The Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie had his reasons to miss the Pro Bowl game, but he still has to pay back the league for the absence. According to what the NFL announced on Friday, McKinnie is required to play $4,285 reimbursement for expenses incurred that week in Miami.
McKinnie has said that he did not put on Pro Bowl jersey for the NFC all-star team because of injury on his foot. And also there was miscommunication about his desire to withdraw from the team. Thus he skipped most of the team practices and obligations, and was then dismissed from the NFC all-star squad.
The results for McKinnie’s also included forfeiting his $22,500 game check. Additional action from the league could be taken after the league’s competition committee reviews the matter so as to avoid similar things in future Pro Bowl games.
Showing posts with label the Vikings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Vikings. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Vikings fans want Favre to stay
In order to persuade quarterback Brett Favre to stay with the Minnesota Vikings, a group of Vikings fans used advertising space on a digital billboard near Favre’s home to send message, hoping the 40-year-old quarterback could make his mind to continue wearing No. 4 Vikings jersey for another season.
“Hey No. 4, do Minnesota fans love you and want you back next year? You Brettcha!” the message reads.
The group of more than 122,000 people has also collected photos, videos and posted messages from the fans to mail to Favre, and the plan was made by Jay Tappe of Minneapolis one day after the Vikings lost the NFC championship game to the New Orleans Saints.
“We never really got to give Brett a good send-off or a standing ovation or anything, because they finished the season on the road,” Tappe said. “My thought was to put up a billboard that he sees every morning.”
The plan also includes raising fund through a website, vikesfans4favre.com and getting Vikings defensive end Jared Allen to record a video encouraging fans to join the cause. By so far, they have raised $2,600. It was enough to keep the billboard up for the month and the remaining money will be donated to the foundation of Favre’s wife to help disadvantaged women in their fight against breast cancer. And Allen is one of Favre’s biggest fans who welcomed the legendary quarterback to Vikings after Favre got out of retirement and signed with the Vikings.
“Hey No. 4, do Minnesota fans love you and want you back next year? You Brettcha!” the message reads.
The group of more than 122,000 people has also collected photos, videos and posted messages from the fans to mail to Favre, and the plan was made by Jay Tappe of Minneapolis one day after the Vikings lost the NFC championship game to the New Orleans Saints.
“We never really got to give Brett a good send-off or a standing ovation or anything, because they finished the season on the road,” Tappe said. “My thought was to put up a billboard that he sees every morning.”
The plan also includes raising fund through a website, vikesfans4favre.com and getting Vikings defensive end Jared Allen to record a video encouraging fans to join the cause. By so far, they have raised $2,600. It was enough to keep the billboard up for the month and the remaining money will be donated to the foundation of Favre’s wife to help disadvantaged women in their fight against breast cancer. And Allen is one of Favre’s biggest fans who welcomed the legendary quarterback to Vikings after Favre got out of retirement and signed with the Vikings.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Vikings seem destined to suffer more than others
The Minneapolis front yard seems a colder place than it was last week when it was covered by snow and there hung a purple Vikings flag at half-staff as the Minnesota Vikings lost their NFC champion to the New Orleans Saints, a woeful memory to all those who were watching the game in their beloved purple and while Vikings jerseys.
After losing four Super Bowls in the 1970s, the Vikings are now 0-5 in NFC championship games. No matter if the loss was because of the too-many-men-in-the-huddle penalty that infamously preceded Brett Favre’s interception or the three lost fumbles earlier, the Vikings familiarly lost the most critical game despite dominating the Saints in total yardage. Many Vikings supporters can’t help feeling like their sports-fan souls are somehow destined to suffer as much as or more than any others.
“It kind of feels like it doesn’t it?” said Randy Komorouski of Rosemount. “I grew up with all the Super Bowl losses, so, yeah, it’s like they’re snakebite a little bit.”
