10 Camp Questions: Crowning Mr. Mankato

Training Camp

by Austin Belisle - Jul 18, 2016

Crowning Mr. Mankato — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

This 10-part series focuses on the biggest questions facing the Vikings as they head into Mankato for their training camp festivities. Be sure to answer the first eight questions HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Who will be this year’s ‘Mr. Mankato?’

The Minnesota Vikings are back on the National Football League’s map after an impressive 2015 season. They’re dark-horse contenders for the Super Bowl and a near-lock to battle for a second-straight NFC North title. On both sides of the football, the roster is loaded with up-and-coming stars, from Anthony Barr to Teddy Bridgewater.

Joining them at training camp, which begins next Thursday, are a slew of rookies, under-the-radar players, and fresh faces. Their names won’t jump off the page, but they will have a chance for recognition elsewhere — as candidates for the annual ‘Mr. Mankato’ award. Each year, ESPN 1500 bestows the honor on one deserving player who surprises and impresses at training camp. Last year, it was Stefon Diggs, and the year before, it was Adam Thielen.

This offseason, a few candidates stick out as the ‘cream of the crop.’ Who has a chance to walk away with the award at the end of training camp?

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#MoreThanWords Sunday Update

Charity

by Adam Warwas - Jul 17, 2016

The 2016 #MoreThanWords Campaign is gradually working towards the August 9th fundraising deadline and the support has been overwhelming. As of this post, the effort has resulted in dozens of articles promoting head coach Mike Zimmer’s foundation while also raising just shy of $12,000.

In case you are wondering how things are proceeding, or in case you are wondering what you can do to help, here is a quick rundown of what is going on. For an inside glimpse at what the Mike Zimmer Foundation is all about, I suggest you read this fantastic article from #MoreThanWords super supporter Vikings Corner.

If you feel compelled to participate, here is what we have available at the moment:

Angel supporter Fan HQ is auctioning off an opportunity to attend the sold out July 21st autograph event in their store. The VIP package allows you to sit with Coach Zimmer throughout the entire event and includes a whole bunch of cool perks that will go to the highest bidder. The event ends later today so if you are interested then bang it here to see where the bidding is at.
You can always just flat out donate to fundraiser through our Donations Page. All donations go straight to the Mike Zimmer Foundation and for every $10 you donate you will be entered into our giveaway for all the awesome prizes available. Those giveaways include an Anthony Barr autographed football, an Adrian Peterson autographed jersey, a chance to meet Coach Zimmer, and even tickets to the Arizona game at U.S. Bank Stadium this season.
We’ve got shirts! All profits generated from #MoreThanWords T-shirt sales (through Amazon) will go directly towards the fundraiser.
As part of their commitment to the effort, and recognizing that not every Vikings fan can attend an autograph event in Minnesota, Fan HQ is offering autographed 8X10 photos of Coach Zimmer for mail order. They are $40 (plus $4 shipping) and can be ordered here. If you want one, you better hurry though, I believe there are less than 10 available at the moment as they are selling quick.

Lastly, here is a huge “thank you” to all of those that have participated in one way or another. Using Vikings Territory‘s little corner of the internet to do some good, to host a community we are proud of, and to bring fans closer to the Vikings organization is something Brett and I make a personal goal. All of the other sites that are participating, all of the fans helping make this a success… it is just incredibly awesome.

SKOL!

The Flight To Pick Up Favre: Jared Allen Abandoned The Mission’s Objective

General News

by Adam Warwas - Jul 16, 2016

It feels like forever ago that I was scouring the internet for Brett Favre rumors involving his return, I was working for Vikings Gab at the time and disliked Favre plenty, but I do remember clearly that “this isn’t ordinary” feeling when news broke that Zygi Wilf enlisted Jared Allen, Ryan Longwell, Steve Hutchinson, and his private jet to convince Favre to give it one more shot.

We now know that Favre did indeed return for a 2010 season that should easily be in the running for one of the most embarrassing of all time. Favre’s consecutive games streak ended, a roof caved in, Randy Moss returned and then was booted, a caterer and a Jets sideline reporter publicly exposed two Vikings greats as very questionable humans, and… well, they weren’t a very good football team and their coach was fired.

Recently, Jared Allen was a guest on A.J. Hawk’s podcast (oh, by the way, A.J. Hawk has a podcast) and he opened up a bit about the events that unfolded resulting in Favre’s return to Minnesota. His recollections have gathered headlines mostly because his statements weren’t exactly what you would expect them to be.

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The Pokémon GO Vikings Episode [PODCAST]

Podcast

by Andy Carlson - Jul 15, 2016

Pokémon GO has taken the world by storm. And as we’ve seen, I never let a pop culture phenomenon go by unincorporated into Purple FTW’s sphere for both the LOLs and for SEO purposes. So there’s the Pokémon GO one. (Damn we need football back.)

Today’s Talking Points Include:
• Which Pokémon Are The Vikings?
• 3-Year $300,000 Bird Death Study Commissioned for US Bank Stadium
• Jared Allen Told Brett Favre to Stay Retired
• Joe Berger Adopts Daughter
• Teddy Working Out With…..
• Adrian Sees Greatness in Teddy’s Eyes
• Interactive “Vikings Voyage” Announced for US Bank Stadium
• Food and Drink Unveiled for US Bank Stadium
• Evan Marcus Came Here to Tear Pecs & Chew Bubble Gum. And He’s All Out of Bubble Gum.
• Twitter Qs

All that and other “Squirtle Sounds Like the Most Fun” chatter on this edition of the Purple FTW! Podcast!

An Andy Carlson Joint

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Top 30 Vikings of 2016: 5-1

Opinion

by Adam Patrick - Jul 13, 2016

This list began four weeks ago with 30 players on the Minnesota Vikings 2016 roster. It is now time to reveal the final five players that ranked at the very top of this illustrious countdown.

A big thanks goes out to all of the writers that participated in the creation of this list. Without everyone’s consistent contribution, this series would not have had a chance of being put together.

Before continuing to read, it is recommended to check out parts one, two, and three of this list in order to get a full perspective of how the writers featured in this series feel about the Vikings roster for the upcoming season.

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