YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Before joining our Access Vikings team, Dan Wiederer covered Atlantic Coast Conference basketball for the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer and was named North Carolina's top sports columnist in 2010. His previous reporting experience includes covering the Chicago Bears. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Roger Goodell speaks: No Pro Bowl? More padding? A developmental league on the way?
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Super Bowl Updated: May 23, 2012 - 9:02 AM
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with media Tuesday afternoon at a brief press conference following the league's one-day spring meeting. Goodell addressed a number of interesting topics, including the iffy future of the Pro Bowl; the league's Tuesday decision to mandate thigh and knee pads; and the possibility that a developmental league could be in the works.
Here is the commissioner's take on each of those topics:
On the future of the Pro Bowl, which will be played in Honolulu or New Orleans in 2013 -- if the game isn't canceled all together ...
"We’ve had numerous discussions over several months about what we can do to make the game more competitive. I’ve said it repeatedly, particularly since the last game that we have to improve the quality of that game. If we can’t improve it and can’t make it more competitive, then we shouldn’t play ... We recognize it is an All-Star game, but we also believe the fans expect more from an NFL game. That [game last winter] wasn’t a competitive game. The players acknowledged that in all of our discussions going back this past year that it is not competitive, and they point to a variety of reasons. The money is pretty significant. The risk of injuries is something that is on their mind. All of those things are legitimate, but they believe that they can improve the quality of the game. That is something that we are exploring with them. If we believe we can achieve it, we want to give them every opportunity to do it. It is going to require a competitive game to be successful long-term."
On the mandate that all players must wear thigh and knee pads beginning in the 2013 season ...
"It’s a decision that we are not implementing for this season in part because we want to work with the players, we want to work with the Players Association. We believe the technology has improved, and, in fact, the pads are far better than they were even a decade ago. They’re more protective. They allow better performance. We also think it’s important. Every other level of football requires these pads and the NFL doesn’t. We think that’s part of sending the right signal to other levels of football ... The technology has advanced. In fact, the CEO of Nike recently told me when they introduced the new uniforms that NBA players were wearing more pads from the hips down than NFL players. There is something wrong with that. We need to put that protection in. You can discuss all you want; but at some point, you have to reach a conclusion."
On the prospects for a developmental league that would be affiliated with the NFL ...
"We have talked a great deal about the idea of a developmental league. We actually think that there could be a role for that. Particularly with the changes in the Collective Bargaining Agreement -- the limited amount of time the younger players have to either be evaluated or develop their own skills -- should we have some sort of developmental league? It is something we will continue to pursue. If we do it, my personal view is it should be defined what the actual objective is. If it is a developmental league, let’s call it a developmental league. Let’s design it as a developmental league. If it is going to be a commercial league that is trying to generate fan interest or generate revenue, we should also be clear of that objective. I think our general view right now is to make it a developmental league."
On the hopes to equip all 31 NFL stadiums with WiFi technology for fans ...
"We want to make sure fans when they come into our stadiums don’t have to shut down – they can bring their devices. We want them to have access to the same amount of information, have access to our RedZone channel, have access to highlights, and be able to engage in social media including Fantasy Football. When you come to our stadiums, we want to make it a great experience. That is what it is about ... We want to make sure the same service is provided and the same technology is there for the fans. The costs vary from the different proposals we have. It is part of the reason we are looking for new technology partners that can help us address what I consider pretty complex problems ... [In 2012] it is possible we could get a stadium or two stadiums in, but it is a pretty big undertaking ... We have talked about a pilot. We have talked about New Orleans – we are in New Orleans this year having the Super Bowl there. That might be a good start. But there are several teams that are very aggressive in this area that have some very good technology available in their stadiums. We are learning from that, and our fans are engaging with it, which is the best news for us."
Update: Vikings agree to terms with seven draft picks
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Rookies, Vikings, Vikings off the field, Vikings players Updated: May 22, 2012 - 7:25 PMThe Vikings announced the signing of six draft choices today, leaving four unsigned -- including first-rounders Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith.
