The 2012 Vikings roster thread (Small News, Discussion of players on the team(2)

[100%CHEESE FREE]

Since the current roster thread has gone over 1000 posts, its time to start a new one.

I would encourage anybody on here to post their discussion about what they think of guys on the roster. We have an FA thread and a draft thread for a reason, but I'd like to think that we can keep this one around too.

I will also be making regular updates to this first post as players are signed and cut ect.

Re-signed FAs in BOLD
**name** denotes this has not happened yet but is probable.
* denotes that this play may retire


Restructured contracts


Reserve/Active


Unrestricted FAs

Husain Abdullah FS*(hiatus)
Xavier Adibi MLB signed with Chicago Bears, later cut
Devin Aromashodu WR (March 23rd, 1 year contract)
Lorenzo Booker RB July 17th, Chicago Bears
Greg Camarillo WR August 19, New Orleans Saints* later cut
Fred Evans DT (March 16, undisclosed)
Letroy Guion DT (March 13, 3 year contract)
E.J. Henderson MLB
Erin Henderson OLB (March 23rd, 1 year $2 mil contract)
Tyrell Johnson FS April 5th, Miami Dolphins later cut
Matt Katula LS
Scott Kooistra T/G*
Kenny Onatolu OLB March 16, Carolina Panthers 3 year deal
Jarrad Page FS-retired to go play minor league baseball for the LA Dodgers
Sage Rosenfels QB (March 12, 1 year contract)
Benny Sapp CB
Visanthe Shiancoe TE July 24, New England Patriots 1 year

Restricted FAs

Lorenzo Booker RB-(March 13, team declines to tender Booker, he is now an unrestricted free agent)
Kenny Onatolu OLB-(March 12, team declines to tender Onatolu, he is now an unrestricted free agent)

Exclusive Rights FAs

Patrick Brown RT (Febuary 7th, 1 year, 540k)

Retirements

*Husain Abdullah FS: June 21st, Husain announced that himself and his brother Hamza, both unsigned, were going to be going on hiatus from football to go on a national tour during Ramadan ending in a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Abdullah bros. hope to resume their careers after the conclusion of their trip.

Asher Allen CB: May 30th, Asher Allen decided to retire from football at age 24. There is some speculation that this could be related to the two concussions Allen has sustained in his professional career since 2010.

Jim Kleinsasser TE/FB/The People's Champion

Scott Kooistra T/G (According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press Kooistra's spinal injury is career ending. Best wishes in the future for you and your family Scott.)

Jarad Page FS: Page decided that football just wasn't for him. He is now playing minor league baseball for the LA Dodgers.


Off-season Cuts

Kris Adams WR (May 14th, released) Jun 5, Indianapolis Colts
Remi Ayodele DT/NT (Released March 21st) May 7th New Orleans Saints*
Kevin Cyrille DE Florida Atlantic (waived May 16th)
Cedric Griffin CB (Released March 10th) March 16th Washington Redskins 1 year, 2.5mil
Daniel Hardy TE (May 2nd, released)
Steve Hutchinson LG (Released March 10th) March 15th Tennessee Titans 3 year, $16 mil
Anthony Herrera RG (Released March 10th)
Caleb King RB (May 1st, released from jail after being accused of fracturing a man's skull. Also released from the team.)
Butch Lewis G/T (May 2nd, released)
Ryan Longwell K (May 7th, released)
Kevin Murphy T Harvard (picked up on waivers from San Francisco, May 15th) (May 17th, released/failed physical) (July 24th, re-signed)
Terrell Resonno DT Missouri (waived June 28th to make room for Jeff Charleston)
Jose Valdez G (futures contract January 18th) (May 14th, released)
Darrion Weems T Oregon(released July 25th) New England Patriots
CC Whitlock CB South Carolina (May 17th, released)


New acquisitions (italics=undrafted free agent, bold=veteran)

Matt Asiata FB (2 year futures contract January 7th)
Mark Asper G/T (claimed off waivers from Buffalo Bills, September 1st)
McLeod Bethel-Thompson QB (futures contract January 13th)
John Carlson TE (5 year $25 mil contract March 14th)
Jerome Felton FB (undisclosed contract March 20th)
A.J. Jefferson CB (Traded from Arizona Cardinals for an exchange of undisclosed 2013 draft picks, September 1st)
Marvin Mitchell MLB (April 10th)
Geoff Schwartz G/T (March 21st, 1 year deal $1.5 mil)
Jerome Simpson WR (April 24th, 1 year)


