Breaking News: Marvin Harrison to Retire

Marvin Harrison plans to hang up his cleats because he can’t find a team to play for, according to Peter King of SI.com.

Harrison suffered an ankle injury that limited him for the majority of the 2008-2009 season.

Harrison, 36, was the 19th overall pick in the 1996 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Harrison was a teammate with Donovan McNabb, the Eagles current starting quarterback.

Harrison is an eight-time Pro Bowler. He was also an All-Pro six times.

The receiver has 1,102 career receptions along with 14,580 yards, and an outstanding 128 touchdowns. These numbers will undoubtedly get Harrison into the Hall of Fame.

Harrison spent 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Indianapolis Colts.

Bengals Sign Former Cowboys Safety Roy Williams

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/05/06/former-cowboys-safety-williams-going-to-bengals/

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed former Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams, according to Steve Wyche.

Williams was the eighth overall pick in the 2002 draft, selected by the Dallas Cowboys. He was a tremendous player at the University of Oklahoma.

Roy Williams has 506 career tackles along with 6.5 sacks, and 19 interceptions.

In 2001, Roy won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for being the nation’s top overall defensive player in all of college football. He also won the Jim Thorpe Award for being the nation’s top defensive back.

In his rookie season, Williams was the runner-up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. This honor went to Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers.

Roy is a five-time Pro Bowler. He made it five straight years through 2003-2007. Williams was also an All-Pro in 2003.

Roy Williams will be able to reunite with former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Williams had his best years when Mike Zimmer was the one coaching him. Roy will look to continue his success with the Bengals in the ’09 season.

Cleveland Signs Mike Furrey: What Does It Mean For Braylon Edwards?

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with former Detroit Lions wide receiver, Mike Furrey.

Furrey played three seasons for the Lions, and played three with the Rams before that.

Mike Furrey started out his career in the XFL, where he played for the Las Vegas Outlaws for only one season. He then signed with the Arena League after that.

His best season came in 2006, during which he caught 98 passes for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns.

In Cleveland, Furrey joins a depth chart that includes Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, Josh Cribbs, Syndric Steptoe, David Patten, Jordan Norwood, Lance Leggett, Paul Hubbard, Devale Ellis, Brian Robiskie, and Mohamed Massaquoi.

With Stallworth in legal trouble, he will likely be cut in the very near future.

Braylon Edwards could also likely find his way off the Cleveland Browns roster. He has been looking to be traded for several weeks now.

Cleveland looked to trade him to the Giants on draft day, but didn’t get an offer that intrigued them at all.

The Browns are looking for multiple draft picks for the former pro-bowler from the University of Michigan. They have a lot of young and talented receivers on their roster that have incredible potential.

Cleveland must look to trade away Braylon Edwards very soon. There are several teams that could potentially be interested, including the New York Jets.

Vikings: Game-By-Game Predictions for the ’09 Season

One of Minnesota’s newer writers, Mitchell Timp, wrote an article about this a few months back. He did a slide-show, but I’m keeping it old-school.

Week One: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Cleveland Browns

Minnesota starts out the season against a very average team. Cleveland is no push-over, but they aren’t a team that will scare you by any means.

Cleveland’s offense improved in the draft with the additions of Brian Robiskie and Alex Mack. With that said, they are still a weak team all together.

The Vikings will use Adrian Peterson to run all over their defense in this one. Look for Minnesota to take an early lead and never let up.

Vikings 31  Browns 16

Week Two: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Detroit Lions

Minnesota starts out the ’09 season with two road games, it’s a good thing that they’re against bad teams.

Detroit won’t be nearly as bad as they were last year, but they still won’t win any more than five games. Their defense is just way too pathetic.

The Vikings defense will look to shut-down Calvin Johnson, and if they do so, Minnesota will be able to handle everything else.

Vikings 20  Lions 13

 

Week Three: Minnesota Vikings Vs. San Francisco 49’ers

This game actually scares me a little bit. Minnesota often loses to teams that they actually should beat.

San Francisco’s offense will be much better with Michael Crabtree as a play-making receiver. Frank Gore should also have a much improved season.

This game could go down to who has the ball last. The Vikings just need to be able to not turn the ball over.

49’ers 21  Vikings 24

Week Four: Green Bay Packers Vs. Minnesota Vikings

Ah, the most hyped game during the Vikings season. As always, it should be a classic game.

