Injuries

Koositra Wants To Return

February 22, 2012, by No comments yet

Offensive lineman Scott Kooistra joined the Vikings in the 2011 offseason with a “decent but unspectacular” reputation preceding him.

Unfortunately, a preseason spinal injury barely allowed the Vikings enough time see Kooistra be either decent or unspectacular.

Following the injury, and subsequent surgery to repair his spine, it seemed highly unlikely that Kooistra would ever play in the NFL again, but his agent Joe Linta says the recovery process is going well and that Kooistra would “love” to suit up again.

The problem at the moment, however, is that Kooistra has yet to receive clearance to return to the gridiron.  Due to become an unrestricted free agent in March, Kooistra is unlikely to get signed by the Vikings or anyone else until he receives clearance to play.

Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN mentions in a recent article that Kooistra was poised to push Phil Loadholt for the starting job at right tackle (which was news to me), so perhaps the Vikings will be the first team to give him a physical after he receives clearance to play.

Return Of The Links Of The Week

February 21, 2012, by No comments yet

There are some periods in the NFL calendar that are so slow that a “Links of the Week” feature just doesn’t work so well.  With the NFL Scouting Combine starting Wednesday, free agency less than a month away, and the NFL Draft now two months away… that time is over.  I’m glad to announce the Links of the Week are making a comeback!  Enjoy.

  • I’ve been cheating on you with another blog.  Read what I recently wrote about Joe Webb.
  • The Vikings have reportedly struck a deal to play at TCF Bank Stadium while their new stadium is under construction.
  • We know at least one Minneapolis Council Member won’t be voting for a new Vikings stadium paid for with public funds.
  • Minnesota hasn’t hosted a Super Bowl in over 20 years.  A new stadium could change that.
  • Adrian Peterson can help you land an NBA All Star weekend… fully loaded.
  • Interesting article about the NFC North singles out Greenway as a negative, but Erin Henderson and John Sullivan as positives.
  • Even the most cynic amongst us has to admit this looks like a tough Draft for the Vikings to screw up.
  • Adrian Peterson reveals the reason he considered changing his jersey number, and the dollar amount that made him drop the idea.
  • Some rumors of a nose tackle the Vikes are interested in, and a schedule for the Combine.
  • Some excellent nitty-gritty details on the Vikings salary situations, including interesting details on Joe Bergers contract.
  • A scouting report that pegs Brandon Carr as a solid fit for the Vikings.
  • Alan Page reflects on his life in honor of Black History Month.
  • Charlie Johnson was on the wrong end of a lot of criticism last season.  You can’t criticize his durability, though.
  • And now, here it is, your moment of Zen:

OFFSEASON PREVIEW: The Corners

February 19, 2012, by 8 comments
Calvin Johnson, Chris Cook

[NOTE FROM ADAM:  This is another installation of my position-by-position breakdown of the Vikings offseason.  You can click the links to view previous installments:  The Passers, The Runners, The Wide Outs, The Tight Ends, The Offensive Line, The Defensive Tackles, The Defensive Ends, and The Linebackers.]

Injuries.  Legal troubles.  Age.  Confidence.  Salary Cap numbers.  Talent.

These are all issues facing the various members of this Vikings secondary, which is why fans would just assume the team clean the slate, fire them all, and start over.

While the changes might be drastic, they probably won’t be that drastic, but things could get very interesting, especially within this group of cornerbacks that each come with their own dramatic storylines.

Let’s take a closer look.

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Peterson Is On The Mend

February 17, 2012, by 2 comments

The rehabilitation of Adrian Peterson’s knee is sure to be a slowly developing news story, and I will try to get more creative with the headlines as I pass along updates over the course of the next month.

Peterson appeared on KFAN Friday morning and gave an update. 

“I’m definitely making improvement. I’m starting to get my muscle tone and strength back into the legs,” Peterson said. “I’m happy with the progress I’ve made so far. I’m extremely happy.”

Peterson is trying to adhere to the advice of those around him by not pushing too hard to meet a timeline, as more damage could be done by rushing things.  Peterson is splitting time between a physical therapist in Houston and Vikings trainers at Winter Park, all of whom are trying to keep him from making a race out of this.

“He’s making sure I’m doing the right things. It feels strong, but he doesn’t want me to push it too much,” said Peterson of his trainer in Houston.  He said the swelling is “almost completely gone.”

Peterson was doing the interview from New Orleans where he was attending the funeral for the wife of former Oklahoma Sooner Tommie Harris.

Yesterday, General Manager Rick Spielman gave an impressively lengthy interview in which he disappointed by giving almost no real information about any of the various topics.  He did, however, express optimism on Peterson’s ability to return in 2012.

“He’ll be extremely close to being ready,” Spielman said of Peterson’s ability to return for the start of next season.

OFFSEASON PREVIEW: The Second Level

February 12, 2012, by 2 comments
Greenway

[NOTE FROM ADAM:  This is another installation of my position-by-position breakdown of the Vikings offseason.  You can click the links to view previous installments:  The Passers, The Runners, The Wide Outs, The Tight Ends, The Offensive Line, The Defensive Tackles, and The Defensive Ends.]

Last offseason, the Vikings faced a crossroads with former first round pick Chad Greenway, and they decided to invest heavily in the outside linebacker by placing the franchise tag on him and then giving him a huge contract extension.

This year, the Vikings face similar decisions with the other two linebackers slots, and the position could be headed for major transition this offseason.

Let’s take a closer look.

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OFFSEASON PREVIEW: The Blockers

February 7, 2012, by 10 comments
Matt Kalil

[NOTE FROM ADAM:  This is another installation of my position-by-position breakdown of the Vikings offseason.  You can click the links to view previous installments:  The Passers, The Runners, The Wide Outs, and The Tight Ends.]

Here we finally have an edition of “Offseason Preview” that is almost certain to spark every fans interest.  Sure, the Vikings are likely to pursue upgrades at the receiver position, but the left tackle spot on this Vikings roster is bound to be the topic of conversation between now and April… and probably well into the 2012 season, too.

Let’s take a closer look.

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OFFSEASON PREVIEW: The Tight Ends

February 1, 2012, by 8 comments
shank&rudolph

[NOTE FROM ADAM:  This is another installation of my position-by-position breakdown of the Vikings offseason.  You can click there links to view previous installments:  The Passers, The Runners, and The Wide Outs.]

The Vikings knew that the end of the 2011 season would signal a crossroads when it came to the tight end position.  They got a head start on addressing the situation by drafting Kyle Rudolph in the second round of the 2011 Draft, but work still needs doing.

Let’s take a closer look.

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