Yardbarker: Bernard Berrian

Offseason Fantasy Impacts: Offensive Free Agency

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:13:11 -0500

Moves around the league in free agency affecting fantasy football for the coming season.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 2008 Preview

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:09:46 -0500

The most in-depth article covering the Vikings on the net. A great resource for any Vikings fan. From AP to the towel boy, it's got everything.

Early View of the NFC Playoffs

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:44:40 -0500

While the AFC might have the top teams in the NFL, the race for the six spots in the NFC playoffs could be more exciting than the Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal final Wimbledon match...

NFL WR and QB HotSpots and HotShots

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:10:03 -0500

With the start of fantasy football right around the corner, Screaming Sports' Hugh Duckwall has decided to take a look at several veteran QB's and WR's. Some are hotspots, while others, like Carolina's Steve Smith, are hotshots.

Allen Stays Away From Former Team

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:13:03 -0500

Defensive end Jared Allen did not accompany the team to River Falls, Wisconsin for last night's two-way practice with the Chiefs. Coach Brad Childress was concerned that Allen's presence might create a circus atmosphere. Allen was traded to the Vikings by the Chiefs in the off-season, and the all-pro has said that he's now playing for a better organization. Staying in Mankato because of injury were Kenderick Allen, Garrett Mills, Bobby Wade and Bernard Berrian. In the scrimmage, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was on target with his short passing game.

Favre Talk Heats Up Again

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:54:58 -0500

The Packers have dispatched president Mike Murphy to the swamp to talk to Brett Favre. The conventional wisdom is that Murphy is there to convince Brett to stay away from Packers training camp, the team fearing his presence at camp would cause too much of a distraction. Speaking of distractions…the Vikings continue to be at the center of all Favre speculation. It's generally believed that if Favre is cut he would be in Purple faster than Jared Allen going around Bryant McKinnie. Up till now, it's been assumed that the Packers would do everything in their power to prevent Favre from ending up on the Vikes, and therefore he would not be cut. But the perceived desperation of Green Bay's situation - the fact that Favre is lukewarm on going to either the Jets or Bucs, and might actually consider showing up at camp just to stir things up more - has caused some observers to re-calculate the likelihood of Favre winding up in Minnesota. Here was Judd Zulgad's take this morning: Favre has applied for reinstatement — that application is going to be approved by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell — and [Packers GM Ted] Thompson now has little leverage in this situation. No team outside of the NFC North is going to offer much in terms of compensation for Favre and even then he must approve of the destination to which he is dealt. Perhaps the Packers will allow Favre to report and sit on the bench — and allow their season to become a complete circus sideshow with Favre as the main attraction on the Midway. Or maybe Murphy, Goodell or both convince Thompson that enough is enough. Favre is 38 years old and the reality is he isn't going to play that much longer. Heck, who am I kidding, he probably will try to play another 12 years but he isn't going to play at a high level for many more years. So why not give Favre his release or send him to the Vikings in a trade? There is little doubt the Vikings would offer up an attractive draft pick in order to land Favre and make those much-talked about tampering charges go away. The Vikings didn't go out and get Jared Allen, Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams because they feel they are three years away from winning. They did it because they saw an opportunity to win right now. The only question mark is quarterback and Favre's presence would help to solve that. Goodell's involvement in the Favre situation also is an indication that he knows this is an embarrassing situation for the league and wants it to end. We're hearing this argument more-and-more (Wilbunk said it last night on PTI): If the Packers want Favre to go away so bad, then why not just cut him? Is it a foregone conclusion that, if he went to the Vikes, he would lead them to a Super Bowl victory (thus embarrassing the Packers organization to the point where Thompson et al would have no choice but to commit ritual suicide)? No. It's also possible that Favre would go to the Vikes and, having nothing left in the tank, stink the place up. There's a whole line of reasoning that says the Pack should let Favre go, let him sign with the Vikes, and let the ensuing media circus and crappy performance completely sabotage their season. Of course, the Packers probably don't think they can take this chance. They think Brett might have something left after all. They believe in the magic powers of Favre. They're completely in sway to him. Which is why I still think he will wind up starting for the Packers this year, Aaron Rodgers be damned. How would I resolve it? Simple. If I were the Packers, I'd promise to give Favre his starting job back if he promised not to make a retirement fuss at the end of the season. Let him play, but make him guarantee that, if he still wants to play beyond '08, he has to say so immediately at the end of the season. No time to think it over or discuss it with his family (eye-roll)…just a yes or no. No more holding the organization hostage. No more farking up the team's long-term plans. If he's unwilling to accept these terms, then clearly, he doesn't not want to be a Packer anymore. In which case the team should just cut him and let him be someone else's (the Vikings') headache.

