Vikings Gab - The Definitive Minnesota Vikings Blog

Urlacher close to signing ? He says yes, while Vikings say no.

May 18th, 2013

Chris Boynton

Posted in Main, News, Rumors

The Minnesota Vikings and former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher seem to have a distinctly different take on current negotiations between the two. According to Urlacher, both the Vikings and the Broncos have made firm offers that he is currently mulling over. Urlacher also told sources that he is stromgly leaning towards signing with the Vikings.

So, done deal, right ? ……..Not so fast ! The Vikings are not only saying that they have NOT made an offer, they are saying that they have no interest in Urlacher at all. So what’s the deal ? Is Urlacher and his agent blowing smoke in an attempt to garner interest in the former Pro Bowler ? Or are the Vikings simply playing their cards close to the vest just in case Urlacher changes his mind.

One certainty that the team doesn’t want to risk alienating Erin Henderson by giving him the impression that the team is trying to replace or upgrade the position he has been told is his. Speaking of which, sources close to the team are saying that Henderson is furious over the fact that the team is reaching out to the Urlacher camp at all.

Even if the team does bring Urlacher in, it is doubtful that he would be a three down back. He has been fighting various leg injuries over the past three seasons, and it is clear when watching film that he has lost a step. It is likely that Henderson would still be used as a strongside linebacker on first and second downs, then switch to the middle on passing downs. If this is the case, this move would still be a major upgrade over Jasper Brinkley.

The Dawg has his ear to the ground on this, and updates will be posted as they develop. SKOL !

8 Comments »

Vikings Fans! Enter The New Era Photo Day Contest!

May 17th, 2013

Matt Loede

Posted in Features

New Era, the official on-field headwear of the National Football League, is teaming up with the NFL to launch the Back to Football Photo Day contest. So what this means is that Vikings fans will now have the chance to join the ranks of Adrian Peterson to also become THE face of the Vikings.

The contest, which is live at www.speakwithyourcap.com or through New Era’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/neweracaps?fref=ts) will require Vikings faithfuls to submit photos of themselves showcasing how you personally “speak with your cap.” Whether you wear your cap sideways, backwards or flexed at the brim, show how you are bringing your own style to the game.

32 fans (1 per team) will ultimately be chosen and win a complimentary trip to New York City for two. The winners will enjoy a four-day VIP experience and will be professionally styled in their favorite team’s looks for a New Era photo shoot that may be used for a year-long advertisement and promotional campaign.

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Fly Through The Minnesota Vikings New Stadium Design

May 14th, 2013

CJ

Posted in Stadium

Take a virtual fly through the design for the newly released Minnesota Vikings stadium!

4 Comments »

Check Out The New Vikings Stadium Design Reveal Tonight

May 13th, 2013

Matt Loede

Posted in Stadium

The Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, in collaboration with design firm HKS, will reveal the design for the new Vikings stadium tonight at an event at the Guthrie Theater, beginning at 7 p.m. CST.

While tickets for the event are limited, fans can watch the event via live stream on vikings.com–> click here.

Speakers at the event will include:

Governor Mark Dayton
Mayor of Minneapolis R.T. Rybak
Head Coach Leslie Frazier
General Manager Rick Spielman
Vikings Tackle Phil Loadholt
Vikings Center John Sullivan
Legendary Vikings Coach Bud Grant
Voice of the Vikings Paul Allen

Don’t miss this chance to get the very first look at the new home of the Vikings.

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Coach Is Back!

May 10th, 2013

Chris Boynton

Posted in Features, Main, News, Rumors

Hello Vikings Gab fans. This is Coach B, back from wherever it was I was at. Our fearless and omnipotent leader, Matt Loede, has (some might say foolishly) given me the keys to the Limosine by offering me the opportunity to become the new editor and administer of Vikingsgab.com. I have to say that I am glad to accept this position and am so happy to be back and writing for this site again !

Since we last talked….The Vikings have: 1. drafted a new franchise left tackle. 2. Gotten new uniforms. 3. Found out that Joe Webb isn’t the answer, and 4. made a tremendous haul (some might go as far as say Heist) in the 2013 draft !

Needless to say, things in Vikingland have taken a happy and very optimistic turn ! In the near future, I will be discussing the draft, and looking at what is ahead for the 2013-14 season. As always, I am happily waiting for your feedback, ideas and thoughts.

In addition, we will be featuring a new weekly segment called: ” The Bigg Dawg’s weekly fan forum” where fan’s can write in their ideas, questions, thoughts, comments, etc. to be addressed by Buford Tiberious Humphries Alias……………………… ” The Dawg “. ** See photo above **

So be sure to touch base with us, because this year, we are gonna blow the lid off the old, cranky Metrodome, remake , Mall of America Stadium ! While we await the time when we can move into our new State-of -the -Art facility. ( I suggested naming the new field the ” Boynton Colluseum ” I will keep you up to date on how that goes ! : )

-Skol

6 Comments »

Vikings To Play Next Two Seasons At TCF Bank Stadium

May 8th, 2013

Matt Loede

Posted in News, Stadium

The Vikings will play their next two seasons at the University of Minnesota’ stadium – TCF Bank Stadium while their new stadium is being built.

The Vikings would play outdoors on the university’s Minneapolis campus in 2014 and 2015 while the NFL team’s new stadium is built on the site of the Metrodome.

