Recent content from Andrew Krammer

There's more to it than the Kubiak name for Vikings' new OC
Vikings' new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak lacks an ego, and has paid his dues.

Vikings draft: Top need for the team? It's upgrading the defensive line
No matter where it comes from — tackle or end — the Vikings need more pass rush in 2021. An early draft pick is an intriguing possibility. Here are five prospects to know.

Defensive end Weatherly returning to Vikings on one-year deal
The Vikings defensive line will return a familiar face in 2021 as Stephen Weatherly is expected to sign a one-year deal after getting cut in Carolina last month.

Vikings draft: Strong group could provide boost for offensive line
The Vikings' annual endeavor to shore up the offensive line continues this spring with a strong offensive line class projected for the draft. Here are five names to know.

Spielman: 'Tough' decisions ahead for Vikings to get under salary cap
Before the new league year starts March 17, Vikings GM Rick Spielman anticipates more "tough business decisions" in addition to Kyle Rudolph's release.

Vikings draft: Five safeties who could be on the Vikings' wish list
With Anthony Harris expected to be a free agent this month, the Vikings will likely be looking for safety help. Here are some top rookie prospects at that position.

Vikings release Kyle Rudolph in move to provide salary cap relief
The 31-year-old tight end played 10 seasons with the Vikings and was their longest-renured player. He's hoping to play a significant role on another team through free agency.

Vikings draft: Do the Vikings need another young cornerback?
Mike Zimmer likes what the Vikings have in cornerbacks Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler. But is the team stocked well enough at that position?

Vikings draft: Receiver prospects to know as pro days get underway
Pro days start at several college football programs will fill in for the NFL scouting combine, which was canceled amid the pandemic. Here are some prospects who could fill the Vikings' needs.

Vikings mailbag: Expectations for free agency? Potential cuts? Safety options?
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman typically slow plays free agency, and the circumstances this offseason likely won't change in that regard.

Vikings add $1 million bonus to Reiff's contract, making up for lost incentive
A positive COVID test prevented left tackle Riley Reiff from playing in the Jan. 3 season finale and reaching a playing-time incentive that was in his contract.

Vikings' new special teams coordinator faces long to-do list
Ryan Ficken, who is entering his 15th season with the team, may have a kicker competition ahead of him.

Super Bowl quarterbacks turn coaches' innovation into execution
Kansas City and Tampa Bay's commitment to the quarterbacks begins in the simplest way possible: the frequency with which they put the game in those players' hands.

Outback Bowl to Super Bowl: A wild 13 months for ex-Gophers
Raymond James Stadium, the Buccaneers' home field and site of Sunday's Super Bowl, has been a springboard for Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Johnson.

Vikings mailbag: Who will be the best NFC North QB next year?
A crazy NFL quarterback market could drastically alter the NFC North landscape. How could that impact the Vikings?

Senior Bowl takes on added importance as Vikings prepare for NFL draft
Because of COVID-19, the annual college all-star game is one of the few on-field opportunities to evaluate prospects.

Vikings' Rudolph says he won't take pay cut to 'just block every play'
During an interview with former Viking Ben Leber, tight end Kyle Rudolph said he wants to contribute as a receiver somewhere even if that's not in Minnesota.

Mailbag: Will the Vikings finally address guard? What's the plan at coordinator?
The Vikings enter another offseason with questions about the offensive line, Gary Kubiak's replacement and what gets blown up to prepare for the 2021 season.

Roster overhaul ahead? A look at the Vikings top five free agents
The Vikings have 14 players on their current roster who could end up with other teams in 2021. Here's a look at how their five highest-profile free agents performed this season.

Vikings' Kirk Cousins named NFC Offensive Player of Week for four touchdowns in Detroit
For the third straight Vikings-Lions game, Minnesota emerged with an NFC player of the week.

Pending free agent Harris says Vikings hold 'special place' for him
Safety Anthony Harris again embarks on unrestricted free agency after a disappointing season for the Vikings playing on a one-year franchise tag.

Maalouf is out as Vikings' special teams coordinator
After the unit struggled this season, Coach Mike Zimmer said he'll let the two-year contract of Maalouf expire and search for a replacement.

Vikings' Odenigbo has 'disappointing year' leading defensive line
Ifeadi Odenigbo, a 26-year-old defensive end, is a restricted free agent this offseason and knows NFL opportunities can be fleeting.

Lions receivers feast on Vikings' decimated defensive backs
A patchwork Vikings secondary limped to the finish during Sunday's 37-35 victory in Detroit, allowing seven more completions of at least 20 yards.

Here's a look at the Vikings' 2021 opponents
The 2021 NFL season is a long way away, but the Vikings' opponents have already been set, including a meeting with Kevin Stefanski's Browns.

