Latest Minnesota Vikings Blogs:

Last Updated: Sunday, 07-06-08 1:08 pm PDT

QB The Problem? - (12/18)

All the talk about the Vikings this week will be the play of youngin' Tarvaris Jackson against Da Bears on MNF. You are going to hear talk about picking up Philadelphia Eagles veteran Donovan McNabb who many think would look good in purple and reunite himself with former Eagles offensive coordinator and now Vikes head-coach Brad Childress. I am not a member of that camp. Sure, McNabb would be better able to handle the "Eight in a Box" defensive formula that every one is now employing against the Vikings running game. Sure, McNabb would not make poor choices throwing the ball in the red zone. And McNabb would be a mentor to the young Jackson and help him develop into an elite NFL quarterback. And that's why I would be against it. The only way McNabb comes to the Vikings is to play another two to three years as the...

Sports Writers Who Don't Play Sports - (12/18)

I can only assume that Star Tribune sports columnist Jim Souhan does not play football or perhaps any sport because he clearly doesn't understand how a leg cramp feels.

Pro Bowl player comments - (12/18)

The Vikings just sent some comments from the Pro Bowl-bound players: Adrian Peterson: ?This is a great honor as a rookie and I?m proud to be selected. More important than that is that some of the guys who made it possible for me to go are also going, like Hutch, Birk and Tony. This was one of my goals coming into the season and it feels good to accomplish that. I?m blessed by the individual honor, but I know we have some team goals we are still striving for.? Pat Williams: ?I want to thank all the fans that voted for me and my teammates. It?s a blessing to be voted in outright and it?s nice to know that all the hard work over the years has paid off. I appreciate being recognized by the other players in the league, it means a lot to me.? Darren Sharper: ?I think the number of guys we had make the Pro Bowl is a reflection of the team as a whole. We are on a hot streak right now and we?re being recognized for our success. It?s a good representation of how the team is playing overall that people are paying attention. When you get to the stage of your career that I?m at, you don?t know how many more of these honors are going to come your way, so you really appreciate it more. It will be nice to bring my parents and my brother out there and let them enjoy the whole atmosphere.? Tony Richardson: ?Something like this is a credit to all the good people you have around you. It takes everyone doing their job for anyone to get recognition. Without a great line in front of you and some great running backs behind you, you?re nothing. I?m blessed to be surrounded by good people and Eric Bieniemy deserves a lot of credit. It?s not very often two guys from a backfield are going be Pro Bowlers. It?s humbling for me to know that the Vikings took a chance on me two years ago and that I was able to make the most of the chance they gave me.? Kevin Williams: ?I?m very excited to have a chance to represent the Vikings and extra excited that Pat is going to make the trip again. Pro Bowls are great but we want to keep improving on defense and winning games. This says a lot about our defense overall and the other guys around us played a huge part in our getting selected.? Matt Birk: ?I?m fortunate to have great teammates and this is a reflection on them. I consider it a team honor and I?m fortunate to be surrounded by talented guys and good teammates. Anybody can look good when you?re playing with some of the best in the business.? Steve Hutchinson: ?I?m happy that we have a bunch of guys who made the Pro Bowl and will represent the team. It?s a testament to what we did on the field so far this year and an honor to be selected by your peers, coaches and fans. It shows that we must have been doing something right this year.?

Childress press conference highlights - (12/18)

CB Antoine Winfield has a strained pectoral muscle and WR Sidney Rice has a sprained ankle, according to Vikings coach Brad Childress. Childress said their status is "uncertain" for Sunday's key game against the Washington Redskins. But, given a short week, both may be in danger of missing the game. Meanwhile, Childress lamented that LB E.J. Henderson did not make the Pro Bowl team, although he was named a second alternate. LB Heath Farwell (second), K Ryan Longwell (first) and LT Bryant McKinnie (second) were also alternates. Other highlights from the press conference: * G Artis Hicks was able to play few snaps, after missing the last game against the San Francisco 49ers with a back injury. * S Tank Williams is expected to return to the lineup Sunday against the Redskins. * Childress said LS Cullen Loeffler may have been distracted last night, because his wife was in labor.

