thanks tice! between mikey's underwater walk to the commisioner's table and angelo's bone-headed antics, the nfc north's first division title is going to be sitting in titletown by season's end. you girls got a real genius on your hands. what a first-class dolt...
PFW: Were there any other spots where you thought you were going to go before (Minnesota at No. 7), where you thought you were definitely the guy? McKinnie: I knew somebody — I thought somebody was going to trade, like Jacksonville, but I wasn’t too sure. I only talked to Minnesota at the Combine.
Me and Coach (Mike Tice) got along pretty good, but I never went up there for a visit. They never called me on the phone after the Combine, so I had no clue.
maybe the vikes will draft a flashlight and a feather pillow in day 2 for the ride down to the bottom o' the well in 2002. look out below detroit!!!
5-11, wooooooooo-hoooooooo! you'll be dreaming about having a record that good this season. and you'll be slamming tice by mid-season, the same as denny. at least DG got you to the playoffs. tice can't even get your club to the podium! lmao! fears was right: you've got a 2002 version of the
While it isn't automatic that Brian Williams will be an NFL free safety, the needs of the Vikings would seem to indicate that is where he'll play.
It was little surprise to see the Vikings draft a defensive back in the fourth round. Mike Tice said as much after the first day of the draft. The question now is how pure of a free safety is the man they drafted, Brian Williams.
The two highly publicized draft experts, Mel Kiper of ESPN and Joel Buschbaum of Pro Football Weekly, seem to disagree. Buschbaum had Williams rated as the seventh-highest safety. Kiper had Williams rated as the eighth-highest cornerback. That may not be all bad, because his experience at cornerback will obviously help him in coverage, but his tackles as a college safety show he has a knack for being around the ball.
Williams, a 5-foot-11, 207-pound defensive back started with North Carolina State as a reserve free safety in 1998 and started at safety in 1999. He led the team in tackles in his sophomore season, making 131 tackles. He moved from safety to right cornerback in 2000, starting every game and registering 55 tackles. He had 63 tackles from cornerback in his senior season.
He said the Vikings will be playing him at free safety. However, defensive coordinator Willie Shaw said he will take a look at Williams as a cornerback in minicamp and then make a judgement after the developmental camps.
"The secondary is real young and they like my style of play," Williams said of his conversations with Vikings officials.
He may be asked to start in preseason at free safety, with Don Morgan as his only real competition so far. He is also a solid special teams player.
The book on Williams says he has a big upper body and is instinctive and quick to react. He is also solid at helping in run support. He runs a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash, had a 39-inch vertical jump and did 19 reps bench pressing 225 pounds.
With the draft over, the Vikings saw something better than Bryant McKinnie holding up a Vikings jersey -- Daunte Culpepper on the field Monday at the team's developmental camp.
While a lot of the national media think the Vikings are in for another long season this year, if Mike Tice has accomplished anything in his four months as coach, it is getting his team on the same page.
Fifty-two Vikings -- every player under contract and not in NFL Europe -- took part Monday in the first day of the Vikings developmental mini-camp, including QB Daunte Culpepper.
Culpepper is still recovering from knee surgery, but looked good Monday. He, Randy Moss and the other veterans have been working out extensively at Winter Park (when not playing bocce ball with trainer Fred Zamberletti) and Culpepper assessed his recovery at 90 percent at this point.
The Vikings plan to have all of their rookies in this week for the practices and attempt to let everyone know their role in the new-look Vikings, especially on defense, where Chris Hovan may be the only returning starter from 2001.
TUESDAY NOTES
Word we're getting out of Miami is that the Dolphins are through negotiating with Cris Carter. Unless another team emerges, Carter currently has no teams pursuing him in the free agent market.
Want to put some pressure on yourself? New safety Willie Offord is going to get the first chance to replace Robert Griffith and will have a familiar look when he takes the field this summer. He'll be wearing No. 24 -- Griffith's old number. He wanted his college number (20), but that is already taken by Kenny Wright.
Talance Sawyer signed a one-year tender offer from the Vikings Monday, a deal worth $563,000. * Former Viking Corey Fuller accepted some substantial pay cuts with Cleveland to free up more cap space for the team and dropping his salaries by about $2 million over the next three years.
The Vikings have begun discussions with WR Derrick Alexander. While still under contract with Kansas City, he restructured his deal earlier this month with the knowledge he will be cut after June 1. He has been given permission by the Chiefs to work out his own contract with another team.
The Vikings are expected to begin talks with Mark Rypien this week about coming in as a veteran backup to Culpepper and Todd Bouman.
