OFFICIAL Minnesota Vikings Season Thread: Bummer dudes.

[thetruth03]

Percy should have gone top 7..

him playing w/ a superstar RB and a deep threat in Berriman...

Percy might have like 12 tubs this year..

 

[651akathepaul]

Originally Posted by JPZx

Nice job keeping the thread title updated Paul

Thank you much. I was mad at myself for updating it so late yesterday, but I didn't have access to a computer for the longest time. Should be on top ofthings for the most part.

Truth - Percy will definitely (should) light it up as a rook, but I'm sure if he wasn't on a team as stacked as Minnesota, had he gone in the top 7,his production might have been limited. We shall see though.

 

[RyGuy45]

Bill Cowher gonna LOVE havin Percy to use next season

 

[jpzx]

^ Even if we got lucky and Childress was fired Cowher wouldn't come here. I don't have a reason why....I just don't see it.

He doesn't have any connections to Minny does he?

 

[RyGuy45]

Youre crazy if you dont think the big names wouldnt comehere....There's gonna be a handfull of openings as usual and these dudes are gonna see the Wilfs will probably pay top dollar as well as the roster likelywill be loaded compared to the other crap teams who will be canning their coaches.

"Here Bill (or Shanahan or......) you come with us you got K Williams, J Allen, A.P., Winfield, Hutch, and Percy locked and loaded for the nextbasically 4 years."

Sure no QB.....but what teams in need of a coach next spring likely will? It's their job to then go find one, and one they groom.

 

[kix4kix]

Cowher coached in Pittsburgh

no reason why he wouldn't coach in MN. Top defense, with 1 hole on offense.

 

[the wizard]

Originally Posted by thetruth03


Percy might have like 12 tubs this year..

nah truth, not this year. i can't see him making that big of an impact this season in terms of scoring tds.

i'd say 1000 all purpose for the year

 

[651akathepaul]

Sure no QB.....but what teams in need of a coach next spring likely will? It's their job to then go find one, and one they groom.



Shoooot. If the Vikes locked down a top tier coach to go along with their already established talent...All the QB's would be knocking down the door to playin Minnesota.

 

[RyGuy45]

In all honesty, sitting out there right now you got Cowher, Shanahan, Gruden and even Holmgren (has said he still would probably like to coach again) or Dungy(never rule him out especially with him being a Minnesota guy). Some have their own flaws I'm sure.....but seriously look at those names again and comparethem to BRAD CHILDRESS and DARREL BEVEL. It's laughable if this man is back again next year, barring a 13-3 season and explosive offense.

Saw this today and laughed:

McKinnie changes agents, apparently wants a new deal

Posted by Mike Florio on August 3, 2009 9:38 PM ET

Agent Drew Rosenhaus announced earlier today on his Twitter page that he has signed Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie as a new client.

Though McKinnie is under contract, such moves typically mean that the player wants a new contract. But Rosenhaus said the move has nothing to do with McKinnie's deal.

"This has nothing to do with respect to his contract or anything else," Rosenhaus told Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "It's just purely, in his mind he wanted something different. We're very honored to be working with him. It's only a positive situation for us and we have nothing but the greatest respect for him."

But McKinnie seemed to imply otherwise.

"I'm just trying to change a lot of things that have been going on with my career, starting with my agent," McKinnie told Zulgad. "I've just watched him over the years. He gets a lot of things done that I want to get done so I want to see what they can do with me."

Per Zulgad, Rosenhaus represents six other Vikings players. And per NFLPA rules, Rosenhaus won't be paid a dime for representing McKinnie unless and until he signs a new contract.

Note that last line and note who the agent is as well. Also, If anyone needed a reminder:

Bryant McKinnie signed a seven-year, $48.5 million contract extension in Sept. 2006 that included $18.1 million in bonuses.


More news:

Vikings shopping Aundrae Allison

Posted by Mike Florio on August 4, 2009 10:29 AM ET

Agent Drew Rosenhaus has posted on his Twitter page an indication that the Minnesota Vikings are shopping receiver Aundrae Allison, and that they will cut him at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

That gives the Vikings little leverage, unless someone wants to acquire Allison's contract.

Allison is under contract through 2010 at salaries of $460,000 this year and $550,000 next year.

Jackson not certain when he will return

Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson stayed on the field for 25 minutes after Tuesday morning's practice throwing to wide receivers but said he doesn't know when he'll resume practicing with the team.

