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

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”

Is Percy Harvin on his way to a MVP-type season?

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-1 and in first place in the NFC North. I REPEAT, the Minnesota Vikings are in FIRST PLACE (!!) in the NFC North. Raise your hand if you expected that? And if you raised your hand, you’re lying.

The Vikings not only have beaten TWO 2011 playoff teams this season, they are now beginning to beat up on the lower-tier teams.  After their week two loss to Indy, the Vikings have been putting forth a total team effort in each of their three victories since then.

HOW THE GAME WAS WON
The Minnesota Vikings came out today and flat out dominated the Tennessee Titans in their 30-7 victory.  The Vikings held the Titans, who were playing with their backup quarterback, Matt Hasselback, scoreless through three complete quarters.   Although the Vikings offense was effective and put the game away, credit for the win needs to be given to the surprisingly dominate Vikings defense.

» Continue reading “Vikings Win Big In 30-7 Blowout of Tennessee”

It’s been 11 years since the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and yet it feels like yesterday when life as we knew it changed.  Being an American and living in the greatest country is about each person having freedom to dream big and live their life to the fullest. Although the terrorists attempted to pull our country down, we came together as one to prove there is no country like the United States and we truly are proud to be American.

“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they canny deny the steel of American resolve. America was targets for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.” – George W. Bush

We are lucky to be American and to live in this great country.  No matter what is thrown our way, we will stand as one.

September 11th is one of those days where everyone stops and reflects on our great country and to thank those who lost their lives or loved ones due to senseless acts of terror.

Below are some Vikings players who took time to reflect on 9/11 on Twitter:

» Continue reading “Twitter Tuesday: Vikings Players Remember 9/11″

Well Vikings fans, football season is back in full gear with players reporting to training camp tomorrow! HOORAY!

Over the past few days, Vikings players have returned to Minnesota to prepare for their 2012 season.  Players have sent tweets expressing their excitement for a new season.

» Continue reading “Twitter Recap: Vikings Players Prepare For Training Camp”

Minnesota media flooded Winter Park today to get a glimpse of the 2012 Minnesota Vikings on the field during their first day of their three day mandatory mini-camp.  Below are the top tweets from the reporters in attendance.

Tom Pelissero (1500ESPN)

» Continue reading “Twitter Recap of Vikings Mini-Camp Day 1″

Final product | Credit: Ann Carroll

Following day three of OTAs, the Minnesota Vikings helped construct a playground alongside  Toro Company and KaBOOM!  This year, their efforts helped Sheridan Arts Magnet School in Northeast Minneapolis.

“Just finished our last OTA for the week – offense looked great today. A lot of improvement through the week,” tweeted QB Christian Ponder. “Now we are heading to help build a playground in Minneapolis.  Excited to give back to those who give so much to us.”

According to Vikings.com Mike Wobschall, more than 250 volunteers, including 100+ Vikings staff members, team executives, Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, Head Coach Leslie Frazier, the Vikings coaching staff and current Vikings players were in attendance.

“Going to do a playground build,” tweeted Brian Robinson. “Feels good doing good deeds for the community that rallies around us.”

Below are pictures of the Vikings giving back to the community:

» Continue reading “Vikings Give Back To Minnesota”

The NFL will allow all teams to take 90 players to training camp, which is where the current Minnesota Vikings roster stands (however, the 10 draft picks remain unsigned).  Below is the breakdown of each position, as of May 21st, 2012:

Offense

Quarterbacks: **Christian Ponder, Joe Webb (back-up), Sage Rosenfels and McLeod Bethel-Thompson

Running backs: **Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart, Jordan Todman, Derrick Coleman, Lex Hilliard and Jerome Felton

Wide receivers:  **Percy Harvin, **Jerome Simpson, Manny Arceneaux, Devin Aromashodu, Stephen Burton, Michael Jenkins, Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, Chris Carr, Bryan Walters, Kamar Jorden and Kerry Taylor

Tight ends: **Kyle Rudolph, **John Carlson, Mickey Shuler, Allen Reisner and Rhett Ellison

Offensive linemen: **Matt Kalil (LT), **John Sullivan (C), **Phil Loadholt (RT), **Charlie Johnson (LG), Geoff Schwartz (OL), Kevin Murphy (OT), DeMarcus Love (OT), Brandon Fuscco (OL), Chris DeGeare (OG), Pat Brown (OL), Joe Berger (OL), Tyler Holmes (OG), Darrion Weems (OT), Quentin Saulsberry (C) and Austin Pasztor (OG)

Fullbacks: Ryan D’Imperio and Matt Asiata

Defense

Linebackers: **Chad Greenway, **Erin Henderson, **Jasper Brinkley, Tyrone McKenzie, Larry Dean, Audie Cole, Marvin Mitchell, Tyler Nielson, Corey Paredes and Solomon Elimimian

Defensive linemen: **Jared Allen (DE), **Brian Robinson (DE), **Kevin Williams (DT), D’Aundre Reed (DE), Letroy Guion (DT), Everson Griffen (DE), Fred Evans (DT), Christian Ballard (DL), Trevor Guyton (DL), Nick Reed (DE), Anthony Jacobs (DE), Chase Baker (DT), Terrell Resonno (DT), Tydreke Powell (DT), Ernest Owusu (DE) and Eric Latimore (DE)