Draft Picks (Purple=signed)

1 Matt Kalil, LT USC (traded down to #4 with Cleveland Browns)
1 Harrison Smith, S Nortre Dame (traded up to #29 with the Baltimore Ravens for 2nd and 4th round picks)
3 Josh Robinson, CB UCF
4 Jaruis Wright, WR Arkansas From Browns (originally belonged to the Falcons)
4 Rhett Ellison, TE/FB USC (compensatory pick due to the departure of Sidney Rice in 2011)
4 Greg Childs, WR Arkansas (compensatory pick due to the departure of Ray Edwards in 2011)
5 Robert Blanton, S Notre Dame(received from Cleveland Browns for #3 pick)
6-Traded to the Washington Redskins for Donovan McNabb in 2011
6-Blair Walsh, K Georgia From Cleveland Browns for Jayme Mitchell in 2010
7-Audie Cole, MLB North Carolina State
7 (received from Cleveland Browns for #3 pick)-Traded to Tennessee Titans for 2013 6th round pick
7-Trevor Guyton, DE California From Patriots (originally belonged to the Eagles) from the Randy Moss Trade of 2010

Undrafted Free Agents
None made the team


Recovering from injuries

Jared Allen DE (sustained a neck injury Week 3 vs the 49ers) Was able to return to the game. Did not practice on Wednesday preceding the Week 5 game vs Tennessee due to a groin issue. Played Week 5.

Jasper Brinkley MLB (missed last season due to hip surgery early last season) Recovered

Robert Blaton FS (pulled a hamstring in camp and missed quite a bit of time in the preseason, he should be healthy for week 4) Recovered-----Probable to play Week 1, healthy scratch Week 2 and 3.

Stephen Burton WR (torn MCL last season, should be ready to go for camp) Recovered

John Carlson TE (suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in camp) Recovered.

Greg Childs WR (suffered severe knee injuries in camp, tore both of his patellar tendons) Currently on IR and undergoing rehab. He has a long, difficult road ahead of him and may never be able to play football again. but he does have Eric Sugarman in his corner. Best of luck Greg.

Chris Cook CB (sustained a concussion in Week 2 of the preseason. Sat out Week 3 of the pre-season, on the injured list in regular season Week 2 for a biceps issue.) Recovered, not listed on Injury Report for Week 1, played Week 2, listed on Week 3 injury report with biceps issue. Played Week 4 and 5

Jerome Felton FB (leg injury week 2) Not on Week 3 injury report

Rhett Ellison TE (suffered a knee injury in week 3 of the pre-season, after a closer examination and an MRI Ellison was diagnosed with petellar tendinitis) Recovered, not listed on Injury List for Week 1, on the Injury Report Week 2 for an ankle issue. Listed as probable for Week 3 with ankle injury. Seems to be coming back/playing through a mild sprain.

Toby Gerhart (torn MCL late last season, should be ready to go for camp) Recovered

Letroy Guion NT (sprained PCL in preseason Week 1) Recovered

Michael Jenkins WR (torn meniscus last year, should be fine to attend training camp) It took him a while but he has recovered. Jenkins suffered a rib injury Week 4 at Detroit. He was able to return to the game and played Week 5 after missing early week practices..

Charlie Johnson G (missed practice before Week 5 due to a back injury) Started Week 5

Percy Harvin WR (suffered from leg cramps during Week 2) Should be fine in week 3

Erin Henderson OLB (concussion Week 2) Out for Week 3, did not pass concussion testing and missed Week 4 as well. Returned in Week 5

Cullen Loeffler LS (recovering from back injury) Recovered

DeMarcus Love T (torn pectoral muscle) Sustained in the last game of the preseason. Injured Reserve)

Marvin Mitchell (ankle) Missed first two weeks with ankle issue, listed as Probable for Week 3. Played in Week 3 and 4 to fill in for Erin Henderson. Did not play in Week 5 due to ankle issue

Adrian Peterson RB (torn ACL, MCL + meniscus damage) He's going to play. Officially listed as Questionable for Week 1. The king is back AP sustained a mild ankle sprain during Week 5 vs Tennessee. He was able to return to rush for another 53 yards so he should be fine for Week 6.