Signed were fourth rounders Jarius Wright (WR, Arkansas) and Greg Childs (WR, Arkansas); fifth rounder Robert Blanton (DB, Notre Dame); sixth-rounder Blair Walsh (K, Georgia); and seventh-rounders Audie Cole (LB, North Carolina State) and Trevor Guyton (DT, Cal).
Update: The Vikings have also agreed to terms with fourth-rounder Rhett Ellison, a tight end from USC. That means in addition to Kalil and Smith, the Vikings have yet to reach an agreement with second-round choice Josh Robinson, a cornerback out of Central Florida.
Not that any of that is a big deal. The start of training camp is still nine weeks away. And given the structure of the new collective bargaining agreement, there's not a whole lot for either side to negotiate. The days of rookies holding out into training camp are a thing of the past given the new rookie wage structure and the fixed length of all rookie deals.
When the NFL lockout ended last July, a new rookie pay system was put in place. Under that system, all drafted rookies -- including the six the Vikings signed today -- get four-year deals. The contracts for first-round draft choices also have a club option for a fifth season. That option, however, must be exercised after the players' third year. And the new C.B.A. formula dictates that for a team to use that fifth-year option on a player selected in the top 10, they will have to pay a Year 5 amount that is the average of the 10 highest-paid players at that position in the previous year.
In other words, if the Vikings decide to use their fifth-year option in Kalil, they will have to make that decision between the 2014 and 2015 seasons and then in 2016 (Kalil's fifth season), the standout offensive lineman would earn the average of what the 10 highest paid left tackles made in 2015.
Hey, we said the system has made contract talks far easier than they were in the past. But we didn't promise the elimination of all confusion.
NFL owners are in Atlanta today for a one-day spring meeting that will call for them to vote on a handful of rules changes.
Two proposals that were tabled at the owners meeting in March will now be revisited. The first calls for the league's trade deadline to be moved back from Week 6 to Week 8, a potential move that would likely generate more outside hype than actual action.
Owners will also consider another rule that would install a loophole into the injured reserve rules. The new exception, if approved, would allow teams to bring back one player from I.R. during the regular season if so desired. Back in March, Rich McKay, the chairman of the NFL's competition commitee, said the I.R. tweak would allow teams to keep a player who was seriously injured in the preseason on their active roster until the regular season begins. Players who suffer a serious injury early in the regular season would also have a chance to go on I.R. and return before season's end. The new proposal: once the player is put on injured reserve, he would be allowed to return to practice six weeks later with the chance to return to game action eight weeks after going on I.R.
Finally, a new rule proposal is being considered that would require all players to wear thigh pads and knee pads during games. If enacted, that rule would go into effect in 2013. At present, many skill players on the perimeter opt to go without thigh and knee pads so as not to inhibit their natural speed and agility. A mandate on wearing thigh and knee pads might slow the game down some.
For approval, all rule change proposals must receive support from 75 percent of owners voting.
[[[ UPDATE: The thigh and knee pad rule proposal has been approved. ]]]
Vikings sign former Bears OT Levi Horn
Posted by: Mark Craig under Vikings, Bears, NFC, Phil Loadholt Updated: May 18, 2012 - 1:47 PMThe Vikings have added another body to the offensive line. A big body. Goes by the name Levi Horn, a 6-7, 315-pounder who spent most of the past two seasons on the Bears' practice squad.
Horn, who played at Montana after transferring from Oregon, gives the Vikings some more offensive tackle depth to evaluate behind starters Matt Kalil and Phil Loadholt heading into training camp.
Horn joined the Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2010. He spent that season and most of 2011 on the practice squad. He was activated in November of 2011, but did not appear in any games. He was released by the Bears earlier this week.
"I'm looking forward to playing for a team with great tradition and pride," Horn told ndnsports.com. "I thank [the Vikings] for giving me a chance and will look to improve my skills and hopefully contribute to the Vikings success next season."
