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| MIN - Matt Cassel may push Christian Ponder - |
Minnesota Vikings QB Christian Ponder might be challenged by Matt Cassel for the starting job during the 2013 season.
Footballguys view: The headline says it all. If Ponder is pushed by Cassel then perhaps he's not the franchise QB the team envisioned when they selected him in the first-round of the 2011 NFL draft. We may see Ponder win the starting job but there could be a quick hook if he struggles. The questionable QB position may hold back the numbers from this conservative Bill Musgrave passing offense in 2013.
| MIN - Desmond Bishop to visit - |
Updating a previous report, free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) said he is scheduled to meet with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, June 18.
| MIN - Could meet with Desmond Bishop - |
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to meet with free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) if he clears waivers.
| MIN - John Sullivan unsure about status for camp - |
Minnesota Vikings C John Sullivan (knee) said he is not sure if he will be ready for the start of training camp and does not want to put a timetable on his return. 'I just don't want to put a time frame on it,' Sullivan said. 'We're taking it one day at a time. I promise, I am doing absolutely everything I can to be ready for that [week one] game in Detroit.'
| MIN - Greg Childs not cleared yet - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Childs (knees) has not been cleared to participate in team practices at this point and likely will not be for some time. He has been working out in the weight room and currently weighs 225 pounds. He has also been able to do some running and cutting.
Footballguys view: Childs has interesting upside if he could ever get healthy. He's never been the same since a torn patellar tendon his junior year in college at Arkansas. Last season he suffered patellar tendon injuries to both knees and is trying to make his way back. In super deep dynasty leagues he's worth having on the end of your bench as a lottery ticket player. We'd love to see what he could do if he ever returned to form but the chances of that happening are slim.
| MIN - Jared Allen to miss next week - |
Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (shoulder) will not attend mandatory minicamp next week as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
| MIN - Unsure about Greg Childs' status for camp - |
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said he is not sure if Greg Childs (knee) will receive medical clearance for the start of training camp. Frazier did not rule out the possibility of Childs practicing early in camp.
Footballguys view: Childs has interesting upside if he could ever get healthy. He's never been the same since a torn patellar tendon his junior year in college at Arkansas. Last season he suffered patellar tendon injuries to both knees and is trying to make his way back. In super deep dynasty leagues he's worth having on the end of your bench as a lottery ticket player. We'd love to see what he could do if he ever returned to form but the chances of that happening are slim.
| MIN - Chad Greenway undergoes surgery - |
Updating a previous report, Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said LB Chad Greenway (knee) underwent successful knee surgery Wednesday, June 12. Frazier said Greenway should be ready for the start of training camp.
| MIN - Chad Greenway to have surgery - |
Minnesota Vikings LB Chad Greenway (knee) will have surgery in the coming days to clean up an issue in his knee.
Footballguys view: The surgery is minor and the team expects Greenway to be ready for the start of training camp.
| MIN - Travis Bond receiving reps with starters - |
Minnesota Vikings OT Travis Bond has received reps at left and right tackle with the first-team offense during organized team activities when OT Matt Kalil or Phil Loadholt need a rest. Bond could be used as the team's swing tackle this season.
| MIN - Unlikely to use Joe Webb as punt returner - |
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said the team sees WR Joe Webb more as a wide receiver and kick returner and not as a punt returner even though Webb was working on punt returning during organized team activities Wednesday, June 5. Frazier said Webb was fielding punts in order to give him more reps catching the ball.
Footballguys view: Webb failed as a QB and now the team is trying to find away to get his athleticism on the field. Working as a WR and a return man makes the most sense.
| MIN - Jared Allen on same page as team - |
Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (shoulder, knee) said he's on the same page with the team when it comes to the fact that he doesn't have a contract guarantee in his final season with the club. 'I was in an organization previously that didn't respect where I was at in my contract,' Allen said. 'They promised me a lot of stuff and didn't deliver. And here, I don't have that problem.' Allen is set to make more than $14 million in his final year under contract with Minnesota. He said he's unsure if he'll want to negotiate a new contract during the year, but he's just happy the team is willing to let him play out his last year.
| MIN - Jeff George to mentor Christian Ponder? - |
Former NFL QB Jeff George is in camp with the Minnesota Vikings as a guest instructor and mentor to QB Christian Ponder. 'We told our players just to be able to pick his brain, our quarterbacks, and talk with him about some of the things he saw as a young quarterback and what he saw as a veteran and just his maturation over the course of his career,' head coach Leslie Frazier said. 'He was a very good player for a long time, high draft pick, and I think he can really help our players with some of his background and his knowledge as well.'
