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 Brett Favre
What Brett Favre told Greg Jennings about joining the Vikings
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: May 30, 2013 - 7:16 PM
Greg Jennings had questions. After seven seasons in Green Bay, the proven receiver knew he was in the mood for a change of atmosphere, for something new and different. And he was seeking to join a team where he would not only be able to produce big numbers but where he would also feel wanted.
But Minnesota? Becoming a Viking? It was a hard thing to envision at first. Ya know, the whole flipping sides in an intense rivalry factor.
Yet as Jennings headed to the Twin Cities in mid-March for his free agent visit, he made the obvious phone call. To Brett Favre. Who would know more about the Packers-to-Vikings transition than Favre?
So what exactly did Favre tell Jennings about what to expect with the Vikings? That’s what CBS Sports Network’s Jim Rome asked Jennings this week on his TV show “ROME.”
Jennings’ response: “He told me the pros and the cons. Obviously I asked him how it was over here. And he told me some of the things that I would like and dislike. But one of the things that caught my attention was what he said about the people. He said that I would love the organization, I would love the people within the organization. He said the facilities weren’t the best but the people were great. The facilities are what you make of it. That doesn’t make or break my decision and didn’t make or break my decision. But the people would definitely make or break a decision. And the moment I stepped off that plane and met some of the staff, met Mr. Spielman, Coach Frazier, some of the other guys, Coach Musgrave, they were open arms. They were great. They were genuine, they were authentic and it drew me right in.”
So here we are. Jennings is a Viking, almost certain to emerge as Christian Ponder’s top receiver in 2013. And in his visit with Rome this week, Jennings also discussed his desire to feel wanted, his confidence in his new quarterback and his expectations for the team this fall.
Enjoy the video.
Jennings signs on as Vikings' No. 1 receiver
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: March 15, 2013 - 6:48 PMEvery three or four years, a former Packers star decides to come west and bail the Vikings out of a gigantic jam.
Ryan Longwell filled a gaping hole at kicker in 2006 and went on to post six successful seasons. Brett Favre stepped in for a QB-starved outfit in 2009 and led it to within seconds of a Super Bowl. And now former Packers receiver Greg Jennings has signed on with a Vikings team that's bone dry at receiver and hasn't had a legitimate No. 1 wideout since Sidney Rice was catching passes from Favre in 2009. Jennings' deal is for five years, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Jennings doesn't fit Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman's normal parameters for a free agent. Jennings will turn 30 in September and has missed 11 games because of knee and core muscle injuries over the past two seasons.
But here's what Jennings is: Productive. Although he caught only 36 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns in 2012, he did post 1,100-yard seasons from 2008 to 2010.
Jennings will be introduced during a press conference at Winter Park at 7:15 p.m. We'll have more later this evening.
Update: Winfield and Ponder on Vikings' injury report
Posted by: Chris Miller Updated: January 4, 2013 - 2:58 PMQuarterback Christian Ponder is listed as questionable for the Vikings-Packers game tomorrow because of his sore right elbow. Ponder had limited participation in practice all week.
Cornerback Antoine Winfield is also questionable because of his broken right hand.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Thursday that he expected both to play.
Tyrone McKenzie, one of the team's top special teams player, is out because of an injured shoulder.
Listed as probable are running back Adrian Peterson (abdomen), safety Harrison Smith (knee), defensive end Brian Robison (shoulder), defensive end Jared Allen (shoulder), cornerback A.J. Jefferson (ankle), defensive end George Johnson (quadriceps), punter Chris Kluwe (left, or non-kicking, knee) and right tackle Phil Loadholt (knee).
Update: For the Packers, defensive end Jerel Worthy (knee) and wide reciever Jarrett Boykin (ankle) are out, and running back James Starks (knee) is questionable.
Cornerback Charles Woodson returns from a broken collarbone and is probable, as are wide receiver Jordy Nelson (knee), receiver/kick returner Randall Cobb (ankle) and running back Alex Green (hip).
Out means a player has no chance of playing (unless he's Brett Favre). Questionable is 50 percent chance. Probable is virtual certainty he will play.
Week 17 Picks & Power Rankings: Dome too much for Pack?
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: December 28, 2012 - 7:27 AMChris 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- As Desmond Bishop speculation continues, Erin Henderson won’t budge
- Ex-Packers linebacker Bishop will visit Vikings
- Special deliveries: Webb, Patterson eyeing significant roles
- Vikings, NFL looking to enhance public safety inside stadium
- Ponder sharpening decision-making as OTAs wrap up
- Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway will have minor knee surgery Wednesday
- Is Cassel one of the NFL's top back-up quarterbacks?
- New Vikings CB Lacey out indefinitely after thumb surgery
- Allen returning to health, has 'no beefs' about entering contract year
- What Brett Favre told Greg Jennings about joining the Vikings
- Vikings' rookie Patterson gets a reminder: 'All eyes are on you'
- Peterson: Core muscle rehab 'cakewalk' compared to ACL
- Vikings announce key dates for training camp in Mankato
- NFL officially moves back 2014 draft to second week of May
- Adrian Peterson delivers ear-catching remark on gay marriage
- Vikings OTAs: Six under-the-radar players to keep tabs on
- With contract issues on hold, Jared Allen aiming to have big 2013
- Brian Urlacher retires, assuring he won't be Vikings middle linebacker
- NFL calendar change could push draft into May, combine into March
Post By Category
- Citing new law, Amazon won't pay Minn. bloggers for sales traffic
- Opinion: Minnesota cities breathing easier from boost in state aid
- Minnesota to open trade office in Germany
- A/C Weather Ahead
- Spec industrial building slated for Roseville
- Gary Schiff drops out of Minneapolis mayoral race
- Opinion: Richard Schulze keeps a Minnesota tradition
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters