Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. 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.
Posts about Vikings offense
Vikings sign ex-Colts guard
Posted by: Chris Miller Updated: March 19, 2013 - 4:24 PM
The Vikings signed guard Seth Olsen, who played the past two seasons for Indianapolis.
Olsen (@SethOlsen) tweeted the news this afternoon and the team later confirmed it in a release.
Olsen, drafted by Denver in the fourth round in 2009 out of Iowa, was cut by the Broncos after one season. He was on the Vikings practice squad in 2010. The Colts claimed him off waivers at the start of the 2011 regular season.
Olsen, 6-5 and 305 pounds, was born in Willmar, but played high school football in Omaha. The 27-year-old started five games over the past two seasons with the Colts, but was hampered by a knee injury.
Questions continue to loom about Harvin's future as a Viking
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: February 10, 2013 - 6:12 PMLast year, around this time, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier kept hearing about Percy Harvin.
First, while coaching the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and later at the 2012 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Frazier was repeatedly approached by opposing coaches, who in casual conversation just kept mentioning how much of a headache it was to defend Harvin.
The energetic slot receiver was just so slippery, so dynamic, so explosive.
The more Frazier heard from peers and foes about the stress Harvin could cause an opposing defense, the more he realized Harvin had to become an even bigger cog in the Vikings’ attack. And so plans were tweaked, Harvin’s role was enhanced and for eight games in 2012, the explosive playmaker did a little bit of everything.
He took bubble screens and short quick-hit passes and turned them into big gains. He lined up in the backfield and displayed his demolition derby style as a running back. He lobbied for more action on special teams and continued to be one of the league’s most electrifying return men, evidenced best by his 105-yard score in Week 4 in Detroit.
At the season’s midpoint, Harvin was the Vikings star being propped up as a league MVP candidate, not Adrian Peterson. Harvin was the one who seemed more responsible for the team’s 5-3 start, amassing a league-best 60 catches and totaling 739 yards from scrimmage with five total touchdowns mixed in. (Peterson, for the record, had 914 yards from scrimmage and four TDs after eight games.)
But now? Well, now all that Percy Harvin feel-good has been snowed under by a blizzard of Percy Harvin confusion. Most significantly: the question on whether Harvin will remain a Viking in 2013 and beyond cannot be answered definitively, fueling a new wave of speculation that he may soon be traded.\
To be clear, this uncertainty and these rumors have existed for a while now, even if they are just now mushrooming and making bigger headlines nationally. But much of the outside conjecture is justified as the Vikings coaching staff and front office continues keep the details of Harvin’s saga very, very private.
Percy Harvin? On the trading block? Could it be?
Yes. Yes, it could be.
OFFERS WELCOME
When the Vikings head back to the Combine next week, you can bet they’ll cast a few Harvin-baited hooks into the waters and see if there are any nibbles. And with the 24-year-old playmaker heading into the final year of his rookie deal, now may be a practical time to pull the trigger.
After all, keeping Harvin happy in Minnesota in 2013 would likely require a lucrative long-term contract extension. And with the durability and personality question marks that are in permanent ink in Harvin’s evaluation file, the Vikings have to measure the risk-reward of investing in Harvin long-term versus dealing him for a few choice draft picks.
Are Harvin’s game-changing skills so valuable that they mitigate the ever-present worry that his moodiness may one day grow too toxic for a team looking to fuel its rise with low-maintenance, drama-free players? That’s what the Vikings must decide. And that decision is only complicated by the market value Harvin now has at a position where salaries are quickly escalating.
Publicly, neither Frazier nor General Manager Rick Spielman would benefit from openly declaring Harvin up for auction. But you can bet the Vikings will be listening to interested suitors at the combine, perhaps ready to move away from the dangerous temper wick attached to Harvin’s toughness, speed and elusiveness.
The abrupt end to Harvin’s 2012 season still registers as strange. Yes, there was the severe left ankle sprain Harvin suffered in the second half of a Week 9 loss in Seattle. And that was followed by a four-and-a-half-week stretch in which, despite a calculated combination of rest and rehabilitation, Harvin’s ankle just never improved enough for him to get back on the field. So the Vikings insist the decision to end Harvin’s season with a move to Injured Reserve on the Wednesday of Week 14 was purely protective, a decision to keep the always aggressive receiver from pursuing a return to action in a way that could endanger his long-term health.
But along with that plausible explanation comes the inevitable follow-up questions, the ones the Vikings never really did answer head-on: If the injury was the only thing being evaluated, then was it really a practical move to end Harvin’s season on Dec. 5, in the middle of a playoff push, with four regular games left? It was, after all just an ankle sprain. And wasn’t it peculiar that Harvin’s injury never required surgery and that the Vikings’ played their playoff game at Lambeau Field 62 days after the receiver sprained that ankle?
