Posts Tagged ‘minnesota vikings’
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Brian Urlacher (Wikimedia Commons)
One of the best linebackers in the National Football League has announced his retirement from professional football.
On Wednesday Brian Urlacher, who for the last 13 years, has been a dynamic force on the Chicago Bears’ defense, declared he did not feel he could perform at a very high level this upcoming season.
Urlacher, 34, was the 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and an eight time Pro Bowl player.
However it was clear that injuries caught up to Urlacher. This past year a hamstring injury kept him out for a quarter of the season.
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Tags: brian urlacher, chicago bears, dwight freeney, greg jennings, indianapolis colts, minnesota vikings, san diego chargers
Posted in NFL |
Thursday, April 25th, 2013
One thing was clear on Thursday night at the 2013 NFL Draft in New York City. General managers were not afraid to draft offensive linemen in the first round.
A total of nine offensive linemen were drafted in the first round on Thursday, including three of the first four picks.
With the first overall pick, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted offensive tackle Eric Fisher from Central Michigan. What is interesting about Fisher is that he was the second smallest of all first round offensive lineman taken at 297 pounds. The pick was surprising because Central Michigan participates in the lesser known Mid-American Conference.
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Tags: buffalo bills, chicago bears, chris long, clemson tigers, cordarrelle patterson, d.j. fluker, deandre hopkins, e.j. manuel, eric fisher, florida state university seminoles, houston texans, howie long, kansas city chiefs, kyle long, minnesota vikings, saint louis rams, san diego chargers, tavon austin, tennessee volunteers, university of alabama crimson tide, university of central michigan chippewas, university of oregon ducks, universty of west virginia mountaineers
Posted in NFL |
Monday, March 11th, 2013
Percy Harvin (Mike Morbeck, Wikimedia Commons)
The Seattle Seahawks are once again counting on a former Minnesota Viking.
On Monday, the Seahawks acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin from the Vikings for their first, seventh and middle round draft pick.
Harvin led the Vikings with 677 receiving yards in 2012 and provides quarterback Russell Wilson another formidable deep threat to accompany another former Viking in Sidney Rice and former Fighting Irish product Golden Tate.
The Seahawks weren’t the only team in the NFC West however to significantly improve at the wide receiver position on Monday. The San Francisco 49ers acquired Anquan Boldin from the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens on Monday for a sixth round draft pick.
Boldin, who will now be joining his third NFL team (has also played with the Arizona Cardinals) was unwilling to restructure his contract in Baltimore.
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Tags: anquan boldin, baltimore ravens, joe flacco, michael crabtree, minnesota vikings, percy harvin, san francisco 49ers, seattle seahawks
Posted in NFL |
Friday, January 4th, 2013
Russell Wilson (Larry Maurer, Wikimedia Commons)
It’s wildcard weekend in the National Football League with four entertaining games. The one I think everyone is excited about the most will take place Sunday afternoon as the Washington Redskins take on the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC (FOX, 2:30 p.m.).
This is also a battle of two rookie quarterbacks with Russell Wilson of Seattle taking on Washington’s RG3. A lot of people are surprised Seattle is a three point favourite. I’m not, based on how well the Seahawks have played throughout December. However, don’t forget the Seahawks had a losing record on the road this season, and are much more comfortable in the Pacific Northwest.
Here are the other events I’ll be watching:
Saturday–World Junior Hockey Championship Final–Sweden vs. United States–TSN–6:00 a.m.–The 2013 Championship Final has two strong Calgary connections. The top American player, John Gaudreau, forward from Boston College, is a draft pick of the Calgary Flames (4th round in 2011) and one of Sweden’s top snipers is Victor Rask of the Calgary Hitmen. The American defense as a collective unit is exceptional. Seth Jones, Jacob Trouba and Jake McCabe have been excellent in the medal round in wins over the Czech Republic and Canada.
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Tags: 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship, Aaron Rodgers, adrian peterson, baltimore ravens, chuck pagano, cincinnati bengals, corey brewer, denver nuggets, houston texans, indianapolis colts, jacob trouba, jake mccabe, john gaudreau, jonas blixt, los angeles lakers, minnesota vikings, ray rice, robert griffin iii, russell wilson, seattle seahawks, seth jones, steve stricker, victor rask, washington redskins, webb simpson
Posted in Amateur Sports, NBA, NFL, PGA |
Monday, December 31st, 2012
Adrian Peterson (Mike Morbeck, Wikimedia Commons)
The Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins are the last two teams to qualify for the NFL postseason.