Seven Vikings named to Pro Bowl - (12/18)

Rookie Adrian Peterson was among seven Vikings selected to the Pro Bowl team. Joining him are: Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Tony Richardson, Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk and Darren Sharper.

Ticket update - (12/18)

The Vikings have approximately 1,400 tickets available for Sunday's final regular-season home game. The team feels "good about the positive direction of current sales," vice president Steve LaCroix said. The Vikings struggled to sell out earlier in the season. But with the team in the playoff hunt, they shouldn't have any problems this week.

Vikings keep moving up - (12/18)

The Vikings offense was sloppy on Monday night, but moved up two spots to No. 11. A dominant defensive performance helped the Vikings move up to No. 20, although they remain last against the pass. On offense, the Vikings clearly took a step backwards, with Tarvaris Jackson looking as skittish as he had earlier this season. He made two terrible throws that, at this point in the season, are inexcusable. The Chicago Bears didn't blitz cornerbacks, like the San Francisco 49ers did, but brought everyone else to bottle up Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson. Jackson wasn't able to capitalize, and his mistakes would have been far more costly against most other teams. For the Bears to manage just 10 points off Minnesota's four turnovers is an apparent reflection of how far their offense has fallen since last season.

Jackson hurt - (12/17)

They keep going down. QB Tarvaris Jackson was shoved out of bounds, and he limped along the sideline. Brooks Bollinger is in the game for a crucial third-and-goal from the Bears' nine-yard line. Jackson is being looked at by a team doctor and head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman.

Rice carted off - (12/17)

The Vikings lost another key player. WR Sidney Rice was carted off after a right ankle injury. Rice tried to jog it off, but he did not look too good. Also, WR Robert Ferguson was on the sideline, as well. Vikings are thin at receiver, with Troy Williamson inactive. This means more playing time for Aundrae Allison.

Winfield out - (12/17)

Vikings CB Antoine Winfield is out for the remainder of the game with a shoulder injury. Winfield was on the field for the 11-yard reception by Muhsin Muhammad that set up Jason McKie's one-yard touchdown plunge late in the second quarter. But Winfield left the field with 30 seconds left in the half.

Smith starts - (12/17)

Despite being cited Thursday night for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, safety Dwight Smith was in the starting lineup for the Vikings. Smith made a tackle on the game's second play, stopping Bears running back Adrian Peterson for no gain on a pass from Kyle Orton.

Williamson inactive again - (12/17)

Wide receiver Troy Williamson is inactive for the Vikings for the third consecutive week and fifth time this season. Robert Ferguson will start in place of Williamson, who had been suffering headaches since suffering a concussion against the New York Giants but was cleared to play this week. The Vikings announced no changes to their starting defense, which presumably means Dwight Smith will open at safety, despite being cited Thursday for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Safety Tank Williams, cornerback Ronyell Whitaker, running back Mewelde Moore, tight end Garrett Mills, linebacker David Herron and offensive tackle Chase Johnson are the other inactives and Kelly Holcomb is the third quarterback. Inactive for the Bears are: quarterback Rex Grossman, safety Josh Gattis, linebacker Darrell McColver, offensive lineman Josh Beekman, defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo, wide receiver Mike Hass, tight end John GIlmore and defensive tackle Darwin Walker.

The Aftermath - (12/16)

We'll have to talk more about the victory over the Bears later this week. Especially the position of quarterback, but for now I'll take the win and being one step closer to the playoffs with the best defense in the NFL. I started talking about the Vikes leap-frogging the wild card seeds with the N.Y. Giants a couple of weeks back. I saw the Giants dropping two and the Vikes running the table enabling Minnesota to fall into the #5 NFC seed. Last week, I flip-flopped as I was fully expecting one of those Giants losses coming against the Eagles with the Giants then falling to the Patriots in week 17. The Giants beat the Eagles in week 14, but this past Sunday the Fred Smooooooot lead Washington Redskins stuck it to Big Blue and I'm flip-flopping again. The Vikes will travel to Tampa for their first playoff game. Let...