Christian Ponder QB (appeared on Week 4 injury report as Probable due to a neck issue). Limited in practice on the Wednesday preceding the Week 5 game vs. Tennessee due to a knee injury Very likely to play in Week 5.

Mistral Raymond S (back injury warming up for pre-season week 3, bone bruise and a slight dislocation of his ankle Week 3, did not return to the game) He's going to miss "a few weeks", did not play in Week 4 and will not play in Week 5.

DÀundre Reed DE (Calf) Listed as Out for Week 3

Josh Robinson CB (sustained a concussion in week 3, has not yet passed post-concussion testing) Not on the injury list for Week 1.

Brian Robison DE (Elbow) Listed as Probable for Week 3

Kyle Rudolph TE (sustained a concussion in week 2 of the preseason. He passed his post-concussion test the next day and played in week 3) Recovered

Geoff Schwartz G (underwent surgery for a sports hernia near the beginning of training camp) Recovered.

Andrew Sendejo S (sprained ankle preseason week 3 vs San Diego) Played in week 2, missed Week 3, 4 and 5.

Marcus Sherles CB (limited in practice before Week 5 due to a quad injury) Played in Week 5.

Jerome Simpson WR (sustained a lower leg injury in Week 5. Was able to continue playing but this has effected his speed. Awaiting further details on MRI results)

John Sullivan C (Ankle issue) On Week 3 injury report with no status. Started Week 3.

Nicholas Taylor CB (tore a shoulder labrum in camp) Injured Reserve

Jordan Todman RB (suffered a high ankle sprain in camp but was able to get some limited play time in preseason week 3) Recovered

Antoine Winfield CB (recovering from a broken collar bone early last year, should be fine for training camp) Back to his old self, appeared on the Injury List because he was held out of a practice due to a death in his family. Winfield was limited in practice before Week 5 due to a knee issue.

Jarius Wright WR (twisted ankle during Pre-season Week 4) Out Week 1. Suspected ankle sprain. Healthy scratch Weeks 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Injured reserve/Suspended
Jerome Simpson WR (will be suspended Week 1-3 due to league substance abuse policy, he will practice and participate in the pre-season) Simpson has been reinstated after serving his three game suspension.

Jerome Felton FB (DUI June 2nd, could be looking at a 2 game suspension

Kamar Jorden WR Bowling Green (Waived/Injured August 25th, broke his hand in camp, later given injury settlement)

Nicholas Taylor CB/RS (signed March 16th, waived July 30th after tearing a labrum in his shoulder)

Greg Childs WR (IR August 4th, Tore the patellar tendons in both his knees)

Training camp cuts
Eric Latimore DE Penn State (waived August 4th)



Cut-Down Days
August 25th
Bridger Buche G Eastern Michigan
Derrick Coleman RB UCLA
Grant Cook G Arizona
Solomon Elimimian OLB (from the CFL) Signed to Cleveland Browns PS
Corey Gatewood CB Stanford
Levi Horn G/T
Anthony Jacobs DE Minnesota
AJ Love WR USF
Tyler Nielsen LB Iowa
Ernest Owusu DE California Claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns, later cut
Tydreke Powell DT North Carolina
Chris Stroud CB Webber International
Kerry Taylor WR Claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots
Bryan Walters WR

August 31st
Emmanuel Arceneaux WR Signed to Washington Redskins PS
Chase Baker DT Boise State
Chris Carr CB (1 year deal signed April 4th)
Jeff Charleston DE (signed June 28th)
Chris DeGeare G
Ryan D'Imperio FB
Eric Frampton S Signed by the Dallas Cowboys after Week 3
Bobby Felder CB Nichols State
Trevor Guyton DT (7th round draft pick)
Lex Hilliard HB/FB (signed March 18th)
Tyler Holmes G Tulsa (signed May 14th)
Reggie Jones CB
Kevin Murphy T
Corey Paredes LB Hawaii
Austin Pasztor G Virginia
Nick Reed DE (2 year deal, May 15th)
Sage Rosenfels QB
Quentin Saulsberry C Mississippi State Signed to Denver Broncos PS
Mickey Shuler TE
Jordan Todman RB

September 1st
Zackary Bowman CB (1 year deal, March 26th)
Kamar Jorden WR *injury settlement*


Practice Squad
Chase Baker DT
Bobby Felder CB
Tyler Holmes T
Troy Kropog T
Kevin Murphy T (September 3rd)
Ernest Owusu DE California (September 3rd)
Jordan Todman RB

In-season transactions
September 19th
Tori Gurley WR released from practice squad (signed to Oakland Raiders PS September 26th)
Troy Kropog T signed to practice squad

September 27th
Allen Reisner TE released to make room for Jerome Simpson WR who is being re-activated after his 3 game suspension for violation of the NFL Substance Abuse Policy.

