Count Ryan Longwell among the Vikings' potential free agents who would like to return when the NFL lockout comes to an end.

"It is our full desire to be back in Minnesota," Longwell said while appearing on 1500 ESPN. "I mean we had a great five years and we'd love to put together another stretch of great years. "We'd certainly love to go back, but you always know in the NFL that you never say never. So there's always that chance that something could come up."

Obviously, coach Leslie Frazier, vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman and new special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will have plenty to say about that.

The kicker, signed by the Vikings as a free agent in 2006 after nine seasons in Green Bay, has been extremely reliable having made 43 of 46 field-goal attempts and 84 of 86 point-after kicks the past two seasons.

The one issue with Longwell has been the distance he gets on kickoffs. After Longwell had five touchbacks in 2009, the Vikings signed Rhys Lloyd to handle that duty. Lloyd, though, did not make the final roster and Longwell had only three touchbacks in 2010.

However, the NFL's decision to move kickoffs from the 30- to the 35-yard line should be of great benefit to the 36-year-old Longwell.

"I have been joking, but it's really serious," Longwell said. "I mean I've worked out every year of my career trying to gain 5 yards on my kickoffs and this year it actually worked. I've worked really, really hard this offseason increasing [leg speed] and there's no doubt that the 5 yards definitely helps that cause as well."

Longwell has changed his training technique this offseason, while working out at his home in Windermere, Fla. Longwell and his wife, Sarah, have worked with a trainer that uses techniques similar to those employed by MMA fighters. That should help him get more distance on his kicks.

Although he isn't in the Twin Cities, Longwell has kept a close eye on what is going on with the Vikings stadium situation.

"I know it's a buzzword up there but we've really followed the stadium thing as well because there are aspects of that that obviously play into our future, whether that's playing in a dome, playing outside, playing in L.A. who knows," he said. "There are a lot of question marks in the air, Sarah and I have learned a great lesson in patience this offseason, we just don't know where we're going to be."