Free agency started at 3 p.m. today, but the Minnesota Vikings were off and running with team changes.

Vikings agreed to a multi-year extension with Phil Loadholt to kick of free agency.

Their biggest move so far is the trade of WR Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks. Harvin, who had arguably one of his best seasons despite only playing less than nine games, had been rumored to have asked for a trade. Many off-the-field rumors led to the Harvin trade, in which the Vikings received three draft picks – a 1st-rounder and 7th-rounder in 2013 and a 3rd-rounder in 2014.

Another big move the Vikings have made is the re-signing of right tackle Phil Loadholt. The Vikings selected Loadholt in the second round in 2009, and after four solid seasons blocking for Adrian Peterson, the Vikings decided they’d like to see him in purple for the next phase of his career.

The Vikings also re-signed Joe Berger for depth on the offensive line.

Slightly more shocking free agency news came today when the Vikings made the decision to release veteran CB Antoine Winfield. Winfield was due $7.25 million in 2013, and unwilling to take a pay cut, the Vikings made the tough decision to let the veteran go. Winfield, who had arguably one of the best seasons of his career in 2012, was given the option to return to the Vikings lineup upon taking a pay cut.

“Antoine is a great football player for us. He’s another one that’s a tremendous leader and great what he does in this community,” GM Rick Spielman said. “We definitely want to keep the door open on his possible return, but at this time we had to release him in order to get him out in free agency.”

The Vikings have a few shortcomings when it comes to the wide receiver position if they don’t plan on signing any big name free agents. The Vikings did re-sign WR Jerome Simpson to a one-year deal today. Simpson, who had a less-than-spectacular 2012, will be given another shot in 2013.

Also on Tuesday, the Vikings re-signed fullback Jerome Felton, who played a key role in Adrian Peterson’s 2,000 yard season.

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

Election day may be over, but there’s still something to vote for

The 2013 Pro Bowl Ballots were released this week and the Minnesota Vikings have quite a few guys showing up on the ballot this year.

The Vikings (6-5) have had many standout players this year that have led to this turnaround season from last year’s dismal 3-13 record. Automatic Pro Bowl bid Adrian Peterson is leading running backs in the league with 1,236 yards, averaging 5.8 yards a run and seven touchdowns, less than a year after having major ACL surgery.

Percy Harvin, also a likely Pro Bowl bid has 62 receptions for 677 yards and four touchdowns. He also has 16 kickoffs and averages 35.9 yards per kickoff return. Harvin appears twice on the Pro Bowl ballot as a wide receiver and kickoff returner. Tight end Kyle Rudolph, among top tight ends, has 39 receptions for 361 yards and seven touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, veterans are having standout seasons. DE Jared Allen has 32 tackles and seven sacks this season. CB Antoine Winfield has 81 tackles and 3 interceptions. DE Brian Robison is having an exceptional season with 30 tackles and 5.5 sacks. LB Chad Greenway has 107 tackles this season, which is good for second in the league.

Rookies also have a good showing on the 2013 ballot with K Blair Walsh going 24-26 on field goals, with a 55-yard FG on his resume. Safety Harrison Smith is also leading rookies with 63 tackles and one interception.

Voting is going on now on Vikings.com and NFL.com. Vote for your favorite Vikings players to get to Hawaii in 2013.

YO ADRIAN!

The Vikings jumped out to an early 3-0 lead following Chicago first possession of the game, a Matt Forte fumble, but that would be the last time the Vikings would lead Sunday. Adrian Peterson’s lost fumble and Christian Ponder’s interception in the second quarter both led to Bears touchdowns and the Bears were off to a handed win.

“Very disappointing game,” said head coach Leslie Frazier. “We didn’t execute the way we need to on the road against a good football team. We wanted to be better in the red zone on offense and defense and we did not get that done.”

The third quarter showed a glimmer of home for the Vikings, when Antoine Winfield intercepted one of Jay Cutler’s passes and the Vikings ended up scoring on that drive on a Ponder to Kyle Rudolph two-yard pass. On the Bears next possession, Mistral Raymond picked up what looked like a second Forte fumble and ran it back 52 yards for a touchdown, but upon review the touchdown was called back and the Bears went ahead and kicked a field goal.

“Any time you have opportunities to score touchdowns in the red area on the road, you’ve got to find a way to get it done,” said Frazier.

Vikings standouts for the day were Peterson, who ran for his fifth 100-yard game in a row with 108 yards on 18 carries. Rookie WR Jarius Wright, who has stepped in since the loss of Percy Harvin, also had 7 catches for 49 yards

“[This was] not the kind of performance you need when you’re on the road in a division game,” said Frazier. “We’ve got to go back and look at film and look at what we can do to improve.”

