vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Posts about Rookies
Blair Walsh wins his third NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: January 2, 2013 - 12:54 PM
Blair Walsh has now achieved something that neither Adrian Peterson, nor Randy Moss achieved during their rookie seasons with the Vikings:
Win a conference player of the week award three times.
Walsh's second last-second, game-winning field goal of the season -- a 29-yarder to clinch a playoff berth against the Packers on Sunday -- earned him his third NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award this season. Peterson and Moss won the conference offensive player of the week award twice during their rookies seasons.
Walsh also is the first rookie to win this award three times since Bears return man Devin Hester did it in 2006.
Here's the Vikings' release on Walsh's award:
BLAIR WALSH WINS NFC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Eden Prairie, MN(January 2, 2013) –Vikings rookie K Blair Walsh has been named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week for his Week 17 performance against the Green Bay Packers. Walsh sent the Vikings into the playoffs with a 29-yard FG as time expired. He also connected on FGs of 54 and 37 yards in the 37-34 win. This was Walsh’s second game-winning kick of the 2012 season (Week 1 vs. Jacksonville).
Walsh has won this award three times and becomes the first rookie since Devin Hester earned the honor three times in 2006. Until now, no Vikings rookie has ever won the Player of the Week Award three times in one season (A. Peterson x2 – ‘07, R. Moss x2 – ‘98). The Pro Bowl kicker was honored after his Week 1 performance against Jacksonville and his Week 15 showing in St. Louis.
The Georgia product was 10-10 on FGs of 50+ yards this season, a NFL record. He led the NFL in FGs with 35 and was 4th in scoring with 141 points. His 92.1 FG percentage is the best in NFL history by a rookie kicker. Walsh was 35-38 on the season and was 3rd in the NFL with 53 touchbacks.
Other Vikings kickers to win the award are: Fuad Reveiz (2x), Gary Anderson (4x), Eddie Murray and Ryan Longwell (2x).
Walsh wins NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: December 19, 2012 - 11:21 AMAnd you thought Blair Walsh and Randy Moss didn't have anything in common ...
Multiple winners of an NFC player of the week award:
BLAIR WALSH WINS NFC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Eden Prairie, MN(December 19, 2012) –Vikings rookie K Blair Walsh has been named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week for his Week 15 performance against the St. Louis Rams. The 6th-round draft pick from Georgia connected on all 5 of his field goals attempts including 3 from 50+ yards. During the 36-22 victory, Walsh was true from 50, 38, 42, 53 and 51 yards. His 3 50+ yard FGs tied an NFL record for most 50+ yard FGs in one game and also set a Vikings record. On the season, Walsh is 8-8 on 50+ yard FGs which is a Vikings record and ties an NFL record.
Walsh joins Adrian Peterson and Randy Moss as the only rookies in Vikings history to win the Player of the Week Award multiple times in their first NFL season. His first award came after his Week 1 performance against Jacksonville. The 175th player selected in the 2012 NFL Draft is having a banner year for the Vikings. He currently holds the Vikings’ rookie scoring record with 117 points after passing Randy Moss’ 106 points in 1998. His 47 touchbacks are a franchise high and ranks 4th in the NFL. On the season, Walsh is 29-32 on FGs and 28-28 on extra points.
Other Vikings kickers to win the award are: Fuad Reveiz (2x), Gary Anderson (4x), Eddie Murray and Ryan Longwell (2x).
Smith, Robinson avoid the 'rookie wall' so far
Posted by: Mark Craig Updated: December 13, 2012 - 2:15 PMThis is the time of year when a lot of people in NFL circles talk about the "rookie wall" and how those first-year guys stop producing because their bodies are so used to the football season being over or in pre-bowl mode by now.
"Hitting the wall is something I think most rookies to go through," Vikings defensive coordinator Alan Williams said. "I think that is a real phenomena in terms of guys getting tired or disinterested."
The Vikings, however, are coming off a critical victory in which a pair of rookies helped lead the way. Safety Harrison Smith returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown, while cornerback Josh Robinson returned another one 44 yards to set up a 5-yard touchdown drive in a 21-14 win over the Bears.
