Preseason talk

[Scott K]

Just some tid bits.

Quote:

Sixth-round QB Joe Webb has "really struggled" early in Vikings camp.

"His head is spinning," coordinator Bevell said. "The playbook is immense." Webb has freakish athletic ability, but it's no surprise that he's struggling with the offense. He was considered a raw developmental project if he stayed at QB in the NFL.

Quote:

Although Adrian Peterson returned to a full practice Monday, Percy Harvin did not rejoin the team as expected.

Harvin left last Sunday after his grandmother died, and he's now missed 14 consecutive practices. "I don't where he's at in terms of his conditioning," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. Of greater concern is that it's believed Harvin is once again dealing with migraine headaches, which are often brought on by stress. The Vikings aren't sure when he will return to practice.

Quote:

According to FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer, the Vikings staged a "two-pronged attack" to convince Brett Favre to reconsider after he sent text messages to teammates last week stating his body wouldn't let him play this year.

Though teammates believe Favre was trying to let them down easily with the texts, the organization wasn't prepared to let him walk. In addition to increasing his 2010 salary, the Vikings had players "bombard" Favre with texts or phone calls, begging him to return for one last shot at a Super Bowl. Not one person associated with the team believes Favre's actions were intended to land more money. Favre responded positively to the outpouring of support, a feeling he didn't receive upon leaving Green Bay or New York.

Source: FoxSports.com

Quote:

Vikings rookie Chris Cook appears to have pushed past Lito Sheppard as the favorite to fill in for Cedric Griffin (ACL surgery) early in the season.

Nothing is written in stone yet, but the athletic and physical Cook has been running with the ones while Sheppard is relegated to second-team work. Sheppard has been a liability in coverage the past two seasons, so Cook's ascension is a positive sign for the Vikes' troublesome pass defense.

Quote:

Adrian Peterson (hamstring) returned to a full practice Monday, as expected.

Peterson showed no signs of the hamstring tightness that bothered him last week. He's ready to go. Now if only the Vikes could get Sidney Rice (hip), Percy Harvin (migraines?), and Brett Favre (ankle) back in the practice fold.

[SkunkedAgain]

It's always fun to figure out which rookies are going to contribute up front, and which rookies from a year or two before are finally going to emerge.

No surprise about Joe Webb. He is raw and will take time, but the Vikings have a soft enough cushion with all of the experienced QBs on the roster ahead of him.

I'm not sure if the ascent of Chris Cook above Lito Sheppard is a good or bad thing. Depending on how it's spun, it's either a great battle between two good corners or the Vikings choosing the lesser of two evils: a rookie corner or a washed-up corner.

Quote:

Favre responded positively to the outpouring of support, a feeling he didn't receive upon leaving Green Bay or New York.

I find this humorous. The Packer fans fawned over him every year and begged him not to quit, especially after they lost in the NFC Championship game. He crushed them when he decided to retire. It wasn't until they moved on with Rodgers and he un-retired later in the summer that he 'didn't feel the outpouring of support.' Funny how history gets twisted, and we'll see how long all of us Minnesotans are willing to deal with his games. I did read recently that he told Steve Mariucci that he's in shape but he still can't run without ankle pain. That just further makes me believe that he'll accept a spot on the PUP list, and come back in time for the Packer/Viking game in Week 7.

[Scott K]

I actually think it was media talk, and Favre nor the Vikings had any talk about retirement. Favre will be there on week #1 against the Saints, he is just milking the ankle injury to the media, so he doesnt have to go to camp. He will be here to start the 3rd preseason game.

[BrianLucky13]

I actually think it was media talk, and Favre nor the Vikings had any talk about retirement. Favre will be there on week #1 against the Saints, he is just milking the ankle injury to the media, so he doesnt have to go to camp. He will be here to start the 3rd preseason game.

That's the smartest thing I've ever seen you write!!!

[Scott K]

Well thanks Brian. Maybe I am getting wiser in my old age!

[Scott K]

Quote:

Vikings coach Brad Childress confirmed Tuesday that Percy Harvin is once again dealing with migraine headaches.

The headaches were ostensibly brought on from stress due a recent death in Harvin's family. Harvin is back in Minnesota, resting near Vikings training camp, but Chilly still has no timetable for his return. We're not yet worried about Harvin's missed practice reps, and he has a month to get past the migraines.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Asher Allen, not Lito Sheppard, is listed as the starting right cornerback on the Vikings' first depth chart of camp.

Rookie Chris Cook is presumably listed behind Antoine Winfield at left corner. Allen has been seeing a lot of time as the nickel corner in practice, with Sheppard relegated to second-team work. The starting battle will likely come down to Asher vs. Cook.

[Scott K]

I just have to say wow, for him to be at game form in a year, unbelievable!

Quote:

Vikings MLB E.J. Henderson's early return from a broken femur "has proven to be no charade," according to ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert.

There's a chance that Henderson will see a few snaps in Saturday's preseason opener, but "no one is willing to say he will be the Vikings' starting middle linebacker Sept. 9 at New Orleans." The Vikings may end up erring on the side of caution early in the season. Still, Henderson has made an astonishing recovery with a good chance to recapture his pre-injury form. He's listed as the starter on the team's first depth chart.

[Born2Fish]

Just goes to show you how dedicated that guy is at wanting to get back into football and help his team out. I am very glad to hear that he is back to where he is so fast. We sure could of used him late last year!!