Green Bay’s defense is going to be scary next season. They added B.J. Raji to the defensive line and Clay Matthews to an already studly linebackers core.

The Packers could pull the upset on the road if they use Aaron Rogers to the maximum, but Minnesota should be able to squeak one out at home.

Packers 28  Vikings 31

Week Five: Minnesota Vikings Vs. St. Louis Rams

St. Louis isn’t a good football team, come on, everybody knows that. They hardly improved in the draft either.

Jason Smith will be a good offensive tackle for years to come, but he won’t make the Rams a playoff team any time soon.

The Vikings will be able to force turn-overs and take advantage of them, as they do so many times.

Vikings 30  Rams 14

Week Six: Baltimore Ravens Vs. Minnesota Vikings

This could quite easily be the first loss of the Vikings season. Baltimore is a very good team on both sides of the ball.

Baltimore drafted Michael Oher with their first-round-pick in the draft. He is a very under-rated player who will help improve both the run and pass game.

Minnesota and Baltimore will have a battle with each other. I just don’t know if Minnesota’s offense will be able to do enough.

Ravens 21  Vikings 17

Week Seven: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Super Bowl champions are easily going to win this one, right? I smell an upset in the making.

Pittsburgh isn’t an un-beatable team. Minnesota will look to come in and make a real impact to prove a point.

Adrian Peterson might not have a great game, but look for the Vikings defense to be the key to success.

Vikings 23  Steelers 20

Week Eight: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Green Bay Packers

It’s very rare to see the Vikings defeat Green Bay twice in a season, but they have a good chance to accomplish it this season.

Minnesota must rely on Adrian Peterson to have a great game, if he does not, the Vikings will for sure lose the game.

Vikings 26  Packers 28

Week Nine: Bye Week

Week Ten: Detroit Lions Vs. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota should have a much easier time at home against the Lions, compared to how they did on the road.

Daunte Culpepper will be forced into making mistakes, like turn-overs and fumbles. Minnesota will not let up all game long.

Lions 10  Vikings 24

Week Eleven: Seattle Seahawks Vs. Minnesota Vikings

Seattle is another mediocre team that Minnesota should have an easy time to beat, but they can’t take the Seahawks too lightly.

Aaron Curry is a great defensive player who will be a major impact player on Seattle’s defense.

The Vikings defense will be too good for Seattle to do anything through the air, or on the ground with.

Seahawks 17  Vikings 26

Week Twelve: Chicago Bears Vs. Minnesota Vikings

Chicago will be a much better team than they were last year with the addition of former Denver Bronco Jay Cutler.

The Bears receivers are the only problem that their offense will face during the 2009 season.

Minnesota should take this one at home, but they need to not turn the ball over whatsoever.

Bears 19  Vikings 27

Week Thirteen: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Arizona Cardinals

Usually when a team loses the Super Bowl, the following season is a major disappointment.

Arizona’s offense is still a cause for concern. Will Kurt Warner be as good as he was last year? Does Anquan Boldin end up being traded?

Minnesota won easily against the Cardinals next year, but can they pull it off two straight years?

Vikings 35  Cardinals 30

Week Fourteen: Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Minnesota Vikings

Cincinnati could be a surprise team next year. They will have a much better defense.

Michael Johnson and Rey Maualuga are two great draft picks that will team-up well with Keith Rivers at linebacker.

Minnesota’s defense and passing game will be the key success to this game. Whoever is the quarterback for the Vikings next year must do well in this game.

Bengals 16  Vikings 20

Week Fifteen: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Carolina Panthers

Carolina had a great run last year that was up-ended by the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The Panthers offense will be very good next year. Steve Smith is an explosive weapon, and their running game is one of the best in the league.

Minnesota will have a tough time dealing with the DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combination.

Vikings 13  Panthers 24

Week Sixteen: Minnesota Vikings Vs. Chicago Bears

Chicago hardly ever loses at home during the cold times in the “Windy city.”

Minnesota needs to use Adrian Peterson often, but not let him get hurt on the slippery surface of Soldier Field.

Vikings 20  Bears 27

Week Seventeen: New York Giants Vs. Minnesota Vikings

Like last year, Minnesota faces the Giants in week 17 of the season. Will this time bring a new result?

