General News

Vikes Added Another First Rounder On Thursday

April 26, 2013, by 2 comments

The Vikings made three first round selections Thursday night, but they added a fourth in the form of defensive end Lawrence Jackson who was selected by the Seahawks in the first round of the 2008 Draft.  The Seahawks selected tight end John Carlson in the second round of that Draft and he is also on the current roster of the Vikings.

The deal for Jackson is reportedly of the one-year variety and he joins an already crowded depth chart that also saw rookie Sharrif Floyd added to it on Thursday night.  The hope is that this move is an attempt to have a top-notch rotation along the line, and not a sign that either Jared Allen or Brian Robison have more serious shoulder injuries than the team has let on.

He has generated 98 tackles, 19.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two recoveries in his five seasons with the Seahawks and Lions.  As another USC product joining the Vikings, Rick Spielman has continued to display an affinity for players coming out of that program.

Kluwe Replacement Seems As Likely As Ever

April 25, 2013, by 2 comments

If the Vikings draft Manti Te’o tonight it might not be the only Draft-related move that we’ve been calling for months now.

When profiling punter Ryan Allen, and then later Brad Wing, I outlined all of the various reasons the Vikings might send special teams coordinator Mike Priefer on the road to find a new punter this offseason.  Kluwe’s $1.4 million salary chews up significant space (for a punter) in the last year of his current deal.  He’s getting older and seems to be, at least slightly, regressing.  There is some incredible talent and depth at the punter position available this year.  Priefer also expressed last season that Kluwe’s off-field endeavours have been exhausting.

With the success Priefer had last year in sneaking in some visits with kicker Blair Walsh, who they then selected to replace Ryan Longwell, I felt that the timing made sense to attempt the same type of transition at punter.

And the signs are pointing to that being a very real possibility.

1500 ESPN reports that Priefer conducted at least three private visits with prospective punters prior to tonight.  LSU’s Brad Wing, Arizona State’s Josh Hubner and UCLA’s Jeff Locke have all been worked out privately by Priefer, according to the report.  These visits are unlikely to be a result of anything less than strong interest, because the Vikings already have a “camp leg” in the form of T.J. Conley on the roster.

Kluwe’s job is safe for one more day, but it appears he could be looking for work as soon as Sunday.

If His Lips Are Moving…

April 24, 2013, by 10 comments

When it comes to the NFL Draft I am pretty sure even Pinocchio would attempt to float a lie or nine if he were in charge of a war room.

Vikings G.M. Rick Spielman has been giving his obligatory pre-Draft interviews and anyone that knows anything about how this whole thing plays out knows you shouldn’t read too much into the what he says.  Heck, last year he not only convinced a good number of fans that he might pick someone other than Matt Kalil, he convinced the Browns to move up one spot in exchange for a few picks.

This year Spielman is saying that he is unlikely to move up in the first round of the draft and has received numerous calls about the possibility of moving backwards from either the #23 or #25 spots.  Some cynics (anybody know one?) might take his words to mean that he wants to move up in the first round and has received absolutely no interest from other teams about the possibility of trading back.

The thing about that, however, is this year Spielman’s comments actually make enough sense that you can’t help but believe him.  The Vikings have enough needs on the roster that sacrificing quantity in an effort to move forwards in the first round doesn’t pass the smell test, and the way the quarterback class is shaping up this year could indeed mean he has already received genuine interest in his current picks from teams drafting at the top of the second round.

One thing I certainly don’t buy is Spielman’s insistence that he would feel comfortable heading into training camp with Erin Henderson as his top choice at the middle linebacker spot.

“No, that’s flexible,” said Spielman.  ”That depends on what happens in the draft. If we go outside, Erin can slide inside or if we go inside Erin can play outside. That’s what is great about this linebacker thing. We have the flexibility to go either way.”

I know Henderson provides them with some flexibility, and has some experience at the position, but the Vikings just simply cannot have him starting anywhere other than on the weakside if they want to call this offseason a success.