Spotlight: Mattison, Boone close out Vikings win without Cook
The running backs combined for 4.8 yards per carry and 124 rushing yards in Detroit, doing enough against a depleted Lions defense.

Vikings-Lions inactives: Alexander Mattison, Rashod Hill set to start in season finale
The Vikings will be without nine Week 1 starters due to injury or personal reasons during Sunday's season finale in Detroit.

A big, empty feeling: 15 pivotal moments in the Vikings' 2020 season, ending with no playoffs
When the 2020 moments add up, the sum is unfulfilling for the Vikings. They are 6-9 heading Sunday's finale against the Lions, assured of their first losing record since 2014 and a third-place finish in the NFC North.

Vikings mailbag: Who could play more in Detroit? Outlook for 2021 NFL Draft?
Because of a run of injuries, inexperienced defensive linemen and cornerbacks should get plenty of playing time during Sunday's season finale in Detroit.

Cousins proving he's durable — one reason Vikings wanted him as QB
When Kirk Cousins starts Sunday against the Lions, he'll complete six straight years without missing a regular-season game because of injury.

Scouting report: Vikings at Lions
Heading into the season finale, Detroit has lost three straight in a row and given up 30 or more points in its last five games.

Vikings' Cook will not play Sunday after father's unexpected death
The running back left to be with family in Miami and will not be available for the season finale against the Lions in Detroit.

Film: Five players who could be building blocks for the Vikings
There are questions about the Vikings secondary and offensive and defensive lines, but there also have been a handful of (non-first round) players flashing long-term potential.

Zimmer will find out if Vikings have fight in meaningless game
After three consecutive losses and an embarrassing game in New Orleans, the season is almost over.

Fourth-round rookie becomes important player for Vikings
Unheralded D.J. Wonnum's talents are filling many voids on the Vikings' defensive line.

Smith Jr. and Jefferson had some success, but Saints had more
The Vikings offense got rolling for 33 points and 364 yards, but tight end Irv Smith Jr. and receiver Justin Jefferson weren't dancing as much as the numbers would suggest.

Vikings Week 16 spotlight: Kirk Cousins
An aggressive game plan put the focus of the offense back on the quarterback, but the Vikings couldn't keep up with the Saints

Kamara exploits depleted and sloppy Vikings defense, ties NFL record
Inexperience wasn't an excuse for that poor of a showing, coach Mike Zimmer said, with missed tackles piling up between rookies and established veterans alike.

Ham added to list of Vikings' injured not playing in New Orleans
Fullback C.J. Ham played through a quad injury against the Bears, but he was added to the list of injured Vikings players ruled out for today's game.

Injury report: Vikings defense further thinned heading into New Orleans
Five Vikings players have been ruled out, including three more on an already paper-thin defense heading into the Christmas Day game.

For Vikings and Saints, stakes and decibel level will lower at Superdome
Only 3,000 fans are expected to attend on Friday when the Vikings return to site of their playoff upset last season.

Injuries leave Vikings especially thin at linebacker
Eric Kendricks, Troy Dye and Todd Davis all missed practice again Wednesday.

Scouting report: Vikings at Saints
Quarterback Drew Brees is back from a severe injury. Taysom Hill, Alvin Kamara and a third-ranked defense kept New Orleans afloat.

Jefferson says exchange with Cousins was blown out of proportion
'Kirk's my guy,' the rookie receiver says, after his frustrated comments during Bears game went viral.

Eight Vikings players sidelined at Tuesday's practice ahead of Friday game vs. Saints
Among the injured players were three linebackers in Eric Kendricks (calf), Todd Davis (ribs) and Troy Dye (concussion).

Film review: How a thinned Vikings front was gashed by the Bears
Bears coach Matt Nagy arrived at U.S. Bank Stadium with a plan to attack through running back David Montgomery and building Mitchell Trubisky's throwing lanes with play-action.

Vikings' Cook, Jefferson chosen for Pro Bowl that won't be played
The annual all-star exhibition has been canceled this season, but two Vikings were voted on to the NFC's roster

Bears' Montgomery slices up Vikings' depleted run defense
David Montgomery, who missed the first game between the Vikings and Bears, rushed for a career-high 146 yards Sunday.

Bailey breaks out of slump, going 5-for-5 vs. Bears
Dan Bailey booted his way out of a career-worst slump that had coach Mike Zimmer questioning the veteran's job status after last week's loss in Tampa Bay.

Vikings Week 15 spotlight: Justin Jefferson
An in-depth look at the rookie receiver's performance against the Bears.