NFC North - Packer First Round Previous | Next   From: REDNECKWARRI Apr-21 1:00 pm To: ALL (1 of 7)   809.1
As a die hard Packer fan, I am in a uproar over the first day of the draft. It was quite possibly the worst I have ever seen. Jevon Walker isn't worth a first round pick, especially if you have to move up to get him. With all of the talent that was left on the board(Josh Reed, Andre Davis, Jabar Gaffney) It's ridiculous that they made that move. Sherman said that he was impressed with his interview. They didn't use that criteria to get Terry Glenn, why start now.
just saw your message. Draft analysis is a tough call. Every team is claiming victory. Even Cincy is thinking they got a steal with Levi Jones (although that would be funny if he was a perennial pro bowler for the next 10 years).
I was actually hoping they would draft Mount McKinnie, but when Simms was still available and with Jerry Jones with his thumb up his...I was thinking this would be sweet justice.
But once again, Dallas finds a way to screw the Vikes. Drew Pearson, Herschel Walker...
Apparently the draft experts say the VIKES reached a little early for the kid from Washington State, but I say who cares? If the kid can play, then I say draft him early. Apparently he is a fast and "nasty" player that maybe somewhat undersized. My guess is he is a Scott Studwell pick.
Overall, I liked our draft. Pretty tough not to have a good draft though. The purple had some holes to fill.
-------------------------------------------------
Packers will be a fun team to watch.
She-Male at one WR position.
And the 'Attention Deficit Disorder' at the other.
Nice Job Mark Sherman. You found your scapegoats for the unruly drunken fans for another year.
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Just months after he regained control of football operations of the Minnesota Vikings, 31-year employee Frank Gilliam appears to have lost it, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Thursday.
The newspaper said seven team and league sources told it the team was changing its power structure and Gilliam would be the odd man out, while former star linebacker Scott Studwell was in line for a promotion. Gilliam's contract expires May 31. Team officials previously said they would renew the contract.
Vikings President Gary Woods flew to the Twin Cities from his San Antonio base for meetings with the front office Wednesday, when Gilliam was told of his demotion, the newspaper said.
Woods told the Pioneer Press Wednesday evening that changes still were being made and he hoped the team would have an announcement by the end of the week.
He said the final decision to oust Gilliam had not been made. But when asked whether Gilliam's role would decrease, Woods said: "Possibly. That is correct."
Woods later said: "This has been in the making for several months. Frank is 68, and this is being made as part of the long-term plan."
Gilliam would have the opportunity to stay in the organization, possibly as a consultant, Woods said.
Gilliam did not return phone messages Wednesday, the newspaper said, nor did he immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press.
Woods said it was possible that Studwell, the Vikings' player personnel coordinator, would be promoted to head the football operations and that it was unlikely the team would go outside the organization to find Gilliam's replacement.
The personnel department would likely be under the supervision of Rob Brzezinski, vice president of football administration, Woods said.
While the structure will change, Woods said, the rest of the personnel and scouting department would likely stay intact. Woods said new coach Mike Tice's role would remain the same and he would not take on any added personnel responsibilities.
In January, when head coach and vice president of football operations Dennis Green was fired, the team said Gilliam would be in charge of all football decisions while executive vice president Mike Kelly would be in charge of all business decisions. Green took control of the decision-making in 1999 when he became vice president.
Gilliam joined the Vikings in 1971. He became the Vikings' vice president of player personnel in 1994. He gained a leaguewide reputation as an astute talent evaluator and was instrumental in selecting several of the Vikings' key players, including receiver Randy Moss and tackles Korey Stringer and Todd Steussie.
"Frank has been a tremendous asset for the company," Woods said. "Any changes are still being considered, but this team also wants to address the future."
Forget about whether Bryant "Second Choice" McKinnie will be angry with Vikings brass, who openly coveted North Carolina DT Ryan Sims. The bigger potential chemistry problem in the Minnesota locker room this summer will be the arrival of several potentially overpriced free agents.
After the 2001 season, several veterans were jettisoned, and many of those who stayed got squeezed into smaller deals. But when the new cap room was used on unproven guys like Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell, the locker room started to rumblelike the seat of Chris Berman's pants after a trip to Don Pablo's. According to a league source, it's a problem that likely will not disrupt the new attitude that coach Mike Tice is forging. Nevertheless, if the overpaid newcomers don't perform, the rumblings will continue.
The Vikings will be a different team come June 1, as respected front office man Frank Gilliam is being forced out of his position at the top of the Vikings college evaluation team.
On a team that had and has so many people that many of the hyper-critical members of the Twin Cities media can find it so easy to dislike, that couldn't be said for Frank Gilliam.
A Vikings employee for 31 years, Gilliam has been the team's draft guru and, while his duties were restricted in recent years after Dennis Green's monopolizing of power, Gilliam was given the top authority and final say on players drafted last week by the Vikings.
However, days later, Gilliam is out as of May 31, when his current contract expires, to be replaced by Rob Brzezinski as Vice President of Football Operations and Scott Studwell as head of college scouting.