On Sunday, Adrian Peterson ran for 199 yards as the Vikings upset the Green Bay Packers 37-34 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, in what was quite possibly the very best NFL regular season game in 2012.
The ebb and flow of the game was fantastic throughout and guess what? The two NFC North foes will battle again next Saturday night at Lambeau.
Meanwhile, the Redskins qualified for the postseason with stellar running attack of their own. Alfred Morris had 200 yards rushing in Washington’s 28-18 win over Dallas. With the win, the Redskins won the NFC East and will host the surging Seattle Seahawks next weekend in the NFC Wildcard. This will be a great battle of rookie mobile quarterbacks. with Robert Griffin III playing Russell Wilson.
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Tags: adrian peterson, alfred morris, baltimore ravens, chuck pagano, cincinnati bengals, green bay packers, houston texans, indianapolis colts, minnesota vikings, russell wilson, seattle seahawks, washington redskins
Posted in NFL |
Saturday, December 29th, 2012
Robert Griffin III (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)
There are four games that matter immensely in the National Football League this weekend–the two NFC East matchups and the NFC North matchups.
The winner of Washington-Dallas (Sunday, NBC, 6 p.m.) wins the NFC East. Despite winning six straight games, the Redskins (9-6) may have to win a seventh to qualify for the postseason. In their first game on American Thanksgiving Day, Robert Griffin III had four touchdown passes, and 311 passing yards in a 38-31 Washington win. The Dallas Cowboys (8-7) are eliminated from the playoffs with a loss.
If Washington loses, they can still qualify for the postseason with a Minnesota loss to Green Bay (Sunday, FOX, 2 p.m.) and a Chicago loss to Detroit (Sunday, TSN2, 11 a.m.).
The Vikings (9-6) are in a difficult spot as they have to host the Packers (11-4), who are battling San Francisco for the number two seed. Minnesota clinches a playoff spot with a win and could also get into the playoffs with a Washington win, Detroit win and Philadelphia win over the New York Giants (Sunday, FOX, 11 a.m.).
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Tags: 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship, chicago bears, chicago bulls, dallas cowboys, detroit lions, green bay packers, jordan crawford, minnesota vikings, new york giants, philadelphia eagles, robert griffin iii, washington redskins, Washington Wizards
Posted in Amateur Sports, NBA, NFL |
Sunday, August 26th, 2012
Edmonton Eskimos General Manager Eric Tillman may soon have to make a major decision. That is what to do with three high profile running backs.
On Saturday the Eskimos learned the news that running back Jerome Messam was released by the Miami Dolphins. Messam will once again be property of the Eskimos if he doesn’t get picked up by another team in the next ten days.
If Messam joins the Eskimos, there is no way Eric Tillman should keep Messam, Hugh Charles and Cory Boyd who was recently acquired from the Toronto Argonauts. Three high profile running backs could give the Eskimos leverage in their need to find a quarterback to replace the struggling Steven Jyles.
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Tags: b.c. lions, cory boyd, Edmonton Eskimos, eric tillman, hugh charles, jerome messam, miami dolphins, minnesota vikings, solomon elimimian
Posted in CFL, NFL |
Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
A pair of top National Football League wide receivers will be in a new uniform next season.
On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins traded wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears for two undisclosed draft picks.
Marshall, a three-time Pro Bowler caught 81 passes for 1214 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. His best year came in 2007 when he had 1325 yards receiving as a member of the Denver Broncos. When Marshall was traded for two draft picks in 2010, it was one of the very first articles I wrote for www.anysportanytime.ca.
With Marshall leaving Miami for Chicago, I’m not sure if Peyton Manning will find south Florida as an enticing destination anymore. I think it looks more and more like Manning will play for the Tennessee Titans next season. Manning played for the University of Tennessee, has been highly touted by owner Bud Adams and the franchise has a good offensive line as shown by the amount of holes running back Chris Johnson has been able to find in recent years.
In San Francisco meanwhile, the 49ers have acquired wide receiver Randy Moss to a one year deal. Moss spent time with three different teams last season–in Minnesota, New England and Tennessee. His best season came in 2003 in Minnesota when he caught 111 passes for 1632 yards and 17 touchdowns. Unlike Marshall, Moss seems to be on the downswing of his career however. But he does go to a team needing a wide receiver as tight end Vernon Davis got most of the looks from quarterback Alex Smith last season.
