Peppers injury opens door for Vikings

The underworld of NFL injuries is a murky and mysterious place. You never know who or what to believe. With that said, the general consensus around the Chicago Bears this week has been that defensive end Julius Peppers' sprained knee would improve enough to allow him to play Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings. PeppersThat theory took a hit Friday when Peppers was unable to practice and was listed as doubtful on the Bears' injury report. Coach Lovie Smith said "we are still hopeful" but noted: "When a guy doesn't practice at all during the week, we're not too optimistic."

It's important to note that "doubtful" means there is a 25 percent chance of a player being available. As we learned last year, a player can be ruled out on the final injury report of the week and still wind up playing. So I'm not ready to rule out Peppers completely from this game. All we can say is that if he does play, he'll be on the field at far less than 100 percent capacity.

The Bears' already-struggling defense would be substantially weaker without its best player, especially when you consider that his likely replacement would be a 248-pound free agent with one NFL sack in two seasons. Nick Reed is a feisty reserve but hardly a player the Bears want in a premier position during a nationally televised game against an opponent that will be more than happy to test him with its power running game. If the Bears were giving up 135 rushing yards per game with Peppers in the lineup, then how many will tailback Adrian Peterson pile up without him?

We'll have the rest of the NFC North injury report a bit later, but this turn of events merited immediate response. Peppers has missed only six games in his 10-year NFL career, and none since 2007. But his availability doesn't look good for a key division game that will be the difference between a 2-4 and 3-3 record.

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Video – CBS Vikings vs. Chiefs Week Four Preview

With both teams still searching for their first win, the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs will battle on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Who will come out on top? NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan and Jason Horowitz preview this game

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Is more Peterson a no-brainer for Vikings?

Published: September 22nd, 2011 | Tags: Adrian Peterson, Around the League, Heath Evans, Minnesota Vikings

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Donovan McNabb says the winless Vikings are in must-win territory, and we’ve heard plenty of suggestions as to how to make that happen against 2-0 Detroit in Week 3.

Maybe that starts with a bigger dose of Adrian Peterson. Sure, that sounds obvious to most of you. Peterson ranks fourth in rushing yards (218) and seventh in attempts (41) and a healthy 5.3 yards per carry. But the Vikings, and Peterson, have been stopped cold in the second half of both games while surrendering double-digit leads. Peterson had seven carries for 24 yards in the second half against the Chargers and 10 rushes for 37 last week against the Bucs.

“I don’t think there’s enough (pressure). When you look at his numbers, this guy does nothing but produce,” Heath Evans said Thursday on “Around the League”. “They need to get the ball in this guy’s hands more. … They can’t feed this guy enough with the way they’re struggling on offense; this is that security blanket. Feed (Peterson) the football.”

Perhaps to no fault of his own, Peterson has been more “Half Day” than “All Day” this season. The Vikings are running out of time to find a solution.

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Lions at Vikings Friday Injury Report

LIONS

Out: DT Nick Fairley (foot), T Jason Fox (foot)

Questionable: WR Rashied Davis (hamstring), LB DeAndre Levy (knee), TE Brandon Pettigrew (shoulder), WR Maurice Stovall (hand)

VIKINGS

Questionable: CB Chris Cook (groin)

Probable: CB Asher Allen (toe), DE Jared Allen (shoulder),WR Percy Harvin (illness), LB E.J. Henderson (knee), WR Michael Jenkins (groin), CB Marcus Sherels (chest), DT Kevin Williams (foot)

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Lions at Vikings Friday Injury Report

LIONS

Out: DT Nick Fairley (foot), T Jason Fox (foot)

Questionable: WR Rashied Davis (hamstring), LB DeAndre Levy (knee), TE Brandon Pettigrew (shoulder), WR Maurice Stovall (hand)

VIKINGS

Questionable: CB Chris Cook (groin)

Probable: CB Asher Allen (toe), DE Jared Allen (shoulder),WR Percy Harvin (illness), LB E.J. Henderson (knee), WR Michael Jenkins (groin), CB Marcus Sherels (chest), DT Kevin Williams (foot)

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Lions at Vikings NFL Capsule Week 3

DETROIT LIONS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-2)

SERIES

1/2/11: Vikings 13 at Lions 20. Detroit WR Nate Burleson records 6 catches for 83 yards & 1 TD as Lions race to 13-0 lead en route to division win.9/26/10: Vikings 24, Lions 10. Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson rushes for 160 yards & 2 TDs, including 80-yard score in 3rd quarter.FOX (12:00 PM CT): Dick Stockton, John Lynch, Jaime Maggio (Field reporter).  SIRIUS: 135 (Det.), 85 (Min.).  XM: 231 (Min.).