Seems only fair to wonder if Harvin might have been able to play in that contest.
And so the mystery looms, heightened even further when you think back to the awkwardness Frazier displayed on the podium at Winter Park hours before the Harvin-to-I.R. move was rubber-stamped.
Asked directly if there were issues beyond the ankle injury that were contributing to Harvin’s absence, Frazier paused and squirmed for a moment.
“You know, it’s …” Frazier said. “I know that he wants to win like we do. And I’m sure he’s going to do everything he can to do what he has to do to help our football team.
“We’ll see where it goes.”
READ BETWEEN THE LINES
Meanwhile, if you want direct and honest answers from the Vikings head coach and GM on their Harvin feelings? Sorry. That’s not going to happen. But here is what we can tell you about what Frazier and Spielman have said about Harvin since the Vikings’ season ended with a playoff loss in Green Bay last month.
First, there was Frazier’s insistence that Harvin’s odd disappearance from the team in December was no big deal and a firm declaration that the mercurial receiver “will coexist peacefully” within the organization going forward.
“He exists peacefully now,” Frazier said.
Sometime last month, Harvin finally returned to Winter Park for a mandatory exit physical. And here is how Frazier summarized his most recent conversation with Harvin.
“I told him how much I love him and want him to be a part of our team,” Frazier told KFAN’s Dan Barreiro in a Feb. 3 interview. “And all those things that he hears in questions that are asked to me about his future in Minnesota, I mean I want him to play for our team. I don’t want him to play for anyone else. And I tried to put that to rest with him. So he’s clear on how I feel. And we have great respect for one another and hope that things will be great next season.”
As for Spielman? In his season-ending gathering with local reporters, he denied that the team had concerns about Harvin’s attitude, saying flat out: “We have no issues with Percy Harvin.”
Which, of course, is exactly what a GM would say if a) he really had no issues with Harvin; or b) if he was being careful to minimize and hide any such problems so as not to scare off potential trade partners or reduce Harvin’s trade value.
You can see why the opening for conspiracy theories and speculation continues to open wide. And so, if you choose, you can be the one that reads between the lines on everything Spielman says. Like when he told KFAN’s Paul Allen in a radio interview Friday that he would love a scenario in which the Vikings went into April’s draft armed with 10 or 11 picks.
Wait … But … The Vikings only have eight selections at present. So Spielman had to have up something big in mind with that insinuation, right?
And how about the sudden silliness that sprung up Sunday when the Vikings’ 2013 season ticket poster was noted for having five standouts featured: Peterson and Jared Allen and Chad Greenway and Antoine Winfield and Christian Ponder.
No Harvin? That, the conspiracy theorists will argue, also has to mean something.
So yep, this is where a complicated situation can too often become overwhelmed with gossip and innuendo.
WHAT'S NEXT?
With well-rehearsed talking points, the Vikings continue to publicly discuss Harvin by expressing everything you already knew. That Harvin is a good football player. A blue-chip player in fact. And that he’s under contract for one more season. And then when paired with Peterson, he gives the Vikings two big-play threats that makes the Vikings offense very, very dangerous.
It’s also worth noting that commitment is a two-way street. So even if the Vikings were fully intent on finding a way to make things work with Harvin long-term, the receiver himself would have to reciprocate such interest.
And given that Harvin hasn’t done an interview in nearly three months, it’s hard to know what exactly he’s thinking about all this.
Instead, the soap opera continues, Harvin’s future as a Vikings as iffy as ever,
Rick Spielman:
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: January 10, 2013 - 2:18 PMDown time? What down time? The Vikings’ 2012 season may have ended last weekend with a 24-10 playoff loss in Green Bay. But for the Vikings front office, the heavy lifting is about to begin. Over the next few weeks, General Manager Rick Spielman will preside over detailed meetings in which the Vikings deliver thorough evaluations of all of their current players, then attempt to put together an offseason to-do list for free agency and the draft.
On Thursday, Spielman met with Twin Cities media for a state-of-the-team back-and-forth, an engaging session in which the GM addressed everything from Leslie Frazier’s impressive leadership to the team’s quarterbacking situation to his own philosophy of building through the draft.
And of course, there was plenty of discussion on receiver Percy Harvin, whose impressive season was cut short in early November by an ankle sprain that ultimately ended his season.
Here is most of what Spielman had to say about Harvin as he marches into an offseason in which the Vikings will have to make firm decisions about the talented receiver’s future, likely needing to work out some kind of contract extension if they are hoping to keep him around long-term.