Over the years, Gilliam has been credited for uncovering several mid- and late-round gems and Saturday at the draft, coach Mike Tice fawned over Gilliam for his expertise and willingness to be a team player. But, after a meeting with Team President Gary Woods, Gilliam was forced to fall on his sword, announcing his resignation.
This is a far cry from what Gilliam indicated less than a month ago. When asked by VU if players of the current era are a lot different from the "old school" days, Gilliam said personalities may change with the times, but finding a good player hasn't differed, adding that he was looking forward to the new chapter in Vikings history and planned to be a major part of it.
That was, until Woods arrived Wednesday. Rumors immediately spread that one of the contributing factors to Gilliam's outster resulted from a lack of quick movement when the Vikings allegedly had a chance to move in front of Kansas City, as talks with Dallas ran out the clock on DT Ryan Sims and the Vikings had an opportunity to move in and steal the pick. However, VU has been told be a source close to the situation that there was no connection between the two.
Gilliam has agreed to remain with the team as a "senior consultant," but will now report to Studwell instead of the other way around.
It's unfortunate that a man of Gilliam's expertise, common sense and decency has to be forced out before he was ready to go. Considering Tice's adament concern about not letting Gary Anderson go out to pasture without being allowed to be part of the process, the quick and unexplained dismissal of Gilliam seems to smack in the face of that same compassion. Perhaps nobody has meant as much to the Vikings organization for as long and as much as Gilliam. Those who were behind his outster can take a lesson from the class and dignity with which Gilliam accepted this professional slap to the face.
VU has been told Woods has issued a teamwide order not to discuss publicly the shift in power in the front office, a dubious move more in keeping with the bunker mentality in the final years of the Denny Green regime.
All of us at VU would like to wish Gilliam the best and acknowledge the incredible contribution he has made to the Vikings organization in the four different decades he has been in the team's employ.
FRIDAY NOTES
The Vikings signed WR Sean Dawkins to a one-year contract for a veteran minimum of $750,000, of which only $450,000 will count against the 2002 salary cap. While Dawkins, who began his career with Indianapolis, spent two years with Seattle and last season with Jacksonville, isn't expected to be in competition for a starting job heading into training camp, which means the Vikings still intend to pursue a veteran free agent, most likely after several big names are released June 1.
One such player is Kansas City's Derrick Alexander. Contrary to some reports, he absolutely will be released June 1. Some media sources say he might be released, but, if he was still under contract, he would not be able to visit other teams -- he's scheduled for a visit with the Vikings this weekend for a physical. Earlier this month, Alexander restructured his contract to lower his salary cap number, in exchange for a $100,000 signing bonus and the guarantee that he would be released June 1 to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Vikings first full mini-camp begins today and will be the first chance for the Vikings to see their new rookies in uniform. Surprisingly, none of the draft picks had any extended talks with the team before they were drafted and most were surprised to come to the Vikes, since they had spoken with several teams, but the Vikings were not one of them.
if it weren't for packer fans, there'd be tumbleweeds blowing thru this board and the new one. by mid-season, you'll be talking nothing but racing. or exchanging recipes.
they ask people to come here .........half the guys didn't come to this board, and you know why ?
it's deader than a old hammer here......you try to help people out & they cry like little orphans.......they can't take any smack at all.........
maybe we should post stuff like : "oh BUD how was your day ?" or "TX , i think randy will throw his annual fit in the 3rd game , not his 7th game as usual"
A league source tells us that the Vikings are hoping to sign a receiver who'll be able and eager to occupy the slot position, working the middle of the field and taking plenty of hits. Currently, Randy Moss and newcomer D'Wayne Bates will bring speed to the outside. According to the source, the team is hoping that Derrick Alexander, if released by the Chiefs and signed by the Vikings, will take over the slot duties, which previously were held down by Cris Carter. Another possibility for the slot position is current Jaguar Keenan McCardell, who likely will be released after June 1. Newly-signed receiver Sean Dawkins also could get a shot at the slot, but his role most likely will be to back up Moss and/or Bates.
have you heard the rumors that the Vikes might go after Freeman if they don't get Alexander or another reciever that they want after June 1st. Freeman ? he's too old, too slow and last year I saw him drop alot of passes the last few years. Not saying he's not talented, he is but I think he's way past his prime. That and he seemed to be as much as a whiner as C.C, o.k not as much but I saw him do alot of whining too. I just don't see him being a good fit for the purple with the high speed they have.
