Vikings sign former college point guard

I don't keep up with the Minnesota Vikings a whole lot, so I'm not really in the know about their team needs this offseason. I suppose the Vikes do need help in the secondary so their really trying to get some bodies in there. So instead of hunkering down for the draft or looking for the best free agent fit they make the puzzling move of signing Nicholas Taylor.

Who? you might ask. I'll give a quick description of Mr. Taylor.

Taylor played collegiately at Florida International for the basketball team and has been playing defensive back in a low level arena league.

Taylor spent time last season in a minor arena football league and worked out on Wednesday at FIU's pro day, where he was clocked at 4.34 and 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash.


The Vikings apparently thought enough of him to bring him to Minneapolis for a private workout on Friday and signed him shortly thereafter. Taylor said team officials told him his long-shot bid to make the roster will include a look at cornerback, punt returner and perhaps receiver, too. 


It's a long shot that he makes the team, but there is a the matter of a three year contract that is a reserves/futures contract, so there is a three year committment.

This could turn out to be a heartwarming story or a move of high stupidity. I'm rooting for the guy to make it but figure the odds on this one.

Ray Edwards Has His Next Fight Canceled

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards' boxing career might be brief. His next fight that was set for June 24 against Larry Butler was canceled because Butler backed out for reasons unknown. He might have gotten a peek of Edwards' last fight and changed his mind.

Edwards and Butler both won their respective first pro fights on May 20. Edwards is now trying to line up a fight in late July or early August, but that might not matter if the NFL lockout comes to an end. That's only if he signs somewhere or returns to Minnesota.

Edwards says that he doesn't want to return to Minnesota, unless he gets a nice deal because money talks. He currently gets less than his backup (Brian Robison).

Vikings' Jared Allen Disappointed With Incoming Rookies

To sum up the Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen, all he wants to do is play football. He wants a fair shake, but he just wants to play. He's not about the money or fancy things that go with it.

That's why he's disappointed with the NFL incoming rookies spending money they haven't earned yet. I myself don't understand that one myself. I know there are going to be some future earnings involved, but with this economy and the current lockout they should be thinking of ways to save money instead of blowing it right away.

In an interview with KTAR in Phoenix, Allen lets the listeners know how he feels about it. He also clues in on other things like the lockout and players that were drafted ahead of him.

“I don’t like anybody who was drafted ahead of me. Kind of pisses me off. You know it did. I honestly think it would’ve been cool to see none or all of the players elect to not show up. I think that would’ve given a really big sign to the NFL. You want us to appease you guys by coming to this show, because that’s what the NFL Draft is on TV, it’s a show for their fans and a show for the league, you want us to do that than let’s get this deal done, let’s quit locking us out, and let’s get back to work. I think the bigger disappointment was to see the jewelry on these kids’ arms and ears. Are you kidding me? You haven’t played a down in the league yet and thousands and thousands of dollars on these kids arms and I’m like you guys understand you’re getting drafted into a lockout where you don’t know what rules you’re playing under or how much money you possibly might get.”


I have to agree with Allen. I know the agents are fronting you with money and you want to look good on draft night, but they know the situation, keep that money. Buy a nice suit or whatever but stop with some of the unnecessary expenses.  


  

How Vikings Punter Chris Kluwe Spends Part Of His Free Time

For some reason it seems like there have been a lot of stories involvng Minnesota Vikings players this offseason, both good and bad. There was Bryant McKinnie blowing $100,000 at a party, conerback Chris Cook brandishing guns in Virginia, the Williams wall and their legal fight and Adrian Peterson's slavery rant.

Punter Chris Kluwe spends his time as a bass guitaristin a rock band called tripping icarus. I'm not hip to rock music so I wouldn't know if this was good or bad. At least he's doing something that doesn't make the police blotter or out blowing money during a time when he should be saving.

Here's a sample of him playing with the band.