Footballguys view: George was known for his strong arm and attitude during his time in the NFL. We'll see if this coaching can help Ponder play up to his potential in 2013. It's a make or break year for Ponder who needs to be more than just a safe QB. He has to show the ability to make plays from the pocket and challenge edges downfield.
| MIN - Jacob Lacey undergoes surgery - |
Minnesota Vikings CB Jacob Lacey (thumb) underwent surgery Wednesday, June 5, to repair a dislocated thumb. Lacey suffered the injury during organized team activities Tuesday, June 4.
| MIN - Have not talked with Jared Allen about extension - |
Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen said he has not had any contract extension talks with the team at this point and does not have a problem with that. He said he is not sure if he will be willing to talk about an extension during the regular season.
| MIN - Jared Allen will not be on field until camp - |
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said DE Jared Allen (shoulder) will not practice until training camp begins. Frazier said Allen is in great shape medically at this point.
| MIN - Joe Webb working as returner - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Joe Webb was working as a punt returner during organized team activities Wednesday, June 5. Webb was getting extra instruction from special teams coach Mike Priefer during the workout.
Footballguys view: Webb has converted from QB to WR this offseason and the team is looking for ways to get his elite athleticism on the field. It makes sense for them to try him as a return man because of his size and elusiveness in the open field.
| MIN - NT battle in training camp? - |
The Minnesota Vikings coaching staff lined DL Fred Evans up with the starting defense for the first snap of both team periods in last week's open organized team activity (OTAs) practices. 'The coaches keep telling me that, hey, we need to give Fred a shot to compete for the No. 1 job,' head coach Leslie Frazier said Sunday, June 2. Evans played about 30 percent of snaps last season, and he still has a lot of work to do if he is to unseat DL Letroy Guion for the starting nose tackle job.
| MIN - Greg Jennings injury update - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Jennings (ankle) said the ankle issue that kept him out of practice Wednesday, May 29, is a non-issue and he will return to practice next week. 'It's May,' Jennings said on Thursday. 'Nothing right now counts as much. It's important. But it really doesn't count as much as September, August. ... It's May, and I'm perfectly fine.'
Footballguys view: Jennings is a savvy veteran and he knows his body well. No need to push things right now and we should see him back on the practice field next week.
| MIN - Stanford Keglar contract update - |
Updating a previous report, the Minnesota Vikings signed LB Stanford Keglar to a one-year deal worth $630,000.
| MIN - Greg Jennings open to helping rookie WR - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Jennings said he is willing to help WR Cordarrelle Patterson improve his route running skills because he believes Patterson has talent but it is raw.
Footballguys view: No surprise here. At this point in his career Jennings should be open to the role as a mentor. Jennings should be the team's top target in 2013 but Patterson is seen as a future playmaker. The rookie from Tennessee has huge upside but needs to refine his game and reports out of minicamp say the team will bring him along slowly.
More Cordarrelle Patterson info
| MIN - Greg Jennings building chemistry with QB - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Jennings (ankle) said he has been building chemistry with QB Christian Ponder even though he has not been able to participate in organized team activities by talking with Ponder about the things he sees during plays. 'With a guy like Christian, he's very smart,' Jennings said. 'You pick each other's brains, and once you're on the field, that chemistry starts to form itself.'
| MIN - John Carlson recovered from concussion - |
Minnesota Vikings TE John Carlson said he is recovered from the concussion he suffered during the 2012 season and has been enjoying participating in offseason workouts. Head coach Leslie Frazier said the team hopes Carlson can develop into a down-the-field receiving threat if he is able to stay healthy this season.
| MIN - John Sullivan expects to be ready for camp - |
Minnesota Vikings C John Sullivan (knee) said he is not sure if he will be able to participate in any of the offseason workouts but expects to be ready for the start of training camp. He does not think his microfracture surgery will affect his ability to play this season.
| MIN - Cordarrelle Patterson to be eased in - |
The Minnesota Vikings plan on easing rookie WR Cordarrelle Patterson into action behind Greg Jennings and Jerome Simpson, according to head coach Leslie Frazier. Along with a trial in kick returning, Patterson will get looks that 'utilize his strengths.'