STATS

Stafford: 47-72-599-7 (T1L)-2-112.0 (3C)Peterson: 41-218 (1C)-5.3-2 (T2L)Hanson: 21 (T2L) (9/9 PAT; 4/4 FG)Longwell: 13 (4/4 PAT; 3/3 FG)

NOTES

LIONS: QB MATTHEW STAFFORD had 4 pass TDs last week, 3rd time in 1st 15 career starts he passed for 4+ TD. Only 2nd player in NFL history (HOFer FRAN TARKENTON) to accomplish feat…In 5 career Sept. games, RB JAHVID BEST has 544 scrimmage yards (108.8 per game; 253 rush, 291 rec.) & 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.) …WR CALVIN JOHNSON ties for NFL lead with 4 rec. TDs. Since start of 2008, Johnson has 33 rec. TDs, most in NFL. In past 2 vs. Min., WR NATE BURLESON has 12 catches for 183 yards (91.5 per game) & TD. TE TONY SCHEFFLER has 20 receptions for 162 yards & 2 TDs in past 3 vs. Min. Aims for 3rd in row with TD catch. Rookie WR TITUS YOUNG had career-high 5 catches & 89 yards last week…DT NDAMUKONG SUH had sack in last meeting. DE CLIFF AVRIL has 2.5 sacks in past 3 vs. Min. Aims for 4th meeting in row with 0.5+ sack. CB CHRIS HOUSTON aims for 3rd in row with INT…K JASON HANSON set NFL record by playing in 297th game with 1 club. Became 7th player in NFL history with 1,900 (1,911) points…VIKINGS: In 3 career games vs. Det., QB DONOVAN MC NABB has completed 67 of 98 (68.4 pct.) for 947 yards with 7 TDs vs. 1 INT for 118.9 rating. In 9/23/07 meeting (with Phi.), completed 21 of 26 (80.8 pct.) for 381 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 158.3 rating. Incl. playoffs, when McNabb has 100+ rating (min. 10 att.), his teams are 46-3 (.939)…RB ADRIAN PETERSON had 120 yards & 2 TDs last week to set franchise record with 54 career rush TDs. Has rushed for 520 yards (130 per game) & 6 TDs in 4 home games vs. Det. Aims for 5th in row at home vs. Lions with 100+ yards. RB TOBY GERHART had 78 yards on 3 touches (26 per touch) last week…WR-KR PERCY HARVIN had 24-yard TD catch in last home game vs. Det. Has 14 catches in past 2 meetings. Has 7 TDs (6 rec., 1 rush) in division games… DE JARED ALLEN had 36-yard INT-TD in last meeting. Has 6.5 sacks in 7 games vs. Det. Since entering NFL in 2004, has NFL-best 84.5 sacks. Has 6.5 sacks in past 6 at home. CB ANTOINE WINFIELD had INT in last home game vs. Det.

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Castillo breaks leg against Vikings

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Mike Tolbert, Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers, Week 1 injuries 2011

UPDATE: During his postgame session with reporters, Tolbert said he “got rolled up on,” but he didn’t exactly appear concerned. “It’s a part of football put some dirt on it and move on.”

The Chargers lost DE Luis Castillo during Sunday’s victory over the Vikings. Castillo was carted off the sideline and taken to the locker room during the fourth quarter. The San Diego Union reported Sunday night that Castillo suffered a fractured tibia in his left leg. It is unclear if he will be able to return this season.

Meanwhile, running back Mike Tolbert had a monster game with three touchdowns , but his afternoon ended on a negative note.