[JA22]

I'm just going to repost this from the previous thread...

======== 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers ================ 2011 Minnesota Vikings

Buccaneers went 3-13 ====================-========== Vikings went 3-13
Buccaneers had 3rd pick in the draft ===================== Vikings had 3rd pick in the draft
Buccaneers drafted a 4th round WR ===================== Vikings drafted a 4th round WR
That WR led all rookies in receptions, yards and touchdowns. ==-= Hopefully ours can do the same thing.

Like Mike Williams had in his rookie season, Greg Childs will have a second-year quarterback -- who is still learning the game himself -- throwing him the ball.

In fact looking at the two quarterbacks situations Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman have a lot in common.

• Freeman, like Ponder, only started a little over half of the 16 games he could've played in as a rookie (Freeman started 9 and played in 10 | Ponder started 10 and played in 11).
  
  In year two Freeman started every game and that's what Ponder is predicted to do.
• Freeman, who's a athletic QB like Ponder, had a 54.5 completion percentage and went 158/290 in his rookie season. Ponder had a 54.3 pct completing 158/291 pass attempts as a rookie. Almost identical.
  
  
  With Williams presence in year 2 the young Buc quarterback took off and his completion percentage jumped from 54.5 as a rookie to 61.4.
• Freeman raised his passing yardage from 1,855 to 3,451 and flipped his TD/INT ratio from 10/18 to 25/6. Ponder is expected to take similar big steps forward from his modest 1,853 passing yards and 13/13 TD/INT ratio.
  
• As a rookie quarterback Freeman's record was 3-6 as a starter. Ponder's was 2-8 as a starter. The Bucs had only won 3 games (same as the Vikings) overall in the previous year but finished their 2010 season improving by seven wins and finishing 10-6 but fell just short of the playoffs due to a strength of victory tie-breaker. Vikings could do the same by surprising some people and winning some game they are not expected to?
  
  The Buccaneers matched their previous season total wins after only six games. Take a look at the Vikings 2012 schedule, especially our first two games, and tell me we can't do the same.

[100%CHEESE FREE]

I'm just going to repost this from the previous thread...

good I was going to ask you to do that.

[pacofunk64]

I'm just going to repost this from the previous thread...

======== 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers ================ 2011 Minnesota Vikings

Buccaneers went 3-13 ====================-========== Vikings went 3-13
Buccaneers had 3rd pick in the draft ===================== Vikings had 3rd pick in the draft
Buccaneers drafted a 4th round WR ===================== Vikings drafted a 4th round WR
That WR led all rookies in receptions, yards and touchdowns. ==-= Hopefully ours can do the same thing.

Like Mike Williams had in his rookie season, Greg Childs will have a second-year quarterback -- who is still learning the game himself -- throwing him the ball.

In fact looking at the two quarterbacks situations Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman have a lot in common.

• Freeman, like Ponder, only started a little over half of the 16 games he could've played in as a rookie (Freeman started 9 and played in 10 | Ponder started 10 and played in 11) but in year two Freeman started every game and that's what Ponder is predicted to do.
  
• Freeman, who's a athletic QB like Ponder, had a 54.5 completion percentage and went 158/290 in his rookie season. Ponder had a 54.3 pct completing 158/291 pass attempts as a rookie. Almost identical.
  
  
  With Williams presence in year 2 the young Buc quarterback took off and his completion percentage jumped from 54.5 as a rookie to 61.4.
• Freeman raised his passing yardage from 1,855 to 3,451 and flipped his TD/INT ratio from 10/18 to 25/6. Ponder is expected to take similar big steps forward from his modest 1,853 passing yards and 13/13 TD/INT ratio.
  
