Archive for June, 2011

Just this morning (and somewhat under the radar) ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote that our rival Chicago Bears could make a splash at the wide receiver position. It would be impermissible for us to copy and paste what was written, as it’s behind a paywall. Still without taking the article verbatim Schefter goes on to say three key names — Chad Ochocinco (who last played for the Bengals), James Jones (who last played for the Packers) and last but definitely not least soon to be free agent Sidney Rice (duh?). The reason for Jones and Rice to the Windy City is [...]

Most Viking fans I think would prefer never to have to hear anything about Tarvaris Jackson ever again. This guy has haunted us for years, and now at last we are free (or soon will be free) of his irritating presence. That said, I still think it’s always interesting any time a guy has left a team or is ready to leave a team, and finds occasion to vent any bad feelings he may harbor toward that team or its fanbase. We never get to find out what a guy really thinks during his tenure, but afterward? Diplomacy can go [...]

The Vikings are reportedly getting close to hammering out a final stadium deal. When that deal comes – maybe this afternoon along with an overall state budget agreement  - the numbers will not be quite the same as we have been hearing. According to the Star-Trib’s Rochelle Olson, $200 million have been lopped off the original $1 billion-plus Arden Hills stadium price tag. Additionally, Olson says the Vikings have agreed to up their contribution to north of $420 million. When news came of the mysterious $200 million reduction, speculation began about what that would mean for the ambitious Arden Hills [...]

Dawson Devitt of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution considers whether soon-to-be UFA Ray Edwards would be a good fit for the Falcons. The main point against Edwards according to Devitt: Ray played on the same line with 3 Pro-Bowlers and still never managed double-digit sacks in any one season. The main point in Edwards’ favor: His physical gifts. And the fact that he would be lining up opposite Pro Bowler John Abraham, theoretically helping him to produce big numbers (cause that theory proved so true when Ray was lining up across from Jared Allen). Here’s what Dawson Devitt leaves out while discussing [...]

The Vikings veteran quarterback rumor compass (that’s a mouthful) has been pointing more in the direction of Kyle Orton lately and not so much Donovan McNabb. Many see Orton as a better fit given that he has only a year left on his contract, appears to be at a higher point on his career arc than McNabb and would probably not diva out as much if he didn’t get to start. The downside to acquiring Orton is, at least one draft pick would have to be surrendered in exchange. McNabb most believe could be had just by waiting for the [...]

So as a Minnesota sports fan, I’ve been following the recent drafts of the Timberwolves, and tonight the Wild.  Leading up to the draft, there has been all this talk about coaching turmoil, and more importantly mis-management by the Timberwolves GM David Kahn.  Essentially, since Kahn (or KAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHNNNNN as we call him) has been in the office, he has ran 2 drafts with no coach or coaching input.  He is a GM who has 100% input on players, and seems to make all final decisions of drafts and personnel. On the flipside, the Vikings do not have a GM, but [...]

Well it looks like the Adrian Peterson Football Camp that is occurring Thursday and Friday will be missing one person Adrian Peterson. According to PFT,  Kids paid $199 to attend the camps, but Peterson will be taping a segment for ESPN. I would bet that 100% of those kids paid for the chance to meet the person who attached his name to the camp, but on short notice apparently he will not be there. Honestly, this coupled with his slavery comments from earlier this offseason have irritated me.  Peterson comes off as a genuinely nice guy, and we’ve heard of [...]

With more news that the new CBA will almost certainly allow 4-year veteran players to be unrestricted free agents and teams will be required to spend close to the salary cap, the time has come to look at where the Vikings stand on current financial commitments for the 2011 season. Most of us are concerned that Sidney Rice will move onto greener pastures, but lets take a step back before we all panic more than Tarvaris Jackson making his first start as a rookie at Lambeau. Various figured have been thrown out as to what the salary cap will be [...]

Eventually a new CBA will be reached, and if the plan currently being hashed out by owners in Illinois ultimately comes to fruition, that CBA (per Adam Schefter) will include a provision granting unrestricted free agency to players with four years of NFL service. Several Vikings players who were RFA under the now-expired CBA would become unrestricted under the new agreement, including Sidney Rice and Ray Edwards. 4-year players tendered as RFAs under the old CBA would have their tenders wiped out, allowing them to negotiate freely with teams. Sidney Rice, for his part, has made it clear that he [...]

The Vikings continue doing everything in their power to make the new stadium a reality. Sid Hartman reports that, during his meeting last week with Mark Dayton and other lawmakers, Zygi Wilf said he would be willing to contribute another $30 million on top of the $407 million the team has already committed as part of the Arden Hills proposal. Under that deal the state’s chunk would be $300 million, but the team wants the state to pony up more cash to help pay for needed road improvements. The state is dead-set against spending a penny more than $300 million. It’s [...]