Tolbert limped off the field late during the fourth quarter, favoring his right leg. He immediately went down to the ground once he reached the sideline, and was later spotted on the trainer’s table, where team trainers were administering tests typically associated with knee injuries. The Chargers made no announcement on his status.

– Frank Tadych

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Tolbert, Chargers ruin McNabb’s Vikings debut 24-17

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

The San Diego Chargers seemed headed for another one of those slow starts that have defined coach Norv Turner’s tenure.

The Chargers not only let Percy Harvin return the opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, but kicker Nate Kaeding hurt his left knee on the play, forcing punter Mike Scifres to do his first place-kicking since college.

Well, guess again.

With the Vikings sputtering badly, Philip Rivers got the opening he’d been waiting for all afternoon. He threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to fullback Mike Tolbert with 5:01 to play to lift the Chargers to a 24-17 win on Sunday.

“When we face adversity, we don’t curl up and call it quits,” said Scifres, a nine-year veteran who signed a $19 million contract extension Wednesday.

“It’s big,” Rivers said. “We’d love not to have those interceptions, and we’d love to have that kickoff back and just let it be smooth and easy, but it’s these kind of wins that you really grow. You grow more than a week.”

On the winning play, Rivers rolled left and waited for Tolbert to get open inside the 5-yard line, then lobbed the pass.

“The protection was great, so I had time to step up, step up, and then to get out of the pocket, he was hanging with me,” Rivers said. “He was looking at me like, ‘Are you going to run it or throw it?’ I would prefer to throw it.’

Rivers completed 33 of 48 passes for 335 yards and was intercepted twice.

Tolbert also scored on a 7-yard run in the third quarter and had a 1-yard TD catch in the first quarter.

“We were hyped even when were down 17-7,” said Tolbert, who had stars shaved into his hair to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. “Nobody had their head down and said, ‘Here we go again.’ “

Minnesota led 17-7 at halftime, but gained only 26 yards on 17 plays in the second half. Their new quarterback, Donovan McNabb, struggled against San Diego’s defense and was only 7 of 15 for 39 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

“It’s embarrassing to have the numbers that we had, whatever we had,” McNabb said. “I can do that in one series and we’ll get them corrected.”

Adrian Peterson, who set the NFL single-game record with 296 yards against San Diego as a rookie in 2007, was held to 98 yards on 16 carries one day after signing a contract extension potentially worth $100 million.

“We really had some opportunities and felt we ran the ball pretty well in the first half,” Peterson said. “We didn’t get anything going in the second half. We have to get our passing game going better.”

Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes said he heard that Peterson said during the week that he was going to rush for 200 yards and the Vikings would win.

“We really felt disrespected,” Spikes said. “

San Diego’s rally included Tolbert bulling in from the 7 early in the third quarter and Scifres kicking his first NFL field goal, a 40-yarder with 10:05 left that tied the game at 17. Scifres also had three PATs.

The game had a crazy first few minutes.

Harvin returned the opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, showing that the Chargers hadn’t fully erased their special teams nightmare of 2010, which cost them a playoff berth. Kaeding hurt his left knee on the play and missed the rest of the game.

On the Vikings’ first play from scrimmage, Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips(notes) deflected McNabb’s pass and intercepted it at the 6-yard line. Three plays later, Rivers found Tolbert wide open for a 1-yard scoring pass to tie it.

Ryan Longwell kicked a 33-yard field goal for the Vikings in the second quarter, and then Peterson finally got going with a 46-yard run. Chargers safety Eric Weddle, who signed a $40 million contract in the summer, had an arm around Peterson’s right foot at about the 40, but the running back broke free and raced to the 3. McNabb then threw a TD pass to Michael Jenkins for a 17-7 lead.

Rivers overthrew a wide-open Vincent Jackson on what would have been a sure touchdown pass late in the second quarter that would have made it 17-14. Rivers stood with his hands on his head after the play.

Notes: Before the game, both teams and the crowd marked the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 by observing a moment of silence, then listening to a live version of “Taps” beamed live from Arlington National Cemetery. A giant American flag, unfurled and held by sailors and Marines, covered the field as Colbie Caillat sang the national anthem. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates wore red-white-and-blue cleats and gloves. Chargers DE Luis Castillo hurt a knee in the second half and didn’t return.

