The Minnesota Vikings have found a new target for Christian Ponder to throw to.

Greg Jennings was introduced as the newest Viking on Friday.

On Friday, the Vikings signed former Packers WR Greg Jennings to a five-year, $47.5 million deal with $18 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.

“We’re really excited about the fact that he brings high character,” said head coach Leslie Frazier. “He’s a tremendous athlete. We all know that. But what he’ll bring to our locker room, the energy that he’ll bring to what we do at practice along with his leadership, those were all qualities we were looking for when we talked with Greg.”

Once Percy Harvin went down last season, Christian Ponder didn’t have many options to pass too. Jennings hopes to fill that role of making life easier for Ponder.

“You can just get a sense that he needed a little more around him to give him some help,” Jennings said. “Hopefully I can help him a little bit.”

Jennings will had a second-dimension to the Vikings offense that was super dependent on Adrian Peterson last season.

“You see a guy like `All Day’ sitting in that backfield and you see the cluster of guys that are gathered in that box for him, it’s going to be some special things taking place,” Jennings said.

Jennings had three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 2008 to 2010 but has battled injuries the past two seasons.

Despite turning 30 this season, Jennings isn’t worried about what the naysayers are saying.

“I can definitely still do it,” said Jennings. “I can definitely still make plays and be as exciting as I was in my earlier years.”

In eight games last season, Jennings had 36 receptions for 366 yards (10 ypc) and four touchdowns.

Free agency officially begins on Tuesday and the Minnesota Vikings will be active to fill numerous spots on their roster. Below is where their roster currently stands before free agency:

OFFENSE

Percy Harvin will be the Vikings biggest offseason question mark — Will they trade him? Will he hold out? Will they extend him?

Quarterbacks (3) – Christian Ponder, Joe Webb, McLeod Bethel-Thompson
*Note — look for the Vikings to add a veteran to this group.

Tight ends (5) — Kyle Rudolph, Rhett Ellison, John Carlson, Lamark Brown, Chase Ford

Wide receiver (5) — Percy Harvin, Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, Stephen Burton, Chris Summers
*Note — Percy Harvin remains a question mark as he enters the final year of his rookie contract and seems to be hinting at possibly holding out if he does not get a new contract.
Greg Childs is coming off a serve knee injury to both knees.

Running backs (4) — Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart, Joe Banyard, Matt Asiata

Guards (3) — Brandon Fusco, Charlie Johnson, Tyler Holmes

Tackle (3) — Matt Kalil, DeMarcus Love, Kevin Murphy

Center (1) — John Sullivan

DEFENSE

Defensive line (10) — Jared Allen, Brian Robinson, Kevin Williams, Fred Evans, Everson Griffen, Letroy Guion, George Johnson, D’Aundre Reed, Chase Baker

Defensive backs (11) — Chris Cook, Harrison Smith, Robert Blanton, Antoine Winfield, Brandon Burton, Josh Robinson, Mistral Raymond, Bobby Felder, Greg McCoy, Nick Taylor, Roderick Williams

Linebacker (4) — Chad Greenway, Audie Cole, Larry Dean, Tyrone McKenzie

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter (2) — Chris Kluwe, T.J. Conley
*NOTE — Chris Kluwe had off-season knee surgery

Long snapper (1) — Cullen Loeffler

Kicker (1) — Blair Walsh

FREE AGENTS
*Those who were on the Vikings last season but enter the offseason as free agents (restricted or not)

Offense – Devin Aromashodu (WR), Joe Berger (C), Jerome Felton (FB), Phil Loadholt (T), Geoff Schwartz (T), Jerome Simpson (WR), Troy Kropog (restricted — T)

Defense – Jasper Brinkley (LB), Erin Henderson (LB), A.J. Jefferson (restricted — DB), Marvin Mitchell (LB), Jamarca Sanford (DB), Andrew Senejo (exclusive rights — DB), Marcus Sherels (exclusive rights — DB)

The 2012-2013 season of Adrian Peterson keeps getting even more unbelievable.  Not only did he make a comeback from a torn ACL, he had his best season.  Not only did he have the second best rushing season (according to yards) ever, he played seven games with a sports hernia.

