The Vikings Say Farewell to Longwell

Gayle Saunders
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The rebuilding of the Minnesota Vikings continues, as they have released 16-year veteran kicker Ryan Longwell.

On Monday The Vikings parted ways with Longwell. There was a good sign the writing was on the wall when the front office spent a 6th round pick on Georgia Kicker Blair Walsh.

The Skinny: Longwell had three seasons and $7 million left on his four-year contract he signed last year which included a $3.5 million signing bonus. The Vikings probably did not want to spend $1.75 million on his salary this season. They always say out goes the old, and in comes the new. The Vikes have already parted ways with veteran players, Steve Hutchinson, Cedric Griffin, and Anthony Herrera. I’m sure someone will add Longwell to their roster this off season.

Vikings: Meet the 2012 Draft Class

ROUND 1: Matt Kalil, T, Southern Cal

The Vikings traded down for extra picks in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, and added a franchise left tackle to an offensive line that has been in decline for years. Kalil allows second-year quarterback Christian Ponder to progress without having to worry about getting clobbered on a consistent basis. A prototype left tackle with long arms, Kalil should be able to block elite pass rushers one-on-one. That will free up the Vikings’ pass-catching tight ends to run routes rather than stay in to block. With Kalil on board, the Vikings are able to slide Charlie Johnson from left tackle to left guard, where he’s better suited to play.

Kalil is the starter immediately. The Vikings believe he’s not only a starter, but a future multiple Pro Bowl selection in the mold of a Joe Thomas or Jake Long. Kalil needs to get stronger, and there could be some growing pains. But coach Leslie Frazier believes Kalil has the quick feet, long arms and passion for the game that will allow him to become a reliable blind-side starter from opening day. It helps that Kalil will practice against the best pass rushing right defensive end in the league in Jared Allen.

ROUND 1: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Until the Vikings traded their second-round pick (35th overall) and one of their fourth-rounders (95th overall) to Baltimore to move up to No. 29, they had only three safeties on the roster. One of those players, Eric Frampton, is strictly a special teams player. So Smith fills a giant hole on a team that hasn’t had a playmaker at safety since Darren Sharper left after the 2008 season.

Smith is a big (6-2, 213 pounds), hard-hitter with impressive range. He can play free and strong, which is what the Vikings ask their safeties to do. Smith also had seven interceptions his junior year, so he has an instinctive side the team has lacked at safety in a while.
He’ll start off as the third safety, but should be a starter by opening day because the position is so thin. Mistral Raymond, a sixth-round pick a year ago, will start at free safety. Jamarca Sanford, a seventh-round pick in 2009, is likely to lose his job quickly to Smith. The Vikings desperately need an instinctive player at the position and gambled two valuable picks to move up and grab one they think has it.

ROUND 3: Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida

He gives the team some much-needed young depth at the cornerback position. The Vikings have added Zack Bowman and Chris Carr in free agency. They also get Antoine Winfield (injury) and Chris Cook (legal issues) back this season. But they still needed a young, potential star. Robinson gives them a guy who ran a combine-best 4.33 in the 40-yard dash.

Robinson won’t start this season, unless he has a tremendous training camp. He’ll provide valuable depth and a cornerback of the future. He could compete with Bowman and Carr for the nickel back position this season. But his best value is beyond this season.

ROUND 4: JARIUS WRIGHT, WR, Arkansas

At 5-10, 182 pounds, he isn’t the big, No. 1-type receiver the Vikings could have used. But Wright was a highly productive slot-type receiver who can back up Percy Harvin. Wright set the Arkansas career marks for catches (168) and receiving yards (2,934).

ROUND 4: RHETT ELLISON, FB/TE, Southern Cal

At first glance, it doesn’t appear the Vikings needed a tight end. But Ellison essentially will replace the retired Jim Kleinsasser as the team’s blocking tight end/fullback hybrid. Neither of the team’s top two tight ends, Kyle Rudolph or John Carlson, are strong blockers.

ROUND 4: GREG CHILDS, WR, Arkansas

Production waned as a senior (21 catches) because he was coming back from a torn patella tendon. Childs showed he’s 100 percent by running a 4.41 and posting a 41 1/2-inch vertical at his pro day. Childs gives the team depth, but could grow to be a starter in the future.

ROUND 5: ROBERT BLANTON, DB, Notre Dame

He’s the kind of lanky hybrid the Vikings covet for their Tampa 2 scheme. Blanton, a smart player with long arms and good cover skills, might be able to work his way into the team’s sub packages. The team drafted a similar player in Mistral Raymond in the sixth round last year.

ROUND 6: BLAIR WALSH, K, Georgia

Made only 21 of 35 field goal attempts last year. Walsh has a strong leg and could help the team on kickoffs while being groomed to eventually replace Ryan Longwell. Despite three years left on his contract, Longwell turns 38 in August. He also struggled last year, making 22 of 28 field goal attempts (78.6).

ROUND 7: AUDIE COLE, ILB, North Carolina State

A big, athletic player (6-4, 246) who could provide depth behind middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who is expected to start after missing all of last season because of hip surgery. The team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of re-signing E.J. Henderson, but it’s unlikely they’ll bring back a player who will turn 32 in August. Cole runs a 4.8 in the 40, so he’ll also be helpful on special teams.