Safeties: **Harrison Smith, Robert Blanton, Eric Frampton, Mistral Raymond, Jamarca Sanford and Andrew Sendejo

Corner backs: **Chris Cook, **Antoine Winfield, Marcus Sherels, Brandon Burton, Asher Allen, Josh Robinson, Zach Bowman, Reggie Jones, Bobby Felder, C.C. Whitlock and Nick Taylor

Special Teams

Kicker: Blair Walsh

Punter: Chris Kluwe

Long snapper: Cullen Loeffler

** indicates likely starter/will receive major reps

Minnesota Governor explains decision to pay for part of Vikings Stadium: During an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Dayton explained that the current stadium deal (that just passed) was the best available option at the time.

“I’m not one to defend the economics of professional sports.  It’s a world unto itself.  Any deal you make in that world doesn’t make sense from the way the rest of us look at it.  That’s just a given.

“The bottom line was:  do we want to create several thousand jobs by building this new facility?  Do we want to keep the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota?  Do we want an NFL franchise here in our state?  We accomplished all that.  We’re going to have a chance to build something that I think Minnesotans can be very proud of.  It’s going to distinguish the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota for decades to come.

“It can be used 355 days a year when the Vikings aren’t playing in it as the people’s stadium, for all sorts of other uses that will enhance the quality of life in our state.  Time will tell whether we get a deal or not, I think it’s going to be a good deal when we look back with the perspective of time.”

Will the Vikings new stadium be able to host the Super Bowl?: Gov. Dayton believes so:

“I will do whatever I possibly can. I worked for (Gov.) Rudy Perpich when he spearheaded getting the Super Bowl here in 1992.”

Dayton said he figures chances of Minnesota getting a second Super Bowl should be “reasonably good. I don’t mean within a decade. They (NFL) don’t just jump at the chance to go to northern climes. But we’ll get one — I’m very confident.”

Will the Vikings put forth the extra money for a retractable roof?: Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf hinted that is possible:

“We’re going to try to get the maximum number of features within the budgets that we can make this a facility that is going to be exciting to the fans,” Mark Wilf said. “We know it’s a competitive landscape to attract our fans to the facility and we’re going to want to make it something special. To the extent that (a retractable roof) can get there, we’re going to try to do it.”

State lawmakers put a provision in the bill that allows for a retractable roof, but the Vikings would have to pay the extra cost.

The price tag of such a feature isn’t immediately known because the architects have yet to be hired…

Packers announce they will eventually retire former-Vikings QB Brett Favre’s #4: However, they are waiting to do so at the appropriate time.  Most likely, until the wounds can heal from Favre wearing purple for two seasons.

Packers president Mark Murphy said the team will wait “probably in a year or two,” according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Will E.J. Henderson be back wearing purple in 2012?:  E.J. Henderson is still unsigned on May 20th, while his younger brother signed a one-year contract with the Vikings back in March.  Sid Hartman believe E.J. will re-join the Vikings and his younger brother on the field in Minnesota next season:

There is still a good chance that E.J. Hendersonwill sign with the Vikings once he agrees to a contract paying the linebacker quite a bit less than the $6.7 million he was paid last year. Henderson still is demanding the same pay he got last year.

What’s Adrian Peterson’s probability for training camp?:  We all know AP will be coming back from a season-ending knee injury, but Peterson is keeping a positive, yet realistic mindset throughout off-season training and rehab:

“To be honest with you I feel like 50-50,” Peterson said. “I feel like honestly, sitting here telling you the truth, I’ll be able to participate doing certain things. I think I’ll be able to participate.”

Minnesota Vikings players spend their off-season in the weight room:  Last season, the Vikings didn’t have a normal off-season due to the NFL lockout.  This season, the players are taking full advantage of the Vikings facility:

Nearly the entire team is at Winter Park for Phase 2 of offseason conditioning, and most of the veterans have been working with Kanavy intensely since Phase 1 began in late April. Rookie draft picks arrived this week.

“With all we’ve been through the last two years, I thought they would come back in April maybe a little disorganized, willing to work but not sure about the direction,” Kanavy said. “But they’ve been impressive. They are determined to be in the conversation this year.”

And leaders are emerging. Kanavy cites second-year quarterback Christian Ponder, third-year backup quarterback Joe Webb, sixth-year defensive end Brian Robison and seventh-year linebacker Chad Greenway as a few of the tone-setters in the weight room and in on-field conditioning.

Ponder, who was hampered by several minor injuries the past two years, appears clearly bigger than his NFL-listed weight of 229 pounds and is working toward injury prevention due to “increasing strength and a balanced nature throughout his entire physique,” Kanavy said.

Ponder went from a college conditioning program to training for the draft, which Kanavy says is often drill-specific and doesn’t account for the entire body. Now he has time to build strength so he can better absorb bodily trauma on Sundays and recover from injuries more quickly, Kanavy said.

2012 Training Camp Dates Released: This week, the Minnesota Vikings announced the dates for training camp in Mankato, Minnesota.  The Vikings will report to camp on Thursday, July 26 and it will break three weeks later on Thursday, August 16.