"Both of those guys are coming along very well," Williams said. "Harrison has been consistent from Day 1 and has never played like a rookie. And Josh is starting to play consistent football with the number of reps that he's getting. We're pleased that both guys are making plays and not hurting you. Most rookies hurt you when they play and ours are not. They're actually helping us and contributing to us winning football games."
Williams said he preaches keeping a set routine before and after practice to help break through the rookie wall. One thing he's not willing to do is give them time off in practice, similar to what he does for the veterans over 30.
"You have to pay your dues to get that time off," Williams said.
Same old Chris
Cornerback Chris Cook, who is on injured reserve but can return for next week's game at Houston, is in his second week of practice since breaking his right arm against Tampa Bay on Oct. 25.
"He looked good [on Wednesday]," Williams said. "He put his hands on some balls. He looked like the same old Chris that we saw when he got hurt. I think he's come along well."
Go Figure: After passing on RG3, Rams stocked up on picks
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: December 12, 2012 - 8:56 AMAs the Vikings prepare for Sunday’s Week 15 game with St. Louis at the Edward Jones Dome, here’s a look at a handful of eye-opening figures and facts.
6
Draft picks, in total, acquired by St. Louis this spring in return for the No. 2 selection in April’s draft. It started with a blockbuster trade with Washington, which moved up four slots to No. 2. The Redskins, of course, used that second pick on star quarterback Robert Griffin III. In return, the Rams received first round picks in 2012, ’13 and ’14 and a second-round pick (No. 39) this year as well. With the 2012 picks acquired from Washington, St. Louis traded the No. 6 selection to Dallas for the 14th and 45th picks. The Rams drafted defensive tackle Michael Brockers at 14, then traded the 45th pick for Chicago’s No. 50 and No. 150 selections. With the 39th pick, the Rams took cornerback Janoris Jenkins. At 50, they selected running back Isaiah Pead. And with the 150th pick, they grabbed guard Rokevious Watkins.
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13
Combined wins by the Vikings and Rams this season, through Week 14. The two teams will face each other Sunday afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome, both coming off impressive wins. The Vikings used Peterson’s big day plus two pivotal interceptions by rookies Josh Robinson and Harrison Smith to upset Chicago 21-14. St. Louis rallied to beat Buffalo 15-12 on a last-minute Sam Bradford to Brandon Gibson touchdown pass
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5
Combined wins by the Vikings and Rams in 2011. The Rams finished 2-14 while the Vikings skidded to a 3-13 season.
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5
Games this season in which Adrian Peterson has rushed for more than 150 yards. Peterson had 154 yards in Sunday’s 21-14 win over the Bears. Add that to a 2012 resume that also includes a 210-yard outing at Green Bay, 182 at Seattle, 171 versus Detroit and 153 against Tampa Bay.
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5
Games this season in which Christian Ponder has thrown for fewer than 150 yards. On Sunday, he was 11-for-17 for 91 yards and an interception. Add that to a 2012 resume that also includes a 58-yard effort against Arizona, 63 yards at Seattle, 111 yards at Detroit and 119 yards at Green Bay.
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6
Games this season in which the Vikings haven’t trailed. They took the lead for good Sunday just 3:07 into the game when Adrian Peterson scored on a 1-yard run to cap an 80-yard touchdown march. The Vikings also have victories this season over San Francisco, Detroit (twice), Tennessee and Arizona in which they never trailed. On the season, the Vikings are 6-1 when leading after the first quarter.
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336.1
Yards per game allowed by the Rams this season, fourth best in the NFL. Only the 49ers (275.5), Bears (301.7) and Seahawks (314.2). St. Louis is getting significant contributions throughout their defense. Ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long have combined for 17 sacks. Linebacker James Laurinaitis has a team-best 119 tackles. And cornerbacks Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins have six interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns.
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2009
Year the Vikings last visited St. Louis. During a magical season, the Vikings delivered their second most decisive victory of the year. The 38-10 win saw Adrian Peterson score on runs of 5 and 7 yards while defensive end Jared Allen contributed a 52-yard fumble recovery touchdown.
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62
Receptions this season by Percy Harvin. Harvin’s catch total still leads the team by a wide margin, even though he hasn’t played since Nov. 4 and was put on injured reserve last week. Kyle Rudolph has the best chance of catching Harvin on the Vikings’ receptions list. But Rudolph (45 catches, 412 yards, eight touchdowns) was held without a grab Sunday against Chicago and has three games this season without a catch. Next on the team’s catch leader list: Peterson (38 grabs, 211 yards) and Michael Jenkins (34-360).
