The Minnesota Vikings are not actually in need of a new wide receiver, but they just feel like trying more options before the game days. Therefore, former Washington Redskins wide receiver Marko Mitchell got his chance to see if he can receive some passes from the big-name quarterback in No.4 Brett Favre jersey.
Before he was invited to Minnesota, Mitchell was just claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions. The former seventh-round draft pick began his NFL career by joining the Redskins in 2009 during the draft. He was productive enough for the Redskins last summer and many people believed that he was talented and could develop into a great wide receiver. However, as a rookie, Mitchell could hardly compete for much playing time with a team full of veterans. After having only appearance in ten games during 2009 regular season, Mitchell was eventually released by the Redskins shortly after the team brought in younger receivers after the 2010 NFL draft.
Mitchell was firstly signed by the Lions, who waived him a few days later, and now the Vikings also want to try the second-year pro out to see what he can to for the team. With a height of 6-4 and weight of 218 pounds, Mitchell is believed to be better as a running back. But anyway, he is going to try his chance as receiver before considering turning to a back.
Showing posts with label Minnesota Vikings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota Vikings. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Brett Favre will need heavy protection in 2010 season
As the Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has had a surgery on his left ankle, his playing status is highly expected to be active in the 2010 season, and his return will mean that the team will have to make full preparation to protect the 40-year-old starter from further injuries, which will end Favre’s career immediately if not successfully avoided.
Favre played the leading role for the Vikings well last season, but his aging body was also a leading target to opponent teams. His ankle injury was just suffered during the NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints when some Saints defensive players saw the void in quarterback-protection and gave Favre several heavy blows. Although they received punishment after the game, the game lost was lost, and the quarterback in Brett Favre jersey was so frustrated with the loss that he showed intention not to play again in 2010 season.
Fortunately, Favre did not really mean to retire when he was still able to lead a team to playoffs. Having the surgery done just indicated he is having serious consideration of career resume. But what he needs the Vikings to promise are more than money or the starting job, but also a heavy protection that will prevent opponents from reaching him easily to give more attacks.
Favre played the leading role for the Vikings well last season, but his aging body was also a leading target to opponent teams. His ankle injury was just suffered during the NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints when some Saints defensive players saw the void in quarterback-protection and gave Favre several heavy blows. Although they received punishment after the game, the game lost was lost, and the quarterback in Brett Favre jersey was so frustrated with the loss that he showed intention not to play again in 2010 season.
Fortunately, Favre did not really mean to retire when he was still able to lead a team to playoffs. Having the surgery done just indicated he is having serious consideration of career resume. But what he needs the Vikings to promise are more than money or the starting job, but also a heavy protection that will prevent opponents from reaching him easily to give more attacks.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Vikings’ focus is still on Brett Favre
Searching for Minnesota Vikings news for the past few days brings only results on Brett Favre’s ankle surgery. There have been many people saying that they had enough of Favre news, but there are still even more people reading and writing something about the quarterback, whose playing status for 2010 season is still pending.
A few days ago, when there was a short-term silence on Favre’s condition, the Vikings reports finally cleared some room for other players in Vikings jerseys. There were predictions of receivers and running backs, rookies and veterans and even possible addition of free agents. But whoever became the major topic, they just must be related with Favre as people still believed that there would be significant difference with or without Favre.
The Vikings have been dealing with all Favre issues in a passive manner. Before any news came out, they simply kept saying that they had no idea of what the quarterback was going to do next. Without Favre, they still carry out their offseason plan just as any other team does and seem quite prepared whether Favre is to return or retire, but there is still an aura of expecting the leading role, which can only be the 40-year-old Favre.
A few days ago, when there was a short-term silence on Favre’s condition, the Vikings reports finally cleared some room for other players in Vikings jerseys. There were predictions of receivers and running backs, rookies and veterans and even possible addition of free agents. But whoever became the major topic, they just must be related with Favre as people still believed that there would be significant difference with or without Favre.
The Vikings have been dealing with all Favre issues in a passive manner. Before any news came out, they simply kept saying that they had no idea of what the quarterback was going to do next. Without Favre, they still carry out their offseason plan just as any other team does and seem quite prepared whether Favre is to return or retire, but there is still an aura of expecting the leading role, which can only be the 40-year-old Favre.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
News progress in Vikings Williamses lawsuit
To protect the league from further trouble with players testing positive for banned substance, the NFL made a new move and turned to the U.S. Supreme Court with a request of overturn previous decision made by state court on the lawsuit about Minnesota Vikings linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
The NFL claimed in its filing on Thursday that its collective bargaining agreement with the players' union is not subject to individual state laws. Otherwise, if players keep filing lawsuit against the league’s rulings, other players accepting the punishment would be confused and the authority of the league would be impaired.
"The Eighth Circuit's decision destroys the orderly and predictable negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements," lawyers for the NFL wrote in the brief submitted to the Supreme Court. "The Eighth Circuit's erroneous pre-emption decision thus has turned federal labor law from a uniform and stable framework for labor-management relations into a legal Catch-22 in which employers are literally liable if they do comply with the collective bargaining agreement, and liable if they do not."