ROUND 7: TREVOR GUYTON, DE, California

The Vikings never pass up a promising pass-rushing defensive end. A year ago, they took D’Andre Reed in the seventh round and essentially red-shirted him by keeping Reed on the roster but deactivating him for all 16 games. Guyton had 5.5 sacks a year ago, but unless he really surprises, Guyton is a candidate for the practice squad.

Pre Draft Visits: Minnesota Vikings

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.

Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.

One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that he players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.

Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!

LAST UPDATED 4/20/12

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Justin Blackmon – WR from Oklahoma State
Michael Floyd -WR from Notre Dame
Stephen Hill -WR from Georgia Tech
Alshon Jefferey -WR from South Carolina
James Hanna -TE from Oklahoma
Tom Compton -OT from South Dakota
Matt Kalil -OT from USC
Jonathan Martin -OT from Stanford
Amini Silatolu -G from Midwestern State
Greg Zuerlein -K from Missouri Western
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Dontari Poe -DT from Memphis
Chase Baker -DT from Boise State
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Morris Claiborne-CB from LSU
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Ron Brooks – CB from LSU
Casey Hayward -CB from Vanderbilt
Lionel Smith -CB from Texas A&M
D.J. Campbell – Safety from California

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Vikings Stadium in Limbo!

The Minnesota Vikings plans for a new stadium for the Vikings appears to be in serious limbo and it has the Football world talking. The Minnesota House Committee voted against a bill, 9-6, late Monday night to fund the project.

The Vikings were seeking tax-payer money to fund the project estimated at $975 Million. According to Representative Morrie Lanning “Somebody’s going to have to pull a rabbit out of a hat for this thing to be alive at this point”

As of right now, the Vikings will play in the current Metrodome in 2012 but the future after this season is unclear.

“It’s a mistake to think the Vikings and the (National Football League) will continue with the status quo” about the idea of playing in the Metrodome without a new stadium, Vikings vice president of public affairs / stadium development Lester Bagley told reporters after hearing of the vote by the House Committee.

The other wrinkle in this story is the fact that a stadium in Los Angeles is currently being built, giving the Vikings ownership slight leverage to relocate the team if they feel it’s in the best interest of the franchise.

During the hearing, Rep. Dean Urdhal asked, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune: “Why should the state of Minnesota contribute to a stadium for a billionaire owner?”

A valid question by Urdhal for sure, however with that said, having an NFL team in your state is a good thing. Most stadiums are funded through Municipal Bonds, which are funded through tax payer dollars. The revenue that having a professional franchise, and a storied one like the Vikings which always has exceptional turnout and fan base, would probably be a bonus of the State of Minnesota.

THE SKINNY: The Vikings, with the Stadium in Los Angeles being built, have some leverage to move the franchise. I can understand the State not wanting to strap Tax Payer dollars into a project that a Billionaire owner can easily afford and in the end he and the team will profit from. In the same token, the State would also benefit from keeping the Vikings where they are. Fan turnout, jobs created from the stadium, parking, vendors and merchandise sold all are a big factor in helping the City make money. We will have to wait and see how it plays out but it looks like this fight will be a bitter one that will come down to the very end.

How do you feel about the Vikings Stadium situation? Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Minnesota Vikings

Team Needs and Draft: Upgrades are needed all around for this Vikings squad and there isn’t a unit that couldn’t use one. The offensive line has to be the top priority. The Vikings have the third overall pick in the draft and selecting USC left tackle Matt Kalil would seem prudent. Minnesota has to solidify its guard situation, too, whether Hutchinson opts to retire or not. A play for rugged Saints guard Carl Nicks could be in the offing. While the Vikings like Ponder and also really like backup Joe Webb, they also need a veteran quarterback who can help in the meeting room.

Frazier, whose specialty is the defense and the secondary, has to find a way to stop the bleeding on the back end. Winfield has been wonderful, but he’s injury-prone, while cornerback Chris Cook has off-field issues. The safeties, meanwhile, have been problematic for years. Fixing those spots through free agency and the draft would make sense.

Of course, even if they fix those trouble spots, the defensive interior and linebacking corps have to be upgraded, as does the wide receiver group. Whatever they do, the Vikings have so many needs that they might not be able to fill them all, even with 10 picks in April’s draft.

2012 Draft Picks
1.3, 2.3, 3.3, 4.3, 5.3, 6.3, 7.3, 7.16 (from NE via PHI)

Free Agent Signings
RB Jerome Felton, RB Lex Hilliard, WR Bryan Walters, TE John Carlson, CB Chris Carr, CB Zackary Bowman

