Vikings: Agent mum on Keyshawn Johnson's suitors

  • Article by: Judd Zulgad , Star Tribune
  • Updated: May 3, 2007 - 11:39 PM
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A day after telling ESPN that "several teams have expressed interest" in Keyshawn Johnson and that "he does have offers," the agent for the veteran receiver refused to say if the Vikings were on that list.

Asked about the Vikings' potential interest, agent Jerome Stanley turned his attention to another of his clients, receiver Bobby Wade. Wade signed a five-year, $15 million deal with the Vikings in March.

"The Vikings signed one of the best young receivers in free agency in Bobby Wade, and Bobby is going to make a big impact for that team," Stanley said Thursday. "That's what I have to say about the Vikings. I talked to the Vikings quite a bit about signing Bobby Wade and they stepped up. Certainly they made a great choice in signing him."

Johnson, who was released by the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, has played 11 years in the NFL and will turn 35 in July. Last season, he had 70 catches for 815 yards and four touchdowns.

While he could bring a veteran presence to the receiver corps, the headstrong player probably wouldn't be a great fit with Vikings coach Brad Childress.

Childress told KFAN Radio on Wednesday that "I don't know if [Johnson has] got anything left."

Said Stanley: "I'm not talking about who has called about Keyshawn or anything like that. Keyshawn has a good number of teams that think highly of him."

First impression(s)

All of the Vikings' picks from last weekend's draft are expected to be in attendance today as the team opens a three-day rookie minicamp at Winter Park.

Three more players will attend on a tryout basis. Gophers cornerback Trumaine Banks, defensive end Brendan Osuocha of Southwest Minnesota State and defensive tackle Damion DeRosia of Saginaw Valley State will get looks.

Banks, whose senior season was derailed last October when he broke his left arm in a loss to Wisconsin, will join his former teammate and offensive tackle Joe Ainslie among the 55 players who will participate. That includes draft picks, rookie free agents and players who have signed waivers so they can tryout.

The team also announced Thursday it has agreed to terms with 15 rookie free agents. The list includes defensive tackles Joe Anoai (Georgia Tech), Conrad Bolston (Maryland) and Joe Bradley (Louisiana-Lafayette); safety Jeremy Burnett (South Florida); offensive linemen Kyle Cook (center/guard, Michigan State), Brian Daniels (guard, Colorado), Josh Day (tackle, Colorado State), Chase Johnson (tackle, Wyoming) and Dan Mozes (center/guard, West Virginia); cornerback Sergio Gilliam (Clemson); linebackers George Hall (Purdue) and David Herron (Michigan State); tight end Braden Jones (Southern Illinois); punter Alex Reyes (Texas Tech); and running back Arkee Whitlock (Southern Illinois).

The Vikings will hold a single session today, followed by two workouts Saturday and one more Sunday. An official list of those who will be on the roster this weekend will be issued today.

Etc.

• The NFL has set the rookie salary pool for each team, and the Vikings will have about $4,840,300 to spend on their eight draft choices. Last year the Vikings' rookie pool was $3,708,617 for six picks. The Vikings currently have about $27.5 million in salary-cap room.

• The Vikings' draft picks all have been issued uniform numbers, some of which could eventually change. The number assignments: Running back Adrian Peterson, No. 28; receiver Sidney Rice, No. 18; cornerback Marcus McCauley, No. 31; defensive end Brian Robison, No. 96; receiver Aundrae Allison, No. 14; linebacker Rufus Alexander, No. 57; quarterback Tyler Thigpen, No. 16; and receiver Chandler Williams, No. 89.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com

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