As the Saints are to fight for their first Super Bowl Championship against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, what the Vikings fans all could do is to keep their hope for next season. Some day they will make it, just believe it.
After losing four Super Bowls in the 1970s, the Vikings are now 0-5 in NFC championship games. No matter if the loss was because of the too-many-men-in-the-huddle penalty that infamously preceded Brett Favre’s interception or the three lost fumbles earlier, the Vikings familiarly lost the most critical game despite dominating the Saints in total yardage. Many Vikings supporters can’t help feeling like their sports-fan souls are somehow destined to suffer as much as or more than any others.
“It kind of feels like it doesn’t it?” said Randy Komorouski of Rosemount. “I grew up with all the Super Bowl losses, so, yeah, it’s like they’re snakebite a little bit.”
As the Saints are to fight for their first Super Bowl Championship against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, what the Vikings fans all could do is to keep their hope for next season. Some day they will make it, just believe it.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Favre could have real retirement now
Leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 12-4 season but a regretful loss to the New Orleans Saints in NFC championship game, Brett Favre is now taking his time to decide what to do for next season. Remain in the No. 4 purple Vikings jersey? Or just keep his promise for the first time in his NFL career to have a real retirement? I think, the latter is a much better idea for the 40-year-old quarterback.
I don’t mean he is too old to play football anymore. At his age, his performance during 2009 season was amazing and impressive. And the Vikings do enter postseason thanks a lot to his help. But I just think it would be good for him to follow former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who announced retirement last Friday at age 38 after 12 years of NFL career. Favre has been staying long enough in the NFL, and 18 years of NFL career has made his name well-known among each team’s fans, in good or bad sense. To be honest, every knows he is a great quarterback, and that’s why he should leave now, at the time people still believes he is a great player, but not at a time when people begin to say “well, what can we expect from a man at his 40s?” if he shows any tendency to drop behind those rising young stars.
For a better life and family happiness, Favre should take his time to rest well before doing anything a 40-year-old man fits to do. Mid-aged man should not expect to heal as fast as those 20s if he gets injured. And it’s time to give chance to those younger quarterbacks who have made every effort to get a starting job, like Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, who were supposed to compete for the spot, until Favre came after training camp in mid-August. Leave now before they acquire the job by performing better during regular season, and Favre, you will face much less embarrassment.
I don’t mean he is too old to play football anymore. At his age, his performance during 2009 season was amazing and impressive. And the Vikings do enter postseason thanks a lot to his help. But I just think it would be good for him to follow former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who announced retirement last Friday at age 38 after 12 years of NFL career. Favre has been staying long enough in the NFL, and 18 years of NFL career has made his name well-known among each team’s fans, in good or bad sense. To be honest, every knows he is a great quarterback, and that’s why he should leave now, at the time people still believes he is a great player, but not at a time when people begin to say “well, what can we expect from a man at his 40s?” if he shows any tendency to drop behind those rising young stars.
For a better life and family happiness, Favre should take his time to rest well before doing anything a 40-year-old man fits to do. Mid-aged man should not expect to heal as fast as those 20s if he gets injured. And it’s time to give chance to those younger quarterbacks who have made every effort to get a starting job, like Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, who were supposed to compete for the spot, until Favre came after training camp in mid-August. Leave now before they acquire the job by performing better during regular season, and Favre, you will face much less embarrassment.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cowboys RB Barber could play against Vikings
The Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber is likely to return to his home in Minnesota and get ready for a playoff game against the Vikings on Sunday. He may take part in practice Thursday to see how well his left knee works to decide whether he gets to play or how much he plays.
According to Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips, the team will not have Barber practice Wednesday because of precaution. And they also should avoid what happened last week when Barber tried to play Saturday night after missing some practice time but was stuck on the sideline after three carries netted just 4 yards.
“He’s already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game,” Phillips said. “So we think he’s going to be all right. And I know he wants to play going back to Minnesota. But we’ll monitor it.”