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Vikings Brett Favre Acts Like Another Guy With A White Beard

While many youngsters await the annual return of Santa Claus, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and his “little helper” Deanna Favre made a heartwarming gesture to help celebrate the holiday season this December.

The Favre’s invited a number of families in need to Winter Park on December 14th for an early Christmas party, making sure they left the training facility weighed down by generous food baskets and many Christmas presents.

The Favre family also donated $60,000 to the Salvation Army.  The donation will be used to provide food baskets to 2,000 other families this year.

“God has blessed us in so many ways, so it’s in our nature to give back,” Brett Favre said.

“Brett and I didn’t have a lot growing up,” added Deanna Favre. “We always feel that we need to reach out to the community, to help give back to all the people who give us so much. We feel like The Salvation Army is the perfect way. They are an organization that takes care of families who are working and trying to make ends meet.”

While I have been openly critical of Favre on this site for years now, it is important to note that this is an extremely generous donation that couldn’t come at a better time.  The Twin Cities Salvation Army has received assistance requests from 1,000 more families than they did last year, but have seen a decrease in donations to the tune of $420,000.

If you are interested in following the Favres’ lead on this one, you can see details about donating to the Salvation Army by clicking here.

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5 Most Memorable Games of the Last 25 Years Between the Bears and Vikings

With all the subplots focused on everything but the game itself, this Bears-Vikings Monday Night matchup could be remembered around these parts for a long time…especially if the Bears are able to clinch the North on the Vikings’ (backup) home field.

Here’s a look at the 5 most memorable Bears-Vikings games over the last 25 years.

5) 2006 – Good Rex leads late TD drive to catapult Super Season.

The Bears entered the 3rd game of the 2006 season undefeated. In what was a sign of things to come, Rex Grossman had an up-and-down game in the Metrodome. Through the first 3 quarters, Bad Rex struggled and tossed 2 INTs that led directly to Viking points.

But thanks to a Tommie Harris strip of current Bears running back Chester Taylor, Chicago took over in Minnesota territory with about 3 minutes left in the game. Five plays later, Rex found Rashied Davis for a 24-yard TD pass to give the Bears the lead and eventual win.

The victory helped catapult Chicago to a 13-3 season that ended in Miami in the Super Bowl.

4) 2009 – Cutler OT TD pass ruins Vikes’ hopes for homefield advantage in playoffs.

The 12-2, Brett Favre-led Vikings strolled into Soldier Field vs. the 5-9 Bears for a frigid Monday Night matchup. Jay Cutler, who up to that point in the season was a one-man interception machine (25 picks coming into the game), sparked the Bears to a 16-0 halftime lead.

But the ageless, gray-haired wonder guided the Vikings back. A short TD pass to Sidney Rice in the corner of the end zone tied the score with only seconds remaining. In OT, Hunter Hillenmeyer forced an Adrian Peterson fumble in Vikings territory.

On the following play, Cutler hit a wide-open Devin Aromashodu down the sideline for the 39-yard game-winner. Cutler finished the night with 4 TD passes. The loss dropped Minnesota behind New Orleans in the chase for home field in the NFC playoffs. And we all know how that worked out for them down in Nawlins…

3) 2007 – Two 80-yard Hester TDs not enough to save Bears from last-second loss.

In a game that featured huge plays from the teams’ most explosive weapons, Devin Hester almost had the last laugh on rookie Pro Bowler, Adrian Peterson. Early on, Hester juked 4 Vikings defenders (without the aid of any Bears blockers) and darted down the sideline for an 89-yard return that helped the Bears rally against the Vikings.

But big rushes by Peterson kept the Bears down by as many as 14 points late in the 4th quarter. With 1:38 remaining, Brian Griese found his newbie WR Hester wide open down the sideline for an 81-yard TD pass to tie the score. A 53-yard kick return by Adrian Peterson – who rushed for a Soldier Field opponent record 224 yards – on the ensuing kickoff set the Vikings up in great field position.  They moved down to the Bears 37-yard line, where Ryan Longwell booted a career long 54-yard field goal to give the Vikings the win at the gun.