Even if the Supreme Court is not going to approve the NFL’s request, the league is still with the right to suspend the Williamses as the Minnesota local judge has ruled that the league could still carry out their punishment although it did violate the local labor laws. Surely the league won’t like what they do being called illegal, so they need the support from the Supreme Court. For us Vikings fans, do not expect the Williamses to appear in their Vikings jerseys for the first four games of the 2010 season.
The NFL claimed in its filing on Thursday that its collective bargaining agreement with the players' union is not subject to individual state laws. Otherwise, if players keep filing lawsuit against the league’s rulings, other players accepting the punishment would be confused and the authority of the league would be impaired.
"The Eighth Circuit's decision destroys the orderly and predictable negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements," lawyers for the NFL wrote in the brief submitted to the Supreme Court. "The Eighth Circuit's erroneous pre-emption decision thus has turned federal labor law from a uniform and stable framework for labor-management relations into a legal Catch-22 in which employers are literally liable if they do comply with the collective bargaining agreement, and liable if they do not."
Even if the Supreme Court is not going to approve the NFL’s request, the league is still with the right to suspend the Williamses as the Minnesota local judge has ruled that the league could still carry out their punishment although it did violate the local labor laws. Surely the league won’t like what they do being called illegal, so they need the support from the Supreme Court. For us Vikings fans, do not expect the Williamses to appear in their Vikings jerseys for the first four games of the 2010 season.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Vikings DE Edwards will skip offseason program
The Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards recently made it clear that he would not only skip voluntary offseason program but also the mandatory minicamp if long-term contract is still not offered by the time. However, it may turn out to be no good for him as the Vikings have added quite a few new players at his position.
As a four-year veteran, Edwards would have been an unrestricted free agent if new Collective Bargaining Agreement was reached by the time old one expired. However, as new CBA is unavailable in 2010, all NFL players need six years of NFL service to become unrestricted free agents, and Edwards only became a restricted free agent and the Vikings offered him a first-round tender that will pay Edwards $2.5 million for playing in 2010 season if signed.
As long as Edwards does not sign the tender, he is free to skip the team’s offseason workouts, OTAs and the mandatory minicamp. Edwards seems confident that he will get what he wants if he insists and threatens. However, if he does not sign the offer by June 15, the Vikings will have the right to reduce the offer price to 110 percent of his base salary in 2009. Besides, even without Edwards, the Vikings will still run well in offseason workouts as they have several new options in rookies, including Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, Jayme Mitchell and Mike Montgomery, who just put on Vikings jerseys and are eager to compete for more playing time.
As a four-year veteran, Edwards would have been an unrestricted free agent if new Collective Bargaining Agreement was reached by the time old one expired. However, as new CBA is unavailable in 2010, all NFL players need six years of NFL service to become unrestricted free agents, and Edwards only became a restricted free agent and the Vikings offered him a first-round tender that will pay Edwards $2.5 million for playing in 2010 season if signed.
As long as Edwards does not sign the tender, he is free to skip the team’s offseason workouts, OTAs and the mandatory minicamp. Edwards seems confident that he will get what he wants if he insists and threatens. However, if he does not sign the offer by June 15, the Vikings will have the right to reduce the offer price to 110 percent of his base salary in 2009. Besides, even without Edwards, the Vikings will still run well in offseason workouts as they have several new options in rookies, including Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, Jayme Mitchell and Mike Montgomery, who just put on Vikings jerseys and are eager to compete for more playing time.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Vikings may expect Saints defense to blow Favre again
Recently, the Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress talked about Brett Favre’s injury in an interview. About the blows Favre received from the New Orleans Saints defense in NFC championship game and caused the quarterback’s injury, Childress made it clear that the Vikings won’t sit back and will deal with such attacks in wiser way next time.
Seemingly with the hope to disrupt opponent team’s starting quarterback, the Saints defense gave a number of big blows on Favre’s high-low body part. The attacks seemed effective as frustrated Favre told reporters after the game that he was suffering pains on different parts of his body. The attackers included Remi Ayodele and Bobby McCray, but none of them got any penalty during the game. It was some time after the game that the NFL made acknowledgement on their mistakes in not punishing the Saints defensive players for their personal fouls.
It might also be one of the factors that caused the Vikings to lose the title game overtime, but it needs to be proven by the season opener on Sept. 9, when the Saints and Vikings will meet again in New Orleans. In order to make it more convincing, it also requires Favre to wear back his Vikings jersey to face the same defense.
Seemingly with the hope to disrupt opponent team’s starting quarterback, the Saints defense gave a number of big blows on Favre’s high-low body part. The attacks seemed effective as frustrated Favre told reporters after the game that he was suffering pains on different parts of his body. The attackers included Remi Ayodele and Bobby McCray, but none of them got any penalty during the game. It was some time after the game that the NFL made acknowledgement on their mistakes in not punishing the Saints defensive players for their personal fouls.