2011 Draft picks
1st: Christian Ponder (QB) Florida St

2nd: Kyle Rudolph (TE) Notre Dame

4th: Christian Ballard (DT) Iowa

5th: Brandon Burton (CB) Utah

6th: Demarcus Love (OT) Arkansas

6th: Mistral Raymond (S) S Florida

6th: Brandon Fusco (C) Slippery Rock

Latest Minnesota Vikings Rumors and News C.J.: Zamberletti plans to start new Vikings game streak in 2012 04/09 – startribune.com Mpls. City Council schedules April 24 hearing on Vikings stadium 04/09 – startribune.com 2012 NFL Draft Preview: Minnesota Vikings and Who Can Fill Their 3 Biggest Needs 04/09 – Bleacher Report Vikings’ Percy Harvin reportedly had drug, discipline issues at unruly Florida program 04/09 – TwinCities.com NFL upholds penalties to Saints for bounties 04/09 – TwinCities.com Torry Holt says Justin Blackmon likely to be ‘an instant asset’ in the NFL 04/09 – startribune.com Rand: When will Minnesota teams be playoff-worthy again? 04/09 – startribune.com Vikings | James Hanna to visit 04/09 – kffl.com Minnesota Vikings: 10 Best Draft Picks in Vikings History 04/09 – Bleacher Report 2DAY’S 2 CENTS: When will we win? 04/08 – startribune.com Minnesota Vikings: 5 First-Round Scenarios for the 2012 Draft 04/08 – Bleacher Report NFL roundup: Vikings willing to trade No. 3 draft pick (Yahoo! Sports) 04/08 – Yahoo.com Vikings | Harrison Smith may be second round target 04/08 – kffl.com Report: Vikings GM Spielman open to trading third pick (Yahoo! Sports) 04/08 – Yahoo.com Vikings | Will meet with Malcolm Floyd 04/08 – kffl.com Smith a “perfect fit” for Vikings 04/08 – Rotoworld.com Smith a ‘perfect fit’ for Vikings at No. 35 04/08 – Rotoworld.com Rick Spielman open to dealing third pick with Vikings on the clock 04/08 – Pro Football Talk NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings’ Options at No. 35 04/07 – Bleacher Report 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Will Minnesota Vikings Pass on Kalil for Claiborne? 04/07 – Bleacher Report Charley Walters: Notre Dame’s Harrison Smith fits Vikings’ needs 04/07 – TwinCities.com Vikings Team Report (Yahoo! Sports) 04/07 – Yahoo.com NFL Draft 2012: Trading No. 3 Pick Makes No Sense for Minnesota Vikings 04/07 – Bleacher Report Vikings players rip Gregg Williams on Twitter 04/07 – FOXSports.com Vikings May Look to Trade #3 Pick, May Wait Till Draft to Do It 04/07 – NFL GridIron Gab

Freddie Mac & Steve O Show with HOF Chris Doleman

Randy Moss Calls Quits to Retirement

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Randy Moss knows how to make his own surprise party and why not surprise the NFL on un-retiring, on your birthday. On Monday, Moss made it known to the world that he’s back . The 35 year old receiver has put his retirement from football to an end. Read more

Pre-Draft Visits: Which Prospects are Meeting With Your Team?

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.

Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.

One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that the players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.

Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!

LAST UPDATED 4/21/12

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Brock Osweiler – QB from Arizona State
Juron Criner – WR from Arizona
Michael Floyd – WR from Notre Dame
Ronnie Cameron – DT from Old Dominion
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Matt Conrath – DE from Virginia
Ryan Davis -LB from Bethune-Cookman
Omar Bolden -CB from Arizona State
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Jayron Hosley – CB from Virginia Tech
George Iloka -S from Boise State
Tavon Wilson – S from Illinois