TE Kyle Rudolph scores the Vikings lone touchdown in their loss to the Bears

A quick recap of the Vikings 28-10 loss to divisional foe, Chicago Bears

HOW THE GAME WAS LOST

Plain and simple, the game was lost with the turnover battle. The Vikings committed three turnovers (a fumble by Adrian Peterson, a fumble on an QB to RB exchange and a Christian Ponder interception).  Peterson’s fumble and Ponder’s interception both led to Chicago touchdowns.

TURNING POINT

The Vikings came out of halftime strong with an interception on the Bears first drive of the half by Antoine Winfield.  Winfield’s interception led to a two yard touchdown from Christian Ponder to Kyle Rudolph.  This cut the score 25-10.  On the Bears next drive, it seemed like Matt Forte fumbled with Mistral Raymond returning it 52 yards for a touchdown.  Initially, refs said it was confirmed.  However, moments later, they said the play was under review (LOL WUT).

Following the review, the call was over turned and Bears retained possession, while 6 points were taken off the board for the Vikings.

If the call had stand, the Vikings would have been down 7 points with a huge momentum shift towards the Vikings.  However, the Bears continued the drive and god a field goal to put them up 28-10.

» Continue reading “Vikings Lose To Bears 28-10″

Vikings ground attack led them to a 21-14 victory over the Cards

Vikings won, despite less than spectacular performance by quarterback Christian Ponder.

Sunday’s game was certainly the ugliest of their 5-2 season. But despite a dismal game from Ponder, the Vikings, with the help of Adrian Peterson’s legs, ran their way to a 21-14 victory at Mall of America Field. Ponder ended the game with just 58 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

“To win an ugly game like this is huge,” said Ponder. “That shows how good of a team we are.”

Peterson was the star of the game, running for a season-high 153 yards and notching his first touchdown since week one. With a quiet day from wide receiver Jerome Simpson and tight end Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings needed Peterson’s feet to get them in the win column Sunday.

“There’s still a little missing. You guys probably think I’m crazy, but it is,” said Peterson. “I feel good. I’m not going to complain. I’m just going to keep working and just keep getting better each week.” » Continue reading “Vikings Pick Up Ugly Win Against Cardinals”

Vikings can thank Adrian Peterson for the 21-14 victory over the Cards

A win is a win is a win no matter how ugly the win is and the Vikings came out of Sunday’s match-up versus the Arizona Cardinals with a 21-14 win.  And trust me, the score is much prettier than the game was.

HOW THE GAME WAS WON

The Vikings defense and RB Adrian Peterson, with a bum ankle, carried the Vikings into a 21-14 victory over the Cardinals.

The Cardinals had no answer for Peterson who ran for 153 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown.

On the other side of the ball, the Vikings pass rushers had a field day in their time gathering seven sacks: three by Brian Robinson, two by Jared Allen, one by Antoine Winfield and Kevin Williams.  On one of Robinson’s sacks he forced a fumble, which Kevin Williams recovered.  Rookie Harrison Smith also intercepted Cardinals second-string QB for a touchdown of his own that turned out to be the difference in the game.

A testament to the Vikings defense, the Cardinals began four series in Vikings territory in the first half which resulted in only four points. D-E-F-E-N-S-E!  » Continue reading “Vikings Less Than Stellar In 21-14 Victory Over Arizona”

RB Adrian Peterson returns to field where his 2011 season ended in a blink of the eye

The Minnesota Vikings (4-1) travel to Washington D.C. for Sunday’s match-up against the Redskins (2-3).   The Vikings will look to go to a surprising  5-1 record at FedEx Field, where the Redskins have lost their last eight games.

Below are top stories and injury notes heading into Sunday’s game.

 AP returns to scene of knee injury: Last time the Minnesota Vikings played AT Washington was Christmas Eve 2011.  RB Adrian Peterson’s season was ended with one tackle by safety DeJon Homes.

“Of course, of course,” Peterson said, smiling in the Vikings’ locker room on Thursday when asked if he would like a little revenge. “I’ll make sure I have my shoulders low. He might be trying to go for the ankles. But I’m just going to go out and play ball, have fun.”

A little over nine months since AP’s 2011 season was ended, he is back on the field nearing 100% and looking like the Peterson of old. » Continue reading “Vikings News Bulletin Heading Into Week Six Match-Up Versus Washington”