On what went into the decision to put Harvin on Injured Reserve in Week 14 …
“I’m not going to say anything that hasn’t been said. It’s something that we felt was best for Percy. We didn’t want to ruin any long-term or longevity issues and put him out there if he wasn’t going to be able to play and risk further injury.”
On whether the I.R. decision upset Harvin …
“Again, when we talk about that, Percy was, as any player, is so competitive that they want to play. Mentally you may want to play, but physically you may not be able to play. And then sometimes, when you make those decisions, you’ve got to make it in what you think is in the best interest of the football player for the long term. Because, for one, he’s right in the prime of his career. He’s 24, 25 years old.”
On whether he has any concerns about Harvin’s character or attitude …
“No. Percy comes to work every day. Everybody sees what Percy puts on the field. He plays the game as hard or harder than anyone else in the NFL [with] the effort that he puts up out there. So, we have no issues with Percy Harvin.”
On whether Harvin and Adrian Peterson can both be productive simultaneously within the Vikings offense …
“Yeah, I don’t know if I wouldn’t want both of those guys. They’re both tremendously, very talented football players. Yeah, there are guys that are blue chip receivers and blue chip running backs who do coexist in this league. My job is to try to find those guys and get as many of those type players on the field for us as possible.”
On whether Harvin’s playing style inevitably leads to durability issues …
“Percy lays his body on the line, just like Adrian lays his body on the line. Sure, Percy’s smaller. But Percy is pretty well strapped together now. He’s not a skinny receiver. He’s built like a smaller running back. He’s not built like a typical, leaner receiver. We believe he does have the durability to do what he needs to do and to play 60 games in the NFL.”
On whether contract extension talks have begun with Harvin …
“We’re going to go through our process first before we make any decisions on any of our players, our [unrestricted free agents] or any extensions. All that stuff will be done over the next month here as we lay the game plan going forward.”
On whether he has had any contact with Harvin since the receiver went on I.R. …
Rick Spielman: 'We have no issues with Percy Harvin'
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: January 10, 2013 - 2:25 PMDown time? What down time? The Vikings’ 2012 season may have ended last weekend with a 24-10 playoff loss in Green Bay. But for the Vikings front office, the heavy lifting is about to begin. Over the next few weeks, General Manager Rick Spielman will preside over detailed meetings in which the Vikings deliver thorough evaluations of all of their current players, then attempt to put together an offseason to-do list for free agency and the draft.
On Thursday, Spielman met with Twin Cities media for a state-of-the-team back-and-forth, an engaging session in which the GM addressed everything from Leslie Frazier’s impressive leadership to the team’s quarterbacking situation to his own philosophy of building through the draft.
And of course, there was plenty of discussion on receiver Percy Harvin, whose impressive season was cut short in early November by an ankle sprain that ultimately ended his season.
Here is most of what Spielman had to say about Harvin as he marches into an offseason in which the Vikings will have to make firm decisions about the talented receiver’s future, likely needing to work out some kind of contract extension if they are hoping to keep him around long-term.
On what went into the decision to put Harvin on Injured Reserve in Week 14 …
“I’m not going to say anything that hasn’t been said. It’s something that we felt was best for Percy. We didn’t want to ruin any long-term or longevity issues and put him out there if he wasn’t going to be able to play and risk further injury.”
On whether the I.R. decision upset Harvin …
“Again, when we talk about that, Percy was, as any player, is so competitive that they want to play. Mentally you may want to play, but physically you may not be able to play. And then sometimes, when you make those decisions, you’ve got to make it in what you think is in the best interest of the football player for the long term. Because, for one, he’s right in the prime of his career. He’s 24, 25 years old.”
On whether he has any concerns about Harvin’s character or attitude …
“No. Percy comes to work every day. Everybody sees what Percy puts on the field. He plays the game as hard or harder than anyone else in the NFL [with] the effort that he puts up out there. So, we have no issues with Percy Harvin.”
On whether Harvin and Adrian Peterson can both be productive simultaneously within the Vikings offense …
“Yeah, I don’t know if I wouldn’t want both of those guys. They’re both tremendously, very talented football players. Yeah, there are guys that are blue chip receivers and blue chip running backs who do coexist in this league. My job is to try to find those guys and get as many of those type players on the field for us as possible.”
On whether Harvin’s playing style inevitably leads to durability issues …
“Percy lays his body on the line, just like Adrian lays his body on the line. Sure, Percy’s smaller. But Percy is pretty well strapped together now. He’s not a skinny receiver. He’s built like a smaller running back. He’s not built like a typical, leaner receiver. We believe he does have the durability to do what he needs to do and to play 60 games in the NFL.”