 

[truthmain]

I hate Drew Rosenhaus.

 

[jpzx]

With all of McKinnie's off-the-field problems, he should be the last guy looking for a new contract

I'm awaiting Favre's "itch" again....I expect him to announce it later this week.

 

[casperjr]

Originally Posted by JPZx

I'm awaiting Favre's "itch" again....I expect him to announce it later this week.

jpz favre isnt coming get over it

 

[RyGuy45]

Guys....Rosenhaus would have a lot of leverage come on

Aside from the consensus that McKinnie has played well but generally has underachieved in his career, he also has the nearly brand new mega contract as well asthe Vikings getting to experience these in his career:


2005

Two Vikings Players Arrested in Downtown Minneapolis

Two Minnesota Vikings players were arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process, both misdemeanor offenses.

Bryant McKinnie, 26, and Marcus A. Johnson, 23, were arrested around 4 a.m. at Bobby and Steve's Auto World on Washington Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.

Viking players charged after boat cruise scandal

On December 15, 2005, Daunte Culpepper, Bryant McKinnie, Fred Smoot and Moe Williams were charged with indecent conduct, disorderly conduct and lewd or lascivious conduct.

Smoot and McKinnie pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The two will pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service, they also had 30-day jail sentences stayed for a year. Smoot and McKinnie also pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance on a watercraft, but that will be permanently removed from their records if they remain law abiding for the next year.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said the two players, in addition to their required community service, would participate in numerous service events over the next season.

In September 2006, the NFL imposed a one game check fine for both Smoot and McKinnie.


2008

Vikings' McKinnie arrested in Miami

The Minnesota Vikings lineman is being charged with aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after he allegedly was involved in a brawl outside a Miami nightclub.

Vikings' McKinnie suspended four games

MINNEAPOLIS -- The NFL suspended Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy

JPZ that avy

Cannot wait for this stadium, season tickets baby

 

[thetruth03]

nah truth, not this year. i can't see him making that big of an impact this season in terms of scoring tds.

i'd say 1000 all purpose for the year
IDK wiz, by the sounds of things if seems like percy is going to be getting A LOT of touches this season

in the open field at that, because of the presence of AD..

he's going to be an instant problem.. IMO

eddie royal type of production, barring injury of course..

 

[jpzx]

Originally Posted by RyGuy45

JPZ that avy

Cannot wait for this stadium, season tickets baby

Football outdoors

So you got season tickets? Any strong hate by you towards that no-alcohol-inside-the-stadium rule that's been implemented?

 

[RyGuy45]

^ Yup, 20 yard line, 20 rows up...also dont have to pay seat license fees there

Naw no hate from me. Ive certainly enjoyed my tailgating over the years but for Gopher football now games are almost all at 11 AM and I'm no longer a 21year old student. I can be content with not boozing during the games.

Besides it's more fun to drink after at a bar with what you experienced watching the home team crap yet another game away.

 

[651akathepaul]

http://blogs.startribune....QiUiacyKUHDYaGEP7eyckcUs

MANKATO - The Vikings have released wide receiver Aundrae Allison, according to the team's website.

Allison was not on the practice field this morning and agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted that "that the Vikings have informed me that they will be waiving receiver Aundrae Allison by 5 p.m. today if he isn't traded first."

Obviously, the team did not find a team willing to make a deal and the fact Rosenhaus put it on his Twitter page probably made it impossible to work a trade considering everyone knew Allison was going to be released. A fifth-round pick by the Vikings in 2007, Allison had 18 catches for 231 yards in 26 career games. He also was used on kickoff and punt returns and finishes with an average of 25.9 yards on 26 kick returns and a touchdown.

That touchdown came on Dec. 2, 2007 against Detroit when Allison went 104 yards to set a Vikings record for the longest play.

Vikings coach Brad Childress has declined to talk about Allison's situation in part because nothing was official until late this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Tarvaris Jackson was back on the field this afternoon and worked out under the watchful eyes of Childress and athetic trainer Eric Sugarman. While many of his teammates were taking part in a special teams practice on a field on the Minnesota State Mankato campus, Jackson was off on another field throwing to a ballboy as Childress gave the quarterback directions.

Jackson is recovering from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee that he suffered Saturday. Jackson dropped back several times to test the knee. The good thing is that Jackson plants with his right knee and thus puts a bit less stress on the left one.

