Birk explains his absence from Vikings' workouts

For the most part, Matt Birk seems to have enjoyed his status as a local celebrity since joining the Vikings in 1998 as a sixth-round pick out of Harvard. But Friday was one day the eloquently spoken St. Paul native would have preferred to avoid the throng of cameras and minicassette recorders.

"I'm not happy to see you guys, but I'm happy to be here," Birk joked to a crowd of reporters waiting for him as the Vikings opened a three-day mandatory minicamp. Birk, absent from all of the Vikings' optional practices during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and workouts this spring, then talked for the first time about his decision to stay away.

The veteran center admitted that the fact that he is entering the last year of his contract and hasn't been approached about an extension played a role in his thought process, but he pointed to another key factor.

"Obviously, a lot has been made of the fact that I haven't received a contract extension," Birk said. "That was just part of my decision process, not coming to OTAs. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this team and play football for a living. But I consider myself more blessed with my family. With our situation right now, it's a busy time."

Birk and his wife, Adrianna, are expecting their fourth child next week and, Birk said, "I was needed there more this offseason than I was here."

Waiting for a call

But how much has Birk been made to feel like he's needed by the Vikings? A six-time Pro Bowl selection, he is due to make $5.72 million this season and will be eligible for free agency next March. The Vikings have shown a willingness to extend players' contracts since Zygi Wilf took over as owner in 2005, but so far Birk hasn't gotten a call.

"I've expressed my desire to stay here. That's all I can do," he said. "I'm just going to do what I've always done for the last 10 years. I never take this for granted. I'm just going to work hard and contribute to the team. That's what it's about. ... The thing I've learned [is that] every single person in the NFL is replaceable. Everyone is useful, but nobody is necessary. It doesn't matter who you are."

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Birk's desire to finish his career in his hometown is "a natural sentiment for a guy who is born and raised in St. Paul," before adding, "I'm happy that he's here for a day, but I'm not getting into any contract thing."

Birk has no plans to risk forfeiting any part of his salary by missing any mandatory events. He is at minicamp, and although he's not thrilled the team is due to report to training camp in Mankato on his 32nd birthday (July 23), he plans to be there. "I don't foresee any problems with me going as long as there is a birthday cake or something," he said.

Receiving support

Teammates, meanwhile, understand Birk's situation and harbor no animosity. "Matt Birk is a team leader. He's not about himself whatsoever," receiver Bobby Wade said. "He's about this team and this team's work and this team's goals. Everybody knows that. Unfortunately there is an ugly side of this that everybody has to deal with, and that's the business part of it. But we just trust that he'll take care of that and the organization will take care of that."

If taking care of it means keeping an open line of communication, that appears to have happened between Birk and Childress. "I think we both know where each other stands," Birk said. " I know that I respect him, I think he respects me. The most important thing is I think we both want the same thing. That's to win."

Added Childress: "We understand where each other is coming from. I think that's the biggest thing. When you're heard -- his side, my side -- then you're heard and understood. Do you always agree? Not always."

And if Birk ends up finishing his career elsewhere, he understands that's life in the NFL.

"How can I sit here and pout or be upset about anything?" he said. "Maybe it's just having the opportunity to play here at home. But with my parents and my family and my friends, I still feel like I approach it the same way I did 11 years ago. I'm just thankful for the opportunity. I'm not entitled to anything."