____________________________________________________________________________________________

David Wilson -RB from Virginia Tech
Ryan Broyles – WR from Oklahoma
Ladarius Green -TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Kelechi Osemele OT from Iowa State
Mitchell Schwartz -OT from California
Donald Stephenson -OT from Oklahoma
Gino Gradkowski G/C from Delaware
Brandon Thompson -DT from Clemson
Josh Chapman – DT from Alabama
Andre Branch -DE from Clemson
Kourtnei Brown -DE from Clemson
Tim Fugger – DE from Vanderbilt
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Mychal Kendricks -LB from California
Casey Hayward – CB from Vanderbilt
Tavon Wilson – Safety from Illinois
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Brandon Brooks – G from Miami (Ohio)
Ron Brooks -CB from LSU
Zach Brown – LB from North Carolina
Gino Gradkowski -C/C from Delaware
Brandon Hardin- CB from Oregon State
Stephen Hill – WR – Georgia Tech
Buddy Jackson -CB from Pittsburgh
A.J. Jenkins -WR from Illinois
Cam Johnson -DE from Virginia
Mychal Kendricks -LB from California
Dre Kirkpatrick -CB from Alabama
Peter Konz – C from Wisconsin
Isaiah Pead -RB from Cincinnati
Josh Robinson -CB from Central Florida
Nelson Rosario -WR from UCLA
Phillip Thomas – S from Syracuse
Bobby Wagner -LB from Utah State
Kelcie McCray -Safety from Arkansas State
Bernard Pierce -RB from Temple
Dont’a Hightower- LB from Alabama
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Ben Jones – C from University of Georgia
David DeCastro – Guard from Stanford
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Fletcher Cox-DT from Mississippi State
Stephen Gilmore -CB from South Carolina
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Jamell Fleming -CB from Oklahoma
Ryan Tannehill -QB from Texas A&M
Mike Adams -OT from Ohio State
Justin Blackmon -WR from Oklahoma State
Andre Branch -DE from Clemson
Tank Carder -LB from TCU
Kirk Cousins – QB from Michigan State
Cordy Glenn -T/G from Georgia
Chandler Jones-DE from Syracuse
Bruce Irvin-LB from West Virginia
Matt Kalil – OT from USC
Dre Kirkpatrick-CB from Alabama
Jonathan Martin -OT from Stanford
Whitney Mercilus-DE from Illinois
Brian Quick-WR from Appalachian State
Trent Richardson- RB from Alabama
Russell Wilson -QB from Wisconsin
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Robert Griffin III -QB from Baylor
Brock Osweiler -QB from Arizona State
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Justin Blackmon -WR from Oklahoma State
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Morris Claiborne -CB from LSU
Michael Floyd -WR from Notre Dame
Stephon Gilmore -CB from South Carolina
George Iloka -S from Boise State
Bruce Irvin-LB from West Virginia
Trumaine Johnson -DB from Montana
Chandler Jones- DE from Syracuse
Ronald Leary-G from Memphis
Kelcie McCray -S from Arkansas State
Reuben Randle -WR from LSU
Keenan Robinson -LB fromTexas
Amini Silatolu -G from Midwestern State
Jerel Worthy -DT from Michigan State
Kevin Zeitler -G from Wisconsin
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Chandler Jones -DE from Syracuse
Joe Adams -WR from Arkansas
Fletcher Cox – DT from Mississippi State
Jerel Werthy -DT from Michigan State
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virgina
Luke Kuechly -LB from Boston College
Quinton Coples- DE from North Carolina
Kendall Wright -WR from Baylor
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Zach Brown -LB from North Carolina
Darius Fleming -LB from Notre Dame
Tim Fugger -DE from Vanderbilt
Brandon Hardin -CB from Oregon State
Bruce Irvin-LB from West Virginia
Trumaine Johnson – DB from Montana
Chandler Jones – DE from Syracuse
Ronald Leary -G from Memphis
Reuben Randle -WR from LSU
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Donald Stephenson -OT from Oklahoma
Keith Tandy -CB from West Virginia
Kendall Wright-WR from Baylor
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Keith Tandy -CB from West Virginia
Mark Barron – S from Alabama
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Ryan Davis -LB from Bethune-Cookman
Michael Floyd – WR from Notre Dame
Cordy Glenn- T/G from Georgia
Devin Goda -WR from Slippery Rock
Peter Konz -C from Wisconsin
Luke Kuechly – LB from Boston College
Ernest Owusu -DE from California
Courtney Upshaw – DE from Alabama
David Wilson -RB from Virginia Tech
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Kendall Wright -WR from Baylor
Mohamed Sanu -WR from Rutgers
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Mike Adams -OT from Ohio State
Justin Blackmon -WR from Oklahoma State
Kirk Cousins -QB from Michigan State
Lovonte David – LB from Nebraska
Michael Floyd -WR from Notre Dame
Stephen Gilmore -CB from South Carolina
Cordy Glenn – T/G from Georgia
Ladarius Green – TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Jayron Hosley -CB from Virginia Tech
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virginia
Chandler JOnes – DE from Syracuse
Matt Kalil – OT from USC
Doug Martin -RB from Boise State
Jonathan Martin – OT from Stanford
Whitney Mercilus -DE from Illinois
Isaiah Pead -RB from Cincinnati
Nick Perry -DE from USC
Mitchell Schwartz _OT from California
Amini Silatolu -G from Midwestern State
Brian Stahovich – P from San Diego State
Donald Stephenson – OT from Oklahoma
Ryan Tannehill – QB from Texas A&M
Bobby Wagner – LB from Utah State
Brandon Weeden- QB from Oklahoma State
Kendall Wright -WR From Baylor
Jonathan Martin -OT from Stanford
Ladarius Green – TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Whitney Mercilus -DE from Illinois
Chris Rainey – RB from Florida
David Wilson -RB from Virginia Tech
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virgina
Morris Claiborne – CB from LSU
Robert Griffin III -QB from Baylor
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Trent Richardson – RB from Alabama
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Nathan Dick -QB from Central Arkansas
Cyrus Gray – RB from Texas A&M
Doug Martin -RB from Boise State
Ryan Broyles -WR from Oklahoma
Jeff Allen – T/G from Illinois
Cordy Glenn -T/G from Georgia
Josh Oglesby – OT from Wisconsin
Kevin Zeitler – G from Wisconsin
Ronald Leary -G from Memphis
David DeCastro – G from Stanford
Peter Konz -G from Wisconsin
Amini Silatolu -G from Midwestern State
Philip Blake -C from Baylor
Fletcher Cox -DT from Mississippi State
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Chase Baker -DT from Boise State
Tank Carder – LB from TCU
Ronnell Lewis – LB from Oklahoma
Korey Toomer – LB from Idaho
Courtney Upshaw -LB from Alabama
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Casey Hayward -CB from Vanderbilt
Dre Kirkpatrick -CB from Alabama
Stephon Gilmore -CB from South Carolina
Lionel Smith- CB from Texas A&M
Ron Brooks -CB from LSU
Lionel Smith -CB from Texas A&M
Mark Barron – S from Alabama
D.J. Campbell – S California
Harrison Smith – S from Notre Dame

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Kirk Cousins – QB from Michigan State
Ryan Lindley -QB from San Diego State
Brock Osweiler -QB from Arizona State
Russell Wilson -QB from Wisconsin
Brandon Weeden- QB from Oklahoma State
Kendall Reyes – DT from Connecticut
Robert Turbin – RB from Utah State
Austin Wuebbels – G from Missouri
Levy Adcock -OT from Oklahoma State

