Blogs

Breaking Down The Vikings 90-Man Roster

The Vikings made a roster move on Monday, signing G Tyler Holmes to take the vacant roster spot created when the team waived WR Kris Adams last Friday. While that roster move doesn’t necessarily move the needle from the fans’ standpoint, it’s yet another illustration that building and maintaining an NFL roster is a never-ending process.

With the draft and rookie minicamp now complete, the latest roster move also opens up an opportunity for us to breakdown the Vikings current 90-man roster. Without further ado, here it is…

Draft Picks (10)
S Robert Blanton, WR Greg Childs, LB Audie Cole, TE Rhett Ellison, DL Trevor Guyton, LT Matt Kalil, CB Josh Robinson, S Harrison Smith, K Blair Walsh, WR Jarius Wright

Free Agents (10)
CB Zack Bowman, TE John Carlson, CB Chris Carr, RB Jerome Felton, RB Lex Hilliard, DB Reggie Jones, LB Marvin Mitchell, OT Kevin Murphy, OL Geoff Schwartz, WR Jerome Simpson, WR Bryan Walters

Rookie Free Agents (13)
DE Kevin Cyrille, CB Bobby Felder, WR Kamar Jorden, DE Eric Latimore, LB Tyler Nielson, DE Ernest Owusu, LB Corey Paredes, OG Austin Pasztor, DT Tydreke Powell, DT Terrell Resonno, C Quentin Saulsberry, OT Darrion Weems, CB C.C. Whitlock

Pro/College Tryouts (4)
DT Chase Baker, RB Derrick Coleman, G Tyler Holmes, DE Anthony Jacobs, DE Nick Reed

Pre-Draft Signees (6)
FB Matt Asiata, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, LB Solomon Elimimian, WR Kerry Taylor, CB Nick Taylor, OL Jose Valdez

Returning Veterans (47)
CB Asher Allen, DE Jared Allen, WR Manny Arceneaux, WR Devin Aromashodu, DL Christian Ballard, OL Joe Berger, LB Jasper Brinkley, OL Pat Brown, CB Brandon Burton, WR Stephen Burton, CB Chris Cook, LB Larry Dean, OG Chris DeGeare, FB Ryan D’Imperio, DT Fred Evans, S Eric Frampton, OL Brandon Fusco, RB Toby Gerhart, LB Chad Greenway, DE Everson Griffen, DT Letroy Guion, WR Percy Harvin, LB Erin Henderson, WR Michael Jenkins, OL Charlie Johnson, P Chris Kluwe, RT Phil Loadholt, LS Cullen Loeffler, OT DeMarcus Love, LB Tyrone McKenzie, RB Adrian Peterson, QB Christian Ponder, S Mistral Raymond, DE D’Aundre Reed, TE Allen Reisner, DE Brian Robison, QB Sage Rosenfels, TE Kyle Rudolph, S Jamarca Sanford, S Andrew Sendejo, CB Marcus Sherels, TE Mickey Shuler, C John Sullivan, RB Jordan Todman, QB Joe Webb, DT Kevin Williams, CB Antoine Winfield

Hightlights From Peterson’s Knee Rehab Update

Last week’s news cycle was dominated by Vikings stadium discussion, and rightfully so given the importance of that issue and the extremely positive result that ultimately transpired. Somewhat lost in that discussion, though, was the update Vikings RB Adrian Peterson and Head Athletic Trainer Eric Sugarman provided late in the week.

And while Sugarman stressed that the team would be cautious in bringing Peterson back so as to not compromise his health in order to get him back on the field in fast order, the overall tone of the update was positive.

We covered the update from top to bottom on vikings.com. But just in case you missed all or some of it, here’s what happened…

– Video highlights of Peterson’s workout
– Peterson’s press conference following the workout
– NFL Network’s Michael Irvin sits down with Peterson
– Quotes from Peterson and Sugarman following Peterson’s workout

Stadium Bill Passes Both House and Senate, Awaiting Signature Of Gov. Dayton

After years upon years of battling and waiting, the dream that so many within the Vikings organization, its fan base and the State of Minnesota shared has come true. The Vikings stadium bill has officially passed both the House and the Senate, and now is awaiting the signature of Governor Mark Dayton.

