Ponder sees more, learns more - 08-22-2011

“The education of Christian Ponder continued Saturday night in Seattle.

Playing with the second-team offense, the rookie quarterback completed six of 12 passes for 63 yards during a stint that began in the second quarter and ended after the third.

"I think so," Ponder said when asked if things went a little more smoothly for him Saturday than in his preseason debut the previous week at Tennessee. "Got a chance to do two-minute stuff and got to [be] put in different situations, which is good. Got in with the twos, and I think they still had their one defense out there. So I thought it was OK. Could have made some more plays but played pretty well."

Ponder actually had better stats against the Titans, completing eight of 13 passes for 84 yards. But in that instance he replaced Joe Webb at quarterback and was with the third team going against a third-team defense.

"I think the biggest thing has been getting used to the speed of the game and on top of that learning this offense and building team chemistry," said Ponder, the 12th pick in the April draft. "I think the biggest adjustment is the windows aren't as open as they were in college, and you have to make the reads a lot faster and get the ball [out] a lot quicker than last year. It's an adjustment, and I'm part of that learning curve right now but it's been fun.””

Star Tribune - August 22

Bryant McKinnie was a waist of talent - 08-03-2011

"Bryant McKinnie ate himself off the team.
He showed up at training camp fat and out of shape and looked like Jabba the Hutt in a No. 74 jersey.
Apparently, playing on the Vikings' offensive line was less important to McKinnie than grazing at a buffet line.
So the Vikings cut him just one day after signing another left tackle, Charlie Johnson, who protected Peyton Manning's blind side the past couple of seasons.
If McKinnie had turned more of a blind eye to food and did some conditioning during the offseason, he likely would be a Viking. But based on his frequent Twitter posts chronicling his whereabouts, McKinnie was more inclined to go clubbing along Miami's South Beach and working on a music career.
McKinnie isn't a bad guy. Truth is, he comes off like a fun-loving kid. Trouble is, he liked fun and food more than playing football with the Vikings.
Of course, the Vikings didn't have to release him. They could have made him try working off the tonnage, and maybe that's what Brad Childress would have done. But it was a smart move by Leslie Frazier to unload the load. It sends a message to everyone on the team that Frazier expects players to be accountable for their actions and their weight, and he won't tolerate conditioning scofflaws. "

8-3-11 St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Bob Sansevere

ESPN - Vikings In Talks With Donovan McNabb

With the NFL lockout now over there is chatter coming from ESPN that the Minnesota Vikings are in talks with Redskins quarterback,  Donovan McNabb. The Vikings are reportedly in serious talks with the Redskins trying to work a deal to bring the veteran quarterback to Minnesota for the 2011 - 2012 season.  McNabb turns 35 this November and was benched twice last season by the Washington Redskins in their 6-10 season.  Most would agree that McNabb still has a year or two of good football left in him.

Is this a good indication that Frazier will definitely bring in a veteran quarterback this year?

If the Vikes bring in McNabb is he the right fit to mentor Christian Ponder and Joe Webb, or does he simply give the Vikings their best chance to win this year and at the same time giving the young quarterbacks time to learn?

NFL Tickets

Minnesota Vikings Tickets

Brett Favre's agent on rumors: 'He's retired - 07-25-2011

Brett Favre's agent on rumors: 'He's retired - 07-25-2011


"Hattiesburg sports agent Bus Cook, tired of rumors about his most famous client, called The Clarion-Ledger this morning to "set the record straight."
Said Cook: "Brett Favre retired in January. He has not talked to any teams, including Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks. He has not talked to anyone about playing football. He's retired, period."
Last week, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick tweeted, "I would be honored to have Brett Farve as a backup. That will be amazing learning how to toy with defenses the way he did his whole career."
That tweet set off another round of rumors about Favre's return to football. Cook insists the rumors have no substance."


