http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/team/54 Recent articles about the Minnesota Vikings en-us Once Brett Favre signed with the Vikings and the Bears acquired Jay Cutler this offseason, pundits couldn’t help but to gush over how good the NFC North Division would be. But now that nine weeks are in the books, it’s clear that the NFC North is the most overrated division in football. With Favre under center, the [...] Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:35:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/The_NFC_North_is_the_most_overrated_division_in_the_NFL/1525924 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/The_NFC_North_is_the_most_overrated_division_in_the_NFL/1525924 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/The_NFC_North_is_the_most_overrated_division_in_the_NFL/1525924 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/8/f81154a710a998ac1ec7bfa40895345b4e185f33/small/Minnesota_Vikings_v_baa2.jpg The Dallas Cowboys had an enjoyable bye week last month, with every other team in their division playing -- and losing.The Minnesota Vikings have had a similar experience this weekend, with the two teams in position to keep them from... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:36:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Vikings_apos_bye_results_in_three_game_bulge/1525676 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Vikings_apos_bye_results_in_three_game_bulge/1525676 The one guy we were neglecting so far was Minnesota’s Percy Harvin, who has slowly and quietly started to put up numbers and become a favorite target of Brett Favre. This is a guy Brad Childress took a big gamble on that so far is paying off. But Byrd and Laurinaitis are holding [...] Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:00:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/NFL_Week_8_ROY_Power_Rankings/1523226 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/NFL_Week_8_ROY_Power_Rankings/1523226 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/NFL_Week_8_ROY_Power_Rankings/1523226 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/0/2052012705522445e8fa3efe3d600ebcbaba4ded/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f92600522.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D041786DB72246F76A934074DD4D206B29FE49A5B36EC0168D.jpg Earlier this week, we poked some fun at Vikings coach Brad Childress' handling of quarterback Brett Favre's injured groin.But unless this is another exercise by Favre in setting up advance excuses for subpar performances, it's not a laughing matter.Then again,... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:54:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Favre_aposs_groin_could_end_up_being_a_problem/1523085 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Favre_aposs_groin_could_end_up_being_a_problem/1523085 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Favre_aposs_groin_could_end_up_being_a_problem/1523085 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/b/5b3d21f9e0d3c5c79bf889db61fea80889c4f235/small/49ers_v_Packers_f215.jpg I really meant to do one of these back during the pre-season so that we'd have something to compare it to at this point, but I forgot to.  I apologize for that.  But, as usual, we'll have our mid-season version. . .conveniently designed to go along with the Vikings' bye week. . .and our post-season version to compare. I've done these for the past couple of seasons, after originally getting the idea from our friends over at Dawgs by Nature.  (See the 2007 mi... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:44:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Minnesota_Vikings_Player_Power_Rankings_Mid_Season_Edition/1519597 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Minnesota_Vikings_Player_Power_Rankings_Mid_Season_Edition/1519597 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Minnesota_Vikings_Player_Power_Rankings_Mid_Season_Edition/1519597 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/7/c7f97ff77427f97adc4e139fca25b7e88cbe32fd/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89727834.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D01DF7B0834EA6743C7E9147D5380DDED12CF41DDD200DE0EA.jpg If only running backs not named Adrian Peterson stood perfectly still and acted like a tackling dummy.  Then life would be easier on Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway who supposedly leads the league in missed tackles. The stat is not officially kept, but I’ve heard that STATS, inc has him as the leader in missed tackles from [...] Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:56:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/The_Basics_Vikings_Simply_Need_to_Tackle_Better/1515585 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/The_Basics_Vikings_Simply_Need_to_Tackle_Better/1515585 If you scroll down a few posts you’ll see that I have quarterback as the Vikings top draft need.  This is based off of the possibility of both Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson being off the roster next season.  Also, the pickings are incredibly slim in free agency at the quarterback position. I have safety as [...] Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:13:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Prospects_To_Watch_Safeties/1513767 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Prospects_To_Watch_Safeties/1513767 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Prospects_To_Watch_Safeties/1513767 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/7/d796b7597b405febd0462d6f52de13ffbfdf85f4/small/Baltimore_Ravens_v_0e31.jpg The last we heard of former first-round Vikings pick Erasmus James, the defensive end was indefinitely suspended by the NFL.After an arrest Thursday morning, consider James' suspension, um, more indefinite. James was arrested for punching a "friend" in the face. ... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:16:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Former_Vikings_pick_Erasmus_James_arrested/1510050 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Former_Vikings_pick_Erasmus_James_arrested/1510050 If only running backs not named Adrian Peterson stood perfectly still and acted like a tackling dummy.  Then life would be easier on Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway who supposedly leads the league in missed tackles. The stat is not officially kept, but I’ve heard that STATS, inc has him as the leader in missed tackles from [...] Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:37:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Missing_And_Whiffing_Vikings_Need_To_Tackle_Better/1509875 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Missing_And_Whiffing_Vikings_Need_To_Tackle_Better/1509875 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Missing_And_Whiffing_Vikings_Need_To_Tackle_Better/1509875 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/a/0add6cbb0610569131083a8a4496a456f35bb82f/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f91124527.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D0C68019FA25C365F40462C62C5D4CD47C0232D42C86B11219.jpg Reports surfaced yesterday of a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated where they asked current players who they thought the “dirtiest player” in the NFL was. Perhaps surprisingly, the Minnesota Vikings own Jared Allen appeared on the list as the 10th top vote getter amongst players who participated. How could that be?? Just look at that [...] Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:19:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ja006/1506778 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ja006/1506778 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ja006/1506778 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac41ae3e4c9028a31d053315317d525b58887ea7/small/Carolina_Panthers_v_b3f7.jpg Brett Favre is more than just a top-notch quarterback. He can dance, too. Left tackle Bryant McKinnie told ESPN's First Take that Favre has moves. McKinnie said that was the biggest surprise during the course of getting to know Favre. "He knows how to do the Roger Rabbit, the Prep and the Cabbage Patch," McKinnie said, chuckling. "He showed me in the locker room, and that's something I should have put on video." McKinnie insisted Favre can dance well. "He h... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:40:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Brett_Favre_can_dance/1506564 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Brett_Favre_can_dance/1506564 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Brett_Favre_can_dance/1506564 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/4/64ce1f68091cac0b55c7cf5e1d6e232685731201/small/Picture_1.png Bernard Berrian said in a radio interview that quarterback Brett Favre communicates well with receivers and is not afraid to make adjustments on the fly. "He will change a play in a heartbeat," Berrian said on 790 The Zone in Atlanta, according to the website SportsRadioInterviews.com. "I mean it works though. When we are out there, he is the one running the offense. He is playing the game, we are playing the game. "You got to go with what the guy tells you," Berri... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:10:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Berrian_says_Favre_is_not_shy_about_changing_plays/1500907 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Berrian_says_Favre_is_not_shy_about_changing_plays/1500907 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Berrian_says_Favre_is_not_shy_about_changing_plays/1500907 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/4/f4e7506a1187adbb04a9d0e99c2b5b2cae28da06/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f91472740.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D04ED09DAAB775B7B9B45B41D182152FE9DB6481CF0869195A.jpg It was announced yesterday that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (I absolutely loathe having to write that, still) was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Week after he wheeled his Hoveround into Green Bay last weekend and threw for four touchdowns and 244 yards, compiling a quarterback rating of 128.6 – which we should [...] Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:01:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/ct005/1498730 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/ct005/1498730 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/ct005/1498730 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/6/c6a4ab6d013f6d7c70793b4998293a1eca9d7789/small/Minnesota_Vikings_v_7dd4.jpg Most of the actual and threatened blackouts this year have occurred in connection with teams however at or below .500.But there's now a team residing among the league's elite that faces a large chunk of unsold tickets.The Vikings have the... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:54:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Top_five_team_faces_possible_blackouts/1498245 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Top_five_team_faces_possible_blackouts/1498245 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Top_five_team_faces_possible_blackouts/1498245 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/f/1f31386891955fdc73bc78f7d0868b84eb84bf5a/small/92599903.jpg How big was the Vikings-Packers game on Sunday? So big that it had more viewers than the finale of heavyweight shows such as American Idol, CSI and Dancing With the Stars. The FOX doubleheader game, featuring Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field, was watched by 29.