On Thursday, Peterson had surgery to repair the sports hernia.

MVP! MVP! MVPeterson!

According to an interview with ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Peterson suffered the sports hernia against Detroit in Week 10.

“I suffered the injury against Detroit at home, but I didn’t know how the extent I was hurt then. I just remember getting twisted up pretty bad in an awkward position….

“…Each week it just got worse and worse and worse.  I kept thinking to myself why is this happening and why now.  With everything that I was going through with my knee I just said to myself I am not going to let this bring me down.  I just focused on doing my rehab, getting rest and continuing to play.”

After the Vikings bye week, Peterson barely practiced.  He played seven games with a sports hernia. In that time, he rushed for 1,068 yards and came nine yards shy of breaking the NFL single-season rushing season.

“It definitely impacted my play,” Peterson told ESPN. “I wasn’t 100 percent, but I wanted to win a championship. I wasn’t going to stop or quit. I made a decision to keep going.  I don’t want to make it seem like the sports hernia made me miss it. I could have done it with the injury. All I can say is that I would have had better performances.”

The Vikings announced that Peterson is expected to make a “speedy recovery with no long-term concerns.”

Learning that Peterson had his best games of the season while playing with a sports hernia is amazing.  This guy feels no pain (well he does, but it doesn’t show on the field).  Peterson’s 2012 story just got that much better.

The Associated Press named Vikings running back Adrian Peterson the 2012 National Football League’s Most Valuable Player, which caps off an incredible season coming back from a torn ACL.

MVP! MVP! MVP!

Adrian Peterson ran away from his competition in Peyton Manning, earning 30.5 votes (Manning earned 19.5 votes).

Despite being a season removed from major knee reconstruction, Peterson had the second greatest rushing season in NFL history.

On the season, AD rushed for 2,097, which was nine yards shy of the NFL record.  He averaged 131.1 yards per game and an unbelievable 6 yards per rush..  He ended the season with 13 total touchdowns.  He also had a career-long 82 yard touchdown run.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized as the league’s most valuable player,” Peterson said in a statement issued by the team. “While the award is considered an individual achievement, I couldn’t have had the success that I did without my teammates, my coaches and the Vikings organization. I’m blessed to be a member of the Vikings, and I hope next year we can get the ultimate team award by bringing a Super Bowl championship to Minnesota.”

Adrian Peterson had one of the best single-season performances in NFL history and did it coming off major knee reconstruction.  There is no way he should have been able to do what he did this season, but that’s AD for you, totally not human.

Peterson carried the Vikings into the playoffs with his dominant running to end the season.  He truly is the league’s most valuable player when you think where the Vikings would be without him at running back.

Tonight on CBS the NFL awards will be announced.  Vikings RB Adrian Peterson should expect to hear his name often as his name has been mentioned as a possible winner for Most Valuable Player, Comeback Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. 

Below are our “expert” opinions as to why Adrian “AD” Peterson should take home MVP honors tonight:

Adrian Peterson — Most Valuable Player?? YOU BET!

Kim Sherayko’s take:

As a Vikings fan and blogger, watching Adrian Peterson every Sunday for 16 weeks was a joy and I was proud to be able to write about his journey throughout the season.  Not only did Peterson have the second greatest rushing season in NFL history, he did so coming off major knee reconstruction surgery.  As people say, there is NO WAY AD is human.  He defied all odds set against him.

Coming into the season people were questioning whether Peterson would be the same as he was before he tore his ACL (see example). People doubted he would, “he’ll never be the same,” they said. To their credit, the doubters were sorta right.  He wasn’t the same, he was even better than before he tore up his knee. But the ability to come back from a major knee injury is only half of the story (even the less important part).