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Kelechi Osemele – OG from Iowa State
Mike Adams OT from Ohio State
LaMichael James RB from Oregon
Braylon Broughton -DE from Texas Christian University
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Josh Norman -CB from Coastal Carolina
Brandon Brooks -OL from Miami (Ohio)
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Stephen Gilmore -DB from South Carolina
Melvin Ingram -DL from South Carolina
Cliff Harris -CB from Oregon
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
David DeCastro – Guard from Stanford
Conroy Black -CB from Utah
Andre Branch -DE from Clemson
Zach Brown-LB from North Carolina
Kaelin Burnett-DE from Nevada
Derrick Coleman -RB from UCLA
David Douglas-WR from Arizona
Isaiah Frey -CB from Nevada
David Gonzales -T/G from Washington State
Josh Kaddu-LB from Oregon
Dennis Kelly – OT from Purdue
Travis Lewis -LB from Oklahoma
Whitney Mercilus – DE from Illinois
Kevin Murphy -OT from Harvard
Josh Norman -CB from Coastal Carolina
J.C. Oram -G from Weber State
Kelechi Osemele -OT from Iowa State
Amini Silatolu – G from Midwestern State
Keith Tandy -CB from West Virginia
Devon Wylie -WR from Fresno State

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Gino Gradkowski -G/C from Delaware
Drew Nowak -DT from Western Michigan
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Bobby Wagner -LB from Utah State
Chris Anzevino -C from Kent State
Brandon Brooks -G from Miami (Ohio)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Kelcie McCray -Safety from Arkansas State
Brandon Brooks -G from Miami (Ohio)
Ron Brooks -CB from LSU
George Iloka- S from Boise State
Mychal Kendricks-LB from California
Randy Bullock – K from Texas A&M
Ronnie Cameron -DT from Old Dominion
Brandon Hardin -CB from Oregon State
Lionel Smith -CB from Texas A&M
Tavon Wilson -S from Illinois
Jeremy Lane -CB from Northwestern State
Mario Louis – WR from Grambling
Randy Bullock – K from Texas A&M
Lavonte David – LB from Nebraska

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Dwight Bentley – CB from Louisiana-Lafayette
Cyrus Gray – RB from Texas A&M
Dennis Kelly – OT from Purdue
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Brandon Brooks -G from Miami (Ohio)
Matt Conrath -DE from Virginia
Tim Fugger -DE from Vanderbilt
Gino Gradkowski – G/C from Delaware
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Andrew Luck -QB from Stanford
Janoris Jenkins-CB from North Alabama
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Brian Stahovich -P from San Diego State
Keith Tandy – CB from West Virginia
Tavon Wilson – S from Illinois
Logan Brock -TE from TCU
Trent Richardson – RB from Alabama

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Eric Lair -TE from University of Minnesota
Jerel Werthy -DT from Michigan State
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Quinton Coples- DE from North Carolina
Gino Gradkowski OG/C from University Of Deleware
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Chris Greenwood – RB from Albion
Ronnie Cameron – DT from Old Dominion
Toney Clemons -WR from Colorado
Tyrone Crawford -DE from Boise State
Ryan Davis – LB from Bethune-Cookman
Chad Faulcon -Safety from Montclair State
Gino Gradkowski – G/C from Delaware
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Jayron Hosley – CB from Virginia Tech
Chandler Jones – DE from Syracuse
Ronald Leary -G from Memphis
Nick Perry -DE from USC
Adrien Robinson – TE from Cincinnati
Keith Tandy – CB from West Virginia
Matt Veldman – TE from North Dakota State
Tahir Whitehead -LB from Temple

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Cordy Glenn -OG from University of Georgia
Ben Jones -C from University of Georgia
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virgina
Jerel Worthy DT from Michigan State
Robert Griffin III -QB from Baylor
Andrew Luck QB from Stanford
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Brandon Brooks – G from Miami (Ohio)
Josh Chapman -DT from Alabama
Kirk Cousins – QB from Michigan State
Juron Criner – WR from Arizona
Cyrus Gray -RB from Texas A&M
James Hanna – TE from Oklahoma
A.J. Jenkins – WR from Illinois
Chandler Jones – DE from Syracuse
Doug Martin – RB from Boise State
Drew Nowak – DT from Western Michigan
Kelechi Osemele – T/G from Iowa State
Brock Osweiler – QB from Arizona State
Dontari Poe – DT from Memphis
Mitchell Schwartz – OT from California
Donald Stephenson – OT from Oklahoma
Brandon Taylor – Safety from LSU
Robert Turbin – RB from Utah State

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Coby Fleener – TE from Stanford
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Zach Brown -RB from Pittsburgh
Travis Cadet -RB from Appalacian State
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Mohamed Sanu -WR from Rutgers
Quinton Coples- DE from North Carolina
Desmond Wynn -OL from Rutgers
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Robert Griffin III -QB from Baylor
Chris Rainey -RB University of Florida
Janoris Jenkins -CB from North Albama/Florida
Patrick Edward -WR from Houston
Levy Adcock -OT from Oklahoma State
Justin Blackmon – WR from Oklahoma State
Matt Blanchard – QB from Wisconsin-Whitewater
Brandon Brooks -G from Miami (Ohio)
Morris Claiborne – CB from LSU
Quinton Coples – DE from North Carolina
Lavonte David – LB from Nebraska
David Gonzales – T/G from Washington State
Ladarius Green – TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Antonio Fenelus -CB from Wisconsin
Michael Floyd -WR from Notre Dame
Chris Greenwood – CB from Albion
Brandon Hardin -CB from Oregon State
Tyler Horn – C from Miami
Jayron Hosley -CB from Virginia Tech
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virginia
Trumaine Johnson -CB from Montana
Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones
Bobby Massie – OT from Ole Miss
Kelechi Osemele- OT from Iowa State
Brock Osweiler- QB from Arizona State
Darius Reynolds -WR from Iowa State
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Brandon Taylor -Safety from LSU
Korey Toomer -LB from Idaho
Bobby Wagner -LB from Utah State
Desmond Wynn – G from Rutgers