 

Chris Cook Arrested For Brandishing A Gun

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook isn't doing a good job of using his time wisely during the NFL lockout.

According to a story at nationalfootballpost.com, Cook was arrested Saturday night in Lynchburg,Virginia after pulling a gun during a fight.

Now my logic says you don't pull a gun on anyone unless you're in immediate danger. I don't know the extent of the situation so I really couldn't say why he pulled it. My logic also says that if you're gonna pull a gun you better use it. Don't get me wrong because I don't advocate violence, but why get in trouble for brandishing a weapon and not use it, when the person you pulled it on may exact revenge.

We'll have to wait and see how the Vikings handle this and since the league can't contact players during the lockout we also have to see if something comes of this regarding Mr. Cook.

We know Roger Goodell doesn't play around when it comes to weapons offenses.      

Some People Should Just Stick To Governing

Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell has called out the nation after the Sunday night game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings was moved to Tuesday night. He seeme to be fired up about the whole matter. Rendell perceives it as a lack of toughness, going out of his way to say the nation has become "a bunch of wussies".

The NFL called the game off in anticipation of the snowstorm that has slammed the East Coast, even though less than five inches were on the ground before the scheduled kickoff. Here's Rendell's take on the situation.

"It goes against everything that football is all about". "My biggest beef is that this is part of what's happened in this country," Rendell said. "I think we've become wussies. We've become a nation of wusses. The Chinese are kicking our butt in everything," Rendell added. "If this was in China do you think the Chinese would have called off the game? People would have been marching down to the stadium, they would have walked and they would have been doing calculus on the way down."

I can understand Rendell being upset, but he didn't have to go Reggie White on the Chinese. He has to understand that waas the league's call and not anyone else's. I will give the NFL kudos for looking out for the safety of the fan in this instance.

Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe seemed to echo Rendell's sentiments.  "The roads are bad for East Coast standards," Shiancoe said. "But if this was in the Midwest there would be no way that this would be delayed. No way it would be delayed in the Midwest. No way. ... It's something that baffles me. But I'm not here to make decisions on when games are played."


Not if the travel conditions aren't ideal. Instead of crowing about what the NFL does, maybe Rendell needs to concentrate on his job as governor. It looks like he has no concern for the fan.

 

Vikings' Shiancoe Thinks The Lions Get Shafted By Refs

It's not normal for a professional athlete to have any sympathy for a rival team. The exception is Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. He thinks the Detroit Lions are getting shafted by the referees. Shiancoe tweeted the following regarding some dubious calls in the Bears/Lions game.

Lions get the short end of the stick alot.. i wonder whats really going on. Happens to much


Just seeing that unnecessary roughness call on #90 on Jay Cutler in the Bears/Lions game.. This isnt flag football ..man


Many Lions fans feel the same way.

You Can Go Home Again

My thoughts on the Randy Moss trade may not be in lockstep with others. Oh well, so be it. I think it could be a good trade for Minnesota. True, they did give up a third rounder, which to me is almost like the player to be named later. It could burn them or the player could be a bum. Before I go any further, remember the great Brett Favre lobbied for him when he was still in Green Bay.

Moss will give someone that Favre can trust going deep to. And you know Brett will force it to him, even if he's triple covered. Even though Moss is older, he's still an athletic freak. He's still one of the top five receivers in the league. This could make Favre's last hurrah (allegedly) one to remember.

On the flip side, the Patriots offense might actually suffer without Moss. Let's see what Wes Welker can do underneath, now that all the coverages will be focused on him. Who's going to fill in for him? I think they hope Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman can help fill that role. I just don't really see a go to guy. But then again, Tom Brady has made it work before with less than receivers. Hey, they also can bring Troy brown out of retirement. The running game isn't solid, so i can see some of the top defenses teeing off on Brady.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how everything turns out. The Patriot way actually might work out and Favre to Moss might be explosive enough to get Minnesota to the Super Bowl. This could be the best and last chance for both.