It will be interesting to see what Bates can do. it would be cool to see him turn into a big time reciever. Sounded like he was way under utilized at Chicago. It'd be great to find another diamond in the rough so to speak. Moss, Bates, Alexander, Chamberlain etc. would give Dante some nice targets to throw at. And plenty of speed too which will be a problem for linebackers trying to cover short in a zone. Carter still has great hands but was just too slow. I think it's funny how he left here with ZERO class and the comments he made only to find himself sitting on the sidelines in 02'
He was a great reciever and made some of the most fantastic catches I have ever seen and a sure hall of famer, too bad his own attiude has soured other teams on an otherwise good asset to them. It must be killing him that his bad attitude is essentially locking him out of the NFL. And it really says something frankly about Denny because it looks like no other coaches are willing to put up with his B.S and Denny had put up with it all along which I think cost the team and negated his contributions many times. I don't think Tice would have put up with it for a second and it doesn't seem like he is willing to put up wiht any b.s from any other players. I like that. See ya' C.C, ya classless punk.
Can Moss Be a Leader? By Viking Update Staff Date: May 12, 2002
Mike Tice is expecting Randy Moss to be team leader. The question is can he do it after a checkered early career in the NFL?
Randy Moss has been many things since joining the NFL -- a supreme talent, a marginal blocker and, in some instances, a head case.
But, according to head coach Mike Tice, that is going to change this year. Unlike previous seasons, when Moss would go into seclusion at Cris Carter's compound, along with Carter, Daunte Culpepper and several other players, he has been at Winter Park all off-season -- building closer relationships with the players and being...well...a leader.
Moss was mentoring younger players at mini-camp and, while expected to be involved in as much as 50 percent of the pass plays thrown by the team, he is taking on the responsibility of being a team player who helps show younger players the ropes of the game.
Although Moss and Carter had a strained relationship at the end of C.C.'s tenure with the Vikings, he did a great job of showing Moss the potential pitfalls that could affect a young player, especially one like Moss who brought some personal baggage to the table.
If Moss can become the leader Tice envisions, he has every chance of being the complete player so many of us think he can be and could get himself back on track to be a perrenial Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer.
However, to his skeptics, the jury is still out and far from making a positive decision.
SUNDAY NOTES
The New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs are the two latest teams to enter into the running to get Jacksonville WR Keenan McCardell when he is expected to be released after June 1. McCardell has drawn interest from more than a half-dozen teams, including the Vikings, but we're told the Vikings will back off if a bidding war ensues. * Another veteran WR rumored to be on the Vikings wish list if things fall through with Derrick Alexander is Green Bay's Antonio Freeman. However, our peeps with the Pack say Brett Favre has made a personal appeal to his longtime top receiver to accept a pay cut and stay with the Packers for another year.
All of us at VU would like to wish all the moms, daughters and grandmothers out there a Happy Mother's Day.
I am not saying Freeman is a total slug, I just don't see him beinga good fit. Farve i am sure wants him to stay since they seem to be buds and he knows his tendency's etc. I know that the slot guy doesn't have to be lightning quick but C.C had slowed to the point of some l.b's being able to cover him and I don't think Freeman is much quicker. Again you don't have to be fast but it doesn't hurt to have speed and if we can get a guy with better hands whose quicker, why not ? But I think he's way past his prime and I think it would take more than we should spend on him. Now we could do alot worse than him but I don't see him fitting in here. I'm hoping for Alexander or McCardell. although from the article you posted it doesn't look like they'll be spending much on him so I doubt we'll get him.
bud, Freeman is unhappy in Green Bay. He needs a change of scenery.
freeman's not unhappy in green bay, he's unhappy like CC...he can't face the music that he's lost a step & that he's not worth the money anymore. look, if freeman & CC would've produced relative to their contracts, it would be a non-issue for both parties. free can't cope with the fact that the market's dry for players in his position. neither could CC.
l2f, I know that the slot guy doesn't have to be lightning quick but C.C had slowed to the point of some l.b's being able to cover him and I don't think Freeman is much quicker.
exactly. in a foot race it's even, but CC had much better hands. free is still good coming across the middle and finding a soft spot in the coverage, and those circus catches. ah yes,
Personally I think they should let me sit down with Mike Tice and CC in a closed room.
When we come out CC will be annoucing his 3 year contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings. He'll be talking about what a joy it will be to end his career in front of the most knowledgable fans in the NFL, the Minnesota fans. He will talk about how he expects to catch a lot less balls as the #3 guy behind D'Wayne Bates, but still sees himself with 40 receptions and 10-12 TD's.
No way do I wan't to see Carter come back. He is still a talanted reciever and has made the most acrobatic catches I have ever seen. I think he has better hands than any reciever to play the game. There are so many catches I saw him snag in that I can't even count the number of times I've shook my head and wondered how in the hell he caught that. He's a future hall of famer. His work ethic would never be called into question either. He is slower no doubt but could be a good posession reciever if he accepted the new role. The problem with all of this is/was his attitude. Not only with his team, but the way he left here didn't help much. His teammates, mainly Randy Moss seem to be alot happier with him being gone. Talent counts for most of what an NFL player does. But there is also the effect that attitude has on the player and perhaps more importantly on a team. The last few years he seemed to be doing more harm than good in the morale dept. Things were fine when they were winning but when you hit a bad strech is when he was needed most and he was a no show in the attiude dept. Now don't get me wrong, a player can still be good and contribute his part but what effect did he have on others ? I don't think it was good judging by his teammates comments after he left.