Tuesday morning notes: The Vikings just completed their media briefing

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:30:14 -0500

Tuesday morning notes: The Vikings just completed their media briefing after the morning update and here are some notes and observations: * Wide receiver Bobby Wade did not practice because of a sore left knee. Wade said afterward that he's fine and coach Brad Childress said they wanted to give him the day off the rest it. * Fullback Thomas Tapeh returned to practice after missing the evening session yesterday after getting his bell rung. Tight end Garrett Mills (left ankle) did not practice. * Defensive tackle Pat Williams took part in team drills for the first time. Williams has eased into action while building up strength in his left elbow. * Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson looked sharp in situational team work but threw two interceptions in 7-on-7 drills. Jackson went 3-for-4 in a third-and-long drill. Lined up in shotgun, Jackson connected with Bernard Berrian for a 25-yard pass play down the left sideline on the first play and then hit Sidney Rice for a 25-yarder down the right sideline. Jackson and Rice hooked up for a 15-yard pass play later. * Jackson was not as good in 7-on-7. He made a poor throw that was not close to any receiver that got picked off by Marcus McCauley. Later, Benny Sapp jumped in front of Jackson's pass to Berrian for another interception. * Defensive end Otis Grigsby had his best practice of camp. He had two sacks and got good pressure all day. * Linebacker Rufus Alexander caused a fumble and recovered it with a big hit on Naufahu Tahi in team drills. * Childress said he and Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards have faxed ideas back and forth about the format and what each team wants to get out of Thursday's scrimmage. * Childress said the staff wants to take a long look at backup linebackers like Derrick Pope, Heath Farwell, Vinny Ciurciu and the young guys Erin Henderson and J Leman. * The team has a special teams practice this afternoon. We'll check back later with more updates.

Fantasy Football Wide Receivers - Serviceable Wideouts

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:09:07 -0500

Serviceable WRs We've profiled the Big Dog WRs, Second Tier WRs, and Third Tier WRs, now it's time to examine the next wave of wideouts. These will likely either be your 3rd WR or make up your WR depth. Kevin Curtis/Reggie Brown - Curtis was decent last year for the Eagles. He had a couple of huge games. I'd like to see DeSean Jackson push for the starting job opposite of Reggie Brown, who should bounce back from his mediocre 780 yard 4 TD season, which would allow Curtis to got to the slot and utilize his speed like Wes Welker. If that happens, all three could be viable plays. Laveranues Coles - Coles had a decent season going before the wheels fell off in Week 8. If he can produce like he did the first seven weeks (460 yards, 6 TDs), he'll be worth an occasional start. Joey Galloway - How long can Mr. Galloway keep it up? Dude will turn 37 in November. He's registered three straight 1000+ yards seasons though. One warning, he was very inconsistent last year. Santana Moss - Moss has barely matched his outstanding 2005 numbers when you combine the past two years. However, he still has big-play ability. He's scary to own, and even scarier to start, but he can occasionally almost single-handedly win a matchup for you. Javon Walker - Who knows how he'll respond following last year's lost season and butt-whoopin' he took in Vegas. When he's healthy though, he can produce. That hasn't always been easy for him though. Bernard Berrian - He's a mystery heading into the year. He produced in Chicago, but we'll see how he does in Minnesota. The Viking certainly have the running game to keep the DBs honest. I'm just leery of T-Jack's accuracy. Anthony Gonzalez - Here's another guy I'd love to see end up on my team. He gained valuable experience as a rooke, and if Marvin Harrison returns to form, he could be looking at some cupcake matchups. He could be the poison that defenses pick, which is great news to his fantasy owners. Previous Previews Quarterbacks Running Backs

Top 10 Fantasy QB Preview - Photo Gallery

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:17:50 -0500

Who are the top-10 fantasy quarterbacks? Fantasy writer Roger Rotter reveals his list, along with a possible wild card contender that could unretire and join the list.