Footballguys view: Patterson is extremely talented but it doesn't sound like he's going to be a big part of the offense early on. As he continues to develop he should see his role with the team grow. Patterson may be too good to keep off the field.
More Cordarrelle Patterson info
| MIN - Greg Jennings expected to practice next week - |
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said WR Greg Jennings (ankle) should participate in organized team activities Tuesday, June 4. Jennings said the injury is a non-issue at this point because it is the offseason.
Footballguys view: It will be interesting to see how Jennings fits in the Vikings offense. They added him through free agency and drafted Cordarrelle Patterson in the first-round of the 2013 NFL draft. With Percy Harvin in Seattle we'll see a new look passing game for the Vikings in 2013.
| MIN - Chris Summers dealing with injury - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Chris Summers (hamstring) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 30, because of a strained hamstring.
| MIN - Jared Allen expected to attend OTAs - |
Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen is expected to participate in the organized team activities next week.
| MIN - Adrian Peterson near 100 percent - |
Updating a previous report, Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (hernia) said he is close to 100 percent after recovering from surgery to fix a sports hernia this offseason. He resumed lifting weights just over a month after his procedure in February. 'It was a cakewalk compared to recovering from the ACL and what I had to go through to bounce back from that,' he said.
Footballguys view: Peterson ran for over 2,000 yards last season and is looking to best that feat this year. It's hard to bet against one of the best RBs to ever play the game.
| MIN - Cordarrelle Patterson being used as returner - |
The Minnesota Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson is being used as a kick returner during organized team activities.
Footballguys view: This move makes sense. Patterson is elite in the open field and has good run after the catch ability. We'll see if his role grows on offense how much that limits the number of returns he's in on in 2013.
More Cordarrelle Patterson info
| MIN - Greg Jennings sits out workout - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Greg Jennings (ankle) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 29, because of an ankle injury.
Footballguys view: Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said the injury is not serious. The team will monitor the veteran closely as he deals with this ankle issue.
| MIN - Adrian Peterson participates in OTAs - |
Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (hernia) took part in drills during organized team activities Wednesday, May 29, just four months after undergoing surgery to fix a sports hernia.
Footballguys view: He's simply superhuman. Peterson is an incredible athlete on a level we may never see again in the NFL.
| MIN - New bed helping Jerome Simpson's back - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Jerome Simpson says his new Tempurpedic mattress has helped stabilize his back and keep him in good posture. Simpson suffered a lower-back ailment, which turned out to be a nerve issue, that squashed his production for two months. 'It was more my push-off,' he said. 'I didn't really have my burst to be able to get away from my defenders when I needed to.' Simpson says he's back at 100 percent.
Footballguys view: Simpson was thought to be a steal in free agency last year but failed to impress during his first season with the Vikings. We'll see if he can have a better year in 2013.
| MIN - Stanford Keglar signed - |
The Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent LB Stanford Keglar (Texans) to an undisclosed deal.
| MIN - Chris Summers could compete for No. 5 WR job - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Chris Summers could be a candidate to win the No. 5 wide receiver job during training camp. He has added around 12 pounds this offseason and has been working on his receiving mechanics.
Footballguys view: An interesting note for fantasy owners in super deep dynasty leagues. Summers has a good size/speed combination (6'5" 220) and spent last year on the team's practice squad. We'll see if he can break through to the active roster in 2013.
| MIN - Bobby Felder could push for playing time - |
Minnesota Vikings CB Bobby Felder could push for playing time at slot cornerback in subpackages if he does well during training camp.
| MIN - Jared Allen healthy, pondering future - |
Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (knee, shoulder), who's a free agent after this year, has 'absolutely no idea' where he'll wind up in 2014. 'Best-case scenario would have been that we would have never gotten to this point,' Allen said. 'Best-case scenario would have been the organization would have gotten something done (on an extension) a few years back. ... Well ya know what? That's not the case. And I understand it. ... I'm just happy I'm in a spot where both sides are honoring the contract.' Allen is slated to make more than $14.2 million in 2013 and continues to recover from surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder and a meniscus issue in his right knee. When the latter occurred, he said he was too stubborn to get it checked out and instead played through it. With the labrum injury, he had to alter his training regimen and didn't have full range of motion.
