Vikings Announce Key Training Camp Dates

Now that the NFL Draft is complete, players are looking ahead to the 2008 regular season.  The Vikings this week released some key dates for this year’s training camp in Mankato.  Players will report on July 23rd with their first practice on July 25th.  The preseason kicks off with a game against the Seahawks at the Metrodome on August 8th.  The Vikings will break camp in Mankato on August 15th and resume practice at Winter Park on August 18th.

Team Puts Udeze on Reserve List for the 08 Season

The season is already over for Vikings DE Kenechi Udeze, as today the team placed him on the reserve-non-football-illness list as he continues his fight against leukemia.  The move will ensure that Udeze will get his $807,500 salary for the 08 season.  “He can focus on getting well. He’s done a great job with that so far. He’s been positive. He’s been upbeat,” said Vikings coach Brad Childress.

Udeze stated two weeks ago that the cancer he is up against is in remission, and that his older brother has matching bone marrow for a pending transplant.  He signed a five-year deal with the Vikings back in 2004 when he was their first-round draft pick out of Souther California.  He will be a free agent after the season, but right now that is not something that is at the forefront of the situation.

“He’s such a competitor. You hate to burst bubbles, but realistically speaking you want to take his health and well being into consideration first,” the coach said .”He is welcome around here. He’ll be part of the team. As much as he can be around here, he’s going to be around here.”

Vikings Get DB Johnson; QB Booty with First Two Picks

With no first round picks after the Jared Allen deal, the Vikings Sunday started their version of the draft with taking DB Tyrell Johnson from Arkansas St., and then grabbed QB John David Booty from USC with their first fifth-round pick.  Johnson is 6-0, 184 pounds, and finished his college career with 363 tackles, a Sun Belt Conference record, and 13 interceptions. Last season, he was credited with 94 tackles and six interceptions, including picks against Texas and Tennessee.

As for Booty, last season for USC he threw for 2361 yards with 23 TD’s and 10 picks.  He had a QB rating of 138.01.  The season before he threw for 3347 yards, 39 TD’s and 9 picks.  The 23-year-old wrapped up his college career with an impressive 49-17 win for USC vs Illinois in the Rose Bowl, where he threw for 255 yards with 3 TD’s and 1 pick.  He could be a challenger for Tavaris Jackson if he struggles and the Vikings offense gets off to a slow start.

Vikings Nab Allen from KC

Defensive end Jared Allen is changing teams.  The “Kansas City Star” reports the Chiefs have traded their franchise player to the Minnesota Vikings.  Allen agreed to a new six-year deal with Minnesota worth nearly $74-million.  The deal will guarantee Allen more than $31-million.  KC will reportedly receive the Vikes’ first-round pick and a pair of third-round picks in this weekend’s NFL Draft.  The teams will also swap sixth-round selections, with the Vikings getting the higher pick.  Allen led the league in sacks last season with 15-and-a-half.

Vikings Release 2008 Schedule

The Vikings have released their schedule for the 2008 season.  It begins with an ESPN Monday Night Football matchup against Green Bay at Lambeau Field on September 8th.  The home opener will be Sunday, September 14th against the Indianapolis Colts.  The Vikings will also be featured on Monday Night Football when they face the Saints in New Orleans on October 6th.  They will also host the Chicago Bears for NBC’s Sunday Night Football on November 30th.  The boys in purple will wrap up the regular season by hosting the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants on December 28th.

Spielman Gets Extension

The Vikings have extended the contract of player personnel director Rick Spielman.  Spielman came to the Vikings in 2006, replacing Fran Foley who was fired three months into his tenure.  He is credited with putting together Minnesota’s draft picks last year, including phenom running back Adrian Peterson.

Vikes May Be Close To Signing Frerotte

The Vikings are reportedly close to signing free agent quarterback Gus Frerotte.  The Vikes are said to be looking for veteran backup for Tarvaris Jackson.  Frerotte, who spent time with the purple in 2003 and 2004, has also reportedly been talking to the Green Bay Packers.

Video: Vikings On the Clock

Vikings to Open 08 Season on a Monday Night at Green Bay

The Vikings will open up the 2008 regular season in the Monday night spotlight.  The team announced yesterday they will face the Green Bay Packers on September 8th on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.  It’s just the third time in team history that the Vikings will start the season on Monday Night Football.  The remainder of the regular season schedule should be announced later this month.

CB Sapp Joins the Vikings with a One-Year Deal

The Vikings have come to terms with former Chiefs cornerback Benny Sapp. The St.Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that the deal is for the minimum plus a $100,000 signing bonus. Sapp, 27, spent the past four seasons as a backup with the Chiefs, playing in 56 games and recording two interceptions and 2 1/2 sacks. “This was more of an opportunity move than a money move,” Sapp’s agent, Alonzo Shavers, told the Star-Tribune. “We had more money on the table [elsewhere] but this was the best opportunity and best fit for him.”