[Scott K]

Bring him home boys!

Quote:

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that DE Jared Allen, OG Steve Hutchinson, and K Ryan Longwell were dispatched to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to visit Brett Favre.

Hey, a new twist in the episodic nature of the NFL's longest-running reality drama. The three players were noticeably absent from Winter Park on Tuesday, and it's believed that they're in Hattiesburg to woo their quarterback. Coach Brad Childress indicated that there's been no recent contact with Favre, and the outcome of his recent checkup with Dr. James Andrews remains unknown.

[greebs]

Thought he was injured? How is this news going to change that? Unless he gets them a superbowl win this will be looked at down the road as embarrassing to the franchise.

[Rick]

Thought he was injured? How is this news going to change that? Unless he gets them a superbowl win this will be looked at down the road as embarrassing to the franchise.

By you and packer-bears fans maybe but not by true Vikes fans

[Jim Uran]

Word on the streets is that the Vikes are a lock in for the Superbowl with or with out Favre.. Well at least on my street anyways!!!! GO VIKES!!!!

[PierBridge]

He's on a jet heading north as expected!

[nate larson]

Star Trib and NFL network are reporting that he is going to play and he is on a plane to MN right now.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Coach Brad Childress confirmed that Brett Favre will play "a series or two" Sunday night against the 49ers.

Favre will be in just long enough to knock off the cobwebs and test his surgically repaired ankle. Percy Harvin (migraine) and Sidney Rice (hip) will not play. Hopefully they can get back on the field in time for the third exhibition game.

Quote:

After testing his hip Friday, Sidney Rice acknowledged that his status for the season opener is now "up in the air."

Rice felt pain in his hip Friday when he pushed it to the limit in conditioning drills. That has to be categorized as a setback, and Rice's fantasy value will continue to fall as a high-risk/high-reward WR2. The Vikings, unsure of Rice's early-season status, are working out free agents Brandon Jones and Javon Walker. Bernard Berrian now looks like a more attractive late-round flier.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Vikings MLB E.J. Henderson will make his preseason debut, getting the start Sunday against San Francisco.

He'll play about a quarter, a good sign for Henderson's chances of starting in Week 1. We're still cautious about drafting Henderson in IDP leagues. There have been indications that Jasper Brinkley will play plenty early in the year.

[Born2Fish]

EJ looked SOLID out there. What did he have, 7 tackles in the first series?

[Scott K]

EJ will be ready to start the season, that will be a huge boost to our linebackers. Now if we can get our secondary to cover a bit better!

[Born2Fish]

I agree about the secondary. Not looking so great out there. I also heard something about Jamarca Sanford starting ahead of Tyrell Johnson?

[Scott K]

I heard they were going to have an open competition, and the better one will start.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Citing "several sources," FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports that the Cardinals are actively trying to trade Matt Leinart.

The desired compensation is unclear, but Arizona has reportedly contacted multiple teams. They probably shouldn't hold out for more than a sixth-round pick with Leinart's trade stock at an all-time low. The 27-year-old's contract calls for a $2.5 million base salary in 2010, which will be prohibitive for most teams. Leinart will take time to learn another offense, and has not been open to settling for a backup job. Ultimately, he'll probably be released.

Quote:

Matt Leinart’s days in Arizona may be numbered.

Preseason buzz

Get all the breaking news from NFL training camps and preseason right here.

The Arizona Cardinals have been calling around the league trying to trade their former first-round draft pick, FOXSports.com has learned.

Several teams have confirmed that they have received calls and e-mails from the Cardinals regarding his services, but it is not yet clear what sort of compensation that Arizona is seeking.

Leinart lost his starting quarterback job this preseason to Derek Anderson.

After his demotion to the second string, Leinart said, “I think this goes beyond the football field.

“I've done everything they've asked of me and more – outplayed the competition in training camp and preseason."

“Obviously there's something that's going on; I don't know what it is."

Wake up, Matt

FOX Sports Arizona: Judging from his reaction to his recent benching, Leinart simply doesn't get it.

Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt dismissed the idea that he has a problem with Leinart.

"I don't know where that comes from,” Whisenhunt said. “It's not about whether you like somebody or you don't like somebody. It's more about what you feel is right for the team."

In three preseason games, Leinart is completing 82.6 percent of his passes and has a passer rating of 110.2 with no turnovers.

Anderson has completed 58.5 percent of his preseason passes with two interceptions and a passer rating of 70.2, which is the lowest of the Cards’ four QBs.

I would take him for our future QB, maybe Arizona will take T-Jack and Sage for him?

[LMITOUT]

How about T-Jack, Harvin, and Winfield? ....and a bag of Doritos.

[zepman]

I'd take a flyer on him too but TJack AND Sage are way too much to give back. I think the article said they'd be willing to even look at 6th round draft picks for him. He and TJack are in the same exact situation...nobody wants either one of them. I'd do an even-up swap with TJack but that would just set both teams back because neither knows the others offense.

I'd try like heck to unload one of our guys on the d-line that's going to be released shortly anyway, but...what would we do with five q-backs when we don't even know what to do with four. Leinart would definately have to agree to a new contract...he's due to earn almost 7.5 million in 2011!!

The next few weeks are going to be really interesting around the NFL.

[FISHINGURU]

They wouldn't take Junkson in a trade, they are dumb but not that dumb.