Robert Griffith Retires

Robert Griffith on Thursday signed a one day contract to retire with the team that he start out with. He played with the Vikes from 1994-2001. Griffith was a solid and consistent DB we had back there. SOme of the name that we had along side of him make some people wonder. Griffith knew he was not going play the game he loves again. Life after football now,, Griffith and former NFL Linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila join Jim Laslavic as co-hosts on Laslavic's weekly show called "Football Night in San Diego"

What the Hell Dr.Z

If Vike fans have to seen the Dr. Z Article yet. In the article, he has destined the Vikes the take it all this season. Just seeing that and now that would be sweet. I just do not believe that it going to happen considering that it is only June Dr. Z. Sure we have a great chance to run the tale this season. He is counting our eggs before they are hatched.Why in the hell would you even phantom a prediction so early. Maybe he needed to jinx the team that made the most progress this past offseason. But Zimmerman makes some very good points. He points out the Vikings proficiency in both running the football and stopping the run. The first of those two can be debated. . .the second one most certainly can not. He also goes on to praise the Jared Allen acquisition, and says that Allen isn't just a looping speed rusher that leaves big gaps on the inside, but rather a technician that "honors the down home of the game."We shall see if Dr. Z will feel the wrath of the people of Viking Nation for jinxing their beloved team WAY to damn early. If he is correct on his pick I will congratulate him on his prediction.

Training Camp Schedule

The Vikes have released the training camp schedule in "Viking Village" aka MSU- Mankato. Here is the practice lineup below:

JULY

25: 9-11 a.m., 3-5 p.m.
26: 9-11 a.m., 7-9 p.m.
27: 3-5 p.m.
28: 9-11 a.m., 3-5 p.m.
29: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
30: 9-11 a.m., 2:45-3:45 p.m.
31: at River Falls, Wis., vs. Chiefs, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

AUGUST

1: 3-5 p.m.
2: 9-11 a.m., 7-9 p.m.
3: No practice.
4: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
5: 9-11 a.m., 2:45-3:45 p.m.
6: 9-11 a.m., 2:45- 3:45 p.m.
7: 11-noon.
8: vs. Seattle, 7 p.m., Metrodome.
9: No practice.
10: 3-5 p.m.
11: 9-11 a.m., 2:45-3:45 p.m.
12: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
13: 9-11 a.m., 2:15-3:15 p.m.
14: 9-11 a.m., 2:30-3:15 p.m. (times subject to change)

Bentley To Replace Birk?

LeCharles Bentley was asked to be released from the Browns this past week. is getting some attention from the media in being a viable replacement for Birk this season. The Vikes have plenty of depth at the center position. If the Vikes were to go with getting Bentley, maybe it would be much better to have him on the right side of the line. Bentley suffered a serious knee injury during camp ahead of the 2006 season, then contracted a near-fatal staph infection in the same knee. He would end up missing the entire 2007 season as well. He would be more valuable to the team as a guard for the Vikes. Why would to Vikes take a veteran leader out and put in damaged good to replace Birk. I know that Birk is a little pissed off about the contract talk. He is a hell of a player and works his ass off when he is playing.Birk had proven to protect a young QB, in which trusts him to the full extent. It makes more sense to leave Birk in there one more year, knowing you’ll get solid work, and then deal with the center situation after the season.

The Mini-Camp Wrap Up

A few players stood out from this mini-camp, in my humble opinion.

* TE Visanthe Shiancoe was the absolute star of Friday's practice for the offense, with a diving catch and a one-handed catch. Shiancoe is leaner, and he is determined to show that he's not a free-agent bust.I hope that he can use the TE postion more than we did last season. TO keep defenses honest with our short passing game.

* WR Aundrae Allison has definitely made an impression, especially hauling in a few bombs from Tarvaris Jackson. Allison flashed his potential last year, especially on a 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He is an explosive athlete with good hands.

* DE Jared Allen surely humbled second-year offensive tackle Chase Johnson on a couple of snaps on Saturday. Allen also didn't fare too poorly against starter Bryant McKinnie, getting enough penetration on Friday to bat down a pass attempt from Tarvaris Jackson.

With these results coming from some of our potential playmakers this upcoming season. How can you not be excited to see what kind of road that is ahead of us with the coming season. I know that it is a little early.