The deal requires approval from the university’s Board of Regents. The agreement goes before the regents’ Facilities and Operations Committee Thursday, with the full board scheduled to act Friday.

University spokesman Chuck Tombarge and Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley say no details will be released until a briefing Thursday.

A letter of intent last May set a tentative deal for the Vikings to pay the school $3 million a season for up to four seasons, plus revenue sharing.

1 Comment »

Kluwe Gone; Outspoken Punter Says Vikings Have Released Him

May 6th, 2013

Matt Loede

Posted in News

The Vikings have made a move in regard to punter Chris Kluwe, who claims that he’s been released by the team.

He put out a tweet on Monday that he’s off the team. He thanked the Vikings fans, his teammates and Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf for the past eight seasons in Minnesota. He says he “wouldn’t have traded it for anything.”

The move was expected after the Vikings spent a fifth-round draft pick on punter Jeff Locke at the end of last month. Kluwe was coming off one of his best statistical seasons, but he ranked just 17th in the NFL in punting and was due to make $1.45 million this season.

2 Comments »

The Coach IS Back !

May 5th, 2013

Chris Boynton

Posted in Main, News, Rumors

Buford T. Humphries

Hello Vikingsgab fans. This is Coach B, back from wherever it was I was at. Our fearless and omnipotent leader, Matt Loede, has (some might say foolishly) given me the keys to the Limosine by offering me the opportunity to become the new editor and administer of Vikingsgab.com. I have to say that I am glad to accept this position and am so happy to be back and writing for this site again !

Since we last talked….The Vikings have: 1. drafted a new franchise left tackle. 2. Gotten new uniforms. 3. Found out that Joe Webb isn’t the answer, and 4. made a tremendous haul (some might go as far as say Heist) in the 2013 draft !

Needless to say, things in Vikingland have taken a happy and very optimistic turn ! In the near future, I will be discussing the draft, and looking at what is ahead for the 2013-14 season. As always, I am happily waiting for your feedback, ideas and thoughts.

In addition, we will be featuring a new weekly segment called: ” The Bigg Dawg’s weekly fan forum” where fan’s can write in their ideas, questions, thoughts, comments, etc. to be addressed by Buford Tiberious Humphries Alias……………………… ” The Dawg “. ** See photo above **

So be sure to touch base with us, because this year, we are gonna blow the lid off the old, cranky Metrodome, remake , Mall of America Stadium ! While we await the time when we can move into our new State-of -the -Art facility. ( I suggested naming the new field the ” Boynton Colluseum ” I will keep you up to date on how that goes ! : )

-Skol

1 Comment »

Ponder Had Scare After Season With Triceps

May 3rd, 2013

Matt Loede

Posted in Injuries, News

The bruised upper arm that prevented Christian Ponder from playing in the playoffs became so swollen a few weeks later that the Vikings quarterback went to a hospital emergency room, where the doctor who examined him wanted to rush him into surgery, Bob Sansavere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

“They were scaring me with what they wanted to do,” Ponder said Wednesday, May 1.

Ponder said the doctor told him it could be compartment syndrome, which “can be an emergency, requiring surgery to prevent permanent injury,” WebMD.com says. It “occurs when excessive pressure builds up inside an enclosed space of the body” and affects blood flow, WebMD says.

“A little scary,” Ponder said.

Ponder quickly reached out to Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman, who discussed options other than surgery with the emergency room doctor.

“Luckily, (Sugarman) called me at the right moment and talked to the doctor,” Ponder said. “He said, ‘Don’t do anything crazy. Get an MRI.’ It ended up being fine.”

“It was just weird,” Ponder said. “All of a sudden, the whole thing got rock hard and swelled up. Scared to death it was a blood clot, so we went to the ER.”

After an MRI, Ponder was assured it wasn’t a blood clot or compartment syndrome.

“About two weeks after that, all the effects went away,” he said. “I’ve been working out for probably two months now, and it’s been fine.”

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Allen To Ponder: “You Have To Be THE Guy”

May 3rd, 2013

Matt Loede

Posted in News

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen knows his team took a big step last season in making the playoffs and he knows a return trip to the postseason likely depends on the play of Christian Ponder, Kevin Cusick of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports.

“I tell him all the time, you have to be THE guy.” Allen said of Minnesota’s quarterback Thursday, May 2, during an interview on Jim Rome’s CBS Radio show. “Adrian (Peterson) can carry this team so far; our defense can carry this team so far. … You know, you look at teams that historically win championships, and they have consistent play from the quarterback position.”

Ponder helped lead the Vikings to a 10-6 record and a wild-card berth last season, mostly by handing the ball off to Peterson, his 2,000-yard MVP teammate. But Ponder’s injured elbow made him a spectator as backup QB Joe Webb crashed and burned during the playoff loss in Green Bay.

“I thought the last four games of the year (Ponder) did a great job. I think where he really made strides was as a leader, being more of a vocal leader amongst the team,” Allen said. “He was consistent. We weren’t turning the ball over. He was making the smart plays.

“Watching him mature that way is a positive thing. And he’s a great dude.”

The Vikings have added two new targets for Ponder this season: free agent wide receiver Greg Jennings and first-round draft pick Cordarrelle Patterson of Tennessee. Allen says the additional weapons make this a pivotal season for No. 7.

“You should kind of have things down in your third year,” Allen said. “We’ve got some good weapons for him. I hope he makes leaps and bounds, and has a phenomenal year, and we have a phenomenal year.”

1 Comment »