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched program on television since the Academy Awards on Feb. 22 (36.3 million viewers). Game 4 of the World Series on Nov. 1 had 22.8 million viewers, the seventh-most watched sportin... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:51:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Vikings_game_Sunday_huge_hit_for_Fox/1499897 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Vikings_game_Sunday_huge_hit_for_Fox/1499897 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Vikings_game_Sunday_huge_hit_for_Fox/1499897 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/a/ca3150324c15de40c6fe5fa3fe41343441babf21/small/Minnesota_Vikings_v_b39d.jpg Vikings coach Brad Childress has said he hasn't been surprised by quarterback Brett Favre's performance and production. But Childress admitted on Sirius NFL Radio Tuesday that Favre has surprised him with one aspect. "Everyone has little quirks. I didn't know that he was this hard a worker, in terms of the time he spends at the game," Childress said on Movin' The Chains, hosted by Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan. "He's been blessed with great athletic skills and a... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:51:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/How_Favre_has_surprised_Childress/1498205 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/How_Favre_has_surprised_Childress/1498205 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/How_Favre_has_surprised_Childress/1498205 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/a/ca3150324c15de40c6fe5fa3fe41343441babf21/small/Minnesota_Vikings_v_b39d.jpg Through Week 5, the Vikings offense was ranked 19th in the NFL. Now, as they prepare for their bye week, the Vikings are 10th. The Vikings offense collected 355 net yards against a Green Bay Packers defense that ranked third entering Sunday's game. But, another dismal stretch by the Vikings defense -- Aaron Rodgers had 169 passing yards and two touchdowns in the third quarter alone -- continued the dropping of the Vikings defense, which is now ranked 19th in the NFL. Remarkably, thoug... Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:47:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Vikings_offense_continues_rise/1483747 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Vikings_offense_continues_rise/1483747 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Vikings_offense_continues_rise/1483747 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/c/ac6960ef005891c087490a47f97023c9db489a5b/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f91341482.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D03F358CE34AB009B6746683C6076462AFEDE873DD8C2FE365.jpg Apart from a third quarter that had me swearing like George Carlin, the Vikings dominated the Packers in Lambeau Sunday, putting another lopsided number on the scoreboard in a 38-26 road victory that puts them at 7-1 going and in solid command of their division going into the bye. Brett Favre was nearly flawless, Percy Harvin had several big returns and a great TD catch-and-run, Adrian Peterson had just enough explosiveness in him to make a difference, and the defense...well, the less said ab... Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:53:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/For_the_first_time_Vikings_celebrate_Favre_winning_in_Green_Bay/1481815 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/For_the_first_time_Vikings_celebrate_Favre_winning_in_Green_Bay/1481815 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/For_the_first_time_Vikings_celebrate_Favre_winning_in_Green_Bay/1481815 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/1/41de69ebd1b8b9e7d17955634d9a94803caedfc4/small/Minnesota_Vikings_v_e7d0.jpg Quarterback Brett Favre took the field at 2:26 p.m. and plenty of Packers backers let him have it Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:37:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Favre_enters_Lambeau_to_loud_reaction/1479470 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Favre_enters_Lambeau_to_loud_reaction/1479470 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Favre_enters_Lambeau_to_loud_reaction/1479470 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/e/8e0368f201f23f00ba332a503ebed3fe7c9bc154/small/92598238.jpg Steve Mariucci has been close to Brett Favre, ever since he was Favre's first quarterbacks coach in Green Bay. Mariucci sat down with Favre for an interview that aired this morning on the NFL Network. Here are some highlights, courtesy of the NFL Network. On what he's got left to prove: "I'm very satisfied with what has happened throughout my career, what I've accomplished; I don't feel I have to prove anything." On what he expects from his return to Lambeau... Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:24:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Favre_highlights_from_interview_with_Mariucci/1479110 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Favre_highlights_from_interview_with_Mariucci/1479110 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Favre_highlights_from_interview_with_Mariucci/1479110 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/f/2fa73853a8e908191b5e4a3b1ec1b9dbff44ab99/small/Minnesota_Vikings_v_2622.jpg