One other thing, if attitude isn't a big factor why is it that other teams have simply walked away from a great talent like Carter ? I mean he could still contribute on the field quite a bit and there are a bunch of teams that need a player of his caliber. Why would they let talent like that sit idle ? Because they know what Tice knows and they all talk to eachother. I am glad to see Tice not trying to get him to come back. He refuses to put up with C.C's b.s, Denny did for years and I think it cost us in the long run. Also the way he left here still kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The fans here were always kind to him, I never heard him booed once. He could have left with class and didn't. But that's not a big factor. But why are all these other teams treating him like the plague ? Must be something.
10th man, CC will be annoucing his 3 year contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings. He'll be talking about what a joy it will be to end his career in front of the most knowledgable fans in the NFL
knowledge about what, sniffing glue? CC's mahatma, just like the whole friggin club if red gets his way.
"Lelie was there"
Tice Diffuses Pick Controversy
PFW: Were there any other spots where you thought you were going to go before (Minnesota at No. 7), where you thought you were definitely the guy?
McKinnie: I knew somebody — I thought somebody was going to trade, like Jacksonville, but I wasn’t too sure.
I only talked to Minnesota at the Combine.
Me and Coach (Mike Tice) got along pretty good,
but I never went up there for a visit. They never called me on the phone after the Combine, so I had no clue.
joke of the NFL > minnescrotem viQUEENS
5-11 LMAO!
http://vikings.theinsiders.com/2/45195.html
http://vikings.theinsiders.com/2/45195.html
One more pick to go.
While it isn't automatic that Brian Williams will be an NFL free safety, the needs of the Vikings would seem to indicate that is where he'll play.
It was little surprise to see the Vikings draft a defensive back in the fourth round. Mike Tice said as much after the first day of the draft. The question now is how pure of a free safety is the man they drafted, Brian Williams.
The two highly publicized draft experts, Mel Kiper of ESPN and Joel Buschbaum of Pro Football Weekly, seem to disagree. Buschbaum had Williams rated as the seventh-highest safety. Kiper had Williams rated as the eighth-highest cornerback. That may not be all bad, because his experience at cornerback will obviously help him in coverage, but his tackles as a college safety show he has a knack for being around the ball.
Williams, a 5-foot-11, 207-pound defensive back started with North Carolina State as a reserve free safety in 1998 and started at safety in 1999. He led the team in tackles in his sophomore season, making 131 tackles. He moved from safety to right cornerback in 2000, starting every game and registering 55 tackles. He had 63 tackles from cornerback in his senior season.
He said the Vikings will be playing him at free safety. However, defensive coordinator Willie Shaw said he will take a look at Williams as a cornerback in minicamp and then make a judgement after the developmental camps.
"The secondary is real young and they like my style of play," Williams said of his conversations with Vikings officials.
He may be asked to start in preseason at free safety, with Don Morgan as his only real competition so far. He is also a solid special teams player.
The book on Williams says he has a big upper body and is instinctive and quick to react. He is also solid at helping in run support. He runs a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash, had a 39-inch vertical jump and did 19 reps bench pressing 225 pounds.
Staying 100% Hot.
Corey Shave-us. funny.
Hey remember when 10Th Man didn't give a RATS ass about our eclectic group of internet nerds and then he broke out the flower boxes...
Machias thinks he's Mel Kiper.
13-5.......
YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GREAT RECORD !
13-5.....
With the draft over, the Vikings saw something better than Bryant McKinnie holding up a Vikings jersey -- Daunte Culpepper on the field Monday at the team's developmental camp.
While a lot of the national media think the Vikings are in for another long season this year, if Mike Tice has accomplished anything in his four months as coach, it is getting his team on the same page.
Fifty-two Vikings -- every player under contract and not in NFL Europe -- took part Monday in the first day of the Vikings developmental mini-camp, including QB Daunte Culpepper.
Culpepper is still recovering from knee surgery, but looked good Monday. He, Randy Moss and the other veterans have been working out extensively at Winter Park (when not playing bocce ball with trainer Fred Zamberletti) and Culpepper assessed his recovery at 90 percent at this point.
The Vikings plan to have all of their rookies in this week for the practices and attempt to let everyone know their role in the new-look Vikings, especially on defense, where Chris Hovan may be the only returning starter from 2001.
TUESDAY NOTES
Hey remember when 10Th Man didn't give a RATS ass about our eclectic group of internet nerds and then he broke out the flower boxes...