Vikings running back Alexander Mattison returns from two-game absence
The Vikings' rushing attack will have another option Sunday against the Bears as Mattison returns from a Dec. 5 appendectomy.

Kendricks and Rudolph will miss another game for Vikings
The linebacker and tight end have been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Bears because of injuries

Scouting report: Vikings vs. Bears
The Bears (6-7) ended a six-game losing streak last week, and their struggling offense has found a spark

Mailbag: How far from being a contender? Developing coaches for other teams?
You had Vikings questions, and we had answers. How far away are they from being legitimate contenders? Is Kevin Stefanski the latest Vikings-to-AFC North coaching success?

'We're not going to dwell on it': Vikings sticking with Bailey at kicker
Everyone on the Vikings has had a bad day, coach Mike Zimmer says. So despite Dan Bailey's 0-4 day last Sunday he's staying on to kick Sunday vs. Chicago.

Irv Smith's return a needed boost for Vikings offense
The tight end's spry routes and displays of force Sunday signaled his return to form after missing three of the previous four games.

Outfoxing the Vikings: Here's how Bucs shut down Jefferson, Thielen
The Buccaneers' defensive coordinator threw a curve and the result was that wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen didn't make much of an impact Sunday.

Still kicking, for now: Bailey makes it through Monday with Vikings
The Vikings kept kicker Dan Bailey on the roster Monday, but the head coach stopped short of saying whether he'll have the job for Sunday's crucial game vs. Chicago.

Zimmer's kickers have a history of disappointing the Vikings
After missing four kicks Sunday, Dan Bailey joins the list of kickers who haven't thrived during Mike Zimmer's time as head coach.

Rudolph's injury gives chances for Conklin, Irv Smith to come through
Tight end Tyler Conklin made his first start of the season while Irv Smith Jr. was eased into action as Kyle Rudolph's streak of 98 starts came to a halt.

Vikings Week 14 spotlight: Dalvin Cook
Cook did more than any other NFL running back against the Buccaneers' No. 1 run defense.

Zimmer has no concerns about Bailey: 'He'll be fine'
The veteran missed three of his six kicks last Sunday, but his coach said, "Dan's had a great year."

Kendricks won't play against Bucs; Rudolph could miss first game since 2014
Sunday in Tampa, Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson will take over Eric Kendricks' duties as the middle linebacker with veteran Todd Davis again expected to start next to Wilson.

Mailbag: Future at cornerback? Thoughts on the rookie draft class?
Readers wonder about the future for the Vikings at cornerback and whether the 2020 draft class is Rick Spielman's best ever.

Vikings hopeful Smith will return against the Bucs
Tight end Kyle Rudolph's 98-game start streak is in jeopardy, and the team is optimistic Irv Smith Jr. will be back from groin and back injuries.

Cousins will have his hands full against Tampa Bay defense
The foe on Sunday is not the same Buccaneers defense he threw three second-half touchdowns against in a 2015 comeback that ended with his trademarked phrase, "You like that?!"

Scouting report: Vikings at Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay's sixth-ranked scoring offense failed to top 24 points in the recent three losses to the Saints, Rams and Chiefs.

Vikings nearly fold to Jaguars pressure. Can they hold off blitzing Bucs?
Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak must find more ways to clear throwing lanes for Kirk Cousins against Tampa Bay, and keep him from getting hit as often as he did against Jacksonville.

Blitz-happy Bucs figure to keep pressure on Vikings' Cousins
Only two NFL defenses blitz more than Tampa at 39.3%, according to Pro Football Reference, meaning the Vikings offensive line will remain under siege.

Pregame injury to Kendricks forces Vikings to scramble at linebacker
The Vikings defense had to make some last-minute adjustments before Sunday's 27-24 overtime victory against the Jaguars when linebacker Eric Kendricks "tweaked" his injured calf just minutes before kickoff.

Vikings LB Kendricks tweaks injured calf during warmups, ruled out vs. Jaguars
Linebacker Eric Kendricks was a late scratch for the Vikings before Sunday's game against the Jaguars after apparently tweaking his injured calf muscle during warmups.The…

Cleveland, Thielen return to action; Mattison among six on inactive list
The Vikings want to be "smart" with running back Dalvin Cook's workload after his ankle injury last week, coach Mike Zimmer said. Alexander Mattison's absence will test that.
Vikings iron man Kyle Rudolph nearing his 100th consecutive NFL start
There is always work for the tight end, but he is approaching another contract crossroads this offseason.

Mailbag: Who's returning Vikings punts Sunday? A look at receivers
Chad Beebe's three punt returns last weekend included a fair catch, getting rocked for not calling a fair catch and muffing the catch near the Vikings' goal line.