Minnesota Vikings 2008 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)

[Andy Dufresne]

After hearing him talk, I think Mike McCarthy is a bigger meathead than even Mike Tice. What a doof.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I really like what Tyrell Johnson brings to the table. Kid is going to be a player!

MANKATO, Minn. — Tyrell Johnson isn't sure how much he'll play, but the Vikings' top draft choice is looking forward to it.

Exhibition or not, Friday night's game against Seattle will be his first in the NFL, and the hard-hitting safety is ready and excited to give it his best shot.

"I know it's only preseason, but I can hardly wait," he said. "I think I've played probably about four or five games in my head already."

A second-round draft choice from Arkansas State, Johnson already has had his first welcome-to-the-NFL moment. In Thursday's practice against Kansas City, veteran Chiefs running back Larry Johnson put a stiff-arm into the surprised rookie, who wasn't aware it was a live tackling drill.

"Coming from college, I'm used to just tapping guys out in practice," Johnson said. "That's what I did with Larry. I just tried to tap him off, and he lowered his shoulder and arm and was choking me and everything. I was like, 'OK, so is it live?' I got mad and got to mouthing. From then on, I was live. I was ready to roll. All you have to do is tell me it's live and I'm ready."

Johnson got his revenge later with a resounding sideline hit on the six-year veteran. Then he let him know about it.

"That was one on one," Johnson said. "He saw me and I saw him. He actually tried the same thing, tried to stiff-arm me again, and I put him on his tail."

Johnson is looking forward to more of the same Friday, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier

said he can expect to see "extensive" playing time.

Pioneer Press Article

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I really like what Tyrell Johnson brings to the table. Kid is going to be a player!

That was the guy I wanted them to draft and take Dwight Smith's spot. Having said that, I absolutely loved the Madieu Williams signing and my traning camp visit confirmed why.Glad Johnson gets to learn from both Darren Sharper and Williams.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Well, both Heath Farwell and Jayme Mitchell are out for the year with torn ACL's. I know some may think "no big deal" but it really hurts their depth. If Robison's leg surgery becomes a bigger problem then I will get a bit worried about the depth along the defensive front seven.

 

[Vikes Fan]

Well, both Heath Farwell and Jayme Mitchell are out for the year with torn ACL's. I know some may think "no big deal" but it really hurts their depth. If Robison's leg surgery becomes a bigger problem then I will get a bit worried about the depth along the defensive front seven.

You are correct. Big losses on defense, and with Farwell also on special teams. He can really get after it on coverage! He will be missed this year!

 

[vikingdave]

I HATE preseason...

 

[ScottyFargo]

3rd Year in a row we've lost a linebacker to an ACL tear in the first preseason game. Greenway, Alexander, and now Farwell. I am completely bummed about losing Farwell, I loved watching him scream in for a tackle on kickoffs.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Madieu Williams could be out for six weeks! OUCH!! I hope Tyrell is NFL ready.

From Star Tribune page...

MANKATO - The Vikings will be without one of their big-name free-agent signings for an extended period.

Safety Madieu Williams could miss as many as six weeks because of a neck injury, according to multiple sources. That means he would be out for at least the first three games of the regular season.

It's a setback for a pass defense that finished last in the NFL in 2007 and was counting on having a top-notch cover safety in Williams for all 16 games.

Williams did not play in Friday's preseason opener against Seattle because of what the team termed neck spasms.

It is not clear when Williams injured his neck or the extent of the damage, but he was held out of contact as early as Aug. 4.

Rookie Tyrell Johnson, the Vikings' top pick (second round) in last April's draft, started in place of Williams on Friday and figures to move into that role.

Williams declined to go into specifics about his situation Monday.

"I'm not allowed to discuss the condition of my injuries," said Williams, who observed the morning practice from the sidelines but was not seen on the field in the afternoon. "I think that's something that you've got to talk to Coach [brad] Childress about, or the trainers."

Childress, citing the fact he doesn't have to talk about injuries in the preseason, declined to do so Monday.

Williams' loss is the latest bad news for a defense that lost backup right end Jayme Mitchell and linebacker Heath Farwell to torn anterior cruciate ligaments on Friday.

