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It has been a long time since I have been to a Vikings game, far longer since I went anywhere with a toddler toting a diaper bag. A check on the Vikings' website for tickets to the upcoming Cleveland Browns game revealed the cheapest tickets in the upper deck of the Metrodome are a hefty $72.
At 31, Jared Allen is getting up there in defensive lineman years. He is set to play his 10th career season, looking ahead with the foresight to keep improving on the Vikings' pleasantly surprising 2012 campaign.
John Carlson wants this season to be a comeback year. He never got quite on track last season in his return to his home state, but there's a new sense of confidence that comes from good health and some continuity.
The Minnesota Vikings are planning to find even more playing time this season for defensive end Everson Griffen. Last year, Griffen had eight sacks, 27 quarterback hurries and an interception returned for a touchdown in limited action. The Vikings still have Jared Allen and Brian Robison on the depth chart in front of him in their base defense, but Griffen has forced his way into the rotation with his improvement both on and off the field.
Cris Carter has finished off the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions Saturday night, the final member of the Class of 2013 to be enshrined. The emotional Carter, an Ohio native, needed six tries to make the hall, even though he retired as the No. 2 career receiver behind Jerry Rice. He choked back tears talking about his mentor Reggie White during his speech after being presented by his son, Duron. Carter referred to his problems with alcohol while playing three years for the Eagles before being released.
Minnesota Vikings tackle DeMarcus Love has been suspended without pay for the team's first four games of the 2013 season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances, according to the NFL. He will be eligible to return to the Vikings' active roster on Monday, Sept. 30, following Minnesota's Sept. 29 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At training camp on Wednesday, the Vikings demonstrated the NFL's new bag policy. In an effort to ensure stadium safety, NFL teams are limiting the size and the type of bags that can be brought in. There are three types: a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag that does not exceed 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches. Screeners will then easily be able to see if fans are carrying prohibited items.
Harrison Smith's rookie season was marked by hard-hitting play, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. His intense style gave the secondary a big boost. It also yielded one ejection and a $21,000 fine. But Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he never saw his young safety back down from the pressure of being a starter on a playoff team.
The first week of training camp is an adjustment for everybody, leaving that offseason mindset behind and focusing entirely on football. For the new guys on the team, that adjustment is even bigger. But two days in to training camp, Packer linebacker Desmond Bishop feels like he's off to a good start. "It feels good. I never thought I'd look so good in purple," Bishop said. "I think I look pretty handsome."
The NFL is beginning a trial program of blood testing for HGH and performance enhancing drugs. Details of the pilot program are sketchy but Adrian Peterson is one player who is welcoming it. "I like it, I love it," Peterson said, as he believes it will reveal who the cheaters are.
Embracing the challenge has always been a part of Adrian Peterson's persona. Following his quick comeback from reconstructive knee surgery, surpassing the 2,000-yard mark and the league MVP award last season for the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson said Friday he'd eagerly accept another test: for human growth hormone. The NFL and the players union have been working on an agreement for HGH testing procedures.
Minnesota native Michael Floyd was a first round NFL Draft pick back in 2012. The Arizona Cardinal wide receiver was hot in high school at Cretin-Derham Hall, blossomed at Notre Dame and is now hoping to have a break-out sophomore season in the NFL.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is among the best in the game, and it all started in Minneapolis. Today the all-pro wide receiver brought a piece of the NFL to the first field he played on. Fitzgerald, who lives in Eden Prairie in the offseason, credits the beginning of his success to the adults who believed in him as a child. "The coaches that coached me here, I mean, so many people invested in me as a child, and they didn't have to," Fitzgerald said.
Chad Greenway came from the University of Iowa hoping to make an impact, but suffered a knee injury. He has since recovered, and eventually became a foundational part of the Vikings organization. He is now a leader and he wants to go out as a man who helped his boyhood team reach new heights. Greenway also has a deep passion for the giving back. Watch the video above to see Mike Max's interview with this charitable linebacker.
The Minnesota Vikings are in off-season mode or a few more weeks, so it's a good time to catch up with Kyle Rudolph, a tight end who's blossoming before our eyes. Rudolph's becoming a favorite target of Christian Ponder, and a player who looks like the future is bright. He's also coming in to training camp with the confidence of a veteran.
Matt Spaeth is part of the group working at Larry Fitzgerald's camp. Sit with him and you realize that the young man now has some years in this game. "It's been a whirlwind to think this is year seven for me. I was just talking to somebody else, I don't want to say this, but I'm coming up on 30 and to think I'll be 30 playing in the NFL is just amazing. It's been a dream come true," Spaeth said.
Detroit Lakes-native Adam Thielen put on quite a show during Vikings mini-camp last week. He had a magical fall while playing at Minnesota State Mankato. While the coach was on leave, the team rallied and ran the table in the conference before losing in the NCAA playoffs. "Most fun year I ever had. To be able to focus on just football and come together as a team and just really play our hearts out and give it all we got," Thielen said.
The Minnesota Vikings are working out final details with the University of Minnesota to play two NFL seasons at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings need a temporary home while they build a new $1 billion stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
Century Community College left-handed ace Jared Dettman, who is pitching in the Junior College World series, should get drafted for a second time next week. Cedar Rapids Kernels' manager Jake Mauer sees some similarities between first-round prospect Byron Buxton and his brother - the Twins' Joe Mauer. The Timberwolves are concerned about Kevin Love's conditioning since his injury ended his season.
The Minnesota Vikings will have a fixed roof and moveable front windows on their new stadium. Designer Bryan Trubey of Dallas-based HKS Architects presented images of the $975 million project to a crowd of fans, public officials and members of the Vikings organization Monday night. The event took place at the Guthrie Theater, a few blocks from where the stadium will be built in downtown Minneapolis.
For Cory Svihla, donning horns on his helmet and hustling through drills at Winter Park last week alongside the Vikings' coveted draft picks made the last two years of grinding it out completely worth it.
The Minnesota Vikings released punter Chris Kluwe after eight years with team and after the team drafted a punter in this year's draft.
He was the heart and soul of the St. Thomas defense in a run to the NCAA Championship game last season. Now Ayo Idowu is at least getting a chance, even if temporary, to take his game to the next level.
We've got all the high school sports action -- and much more -- right here.
The Minnesota Vikings have signed a pair of veteran free agents, cornerback Jacob Lacey and defensive end Lawrence Jackson.
