Viking News

• Matty Birk's agent has confirmed that his client will infact be at next weekend’s full-squad minicamp. Birk who has missed all the Viking minicamps thus far. I think that more of the players will be actually partipating more than they have been as of lately.

• Profootballtalk.com, citing an unidentified NFL source, is reporting that Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie met with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday. With the incident that happened over the offseason, depening on how the trial turns out from the fight that McKinnie was involved in in Miami. he faces possible discipline under the NFL's personal-conduct policy.

Erasmus James 2.0

Here is twigstfor the Vikes and Erasmus James. It was ONLY 3 days ago that the Vikes waived James. But the paper work was not finalized in the NFL office. James was dealt to the Washington Redskins for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft. A two-paragraph news release issued by the Vikings said the team, “originally waived James on May 23, but rescinded the transaction today and finalized the trade with Washington.” At least we got something for James it is better than nothing. ESPN reports that in order for the Vikings to get the pick James has to make the Redskins roster.Washington made this offer because they felt that James was going to be picked up off waivers. So this inclied them to make an offer to Vikes for him.

Erasmus James waived

The former 2005 first round draft pick, Erasmus James has been waived by the Vikes after failing his physical today. In his first three seasons, he has spent more time on IR than he did on the playing field. James had four sacks as a rookie, when he played in 15 games and started nine.He played in only eight games the past two years and had only one sack in that time. James, who is recovering from three operations on his left knee in a 13-month period, did very limited work during the Vikings’ opening four days (Monday-Thursday) of organized team activities this week. James was a partipant in this weeks OTA, but was VERY limited in these sessions. With this news, only second-round pick Marcus Johnson, an offensive tackle, is left from the Vikings’ 2005 draft class. Also gone are Troy "Sir Drops Alot" Williamson, safety Dustin Fox, defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and cornerback Adrian Ward.Man, Tice was a draft master when it came to the draft.

Vikes Start OTA

On Monday, the Vikes started their OTAs(Organized Team Activites).

With center Matt Birk, running back Chester Taylor and offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie missed the first open day of this week's organized team activities.

Coach Brad Childress said Taylor had a family emergency.

Matt Birk is still holding out coming into the last year of his contract. I can see where his coming from being a perennial Pro Bowler. Chilly and Zygi wanting to see what to do at the end of the season.We shall see what the Vikes do come that time.

McKinnie was in Florida to attend a court hearing and could return as early as Wednesday.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield and defensive tackle Pat Williams were limited in practice while coming back from off-season surgeries and defensive end Erasmus James did some stretching and not much else.

Running back Adrian Peterson was held out of some drills, but he and Childress said it was nothing serious. We do not want to overwork AD too early now ladies and gentlemen.

Is T-jack the Guy??

In a recent article by Star Tribune saying the Rich Gannon foresees T-Jack reaching his potential in this upcoming season. With the play that he displayed in the latter part of the season last year. We know what we have in the running game with two great backs in AD and Taylor. If Jackson can continue the way that he was playing last season and stay healthy all season. i cannot see them not going to the playoffs this season. One big things that he does have to work on is his consistently all season long.He needs to be more efficient and more consistent. And if he can do those two things -- with the running game they have, the offensive line, they've upgraded their receivers, they're going to be better defensively.
I believe this upcoming season he will show that he is the leader of this Viking team. If he does this this season we will win the NFC North.

Viking Training Camp Dates

Now with the draft over and free agents signed that the Vikes wanted. What is next?? Training Camp at the campus of Minesota State, Mankato, MN. It will be the 43rd consecutive summer that the Vikings will call Mankato their training camp home.
July 23 – Players report
July 25 – Practices begin
August 8 – vs. Seattle Seahawks (preseason)
August 15 – Break camp at Mankato
August 16 - @ Baltimore Ravens (preseason)
August 18 – Practices resume at Winter Park
It is getting closer and closer to July 23 and see if our team is going to the post season this year.

Udeze on reserve-NFI list

The Vikes place Kenechi Udeze on the Nonfootball illness list today. So that he can focus on his fight against leukemia, without financial worries.With this move, he will not be able to play in the 2008 Viking season. This also guarantees him his $807,500 salary for the year on his contract. Udeze signed a five-year contract as a first-round draft pick out of Southern California in 2004 and will be a free agent next March. Once the upcoming season is over, Childress said the Vikings will revisit Udeze's status.Udeze revealed the cancer was in remission right now, and that his older brother has matching bone marrow for a pending transplant. All of us in the Viking just hope that he can get through the battle with leukemia.