Peterson had his seventh consecutive 100-yard game Sunday

Adrian Peterson, for his seventh consecutive 100-yard game, ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings 21-14 win over the Bears at Mall of America Field Sunday. Peterson had a hot start, running 51 yards on his first hand off. Five plays later, Peterson rushed into the end zone to give the Vikings an early 7-0 lead. The Bears next drive was halted early, when CB Josh Robinson intercepted Jay Cutler and took it 49 yards for a score. It was eventually overturned after review, ruling that Robinson had stepped out of bounds at the five yard line. Peterson eventually ran it in, giving the Vikings a 14-0 lead.

If anyone somehow still had doubts of Peterson’s abilities post-surgery, today’s game put those to rest. Peterson topped the 100-yard mark before the first quarter even ended. At halftime, Peterson had 125 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 18 carries.

“I can’t say enough about Adrian Peterson,” said head coach Leslie Frazier.  “When you know you have to play the Vikings, you have to stop Adrian Peterson. For him to come out and get 100 yards in the first quarter, it was an amazing feat by him.”

» Continue reading “An Unstoppable Peterson Rushes the Vikings to Victory”

Percy Harvin missed Thursdays practice

Percy Harvin was missing from today’s practice due to a family matter, but should return tomorrow according to Leslie Frazier.  Harvin is still questionable for Sunday’s game, but Frazier is “convinced” that he will be ready to play.

Here’s some more notes from Leslie Frazier courtesy of yesterday’s press conference:

• TE John Carlson has still not been cleared to practice yet.
• Frazier has not named a CB replacement for Chris Cook yet. He will be looking at A.J. Jefferson and Josh Robinson over the next few practices to decide who gets the spot.
• Asked why they haven’t made a move yet and if they were waiting for the trade deadline, Frazier responded by saying “You want to do everything you can to try and improve the team and help your team be better. You want to exhaust all avenues in doing that”.
• Asked about why they worked out punter Brian Stahovich, Frazier answered by stating “We worked out some different guys” and went on to say “It’s something we’ll do throughout the season. We’ll probably bring in some other guys next week as well. Rick and the personnel department are helping us to have a Rolodex of players  that could potentially be available if we have an injury or something else occurs. So it’s something that will be ongoing for us throughout the year, we’ve always done that”.
• When he was asked about Chris Kluwe’s recent struggles he said, “Chris is a pro, he’ll figure it out”.

» Continue reading “Vikings Quick Hits: 11/01″

Vikings CB Chris Cook underwent successful wrist surgery and will miss six to eight weeks

After a few days off after their Thursday night loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Vikings were back at work on Monday in order to prepare for a Sunday match-up at Seattle.

Below are some quick hits from head coach Leslie Frazier’s Monday presser:

• WR Michael Jenkins was absent from practice for personal reasons, but is expected to return on Wednesday
• Monday’s extra practice was to focus on fundamentals and techniques “ that we think we need to improve on and if we can improve on some of those things we think we’ll be a better team in this second half.”
• CB Chris Cook underwent surgery and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, which would put him up against the end of the season, if the Vikings miss the playoffs
• A roster move will likely occur to fill Cook’s roster spot
• S Mistral Raymond would likely be available on Sunday after missing a few weeks with an ankle injury, but a final decision will be made later in the week
• Frazier is concerned with the Vikings’ run defense, especially with them facing RB Marshawn Lynch on Sunday

HEADLINES:

• Vikings will rely on Robinson and Jefferson to step up in Chris Cook’s absence. Read more at 1500ESPN
• Percy Harvin blames fundamentals for Vikings poor passing game of late. Read more at 1500ESPN
• The young Vikings team will to bounce back will be put to test this week. Read more at 1500ESPN
• Goodbye first half, HELLO SECOND HALF of the 2012 NFL season. Read more at Startribune

CB Antoine Winfield returned to practice on Friday

The young Minnesota Vikings team should be fully tested in their first road game on the 2012 season.  The Vikings will play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday with the hopes of going 2-0 to start the season.

Below are some notes from the Vikings final practice of week two:

Vikings injury report: 

• Probable — Center John Sullivan (ankle), cornerbacks Chris Cook (biceps) and Josh Robinson (hip), safety Andrew Sendejo (ankle), tight end Rhett Ellison (ankle), and running back Adrian Peterson (knee)
• Questionable — Linebacker Marvin Mitchell (ankle) and wide receiver Jarius Wright (ankle)

Colts injury report:

• Probable — Right tackle Winston Justice (head)
• Questionable — Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (shoulder)
• Doubtful — Wide receiver Austin Collie (concussion)
• Out — Linebackers Dwight Freeney (ankle) and Pat Angerer (foot), left guard Joe Reitz (knee)

CB Antoine Winfield returns to practice: Vikings veteran returned to practice on Friday after missing Thursday’s practice to attend his brother’s funeral, who was tragically murdered last Wednesday in Aron, Ohio.

» Continue reading “Vikings News Bulletin: MN Looks Towards First Road Game”

Vikings center John Sullivan missed practice on Thursday

The Minnesota Vikings remain relatively healthy while preparing for the Indianapolis Colts.

Below are some health updates from Thursday’s practice, via 1500ESPN:

•  Center John Sullivan missed Thursday’s practice with an ankle injury, but Leslie Frazier expects him to play on Sunday
• Cornerback Chris Cook, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a biceps injury, practiced in full on Thursday
• Tight end Rhett Ellison (ankle), running back Adrian Peterson (knee), and cornerback Josh Robinson (hip) all participated in Thursday’s practice
• Players who missed Sunday’s season opener, cornerback Andrew Sendejo (ankle), wide receiver Jarius Wright (ankle), and linebacker Marvin Mitchell practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday

Vikings veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield was absent during Thursday’s practice to attend his brother’s funeral.