The Giants will likely be 12-3 or 13-2 at this point in time. If so, they will rest their starters for most of the game.

Minnesota must rely on their defense to stop the Giants from putting up a lot of points on the board.

Giants 23  Vikings 31

Minnesota would have a record of 12-4 if this happened. This seems like a reasonable record for the Vikings this season.

Brad Childress and Brett Favre Scheduled to Meet This Week

By now, you’re annoyed of me. I am annoyed of being at home sick. Swine flu is a nasty sickness.

I hate the Brett Favre soap-opera, but I must report the Vikings news.

Vikings head coach Brad Childress and retired quarterback Brett Favre are expected to meet sometime within the next week.

Trent Dilfer reported that Brett Favre texted him on the basis of Brett returning to the NFL once again with a resounding “NO.”

To me, it’s a crock of crap that Brett continues to add to the pile of b.s. that already exists in his gigantic ego.

Brett declined to have surgery to repair torn biceps after the 2009 season. This is likely the only thing that would keep Favre from returning to football. He had a similar injury when he played for the Packers that healed on its own.

Favre has had a desire to play for the Vikings for a couple of years now. His wish could be granted based on a good meeting with Childress this week.

This news is being reported by ESPN.com writer Ed Werder, Terrell Owens’ worst enemy, besides Tony Romo.

What would the signing of Brett Favre mean for Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels?

Would Tarvaris be traded to a team looking for a young quarterback? Or would Chilly keep him on the roster to study behind the legendary Favre?

Will Sage Rosenfels be a backup, or will he be flat out released, just a few months after the Vikings traded for him?

Don’t forget about John David Booty. Will the former fifth-round pick be waived and placed on the practice squad?

Only time will tell what the future holds for these three quarterbacks with average at best talent.

The Favre to the Vikings rumor continues to build-up. Even more news will follow in the next few days.

My guess is that Favre and Childress will have a great meeting which will lead Brett to giving serious thought about returning.

Don’t hate me for posting an article about this. Just know that I’m writing about one of the thing’s I love most…The Minnesota Vikings.

Chester Taylor Possibly On His Way Out Of Minnesota?

The rumors are circulating through several different Web sites. Currently, I haven’t seen that many about Vikings running back, Chester Taylor.

Chester is in the final year of his contract that he was given in the 2006 off-season.

In 2005 with the Ravens, Chester had only 117 yards on the ground. He managed to start in only one game.

Despite the poor season, the Minnesota Vikings loved Chester, and decided to sign him for a four-year deal.

I can’t believe it’s already been four years since Chester was expected to be the future running back for the Vikings.

When Adrian Peterson was drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 draft, the chances of Chester Taylor being a starter for much longer, had diminished.

Don’t get me wrong, Adrian is a much better running back than Chester Taylor, but I still like what Taylor supplies to the offense.

Chester has only fumbled twelve times in his three seasons with the Vikings. He is very good at holding onto the ball. He’s also a great change-of-pace back.

The Vikings have one of the better one-two punches in the entire league, but could that be coming to an end in the very near future?

Chester Taylor could be on his way out of Minnesota, though. The Vikings would like to get good value out of him before he gets too old.

Chester is still fairly young at 29-years-old, but running backs typically take a down-slope when they hit age 30. This has happened to LaDainian Tomlinson and Fred Taylor.

I, personally, don’t believe that Taylor should be traded. He is a vital key to the success of Minnesota’s offense.

There is a good chance that Chester will re-sign for cheap even after his contract expires after the 2009-2010 season.

Minnesota signed Ian Johnson today. Ian is a former Boise State Bronco, that led the WAC in rushing touchdowns.

Ian has very similar size to Chester Taylor. They are both 5″11″, and weigh around 210 pounds each.

I have faith that Ian will be a great factor in the future for the Vikings. He’s a smart football player and can run excellent through the tackles.

If Chester is traded, I will be disappointed. If we can get a first-round-pick for him, I will be content with it, but anything less than that is not worth it at this point in time.

Feel free to disagree, but I think that Chester must stay in Minnesota. The Vikings will need him to fill-in for A.P. if he’s ever hurt or needs a rest.

Former Boise State Back, Ian Johnson, Signs Deal with Vikings

Former Boise State running back, Ian Johnson, has signed a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

The former WAC rushing touchdowns leader was not drafted, which came as a surprise to many.