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU Scheduled meeting
Chase Baker -DT from Boise State
Justin Blackmon – WR from Oklahoma State
Ron Brooks – CB from LSU
D.J. Campbell – Safety from California
Morris Claiborne-CB from LSU
Tom Compton -OT from South Dakota
Michael Floyd -WR from Notre Dame
James Hanna -TE from Oklahoma
Casey Hayward -CB from Vanderbilt
Stephen Hill -WR from Georgia Tech
Alshon Jefferey -WR from South Carolina
Matt Kalil -OT from USC
Jonathan Martin -OT from Stanford
Dontari Poe -DT from Memphis
Amini Silatolu -G from Midwestern State
Lionel Smith -CB from Texas A&M
Greg Zuerlein -K from Missouri Western

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaiah Pead -RB from Cincinnati
Derek Wolfe -DT from Cincinnati
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Casey Hayward -CB from Vanderbilt
Eric Lair -TE from University of Minnesota
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virgina
Omar Bolden -CB -Arizona State
Michael Brockers DL from LSU
Ron Brooks CB from LSU
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Josh Bellamy -CB from Louisville
Jordan Bernstine – Safety from Iowa
Omar Bolden -CB from Arizona State
LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers
LSU cornerback Ron Brooks
Zach Brown – LB from North Carolina
Derek Carrier – WR from
Claude Davis – DE from South Florida
Ryan Davis – LB from Bethune-Cookman
Tony Dye -Safety from UCLA
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Trumaine Johnson – DB from Montana
Noah Keller – LB from Ohio
Ronnell Lewis – LB from Oklahoma
Travis Lewis – LB from Oklahoma
Micah Pellerin -CB from Hampton
Nick Perry – DE from USC
Chris Rainet -WR from Florida
Darius Reynolds – WR from Iowa State
Brandon Taylor – Safety from LSU
David Wilson – RB from Virginia Tech
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Ladarius Green -TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Rishaw Johnson- G from California guard
Adrien Robinson – TE from Cincinnati
Donavan Robinson -DE from Jackson State
Lionel Smith -CB from Texas A&M
Darrion Weems – OT from Oregon
Jericho Nelson – Safety from Arkansas

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Ronnie Cameroon -DT from Old Dominion
Kendall Wright -WR from Baylor
Mohamed Sanu -WR from Rutgers
Omar Bolden -CB -Arizona State
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Ryan Davis – LB from Bethune-Cookman
Jerron McMillian -Safety from Maine
Josue Ortiz – DE from Harvard
Matt Simms – QB from Tennessee
Korey Toomer – LB from Idaho
Tahir Whitehead – LB from Temple
Devon Wylie – WR – Fresno State
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Robert Turbin – RB from Utah State
Kendall Wright-WR from Baylor
Michael Floyd – WR from Notre Dame
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Chris Givens – WR from Wake Forest
Stephen Hill – WR from Georgia Tech
Alshon Jeffery – WR from South Carolina
Orson Charles -TE from Georgia
Evan Rodriguez – TE from Temple
Cordy Glenn -OL from Georgia
Ben Jones -OL from Georgia
Jeff Adams – OT from Columbia
Brandon Brooks – G from Miami (Ohio)
Ronald Leary – G from Memphis
Joe Long -OT from Wayne State
Bobby Massie – OT from Ole Miss
Robert T. Griffin – G from Baylor
Quinton Coples-DE from North Carolina
Chandler Jones – DE from Syracuse
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Josue Ortiz – DE from Harvard
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Mohamed Sanu -WR from Rutgers
Bruce Irvin -LB from West Virgina
Zach Brown – LB from North Carolina
Tahir Whitehead – LB from Temple
Ronnell Lewis – LB Oklahoma
Cameron Collins – LB from Oregon State
DeMario Davis -LB from Arkansas State
Trumaine Johnson – CB from Montana
Omar Bolden – CB from Arizona State
Jayron Hosley – CB from Virginia Tech
Harrison Smith – S from Notre Dame
Jerron McMillian – S from Maine
Chad Faulcon – S from Montclair State
Josh Bush – S from Wake Forest
Brandon Taylor -S from LSU
Antonio Allen -S from South Carolina
Brian Stahovich -P from San Diego