Tags: alex smith, brandon marshall, bud adams, chicago bears, chris johnson, denver broncos, miami dolphins, minnesota vikings, new england patriots, peyton manning, randy moss, Tennessee Titans, vernon davis
Posted in NFL |
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
One of the best defensive players in the Canadian Football League is going to see how things emerge in the National Football League.
On Thursday, Solomon Elimimian of the British Columbia Lions, one of the top linebackers in football over the last two years, signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Elimimian was second in the CFL last year with 98 tackles, seven behind Jerrell Freeman of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. But Elimimian was more impressive than Freeman, as the Lions defense gave up 97 fewer points than the last place Roughriders this past season.
If Elimimian makes the Vikings, he will be the latest CFL product under the tutelage of the great Wally Buono to have NFL success. He’ll join defensive specialist Cameron Wake of the Miami Dolphins, and quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia.
Elimimian will also join former Lions wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux, who joined Minnesota last summer. Elimimian was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2010 and then won a Grey Cup with the Lions in 2011. The University of Hawaii product was also a CFL all-star this past season.
In other NFL news, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named Greg Schiano head coach. Schiano most recently coached the University of Rutgers.
Tags: british columbia lions, cameron wake, doug flutie, emmanuel arcenaux, greg schiano, jeff garcia, jerrell freeman, miami dolphins, minnesota vikings, Saskatchewan Roughriders, solomon elimimian, tampa bay buccaneers, wally buono
Posted in CFL, NFL |
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
The Jacksonville Jaguars have named Mike Mularkey as their head coach, replacing interim head coach Mel Tucker and former permanent head coach Jack Del Rio.
Mularkey, who played in the NFL as a tight end from 1983-1991 with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, has been in the NFL as a coach since 1994. He has previous head coaching experience with the Buffalo Bills from 2004-2005, where he went 14-18 over two seasons.
Mularkey has held offensive co-ordinator positions with the Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, and been in charge of tight ends with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mularkey will have to do a better job in Jacksonville than he did last Sunday in the NFC Wildcard game in New York City. Sunday at Giants Stadium, the Falcons failed to score a point on offense in a 24-2 loss to the New York Giants. Their only two points came on a first half safety.
Mularkey will now be working closely with Maurice Jones-Drew, one of the elite running backs in the NFL.
Tags: atlanta falcons, buffalo bills, jacksonville jaguars, maurice jones-drew, miami dolphins, mike mularkey, minnesota vikings, pittsburgh steelers
Posted in NFL |
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Alex Tanguay (James Teterenko, Wikimedia Commons)
The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames battle in Part Three of the Battle of Alberta tonight at the Scotiabank Saddledome (CBC, 8pm). Oilers fans will hope a different chapter is written this time around after the first two were significantly similar. In both occasions, the Flames came from behind in the third period to grab two points in the Northwest Division standings.
On October 18, Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Tanguay each scored in the last six minutes as the Flames defeated the Oilers 2-1. Then last Saturday, Derek Smith, Mikael Backlund and Olli Jokinen scored third period goals for the Flames that eliminated a 3-2 lead for the Oilers en route to a 5-3 Calgary victory.
If Edmonton is going to contend for a playoff spot in March, better consistency throughout the entire 60 minutes is in order. Last night in their 4-1 win over Colorado, they had a solid third period effort while leading 4-1 and didn’t allow a strong quality scoring chance for the Avalanche in the final twenty minutes.
As for the Flames, they are back on track a little bit, at the .500 mark at 13-13-2. They are three points back of the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and Oilers for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference.
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Tags: akiko suzuki, alena leonova, alex tanguay, calgary flames, carolina kostner, chicago bears, cody hodgson, dallas cowboys, denver broncos, derek smith, detroit lions, Edmonton Oilers, green bay packers, javier hernandez, jay bouwmeester, jeremy abbott, jovan haye, Mikael Backlund, minnesota vikings, new york giants, oakland raiders, olli jokinen, Ottawa Senators, patrick chan, Vancouver Canucks
Posted in Amateur Sports, Home, NFL, NHL |
Saturday, December 3rd, 2011
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Wikimedia Commons)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is having quite the season. This past week he became only the second player in hockey history to be named the rookie of the month for the first two months of the season, following Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The first overall draft pick of the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft and the early Calder trophy favourite is currently fifth in the league in overall scoring with 28 points.