Third-stringer Tashard Choice, who suffered concussion during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, is also likely to wear back his Cowboys jersey for this Sunday’s game. The team said he has been cleared by doctors to practice. If he is to play, he is to face former college teammate Adrian Peterson, who is now the Vikings starting running back.
According to Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips, the team will not have Barber practice Wednesday because of precaution. And they also should avoid what happened last week when Barber tried to play Saturday night after missing some practice time but was stuck on the sideline after three carries netted just 4 yards.
“He’s already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game,” Phillips said. “So we think he’s going to be all right. And I know he wants to play going back to Minnesota. But we’ll monitor it.”
Third-stringer Tashard Choice, who suffered concussion during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, is also likely to wear back his Cowboys jersey for this Sunday’s game. The team said he has been cleared by doctors to practice. If he is to play, he is to face former college teammate Adrian Peterson, who is now the Vikings starting running back.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Vikings are not expecting injured Winfield to play much
The Minnesota Vikings star cornerback Antoine Winfield put on his Vikings jersey back to play against the Cincinnati Bengals three weeks ago after missing six games because of foot injury. His performance in the first game after returning was fine enough to be called standout, but for the next two games, they might be considered Winfield’s worst.
Being beaten in coverage several times, Winfield seemed likely to lose confidence from the team, which has stopped expecting much from the cornerback. According the defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a reduced role for Winfield is being considered, and the team is thinking that a healthy backup could be better suited to more extensive action given Winfield’s health.
The Vikings hope to have defensive tackle Pat Williams back for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants after missing the last one with an elbow injury. His backup Jimmy Kennedy has missed practices this week with a thumb injury.
Being beaten in coverage several times, Winfield seemed likely to lose confidence from the team, which has stopped expecting much from the cornerback. According the defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a reduced role for Winfield is being considered, and the team is thinking that a healthy backup could be better suited to more extensive action given Winfield’s health.
The Vikings hope to have defensive tackle Pat Williams back for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants after missing the last one with an elbow injury. His backup Jimmy Kennedy has missed practices this week with a thumb injury.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Vikings NT Williams not to play against Bears
Nose tackle Pat Williams will not put on his Minnesota Vikings jersey to play Monday night’s game for the team against the Chicago Bears because of elbow injury, Jimmy Kennedy will start at the position as replacement to Williams.
At 37, the Vikings’ second-oldest player behind Brett Favre, Williams has 44 tackles and two sacks in 14 games.
But it seemed that the going-to-be rival Bears should worry more about injuries. The Bears wide receiver Devin Hester missed his third straight game with a strained left calf, and safeties Kevin Payne and Al Afalava were listed as inactive respectively because of ankle injury and knee injury. Punter Brad Maynard retuned to team after the Bears signed Richmond McGee to a two-year contract for insurance, but it remains questionable whether the left groin injury that made McGee questionable earlier would allow the punter to play full time. And defensive end Adewale Ogunleye would miss all the remaining games the Bears are going to play as he has been put on injured reserve because of a broken left leg.
At 37, the Vikings’ second-oldest player behind Brett Favre, Williams has 44 tackles and two sacks in 14 games.
But it seemed that the going-to-be rival Bears should worry more about injuries. The Bears wide receiver Devin Hester missed his third straight game with a strained left calf, and safeties Kevin Payne and Al Afalava were listed as inactive respectively because of ankle injury and knee injury. Punter Brad Maynard retuned to team after the Bears signed Richmond McGee to a two-year contract for insurance, but it remains questionable whether the left groin injury that made McGee questionable earlier would allow the punter to play full time. And defensive end Adewale Ogunleye would miss all the remaining games the Bears are going to play as he has been put on injured reserve because of a broken left leg.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Vikings WR Harvin ruled out for Sunday game
The Minnesota Vikings Coach Chad Childress announced Thursday that wide receiver Percy Harvin will not appear in his Vikings jersey for this Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of migraine headaches.