What AD did on the field was the amazing part, coming off major knee surgery or not.  Peterson led the league with 2,097 rushing yards — second most rushing yards in a single season and nine yards shy of the record.   Scratch that — he didn’t just lead the league, he blew the league away (Alfred Morris finished second with 1,613 yards — 484 yards less than Peterson).  He also averaged a career-high 131.1 yards per game (also league-high).

WOW STATS (credit: @EBSportsGuy via Pro Football Focus) » Continue reading “Why Adrian Peterson Is The League’s MVP”

Christian Ponder will head into next season as the Vikings starting quarterback.

Head coach Leslie Frazier gives end of year presser

Head coach Leslie Frazier gave his end of year press conference on Tuesday, although it was earlier than he had hoped. He is excited about 2013 and thinks the Minnesota Vikings have a very bright future with the likes of rookies Harrison Smith, Matt Kalil and Blair Walsh all stepping up to in their respective positions.

“We were looking at continuing our season but unfortunately that didn’t happen,” said Frazier. “I’m very, very proud of our football team and what they accomplished this season. Our guys worked extremely hard, going all the way back to April 23 when they came back in the building and set a foundation for this 2012 season. Because of their work we were able to secure a playoff spot.”

End of season injury report

Injuries: Jared Allen will have surgery on a labral tear after the Pro Bowl. Chris Kluwe will have surgery on his left meniscus. Tyrone McKenzie will heal on his own. Adrian Peterson is going to be evaluated after the Pro Bowl on his core muscles. Christian Ponder will heal on his own. Antoine Winfield is healing and should make full recovery. There were other minor player injuries that should heal on their own in the offseason.

Will Joe Webb remain a member of the Vikings?

» Continue reading “End Of The Season News Bulletin”

Peterson has 409 yards and two touchdowns in two games against the Packers this season.

The Minnesota Vikings tumultuous 2012 season has come down to Saturday night. When the season started, many NFL analysts had the Vikings in the 4-6 win range. Last August, if you would have said THIS Minnesota Vikings team will make the playoffs, you would have had your Helga hat rights revoked. With a handful of rookies a barely second-year quarterback that had yet to prove himself and a Pro Bowl running back coming off a devastating ACL and MCL tear, this team had little hope. But here we are on January 4, 2013 with wildcard in hand, looking to play the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the playoffs.

The Vikings have surpassed all expectations of the 2012-2013 season and are looking at a bone chillingly cold playoff game at Lambeau Field Saturday night. With an impressive team showing last Sunday afternoon, the Vikings are poised to beat all odds and head deep into the playoffs.

Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson both need to have games similar to their performances Sunday to give the Vikings a chance. Peterson, who came nine yards short to breaking the NFL all-time rushing record, has rushed for 409 yards and two touchdowns in two games against the Packers this season. But even with huge numbers from Peterson, the Packers have proved they can allow these rushing yards and still win. Ponder will need to play at the level he did on Sunday to have any shot at keeping the Vikings in the game. Ponder, who threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns Sunday is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game due to an elbow injury he received in last week’s game.

The Packers will be getting back almost all of their weapons that have been out with injuries this season. CB Charles Woodson has been cleared to play after missing the majority of the season with a broken collarbone. Wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb have also been cleared to play. The Vikings have listed Christian Ponder as questionable as well as CB Antoine Winfield, with a hand injury.

I haven’t made a game score prediction all season and I’m typically not the most optimistic Vikings fan in the world (Hello! I live in Wisconsin!). A few stats I like: The Vikings are 1-0 in playoff games at Lambeau Field and the Packers are 2-4 in their last six home games. I was also very encouraged by the play of Ponder last week and thought was the most well-rounded I had seen the Vikings all season. I’ll take Vikings 24-21. See you in Georgia!

Kim’s prediction: I write for the Vikings, I’m a fan of the Vikings, I gotta pick the Vikings. Call me a homer but I think in the cold the Vikings’ run game will have more success than the Packers’ passing game.  It won’t be a shootout like last weekend, though.
Vikings 23, Packers 21

The Vikings ability to advance in the playoffs will likely depend on QB Christian Ponder’s play on Saturday, not Adrian Peterson

After winning against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the Vikings earned themselves another border battle.  This time it’ll be in the playoffs on Saturday at Lambeau Field.

