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.
Jamarca Sanford's investment, rapid growth typifies Vikings' resurgence
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Off the field, Vikings, Adrian Peterson, Antoine Winfield, Jared Allen, Percy Harvin Updated: January 3, 2013 - 9:07 AM
With their first playoff appearance since 2009, the Vikings have had ample opportunity this week to reflect on the catalysts of their impressive turnaround this season. With so many players showing notable growth, it’d take awhile to complete a full roll call. But Jared Allen delivers an unsolicited shout out to safety Jamarca Sanford, whose whose behind-the-scenes push to get better this season has been underrated.
Said Allen: “I’ve seen [him] different, in his preparation and his attitude and his focus of where he wants to go. Last year he was out there for us, and he had the potential to make big hits. This year he’s been an impact player on our defense.”
Sanford is proud of his maturation. After losing his starting job to Mistral Raymond in training camp, he was forced back into a leading role after Raymond dislocated his ankle in Week 3. Sanford played so well in the six games Raymond missed that he earned the opportunity to keep starting with the two safeties splitting time over the final seven games.
Sanford credits veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield with teaching him how to be a more complete player.
“Like I tell a lot of people, last year was my first year starting,” Sanford said. “And I was just really happy to be out there, still shocked that I’m in the NFL and I’m starting. And I was just out there on my natural ability. This year, I’ve gone up a level. This league isn’t about how athletic you are, it’s how smart you are. How well can you study film and break a team down. When you know stuff that’s going to happen before it happens, it’s incredible. I learned a lot from Antoine. And the thing I put in my mind this offseason is that I’ve never been the weak link of whatever part of the team I’m on. I want to be at my best for what I do or at least live up to the standards of the guys around me. And one thing about this defense here, you can’t be the weak link. They’ll find someone else to do your job.”
Sanford shared a few other thoughts with the Star Tribune this week. Among the more notable …
On what was going on beneath the pile when he recovered a third quarter Aaron Rodgers fumble last week …
“Under that pile, there’s a lot going on. You might get a little punch in the side, some pinching. Guys crawling trying to get to the ball. I was making sure we came out of there with that ball. Luckily we did. That was a big-time turnover at a critical time. I had it at first and then it bounced out of my arm. It was really a struggle under the pile. Eventually, I heard Everson yelling, ‘I got ya! I got ya! I got ya!’ At first, it was and somebody else had it halfway. But Everson was under there pulling off arms. And by the time he pulled that guy’s arm, I finally got total control of it and it was time to get up.”
On carrying Adrian Peterson off the field after Sunday’s win …
“That adrenaline was pumping. Adrian deserved that. I wanted him to know our appreciation. After the season he had, he deserved to be carried off. Like I said, my adrenaline was pumping. And when I did set him down, I was pretty tired. He’s pretty heavy. … This is a legend right in front of your eyes. I’ve heard of the great backs of all-time – Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, all the greats. To see one with my own eyes is special. … When A.D. is running, he’s just different. He plays like a guy on defense. He’s always loose. And if you hit him hard one time, you have to come back and do it again the whole game. Some backs, you hit them in the mouth one time, they start tiptoeing. Not Adrian. He just keeps coming.”
On whether he still communicates with close friend Percy Harvin, who has been absent from the Vikings’ facility since being put on injured reserve in early December …
“Percy and me are always texting. I’m making sure he’s still good, keeping his head up and reminding him to be ready to come back strong next year. He loves the success we’re having. He tells me he’s really proud of us. I know it was hard for him [to go on I.R.] He wants to be with this team, helping this team win. But unluckily he got hurt. That’s part of the game. So all he can do is sit back and watch. He just has to be ready to recover from that injury and be ready for next year.”
Frazier on Harvin not being around team: 'It's purely up to him'
Posted by: Mark Craig under Vikings, NFC, Leslie Frazier, Leslie Frazier, Percy Harvin Updated: January 2, 2013 - 4:12 PMRemember Percy Harvin? Pretty good player? Pippen to Adrian's Jordan? Once led the league with 62 catches? Was considered an early league MVP front-runner until he suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle at Seattle on Nov. 4?
Well, his name came up today because Harvin hasn't been at Winter Park since being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 5. (And, btw, the Vikings might want to consider forwarding his mail because it's piling up in his locker).
The Vikings have gone 5-2 without Harvin on the field or, for that matter, anywhere near the team. Coach Leslie Frazier was asked today about Harvin's situation. Here's the exchange with reporters:
Q: Is it by design that Percy is not around or would you prefer that he's here?
A: "It's purely up to him. If he wanted to be around, he could be around. But the guys are working hard doing everything they can. I know he wants our team to do well and that's important. But we got some other guys who are on IR as well, so it doesn't concern us."
Q: Have you talked to him?
A: "Not lately."
Q: Is he in Florida?
A: "Yes."
Q: Is it odd that a player as high profile as Percy not being here?
A: "No. I know he's supportive of his teammates. As any of the guys who are on IR that don't travel with us or don't participate in what we're doing, it's nothing that upsets their teammates or gets them concerned. These guys are so focused on Green Bay and getting ready for that game. That's what's most important."
Q: Is it routine for a guy on IR when he's not going to come back to rehab on his own?
A: "Not on his own. We monitor his rehab."
Q: So [head athletic trainer Eric] Sugarman is in contact with Percy?
A: "Yes."
Q: What is the status with his ankle? Will he need surgery?
A: "I haven't been told he's going to have to have surgery."
