Vikings Team Report
(Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:53:27 PST)

The Vikings head into this off-season facing the same question they had a year ago. Who will be this team's starting quarterback in 2009?

Tarvaris Jackson began and finished the season as the starter, but in between he was benched for 11 games, and it's not clear what the future holds for him. Gus Frerotte has a year left on his contract, but the 37-year-old appears to want some assurances about his role, and it's likely he won't be getting any.

The third quarterback was rookie fifth-round pick John David Booty, but he probably will spend at least another season learning from the sideline.

Although many of Jackson's teammates supported him after the Vikings' 26-14 loss to Philadelphia in a wild-card playoff game Sunday, there was no denying Jackson looked much...

Jackson's job? Childress doesn't commit to '09 QB
(Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:46:15 PST)
The quarterback for the 2009 Minnesota Vikings? It's not exactly Tarvaris Jackson's job to lose. Coach Brad Childress isn't willing to declare, though, that Jackson has lost the chance to be their starter. Throughout his hardly revealing remarks four days after Minnesota was beaten by Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs, Childress was noncommittal Thursday about what the team will do to...

Vikings' Herrera recovering after shoulder surgery
(Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:24:09 PST)
Minnesota Vikings right guard Anthony Herrera is recovering from shoulder surgery. Coach Brad Childress revealed the operation Thursday, a day after it was performed, saying Herrera had already begun his rehabilitation and will have "a maximum amount of time to recover." Childress added Herrera "should be close" to ready when the strength and conditioning program begins in April.

Browns get Mangini; other teams looking
(Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:17:32 PST)
Eric Mangini didn't waste much time finding a job after being cut loose by the New York Jets, agreeing to a four-year deal Wednesday to coach the Cleveland Browns. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea, Ohio.

10-Pack: Jump on the NFL coaching carousel
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:27:08 PST)
This week, instead of taking a look at 10 story lines regarding the games that were played over the weekend,...

Ward's modest goal turns into much more
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:19:00 PST)
Derrick Ward not only stayed healthy, but the Giants RB could cash in big during the offseason.

Vikes Frazier, Fassel added to list of candidates in St. Louis
(Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:08:51 PST)
Those close to Leslie Frazier say he's ready to be a head coach and is very interested in talking to the St.

Vikings don't see much need for change
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:06:25 PST)
The Minnesota Vikings enter the offseason sooner than they anticipated but believing no major changes are needed to make a Super Bowl run next season. And yes, Vikings fans, that includes the quarterback. "We have all the makings of a Super Bowl team," safety Darren Sharper said. "You'll watch the playoffs from here on out and you can't say there's any team that we cannot beat.

Wilf: Childress will return to Vikings for 2009 season
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:01:46 PST)
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf called the NFC North title a "milestone" and was encouraged by the...

Everyone wants to be last year's Giants
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:57:31 PST)
With the second round of the NFL playoffs upon us, there are multiple aspirants to become last season's Giants, the team from nowhere that swept through the postseason to an improbable Super Bowl title. Unfortunately for the Giants, they aren't one of them. They are the NFC's top-seeded team, the hunted instead of the hunter, as they prepare to meet Philadelphia for the third time this season.

St. Louis gets permission to interview four for coaching job
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:48:04 PST)
The St. Louis Rams have received permission to interview four additional candidates for their head-coaching job.

Minnesota won't be the same Vikings next year
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:20:03 PST)
The Minnesota Vikings won't be the same team next year. That's the nature of the NFL. Long-time center Matt Birk,...

Worst case scenario for Giants: Eagles win
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:12:22 PST)
Only one team was able to come into Giants Stadium and beat the defending Super Bowl champions this season.

'Hot and healthy' flies out the playoff window
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:51:00 PST)
The Cardinals and Chargers proved that regular-season marks and what we think we know can be irrelevant.

Vikings' defense was not the same after screen to Westbrook
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:47:04 PST)
Less than a quarter of football remained. The Minnesota Vikings would get their hands on the football three more...

Vikes turned up heat, but McNabb was Joe Cool
(Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:36:32 PST)
As long as the game was in Donovan McNabb's hands, the Philadelphia Eagles were in control, wrote the...

Patience, consistency push Eagles to next round
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:24:00 PST)
Once a floundering team that lacked a groove, Philly has figured out how to put the right pieces in place.

NFC playoffs: Eagles, Cardinals face familiar road
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:25:48 PST)
AFC second-round playoff breakdowns They say that familiarity breeds contempt, and it couldn't be a truer...

Vikings FS Sharper leaves game
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:14:21 PST)
Vikings free safety Darren Sharper left Minnesota's playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle. Sharper was injured early in the period during a running play by Brian Westbrook. He hobbled off the field, then returned after one play, only to limp off again.

Philly has a few more wins in it this year
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:06:14 PST)
The Eagles are on a mission, writes Dennis Dillon. He believes the Birds are playing well enough right now to go all the way to the Super Bowl.

Peterson's 2 TDs not enough for Vikings
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:00:10 PST)
Many of Adrian Peterson's Minnesota teammates had already showered and dressed, eager to get out of a somber locker room after a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Yet nearly 30 minutes after the 26-14 defeat ended Minnesota's up-and-down season, Peterson still sat in front of his locker in full uniform, staring blankly at his hands.

Wild card weekend's five most valuable people
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:53:07 PST)
Honorable Mention: Matt Millen . I don't know that Matt Millen actually deserves an award, but it's got to be a...

Wild card weekend's five least valuable people
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:51:37 PST)
Honorable Mention: 3conomics . I don't get the commercials, Wendy's. I know that you have three sandwiches that...

Vikings DT Pat Williams inactive
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:29:02 PST)
The Minnesota Vikings will be without half of its starting defensive line for Sunday's NFC wild-card round playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pat Williams out for Vikings playoff game
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 12:26:25 PST)
Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams was inactive Sunday against Philadelphia, leaving Minnesota without its best run stopper for its first playoff game since 2004. Williams practiced all week and was listed as questionable on Friday with a fractured shoulder. He tested it out on the field hours before the game and was ruled out.

Vikings think they are built for a deep playoff run
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:11:27 PST)
Minnesota Vikings safety Darren Sharper remembers playing in the Super Bowl, and he believes it can happen...

Eagles need to start quickly against Vikings
(Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:53:32 PST)
Correll Buckhalter's skills as a sage analyst of his profession are a lot like his skills as an Philadelphia...