The electrifying big-play battle between Hester and Peterson was one for the ages…even if Viking fans remember it more fondly.

2) 1995 – Upstart Bears upset Vikes in playoff rematch.

The Vikings swept the Bears during the 1994 regular season, one via blowout and another in an OT win at the Metrodome. The underdog Bears, led by former Miami Hurricane QB Steve Walsh (who supplanted free agent pickup Erik Kramer as starter late in the season) helped navigate the Bears to a 35-18 win.

Coming out of the locker room with a 5-point halftime lead, Walsh threw a long TD to WR Jeff Graham. The Bears got a late defensive touchdown to seal the deal and hand the Warren Moon-led Vikings an abrupt first-round playoff exit.

It would be the crowning achievement of the Dave Wannstedt era.

1) 1985 – Hobbled McMahon leads Bears to comeback win.

The Bears entered this rare Thursday night matchup with a 2-0 record. With starting QB Jim McMahon nursing a sore back and neck, backup Steve Fuller started for the Bears. After spending 3 quarters harassing Mike Ditka to put him the game, the Punky QB finally got his chance with the Bears trailing 17-9.

On his first play, he launched a 70-yard TD bomb to Willie Gault. Then, on his second play from scrimmage, McMahon found Dennis McKinnon for a 25-yard TD toss that put the Bears ahead.

For good measure, McMahon threw another TD to McKinnon on his 8th play from scrimmage. Final score: Bears 33, Vikings 24. The Bears of course went on to finish a magical ’85 season 18-1 and Super Bowl XX Champs.

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The Vikings could ruin your title dreams

Published: December 16th, 2010 | Tags: Adrian Peterson, Brett Favre, Joe Webb, Sidney Rice, Tarvaris Jackson, Visanthe Shiancoe

Remember in the summer when you were thrilled to draft Adrian Peterson in the first round? Or when you felt a sense of accomplishment when you landed Sidney Rice off the waiver wire a few weeks back?

Well, I’d be very worried right now if I were you. Why, you might ask?

Two words: Joe Webb.

Who is Joe Webb? Well, he’s a rookie out of Alabama-Birmingham who was drafted as a wide receiver and converted to quarterback. And with Brett Favre injured and Tarvaris Jackson going on injured reserve, Webb is likely to start for the Vikings on Monday night.

That’s bad news for every prominent member of that offense – including Peterson.

With Webb under center, the Bears’ game plan will be simple: Stack the line of scrimmage to stop A.P. and make Webb, who has thrown five passes at the NFL level, beat them through the air.

I’m not telling you to bench Peterson. After all, he is one of the elite players in fantasy football. But he’s going to be playing at a major disadvantage against a defense that will be geared up to perform at a high level.

I would, however, find a place on my bench for Rice, Percy Harvin (if active) and Visanthe Shiancoe.

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Vikings WR Harvin not an option in fantasy leagues

Published: December 13th, 2010 | Tags: Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Brett Favre, Derek Hagan, Jacoby Jones, Percy Harvin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Tarvaris Jackson

Bad news if you were banking on Vikings WR Percy Harvin playing on Monday night. Our Steve Wyche reported that Harvin is definitely out, citing a team source.

But when the fantasy gods close a window, they open another, as it leaves an opening for Sidney Rice to catch passes from Brett Favre Tarvaris Jackson. Favre is not expected to play, but come on, this is Favre. He returns from the dead more than the WWE’s Undertaker.

If you rolled the dice on Harvin tonight and need a pickup, Vikings WR Bernard Berrian is an option. Though, not a very good one. Check your league to see if there are any available receivers from the Giants (Derek Hagan), Texans (Jacoby Jones) or Ravens (T.J. Houshmandzadeh) as options.

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Frazier has Vikings’ respect, and has a plan

The Vikings have been in the middle of some big stories this season, and the story right now is Leslie Frazier. As part of the production meetings for last week’s game against the Redskins, I had the chance to sit down with not only Frazier, but also offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, DE Jared Allen and QB Brett Favre to talk about the recent changes.

A common theme from those conversations was respect.

In different ways, Allen and Favre talked about the respect Frazier had with the entire locker room before he had even won a game at the helm of the Vikings.