Feeling defamed and slandered, Jonathan Vilma sues Roger Goodell
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Off the field, Vikings, NFC, Brett Favre Updated: May 17, 2012 - 4:15 PMWas Jonathan Vilma really smack dab in the middle of the New Orleans Saints' bounty program? Before the NFC Championship game in January 2010, did Vilma really offer a cash reward of $10,000 to any teammate who was able to injure Vikings' quarterback Brett Favre?
For more than two months now, that's what the public has been led to believe, fed those above allegations by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. And Goodell took substantial punitive action May 2 when he suspended Vilma for the entire 2012 season.
Now Vilma is fighting back. And not just with an appeal. He's going directly at Goodell and suing the NFL commissioner for a litany of, what he asserts, have been reckless accusations.
Vilma filed his lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court in Louisiana. A copy of the suit can be read here.
In a nutshell, this is Vilma's "Prove it" challenge to Goodell. All those allegations that have been circulating since early March? Vilma wants Goodell to reveal evidence and/or sources that corroborate what he claims to have found through an extensive investigation. The suit, itself, is fascinating. Represented by Peter R. Ginsberg Law, LLC and Williams Law Group, LLC, Vilma has accused Goodell of the following ...
- Slander Per Se – Injury to Professional Reputation
- Slander Per Se – Injury to Personal Reputation
- Slander Per Se – Accusations of Criminal Conduct
- Slander by Implication
- Slander – Reckless Disregard/Malice
- Libel Per Se – Injury to Professional Reputation
- Libel Per Se – Injury to Personal Reputation
- Libel Per Se – Accusations of Criminal Conduct
- Libel By Implication
- Libel – Reckless Disregard/Malice
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
For those who have not taken a communications law class, slander involves defamation by the spoken word. Libel involves defamation by the written word.
It would seem Vilma is most interested in hearing the commissioner's defense for all he has alleged so publicly to this point about the bounty scandal. Where's the concrete evidence? Who are the sources?
In a May 2 press release issued by Goodell to explain his punishment of Vilma and the other implicated Saints players, the commissioner claimed Vilma “assisted Coach [Gregg] Williams in establishing and founding the [Bounty] program,” and “offered a specific bounty - $10,000 in cash – to any player who knocked Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner out of the 2009 Divisional Playoff Game and later pledged the same amount to anyone who knocked Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game.”
Vilma's 16-page lawsuit, however, contends the following ...
- Vilma never “targeted” an opposing player in any manner that would violate NFL rules.
- Vilma never engaged “in unsafe and prohibited conduct intended to injure players.”
- Vilma never “participate[d] in a program that potentially injured opposing players.”
- Vilma never “embraced” a Bounty Program or any similar program in violation of NFL rules.
- Vilma never paid, or intended to pay, $10,000, or any amount of money, as an incentive to any player to knock Warner, Favre, or any other player, out of the 2009 Divisional Playoff Game, 2010 NFC Championship Game, or any other game.
- Vilma never placed $10,000, or any amount of money, on any table or anywhere else as part of a Bounty Program or any other program in violation of NFL rules.
Vilma accuses Goodell of making inflammatory statements damaging to his reputation. Says the suit:
"[The allegations] falsely taint and permanently damage Vilma, in the eyes of NFL Clubs, media, fans and sponsors, as a player who brazenly disregards NFL rules and intentionally attempts to injure his opponents. Media will forever mention his name in the context of the Bounty investigation and fans will forever remember Vilma with ill repute rather than remember his substantial accomplishments on and off the field. In addition, NFL Clubs will be less likely to sign Vilma as a result of his tainted reputation and sponsors will be less likely to pay Vilma to promote their products and services."
It will be interesting to see how this litigation unfolds. The ball is back in Goodell's court now with Vilma's "Prove it" challenge waiting to be addressed.
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recent posts
- Access Vikings blog: Goodell addresses the media
- Update: Vikings agree to terms with seven draft picks
- NFL owners voting on rules changes today
- Vikings sign former Bears offensive tackle Levi Horn
- Feeling defamed and slandered, Jonathan Vilma sues Roger Goodell
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- Vikings training camp schedule will include three weeks in Mankato
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