Positional Analysis: Defensive End
The defensive end position was one of consternation among Vikings fans early in the offseason, but the addition of Jared Allen has transformed angst into enthusiasm. [Link]
VikingBuzz BLOG
Pro Bowler Darren Sharper has been joined by Madieu Williams, Tyrell Johnson and Michael Boulware during the offseason. The Vikings might now have the most talented deep secondary in the NFC. [Link]
Peterson, Wilf Excite Brainerd Fans
Running back Adrian Peterson and owner Zygi Wilf spent much of Thursday morning in Brainerd talking physical fitness and the excitement surrounding Vikings football this year. [Link]
7 Points: Jones-Drew is a Little Big-Man
Ed Thompson points out why Maurice Jones-Drew can scoff at his former critics — and why Miami rookie WR Davone Bess should be able to do the same in a few years. Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald, former Raider Duane Starks, a smart personnel move by the Colts and more are all in today's 7 Points feature. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents: Offense
Here's an updated look at the best available NFL free agents from the offensive side of the ball. The running back position clearly has decent talent that could come in and contribute right away. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Defense
Here's an updated look at the best available NFL free agents from the defensive side of the ball. There are still some quality defensive tackles available who could come in and help a team. [Link]
NFL Player Wire
Legal troubles are catching up with several NFL players at this point in the offseason while others are busy making different sorts of impressions on their coaches at minicamps. Catch up on the latest NFL news. [Link]
Chris Steuber Chat Transcript
See what Scout.com draft analyst Chris Steuber thinks of the rookies the Vikings ended up with this year, including a number of late-round picks and undrafted rookies he thinks have a chance. [Link]
VikingBuzz BLOG
Is running first to set up the pass a myth? Is just might be, especially in the West Coast Offense. And, the Vikings rank among the top five teams who made the biggest strides this offseason. [Link]
Five teams that have made Super improvements
Minnesota fans might be shouting "Victory!" well into the playoffs. Our NFL Czar has the Vikings among his most-improved teams. [Link]
Positional Analysis: Guard
The Vikings have significantly upgraded the guard position since the arrival of Brad Childress as head coach, making headline news with a contract for Steve Hutchinson and re-signing Anthony Herrera long-term last year. [Link]
Photo Gallery: Offensive UDFAs
A look at some of the Vikings' top undrafted free-agent rookies in action at rookie camp. [Link]
Rookie Chat With Scout.com's Chris Steuber
Subscribers to VikingUpdate.com, get your Vikings and NFL rookie questions answered by Chris Steuber of Scout.com in a chat at 8 p.m. Central Wednesday. [Link]
10-pack: The worst moves (and non-moves) of the NFL offseason (SportingNews.com)
With the offseason moving past the halfway point, SN's Mike Florio takes a look at 10 of the moves (and non-moves) that stand out as the least prudent of the year to date. [Link]
Tim Mattran College Stats
A look at the undrafted rookie's college service on the offensive line at Stanford. [Link]
Mattran Ready to Battle for Roster Spot
Tim Mattran is used to the underdog role and has eventually succeeded in that scenario before. This time, he gets the chance to do it for the Minnesota Vikings, his hometown professional football team. [Link]
Vikings Protecting Themselves Contractually
The Vikings have begun inserting language into big-money contracts to protect themselves financially if they terminate contracts early. [Link]
Does Being Number One Really Matter?
When compared to their draft class peers, there was no one statistically better at running the ball, intercepting passes, throwing passes or sacking the quarterback than these players. But did it pay off for them on draft weekend? Scout.com's Ed Thompson takes a look. [Link]
NFL Player Wire
We catch up with notes from around the NFL from the last few days, including a couple of draft picks who are injured already. [Link]
Positional Analysis: Wide Receiver
The Vikings are hoping that their approach to recent free-agent periods and the draft can bring the big play from the receiver position back to their offense. [Link]
New crop of wide receivers ready to take over (SportingNews.com)
The crop of thirtysomething wide receivers is moving past its prime. It's time to get to know these six receivers, all of which are 25 and under. [Link]
Vikings Positional Analysis: Running Backs
The Vikings' hope of making a Super Bowl run in 2008 is being tied directly to the success of the their running game. With Adrian Peterson becoming the most electifying offensive player to enter the league in years, the Vikings may well have the best running game in the league. [Link]
Photo Gallery: Rookie Quarterbacks
A look at a number of photos of John David Booty and Kyle Wright from rookie minicamp (all photos by Tom Dahlin/Viking Update). [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Defense
With the NFL draft behind us, here's an updated look at the best available free agents from the defensive side of the ball. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Offense
Here's a post-draft look at the best available NFL free agents from the offensive side of the ball. [Link]
Minicamps, OTAs on the Horizon
The Vikings just completed a rookie minicamp last weekend, but they will get into (mostly) full-team workouts in the coming weeks as the offseason moves from a conditioning program to organized team activities (voluntary practices). [Link]
NFL Network Analyzes NFC North Drafts
NFL Network analyzed the top draft choices of the teams in the NFC North, giving the Vikings credit for the Jared Allen trade when discussing their draft success. See what analyst Solomon Wilcots had to say about the Vikings and the other teams in the division. [Link]
This NFL offseason has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL offseason? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
Vikings inserting bonus provision in new deals (Yahoo! Sports)
Jared Allen became the last acquisition to sign a deal that provides the team long-term financial protection. [Link]
This NFL off-season has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL off-season? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
Scott Charges Detailed
Former Viking Darrion Scott is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to answer to three charges surrounding an alleged incident with his young son. [Link]
The Wright Situation?