Allen spoke to Frazier’s straight-forward approach. In Frazier’s first meeting in front of the Vikings, he laid out expectations for the rest of the season and how the players would be judged and held accountable. That was nothing new for the defensive players, who already had built a level of trust playing for Frazier.

Favre said the first thing he heard from Frazier was that his input for the offense was welcomed. Frazier communicated that Favre was unequivocally his starter, and as a veteran he was encouraged to be a part of game-planning in an effort to improve the team. Favre offered suggestions, and we saw some of them against the Redskins as he was out on the edge more often and used heavy play-action in third-and-short situations. A number of those things happened, and it’s a result of the mutual trust between coach and quarterback.

Frazier told me that he delivered a message to the team that it was time to use a featured running back again. He wants to run the offense through Adrian Peterson, as it should, and he believes the Vikings are at their best when that happens. The rest of the offense can get theirs when the Vikings are running it effectively.

I think Frazier has a golden opportunity to remain coach of the Vikings. More than anything, the team likes the fact Frazier has a plan and knows what he wants to do. Frazier sat in on offensive meetings throughout his first week, not only to spell out his expectations on how he wanted to run the offense, but also so the players and staff understood who he was.

I think Frazier made some smart moves off the top, and it paid off in a win.

Frazier is understated, and I think it works in his favor, partly because of the style of the coach who preceded him. I don’t know exactly how Brad Childress ran his team, but he appeared more brash with players. Frazier is understated, but don’t mistake that for a lack of toughness. Don’t mistake his ways for someone who can be taken advantage of. That’s not going to happen.

Frazier knows what he wants, and he knows how he’s going to get there. He already has the team’s respect, not because he’s now the interim coach, but because he’s always had it.

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Vikings RB Gerhart not a bad waiver-wire option

Published: November 30th, 2010 | Tags: Toby Gerhart, Brian Westbrook, Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Toby Gerhart

San Francisco 49ers RB Brian Westbrook became the hottest name on the waiver wire this week the moment that starter Frank Gore was lost for the season. But if you miss out on Westbrook, Vikings RB Toby Gerhart is a pretty good option.

Gerhart took over Sunday for RB Adrian Peterson, and coach Leslie Frazier told reporters Monday that an MRI revealed an ankle sprain for A.D. Meaning that Gerhart could certainly get the start this week against the Bills, or, at the very least, figure prominently in the offense. Hey, if you have dealt with any play and ankle injuries this year (looking at you, Ryan Mathews), you know these are troublesome. And Gerhart says that he is ready for the Bills.

And, really, if you are looking for just a one-week replacement at running back, Gerhart would be the better choice here, given the matchup against the Bills. If you are sitting on the outside of the playoffs and you need one back who could put up monster numbers and you can grab just one running back, I like Gerhart better than Westbrook this week.

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Mayock: Vikings should release Favre

Published: November 23rd, 2010 | Tags: Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Joe Webb, Leslie Frazier, Mike Mayock, Minnesota Vikings, Tarvaris Jackson, Vic Carucci

Leslie Frazier left little doubt when he was introduced as the interim coach of the Vikings this week that Brett Favre is his guy.

Maybe he should have included the phrase ”for better or worse.”

While benching Favre is unfathomable for some, many on the outside are clamoring for the Vikings, at 3-7 and with little reasonable hope for the playoffs, to turn the page from No. 4. There was some reason to believe that process would be expedited with Frazier at the helm, but for now the Vikings’ plan doesn’t include an extended look at whether Tarvaris Jackson or Joe Webb are the future.

NFL.com senior columnist Vic Carucci has called out that it’s time for Favre to step aside, and NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock is also now on the record that it’s time for the Vikings to cut ties with Favre. Right now.

“At this point, you fired your coach,” Mayock said. “It would be a crime if you don’t find out in the remainder of the season whether or not either one of your backup quarterbacks can play.

“If I was there, I’d like to see a uniform situation within the organization where the owner, the new head coach and head of personnel Rick Spielman sit down and say, ‘It’s time to release Favre. We need to get a clean look at these two young quarterbacks, and find out if either of them is our quarterback of the future.’ If that’s the case, then you know what you have to do in the draft.”

