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.

The Percy Harvin saga in Minnesota seems to becoming to an end with the Vikings trading him to Seattle, according to multiple reports.

See ya later Harvin!

In exchange, Jay Glazer reports, the Vikings will receive Seattle’s first-round (No. 25 overall), seventh-round pick this season and a third-round pick in 2014.

The Seahawks will reward Harvin with a new contract, and Jason La Canfora reports he’ll make more than $12 million a season.

Harvin will join former Vikings WR Sidney Rice in Seattle, and sent him a direct message telling him “Let’s finish what u started this time,” which references to the Vikings losing in the NFC Championship game to the Saints in 2009.

Percy Harvin was unhappy in Minnesota, and Sid Hartman reported over the weekend that Harvin had requested a trade from the Vikings.

In his four seasons in purple, Harvin was a headache to other teams on the field, but off the field, he caused many headaches within the organization.

The trade supposedly brought mixed reaction from players, but with a majority of them being sad to see Percy leave.

“The best all around player I ever seen or you’ll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times,” tweeted Adrian Peterson. “I wish my boy Percy nothing but success! God bless you homie.”

“Sad to see Percy go,” tweeted Chris Kluwe. “Seattle’s getting a great player.”

Although the Vikings are losing one of their best players, not all players seemed down about the move that bring in three draft picks.

One veteran player told 1500ESPN.com on Monday the trade ” is genius.” Another said he’s happy for Harvin but Spielman did “a great job” getting so much value for a player much of the league thought the Vikings were desperate to dump.

Harvin only played in nine games last season before being put on season-ending injured reserve with an ankle injury and abruptly left the team.

With only four wide receivers under contract, the Vikings are sure to target one available in free agency or the draft.

The trade will not become official until the new league year begins on Tuesday.

Percy Harvin has dominated most of the Vikings offseason chatter, and it continued that way on the Saturday before free agency.

According to Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune, Percy Harvin has informed “the Vikings he doesn’t want to play for them and wants to be traded.”

“Yo Rick, TRADE ME!” – Percy Harvin, probably.

Harvin has one year remaining on his rookie contract. Technically, he can become a free agent following the 2013 season, but the Vikings can keep him by franchising him for two additional seasons.

Hartman goes into detail that Harvin was unhappy in Minnesota.

Harvin’s relationship with the Vikings has been much-discussed, including rumors that he isn’t pleased with the coaches’ plans for him on offense and that he does not get along with the medical staff. Quite simply, it seemed as though Harvin wasn’t happy here, and that was made obvious when he didn’t hang around the team during their late-season push toward the playoffs while he rehabbed his ankle.

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has already said this offseason that the team has not explored trading their star wide receiver.

“Again, there is no intent to trade Percy Harvin,” Spielman said at the Combine. “He is a very good football player.”

Safe to say, I don’t see this story ending anytime soon, unless the Vikings pull the trigger and simply grant his wishes of a trade.

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)

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”

Can Ponder’s play improve enough to help Peterson carry the Vikings to a victory against the Bears?

The Vikings game Sunday could be one of the biggest of QB Christian Ponder’s young career. Coming off a game in Green Bay in which he took full blame for the loss, Ponder will be under a microscope. This will be the second time the Packers meet this Bears (8-4) this season, with the Bears taking the first game handedly, 28-10.

Ponder’s last game at home, against the Lions, was pretty good. He threw for 221 yards with touchdowns and no interceptions. Ponder’s two games on the road since have been less than spectacular, with Ponder throwing for 278 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The most recent game in Green Bay was one of the Vikings toughest losses this season. Adrian Peterson ran for 210 yards and the Vikings defense played well, but with a shaky passing game, the Vikings couldn’t get it done. Ponder will again look to return to his early season form at Mall of America Field this Sunday.

“There are some guys who will come in as rookie NFL quarterbacks and light it up and say two or three years later they’re not the same guy,” said head coach Leslie Frazier. “In regards to Christian, we’re still in that process where we see some things where he’s definitely gotten better from a season ago. We saw it throughout the offseason; we’ve seen it during the season. There are still some areas where we know he has to improve; he knows he has to improve.”

» Continue reading “Vikings Looking For Revenge Against Bears Sunday”

“Unhappy??” Harvin out for rest of the season with ankle injury.

The Minnesota Vikings were dealt a big blow today, putting wide receiver Percy Harvin on the season ending injured reserve list.

Harvin, who was the Vikings leading wide receiver, has missed three games since injuring his ankle in Seattle on November 4. Harvin left the game briefly in the third quarter, but returned to the field with an obvious limp. The Vikings have been very ambiguous about Harvin’s injury ever since, claiming it to be an ankle sprain. But after three weeks and Harvin only showing up to practice once, whispers of a more severe injury began to surface.

Harvin’s departure comes at an inopportune time, with the Vikings sliding to a 6-6 record. Harvin, whose name was amongst the few thrown around for Most Valuable Player, finished the season with 677 yards on 62 receptions and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 96 yards on 22 attempts had one touchdown and one kickoff return for a touchdown.

In Leslie Frazier’s presser this morning, he didn’t mention the move to the IR, but hinted toward the move stating there was little change in his condition from last week. The very versatile wide receiver led the league in total rushing, returning and receiving yards.

Harvin will end his season with four games left in the final year of his rookie contract. He has yet to sign an extension with the Vikings.

EW. PACKERS! EW.

Coming off big losses, the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers will meet up for a division game Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Packers (7-4) are coming off their most lop-sided loss since December, 2007. The Vikings (6-5) are coming off a less-than-stellar performance in Chicago where they fell to the Bears 28-10.

“I was (surprised),” said RB Adrian Peterson, who recorded his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game with 108 on 18 carries. “We had a great week of practice. We just came out and couldn’t get anything going. We’ve just got to shake it off and move forward.”

The Vikings had numerous turnovers and miscues that led to their defeat in Chicago, including two turnovers that led to touchdowns. The Vikings will look to Peterson to get back to their winning ways. Peterson has five straight 100-yard games, averaging 147 yards per game during this span and running for 727 yards. The Packers have lacked at the running back position, with their top three running backs running for 739 yards all season. Good news for Peterson? Packers defensive end CJ Wilson, who specializes in stopping the run game, has been all but ruled out Sunday.

» Continue reading “Vikings Take on NFC North Rival Packers Sunday”

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.

Harvin will miss Sunday’s game with an ankle injury

On Saturday’s injury report the Minnesota Vikings downgraded WR Percy Harvin to “out” for tomorrow’s match-up versus division foe, Chicago Bears.  According to 1500ESPN, Harvin didn’t accompany his team to Chicago.

With Harvin sitting out, rookie WR Jarius Wright will likely be activated for the second straight week after making an impact two weeks ago.

The Vikings will be missing their top WR who leads the team with 62 catches for 677 yards and three touchdowns.  Harvin is also a threat in the Vikings rushing attack where he has 22 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.  He is also one of the league’s best kick returners with an average 35.9 yards per return and a touchdown.

On the flip side, the Chicago Bears announcers QB Jay Cutler will return to action tomorrow after missing last Monday’s game with a concussion.