Smith expected to play - (12/15)

Coach Brad Childress said he will wait until all the facts are in before deciding on any possible team discipline for safety Dwight Smith, who was cited Thursday for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. But the incident apparently won't keep him out of Monday night's game against Chicago. "Right now, I anticipate him playing," Childress said after today's practice. Smith participated in the practice session but wasn't in the locker room during the open media period. Childress said he has spoken to Smith about the incident but declined to discuss any details. "Those are conversations I would keep between Dwight and I," he said. Childress likewise declined to speculate on any possible NFL discipline for Smith but said he doesn't think the incident will be a distraction for the team. "I think we were able to put it behind us yesterday," he said. "We talked about it yesterday and put it where it needs to be and got ourselves back down to business." Defensive tackle Pat Williams, who was with Smith at the time he was cited, said the players remain focused.

"Ain't nothing happened," Williams said. "That's just people trying to get in our locker room. We're not worried about that. Our focus is on the Chicago Bears and the game in front of us."

Childress said it was unfortunate that Williams was prominently mentioned in some TV reports of the incident, adding, "Pat was a sidebar to that. He had nothing to do with anything."

According to the police report, Smith admitted to having smoked marijuana, but Childress wouldn't speculate on how that might impact possible NFL discipline.

"Until the legal process runs its course, I wouldn't know," Childress said.

Guest speaker: Thee Vikings got a post-practice pep talk from former Wichita State coach Willie ?Jeff? Jeffries, the father-in-law of tight ends coach Jimmie Johnson.

His message to the players?

"I just talked to them about life and living and their habits off the field," he said. "They had seven pro quarterbacks in a room and they were asking them what was the most important quarter in a game. ? And Gino Torretta told them the fifth quarter is the most important quarter. That's what you do from the end of the game until Monday when you come back."

Smith practicing - (12/15)

Safety Dwight Smith, who was cited Thursday night for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, was on the field with his teammates for the start of today's practice. Coach Brad Childress hasn't said whether Smith will start Monday night's game against Chicago but could have an update after practice. Safety Tank Williams (knee) is not practicing and is expected to miss his third straight game.

Saturday Sports Talk - (12/14)

This coming Monday night the Vikes will play the Bears in what could be the biggest game in the series since the Mike Ditka era. Ditka hated the Dome and referred to it sarcastically with such nicknames as The Rollerdome, The Tinkerdome, The stockyard. This will be another fun game to watch as the Bears play the Vikings in this building. The stories of their visits already approach renowned status. Many of the games have featured a circus atmosphere, with Ditka as ringmaster. "[Mike] Ditka hated that place," former Bears receiver Tom Waddle said. "He wasn't real fond of indoor facilities anyway, but for whatever reason, he really hated that one. I didn't think it was all that bad. It did get awfully loud and was hard to breathe in there." Bears games at the Dome were about Ditka and Vikings cheerleaders on roller skates. There were plastic cows, horses...

Wade questionable - (12/14)

Wide receiver Bobby Wade was held out of today's practice because of swelling in his knee, but he said it won't keep him from starting Monday night's game against Chicago. "It's kind of been sore," Wade said. "It's kind of been something I've been working with, but it's nothing that's going to stop me from playing." Wade, who is listed as questionable, said the knee has been bothering him since he suffered a deep bone bruise in an Oct. 28 game against Philadelphia but that he expects to practice Saturday. In addition to Wade, the Vikings listed three other players as questionable: guard Artis Hicks (back), safety Mike Doss (hamstring) and cornerback Charles Gordon (quad). Safety Tank Williams (knee) is doubtful and expected to miss his third straight game. For the Bears, quarterback Rex Grossman (knee) is doubtful and defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), defensive tackle Darwin Walker (elbow) and cornerback Nathan Vasher (groin) are questionable. Kyle Orton will start in place of Grossman.

