General News

Links Of The Week: Free Agency Starts Soon

March 8, 2012, by No comments yet

Okay, so I know I haven’t been keeping you as up-to-date as I normally like to, but these links should ensure you are all caught up and didn’t miss anything so far this week:

  • Our blogroll has been updated to include another cool Vikings blog.  Check’ em out and tell ‘em who sent you.
  • Could Peyton Manning’s landing spot affect this year’s Vikings draft?
  • Joe Webb is still jumping really high on YouTube.
  • The new Madden video game could, in theory, include either Jared Allen or Percy Harvin on the cover.
  • Unless this is a typo, the “snitch” that spurred “bountygate” was actually a Vikings player.
  • A breakdown of the reasons behind Pro Football Focus’s crush on linebacker Erin Henderson.
  • Chris Cook’s girlfriend testified in court on Wednesday.  Here is a summary of the bizarre testimony that she gave.  He might just be off the hook.
  • Cook’s attorneys argued self defense in court on Wednesday.
  • An argument for a very stiff penalty for the New Orleans Saints.
  • Christian Ponder is preparing (yeah, right) for the possibility of the Vikings drafting another first round quarterback.
  • The Vikings are trying to re-sign linebacker Erin Henderson prior to free agency starting.
  • Some of the key figures involved with the new stadium proposal.
  • Brett Favre says that a referee apologized to him for a missed call in the 2009 NFC Championship game against the Saints.
  • I think some hack blogger has mentioned this before, but gambling is an unpredictable revenue source for a new stadium and could be a sticking point in the proposal.
  • An interesting experiment surrounding the Cris Carter Hall of Fame mystery.
  • Jared Allen takes an even handed approach in answering “bountygate” questions.
  • This mock draft has the Vikings drafting… oh, forget it, you already know.
  • Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.  He is also one of the classiest NFL players of all time.  Any team would be lucky to have a guy like this for as long as Indianapolis had Manning.  So, here it is, your moment of Zen:

Fabricating Excuses

March 6, 2012, by 6 comments

If you haven’t noticed (you better have!) I am relying on Brett even more than I usually do to help me keep the site fresh with the latest news and rumors surrounding the Vikings.

It just so happens that this is one of those weeks when my real job has me tied up all hours of the day, and I am even more worthless than normal when I get home.

But don’t worry, I talked to Rick Spielman today and he said they would host a few more meetings with ownership and wait until Saturday to make any big roster decisions.  That will give me time recoup from the long work week and bring you the latest, greatest Vikings news as free agency approaches.

Spielman said that his free agency plans are finalized and that the team is simply waiting for March 13th to roll around.  In the meantime, he plans to attend as many pro days as possible, including Oklahoma State and USC, where he will get up-close looks at Matt Kalil and Justin Blackmon.

Oh, and if you are wondering what the heck I am babbling on about, click here to read all about Spielman’s recent statements regarding his plans for the week.

Moving One Step Closer To Deciding Cook’s Future

March 5, 2012, by No comments yet

Stemming from an October 21st fight in his home, Chris Cook will soon stand trial for charges of domestic assault and third-degree assault, both of which are felonies.

The charges stem from an incident in which Cook allegedly assaulted, and then tried to strangle, a 21 year old woman believed to be his girlfriend at the time.  Cook’s attorney is expected to use the self defense argument, and also try to play up the idea that the woman in question recanted the strangulation accusations late in 2011.

Right now, it is unknown whether or not the woman will testify in court.

One more step in the process should be completed on Monday, as it is expected that his jury will be selected in Hennepin County.

The last time Cook appeared in court he appeared very clean cut, having rid himself of the long dread locks, and attributed the new look to a “lifestyle change.”

It is believed that Cook’s future as a Viking, or as an NFL player in general, is tied directly to the outcome of this court case.

COMISSIONER KLUWE ARGUES THE OBVIOUS

March 4, 2012, by 1 comment

If there was ever an NFL punter that weighed in on every league-wide issue to the extent that one had to assume he wants to work in football following his career as a player, it is Vikings punter Chris Kluwe.

Kluwe has never shied away from making his opinions known, even when the topic may result in him shunning a fellow player, and “bountygate” has proven to be no different.

It threatens the image of the game.  When you look at an NFL game…you don’t want to think that guys are out there actively trying to hurt each other. NFL’s a violent game. We all know the risks when we step on the field. Granted, as a punter, I don’t face those risks quite as much as other people. At the same time there’s a chance a guy’s going to hit you, injuries happen, that’s part of the game, that’s why people are interested in it. But what people aren’t interested in seeing, unless they’re sadistic twisted people, is guys that are actively trying to hurt other people. That’s not part of what makes the NFL the most popular sport in America.