The Senate passed the legislation early Thursday afternoon by a 36-30 margin, setting the stage for Governor Mark Dayton to sign it into law and for the Minneapolis City Council to approve.

Thursday’s outcome in the Senate marks one of the most historic days in the history of the Vikings franchise, as it paves the way for the Vikings to remain a part of the culture of fabric of Minnesota for many generations to come. Many thanks go to Vikings fans, who’ve been persistent and passionate about making their voice heard. Huge credit also goes to Governor Dayton, bill authors Representative Morrie Lanning and Senator Julie Rosen and their staffs, and everyone else at the State Capitol who supported this legislation.

More to come soon, so stay tuned to vikings.com.

Stadium Bill Passes House, Faces Final Test On Thursday In Senate

Late on Wednesday night, the Vikings agreed to a revamped version of the stadium bill that came out of a Conference Committee which essentially merged both the Senate and House versions of the bill which passed earlier this week.  Of note, the team agreed to raise it’s contribution by $50 milllion.

Then, in the wee hours of Thursday morning, the House passed the vote by a 71-60 margin.  The Senate is now up next and will discuss the bill beginning around Noon on Thursday, with a full vote expected later in the afternoon or evening.  Should it pass there, all that is left is for Gov. Mark Dayton to sign the bill, which he will do.

So, the long-awaited quest for a new Vikings stadium appears to be nearing an end, but again, it still needs to pass in the Senate on Thursday.

Jerry Jones, Mike Jenkins And The Vikings CB Situation

The Dallas Cowboys signed high-profile free agent Brandon Carr, one of the best CBs in this year’s free agent class, and then just weeks later they traded up in the 1st round to select Morris Claiborne, the best CB in this year’s draft. Those two major upgrades sparked speculation that Mike Jenkins, a 4-year veteran CB, might be on the outs in Big D.

With the Vikings in the market for an upgrade at CB after finishing with the 26th-ranked pass defense a year ago, it was logical to wonder if Jenkins might be a good fit in Minnesota. According to a pretty reliable source in Dallas, you can stop wondering. Cowboys Owner/GM Jerry Jones told his own website that Jenkins remains in the team’s long-term plans.

Jones called Jenkins “a vital part” of the Cowboys plan and said the former 1st-round pick out of South Florida has ”a very critical role in what we want to be defensively.” Jones went on to say: “Jenkins is not only this year, but a long-term player here as far as I’m concerned.”

So there you have it. Jones made it clear that Jenkins is not on the trade block and that he is indeed a part of Dallas’ plan for 2012 and beyond. Or perhaps Jenkins really isn’t in the Cowboys long-term plan and Jones is simply trying to create leverage for a potential future trade.

Either way, I wouldn’t spend too much time trying to figure it out. Jenkins would certainly be value-added to the Vikings secondary, but the team has found alternative ways to try and add value. This is a topic in this week’s edition of Pick Six (our new video mailbag segment), so click the link to find out how I see the Vikings CB situation shaking out once we get to training camp.

Great Debate! Stadium Legislation Advances Through Senate

For the second consecutive night, a huge step was taken at the State Capitol toward reaching resolution on the long-standing stadium issue.

Stadium legislation passed the Minnesota Senate by a 38-28 margin late Tuesday evening. Passage in the Senate on Tuesday followed passage in the House of Representatives on Monday evening by a 73-58 margin.

Tuesday night’s result sets the stage for the conference committee portion of the process. Several amendments were attached to both the House and Senate bills, and the conference committees will reconcile the bills.

Stadium Takes Big Step, Passes Minnesota House Of Representatives

The Vikings organization, its fans and Minnesota lawmakers have been battling for a new stadium to keep the Vikings a part of Minnesota culture for more than a decade. And tonight, after a full day of debate inside the State Capitol, a huge step toward that end was made.

Stadium legislation passed the Minnesota House of Representatives by a margin of 73-58, setting the stage for debate and a vote in the Minnesota Senate on Tuesday. Fans played a huge role in making a push to gain passage in the House, and now fans can have the same influence as the process moves on to the Senate. Click here to find out how to contact your Senator and urge them to vote for the stadium legislation.