"He did fine, foot work wise" Childress said. "You always go back and they always go in and treat. We'll see how he feels in the morning, see how he feels later on. Getting out there moving around a little bit. But he looked fine."

Childress said any decision on Jackson possibly taking the field on Wednesday would come in the morning. "I know he's enthusiastic to get out there but it's just a matter of him being able to protect himself, Childress said. "That's the biggest thing. That's why you have the trainer with you while you're working out so he can kind of give him feedback as he's going."


I really liked Allison, but oh well. Hopefully he catches on somewhere else.

 

[651akathepaul]

^ Yes. I really like Reynaud too. Haven't seen much on this Jaymar character, but I did hear CC.

 

[jpzx]

It's perfectly fine by me....this just secures spots for Reynaud and Jaymar (who Cris Carter was raving about by the way, anybody see that?) who I thinkare better anyway.

Yeah....Allison has speed and he's still very young, but he just didn't fit in with us. I'm ok with it.

He'll latch on to a team in no time.

 

[kiddin like jason]

Reynaud

 

[truthmain]

Originally Posted by 651akathePaul

http://blogs.startribune....QiUiacyKUHDYaGEP7eyckcUs

MANKATO - The Vikings have released wide receiver Aundrae Allison, according to the team's website.

Allison was not on the practice field this morning and agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted that "that the Vikings have informed me that they will be waiving receiver Aundrae Allison by 5 p.m. today if he isn't traded first."

Obviously, the team did not find a team willing to make a deal and the fact Rosenhaus put it on his Twitter page probably made it impossible to work a trade considering everyone knew Allison was going to be released.

I really liked Allison, but oh well. Hopefully he catches on somewhere else.
And this is why Twitter + Rosenhaus = no good. How we supposed to trade dude if his agent is letting everyone know he's gonna get waived?

 

[jpzx]

^ Twitter is terrible in general.

I think the Vikings didn't have that much of a problem with Rosenhaus broadcasting it over Twitter because there could have been a situation where twoteams wanted his services. If that was the case, one of those teams could have given us a sixth/seventh rounder so they wouldn't have had to partake in abidding war with the other team. It's not like they would've gotten back much anyway though...

 

[buttah like parkay]

Just checking in...I can't wait till the season starts I'm excited but like most of you guys, I'm expecting more things from our offense thisseason.

I swear if I see that zero creativity, highly predictable dink and dunk $%!+@##+, specially with the current personell we have, I'm gonna lose it

I think we have a decent shot this year, but as always, we're the QB position away from being truly elite.
I haven't given up on TJ yet, and I prefer him over Sage so i hope he comes back healthy from this setback.

 

[651akathepaul]

Lost in the shuffle of all this hype the Minnesota big name talents are receiving, E.J. has quietly, or actually in this case vocally, threw his name back outthere and seems ready to resume where he left off last year before his injury. Pro Bowl bound? I sure hope so.


http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/52477537.html?page=1&c=y

The Vikings' quiet but fierce defensive leader is now less quiet, and younger teammates heed the words and wisdom of the seventh-year linebacker.

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune

Last update: August 5, 2009 - 7:14 AM

MANKATO - E.J. Henderson emerged from the locker room Monday and a group of fans waiting for autographs began serenading him with "Happy Birthday."

Henderson, celebrating his 29th, smiled and began waving his hands in the air like an orchestra conductor. Even in lighter moments, the Vikings middle linebacker and defensive captain runs the show.

Henderson is back on the field after missing the final 13 games last season because of a foot injury. At the time he seemed destined to earn his first Pro Bowl berth, but things got put on hold after he tore ligaments in his big toe and dislocated another toe on his left foot against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4.

Now healthy, Henderson made his intentions clear as he embarks on his seventh season.

"E.J. Henderson is a little more hungry," he said. "Missing 12, 13 games does a lot for you. You realize how much you do love and miss football and how big a part of your life it is. When it's gone, a big piece of your life is gone."

Henderson's passion was unmistakable when he called the entire defense together for a pep talk before the first practice of training camp. Henderson has earned a reputation as a quiet player who prefers to let his actions speak for themselves, but he took a different tack this time.

"You could hear a pin drop in our huddle," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "When E.J. is there, it's a different deal. He commands so much respect. He raises everyone else's level of play because he is a splash-play type of guy. He makes a lot of big plays for our defense."

Frazier admits he and his players were a little surprised to see Henderson being so vocal because that is usually not his nature.