As a player you don’t want to believe guys are out there trying to hurt other guys.  It’s a dangerous game and that’s without trying to hurt other people. You’re in a lot of vulnerable positions and it’s really an issue of trust. Players have to be able to trust each other that if you’ve got a guy in a vulnerable position…you have to trust that a guy’s not going to dive into your knee and end your career. Because if that starts happening teams are going to retaliate. Then all of a sudden it starts escalating and you get superstars that are done.

Kluwe didn’t stop there.  He went above and beyond surmising how scandals like this one can damage the game of football, and continued on to single out a few individuals and provide his suggestion for their punishment.

“I think that Vilma and Williams should be banned from football for life. And any of the guys that took money on a hit that injured someone should be suspended for at least a year.” Kluwe added, “You have to make a serious example out of what has gone on here.”

As more details begin to trickle out regarding this mess, I have to say, it is difficult to disagree with out outspoken punter on this one.

Franchise Tags And How They Affect Us

March 3, 2012, by 1 comment

It has been known for quite some time that the Vikings would not be using their franchise tag this offseason, but they are still potentially affected by the process.

You can check out Vikings Gab for complete updates on who has been tagged so far, but I want to touch on a few specific decisions made by other clubs and how they might affect the Vikings in free agency.

DREW BREES, QB, SAINTS

Vikings fans should be glad about the fact that the Saints were unable to strike a long-term deal with their record breaking quarterback.  If they had done a deal with Brees then they could have tagged guard Carl Nicks or receiver Marques Colston.  Both Nicks and Colston would appear like attractive targets for the Vikings this March, and at the very least their presence will help saturate the market a little more.

Continue Reading →

Ayodele: “I Don’t Know Anything About That”

March 3, 2012, by 1 comment

For those of you that are still fired up (I’m not, but I do understand) about the New Orleans Saints “Bountygate” scandal” I think you will find a recent article by John Holler at Viking Update quite interesting.

Remi Ayodele was a member of the Saints when they beat the Vikings in the 2009 NFC Championship game, and then went on to win the Super Bowl.  In fact, Ayodele was in on one of the dirty hits on Brett Favre that has been called into question.

Since then, Ayodele has joined the Vikings and has been quoted numerous times saying that he enjoys showing of his Super Bowl ring and jabbing at other players from time to time for the outcome of that championship game.

Holler thought the hits in that game were so “pervasive” that he jumped at the opportunity to ask Ayodele about them once he had joined the team.  He even asked him specifically about the existence of an incentive program that rewarded injuries being dealt to the opposing team.  Here is Holler’s account:

Ayodele seemed momentarily surprised by the question with his facial reaction, but what he did next was more interesting. As with most reporters, I carry a recording device with me to make sure I get quotes right. Ayodele smiled and shrugged and, as he started to give his answer, he leaned into my recorder and said, “I don’t know anything about that.” I took from his reaction and response that he believed a real answer wasn’t really any of my business. When players don’t want to answer questions, each one reacts differently. When they look directly into a camera or, in this case lean into the microphone, they’re making a point. His smile and “I don’t know” shrug spoke more than his words and reminded me of a Mafia-style code of silence and vendetta. I got the distinct impression that he wasn’t going to lie, but he gave a classic “non-denial denial.” He didn’t say, “No. That never happened.” He said he knew nothing – the Sergeant Schultz defense.

Ayodele may have instantly become one of the least respected players on the Vikings roster, at least amongst fans, and after a very unproductive season with the team many of us wouldn’t mind seeing him (and his $2.2 million salary) be shown the door.

According to PFT, the Saints will be punished for their actions prior to March 25th.  Free agency begins on March 13th.

For One Viking, It Is Baseball Season

March 3, 2012, by No comments yet

Strong safety Jarrad Page is a Vikings for at least about another week.

After bouncing around (and then bouncing around some more) the NFL over the last few years, it appears that Page may be executing Plan B for his career as a professional athlete.  On Thursday, Page reportedly attended an open tryout for Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers.

Page played one year of baseball in college, and was drafted straight out of high school by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth round.  He was drafted twice more after that.

While no reports have surfaced stating the Vikings will not attempt to re-sign Page, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, this news makes it pretty clear that he knows something that we don’t.