| MIN - Never asked Jared Allen to restructure - |
Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen said Wednesday, May 22, that the team never asked him to restructure his current deal. He is in a contract year, and he is due to make $14,280,612 in base salary this season, with a cap number over $17 million. 'You use the word restructure and that to me makes it feel like they'd want me to take a pay cut. And if anybody asked me to take a pay cut, I'd be through the first door out of there. So no. We haven't talked one iota,' Allen said.
| MIN - Mark Jackson waived - |
The Minnesota Vikings waived OT Mark X. Jackson Tuesday, May 21.
| MIN - Chris Cook wants to shadow top receivers - |
Minnesota Vikings CB Chris Cook said he would like to shadow opponents' top receivers this season.
| MIN - Joe Webb fine with position change - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Joe Webb said he is fine with moving from quarterback to wide receiver but expects it to take some times to get comfortable at the position. 'I'm doing real good. I still have a long ways to go, but I'm getting better every day and that's all you can do. I just take it one step at a time, one day at a time, one play at a time, and hopefully it can turn out as a success,' Webb said.
Footballguys view: Of course Webb is fine with the move. He failed to impress as a QB and if he wants to stay with the team then a position change was necessary. The Vikings need playmakers at the position and Webb is incredibly athletic. He needs to prove that he's learned how to be a better route runner with increased concentration.
| MIN - Cordarrelle Patterson will be given opportunity to start - |
Minnesota Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson will be given an opportunity to earn a starting wide receiver spot across from WR Greg Jennings this year, according to head coach Leslie Frazier. WR Joe Webb will be insurance in case Patterson doesn't pan out.
Footballguys view: We wouldn't consider Webb any sort of insurance in this situation because of his struggles as a receiver. Patterson should win the starting job and can make an impact for this team in 2013. He's fantastic with the football after the catch and the team could use him on underneath routes similar to what they used to do with Percy Harvin (Seahawks). Patterson is strong, fast, and physical but struggles with concentration from time to time.
| MIN - Joe Webb moves to WR - |
The Minnesota Vikings have moved QB Joe Webb to wide receiver.
Footballguys view: Webb tried his hand at WR during the Senior Bowl in 2010 but struggled with catching passes. That's kind of important for a WR so we'll see if he's improved in that area before getting excited about this position switch. He's incredibly athletic, big, strong, and can fly down the field.
| MIN - Three draft picks signed - |
The Minnesota Vikings announced the signings of OG Jeff Baca, OG Travis Bond and P Jeff Locke Wednesday, May 15. Terms of the deals with the draft selections were undisclosed.
| MIN - Not pursuing Brian Urlacher - |
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said the team isn't pursuing free-agent MLB Brian Urlacher (Bears) right now. They plan to give LB Erin Henderson every opportunity to win the middle linebacker job. 'Brian has been a great player in our league for a long, long time,' Frazier said. 'He was a thorn in our side for many years. At this point we want to look at the guys on our roster, give them a chance to compete for the middle linebacker position then we'll see where it takes us.'
Footballguys view: With both the Broncos and Vikings uninterested in Urlacher he'll have to wait longer to find a new home. We could get to training camp before Urlacher gets an opportunity.
| MIN - Sign three draft picks - |
The Minnesota Vikings signed DT Everett Dawkins, LB Gerald Hodges and LB Michael Mauti Tuesday, May 14. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
| MIN - Make roster moves - |
The Minnesota Vikings have signed undrafted free-agent WR Adam Thielen (Minnesota State-Mankato) and free-agent Brandon Keith (Cardinals). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The team also waived WR Nicholas Edwards.
| MIN - Chris Kluwe officially released - |
The Minnesota Vikings have officially released P Chris Kluwe.
| MIN - Chris Kluwe on way out - |
Minnesota Vikings P Chris Kluwe thanked fans on his Twitter account for his time in Minnesota, which means he's likely to be cut.
Footballguys view: One of the most active NFL players on Twitter, Kluwe broke the news via social networking. Set to make $1.4MM this year his play wasn't worth that price. Kluwe should be able to latch on somewhere else by training camp. The Vikings selected Jeff Locke (155th overall) in the 2013 NFL draft to be their punter.
| MIN - Not signing Duron Carter - |
The Minnesota Vikings will not be signing undrafted free-agent WR Duron Carter at this time, according to a source.