The Vikings signed Williams to a $33 million, six-year contract with nearly $13 million in guarantees last March. He was brought in to start opposite veteran Darren Sharper and replace Dwight Smith, who was released after last season. Smith was jettisoned in part because the Vikings wanted a safety who would bolster their pass coverage. Williams also played cornerback at times during his first four NFL seasons with Cincinnati.

Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier served in the same role with the Bengals in Williams' rookie season and played a major role in getting Williams to Minnesota. "It just makes us so much better from a coverage standpoint," Frazier said after the Vikings signed Williams. "He'll be a tremendous asset. This is the type of safety you look for in the draft, a guy who can hit but still has coverage ability as well."

Williams missed time because of injuries on two occasions while with the Bengals.

He sat out the final three games of last season after hurting his quadriceps and was eventually put on injured reserve. He missed 12 games in 2005 because of a shoulder injury. Williams played in all 16 games in 2004 and 2006 and had nine interceptions in 49 games with Cincinnati.

Before it became clear how long Williams would be out, Sharper tried to be optimistic about the situation.

"You would like to get those reps and get that chemistry going, but he's a veteran player," Sharper said of not being able to work with Williams. "I'm hoping he won't be on the shelf that long."

This presents an excellent opportunity for Johnson, who played college football at Arkansas State. Johnson, though, first must get back on the field himself. He missed both practices Monday because of sore abdominal muscles and is day-to-day.

Frazier has been impressed by Johnson's progress.

"He's really picked up things real fast," Frazier said. "He has been playing faster than when we were in [Organized Team Activities] when we were going through installation. He's come back in training camp and just taken it up another notch.

"The next thing for him is just continue to get reps in ballgames because he is doing well in practice. Just to be able to get the speed of the game down. That was great exposure for him the other night [against Seattle]."

 

[mozzy84]

 

[reg]

Great article about Tyrell in the paper last week.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/...QL7PQLanchO7DiU

MANKATO - As the Vikings exited the locker room one by one, more than 50 autograph seekers shouted each player's name.

Tyrell Johnson, a safety out of Arkansas State and the Vikings' first draft pick this year at No. 43, was one of the few to stop.

Eleven minutes after Johnson grabbed the first purple replica helmet and Sharpie marker, safety Darren Sharper emerged, and the new chorus of chants began. Sharper, a 10-year veteran, mounted one of the red rental bicycles that each Viking has for their use in Mankato and pointed toward Johnson.

"Y'all have got Tyrell," he shouted. "He's the future."

Sharper rode off laughing as his heir apparent continued scaling the fence of fans.

"He can run. He tackles extremely well. And he's smart," Sharper said, casting glances at the 6-foot, 23-year-old Johnson. "He has a sense of what's going on. He carries himself as if he's been in the league four or five years. He has a calm about him. It never seems as if the stage is too big for him."

Of course, Johnson has never paraded across a very big stage. He grew up in Rison, Ark., a 2.7-square-mile town of less than 1,300 people. He led Rison High School to a Class 8AA title in 2002, primarily as a running back.

In college, Johnson, who considers himself a "God-fearing man," broke three conference career records: 363 tackles, 13 interceptions and four forced fumbles.

But it was the Sun Belt Conference.

Still, Johnson said he wasn't star-struck entering a league full of mostly household names.

"Once you're in [the league], big, small school, everybody gets treated the same," Johnson said. "They bring you in to play something, special teams. You're expected to get good and get to knowing what you're doing."

The coaches have been impressed with Johnson's progress -- which included leveling Kansas City running back Larry Johnson during a scrimmage on July 31.

"He kind of ran me over with a stiff arm," the Vikings' Johnson said. "So I came back, got mad, hit him and put him on the ground. That's just my attitude. You bring it to me, I'm gonna bring it to you."

He smiled while remembering the play, but he doesn't laugh. He wants everyone -- fans, coaches, teammates -- to know his intensity is for real.

"Even though we weren't tackling live, he said, 'Oh, that's how we're playing,' and put his chest on [Johnson] and knocked him down," coach Brad Childress said.

"I see him smooth things out every day. He is a fluid athlete. In the drills he's a good communicator in the back end, which is key. When they talk to each other, and you can hear the talk, that's important for the secondary coaches and the defensive coordinator to hear. You can't be afraid back there to pull the trigger and make a decision, get them lined up."