NFC North - Packer First Round Previous | Next
  From: REDNECKWARRI Apr-21 1:00 pm
To: ALL (1 of 7)
  809.1
As a die hard Packer fan, I am in a uproar over the first day of the draft. It was quite possibly the worst I have ever seen. Jevon Walker isn't worth a first round pick, especially if you have to move up to get him. With all of the talent that was left on the board(Josh Reed, Andre Davis, Jabar Gaffney) It's ridiculous that they made that move. Sherman said that he was impressed with his interview. They didn't use that criteria to get Terry Glenn, why start now.
just saw your message. Draft analysis is a tough call. Every team is claiming victory. Even Cincy is thinking they got a steal with Levi Jones (although that would be funny if he was a perennial pro bowler for the next 10 years).
I was actually hoping they would draft Mount McKinnie, but when Simms was still available and with Jerry Jones with his thumb up his...I was thinking this would be sweet justice.
But once again, Dallas finds a way to screw the Vikes. Drew Pearson, Herschel Walker...
Apparently the draft experts say the VIKES reached a little early for the kid from Washington State, but I say who cares? If the kid can play, then I say draft him early. Apparently he is a fast and "nasty" player that maybe somewhat undersized. My guess is he is a Scott Studwell pick.
Overall, I liked our draft. Pretty tough not to have a good draft though. The purple had some holes to fill.
-------------------------------------------------
Packers will be a fun team to watch.
She-Male at one WR position.
And the 'Attention Deficit Disorder' at the other.
Nice Job Mark Sherman. You found your scapegoats for the unruly drunken fans for another year.
Vikings reportedly may oust Gilliam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Just months after he regained control of football operations of the Minnesota Vikings, 31-year employee Frank Gilliam appears to have lost it, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Thursday.
The newspaper said seven team and league sources told it the team was changing its power structure and Gilliam would be the odd man out, while former star linebacker Scott Studwell was in line for a promotion. Gilliam's contract expires May 31. Team officials previously said they would renew the contract.
Vikings President Gary Woods flew to the Twin Cities from his San Antonio base for meetings with the front office Wednesday, when Gilliam was told of his demotion, the newspaper said.
Woods told the Pioneer Press Wednesday evening that changes still were being made and he hoped the team would have an announcement by the end of the week.
He said the final decision to oust Gilliam had not been made. But when asked whether Gilliam's role would decrease, Woods said: "Possibly. That is correct."
Woods later said: "This has been in the making for several months. Frank is 68, and this is being made as part of the long-term plan."
Gilliam would have the opportunity to stay in the organization, possibly as a consultant, Woods said.
Gilliam did not return phone messages Wednesday, the newspaper said, nor did he immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press.
Woods said it was possible that Studwell, the Vikings' player personnel coordinator, would be promoted to head the football operations and that it was unlikely the team would go outside the organization to find Gilliam's replacement.
The personnel department would likely be under the supervision of Rob Brzezinski, vice president of football administration, Woods said.
While the structure will change, Woods said, the rest of the personnel and scouting department would likely stay intact. Woods said new coach Mike Tice's role would remain the same and he would not take on any added personnel responsibilities.
In January, when head coach and vice president of football operations Dennis Green was fired, the team said Gilliam would be in charge of all football decisions while executive vice president Mike Kelly would be in charge of all business decisions. Green took control of the decision-making in 1999 when he became vice president.
Gilliam joined the Vikings in 1971. He became the Vikings' vice president of player personnel in 1994. He gained a leaguewide reputation as an astute talent evaluator and was instrumental in selecting several of the Vikings' key players, including receiver Randy Moss and tackles Korey Stringer and Todd Steussie.
"Frank has been a tremendous asset for the company," Woods said. "Any changes are still being considered, but this team also wants to address the future."
cut & paste.............cut & paste............cut & paste.
';';;'sheeeeeesh';';;';'
Why do you even come here, Spammy?
Oh, that's right. The Packers can't afford their own forum.
::snicker::
VIKING VETS MILDLY MIFFED
Forget about whether Bryant "Second Choice" McKinnie will be angry with Vikings brass, who openly coveted North Carolina DT Ryan Sims. The bigger potential chemistry problem in the Minnesota locker room this summer will be the arrival of several potentially overpriced free agents.
After the 2001 season, several veterans were jettisoned, and many of those who stayed got squeezed into smaller deals. But when the new cap room was used on unproven guys like Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell, the locker room started to rumblelike the seat of Chris Berman's pants after a trip to Don Pablo's.
According to a league source, it's a problem that likely will not disrupt the new attitude that coach Mike Tice is forging. Nevertheless, if the overpaid newcomers don't perform, the rumblings will continue.
The Vikings will be a different team come June 1, as respected front office man Frank Gilliam is being forced out of his position at the top of the Vikings college evaluation team.
