Boone brings attitude to Vikings offensive line MANKATO, Minn. -- In mere months, Alex Boone has established himself as the alpha male of Minnesota's offensive line. Heavily tattooed and 6-foot-8 and 310 pounds with the boisterous personality to match, Boone is already the standout in a group that has collectively struggled in recent seasons. The edge he brings to playing left guard is part of why the Vikings gave him a four-year contract this spring worth as much as $26.8 million. Humility has helped spur his development, too. Being bypassed in the 2009 NFL draft after alcohol-fueled off-the-field trouble led to a sobering up. Then there was Sept. 23, 2012, when Boone and the San Francisco 49ers came to the Metrodome to take on the Vikings he'd one day be playing for. Boone's opponent in that game was Kevin Williams, who recently retired after 13 seasons and five All-Pro selections. Nearly four years later, the memory of being dominated that afternoon by a defensive tackle seven years older than him is still beneficially vivid. "I thought, `He's just old. He ain't got it anymore. He's not going to do anything,'" Boone said, "and he just beat me all up and down the field. He made me a better player, and it really opened my eyes to the league." The lesson about overconfidence came in his first season as a starter on a team that advanced to the Super Bowl. "I told him during the game, too, that he's probably the most respected person in this game because of what he did to me," Boone recalled upon reporting to training camp last week. Boone received a roaring ovation that day from the autograph-seeking fans as the players filed into their residence hall at Minnesota State University, a sign of the angst that has surrounded the front five in Minnesota in recent years. Boone's presence will loom large for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings. "He's brought an attitude, lots more character to the room," right guard Brandon Fusco said. Tony Sparano was hired as the new offensive line coach, too, another critical injection of tenacity. Left tackle Matt Kalil, his hands full in practice with defensive end Everson Griffen, has pleased the staff in camp so far with his performance. Center John Sullivan has returned from two back surgeries that erased his 2015 season to compete with Joe Berger for the starting job. Newcomer Andre Smith is on track to be the right tackle next to Fusco, who has shifted to his original spot. (AP)
Alex Boone and Andre Smith looks like they will bring some toughness to the O-line...can John Sullivan stay on field that is the question,Brandon Fuso really what about CJ any news about him?
CJ has been working with the first-team offense at split end during spring practices with Stefon Diggs shifting over to flanker... so they are planning on using him in an important role. Vikings are going to have some speed running outs... that ought to keep the defenses busy.
Coach Mike Zimmer indicated that Peterson (hamstring) will practice Wednesday and Patterson is going through walk-threw's. They are being very cautious with both.
i think AP will be ok when the regular season starts he will be ready to play,this comes at bad time for CP when your trying to prove you got it
MANKATO, Minn. (AP) ? The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with long snapper Kevin McDermott. The deal, first reported by the NFL Network, runs through the 2020 season with a maximum value of $4 million. Coach Mike Zimmer confirmed the agreement after practice Monday. McDermott is entering his second season with the Vikings, after unseating last year veteran Cullen Loeffler, who then was the longest-tenured player on the team. The UCLA product long-snapped for San Francisco in 2013 and Baltimore in 2014 before signing with Minnesota. He has appeared in 39 NFL games, plus four in the playoffs.
i hope the Vikings are all about scoring TD's this year,so they can take the pressure off of Walsh cause he don't do to good under pressure...last year was a trip it was make or miss
it seems to happen to the Vikings weird ain't it....they choke when the game is on the line,well that's hellva good question
Youthful Hunter becoming fixture on Vikings' defensive line MANKATO, Minn. -- In an atmosphere of constant turnover in the chase for fresher, cheaper NFL talent, age can be as much of an asset as size, smarts, speed and strength. Danielle Hunter was quite the addition to the Minnesota Vikings last year. Not only did he rank second among all rookies with six sacks, taking full advantage of a part-time role, but Hunter was the youngest player in the league. "I use it as an advantage," said Hunter, who won't turn 22 until Oct. 29. "There's guys still older than me who've been drafted this year." Becoming a fixture as an extra pass rusher in the nickel package, Hunter shined down the stretch with one sack in each of the last three games in December. "Coaches told me to do this, and I went to go do it," Hunter said. That sense of duty, focus and respect helped establish the third-round draft pick as perhaps the most welcomed addition to the Vikings last season. The veterans on the defensive line, a position group often filled with the most alpha males, were quick to embrace the quiet kid from LSU. "I think the main thing is because I actually sit down and I listen to them," Hunter said. "There's a lot of people who just go out there when they come to the league, and they try to do their own stuff, but I just sit down and I listen." (FoxSports)
Floyd (knee) was a limited participant in Saturday's practice, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. ______________________________________ Wright, who has been sidelined because of an apparent calf injury, participated in practice Saturday for the first time since Aug. 8, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Vikings coach has 'no concern' about Bridgewater's injury EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) ? Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer says he has "no concern" about quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, after holding him out of the second preseason game as an injury precaution. Zimmer said Saturday that Bridgewater could have played Thursday at Seattle, but the coach decided to keep him out. Zimmer refused to characterize Bridgewater's condition, but ESPN.com reported Bridgewater has a sore shoulder. Bridgewater practiced in full pads Saturday, but didn't throw a pass. Backup Shaun Hill was given a rest, so Joel Stave took first-team snaps. With Taylor Heinicke on the non-football injury list, the Vikings signed Brad Sorenson for depth. Sorenson, a fourth-year pro, has played with San Diego and Tennessee. He was a seventh-round draft pick in 2013 by the Chargers from Southern Utah, but has not appeared in a regular-season game.
man this Walsh is one scary person he might cost the Vikings a game or two....NFL network has the Vikings game on at the weird times
i thought he had one of the stronger legs and i guess an accurate fg kicker the kick he missed it just brought back bad memories