Part of Johnson's aggressiveness is genetic. His mother, Patricia, was a track standout at the University of Arkansas. His father, Alvin Robertson, had a 10-year NBA career. (Johnson isn't shy about his basketball skills, saying, "Any time I've got some free time, I go to the courts and hoop it up. You ask me, I'm the best ballplayer in the world.")

Johnson's role with the Vikings this season will be primarily on special teams, an opportunity Sharper said Johnson should utilize to "make a splash." Behind Sharper, Johnson will have the chance to learn from a player to whom the Vikings media guide has five pages dedicated.

And Sharper promises he'll teach Johnson all the nuances of life in the spotlight.

"He doesn't keep a haircut, that's the main thing," Sharper said. "He doesn't keep a fresh haircut as much as he should. That's what those small-school, small-town guys do. They don't keep a clean haircut as much as they need to. We're always on camera, you have to keep a nice haircut. He'll learn, he'll learn."

Gotta love Sharper taking him under his wing.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Well this season isn't starting out too well.

 

[BigJim®]

Daaaaaaaaaaang.... Fat Pat and Jared Allen throwing down the smack?

This was confirmed Sunday when I visited the Vikings’ training camp home at Minnesota State University and asked Pro Bowl nose tackle Pat Williams whether he’d been keeping up on the Favre saga.

“Damn, that’s their problem,” Williams said. “They’re going through all that as a team, trying to figure out if Favre or (Aaron) Rodgers was the man, while we’ve got the same team we had all offseason. I’m glad they got all that darn press, ‘cause when we go down there it’ll be the kid’s first start and his first damn loss.”

Williams, a 12th-year veteran, didn’t limit his enmity to Rodgers. He’s also gunning for Packers halfback Ryan Grant, who last year was the only player to rush for more than 100 yards against Minnesota, with 119 in a 34-0 Green Bay blowout at Lambeau last November.

“I’m going to try to crush all of ‘em,” Williams said. “That’s been the focus of my whole summer – the Green Bay Packers.”

Rest assured that Williams isn’t alone. All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen, acquired by the Vikings in an April trade with the Chiefs, has his own welcome-to-the-rivalry ritual in mind for Rodgers.

“Playing Green Bay on Monday night to start the season – that’s everything you want,” Allen said. “Hopefully, I can put my helmet square in the back of his spine. If I can do that and knock the ball loose, it’ll be a good day.”

For what it’s worth, Williams believes the Packers’ decision to choose Rodgers over Favre was a great development for the Vikings.

“They had a nice year last year, but they don’t understand that Brett made those guys better than they were,” Williams said. “He has the game all figured out, and you’ve got to factor all that into the equation. Brett Favre would throw the ball when the receivers hadn’t even made their cut yet, and it would be there waiting for them. Those guys had it good.

“People think it’s the system, but it ain’t no damn system. Brett Favre just knows where his guys are going to be at all times, and I don’t think Aaron Rodgers has got that yet.”

Whole article

 

[mozzy84]

kevin williams was on the local radio up up here in moorhead today and was alot more gracious of rogers and the pack in general. But I can't blame them for saying how they feel. Can't wait till the opener!

 

[Hov34]

Brooks Bollinger is just awful!!! How is he still on this team?

 

[vikingdave]

Brooks Bollinger is just awful!!! How is he still on this team?

Cause he is better than John David Booty...

 

[Hov34]

Brooks Bollinger is just awful!!! How is he still on this team?

Cause he is better than John David Booty...

Really?At least Booty has an upside. What possible future is there for Bollinger? Can he punt?

 

[vikingdave]

Brooks Bollinger is just awful!!! How is he still on this team?

Cause he is better than John David Booty...

Really?At least Booty has an upside. What possible future is there for Bollinger? Can he punt?

lol, I dont know, but Booty is not looking good and considering we used all 3 QBs last year, Bollinger would be a better emergency QB than Booty...I dont know what they will do this year though...

 

[Biabreakable]

Is TJ ok?

I read he got banged on his knee and left the game.

 

[Polyethylene Bag]

Is TJ ok?

I read he got banged on his knee and left the game.

Bruised knee. Doesn't look serious.http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/...QL7PQLanchO7DiU

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Brooks Bollinger is just awful!!! How is he still on this team?

Cause he is better than John David Booty...

