Reality Check: PSLs And The Vikings Stadium
Negotiations on a new Vikings stadium are winding down, but a new controversy may be heating up.
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Negotiations on a new Vikings stadium are winding down, but a new controversy may be heating up.
The Minnesota Vikings now have a 0-2 record for the season, and some are asking whether it's time for a major change. One fan thinks he has the solution: get rid of quarterback Christian Ponder. In fact, he took his issues to a higher authority.
The board overseeing the new Minnesota Vikings stadium says a financial review has cleared up questions about the team owners' ability to pay their share. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority's report was launched after a New Jersey judge came down on the Wilf family.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh says he is appealing the NFL's $100,000 fine against him for his hit on a Vikings player over the weekend.
A New Jersey judge says Minnesota Vikings principal owner Zygi Wilf and others must make their financial worth public as the court determines what damages they should pay in a civil lawsuit. The Star-Ledger reported that the judge Monday said the sealed document listing the Wilfs' "minimum net worth" must be released, but she will allow a delay so the Wilfs can pursue an appeal. A lawyer for the Wilfs said releasing the information would invade their privacy.
The chairwoman of the public authority managing Vikings stadium construction says preliminary results of a financial review shows the team has the financial capability to cover its share.
Christian Ponder says he's feeling confident heading into what could be a make-or-break season for the young Minnesota Vikings quarterback. Ponder is entering his second full season as a starter.
Joe Webb's athleticism was too much to part with for the Minnesota Vikings. After converting Webb to wide receiver this spring, following a failed emergency playoff start at quarterback when Christian Ponder was out with an injury, the Vikings kept the versatile former sixth-round draft pick for special teams value and depth at an important position. Webb, in the fourth and final year of his contract, was one of five wide receivers on the 53-man regular-season roster revealed Saturday after the cut deadline.
The public authority overseeing construction of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium is warning that the opening of the stadium could be delayed if the team doesn't quickly resume negotiations on a lease and development agreements.
Kyle Rudolph has some of the surest hands in the NFL, with a 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame fit for the type of tight end who can be one of his team's best passing targets. As long as he plays for the Minnesota Vikings, though, his potential is probably not on track to become the next Tony Gonzalez. No matter how much ability Rudolph has as a receiver, run blocking must be an equally important part of his skill set. "There aren't very many guys in our game anymore who are doing the run blocking and the pass catching," Rudolph said.
There is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the upcoming Minnesota Vikings season, which starts Sept. 8 at Detroit, followed by a Sept. 15 match-up at Chicago. But one CBS expert isn't convinced and thinks the Vikings will miss the playoffs this year.
Minnesota's favorite football player is experimenting with putting chocolate milk on his Wheaties and even admits he ratchets up his legendary debilitating handshake for reporters in particular. The Vikings star running back opened up in an Ask Me Anything forum Tuesday on reddit.com, the user-generated social news and entertainment website.
Veteran kicker Ryan Longwell is retiring as a Green Bay Packer. Longwell is the all-time leading scorer in Packers' history. He scored 1,054 points during his nine-year career in Green Bay (1997-2005). He connected on 226 field goals and 376 extra points. Longwell set a team record by leading the Packers in scoring in nine consecutive seasons, beating the previous mark of seven by Don Hutson from 1939-45.
Adrian Peterson is coming to a breakfast table near you. The Vikings running back is appearing on three limited-edition Wheaties boxes, one of which is released this week. According to Wheaties marketing manager Jim Wilson, A.P. is a natural fit for their product. "Adrian embodies the heart of a champion whether he's scoring touchdowns or giving back to his community," Wilson said.
When Minnesota's veteran defensive linemen are pulled from a game for a play or two to rest, the coaches are well-prepared for the response. Don't take me out. With the starters one year older and the Vikings even deeper at a position group already one of the team's strongest, these gripes are bound to grow louder this season.
Preseason games might not provide much in terms of seeing the starters, but they're a crucial audition for the guys trying to make a roster spot. Friday night, undrafted rookie fullback Zach Line made the most of his. He only touched the ball one time, but Line made it last as long as he could: 61 yards, all the way to the end zone. "[Wide receiver Stephen Burton] made a nice block for me, made it easy for me to get down the field. Seriously, he's just a, like a chariot riding down the sidelines," Line said.
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.