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Steven Baker -OT from East Carolina
Jordan Bernstine -S from Iowa
Sammy Brown -LB from Houston
Kaelin Burnett -DE from Nevada
Derek Carrier -WR from Beloit
Josh Chapman -DT from Alabama
Derrick Coleman – RB from UCLA
Claude Davis -DE from South Florida
Devin Goda -WR from Slippery Rock
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Andre Hardy- TE from CAl State Fullerton
Alex Hoffman-Ellis -LB from Washington State
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Tony Dye -Safety from UCLA
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Ryan Tannehill -QB from Texas A&M
Nick Foles – QB from Arizona quarterback
Kirk Cousins – QB from Michigan State
Robert Griffin III -QB – Baylor
Chris Rainey -RB from University of Florida
Robert Turbin -RB from Utah State
Michael Floyd – WR from Notre Dame
Stephen Hill – WR – Georgia Tech
Damaris Johnson -WR from Tulsa
Orson Charles -TE from University of Georgia
Levy Adcock -OT from Oklahoma State
Josh Oglesby – OT from Wisconsin
Dennis Kelly -OT from Purdue
Gino Gradkowski – G/C from Delaware
Jeff Allen – T/G from Illinois
Ben Jones -C from Georgia
Ryan Miller – G from Colorado
Cordy Glenn -OL from Georgia
Ben Jones -OL from Georgia
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Dontari Poe -DT from Memphis
Luke Kuechly -LB from Boston College
Bobby Wagner -LB from Utah State
Trumaine Johnson -CB from Montana
Omar Bolden -CB from Arizona State
Ron Brooks -CB from LSU
Janoris Jenkins – CB from North Alabama
Jordan Bernstine – S from Iowa
Janzen Jackson -S from McNeese State
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaiah Pead – RB from Cincinnati
LaMichael James – RB from Oregon
Stephen Hill- WR from Georgia Tech
Toney Clemons – WR from Colorado
T.Y. Hilton – WR from Florida International
Keshawn Martin – WR from Michigan State
Toney Clemons -WR from Colorado
Greg Childs – WR from Arkansas
Ladarius Green – TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
David Paulson – TE from Oregon
Michael Egnew – TE from Missouri
Mike Adams – OT from Ohio State
Bobby Massie – OT from Ole Miss
Mitchell Schartz -OL from University of California
Lucas Nix – G from University of Pittsburgh
Amini Silatolu – G from Midwestern State
Brandon Brooks – G from Miami
Kelvin Beachum -G/T from SMU
Dontari Poe -DT from Memphis
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Akiem Hicks – DT from Regina
Hebron Fangupo – DT from BYU
John Hughes – DT from Cincinnati
Nick Perry -DE from USC
Olivier Vernon – DE from Miami
Derek Wolfe – DE from Cincinnati
Andre Branch – DE from Clemson
Cam Johnson – DE from Virginia
Dont’a Hightower LB from Alabama
Mychal Kendricks – LB from California
Jerrell Harris – LB from Alabama
Keith Tandy – CB from West Virginia
Jeremy Jones – DB from Wayne State
Zach Nolan – Long Snapper from Stanford

____________________________________________________________________________________________

D.J. Campbell – Safety from California
Brandon Hardin – CB from Oregon State
Ronnell Lewis – LB from Oklahoma
Donavan Robinson – DE from Jackson State
Brad Smelley – TE from Alabama
Bobby Wagner – LB from Utah State
Tavon Wilson – Safety from Illinois
Ronnie Cameroon -DT from Old Dominion
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Brock Mansion -QB from Cal
David Wilson -RB from Virginia Tech
Bernard Pierce -RB from Temple
Isaiah Pead – RB from Cincinnati
Robert Turbin – RB from Utah State
Travaris Cadet -RB Appalachian State
DaJuan Cofield -RB from San Jose State
Deante’ Purvis RB from UNLV-Pinole
Brandon Rutley RB from San Jose State
Jeremy Stewart RB from Stanford
Mohamed Sanu – WR from Rutgers
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Kendall Wright -WR from Baylor
Stephen Hill -WR from Georgia Tech
A.J. Jenkins- WR from Illinois
Coby Fleener TE from Stanford
Anthony Miller- TE from Cal
Eric Lair -TE from University of Minnesota
Justin Cheadle -G from from Cal
Sioeli Fakalata -G from New Mexico State-East Palo Alto
Justin Gates -G from Cal
Federick Koloto G from San Jose State
Paul Madsen T from Colorado State-Danville
Andres Vargas -T from San Jose State
Chris Anzevino – C from Kent State
Jason Slowey -C from Western Oregon
Robert Reed -C from from San Jose State
Claude Davis -DE from South Florida
Trevor Guyton – DE from Cal
Matthew Masifilo -DE from Stanford
Pablo Garcia -DT from San Jose State
Oliver Pryor -DT from Missouri Western State-Walnut Creek
D.J. Holt – LB from California
Bruce Irvin- LB from West Virginia
Bobby Wagner – LB from Utah State
Jeremy Lane – CB from Northwestern State
Jeremy Jones- CB from Wayne State
Jordan Bernstine – S from Iowa
Sean Richardson -S from Vanderbilt
Brandon Davis -S from San Diego State-Oakland
Alexander Germany -S from San Jose State
Lanny Kelly S- from Howard-Richmond
Virdell Larkins -S from New Mexico Highlands-Oakland
Michael Thomas -S from Stanford
Darion Campbell -S from Cal
Sean Cattouse -S from Cal
Duke Ihenacho -S from San Jose State
Joseph Larche -S from Sacramento State-Hayward
Manu Ngatikaura -S from San Jose State
Delano Howell -S from Stanford
Giorgio Tavecchio – K from Cal
Ben Zorn -Long Snapper from San Jose State
Bryan Anger – P from Cal