Really?At least Booty has an upside. What possible future is there for Bollinger? Can he punt?

lol, I dont know, but Booty is not looking good and considering we used all 3 QBs last year, Bollinger would be a better emergency QB than Booty...I dont know what they will do this year though...

If they keep Bollinger over Booty they're insane. Bollinger is done, Booty can be developed.If you're down to the emergency QB the season is likely over anyway.

 

[ScottyFargo]

If they keep Bollinger over Booty they're insane. Bollinger is done, Booty can be developed.

If you're down to the emergency QB the season is likely over anyway.

Right. They lost Thigpen last year as they tried to squeeze him onto the PS. Frerotte was brought it to be a ball controller in the absence of Tarvaris, and if it breaks down beyond him the season would be done if it was Bollinger or Booty. Bollinger would probably be better this year, but I think they want to see if Booty can't get better with time on the bench.Meanwhile, Tarvaris is challenging Kitna for the title of "Best NFC North QB" while still getting dinged up with his minor nicks and bruises. I would not be surprised if we see Gus have to start a game or two this year.

 

[vikingdave]

I do agree they should keep Booty, but so far not so good...

 

[Gopher State]

Sunday afternoon update

August 17th, 2008 – 12:40 PM by Chip Scoggins Minneapolis Star and Tribuen

We’re waiting to see if the team gives an update on quarterback Tarvaris Jackson today.

The team described Jackson’s right knee injury as a bruise Saturday night, but Jackson was scheduled to have more tests today and I guess it wouldn’t be a surprise if there was a mild sprain too. Everyone seemed to think the injury is nothing too serious though.

The question is whether this affects Jackson’s availability for Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh. The third preseason game is typically the dress rehearsal so the team would like to have Jackson on the field if possible.

Also, with wide receiver Bernard Berrian missing last night’s game with a toe injury, Jackson and Berrian have played only three series together in two games. If Jackson is unable to play this Saturday, those two would have had little game experience together going into the regular season because the starters will probably not see too much action in the preseason finale at Dallas.

We’ll find out more when the team returns to practice at Winter Park tomorrow.

Wide receiver Martin Nance has had a pretty good camp and helped his cause to make the 53-man roster last night. He had three catches for 74 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown catch. Nance appears to be battling for the sixth receiver spot, assuming they keep six and not five, after spending much of the past two seasons on the practice squad. Nance and rookies Jaymar Johnson and Darius Reynaud appear to be competing for that final spot.

Defensive end Otis Grigsby has been a training camp surprise and he notched two sacks last night. Coaches say Grigsby’s motor is always running and he gives great effort. With Jayme Mitchell out for the season with a knee injury, Grigsby suddenly has become an important backup at left end.

Maurice Hicks is expected to be the team’s kick returner but the coaches continued to look at other players in the role. Rookies Darius Reynaud and Albert Young returned kicks last night.

 

[Donnybrook]

Brooks Bollinger is just awful!!! How is he still on this team?

Cause he is better than John David Booty...

Really?At least Booty has an upside. What possible future is there for Bollinger? Can he punt?

lol, I dont know, but Booty is not looking good and considering we used all 3 QBs last year, Bollinger would be a better emergency QB than Booty...I dont know what they will do this year though...

If they keep Bollinger over Booty they're insane. Bollinger is done, Booty can be developed.If you're down to the emergency QB the season is likely over anyway.

Booty doesn't deserve to make the team.

Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback Gus Frerotte looks good in a pinch

By Rick Alonzo

ralonzo@pioneerpress.com

Article Last Updated: 08/17/2008 12:45:22 AM CDT

......

Booty struggles again: After a rough outing in the exhibition opener, rookie quarterback John David Booty threw an interception that was returned 22 yards for a touchdown by Baltimore cornerback Derrick Martin early in the fourth quarter.

The pass was a deep throw to the right sideline intended for Nate Jones, which only highlights concerns about Booty's arm strength. That reduced Minnesota's lead to 23-15, after a two-point conversion run.

Childress said he hopes it's part of a learning curve for Booty, but the turnover was costly.

"I don't want to struggle on and have them run back balls for six points," Childress said. "That can be your undoing. He's got to do a better job of taking care of the football."

.......

http://www.twincities.com/ci_10226844?nclick_check=1

 

[BigJim®]

Gunner Jarrod Cooper was cut by Oakland... wonder if he might be looked at to replace Farwell? It would be nice to get an experienced gunner.