“Playoffs!? That was awesome,” said quarterback Christian Ponder.

The Vikings last made the playoffs during the 2009 season with Brett Favre at quarterback.  Only 13 players from that squad remain with the Vikings.

Ponder, who is in his second season in the NFL and first full year as the Vikings starter, will be making his first playoff start on Sunday.  Ponder will be among many of the young Vikings who will be new to the playoff intensity they will see on Saturday.

“We know that it is a high pressure situation, but for me, I’m going to try to treat it like I’ve done the past several weeks. We’ve treated that like playoffs games,” said Ponder. “Our number one goal is to get to the Super Bowl and win it and have a ring on our finger. We’re just going to prepare and work hard like we do every week.”

Despite Adrian Peterson’s dominance against the Packers during the regular season, the Vikings will sink or swim based on how Ponder plays.

Exhibit A — Vikings loss to Green Bay:

• Christian Ponder: 12/25 for 119 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions
• Adrian Peterson: 21 rushes for 210 yards and a touchdown

Exhibit B — Vikings win against Green Bay:

• Christian Ponder: 16/28 for 234 yards and three touchdown (no turnovers)
• Adrian Peterson: 34 rushes for 199 yards and a touchdown

Peterson fell eight yards short of Eric Dickerson’s all-time NFL rushing record

Almost one month ago this Minnesota Vikings team was all but counted out of the playoff hunt. The Vikings had just left Lambeau Field, licking their wounds after a 23-14 loss. QB Christian Ponder put the loss on his shoulders, after a dismal showing and Head Coach Leslie Frazier said every game after that would have to be treated like a playoff game.

And the Vikings were ready. They went on to win their next four games; home against the Bears, at the Rams, at the Texans and home against the Packers, to sneak into the playoffs, nabbing that last wildcard spot.

“Just a great job by our football team,” Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier said moments after the game. “I’m so proud of our guys. A complete team effort all the way across against a very good football team. For our guys to be as resilient as they were throughout this ballgame…our fans were terrific throughout this game. It’s the first time in a long time I felt like, playing against Green Bay and being at home, we truly had home-field advantage because our fans were loud, they made it hard for their team to really function at times, and we needed that. I’m very, very grateful to our fans that really had an impact on this ballgame at Mall of America Field.”

» Continue reading “Vikings Run Past Packers and Right Into Playoffs”

Adrian Peterson needs 208 yards to become the single-season leading rusher

Today the Minnesota Vikings play a game no one thought they’d be playing at the beginning of the season.  2012 was supposed to be a rebuilding season but on Sunday the Vikings face a win and in game against the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers are already in the playoffs but they won’t be playing for nothing.  If the Packers win on Sunday, they earn a first round bye.     If the Vikings win, they earn a ticket to play Green Bay a week later in the wild card round.  Both teams have something to play for tomorrow so it won’t be easy.

“They have a lot to play for, we have a lot to play for and it’s going to be a big game,” said Chad Greenway. “I think the most exciting part for us is we get to be at home.”

Vikings inactive list  – QB M. Bethel-Thompson, WR S. Burton, CB B. Burton, S R. Blanton, LB A. Cole, OL T. Kropog, & DE D. Reed

That means, Adrian Peterson, Antoine Winfield and Brian Robinson, all battling injuries, are ACTIVE today for the game.

Peterson needs 208 yards today to become the all-time single-season rusher.  Last game against the Packers, Peterson went for 210 yards so it can be done.  Will he remains to be seen.

Key to the game — win the turnover battle — Christian Ponder needs to take care of the ball, unlike last time in Green Bay

Side note: With the NY Giants easily leading against the Eagles, the Vikings will need a WIN to get into the playoffs. No other options.