Vikings: Belichick downplays waiver chat

Queried about the issue during his Monday news conference, New England coach Bill Belichick downplayed a conversation he had with Vikings coach Brad Childress regarding the status of two waiver claims Sunday morning.

"I talked to a lot of people in the league over the course of the last few days," Belichick said. "That's part of the whole process of player transactions and so forth. I'm sure that all of the coaches in the league are trying to get their team ready for opening day and the regular season, and I'm trying to do the same thing. That's what I do, and that's what all of the other coaches do, too."

The two coaches spoke Sunday as the Vikings were poised to claim former Patriots tight end Garrett Mills, whom Belichick wanted to stash on his practice squad. New England was interested in ex-Vikings linebacker David Herron, whom the Vikings had waived but hoped to put on their practice squad.

According to Childress, Belichick offered to back away from Herron if the Vikings would not claim Mills. Speaking on WCCO-AM, Childress said he declined the offer.

Similar conversations regularly occur between NFL coaches. Childress was not available for comment Monday and is not scheduled to speak publicly until Wednesday.

Etc.

• The Vikings added four players to their practice squad Monday, leaving one slot remaining. The four players were guard Brian Daniels, safety Tyler Everett, receiver Joel Filani and running back Arkee Whitlock.

• Receiver Chandler Williams, a seventh-round draft pick who was released over the weekend, joined the Miami Dolphins' practice squad.

• Vikings players were off Monday and will return to the field this afternoon. They last practiced Aug. 29.

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com