Article 7/25 prosportsdaily.com

St. Paul balks at stadium tax - 07-06-2011

St. Paul balks at stadium tax - 07-06-2011


"The St. Paul City Council appears set to unanimously vote Wednesday against a Ramsey County sales tax increase for a proposed Minnesota Vikings stadium in Arden Hills.
Although numerous council members had expressed reservations about the tax, the vote will be their first public stance. The resolution is a formal statement of the council's position in the ongoing political battle but doesn't carry the weight of an ordinance.
Council President Kathy Lantry said it was time for the council to take a stand. "The rumor we've heard is a deal is imminent so we want to make sure our voice is heard," she said. "I love the Vikings, but ... if they're a statewide asset, then there ought to be a statewide solution."
County Commissioner Tony Bennett, a sponsor of the Vikings proposal to build in Arden Hills, said it's easy to vote against the sales tax. "I don't want to vote for the sales tax either, but what other choice do we have?" he said.
Six of the City Council members signed on as sponsors to the one-page resolution opposing the half-cent sales tax increase. Council Member Melvin Carter, who isn't a sponsor, said he "absolutely" supports the resolution.
Bennett and Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega have proposed using the tax increase to raise $350 million as the county contribution toward the Vikings stadium. The stadium is expected to cost $1 billion, with $407 million coming from the Vikings and $300 million from the state.
"Whether the stadium is the right thing to do or not, it's just too steep a price for St. Paul and Ramsey County taxpayers," said Russ Stark, a City Council member.
Carter said, "The proposal on the table is counting on a tax increase from the people we represent. We owe it to them to be very clearly on the record."
Lantry questioned why the county would raise a sales tax for the Vikings, but not for other services it provides, including the sheriff's protection, jails, solid waste removal and an array of human services. "That would help people 365 days a year," Lantry said."
Article per ProSportsDaily.com & StarTribune.com

Vikings will offer refund with interest if games are cancelled

Zygi Wilf and his brother Mark have sent a letter to season ticket holders of the Minnesota Vikings and the club will offer interest on refunds if the NFL’s work stoppage causes games to be cancelled this season.
Fans can choose to have a refund or have money applied to future games. In the event they request a refund, interest calculated at an annual rate of 1 percent will be paid. The interest will be calculated from the date a game is cancelled through the date which a refund is processed, so we’re talking about small change here. Still, it’s the right gesture for the organization to make, especially for an organization desperately seeking funding for a new stadium.

It’s a critical time for the Vikings. New coach Leslie Frazier is in the process of trying to reshape one of the oldest rosters in the league. Minnesota doesn’t have a quarterback and trying to build a young team around a new and potentially young quarterback is challenging under normal circumstances.
“The Vikings ownership group, coaches and front office staff are working extremely hard this offseason to return the Minnesota Vikings to the top of the NFC North and compete for a Super Bowl, as well as build upon the pride and passion you have for this organization,” the letter states.
Here is a full look at the letter:
Dear Vikings Season Ticket Owners,

Due to the expiration of the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement and the breakdown in mediated negotiations between the National Football League and the players, it is the sincere commitment of the Minnesota Vikings to keep our most important stakeholders in this franchise, our Season Ticket Owners, as informed as possible throughout the process. We wanted to write to you today in an effort to keep you informed on how the expiration of the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement may impact the 2011 NFL season.

The NFL is working hard to reach a new agreement with the players' union, and we hope the negotiation process does not disrupt the 2011 season. In the event any games are cancelled, we want to remind you of the Vikings Season Ticket Owner refund policy for your 2011 season tickets. The specifics of the policy are as follows:

1. We will provide you with a full refund for any cancelled preseason or regular-season home games.

2. You may choose to receive your refund either in the form that you paid for your tickets (e.g., cash, credit card) or in the form of credits toward future games with this credit applied to your season ticket account.

3. Simple interest, calculated at an annual rate of 1%, will be paid on refunds. Interest will be calculated for the period beginning on the date that a game is cancelled through the date that the refund is processed. You will be entitled to interest only if you have paid for your season tickets in full by the final season ticket payment deadline of May 23, 2011.

4. For any cancelled games, refunds will be paid no later than 30 days after final determination of how many games will be played during the 2011 season.
5. You may also click here to review the Vikings Season Ticket Owner refund policy that accompanied your 2011 invoice.

The Vikings ownership group, coaches and front office staff are working extremely hard this offseason to return the Minnesota Vikings to the top of the NFC North and compete for a Super Bowl, as well as build upon the pride and passion you have for this organization. We greatly appreciate your support of the Minnesota Vikings and will continue to keep you informed of our plans for the 2011 season. If you have any questions about the refund policy, or any other matter, please feel free to contact the Vikings Ticket Office at (612) 33-VIKES. Also, please feel free to read a letter sent last night from NFL Commissioner Goodell to all NFL fans at vikings.com or follow the latest on the NFL labor situation at NFLLabor.com.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to helping the Minnesota Vikings return to the top of the NFC North and then achieving our ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.
Sincerely,

Zygi and Mark Wilf

Article Via Yahoo Sports

Pat Williams May Return To Vikings

Pat Williams may still return to Vikings - 06-20-2011

"Vikings NT Pat Williams put the chances of him returning to the team at 50-50 after it appeared the two sides would part ways. Williams said he worked some things out with head coach Leslie Frazier during the window when the lockout briefly was lifted in late April, and the team still has a need at defensive tackle, so a reunion can't be ruled out completely."

Info. via prosportsdaily.com