Monthly archive: March, 2012

Jared Allen Advances In Madden Cover Contest

March 30, 2012, by 7 comments

A couple days ago, Jared Allen beat Cowboy Demarcus Ware in the first round of the EA Madden Cover Vote Contest. For those that aren’t familiar, every year (or for the last couple years at least), ESPN hosts a contest to see who will get to be on the cover of that year’s Madden game. Stud players across the NFL are pitted against each other in a bracket-style tournament. This week, Allen faces of against New England tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Now, I should say that I am not a superstitious person. Not in the slightest sense. But, when going through the different matches and voting for who I think should win, I hesitate when I get to Jared Allen’s match-up. Do I really want to subject our all-pro defensive end to the “Madden Curse”? Do I really want to risk it?

You see, in my eyes, the Madden Curse isn’t a myth… It is real and it is scary. This article by Bleacher Report does a great job of outlining the history of the Madden Curse and it’s “victims.” I understand that it’s an invalid argument to suggest that simply being on the cover of a game could cause an injury or a drop in production… But still, there’s just part of me that is hesitant to risk it.

Head over to ESPN to cast your vote in the contest. Whether you vote for or against our favorite defensive end is entirely up to you!

Adrian Peterson On Track, Will Start Running

March 30, 2012, by 6 comments

In an update given by head coach Leslie Frazier yesterday, it was announced that Adrian Peterson’s recovery is slightly ahead of schedule and he will begin running on land this week. As we all know unfortunately, Peterson tore both his ACL and MCL on Christmas Eve last season in a game against the Washington Redskins. While the injury was quite serious and “career-ending” for some, Peterson set an incredibly optimistic goal for himself to play the first game of the 2012 season. Well, it looks like that just may happen.

When prompted about the possibility of Peterson returning for game #1, Frazier said, “That’s what we’re aiming for. That’s what he wants to see happen. That’s what we’d all love to see happen. At the same time, we’ll have to be smart and see where he is. This is the beginning stages of his running. So we’ll have a better gauge in another one or two weeks as to what kind of progress he’s going to make.”

It’s great to see that Peterson may be able to return and immediately contribute at the start of the 2012 season. It is even better to see that Frazier seems determined not to rush the franchise running back into action to quickly. Forcing the issue would be very dangerous for Peterson and the overall future of the team.

I said it shortly after Peterson sustained the injury: “If anyone can come back from this injury stronger than before, Adrian can.” And not only do I still stand by that statement, but it seems that proving he can be better than before the injury is one of Peterson’s bigger motivations. In an interview Thursday, GM Rick Spielman said, “He’s not like most running backs that I’ve been around through my career… He is just a freak athletically and you can see that in his rehab and how quickly he’s coming back from this ACL and I know he wants to go out there and prove to everybody he’s a better Adrian Peterson than he was before the injury.”

While the odds are definitely stacked against #28, it will be a storyline we watch closely here at Vikings Territory throughout the offseason and up to kickoff of the first game of the 2012 season.

What do you all think? Will Adrian Peterson be back for the 2012 opener?

Early Offseason Report Card

March 28, 2012, by 13 comments

Free agency took off like a rocket. We were all anxious for what the Vikings would do. After all, they had a good chunk of cap room available. There were also rumors floating around from the combine that the team was going to be very active. And, let’s face it; there weren’t any shortage of holes to fill.

But nothing happened on that first day. The Vikings were quiet… Eerily quiet. Fans were not. Almost immediately, people were calling for Spielman’s head. How could he not acquire Vincent Jackson. How could he not get Pierre Garcon? How could we just sit on so much money when there so many voids to fill in this team to make it a contender again?

Finally, the Vikings started making some moves. Now, that’s not to say fans pulled back and gave Spielman some breathing room. The acquisitions were questionable… Questionable players signed to deals for amounts that were somewhat puzzling to most fans. We were signing people who were injured (and hadn’t played in a year), fullbacks, and… point guards.

While the offseason is far from over, two weeks in, we now have a fair amount of information to look at and develop more comprehensive opinions on how the team has done. What I wanted to do here is recap what the Vikings have done so far this offseason while giving my personal opinion of each move and an overall grade. If you’re ready (it’s long!), continue reading by clicking the button below.

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Vikes Missed On Three Free Agents

March 28, 2012, by No comments yet

The Vikings have had a slow free agency.  Some have theories (some ridiculous theories, some not as much) about why Rick Spielman is being conservative with the free agent offers, but reports are now coming out that suggest the Vikings, while not real fruitful, have been more active than originally thought.

Specifically, I have found reports of three different free agents that the Vikings pursued but eventually pulled out of the bidding as the price got higher than they were willing to spend.

PIERRE GARCON, WR:  The Vikings were reportedly one of the final three teams bidding for the services of the young, speedy receiver.  He eventually signed a five year deal with the Redskins worth up to $42.5 million, with $21.5 million.  It is easy to see why the Vikings had interest in signing the 25 year old standout from a miserable Colts team, but it is also easy to see why they weren’t willing to top Washington’s offer.  The Cleveland Browns were the other team involved.

DONNIE AVERY, WR:  Donnie Avery made headlines recently by claiming he ran a 4.25 forty yard dash on grass.  If that is truly the case, then he could be the steal of this year’s free agency class, if he can manage to stay healthy.  Health has been Avery’s problem following his very solid rookie season, but apparently the Vikings were still intrigued by his upside.  The Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins were all in conversations with Avery’s agent when Indianapolis called up and asked, “What would it take for you to sign and give me a verbal commitment on the phone?”  That level of interest from the Colts piqued Avery’s interest and it didn’t take long for him to make that commitment.

COREY GRAHAM, CB:  As we discussed on Monday, the Vikings signed Bears cornerback Zackary Bowman to a one year deal.  Apparently, however, he wasn’t the only Bears corner of interest.  Corey Graham, a special teams ace, was of interest to the Vikings and the Detroit Lions.  He ended up signing a two year deal with the Ravens.

Stadium Fight Takes Step In Right Direction

March 26, 2012, by 6 comments

If you support the Vikings proposal to build a new stadium in Minnesota (which I bet you do) then you will be happy to hear that Monday yielded some substantially good news in the ongoing battle.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said on Monday that he has secured a majority of the Minneapolis City Council with letters saying seven members of the Council would vote in favor of the current proposal.

“Is it time to build it? I think it is,” Rybak said on Monday.

The Stadium bill has yet to be approved by a single Senate Committee at the State Legislature level, but it is believed the support of Minneapolis could potentially help move things along and get the ball rolling again.

As always, there are still obstacles that are sure to pop up, but this is one more major obstacle that has seemingly been hurdled.

Vikings Receive Two Fourth Round Compensatory Picks

March 26, 2012, by 26 comments

As many expected, the Vikings have reportedly received two fourth round compensatory Draft selections in the upcoming Draft.

The picks were awarded after the Vikings lost Sidney Rice and Ray Edwards to free agency last offseason.  They will get the 33rd and 39th selections of the fourth round.

Compensatory picks cannot be traded, so the fourth round is sure to be one of high importance for the Vikings as they search for depth and sleepers in this year’s class.

South Dakota’s Compton To Make Pre-Draft Visit

March 26, 2012, by 1 comment

The Vikings landed offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they are done looking for improvements.

Tom Compton from South Dakota will take part in a pre-Draft visit with the Vikings.  Compton has been a four year starter, a two-time captain, and is projected as a mid-round pick in April.

At 6’ 5” and 314 pounds, Compton displayed a good skill set at his Pro Day and also posted a 5.11 forty yard dash at the NFL’s Scouting Combine.