While more work remains to reach resolution on this long-standing issue, tonight’s outcome represents a historic moment in the push for a stadium that will keep the Vikings in Minnesota for many, many generations.

More to come here on vikings.com, so stay tuned.

Vikings Release Longwell

The Vikings on Monday released K Ryan Longwell, a 16-year veteran who spent the past 6 seasons with the Vikings.

“Ryan has meant a great deal to the Vikings organization both on and off field over the past six seasons,” Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier said. “We wish him all the best in the future and thank him for his service to the Minnesota Vikings.”

Longwell is the Green Bay Packers all-time leading scorer (1,054 points) and also ranks as the 3rd all-time leading scorer in Vikings history with 633 points over his 6 seasons in Minnesota.

Phase 2 Of Vikings Offseason Program Begins Monday

The Vikings 9-week offseason program is segmented into 3 phases, and as the team enters its third week of workouts it also launches Phase 2 of the program. Attendance for Phase 1 of the offseason program was near-capacity and I anticipate the same will be true for Phase 2, especially in light of how many veterans hung around Winter Park to observe the team’s rookie minicamp this past weekend.

We explained the differences in each phase of the offseason program a few weeks ago, but as a review here are the basics of Phase 2:

– Coaches are allowed to be on the field with players
– “Perfect Play” rules are in effect (no contact, no going to the ground, etc.)
– Individual player instruction drills permitted
– Special teams drills on a “separates” basis
– No live contact
– No individual or team offense vs. defense
– No helmets

Ellison Continues Strong Showing At Vikings Rookie Minicamp; More From Saturday

The Vikings had two productive practices on Friday to open their annual rookie minicamp, and the coaches and players were right back at it on Saturday as well with two more practices. The minicamp will conclude on Sunday with one practice.

Here are a few observations from Saturday’s on-field action…

– The Vikings were able to squeeze the morning practice in and work outside before a weather system carrying heavy rain arrived, but the afternoon practice was moved inside due to inclement weather.

– I can’t say he’s the most impressive of the rookie minicamp because it’s virtually impossible to give equal attention to every player without watching hours of film, but in my eyes FB/TE Rhett Ellison is having as good a few days as anyone. Ellison is billed as a big, physical blocking-type of TE. But as I said on Friday, he’s a fluid route runner and smooth pass catcher. We recorded an interview with LT Matt Kalil on Friday for next week’s Wobcast, and Kalil – a teammate of Ellison’s at USC – spoke very highly of Ellison and described him as a do-everything type of player who is also a great teammate in the locker room. I noticed that Ellison was the last one off the practice field on Saturday morning and spent a few minutes beating up on a blocking sled before retreating to the locker room following practice.

– Saturday was a better day for WR Jarius Wright. The 4th-round pick was sidelined midway through the morning practice on Friday and then sat out the afternoon practice as well. On Saturday morning, the shifty WR was back on the field and looked good.

– The Vikings signed LB Soloman Elimimian at the end of January to a future free agent contract, and now they’re getting to see the former CFL standout on the field in Minnesota for the first time. I’m guessing they like what they see so far. Elimimian plays with great energy, always seems to be around the ball and is clearly athletic enough to compete at the NFL level. He might be undersized, but that might also not matter. Now, it’s one thing to standout in rookie minicamp and it’s an entirely different matter to standout when the veterans arrive. But so far, so good for Elimimian.

– There are several familiar faces from last year at this weekend’s camp, and one of them is that of Alexander Robinson, the former Iowa State RB who was with the Vikings during training camp last year. Robinson, a Minneapolis native, impressed in the Vikings preseason finale a year ago and now he’s trying to carve out a spot for himself on the Vikings offseason roster this year. Robinson has looked solid so far in camp. The other RBs in camp this weekend are: FB Matt Asiata (Utah), Derrick Coleman (UCLA), Josh Murray (Mary) and FB Tyler Legate (Nebraska).

– LB Audie Cole, drafted by the Vikings in the 7th round last weekend, had 2 INTs on Saturday morning.