Ian was regarded as one of the better power backs in the entire draft.

The Vikings desperately needed a third-down-back, and Johnson will be able to fill that need from day one.

Ian is 5’11,” 215 pounds, and ran the forty yard dash in 4.45 seconds.

He also recorded 26 bench reps at the combine.

He will be a tremendous compliment to both Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

I can see Ian being a goal line runner for Minnesota.

It’s a shame that Johnson didn’t get drafted, but I feel very blessed that he is now a part of the Vikings.

Will Percy Harvin Be the Prize Possession for the Minnesota Vikings?

At 2:59 PM on Saturday afternoon, I began to ponder upon what colossal events would occur at this year’s extravaganza known as the NFL draft.

After the first 21 picks that seemed to take days, the Minnesota Vikings were finally on the clock with the 22nd overall pick.

Players like OT Eben Britton, OT Michael Oher, WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Kenny Britt, and WR Percy Harvin were still available.

I, personally, had expected Michael Oher to be the pick for the Vikings and was actually quite confident in this selection. The Vikings need a dominant right tackle, so I assumed Michael Oher would be the guy to do so.

The next thing I know, I was hearing, “with the 22nd pick in the 2009 draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Percy Harvin, wide receiver from the University of Florida.”

I was instantly befuddled by this selection. Don’t get me wrong, at first I liked the pick, but I thought there were certainly better options available at the time.

I immediately went to the computer to do some research on the former Florida Gator.

I was very impressed from what I saw. I always had known that Harvin was a great receiver and a tremendous kick-returner, but I had not known how big of an ego he had.

According to teammates of Percy’s, they say that he used to say he lived in “Percyland”.

To me, this seems like a guy who is very confident and cocky in his sense of football style. Will this extreme confidence lead to Percy being a locker-room distraction?

Brad Childress and Zygi Wolf have done a great job in removing the character players from the Vikings team. Bryant McKinnie is the only player on the Vikings roster that currently concerns me as far as character goes.

But don’t be shocked if McKinnie gets traded in the very near future as he has a large contract that can be removed in an instant.

If Percy Harvin wants to be a key factor to the Vikings offense, he must get rid of these bigheaded mistakes that he seems to often have.

As I’m sure you know already, Harvin tested positive for marijuana at the 2009 NFL combine.

I’m not a fan of players who go out and make bone-headed mistakes like this and it takes a lot for me to put this matter aside.

The last thing Minnesota needs right now is a player who does drugs for no reason whatsoever.

However, Harvin did have 1,929 receiving yards in his three seasons at Florida. He also registered 1,851 yards on the ground.

I doubt Percy plays that much for running back in Minnesota’s system, but he could potentially be a major key if the Vikings decide to run the wildcat formation.

Additionally, Minnesota plays on field turf, which will make it even easier for a speed player like Harvin to run on.

He should have an easy time burning defenders for the long ball. That is, if Sage Rosenfels can get it there.

Minnesota’s offense next year will be tremendous. They brought in a solid quarterback in Rosenfels, a great right tackle in Phil Loadholt, and a deep-threat in Percy Harvin.

I don’t see any of the teams in the NFC North having an offense that can match the Vikings.

Green Bay has a good passing game, but their running game, at times, is amongst the worst in the league.

To sum it up, I love the pick of Percy Harvin. He will be a great key to the Vikings offense in 2009.

As long as he works on his issues as a person, I am going to give him a chance to show his stuff.

You have one chance Percy. Be the kind of player that you have the potential to be. Don’t mess it up.

Vikings Trade Up to Select Linebacker Jasper Brinkley

The Minnesota Vikings found the guy that they had been looking for. With the 150th pick in the 2009 draft, the Minnesota Vikings select…Jasper Brinkley

Minnesota had to trade up with the Redskins to get him.

Jasper was a middle linebacker from South Carolina. He won the Defensive Player of the Year for the Gamecocks.

Minnesota was weak on linebacker depth for all of last season.

Brinkley will be able to provide depth and could possibly start at outside linebacker in the future, if need be.

Jasper is 6″2, 255 pounds. He is a phenomenal tackler and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.72 seconds. He also benched 26 reps.

I love this pick. I, personally, think that Jasper Brinkley is a steal this late in the draft.

The Vikings have gotten the great defensive player that they needed. Good pick for Childress in the fifth round.

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