New Uniform Glimpse

April 23, 2013, by 7 comments

The Vikings have been handing out clues to registered fans regarding their new on-field look leading up to their Draft Party unveiling scheduled for Thursday.  The website UniWatch, decided not to make fans wait and leaked a picture of new NFL uniforms a couple of days early.

I’m in full blown Draft mode, and certainly no fashion designer, so I won’t get into this much at all and instead just link to the leaked photo and let you discuss the changes as you please.

The Vikings still plan a more ceremonious unveiling on Thursday.

 

Pat Williams To Ceremoniously Sign With Vikings

April 23, 2013, by 5 comments

Pat Williams will go down in history as one of the great all time undrafted players to make it in the NFL.

He played 14 seasons in the NFL, much of which was with the Vikings as part of the formidable ”WilliamsWall.”  Following the 2010 season, however, the Vikings opted to move on from Pat and he was unable to catch on with any other team.  It is now being reported that Williams will sign a one day deal to officially retire as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

“He’s one of the great all-time leaders and great all-time players here for the Minnesota Vikings,” Rick Spielman said of the situation.

Congratulations to Pat on a fine career that should eventually land him a place in Minnesota’s Ring of Honor.  The team has yet to find someone capable of filling his shoes after two and a half offseasons, which is only one of many ways we can point out just how great he was at what he did.

Lacey Also Reportedly Visited Vikings

April 19, 2013, by 2 comments

On Thursday we learned that the Vikings will open the 2013 regular season against the Detroit Lions.

Coincidentally, or perhaps not, the Vikings have also played host to two free agents that spent last seasons in Detroit.  We already made mention of defensive end Lawrence Jackson’s visit, but now we have also learned that cornerback Jacob Lacey made a visit, too.

Lacey, who turns 26 next month, was an undrafted free agent signed by the Colts in 2009. He played three seasons with Colts, starting 27 of those games, and five interceptions, two return touchdowns, 21 defended passes, three forced fumbles, one recovery, and 158 total tackles.

He then moved onto Detroit for one season where he had nine starts, 29 tackles, four defended passes, and an interception.

Lacey hasn’t been overly durable throughout his NFL career, but he could represent some experienced talent at a position in need of depth.  If I had to guess, I would say the Vikings have a more genuine interest in Lacey than they do Jackson.

Your 2013 Minnesota Vikings Regular Season Schedule

April 18, 2013, by 23 comments

 

NFL Network is in the process of their unveiling of the 2013 schedule.  Via Access Vikings, the Minnesota Vikings 2013 schedule is as follows:

Week Day Date Opponent Time (CT) TV & Radio
1 Sunday Sept. 8 at Detroit Noon FOX | KFAN
2 Sunday Sept. 15 at Chicago Noon FOX | KFAN
3 Sunday Sept. 22 vs. Cleveland Noon CBS | KFAN
4 Sunday Sept. 29 vs. Pittsburgh* Noon CBS | KFAN
5 BYE
6 Sunday Oct. 13 vs. Carolina Noon FOX | KFAN
7 Monday Oct. 21 at New York Giants 7:40 PM ESPN | KFAN
8 Sunday Oct. 27 vs. Green Bay 7:30 PM NBC | KFAN
9 Sunday Nov. 3 at Dallas Noon FOX | KFAN
10 Thursday Nov. 7 vs. Washington 7:25 PM NFLN | KFAN
11 Sunday Nov. 17 at Seattle 3:25 PM FOX | KFAN
12 Sunday Nov. 24 at Green Bay Noon FOX | KFAN
13 Sunday Dec. 1 vs. Chicago Noon FOX | KFAN
14 Sunday Dec. 8 at Baltimore Noon FOX | KFAN
15 Sunday Dec. 15 vs. Philadelphia Noon FOX | KFAN
16 Sunday Dec. 22 at Cincinnati Noon FOX | KFAN
17 Sunday Dec. 29 vs. Detroit Noon FOX | KFAN