Kyle Wright, a high-profile quarterback coming out of high school, is ready for a fresh start with the Vikings after a highly scrutinized career at the University of Miami. See what Wright and head coach Brad Childress had to say about his situation, and see the irony of Wright and John David Booty being on the same pro roster. [Link]
Kyle Wright College Stats
A look at undrafted quarterback Kyle Wright's statistics during his days at the University of Miami. [Link]
Chat Tonight With Adam Caplan
Subscribers to VikingUpdate.com, get your Vikings and NFL questions answered by Adam Caplan of Scout.com in a chat at 9 p.m. Central Wednesday. [Link]
News analysis: Ravens QB situation
Move over Kyle Boller, there's a new quarterback in town. [Link]
Ex-Viking Scott charged with assault on son (PA SportsTicker)
Former Minnesota Viking defensive end Darrion Scott was charged Tuesday with assaulting his 2-year-old son by holding a plastic bag over the child's head, according to a report from the Minneapolis Star Tribune. [Link]
Ex-Vikings player Darrion Scott charged with assault (AP)
Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Darrion Scott was charged Tuesday with assault and accused of holding a plastic dry cleaning bag over the head of his 2-year-old son. Scott was charged in Hennepin County Court with third-degree assault and domestic assault by strangulation, both felonies. He also was charged with endangerment of a child — a gross misdemeanor — for allegedly keeping a… [Link]
NFL Rookie and Full Minicamp Dates
The Vikings were among the majority of NFL teams that held some form of a minicamp this past weekend, but the rest of the minicamp schedules vary greatly over the next six weeks. [Link]
Don't give up on Benson, unless he pouts
That's what Cedric Benson is doing about the police and what fans are doing about him. Our NFL Czar says he shouldn't be cut … yet. [Link]
Notebook: Training Camp Dates Announced
The Minnesota Vikings recently announced the start and stop dates of their 2008 training camp in Mankato. [Link]
Five teams that could get over playoff hump
You can write off the Bengals, but Randy Hill isn't giving up. Cincy is one of his five surprise playoff picks for the 2008 season. [Link]
Myriad Problems Converge on Bears
Just two seasons ago, the Chicago Bears were on top of the NFC North division, but that seems like decades ago. Besides their on-field slide, the Bears are encountering a number of problems surrounding contracts and legal matters. [Link]
Scout's Notebook: WR Jaymar Johnson
The Vikings rounded out their draft with Jackson State's Jaymar Johnson, an explosive, big-play receiver and return specialist. Here's the full scoop… [Link]
NFL Draft: 2009 Mock Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft is behind us, but it doesn't mean we can't have a little fun and take a look at the 2009 draft. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber releases his first 2009 mock draft and includes draft-eligible underclassmen. [Link]
Former Gophers Digging for Opportunity
Two former Gophers were among more than a dozen local rookies looking to turn their weekend tryout with the Vikings into a contract. See what running back Amir Pinnix and linebacker Mike Sherels had to say about the opportunity. [Link]
Scout's Notebook: C John Sullivan
It appears the Vikings got solid value with former Notre Dame center John Sullivan in the sixth-round of this year's draft. Find out more right here… [Link]
Udeze ineligible for 2008, will revisit status in '09
The Minnesota Vikings want Kenechi Udeze to focus on his fight against leukemia and not worry about his financial situation. The defensive end was placed on the reserve-non-football-illness list Friday, coach Brad Childress announced. That makes him ineligible to participate in the 2008 season, but guarantees him his $807,500 salary for the year. Udeze revealed two weeks ago that the cancer was in remission, and that his older brother has matching bone marrow for a pending transplant. [Link]
Pressing needs for every NFL team
The draft can't fix everything (see the Jets' and 49ers' QB quandaries). Alex Marvez runs down every team's pressing needs. [Link]
Spielman, Peterson Revisit Allen Trade
Vikings vice president of player personnel and Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson, two of the key architects in the Jared Allen trade, discussed the trade from their respective positions. Plus, the Vikings waived a couple of players Thursday. [Link]
Scout's Notebook: DT Letroy Guion
Fifth-round pick Letroy Guion is a raw, developmental prospect who offers upside potential as a potential starter down the road. Find out more right here … [Link]