It might also be one of the factors that caused the Vikings to lose the title game overtime, but it needs to be proven by the season opener on Sept. 9, when the Saints and Vikings will meet again in New Orleans. In order to make it more convincing, it also requires Favre to wear back his Vikings jersey to face the same defense.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Vikings continue with uncertainty at quarterback
Drafting eight picks this year, the Minnesota Vikings make it more intriguing on what their plan is with the starting quarterback. The only quarterback in the eight picks is going to play at wide receiver, and it is still unlikely for the two existing backup quarterback to take the starting job. What’s more important, Brett Favre remains undecided.
Some people may feel assured that one of the backup quarterbacks, Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, could move up to the starting line, but actually none of them has ever proven that he is capable of calling signals. What confuse us is that the Vikings do not seem to be worried at all. We may get some clues from Vikings head coach Brad Childress’ recent words about Favre’s returning. After the draft ended on Saturday night, Childress told a joke at his news conference saying that it would be fine to see Favre accepting a 2020 NFL MVP award trophy. By saying that, Childress showed some confidence with what Favre is still able to do if he wears back the No. 4 Vikings jersey. Childress did acknowledge that he and Favre exchanged some text messages recently, but it was nothing about his condition in 2010 season.
Still, the Vikings must have some big plan to surprise us when right time comes. Otherwise it’s hardly understandable for them to skip high-profile quarterbacks still available on the board when they made the choice. Letting Jimmy Clausen to land on Carolina Panthers and Colt McCoy to join the Cleveland Browns, the Vikings successfully retained public attention on them even after the draft ended.
Some people may feel assured that one of the backup quarterbacks, Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, could move up to the starting line, but actually none of them has ever proven that he is capable of calling signals. What confuse us is that the Vikings do not seem to be worried at all. We may get some clues from Vikings head coach Brad Childress’ recent words about Favre’s returning. After the draft ended on Saturday night, Childress told a joke at his news conference saying that it would be fine to see Favre accepting a 2020 NFL MVP award trophy. By saying that, Childress showed some confidence with what Favre is still able to do if he wears back the No. 4 Vikings jersey. Childress did acknowledge that he and Favre exchanged some text messages recently, but it was nothing about his condition in 2010 season.
Still, the Vikings must have some big plan to surprise us when right time comes. Otherwise it’s hardly understandable for them to skip high-profile quarterbacks still available on the board when they made the choice. Letting Jimmy Clausen to land on Carolina Panthers and Colt McCoy to join the Cleveland Browns, the Vikings successfully retained public attention on them even after the draft ended.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Vikings draft picks feature selection of CB Cook and RB Gerhart
Without considering addition of a rookie quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings finished their choice in the 2010 NFL draft with some smart picks at cornerback and running back. Among the eight picks they drafted from the last six rounds, the selection of cornerback Chris Cook and running back Toby Gerhart has been considered to the best choice.
The Vikings had additions to both offensive line and defensive line. Except for cornerback and running back, they also picked a defensive end with Everson Griffen from USC, guard Chris DeGeare from Wake Forest, linebacker Nate Triplett from Minnesota, wide receiver Joe Webb from UAB, tight end Mickey Shuler from Penn State and another linebacker Ryan D'Imperio from Rutgers. What surprised us at first was that the Vikings traded away their first-round pick to Detroit Lions to get several later round picks and gave up their chance to acquire quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who was later drafted by the Carolina Panthers.
As the Vikings previously had signed former New York Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard, little expected that the team would pick another cornerback in the draft, so the addition of Chris was still a bit out of expectation. Drafting running back Gerhart was something understandable as the Vikings just lost a backup running back in Chester Taylor, who chose to leave Minnesota and joined the Chicago Bears during free agency.
The other rookies to put on new Vikings jerseys are unlikely to see big chance in gaining much playing time and the secondary line could be the farthest they would go. Well, it all depends who well they are going to perform during the training camp and what condition the starters will be during the season.
The Vikings had additions to both offensive line and defensive line. Except for cornerback and running back, they also picked a defensive end with Everson Griffen from USC, guard Chris DeGeare from Wake Forest, linebacker Nate Triplett from Minnesota, wide receiver Joe Webb from UAB, tight end Mickey Shuler from Penn State and another linebacker Ryan D'Imperio from Rutgers. What surprised us at first was that the Vikings traded away their first-round pick to Detroit Lions to get several later round picks and gave up their chance to acquire quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who was later drafted by the Carolina Panthers.
As the Vikings previously had signed former New York Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard, little expected that the team would pick another cornerback in the draft, so the addition of Chris was still a bit out of expectation. Drafting running back Gerhart was something understandable as the Vikings just lost a backup running back in Chester Taylor, who chose to leave Minnesota and joined the Chicago Bears during free agency.
The other rookies to put on new Vikings jerseys are unlikely to see big chance in gaining much playing time and the secondary line could be the farthest they would go. Well, it all depends who well they are going to perform during the training camp and what condition the starters will be during the season.
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