Former Viking Taylor pleads guilty

By Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune

Last update: May 2, 2007 - 9:08 PM

Former Vikings receiver Travis Taylor pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of disorderly conduct, resolving a Jan. 1 incident outside a Minneapolis nightclub.

Two other misdemeanor charges were dismissed, according to attorney David Valentini. Taylor paid a $1,000 fine and will perform 48 hours of community service. He also will serve 90 days in jail if he commits a similar offense in the next year.

"Travis regretted this incident big-time," Valentini said. "... He felt bad that it might have affected anything with the Vikings or Vikings fans. I know he felt bad for the Wilf family on top of that."

Taylor was arrested around 3 a.m. on New Year's Day after an altercation with a police officer, who eventually used a taser gun on him.

Taylor, who is an unsigned free agent, faces a possible one-game suspension as part of the NFL's new personal conduct policy. He led the Vikings with 57 receptions last season.

Etc.

• Coach Brad Childress said in an interview on KFAN that he was "shocked" to hear that Carolina had released receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Asked if he was interested in signing Johnson, or if he knew whether Johnson could still be a productive player, Childress said: "I don't know if he's got anything left."

• Defensive end Erasmus James, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, began running drills Tuesday. Childress said it will be "touch and go" in determining whether James is ready for practice.

• The Vikings signed Maryland defensive tackle Conrad Bolston to a free agent contract. They added Catawba defensive lineman Marcus (Beast) Huntley to their list of tryout players for this weekend's rookie minicamp.

• Childress said a total of 55 players -- draft picks, rookie free agents and tryout players -- are scheduled to arrive in town tonight for the minicamp.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com