Maybe the Vikings’ brass has already made up their collective minds on Jackson and Webb. A school of thought also exists that had Frazier been the one to bench Favre, he would have lost the credibility and respect that Brad Childress seemed to lack in a locker room that was pro-Favre.

Nevertheless, Mayock is the latest to make a compelling point that it’s in the Vikings’ best interest to move ahead. By no stretch of the imagination does this story feel like it’s over.

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Breer: Sense of relief for Vikings

Published: November 24th, 2010 | Tags: Albert Breer, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Total Access

NFL Network’s Albert Breer reports from Eden Prairie, Minn., on the latest surrounding Brett Favre, interim coach Leslie Frazier and why there is renewed optimism for the Vikings.

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An open letter to new coach of the Vikings

Dear Leslie Frazier,

Congratulations on being elevated to the position of interim coach of the Vikings. You follow in a long line of successful men who have guided this storied franchise — Bud Grant, Dennis Green and Les Steckel. Taking over a franchise can be a daunting task, but here is some advice to not only help you adjust to your new role, but help fantasy enthusiasts as well.

First, introduce yourself to RB Adrian Peterson. Your team was doing a pretty good job of getting the ball to him earlier in the season, but Peterson has not topped 20 attempts since Week 8. After conversing with NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, I understand that defensive coaches typically like to run the ball a lot. I mean a whole lot. Go with that instinct, Leslie. Budget 20 to 25 carries for Peterson, along with a number a swing passes, too.

Also, see that bruising back over there, rookie RB Toby Gerhart? Yeah, let’s end this experiment where he’s given attempts at certain points of the game. Gerhart got only one attempt against the Packers — thankfully because you guys had fallen behind so much — but that was one attempt too many.

Remember, Peterson’s nickname is A.D. As in “all day.” Not as in ”all day except for the times Gerhart is in the lineup.” Seriously, if you want to mix things up, get the ball in the hands of WR Percy Harvin. That makes sense. This Gerhart thing does not.

And finally, maybe it’s time to end this Brett Favre nonsense. Maybe you can gather Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson and that kicker, go over to Favre’s apartment and offer to drive him to the airport to send him back home to Mississippi. Leslie, there is no fault in romanticizing the past. For instance, I will always remember Jessica Simpson from her “Newlyweds/Dukes of Hazzard” days. But once the mom jeans, or in this instance the Wranglers, come on, it is time to turn the page.

Oh, and did I mention that you need to get the ball to Peterson? I only bring it up again because it is rather important. However, I trust that you will do the right thing.

Regards.

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Packers vs Vikings: Reviews & Grades

Senior writer jclombardi grades Packers win over Vikings.

SUMMARY: After a sluggish first quarter, QB Rodgers rebounded to throw for 301 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Packers over the Vikings 31-3. With timely turnovers, the defense shut down QB Favre and RB Peterson holding the Vikings to a field goal.

GAME BALLS: QB Rodgers; WR Jones; WR Jennings; CB Williams.

INJURY REPORT: S Bigby (hamstring).  S Smith (ankle sprain).

Report Card Grades–Good, Bad, & Ugly (JC vs. SE):

PASSING OFFENSE:  A- vs A-. After an awful first quarter that saw the Packers get only eight total years, QB  Rodgers settled down to throw 22 of 31 passes for 301 yards, 4 touchdowns, no interceptions, and 141.3 passer rating. On offense, the Packers adjusted to quick-hitting and vertical passes exploiting the Vikings’ glaring weakness with Allen and rookie Cook at the Nos. 2 and 3 cornerbacks. WR Jennings had 7 catches for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR Jones had 3 catches for 51 yards and 1 big touchdown. If the Packers have a second playmaker in their receiving corps, it’s James Jones who has overtaken Donald Driver as a playmaker. That was a great catch by Jones in the end zone. Driver hasn’t had a 100-yard game since Nov. 26 last year. Maybe the injury is a factor, but that’s what often happens to declining players. They get hurt.

RUSHING OFFENSE: C VS C. The Packers struggled rushing, but they got 91 total yards. Rookie RB Nance looked strong, especially in short yardage, getting 12 carries for 37 yards.  RB Jackson had 14 carries for 28 yards. Now, they both will share running time in future games. QB Rodgers scrambled with three runs for 21 yards.

PASSING DEFENSE: A- vs B+. Under constant pressure facing an effective Packers fire zone blitzing, Vikings QB Favre had only a quick small pocket to work with completing only 17 of 38 for 208 yards, an interception, and a rating of 51.2. The inside linebackers did a fair number of double shoots, too, and they might not have gotten sacks, but they had Favre on the carpet from the start. Jenkins, Raji, the inside backers — they were all pushing the pocket and Favre had nowhere to step up. And that’s the way to beat him. He can’t get out on the perimeter and make plays anymore. In the first half, two timely turnovers, a forced fumble by CB Woodson and an interception by CB Williams, stopped two early Vikings drives to set the tempo for the game. The entire defense looked stellar led by CB Woodson with 7 tackles and 1 forced fumble, by CB Williams with his big interception, and by LB Matthews with 5 tackles and 1 sack. Rookie CB Shields looked shaky in three coverage plays involving WR Rice and WR Lewis.

RUSHING DEFENSE: B vs B-. Led by the front seven line, the rush defense schemed to stop the run doing a great job. They limited RB Peterson to 72 yards. The defense was aggressive to limit Peterson from the big plays. The two inside backers, Bishop and Hawk, were really sound in making sure there were no cutback lanes. Nick Barnett was an aggressive player, but he had a tendency to overrun plays and leave lanes open. Both Hawk and Bishop attacked the line of scrimmage, but their run fits also were exceptional.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B vs B. On four returns, KR Harvin had only 69 yards averaging only 17.3 yards. Punter Masthay’s gross average was a low 39.2 yards, but he had an excellent net average of 38.2, placing two inside the 20 and forcing three fair catches. The Packers return specialists had no special day.

COACHING: A- vs A. While the early game plan stunk, the Packers adjusted to establish the tempo of the game crushing an important NFL rival sweeping the Vikings series.  They stand at 7-3 with the Bears at the NFC top. The Packers converted only 8 of 15 third downs. They were a solid 2 for 2 in the red zone. DC Capers’ defense continued to make timely takeaways showing solid performances in the last three games giving up only 10 points.

OVERALL: A vs. A (CBS Sportsline). About the only thing the Packers could have done better is run the ball. Their defense has given up one TD in the past 13 quarters and picked up two more takeaways.

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Should the Vikings bench Favre?

Published: November 15th, 2010 | | Tags: Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Charles Davis, Minnesota Vikings

Should the Vikings cut their losses and bench Brett Favre? NFL Network analyst Charles Davis says that because of the marriage between Favre and coach Brad Childress, it won’t reach that point in Minnesota.

Posted in: NFL Network  

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Vikings WR Hank Baskett – A Classic Case of TMI

After Randy Moss was suddenly waived by the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Brad Childress thought us fans would take kindly to being reminded that we “still have Hank Baskett.”

Baskett has one catch for 18 yards since joining the Vikings, but his bad luck in Minnesota doesn’t stop on the football field.

His wife Kendra Wilkinson, famous for a variety of reasons, has repeatedly complained about having to travel to Minnesota in recent episodes of her reality show which regularly features Baskett (or so I hear, I’ve never watched the damn thing).  Avoiding Minnesota like the plague, and treating the State like it is toxic, has not settled well with her Minnesota fans and Baskett may be trying to smooth things over.

On a recent interview with E! Wilkinson revealed more about how their long distance relationship is working out when the host made a crack about him being influenced by the sexting Brett Favre.

“Hey, Hank’s hanging out with his own penis right now. OK?” she said. “Now we have to do the whole Skype thing.”

In addition to continuing way too far into Baskett’s love life, she revealed that his teammates constantly make fun of the wide receiver (does one catch qualify him as one?) for having a massive amount of chest hair.  While the players tell him to do something about it, Kendra prefers him the way he is.

So, there you have it.  You now know more about Brad Childress’ favorite wide out than you ever wanted to.

And, no, you are not alone.  I can’t believe I bothered to write this post either.

Next Up:  The dinner manners of Jeff Dugan

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