"I am sure that is why the guys were so quiet and attentive, because it's rare that he will bring everyone together and say a whole lot," Frazier said. "He does it by his performance. For him to do that, it makes everyone feel as if this is for real. No more playing around. Let's do what we have to do. E.J. saying, 'This is the way it is.'"

Henderson continues to set the tone on the field, too. It took all of two plays in Monday's full pads practice for him to make his presence felt.

Henderson nailed Chester Taylor on the first play of an outside run drill and then followed that with another tackle the next play. Coach Brad Childress said the offense had a player assigned to block Henderson both times, but he closed too fast to the ball.

"He might even be faster than the E.J. of old," Childress said. "We have a [blocker] for him and we can't get there. He's not missing a beat."

The Vikings did a respectable job in Henderson's absence, finishing No. 1 in the league against the run and No. 6 in total defense. But the defense clearly isn't the same without him. Not only has Henderson led the team in tackles three of the past five seasons, but his take-no-prisoners hitting often sends an emotional jolt throughout the defense.

"That guy's a monster," Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen said. "E.J. was playing at such a high level when he got hurt. There's a confidence in having that guy behind us. It makes it easier to play a little more free up front knowing he's in back of us."

Henderson's role has expanded beyond his play on the field. He's assumed more of a leadership role and is clearly more comfortable speaking up when the situation calls for it.

"Most of the guys, when I look in the huddle now, are younger than me, so they kind of look up to me as a seventh-year player," he said. "So it's kind of natural. I don't really have to say so much, but I am more comfortable now saying something to the younger guys, compared to being a second- or third-year player."

Childress said it's a process that happens over time, and that Henderson has all the hallmarks of an effective leader.

"It's also easier to be a good leader when you're a good person and a good player [because] you're more credible," he said. "He doesn't over-speak, but when he speaks, people listen."

 

[651akathepaul]

[h1] [/h1]

Kevin, Pat Williams can play, Minnesota judge rules

The Vikings defensive tackles can play the entire season unless a federal court claims jurisdiction over their lawsuit challenging the NFL's drug-testing procedures and their suspensions, a judge ruled this morning.

By ROCHELLE OLSON, Star Tribune

Last update: August 5, 2009 - 9:28 AM

Minnesota Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams can play the entire season unless a federal court claims jurisdiction over their lawsuit challenging the NFL's drug-testing procedures, Hennepin County District Court Judge Gary Larson ruled today.

Larson stayed action in his courtroom until the U.S. District Court determines whether it has jurisdiction on some of the players' claims. Federal Judge Paul Magnuson said the court does not, but a three-judge panel is hearing an appeal of his ruling in St. Paul on Aug. 18.

If the federal court determines the case should be conducted in state court, Larson wrote "it is not likely that the (Hennepin County) court would, or could force (the players into trial during the middle of a playing season, based on the court's schedule."

The Pro Bowl defensive tackles sued last year after they were found to have taken a banned substance -- unwittingly, they say -- and suspended for four games.

The NFL wanted Larson to delay state court proceedings on the matter until the 8th U.S. District Court of Appeals rules. Larson agreed to do so. "To proceed in both the Eighth Circuit and this court on such similar issues at the exact same time and then to reach conflicting results would be a colossal waste of limited resources," the judge wrote.

The players asked to proceed immediately in state court with a trial before the season begins. Absent a trial next month, the players asked that Larson let them take the field and conduct a trial after the season - which he agreed to do.

The Williamses filed a lawsuit in state court contending that the NFL's drug-testing procedures violate state workplace laws, and they asked that a judge void their suspensions.

The players argue that Minnesota law gives employees an opportunity to explain use of a product innocently used but otherwise banned, but the NFL didn't allow the Williamses to explain their use of the over-the-counter supplement StarCaps. The supplement was found to contain the banned diuretic bumetanide, which can mask steroid use but was not listed as an ingredient on the label.

Meanwhile, the NFL Players Association filed suit in federal court on the players' behalf. As part of that suit, NFL attorneys argued that federal court had jurisdiction over the labor laws that govern its drug-testing program and that the state claims should be dismissed.

Magnuson dismissed the union's claims that the suspensions violated the players' collective bargaining agreement. But he sent the Williamses' claims under state law back to state court, saying they were not pre-empted by the union agreement as the NFL had argued.

Both sides have appealed parts of Magnuson's rulings.