Tonight at Rexall Place, the Oilers, who have a record of 13-10-3, host the Calgary Flames in the second game of Hockey Night in Canada (CBC, 8pm). Even though the Oilers are on the second game of a back-to-back, this may be a good time to play the Flames who are coming off a tough 4-3 loss to Columbus on Thursday. So far this season, Alex Tanguay leads the team with 13 assists and 17 points. The Flames won the first meeting 2-1 in Calgary on a game winning goal by Tanguay with 4:28 left in the contest. Like the Oilers’ Ales Hemsky, Tanguay is a similar player who would be better if he just shot the puck more. He only has 31 shots in 24 games played with four goals.
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Tags: aksel lund svindal, alex tanguay, alpine skiing, andy dalton, arizona cardinals, boston bruins, calgary flames, cincinnati bengals, dallas cowboys, dan bailey, denver broncos, detroit lions, Edmonton Oilers, erik guay, evgeni malkin, georgia bulldogs, green bay packers, houston cougars, jan hudec, jonathan quick, jordan jefferson, lindsey vonn, los angeles kings, louisiana state tigers, marvin lewis, minnesota vikings, montreal canadiens, morris claiborne, new orleans saints, new york giants, Pittsburgh Penguins, pittsburgh steelers, rueben randle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, southern mississippi golden eagles, tess davies, tim tebow, toronto maple leafs
Posted in Amateur Sports, Home, NFL, NHL, University Sports |
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Donovan McNabb (Bing Images)
The Donovan McNabb experiment in Minnesota has completely come to a close.
On Thursday, the Vikings, at 2-9, released McNabb after originally acquiring him from the Washington Redskins in the offseason.
McNabb completed 94 of 156 passes for 1026 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in six starts with the Vikings in 2011. He was replaced by starter Christian Ponder on October 16. McNabb’s primarily weakness however was his inability to throw a long pass, as he completed just five of his 94 completions for over 25 yards, according to the Associated Press.
The question now is where will McNabb go? Well, with Jay Cutler out for a while with a broken thumb that required surgery in Chicago, it appears there may be a definite opportunity there. The Bears are in the thick of things in the NFC North at 7-4. McNabb, if he goes to Chicago, won’t have to do much either, as they already have a great running game led by Matt Forte, great special teams led by Devin Hester and great defense led by Brian Urlacher. Oh, and McNabb is also from Chicago.
Tags: brian urlacher, chicago bears, christian ponder, devin hester, donovan mcnabb, jay cutler, matt forte, minnesota vikings, washington redskins
Posted in NFL |
Saturday, November 26th, 2011
The 99th Grey Cup gets under way tomorrow at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver with a game between the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (TSN, 4:30pm).
The Lions are trying to become the first team since 1994 to win the Grey Cup on home soil. But they will have a lot of Edmonton Eskimo fans cheering against them after head coach Wally Buono’s ridiculous comment last week of “I hate Edmonton.”
The Lions have the Grey Cup MVP in Travis Lulay, while the Blue Bombers’ have the league’s top defensive player in Jovon Johnson.
There have been some interesting storylines heading into the Grey Cup. Blue Bombers’ defensive end Odelle Willis tweeted this past week how he wanted to go home to American Thanksgiving rather than practicing on Thursday, and said “a couple of more days and I’m out of this hoe.”
Also, hall of famers, Angelo Mosca and Joe Kapp got into a fight at an alumni luncheon in Vancouver after the two discussed a play in 1963 when Mosca’s hit knocked Lions’ running back Willie Fleming out of the game.
Getting back to the Blue Bombers and Lions, the Blue Bombers beat the Lions twice this year, 25-20 on July 28 in Winnipeg and 30-17 on August 13 in Vancouver.
Here are the other events I’ll be watching this weekend:
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Tags: adrien theaux, aksel lund svindal, atlanta falcons, ben roethlisberger, bode miller, british columbia lions, chicago bears, colorado avalanche, didier defago, Edmonton Oilers, erik guay, jovon johnson, kansas city chiefs, kyle orton, matt duchene, matt forte, minnesota vikings, new england patriots, new orleans saints, oakland raiders, philadelphia eagles, pittsburgh steelers, rob gronkowski, ryan smyth, stephen gostkowski, tony gonzalez, travis lulay, winnipeg blue bombers
Posted in Amateur Sports, CFL, NFL, NHL |
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