A blog dedicated to purple pride and the Minnesota Vikings! Stop by for fresh, insightful takes on the Vikings, the NFL and the NFL Draft. Also, if you're secretly a closet Packers fan feel free to check out our sister blog Green & Gold Gridiron! SKOL!
Friday, March 28, 2014
Note: Moved over to The Viking Age
Hello wandering blog readers! If you've been stumbling across the site recently and wondering the lack of new content going up, I have moved over all my content to thevikingage.com! I hope you all continue to check out my work and thank you so much for coming to the site!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Vikings Receive no Compensatory Picks
The NFL announced compensatory selections for the 2014 NFL Draft today, and the Vikings received no extra draft picks.
The move was expected, as the team lost no key players to free agency last year, instead adding to the team with Greg Jennings.
Vikings sign guard Vladimir Ducasse
The Vikings have added depth to their offensive line today, signing free agent guard Vladimir Ducasse to a one-year deal, according to Fox Sports.
Ducasse had previously visited Winter Park and had also received interest from the Bengals.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Joe Webb joins the Panthers as a....Quarterback
Former Vikings backup quarterback and wide receiver Joe Webb has landed on his feet.
Webb has been signed by the Carolina Panthers as a backup quarterback, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Corey Wootton comes to Vikings
If the pattern has not become clear by now, the Vikings are intent on giving their defensive line a makeover this offseason.
That trend continued today as the Vikings added another free agent piece to their line, signing former Bears defensive end Corey Wootton according to multiple sources.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Vikings add to Defensive Line and other notes from this week
Former Saints defensive end and tackle Tom Johnson has agree to a one year deal with the team, according to Tom Pelissero of the USA Today, and now all that's left is for Johnson to get medically cleared.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Charlie Johnson comes back to Minnesota
The Vikings re-signed their seventh free agent of this offseason, as guard Charlie Johnson has agreed to return to the team in 2014, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News.
The moves takes care of one of the Vikings remaining major needs, and ensures the Vikings offensive line will keep the same five starters for the third straight year.
Three Vikings agree to Pay Cuts
The Vikings will add a little room under the cap, as it was announced that two of the players on their roster have agreed to pay cuts, according multiple sources.
Jamarcus Sanford, Jerome Felton and Chad Greenway both took a little less to stay with the team, but it ensures them a spot on the roster in 2014.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Vikings Week One Free Agency Recap
Needless to say, the past four days in the NFL have been
absolutely hectic. With players signing at all hours of the day, and contract
details not being released until hours or days later, it can be tough to keep
track of it all.
Well luckily, all free agency information for the Vikings
after this week has been compiled here, just for you! All current Vikings,
signings, departures and rumors are all gathered here, as well as a look at
where the Vikings should go from here!
Jerome Simpson comes back to the Vikings
The Vikings announced Friday afternoon they are re-signing wide receiver Jerome Simpson, in a move that will help bring some depth to Norv Turner's offense.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Vikings Sign Derek Cox
There's news out of Winter Park yet again tonight, with yet another cornerback being added to the fold in Minnesota.
Former Chargers cornerback Derek Cox has agreed to sign a one year contract to join the team, multiple sources report.
Vikings Sign Captain Munnerlyn
After many hours of waiting, the announcement finally came that the Vikings had signed a veteran (maybe captain?) for their secondary.
After visiting Winter Park yesterday and today, free agent cornerback Captain Munnerlyn has agreed to a contract with the Vikings, as first reported by Ian Rapoport.
Vikings Re-Sign Fred Evans
Well, it's not the news most were expecting Thursday afternoon, but it's the news that we got.
Defensive tackle Fred Evans was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Vikings today, according to multiple sources.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Rumor Mill Roundup: Free Agency Day Two
We are now over 32 hours into the NFL free agency period and news keeps pouring in from all corners of the league. Rather than create a separate post for each smaller Vikings related rumor or tidbit, I figured I'd condense it all into one post to not flood the blog!
Read on for the contract details for Matt Cassel and Linval Joseph, as well as the identities of two offensive lineman the Vikings have inquired about.
Captain Munnerlyn coming to Winter Park
The Vikings will bring in free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton for a visit tomorrow, but he won't be the first player to tour Winter Park.
The team will also host free agent cornerback Captain Munnerlyn today and tomorrow according to Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune.
Vikings to bring in Henry Melton
More Details Released on Griffen Re-Signing
Read on for the scoop and some added analysis!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Toby Gerhart is Officially Gone
In the famous words of one Michael Scott: Goodbye Toby!
In this situation, that phrase has a little more sadness tinged to it, as running back Toby Gerhart officially left the Vikings through free agency today, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Joe Berger returns to the Vikings
After making a splash earlier in the first day of free agency, the Vikings made a smaller depth move by resigning offensive lineman Joe Berger to the team.
The move was first reported by Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
Vikings Sign DT Linval Joseph
What initially looked like an uneventful day for the Vikings turned interesting fast when it was announced the team had come to terms with free agent defensive tackle Linval Joseph.
The former New York Giant fills a major need for the team and Mike Zimmer's brand of defense
Monday, March 10, 2014
Another Vikings Re-signing: Larry Dean
The Vikings re-signed their third in-house free agent before the official opening of free agency Monday morning, as the team announced special teams standout Larry Dean is returning to the team.