The receiver missed another practice Thursday and already caused a lot to doubt he would not play this Sunday. Harvin visited a doctor for the headaches, which he has dealt with since college and popped up this year in Week 3. He missed two practice that week but still played against the San Francisco 49ers that Sunday and managed to have his kickoff return for a touchdown.
By so far, there have been 13 Vikings players listed on this week’s injury report and 12 of them are starters, including running back Adrian Peterson, right tackle Phil Loadholt and safety Tyrell Johnson.
The receiver missed another practice Thursday and already caused a lot to doubt he would not play this Sunday. Harvin visited a doctor for the headaches, which he has dealt with since college and popped up this year in Week 3. He missed two practice that week but still played against the San Francisco 49ers that Sunday and managed to have his kickoff return for a touchdown.
By so far, there have been 13 Vikings players listed on this week’s injury report and 12 of them are starters, including running back Adrian Peterson, right tackle Phil Loadholt and safety Tyrell Johnson.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Vikings CB Winfield will not play against Lions this Sunday
The Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield told reporters Friday that he will not be able to play for his team this Sunday as he has to take care of his injured right foot.
“I’ve been out the last couple of days running on it, testing it,” Winfield said on Friday. “It’s good going forward but I still have a little problem cutting. But I would say next week I should be OK.”
Having missed the last two games, the Pro Bowler has been expected to be available for playing against the Detroit Lions this weekend. And he did wear his Vikings jersey and practice in full gear all week but just still feels pain when he plants on the foot, which seems not ready to support him for playing a full game.
He is still happy that he can sit out to see Vikings win the last game against the Green Bay Packers. As for next week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, Winfield would not like to promise he will be able to play as he does not want to take the risk of being further injured by rushing back and missing even more games.
“I’ve been out the last couple of days running on it, testing it,” Winfield said on Friday. “It’s good going forward but I still have a little problem cutting. But I would say next week I should be OK.”
Having missed the last two games, the Pro Bowler has been expected to be available for playing against the Detroit Lions this weekend. And he did wear his Vikings jersey and practice in full gear all week but just still feels pain when he plants on the foot, which seems not ready to support him for playing a full game.
He is still happy that he can sit out to see Vikings win the last game against the Green Bay Packers. As for next week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, Winfield would not like to promise he will be able to play as he does not want to take the risk of being further injured by rushing back and missing even more games.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Roger Goodell wants legislation to protect collectively bargained steroid policies
Obviously unhappy with Minnesota Vikings’ Williamses’ suspension being blocked, the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell found the way solve the conflict between state laws and NFL policies- to persuade Congress to publish new legislation that would protect collective bargaining agreements from state law challenges.
“We believe that a specific and tailored amendment to the Labor Management Relations Act is appropriate and necessary to protect collectively bargained steroid policies from attack under state law,” Goodell said in prepared testimony for a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing Tuesday.
As Minnesota state law ruled that Vikings’ Pat Williams and Kevin Williams should not be suspended for steroid use, the NFL players union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of the Williamses and New Orleans Saints players who were also suspended. If the NFL just let it go, it will definitely cause more similar cases to players in other teams' NFL jerseys.
Goodell will not let that happen. He wants legal help from the Congress, not only for NFL, but also for other national sports organizations.
“We believe that a specific and tailored amendment to the Labor Management Relations Act is appropriate and necessary to protect collectively bargained steroid policies from attack under state law,” Goodell said in prepared testimony for a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing Tuesday.
As Minnesota state law ruled that Vikings’ Pat Williams and Kevin Williams should not be suspended for steroid use, the NFL players union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of the Williamses and New Orleans Saints players who were also suspended. If the NFL just let it go, it will definitely cause more similar cases to players in other teams' NFL jerseys.
Goodell will not let that happen. He wants legal help from the Congress, not only for NFL, but also for other national sports organizations.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Vikings starters are fighting injuries
Wide receiver Bernard Berrian, middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and cornerback Antoine Winfield, all three are the Minnesota Vikings starters, and all three are fighting injuries.
