Visanthe Shiancoe trying to recruit Donovan McNabb on behalf of the Vikings? Or does Shank just enjoy casual “alcohol talk” with veteran quarterbacks who may or may not become available somewhere down the road? Also, who the hell is Jake? But back to the pertinent issue. Donovan McNabb. The Redskins could trade him or, failing that, release him outright. There’s some disagreement about whether the Vikings should jump in on McNabb in the event he does become available. It’s pretty obvious which side of that argument Visanthe Shiancoe falls on: he’s for McNabb coming to the Vikings. “You know [...]

Adam Schefter has powers. Not only can he sense what Donovan McNabb wants to do (possibly before Donovan himself even knows), he is also a master at figuring out what the NFL schedule tells us about the league’s lockout-related contingency plans. I’m beginning to think Schefter is a wizard. Before I thought he was a Hobbit but that was just a height thing. And what does Professor Schefter’s big-brained schedule decoding tell us? The NFL is crafty, for one thing. And for another thing: they’re very worried about the lockout causing a schedule reshuffle or even wiping out games. It [...]

Seeing as we are approaching the draft with nothing else newsworthy (stadium, free agency, lockout) I’d like to give my opinion on the upcoming draft. With limited picks, and an aging roster, this draft will be important when deciding if we are rebuilding, half competitive, or still just a player away from making a playoff run. In some ways Vikings draft strategy may be about drafting quantity this year. That is, best player available, trade down for picks, and ultimately hope to have players who can contribute this year.

Repairs to the Metrodome roof are well underway and should be completed by August 1. Just in time for winter to start again. Right now the dome looks less like an NFL stadium and more like a big tent. You could hold a hell of a Renaissance Festival in there. Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter.

If you believe Mike Mayock, this year’s draft may resemble a nature special about shark behavior. And it’s all because of the quarterbacks. “There will be a feeding frenzy for QBs this year,” Mayock predicted in a Wednesday conference call. Picture this: Jake Locker paddling through a sparkling sea, not a care in the world, when out of nowhere ten NFL GMs set upon him, tearing his flesh asunder with their razor-sharp teeth. When did Mike Mayock become David Attenborough? Vivid sea-predator analogies are fun, but all anyone really cares about is whether the Vikings plan on joining in the feast. [...]