Posts by Adam Warwas

Gerhart Has Torn MCL

January 3, 2012, by 11 comments

Newly appointed Genreal Manager Rick Spielman and Head Coach Leslie Frazier are underway with their press conferences announcing various offseason plans, but before we dissect their various statements, I wanted to pass along one very important piece of information from the pressers.

Toby Gerhart, contrary to previous reports, actually did tear his MCL in the season finale.

The team will evaluate the running back over the next few weeks to determine whether or not surgery will be required.

Adrian Peterson has already gone under the knife, so the Vikings running game in 2012 is suddenly a very big question mark.

Vikings Sign Seven To Futures

January 3, 2012, by No comments yet

I missed this yesterday as Brett and I were busy emailing back and forth to launch our improvements to Vikings Territory, but it is worth mentioning none-the-less.

The Vikings signed seven of their practice squad players to futures contracts which means they will likely join the team for the 2012 training camp.

Wide out Kris Adams, guard Chris DeGeare, defensive back Reggie Jones, guard Butch Lewis, linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, tight end Allen Reisner, and wide out Kerry Taylor were all signed.

DeGeare and Reisner are probably the two players with the most potential on that list. 

DeGeare was a fifth round pick last year in 2010 and played in eight games as a rookie, starting five.  He was a surprise cut at the beginning of this season, and it is perhaps even more surprising (and disappointing) that he was never able to crack the active roster in 2011.  There has been some work ethic related speculation popping up regarding Degeare, which could be an explanation for why the promising rookie didn’t see the field in his second season.

Reisner has bounced around a bit, from the practice squad to the active roster and back to the practice squad, but he could end up seeing an increased role in 2012.  Jim Kleinsasser has played his final NFL game and Visanthe Shiancoe may or may not be back as a Vikings next season.  Behind Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings tight end depth chart is very unsettled.

I should also note that CFL players are now eligible to sign with NFL teams, a practice that now-G.M. Rick Spielman has pursued in the past.  I mentioned a while back that the Vikings had some interest in CFL offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye, and I have since learned that the Vikings have interest in linebacker Solomon Eliminian and defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell.  All three players are currently employed by the B.C. Lions.

The Triangle Is Dead, Spielman The G.M.

January 3, 2012, by 2 comments

The Wilf-owned Vikings have finally conceded that their “Triangle of Authority” leadership approach was failing on multiple levels, and that it is time to set the organization up for long-term accountability by creating a more traditional internal structure.

Without further ado, I present to you the Vikings new General Manager:  Rick Spielman.

Some will wonder why the Vikings would choose to promote one of their own, especially after a 3-13 season, and especially especially (yes, two of them) with the Polian family of Indianapolis fame currently looking for work.

The truth of the matter, however, is that this is a step in the right direction for the Vikings franchise.  Due to the nature of their previous “Triangle” approach, seldom did the team seem willing or able to hold any one person responsible for the personnel decisions taking place, mainly because no one person was responsible in many of these cases.

The bottom line is that there is more built-in accountability with this new structure and accountability is what this franchise needs.

The success of this franchise, for better or worse, now rests solely in the hands of Rick Spielman.

Welcome To The New & Improved Vikings Territory

January 3, 2012, by 22 comments

Well, this process of developing a new site is finally coming to an end.

Thanks to Brett’s tireless efforts, Vikings Territory has finally become the site I had envisioned when I started this whole thing.  A new look, more features and functions, a better comments system, and a great forums section all combine into what is sure to become the best Vikings website on the internet.

Check it out, get acquainted.  As always, we’re always looking for ways to improve, so let us know what you think.

LIVE CHAT: Season Finale

January 1, 2012, by No comments yet

Hey everybody! Welcome to this season’s final live chat. Enjoy it, the next won’t be until the Draft! Click the button below to join us.

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E.J. Wants To Stay In Minny

January 1, 2012, by No comments yet

As many of you know, I have a personal bias towards E.J. Henderson, as he has been one of my favorite Vikings of the modern era.

Like Jim Kleinsasser, who will retire following this game, Henderson has spent his entire career in Minnesota. With one more sack in today’s game, he can move into third place for the most sacks by a Vikings linebacker which, as if you didn’t know, puts him into some pretty elite company.

He has 744 tackles in his career, 15.5 sacks, five interceptions, a touchdown, and 10 forced fumbles. Not to mention, he made one of the most successful comebacks in team history after a broken leg derailed his 2009 season.

Henderson has not been the same player since that injury, however, and even I have to admit a noticeable drop-off in his play has contributed to this season’s disappointing outcome.

Henderson will see his contract expire after this season and while he is hopeful to finish his career as a Viking, he admits that he has not heard from the Vikings front office.

“It’s natural coming up on your last year, always wondering where you’re going to be at next September,” Henderson explained. “So, of course, it’s been on my mind, but I’m trying to stay positive and hopefully in the next couple of months we can get something done and I’ll still be a Viking.”

The 2003 second round selection could very well be playing his last game wearing purple this weekend, and that might make a certain amount of sense, but it sure will be sad to see him go.

I’ll have my #56 jersey on as I watch the game today.

Peterson’s Knee Surgery “Successful”

January 1, 2012, by No comments yet

Vikings head coach released the following statement in regards to Adrian Peterson’s knee surgery on Friday:

“We’ve received word that Adrian underwent successful knee surgery with Dr. James Andrews and is now resting comfortably. Adrian is in our thoughts, we wish him a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him when he returns to Minnesota.”

I think it is safe to say we are all looking forward to the return of Peterson, with hopes that he will look every bit as good as has through the duration of his rookie contract.