Posts tagged: Jovan Olafioye

A CFL Update

January 13, 2012, by 1 comment

As I have previously noted, the Vikings are currently scouring the CFL for potential talent that may be able to contribute to this team’s eventual turnaround.

Offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye and linebacker Solomon Elimimian have yet to sign with any NFL teams, and defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell signed a futures contract with the Miami Dolphins.

A new CFL name has emerged on the Vikings radar, however.

Edmonton Eskimos tailback Jerome Messam is expected to work out for the Vikings in the near future.  The Bengals and the Dolphins are also expected to work him out.

At 6’ 3” and 245 pounds, the bruising back rushed for 1,149 yards in 2011 prior to tearing his meniscus in a semifinal game.

[UPDATE:  Mitchell, who seems like he might have a screw a little bit loose according to this article, actually ended up re-signing with the B.C. Lions.]

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.