On a team that had and has so many people that many of the hyper-critical members of the Twin Cities media can find it so easy to dislike, that couldn't be said for Frank Gilliam.
A Vikings employee for 31 years, Gilliam has been the team's draft guru and, while his duties were restricted in recent years after Dennis Green's monopolizing of power, Gilliam was given the top authority and final say on players drafted last week by the Vikings.
However, days later, Gilliam is out as of May 31, when his current contract expires, to be replaced by Rob Brzezinski as Vice President of Football Operations and Scott Studwell as head of college scouting.
Over the years, Gilliam has been credited for uncovering several mid- and late-round gems and Saturday at the draft, coach Mike Tice fawned over Gilliam for his expertise and willingness to be a team player. But, after a meeting with Team President Gary Woods, Gilliam was forced to fall on his sword, announcing his resignation.
This is a far cry from what Gilliam indicated less than a month ago. When asked by VU if players of the current era are a lot different from the "old school" days, Gilliam said personalities may change with the times, but finding a good player hasn't differed, adding that he was looking forward to the new chapter in Vikings history and planned to be a major part of it.
That was, until Woods arrived Wednesday. Rumors immediately spread that one of the contributing factors to Gilliam's outster resulted from a lack of quick movement when the Vikings allegedly had a chance to move in front of Kansas City, as talks with Dallas ran out the clock on DT Ryan Sims and the Vikings had an opportunity to move in and steal the pick. However, VU has been told be a source close to the situation that there was no connection between the two.
Gilliam has agreed to remain with the team as a "senior consultant," but will now report to Studwell instead of the other way around.
It's unfortunate that a man of Gilliam's expertise, common sense and decency has to be forced out before he was ready to go. Considering Tice's adament concern about not letting Gary Anderson go out to pasture without being allowed to be part of the process, the quick and unexplained dismissal of Gilliam seems to smack in the face of that same compassion. Perhaps nobody has meant as much to the Vikings organization for as long and as much as Gilliam. Those who were behind his outster can take a lesson from the class and dignity with which Gilliam accepted this professional slap to the face.
VU has been told Woods has issued a teamwide order not to discuss publicly the shift in power in the front office, a dubious move more in keeping with the bunker mentality in the final years of the Denny Green regime.
All of us at VU would like to wish Gilliam the best and acknowledge the incredible contribution he has made to the Vikings organization in the four different decades he has been in the team's employ.
FRIDAY NOTES
MY DEPTH CHART:
#1 Moss (Packer favorite, MY favorite)
#2 Bates
#3 Walsh
#4 Alexander
#5 Dawkins
13-5!
They can't survive without Viking fans.
yes Machias.........
they ask people to come here .........half the guys didn't come to this board, and you know why ?
it's deader than a old hammer here......you try to help people out & they cry like little orphans.......they can't take any smack at all.........
maybe we should post stuff like : "oh BUD how was your day ?" or "TX , i think randy will throw his annual fit in the 3rd game , not his 7th game as usual"
You're welcome to come here or not, the choice is up to you. No one is asking you, much less forcing you to come here.
btw: Wasn't Sam Jones a gay porn star in the 70's?
btw: Wasn't Sam Jones a gay porn star in the 70's?
That Machias, he does the work of three men:
Larry, Curly & Moe
Larry, Curly & Moe
Don't feel bad, Machias. A lot of people have no talent!
(cue the music)
10th likes "glitter" tee shirts......
Poor Spammy, all alone in bad company.
VIKES LOOKING FOR A SLOT MAN
coulda had driver....
Bud, Lake Nokomis Massage etc.
have you heard the rumors that the Vikes might go after Freeman if they don't get Alexander or another reciever that they want after June 1st. Freeman ? he's too old, too slow and last year I saw him drop alot of passes the last few years. Not saying he's not talented, he is but I think he's way past his prime. That and he seemed to be as much as a whiner as C.C, o.k not as much but I saw him do alot of whining too. I just don't see him being a good fit for the purple with the high speed they have.
we don't need him.
the vikes went hard after this D'Wayne Bates cat, they may as well see what he can do.
Led the BIG TEN in receptions at Northwestern he did, so you know he can play.
Also, the only two games he played in for the BEARS, he had 100 yards recieving.
Sounds like a guy who can run after the catch to me.
I hear you LNM,
It will be interesting to see what Bates can do. it would be cool to see him turn into a big time reciever. Sounded like he was way under utilized at Chicago. It'd be great to find another diamond in the rough so to speak. Moss, Bates, Alexander, Chamberlain etc. would give Dante some nice targets to throw at. And plenty of speed too which will be a problem for linebackers trying to cover short in a zone. Carter still has great hands but was just too slow. I think it's funny how he left here with ZERO class and the comments he made only to find himself sitting on the sidelines in 02'
He was a great reciever and made some of the most fantastic catches I have ever seen and a sure hall of famer, too bad his own attiude has soured other teams on an otherwise good asset to them. It must be killing him that his bad attitude is essentially locking him out of the NFL. And it really says something frankly about Denny because it looks like no other coaches are willing to put up with his B.S and Denny had put up with it all along which I think cost the team and negated his contributions many times. I don't think Tice would have put up with it for a second and it doesn't seem like he is willing to put up wiht any b.s from any other players. I like that. See ya' C.C, ya classless punk.