On whether contract extension talks have begun with Harvin …
“We’re going to go through our process first before we make any decisions on any of our players, our [unrestricted free agents] or any extensions. All that stuff will be done over the next month here as we lay the game plan going forward.”
On whether he has had any contact with Harvin since the receiver went on I.R. …
Chris Cook eager to face Rodgers
Posted by: Chris Miller Updated: December 26, 2012 - 3:56 PMChris Cook is looking for redemption Sunday when the Vikings meet the Packers.
The Vikings’ third year cornerback was torched during his rookie season by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Cook, coming off early season arthroscopic surgery on both knees, was pulled by coach Brad Childress after Rodgers lit up the visiting Vikings for 166 passing yards in the first quarter of a 28-24 victory on Oct. 24, 2010.
Things got worse six weeks later when the Packers beat the Vikings 31-3 at the Metrodome. Cook gave up receptions of 47 and 39 yards to James Jones, and was pulled by Childress after Jones caught a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Cook was yelled at by teammate Ray Edwards on the sideline, and after the game both Cook and cornerback Asher Allen were criticized by teammates.
Childress was fired the next day.
Cook missed both meetings last season after an arrest for domestic assault on the eve of the first Packers game, which he spent in jail. He was inactive for the rest of the season, and missed the Vikings’ 23-14 loss to the Packers two weeks ago because of a broken arm.
“I’ve been looking forward to this game,” Cook said. “My rookie year, I was coming off both my knee surgeries, and they were picking on me – a lot. I expected that coming off two knee surgeries. But I don’t have knee problems now, so we’ll see how it goes this week.”
Cook said Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL.
“He’s Brett Favre-like, but I feel he makes better decisions at times,” said Cook. “He’s crazy accurate, that’s the thing that stands out. He can put balls in places the other guys can’t put it in. It’s amazing to me to me. Every time I watch him I think, man, this guy, he’s great.”
Holiday presents
Houston running back Arian Foster bought Segways for his offensive linemen, so the question about what Adrian Peterson will do for his offensive line has been bandied about at Winter Park.
“We’ll see how it all plays out, how many yards he gets, when we win the game,” said center John Sullivan. “All I’m hoping for is a good performance from him and our offense and our entire team. The playoff berth is all we reaIly care about. I don’t really care about presents. I’m not too focused on that right now.”
Robison, Winfield ready
Defensive end Brian Robison (sprained shoulder) missed the Vikings’ 23-6 victory over the Texans on Sunday, which was doubly troubling to him because he played college football at Texas. He expects to play Sunday against the Packers.
“I’m doing much better, doing a lot of stuff hard in the rehab room, just trying to get it back,” Robison said. “I feel like I got a good range of motion, it’s just getting the strength back in it.”
Cornerback Antoine Winfield, who fractured a bone in his right index finger, expects to play Sunday with his right hand padded.
Reliable rookie
The Pro Bowl rosters will be announced tonight, and Vikings rookie kicker Blair Walsh has an outside chance of making the NFC team. Walsh has an NFL record nine field goals of 50 yards or longer.
“It’s one of those things where it happens, it’s awesome, if it doesn’t happen, keep on pushing,” Walsh said. “I’m more focused on what I have to do in practice. Accolades are great and all, but this game is more important.”
After a poor senior season at Georgia, it was a bit of a surprise when the Walsh was drafted by the Vikings in the sixth round. He has made 32 of 35 field goal attempts, however, and all 32 conversion attempts.
“I knew I was capable of doing it from the start,” Walsh said. “The biggest surprise is the number of attempts we’ve gotten. Thirty-five attempts is a lot. It’s a different beast at this level, each kick is so important, it matters so much when the game is so close.”
Veteran Ryan Longwell, who was cut to make room for Walsh, tweeted his support for Walsh’s Pro Bowl candidacy on Sunday.
“It was one of the most humbling things I’ve ever had said about me by anyone,” Walsh said. “My response was 100 percent truthful -- guys like him have set the bar for other kickers who come in the league, and they hold us to a higher standards, and we try to emulate careers like his.”
Ford added
The Vikings signed tight end Chase Ford to their practice squad. Ford, a rookie from Miami, has been on both the Philadelphia and Dallas practice squads this season. Tight end Allen Reisner, who has been on and off the Vikings’ roster the past two years, was claimed by Jacksonville after the Vikings cut him on Saturday. The Jaguars also signed guard Mark Asper, who had been waived by the Vikings.
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