 

[Donnybrook]

I wonder who is getting cut tomorrow: Booty or Bollinger.

I wouldn't be upset if they cut them both and robbed some other team of a practrice squad player. Other teams' cast offs have more potential, IMO. I am not worried that Booty ends up like Thigpen on some other team roster instead of the Vikings practice squad. Thigpen was raw but has much more ability than Booty. Besides Thigpen still has shown all that much this preseason either.

 

[Biabreakable]

Any news on if McKinney is being suspended or not? And for how long? I recall seeing 4 weeks being possible but nothing official.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I see that Nance is getting cut. Jaymar has a chance to make the team with his punt return skills. It would be awesome if he made the team and Williamson got cut by the Jags.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

(KFFL) The NFL has announced Minnesota Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie has been suspended for the team's first four regular season games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. His suspension will begin Saturday, Aug. 30 and will be eligible to return Monday, Sept. 29.

Not that it is a shock, but sounds like it is official.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Has anyone heard how Hicks' injury is? I wouldn't doubt it if they cut (injury settlement) Hicks and picked up a waiver RB for the third back. I see Shipp and Darius Walker got cut by the Texans.

 

[Hov34]

I see that Nance is getting cut.

mistake. he is a gamer.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I hate Rufus Alexander getting cut, but it sounds like there is a chance that the 49ers are going to cut Dontarrius Thomas, who could come in right away and be a backup linebacker. I thought Alexander played well enough to stick but maybe they can get him to the practice squad.

 

[encaitar]

Didn't see a season thread, so figured I'd just bump this one. What are everyone's thoughts now after seeing this first game? I think losing Farwell already hurt us, as our kick and punt coverage looked terrible. Plus, those were some terrible punts by Kluwe. Is this team just not very deep and it's showing on our special teams, or was it just terrible coaching?

Also, TJax needs to play the entire season like he did the second half of this game. If he did, then the playoffs would be almost a certainty. Although, I think there's gonna be more of the first half style of play this year.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

We need a new thread for "in season".Anyway...

In the 15 years of the salary-cap era, 78 teams started 0-3 and only two of them - Buffalo in 1998 and Detroit in 1995 - made the playoffs. Both finished 10-6 and lost their first-round playoff game. Of the 78 teams that started 0-3, 68 had losing seasons. -- Florida Times-Union

 

[encaitar]

We need a new thread for "in season".Anyway...

In the 15 years of the salary-cap era, 78 teams started 0-3 and only two of them - Buffalo in 1998 and Detroit in 1995 - made the playoffs. Both finished 10-6 and lost their first-round playoff game. Of the 78 teams that started 0-3, 68 had losing seasons. -- Florida Times-Union

Wow, not looking good. Especially with Carolina playing so well and getting their biggest threat back just in time for the Vikings. Oh well, maybe Childress can screw this season up badly enough to give Minny a top 10 pick next year. Chase Daniel plus a new coach would do wonders for the future of this franchise.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I am taking my 10 year old son up to the game this weekend. Does anyone know of good places to go Saturday night that have a gameday theme? Also, what time can we get into the dome to watch warmups? We have lower level seats, so would like to get in and watch some warmups if possible.

Thanks for the help.

 

[encaitar]

Funky, you need to change the title of this thread and make it the in-season thread. We still don't have one.

 

[Vikes Fan]

I am taking my 10 year old son up to the game this weekend. Does anyone know of good places to go Saturday night that have a gameday theme? Also, what time can we get into the dome to watch warmups? We have lower level seats, so would like to get in and watch some warmups if possible.Thanks for the help.

If he is ten, he would probably like Gameworks. Video games and food, but it is a bar... In Block E, across from the Target Center. A Dave and Busters opened in Maple Grove too. Not sure where you are coming from...If you are looking for a football "gameday" then Senser's is a lot of fun. Again, a bar/grill, but owned by former TE and broadcaster Joe Senser there is one in Roseville, Bloomington, Eagan, among others, depending on where you are coming from. Good Viking stuff everywhere.I live just Northeast of downtown. PM me if you want with some specifics about where you are staying and where you are coming from and maybe I can give you some better ideas.(I think gates open 2 hours before gametime, but don't quote me on that.)