Great avatar, Bud!
Can Moss Be a Leader?
By Viking Update Staff
Date: May 12, 2002
Mike Tice is expecting Randy Moss to be team leader. The question is can he do it after a checkered early career in the NFL?
Randy Moss has been many things since joining the NFL -- a supreme talent, a marginal blocker and, in some instances, a head case.
But, according to head coach Mike Tice, that is going to change this year. Unlike previous seasons, when Moss would go into seclusion at Cris Carter's compound, along with Carter, Daunte Culpepper and several other players, he has been at Winter Park all off-season -- building closer relationships with the players and being...well...a leader.
Moss was mentoring younger players at mini-camp and, while expected to be involved in as much as 50 percent of the pass plays thrown by the team, he is taking on the responsibility of being a team player who helps show younger players the ropes of the game.
Although Moss and Carter had a strained relationship at the end of C.C.'s tenure with the Vikings, he did a great job of showing Moss the potential pitfalls that could affect a young player, especially one like Moss who brought some personal baggage to the table.
If Moss can become the leader Tice envisions, he has every chance of being the complete player so many of us think he can be and could get himself back on track to be a perrenial Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer.
However, to his skeptics, the jury is still out and far from making a positive decision.
SUNDAY NOTES
The drugs they cooked up together ?
Bud,
I am not saying Freeman is a total slug, I just don't see him beinga good fit. Farve i am sure wants him to stay since they seem to be buds and he knows his tendency's etc. I know that the slot guy doesn't have to be lightning quick but C.C had slowed to the point of some l.b's being able to cover him and I don't think Freeman is much quicker. Again you don't have to be fast but it doesn't hurt to have speed and if we can get a guy with better hands whose quicker, why not ? But I think he's way past his prime and I think it would take more than we should spend on him. Now we could do alot worse than him but I don't see him fitting in here. I'm hoping for Alexander or McCardell. although from the article you posted it doesn't look like they'll be spending much on him so I doubt we'll get him.
bud,
Freeman is unhappy in Green Bay. He needs a change of scenery.
l2f,
I know that the slot guy doesn't have to be lightning quick but C.C had slowed to the point of some l.b's being able to cover him and I don't think Freeman is much quicker.
Personally I think they should let me sit down with Mike Tice and CC in a closed room.
When we come out CC will be annoucing his 3 year contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings. He'll be talking about what a joy it will be to end his career in front of the most knowledgable fans in the NFL, the Minnesota fans. He will talk about how he expects to catch a lot less balls as the #3 guy behind D'Wayne Bates, but still sees himself with 40 receptions and 10-12 TD's.
LNM,
No way do I wan't to see Carter come back. He is still a talanted reciever and has made the most acrobatic catches I have ever seen. I think he has better hands than any reciever to play the game. There are so many catches I saw him snag in that I can't even count the number of times I've shook my head and wondered how in the hell he caught that. He's a future hall of famer. His work ethic would never be called into question either. He is slower no doubt but could be a good posession reciever if he accepted the new role. The problem with all of this is/was his attitude. Not only with his team, but the way he left here didn't help much. His teammates, mainly Randy Moss seem to be alot happier with him being gone. Talent counts for most of what an NFL player does. But there is also the effect that attitude has on the player and perhaps more importantly on a team. The last few years he seemed to be doing more harm than good in the morale dept. Things were fine when they were winning but when you hit a bad strech is when he was needed most and he was a no show in the attiude dept. Now don't get me wrong, a player can still be good and contribute his part but what effect did he have on others ? I don't think it was good judging by his teammates comments after he left.
One other thing, if attitude isn't a big factor why is it that other teams have simply walked away from a great talent like Carter ? I mean he could still contribute on the field quite a bit and there are a bunch of teams that need a player of his caliber. Why would they let talent like that sit idle ? Because they know what Tice knows and they all talk to eachother. I am glad to see Tice not trying to get him to come back. He refuses to put up with C.C's b.s, Denny did for years and I think it cost us in the long run. Also the way he left here still kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The fans here were always kind to him, I never heard him booed once. He could have left with class and didn't. But that's not a big factor. But why are all these other teams treating him like the plague ? Must be something.
10th man,
CC will be annoucing his 3 year contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings. He'll be talking about what a joy it will be to end his career in front of the most knowledgable fans in the NFL
the #3 guy behind D'Wayne Bates