Roster Watch

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:24:10 -0500

The Vikings go into camp with 80 men on their roster, and will have to trim that to 53 by the time the season starts. The current position-by-position breakdown follows the jump (depth chart positions subject to debate in some cases; starters in italics): Offense Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson Gus Frerotte John David Booty Brooks Bollinger Running Back Adrian Peterson Chester Taylor Maurice Hicks Albert Young Fullback Thomas Tapeh Jeff Dugan Naufahu Tahi Tackle Ryan Cook Bryant McKinnie Marcus Johnson Chase Johnson Drew Radovich Guard Steve Hutchinson Anthony Herrera Artis Hicks Brian Daniels Mike Jones Center Matt Birk John Sullivan Dan Mozes Tim Mattran Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe Jim Kleinsasser Garrett Mills Braden Jones Wide Receiver Bernard Berrian Bobby Wade Sidney Rice Robert Ferguson Aundrae Allison Jaymar Johnson Martin Nance Nate Jones Darius Reynaud Daniel Davis Defense/Special Teams Defensive End Jared Allen Ray Edwards Brian Robison Jayme Mitchell Ellis Wyms Otis Grigsby Martail Burnett Defensive Tackle Kevin Williams Pat Williams Fred Evans Letroy Guiron Kenderick Allen Leger Douzable Linebacker E.J. Henderson Ben Leber Chad Greenway Heath Farwell Vinny Ciurciu Derrick Pope Rufus Alexander David Herron Erin Henderson Jeremy Leman Cornerback Antoine Winfield Cedric Griffin Marcus McCauley Charles Gordon Benny Sapp Dee McCann Marcus Walker Brandon Sumrall Safety Darren Sharper Madieu Williams Michael Boulware Tyrell Johnson Eric Frampton Jusain Abdullah Kicker Ryan Longwell Steven Hauschka Punter Chris Kluwe Long Snapper Cullen Loeffler Hard to find any real positional battles there. The best one is probably at tight end, where I'm hoping Garrett Mills, who showed flashes in the final game of last season, will push Visanthe Shiancoe. Maybe Marcus McCauley or Charles Gordon can make things uncomfortable for Cedric Griffin? Everything else looks set, barring injury or guys suddenly forgetting how to play. I'll continue to update this as camp progresses, reflecting cuts, and any changes in depth chart position.

TOP 10 REASONS WHY DEVIN HESTER IS HOLDING OUT

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:27:15 -0500

by DMtShooter, Five Tool Tool

10. Wants that big-time Donte Hall money

9. Less time in training camp is less time in training camp

8. Doesn't want to distract from that riveting Kyle Orton - Rex Grossman quarterback battle

7. After the departure of Bernard Berrian and Moose Muhammad, not quite ready to take the mantle of #1 wideout

6. With Todd Sauerbrun out of the league, the thrill is gone

5. Needs to recoup that $5,000 facemask fine from last year's game against the Saints

4. Probably not expecting a playoff run out of this year's talent, so better to conserve energy in the long run

3. Wants more quality time with Madden Hester and his 100 speed rating

2. His extensive Bible studies have led him to believe that the Lord wants him to make more money

1. If he spends more time in practice and learns another offensive play, he might forget the one he already knows

AccuScore: FFL Draft Strategies - TD Leagues

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:02:53 -0500

Too much of a good thing is usually a bad thing. That's how AccuScore fantasy expert Tim Williams feels about Oreo cookies and touchdown leagues.

Whats the YARDS favorite fantasy football line up?

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:03:07 -0500

Whats your favorite fantasy football line up? Okay all you BARKERS in the YARD....This is your KEEPER League Team, You've been in this league for 4 years now... Needless to say, you can only keep 10 of your 20 players. You've won the Championship Game 3 of the last 4 years, so everyone is out to get your this year. So all you YARDBARKERS, you are the owners and can only keep 10 players from the team below who would you keep? And who does the YARD cut and why? Can the YARD put a competitive team together? Can you win it all? As teams of the league let their players go, we will ask the YARD what player they want to fill the positions players that the YARD cut. We will then post the updated team with the new player the YARD's team picked up. We will continue this until the YARD's team is complete. Here is the YARDBARKERS KEEPER TEAM: QB: Donovan McNabb, David Garrard and Trent Edwards RB: Adrian Peterson (both AP's - Minn and Chicago), Maurice Jones-Drew, Edgerrin James, Earnest Graham WR: Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Dwayne Bowe , Bernard Berrian, Anthony Gonzalez, Amani Toomer TE: Kellen Winslow and Vernon Davis K: Mason Crosby and Josh Scobee D/ST: Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills

The True (Fantasy) Impact of Bernard Berrian

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:17:03 -0500

Is Bernard Berrian a starting fantasy wide receiver in Minnesota? This blog addresses that question and others.

The True (Fantasy) Impact of Bernard Berrian

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:17:02 -0500

Is Bernard Berrian a starting fantasy wide receiver in Minnesota? This blog addresses that question and others.