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chandler Harnish- QB from Northern Illinois
Derrick Coleman – RB from UCLA
Logwone Mitz -RB from Washington State
Derek Carrier – WR/TE from Beloit
Devin Aguliar -WR from Washington
Justin Helwege – WR from Central Washington
Nathan Palmer- WR from Northern Illinois
Brian Quick – WR from Appalachian State
Lavasier Tuinei- WR Oregon
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
Brad Smelley -TE from Alabama
Lamont Bryant -TE from Morgan State
David Paulsen -TE from Oregon
Mike Ryan -OT from Connecticut
David Gonzales -T/G from Washington State
Jon Opperud- OT from Montana
Michael Brockers DT from LSU
Renard Williams- DT from Eastern Washington
Will Blackwell -DL from LSU
Matt Conrath – DE from Virginia
Claude Davis – DE from South Florida
Donnie Fletcher – DE from Boston College
Korey Toomer – LB from Idaho
Bobby Wagner – LB from Utah State
Danny Trevathan- LB from Kentucky
Ron Brooks – CB from LSU
Josh Bellamy- CB/WR from Louisville
Brandon Hardin – CB from Oregon State
Jeremy Lane- CB from Northwestern State
George Iloka- S from Boise State
DeShawn Shead -S from Portland State

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Trent Richardson -RB from Alabama
LaMichael James – RB from Oregon
Todd Anderson – FB from Michigan State
A.J. Jenkins – WR from Illinois
Justin Blackmon -WR from Oklahoma State
Michael Floyd – WR from Notre Dame
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Chris Givens- WR from Wake Forest
Brian Quick – WR from Appalachian State
Kendall Wright -WR from Baylor
Matt Kalil – OT from USC
Mike Adams – OT from Ohio State
Ronald Leary – G from Memphis
Kelechi Osemele – G/T from Iowa State
Ben Jones -C from Georgia
Quinton Coples -DE from North Carolina
Fletcher Cox – DT from Mississippi State
Dontari Poe- DT from Memphis
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Jerel Werthy -DT from Michigan State
Alameda Ta’amu – DT from Washington
Mychal Kendricks – LB from California
Sean Spence – LB from Miami
Bobby Wagner – LB from Utah State
James-Michael Johnson – LB from Nevada
Dwight Bentley – CB from Louisiana-Lafayette
Morris Claiborne -CB from LSU
Janoris Jenkins -CB from North Alabama
Dre Kirkpatrick -CB from Alabama
Brian Stahovich – Punter from San Diego State

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Trent Richardson – RB from Alabama
David Wilson -RB from Virginia Tech
Bernard Pierce -RB from Temple
Justin Blackmon – WR from Oklahoma State
Rueben Randle – WR from LSU
Ladarius Green – TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Taylor Thompson -TE from SMU
David Gonzales -T/G from Washington State
Dennis Kelly -OT from Purdue
Amini Silatolu – G from Midwestern State
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Quinton Coples- DE from North Carolina
Chandler Jones -DE from Syracuse
Bobby Wagner – LB from Utah State
Tank Carder – OLB from TCU
Morris Claiborne -CB from LSU
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Ron Brooks -CB from LSU
Josh Bellamy -CB/WR from Louisville
Tavon Wilson -S from Illinois
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Michael Floyd -WR from Notre Dame
Kendall Wright -WR from Baylor
Stephen Hill -WR from Georgia Tech
Alshon Jeffery -WR from South Carolina
Joe Adams – WR from Arkansas
A.J. Jenkins -WR from Illinois
Peter Konz -C from Wisconsin
Gino Gradkowski OG/C from University Of Deleware
Devon Still – DT from Penn State
Fletcher Cox -DT from Mississippi State
Michael Brockers – DT from LSU
Josh Chapman -DT from Alabama
Courtney Upshaw -DE from Alabama
Melvin Ingram -DE from South Carolina
Whitney Mercilus -DE Illinois
Tim Fugger -DE from Vanderbilt
Ernest Owusu – DE from California
Dont’a Hightower -LB from Alabama
Luke Kuechly LB from Boston College
Mychal Kendricks -LB from California
Zach Brown – LB from North Carolina
Lavonte David -LB from Nebraska
Shea McClellin -LB from Boise State
Mike Martin -DT from Michigan
Bobby Wagner -LB from Utah State
Dre Kirkpatrick – CB from Alabama
Stephon Gilmore -CB from South Carolina
Chris Greenwood -CB from Albion
Casey Hayward -CB from Vanderbilt
Mark Barron -S from Alabama
Sean Richardson -S from Vanderbilt

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Robert Griffin III -QB from Baylor
Andrew Luck – QB from Stamford
Aaron Corp -QB from Richmond
Trent Richardson – RB from Alabama
Stephen Hill – WR from Georgia Tech
Donald Stephenson -OT from Oklahoma
Robert Turbin -RB from Utah State
Omar Bolden -CB from Arizona State
Keith Tandy -CB from West Virgina
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Kelcie McCray -S from Arkansas State
Philip Thomas -S from Syracuse

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Greenway & Fletcher Added to Pro Bowl

By Gayle Saunders
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Two worthy contestants step right on up! Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway and Redskins linebacker London Fletcher have now been added to the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster as alternates.

Both Bears linebackers, Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher will be replaced in the pro bowl, due to injuries suffered during the season. Read more

Vikings & Redskins interviewing Raheem Morris

By Gayle Saunders
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The Vikings are set to interview Raheem Morris former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach for their defensive coordinator position. Morris was fired as the Bucs head coach after three up and down seasons.

Morris recently interviewed this week with the Washington Redskins for the defensive backs coach spot. With interest from the Vikings it now leaves Fred Pagac asking questions about his future with Minnesota.

On the season the Vikings ranked 21st and gave up 28.1 points a game.
The Vikings defense ranked 21st in the NFL this season, giving up 28.1 points per game.

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