Sidney Rice to Enter Free Agency

Sidney Rice has apparently opted not to re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings before first testing free agency. His agent is of course Drew Rosenhaus, the man who has made a living getting lucrative deals for his players. Sidney had a brilliant 2009 season but had a slow 2010 season, missing the first half of the season because of hip surgery. He will test the free agency market, as expected. My hope is that Sidney Rice returns, as he is a great player when he is healthy. However, I would not be surprised if a team offers Rice a lot of money, based on his 2009 results.

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2011 NFL Combine

Not sure how many of you are avid listeners of KFAN, but I think it's pretty cool that Paul Allen is in Indianapolis covering the 2011 NFL Combine. His slogan: "From Loserville to Hoosierville." Love it. I think the combine is a tad overrated as they disect virtually every part to a player but it is part of the game. Speed, strength, endurance are important features when a team is considering spending millions of dollars on a player. Keep an eye to see who are the top performers at the combine, especially at the quarterback position.

Should the Minnesota Vikings Go For Kevin Kolb?

Minnesota Vikings fans know the biggest concern for the team: the quarterback. In this league, you simply do not win championships or go very far without a quarterback. It's how the league operates. Having a quarterback is just about paramount to achieving success. With that being said, we know who the possible draft options are at the position. We don't know which ones will be available. Should the Minnesota Vikings pursue Kevin Kolb, the back up for Michael Vick in Philadelphia? He has shown his flashes of brilliance and kind of reminds me of a Matt Schaub, both in playing and his situation. Schaub was the backup behind Vick in Atlanta before getting traded to the Houston Texans. So Minnesota Vikings fans, I ask, should we go for Kevin Kolb? Even if it's worth the #12 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft?

Bob Sanders Cut, Should the Minnesota Vikings Pursue Him?

The Indianapolis Colts released safety Bob Sanders last week. Sanders, when healthy, has showed he is one of the best safeties in the game. Unfortunately, Sanders has not been healthy the last three seasons. In 2007, he played 15 games and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.

The last 3 seasons his number of games played are as follows: 6 games, 2 games, and 1 game.

Is approaching Bob Sanders worth the risk? Could he finally be healthy and provide the Vikings that punch that they've been severely lacking at the safety position? Or is he too much of a liability with his proneness to injury?

Let me know your thoughts and comments below

Minnesota Vikings Draft Prospects

Here are the primary needs going into the 2011 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings, as well as best players avaliable in that spot:

- Quarterback - Blaine Gabbert, Missouri ; Cam Newtown, Auburn ; Ryan Mallett, Arkansas ; Jake Locker, Washington ; Andy Dalton, TCU
- Safety - Rahim Moore, UCLA ; Quinton Carter, Oklahoma ; Robert Sands, West Virginia ; Deunta Williams, North Carolina
- Offensive Guard - Mike Pouncey, Florida ; Danny Watkins, Baylor ; Rodney Hudson, Florida State ; Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova
- Cornerback - Patrick Peterson, LSU ; Jimmy Smith, Colorado ; Prince Amukamara, Nebraska ; Brandon Harris, Miami (FL)

My hope is we land 1 of these players with the #12 pick.

Chad Greenway to be Franchise Tagged?

Chad Greenway has proved he is one of the better linebackers in football. He is a great outside linebacker that has become a mainstay on the Minnesota Vikings defense. Due to be a free agent, it is imperative for the team to resign him. The Vikings can not afford to let him go. With fellow linebacker Ben Leber most likely leaving the team, the Vikings have to lock up Chad Greenway. It has been speculated that the team might franchise tag him, which would play him a base salary of the 5 highest paid in that position. Hopefully we can lock up Greenway soon.

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Metrodome Roof To Be Fixed

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission approved an $18.3 million roof replacement for the Metrodome on Thursday. The roof will be completed by the beginning of August, which is only weeks before the Minnesota Vikings preseason begins. The commission voted unanimously to approve the 10-acre Teflon-coated dome, deciding against repairing the torn roof. The Minnesota Vikings lease with the Metrodome expires in a year, and the team has been seeking a long-term plan with funding a new stadium. Either way, I'm glad that we know where they will be playing in the 2011 season (barring a lockout).

Cris Carter Gets Snubbed Again

Another Hall of Fame class was voted this weekend, and it was another empty feeling for Cris Carter. The former Vikings wideout was left out of the Hall of Fame once again. When Carter retired in 2002, he ranked 2nd on the NFL's all-time list of receptions (1,101) and touchdowns (130). He was one of the top receivers of his time, yet on Saturday he missed the selection committee's first cut for the second consecutive year. My hope is that he will eventually get in, kind of like the Bert Blyleven selection. There has been a number of worthy finalists in the last 2 years, as Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Richard Dent, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter, and Ed Sabol headline this year's class. Hopefully Carter will get his time soon enough.

Green Bay Packers Win Super Bowl XLV

Well, the inevitable happened. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to capture the Lombardi Trophy. As a Minnesota Vikings fan, this one burns deep. I have been raised as a purple and gold guy so to see the green and gold win this, it just simply hurts. Aaron Rodgers played a flawless game, throwing for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was named the MVP. Ben Roethlisberger had the ball with 2 minutes left, down 6, but wasn't able to mount the comeback. Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers, you earned it.

Everson Griffen In Trouble

If Everson Griffen is in the news, during the offseason, chances are it's not good. And this story happens to be just that, bad news about Everson Griffen. Maybe your a Vikings fan and you don't know Griffen - he was drafted in the 4th round of the NFL Draft by the Vikings, not by position need but because of his talent. He played at USC under Pete Carroll. With that being said, Griffen was arrested this week in Los Angeles. The report from the Daily Trojan:

"Police officers were performing a traffic stop at the intersection of 30th and Hoover Streets when they pulled Griffen over. He did not have an I.D. on him and became aggressive when questioned by officers, according to an LAPD spokesperson. Griffen attempted to run away and then assaulted one of the officers who was pursuing him. The officers tased Griffen, then arrested him on a charge of felony battery. "

Apparently, it was reported earlier today he may not face felony but just a misdemeanor. Either way, it isn't positive news from a player that we may need at that spot if Ray Edwards leaves for free agency.

Arden Hills Looked At For New Stadium

The Minnesota Vikings need a new stadium. That much is known. Where the new stadium would be located is yet to be decided. The new Minnesota Twins stadium did wonders in Downtown Minneapolis. The debate is between putting a stadium in downtown Minneapolis somewhere or in a suburb nearby. There are ups and downs for both scenarios. Putting a stadium in a nearby suburb would make parking much easier and have the option of tailgating. However, a suburb like Arden Hills does not have the metropolis bar and restaurant scene that Minneapolis does. Either way, keep an eye on how this unfolds.