The 25 year old linebacker is the team's second linebacker addition in the past two days.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Jasper Brinkley comes back to the Vikings
After a year in Arizona, Jasper Brinkely is coming back to Minnesota.
The former Vikings middle linebacker is coming back to the team on a one year deal, according to Mike Garafolo.
Vikings Re-Sign Everson Griffen
The Vikings have locked up one of their own before the start of free agency.
Defensive end Everson Griffen has agreed to a new five year contract with the Vikings, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rappaport.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Matt Cassel to Re-Sign with the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings took care of their top priority in free agency Friday night, as the team has agreed to terms with quarterback Matt Cassel, according to the Star Tribune.
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Special Teams
The Vikings only have three players that can be considered exclusively special teams players, and they have one of the best groups in the business. They are very dependable and consistent, and there should be no major changes going into 2014.
Here's the Vikings special teams breakdown going into the offseason:
Here's the Vikings special teams breakdown going into the offseason:
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Safeties
Safety is one of only one of two position groups for the Vikings where they have no free agents this offseason (the other being special teams). That doesn't mean they are completely set at the position, however, because safety is by no means a strong point of their defense. Expect plenty of competition at this spot during the offseason, as it seems to have become an annual tradition to have a safety battle at Winter Park.
Here's the breakdown of the Vikings safeties as they head into the 2014 offseason:
Here's the breakdown of the Vikings safeties as they head into the 2014 offseason:
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Vikings Release Letroy Guion, Greg Childs
The Vikings announced two roster moves today, increasing their cap while leaving more questions about their defensive line position.
Letroy Guion, DT, and Greg Childs, WR, will both be searching for new homes in the NFL last season, as the team opted to let both go to save over $4 million in cap space.
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Cornerbacks
When you have the 31st ranked passing defense, like the Vikings did in 2013, it's safe to say you have issues at corner. The Vikings corners were exposed often last season, due to both a lack of talent and a lack of depth. What should they do to correct that in 2014? Read on to find out!
Here's the positional breakdown for the Vikings cornerback:
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Linebackers
Like the defensive line, the Vikings linebacker corps is in need of a major overhaul. Unlike the line, however, the Vikings second level has almost no proven commodities on the roster right now, since a former Pro Bowler turned in the worst season of his career in 2013. Can Mike Zimmer show that was just a product of circumstance, and develop all the young talent at this positon?
That's one of the questions I'll take a look at, in the positional breakdown of the Vikings linebackers:
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Defensive Line
When it comes to defense, a lot of teams that run a 4-3 like the Vikings start by building up front. Look at the 2011 Giants. And even though the Seattle secondary got plenty of credit for its Super Bowl championship, that secondary received some major assistance from the Seattle front four, who managed to harass Peyton Manning all day.
The defensive line used to be a point of personal pride for the Vikings, especially when the "Williams Wall" was in place for the 2000s. Now, in 2013, the last Williams is a free agent, as with about half of the Vikings 2013 defensive line. Needless to say, this position needs quite a bit of work.
Here's the official breakdown of the Vikings current defensive line:
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Tight Ends
New Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner loves to work with tight ends, as evidenced by the work he's done with players like Antonio Gates and Jordan Cameron. Turner really seems to like big, physical tight ends who can be a threat down the field and make plays in the red zone. That should exactly be what he'll find in Minnesota.
Here's a breakdown of the players Turner will be looking at going into the season, and how they might fit his system:
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Offensive Line
When it comes to the Vikings offense the past few years, it has all started up front. In 2012 the offensive line was the team's unsung hero as they paved the way for Adrian Peterson's 2000 yard season and the team's playoff run. The line did struggle early last year, but overall the unit still ranked sixth according to Pro Football Focus. It's likely that much of the line's early struggles can be attributed to lackluster quarterback play and injuries, which hopefully won't be the case in 2014.
Here's the breakdown as to how the Vikings big guys up front look before free agency:
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Wide Receivers
Considered perhaps the Vikings weakest position group right after the 2012 season, the Vikings receiving corps has become at least solid if not spectacular a year later. While depth is still needed at this group, the Vikings should be extremely happy with the direction of this position, headed by one of the most exciting young players in the NFL.
Going into the 2014 offseason, here's a look at the Vikings wide receivers.
"Spin Doctor" Chuck Foreman talks nickname and the Running Back Evolution
To this day, former Vikings running back Chuck Foreman’s nickname
stays with him. It’s displayed right on Foreman’s Twitter account.
“They call me the Spin Doctor.”
Monday, March 3, 2014
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Running Backs
Well, it's safe to say the Vikings have no worries about their starter at this position coming into the 2014 season. However, they will have to look at their depth chart this offseason to determine if they can afford to completely ignore this position for the rest of the offseason.
Ladies and gentlemen, the running backs on the Minnesota Vikings.
Vikings Positional Breakdown: Quarterbacks
With free agency only about a week away, it's time to look at how the Vikings roster currently shakes out to see what improvements need to be made. Each breakdown will look at a specific position group to see how the Vikings shake out there before the official start of the new league year.
First up, the most important position of all: quarterback
Saturday, March 1, 2014
2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Now that my positional rankings have been finished and my latest big board is live, it's time to predict what's going to happen come May 8. Ladies and gentlemen, my first mock draft of 2014.
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