Vikings experimenting with slot options in case Antoine Winfield can't play
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Vikings, NFC, Packers, Adrian Peterson, Antoine Winfield, Jared Allen Updated: January 2, 2013 - 3:34 PMThe Vikings seems to have little doubt that veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield will play Saturday night in Green Bay. But even if Winfield can start, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to finish, still dealing with a fractured right hand that is significantly swollen and grew so painful Sunday that he left the game for good in the second quarter.
Marcus Sherels supplanted Winfield as the slot corner thereafter and may still be the Vikings’ most likely option there if Winfield can’t play or is limited this weekend. But defensive coordinator Alan Williams admitted that he is shuffling things around in practice this week and has tried everyone from Josh Robinson to A.J. Jefferson to a few of the team’s safeties as the Vikings look for reinforcements to their passing defense.
Reflections of …
When the Vikings left Green Bay at 6-6 following a Week 13 loss to the Packers, most outsiders figured it would be a longshot for the Vikings to win out and reach the playoffs. Jared Allen? He thought back to 2008 when the Vikings were 5-5 and in a crowded NFC North race yet won five of their final six to reach the postseason.
Said Allen: “You start looking around your team and realizing, hey, we’ve got a better team here than 2008. We’re deeper. We have more depth, and we’re injury-free. And we’ve got, especially on the defensive side, some guys playing at a high level. And our back end is playing really well.”
Allen said the Vikings channeled that big-picture into focus and went about plucking off each of their final four wins as independent lines on a checklist.
Truly special
It might have seemed like special teams coordinator Mike Priefer was kidding Wednesday when he mentioned the constant lobbying that Adrian Peterson does to find a role on special teams. He wasn’t.
“He always asks,” Priefer insisted. “He’s a football player. Gunner, field goal block, returner. The guy is awesome. I always say yes. And then I ask the head coach and he says no.”
Peterson confirmed his desire to get on the field more with a role outside of the offense.
“Yeah, for the past two years I have been trying to get in on field goal block,” he said. “Come in off the edge. You know. It’s just going to take one block for them to really be [like], ‘OK, you know what, let’s take the chance and let you go out there and get it done.’ … I believe in having your best players on the field, especially in critical times. You never know what can happen. That’s what I would do.”
Ponder limited with bruised right elbow
Posted by: Mark Craig under Vikings, NFC, Packers, Leslie Frazier, Adrian Peterson, Antoine Winfield, Brian Robison, Leslie Frazier Updated: January 2, 2013 - 3:50 PMQuarterback Christian Ponder had his reps limited in practice today because of a bruise on his throwing elbow, coach Leslie Frazier said after practice today.
"Christian has soreness in his elbow," Frazier said. "He'll get some reps tomorrow. I think he'll be fine. Just get some work tomorrow and see how much he progresses. But it doesn't seem like it should be something that would hinder him come [Saturday]. But we need to ramp it up a little bit tomorrow to see where he is."
Frazier said Ponder suffered the bruise when he was hit on the play in which the ball blooped into the air and somehow avoided two Packers to land in the hands of receiver Jarius Wright for a 17-yard gain.
Meanwhile, Frazier voiced confidence that cornerback Antoine Winfield will be able to play with his fractured right hand. Winfield broke the hand two weeks ago against Houston, but finished the game. He tried to play last week against the Packers, but lasted only 18 snaps before pain and swelling sent him to the sideline for the rest of the game.
"Antoine didn't participate today, but he'll get some work tomorrow," Frazier said. "We think he'll make it. He's making some progress. He's going to participate tomorrow and see how he feels, but right now, he has a whole lot less pain than he had a week ago at this time. So that's encouraging."
Without Winfield, the Vikings went with Marcus Sherels as the slot corner in the nickel. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers picked on Sherels throughout the second half, including a play in which Jordy Nelson beat Sherels for a 73-yard reception.
In other injury news:
- The Vikings held running back Adrian Peterson (abdomen) out of practice just to rest him.
- Safety Harrison Smith (shoulder) and defensive end Brian Robison (shoulder) were limited in practice but should be fine for Saturday, Frazier said.
- The special teams coverage units have suffered a blow. Backup linebacker Tyrone McKenzie (shoulder) didn't practice again and probably won't play, Frazier said. "His shoulder is to the point where I don't know if he's going to make it," Frazier said.
The words in Christian Ponder's pre-game speeches don't matter
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Vikings, Jared Allen Updated: January 2, 2013 - 2:18 PMThe latest glowing endorsement for Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder came Wednesday afternoon via defensive end Jared Allen. The Pro Bowl regular openly praised Ponder’s energy and self-belief during the team’s four-game winning streak to close the regular season. Most of all, Allen said, he’s seen Ponder grow more assertive, leading animated pre-game team huddles to energize the Vikings.
Said Allen: “Hearing your quarterback’s voice and knowing that he’s excited, when he’s pumped up, it gives you the confidence that ‘OK, the head of our offense, he’s ready to go.’”
Allen said he recognized similar leadership qualities while playing with Trent Green in Kansas City and insisted there’s an enlivening reaction within teams when the quarterback feels driven to have his voice heard.
“Even though he’s young and there are older guys on the team that are in leadership positions as well, to be a winning organization, a winning team, your quarterback has to be that dominating force and has to be that guy that everybody looks to,” Allen said. “I think that’s really what he’s starting to do.”
As for precisely what Ponder says in those huddles before games? Let’s just say the words aren’t quite as important as the gesture itself.
“It’s loud. You usually can’t hear what they’re saying,” Allen said. “But just the fact that he’s calling the team up, it’s just him physically getting everybody going like ‘Alright, let’s get ready to play!’ … To see him in the center and him being the dominant voice of that whole team huddle sends a message that ‘OK, he’s ready to go.’”
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