» Continue reading “Vikings Injury News From Thursday Practice”

Percy #1 man at kick returner — is this part of the plan to keep him happy?
Credit: Mike Wobschall

Vikings have completed two days of practices at training camp in Mankato.  Below are some observations of practice number two from those that were there:

• Rookie CB Josh Robinson sat out of practice after pulling his hamstring yesterday.  Vikings are listing him as day-to-day.  Stephen Burton, Nick Taylor, Eric Latimore, and Adrian Peterson also did not practice today.
• Mickey Shuler is off the non-football injury list and took some backup reps at tight end
• Special teams coach Mike Priefer told reporters “Percy is our number one kick returner.” Other players who got looks at return man include Bryan Walters, Kerry Taylor, Jarius Wright, Marcus Sherels, and Josh Robinson.
• Geoff Schwartz and Brandon Fusco got reps at right guard with the ones
• Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford got reps at starting safety
• Emmanuel Arceneaux looks like he has improved his route running
• Jerome Simpson dropped a pass and as self-punishment did a set of push-ups. Supposedly the crowd loved it.  Simpson also banged knees with Zackary Bowman and was slowed to get up, but returned to action.
• Adrian Peterson looks better than he did when he worked out in front of the media a few months ago
• Kicker update: Blair Walsh hit four straight 46-yard kicks and went two-of-three from 55-yards out

The Vikings reported for training camp at Mankato in the morning.  However, they don’t step foot on to the practice field until Friday.  In order to prepare for training camp, I thought I’d look at how the Vikings have at each position.

Up now, safeties and cornerbacks!

Safeties

Harrison Smith

The Vikings moved back into the first round int he 2012 draft to select Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith with aspirations of him improving the safety position.

Career stats:

• 309 tackles — 18.5 tackles for a loss
• 28 pass breakups

Mistral Raymond

The Vikings selected Mistral Raymond in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

2011 stats (10 games — 5 starts):

• 36 tackles
• 1 interception

Eric Frampton

Eric Frampton was a special teams standout in 2011 and his teammates took notice when they named their team’s Special Teams MVP.  On special teams, Frampton totaled 22 tackles.

» Continue reading “Training Camp Preview: A Glimpse At The Vikings Defensive Backs”

Earlier today I blogged about how Vikings first round pick Matt Kalil and third round pick Josh Robinson remained unsigned.  Well, in typical fashion, moments later the Vikings announced they had come to terms with Robinson.

Josh Robinson who declared for the NFL draft after his junior season at Central Florida impressed at the NFL Combine when he ran the fastest 40 time (4.33 seconds).  The Vikings selected Robinson with the 66th overall pick.

During his three years at UCF, Robinson finished fifth in school history with 10 career interceptions.  During his junior and final season at school, Robinson tallied 15 passes defended, which was second most in school history.

Robinson will compete for a starting job once training camp practice starts on Friday.

» Continue reading “Sike! Only One Vikings Rookie Remains Unsigned”

Two Vikings draft picks remain unsigned: The Vikings report to training camp tomorrow and their top draft pick, Matt Kalil remains unsigned due to the Vikings wish to include offset language.

With training camp a day away and negotiations seemingly stuck between the Minnesota Vikings and top draft pick Matt Kalil, the so-called “offset” language in what will be a four-year, $20 million contract with a fifth-year option continues to be the most pressing of several issues the sides must work out.

Kalil’s agents, Tom Condon and Ben Dogra of CAA, don’t want to set a precedent of taking a seemingly lesser deal when several players drafted around the athletic left tackle … already have signed deals that don’t include offset language, AKA an insurance policy that offsets guarantees in a player’s contract if he gets cut and signs elsewhere.

Hopefully the issue will be resolved by the Vikings first practice on Friday.  Matt Kalil plays the important position of protecting Christian Ponder’s blindside and it’s best if his contract situation can be solved sooner rather than later.

CB Josh Robinson out of Central Florida also remains unsigned, but 1500ESPN reports that the Vikings are said to be close to a deal with their third round draft pick.

» Continue reading “Vikings News Bulletin: Players Report To Training Camp Tomorrow”

Credit: Aj Mansour (KFAN)

Ponder earns VCF Rookie of the Year Award: The Vikings honored QB Christian Ponder on Wednesday with their first Vikings’ Children Fund Rookie of the Year award.  A $5,000 donation will also be made in Ponder’s name to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, according to Vikings.com.

“Christian showed great poise and leadership during his rookie season,” said Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier. “His presence in the locker room and his willingness to help teammates speaks to his character.”

“I’m honored to receive this award and hope to build a strong tradition of young players being involved in the community,” Ponder said. “As players we have the chance to make a difference in the lives of kids and families. I hope next year’s winner is as humbled by this as I am.”

The Vikings VCF Rookie of the Year award will be presented each year to a rookie from the previous season who best represented himself and the Vikings organization on and off the field.

Veteran players remain M.I.A. in voluntary workouts: Since being able to partake in his first practice since shoulder surgery, Vikings WR Percy Harvin hasn’t shown up for the past three practices.  CB Antoine Winfield and DE Jared Allen have also elected to not participate in the voluntary sessions.  RB Adrian Peterson is said to be continuing his knee rehab in Houston.  Middle LB Jasper Brinkley, who is assumed to take over the starting position after Vikings chose not to re-sign E.J. Henderson, has been out since last week following a groin strain while attempting to break-up a pass.   One positive note on the health side: WR Greg Childs,who had an injury-plagued college career, was back in action this week.  Childs has been out since suffering a calf strain at Rookie camp.

» Continue reading “Catching Up On Vikings Headlines From The Week So Far”