Berrian hurt his left hamstring last week while playing against the Steelers at Pittsburgh; Winfield missed that game because of an injury to his right foot and Henderson’s knee is on the mend. They were all held out of Wednesday’s practice.
Another two starters in Vikings jerseys were limited in Wednesday practice with injury. Linebacker Ben Leber had a calf injury, and quarterback Brett Favre appeared on the injury report with a hip problem. As the Vikings will visit Green Bay this weekend to play against Favre’s old team Packers, I guess Favre will be able to play; at least he will be present for the game to see how Green Bay fans welcome him back.
Berrian hurt his left hamstring last week while playing against the Steelers at Pittsburgh; Winfield missed that game because of an injury to his right foot and Henderson’s knee is on the mend. They were all held out of Wednesday’s practice.
Another two starters in Vikings jerseys were limited in Wednesday practice with injury. Linebacker Ben Leber had a calf injury, and quarterback Brett Favre appeared on the injury report with a hip problem. As the Vikings will visit Green Bay this weekend to play against Favre’s old team Packers, I guess Favre will be able to play; at least he will be present for the game to see how Green Bay fans welcome him back.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Vikings CB Griffin apologized for DUI charge
The Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin pleaded guilty Wednesday to a fourth-degree DUI charge in Hennepin County Court. He was arrested Aug. 30 in Eden Prairie, one day before the Vikings played a preseason game against the Texans at Houston.
Griffin paid $300 fine and received two days of community service for the charge. Returning to the Vikings’ locker room Thursday, Griffin said he apologized earlier to his teammates.
“I’m sorry about what happened,” Griffin said. “I’m just trying to help my team win and continue to move forward from that incident.”
Coach Brad Childress confirmed that the situation has been handled “through the right channels, meaning that the fourth-year cornerback will be back to track and continue to do his job as a full-time starter for the third season.
Griffin paid $300 fine and received two days of community service for the charge. Returning to the Vikings’ locker room Thursday, Griffin said he apologized earlier to his teammates.
“I’m sorry about what happened,” Griffin said. “I’m just trying to help my team win and continue to move forward from that incident.”
Coach Brad Childress confirmed that the situation has been handled “through the right channels, meaning that the fourth-year cornerback will be back to track and continue to do his job as a full-time starter for the third season.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Favre turns to 40 Saturday and arm still feels great
Brett Favre will be 40 this Saturday. A good age to retire but the star quarterback feels that his new life in purple vikings jersey just begins. While playing his last game of his 30s Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, he threw for 271 yards and three TDs to beat his old team, showing everyone that his surgically repaired right arm was in perfect condition.
After his first four games in purple, Favre has completed 68 percent of his passes for 837 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception to lead the Vikings to a 4-0 start. Comparing to his only season in the New York Jets, Favre’s performance for this season is much better. While playing for the Jets, a partially torn biceps in his throwing arm limited him to nine interceptions and only two touchdowns as the Jets lost four of five down the stretch and missed the playoffs.
Favre underwent a surgery on his biceps in May and had the partially torn tendon cut to alleviate the pain that caused the quarterback to retire for a second consecutive season last spring. The surgery, which has been growing in popularity, was the main reason for Favre to extend his career.
After his first four games in purple, Favre has completed 68 percent of his passes for 837 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception to lead the Vikings to a 4-0 start. Comparing to his only season in the New York Jets, Favre’s performance for this season is much better. While playing for the Jets, a partially torn biceps in his throwing arm limited him to nine interceptions and only two touchdowns as the Jets lost four of five down the stretch and missed the playoffs.
Favre underwent a surgery on his biceps in May and had the partially torn tendon cut to alleviate the pain that caused the quarterback to retire for a second consecutive season last spring. The surgery, which has been growing in popularity, was the main reason for Favre to extend his career.
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