Wade, Williams not practicing - (12/14)

Wide receiver Bobby Wade and safety Tank Williams were the only players missing at the start of today's practice. Williams has been inactive for the last two games and is expected to miss Monday night's game against Chicago. We're not aware of any injury with Wade, who was in the locker room during the open media period, but check back later for an update. Guard Artis Hicks (back) returned to practice.

The Bears QB - (12/13)

I thought I'd put together a few choice photos of the man who will be leading the vaunted Bears offense during their visit to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome this coming Monday. This is the man who will stiffle the Vikings defense with his cunning, his leadership, his....ah hell, who am I fooling? This should be fun to watch the Vikings defense roll over Orton who will be looking for the nearest bar by half-time....

Injury report - (12/13)

Safety Tank Williams (knee) and guard Artis Hicks (back) did not practice for the Vikings. Safety Mike Doss (hamstring) and cornerback Charles Gordon (quad) were limited. For the Bears, defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), quarterback Rex Grossman (knee) and defensive tackle Darwin Walker (elbow) didn't practice and cornerback Nathan Vasher (groin) was limited. Coach Lovie Smith already has named Kyle Orton to start in place of Grossman.

Williamson cleared - (12/13)

Wide receiver Troy Williamson, who hasn't played since suffering a concussion against the New York Giants three weeks ago, was cleared to return to practice during a Tuesday visit to the Mayo Clinic. "They said that they essentially couldn't find anything to hang their hat on," coach Brad Childress said. "No abnormalities. They think that he can handle some of that stuff with Tylenol." Williamson had been suffering from headaches since being injured and has been inactive for the last two games. Guard Artis Hicks continues to be bothered by a back injury and is not expected to practice until later in the week, according to Childress, who said cornerback Charles Gordon (quad) would be limited. Notes: Hicks and safety Tank Williams (knee) were the only players not participating at the start of practice. Defensive tackle Fred Evans returned to practice after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Wide receiver Justin Surrency, who was with the Vikings during training camp and the preseason, was signed to the practice squad. He replaces defensive tackle Conrad Bolston, who was claimed on waivers by Green Bay.

Peterson sixth in Pro Bowl voting - (12/13)

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson looks as if he'll make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Peterson was the sixth-leading vote-getter in the NFL, behind Brett Favre, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo and Randy Moss. Peterson received 753,294 votes, nearly three times that of any other rookie. Vikings FB Tony Richardson was the top vote-getter at his position as well.

New Music Thursday - (12/12)

I only have one suggestion for this week's "New Music Thursday" and that is Mark Knopfler's Kill to Get Crimson. QUICKLY go and get this new work from Knopfler. If you liked his winning 2006 collaboration with Emmylou Harris on All the Road Running, you will have a fabulous experience with it. Knopfler takes you, with every song, on a journey through a cast of characters, capturing mood, time and space, and even different eras. From the straight forward love ballad opening song: "True Love Will Never Fade", to the melodramatic "A Heart Full of Holes" with it's rising crescendo bridge, I consider this album an epic. Truly a masterpiece. But then, I've always liked Knopfler....

Packers claim Bolston - (12/12)

DT Conrad Bolston, who was released Tuesday by the Vikings, was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers this afternoon. Bolston, who spent the first 12 weeks of the season on the Vikings? practice squad, was signed to the active roster Nov. 28, and he was credited with one tackle against the San Francisco 49ers. He was released Tuesday, to make room for DT Fred Evans, who completed a two-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Former Vikings coordinator named Falcons interim head coach - (12/12)

Emmitt Thomas, the Vikings defensive coordinator in 2000 and 2001, has been named the Atlanta Falcons interim head coach, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Thomas replaces Bobby Petrino, who resigned Tuesday to become the head coach at the University of Arkansas. Petrino, who signed a five-year contract during the offseason, lasted only 13 games and led the Falcons to a 3-10 record. Thomas has never been a head coach.

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