Go Figure: NFL's two worst passing attacks to square off at Mall of America Field
Posted by: Dan Wiederer Updated: December 4, 2012 - 1:13 PMAs the Vikings prepare for Sunday’s Week 14 game with Chicago at Mall of America Field, here’s a look at a handful of eye-opening figures and facts.
947
Rushing yards by Adrian Peterson over the past six games. Peterson has averaged 7.8 yards per carry over that span. For perspective, only eight other NFL running backs have run for 947 yards all season.
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554
Rushing yards needed by Peterson over the final four games for him to become the seventh back in NFL history to reach 2,000. Peterson would need to average 138.5 yards per contest to achieve that milestone. He’s averaging 120.5 yards per game for the season and 157.8 over the past six games.
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0
Catches by Vikings receivers in the first 56 minutes of Sunday’s loss in Green Bay. Jerome Simpson contributed two catches for 25 yards in the final 4 minutes and rookie Jarius Wright had a 13-yard grab on the game’s final play. That allowed the Vikings to avoid becoming the first team since the Houston Texans in Week 14 of 2002 to go an entire game without a completion to a receiver. (Houston lost to Pittsburgh 24-6 with David Carr completing only three passes all day, all to tight end Billy Miller).
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49
Catches this season by seven Vikings players who were either signed as free agents in the offseason or drafted in April. That includes Jerome Simpson (14 grabs for 163 yards), John Carlson (five for 26), Devin Aromashodu (11-182), Jerome Felton (2-18) and Matt Asiata (1-2). Also add in rookies Jarius Wright (11-127) and Rhett Ellison (5-60).
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91
Catches this season by Bears receiver Brandon Marshall, who seems well on his way to a return trip to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl. Marshall has had six consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards. His 1,182 yards this season rank second in the NFL, behind only Calvin Johnson (1,429).
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2001
Year in which the Bears last had a player record 100 catches. That was Marty Booker, who had a franchise-record 100 catches for 1,071 yards in ’01, doing most of his damage with Jim Miller as his quarterback. Marshall should reach the 100-catch milestone for the fourth time in his career, perhaps as early as Sunday. He had 102 catches in 2007 and 104 in 2008 with Cutler as his quarterback in Denver. He also had 101 grabs in 2009 with Kyle Orton throwing his way.
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361.8
Passing yards per game, combined, by the Vikings and Bears this season. The Vikings are averaging 180.6 yards per game, dead last in the NFL. Chicago is only one slot up, averaging 181.2 yards per game.
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4
Games this season in which Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has thrown for more than 250 yards. He had 270 yards against Jacksonville (win), 258 against Tennessee (win), 352 at Washington (loss) and 251 versus Tampa Bay (loss). Ponder also has four games this season in which he’s thrown for fewer than 120 yards, including Sunday’s 12-for-25, 119-yard effort in Green Bay.
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9
Career games, out of 22 starts, in which Ponder has had multiple turnovers. The Vikings are 2-7 in those contests.
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2
Sacks allowed by the Bears in their past two games. Even with its offensive line shaken by poor play and hurt further by key injuries, Chicago has found a way to keep quarterback Jay Cutler upright the past two weeks. In games against the Vikings and Seahawks, Cutler was 40-for-57 for 421 yards with three TD passes and one interception. He was hit 9 times in those games.
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recent posts
- Update: Winfield and Ponder on Vikings' injury report
- Behind Enemy Lines: After slow start, Aaron Rodgers carved Vikings up last week
- New cast may be key to keeping Winfield on the field Saturday
- Peterson, Walsh named NFC players of the month
- Michael Jenkins justifying his title as "The Professor"
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- Frazier on Harvin not being around team: 'It's purely up to him'
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- Ponder limited with bruised right elbow
- The words in Christian Ponder's pre-game speeches don't matter
- Ex-Viking Larry Bowie dies
- Walsh wins his third NFC special teams Player of the Week award
- Jared Allen: No 5-year plan, 'I'm here to win now'
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- Vikings defense still has plenty to worry about after Green Bay's explosion
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