• As a rookie quarterback Freeman's record was 3-6 as a starter. Ponder's was 2-8 as a starter. The Bucs had only won 3 games (same as the Vikings) overall in the previous year but finished their 2010 season improving by seven wins and finishing 10-6 but fell just short of the playoffs due to a strength of victory tie-breaker. Vikings could do the same by surprising some people and winning some game they are not expected to?
  
  The Buccaneers matched their previous season total wins after only six games. Take a look at the Vikings 2012 schedule, especially our first two games, and tell me we can't do the same.

Money post right here. Nice job!

[tripleplayer543]

Money post right here. Nice job!

i think they can do real good this year. first off the vikings team has a lot more talent than the bucs did . im still a little worried because the vikings could have grabed another wr and o line man with the two third day picks he stock piled for next april . surely they will pick a wr a mlb and a rt in the early stages of next years draft. i just hope they will be the minnesota vikings next season. if zygi moves the vikings any where out side of minnesota im done with football ill miss it dearly but i wont root for the vikings in another city and i cant root for another team i hope the elected idiots get it done now one other thing the vikings have had two 3 win seasons since their first season and each time they rallied and in the 68 team won the division the next year

[JA22]

i think they can do real good this year. first off the vikings team has a lot more talent than the bucs did . im still a little worried because the vikings could have grabed another wr and o line man with the two third day picks he stock piled for next april . surely they will pick a wr a mlb and a rt in the early stages of next years draft. i just hope they will be the minnesota vikings next season. if zygi moves the vikings any where out side of minnesota im done with football ill miss it dearly but i wont root for the vikings in another city and i cant root for another team i hope the elected idiots get it done now one other thing the vikings have had two 3 win seasons since their first season and each time they rallied and in the 68 team won the division the next year

I use to feel the same way but then I stopped and thought about it. I watch the Vikings on tv most the time anyways, NFL Sunday Ticket. I go to maybe one game a year if that. If they move I'm not going to blame Zygi or give up on my team. What I will do is make sure I never step foot in Minnesota EVER again and never spend a penny in their state. I'll also hope the NFL never gives them another franchise down the road.

[TearsOfPurple]

I use to feel the same way but then I stopped and thought about it. I watch the Vikings on tv most the time anyways, NFL Sunday Ticket. I go to maybe one game a year if that. If they move I'm not going to blame Zygi or give up on my team. What I will do is make sure I never step foot in Minnesota EVER again and never spend a penny in their state. I'll also hope the NFL never gives them another franchise down the road.

It's a lot different for in state fans like me. I go to all the events I can (mostly training camp) and it wouldn't feel right cheering from them outside the state. I'd be done with football.

[TearsOfPurple]

Freeman shows why you don't judge a QB on because of a terrible 3-13 team. Excited for next year. Thanks for posting that JA.

[Daniel0227]

This is going to be fun to watch these guys.
Words just can't Praise Spielman and company enough.
The only real question I have is our NT possition and why we did not go after a number of UDFA's who were great game changers, but they know alot more than me and I trust thier judgement.

I am worried about Guion taking the NT spot, but I do really like his tools. He is still very young at 24 and has only 3 starts under his belt so he is still a rookie to me and has a great chance to shine. But under him we have no real run stopper.
This is where I will be watching Trevor Guyton very closely.
Guyton has some real Fire in his game and was a big time steal for us. I love that pick.

I also really like Tyler Nielson and Quentin Saulsberry too.
Saulsberry will be a very solid backup at Center and give Fussco the chance to grab ahold of LG fron Johnson. Johnson should be good at LG but if he gets hurt Fussco should get a great chance to show off his abilities.
Nielson has a ton of hype and alot of scouts brag on him alot, but he looks very slow to me. He might be a great Special teams guy. We will see though.

Greg Childs should be fun to watch. And I love Wright. Both of them will bring some great depth to our WR core.
I have always liked Bowman, and am glad he is playing for us.
Carlson was a good signing and Simpson is going to have a lot of fans by the years end.
The schwartz signing will plug a hole and bring a ton of stability on the right side.
Loadhold better upgrade his game. I still think of him as a backup LT, but whatever.

Overall our team is going to shock alot of people and The purple and gold highlights are going to be everywhere. I have no doubt things are going in the right direction. Good things from here boys.

[Daniel0227]

I don't know about you guys but, Matt Kalil's mom is freakn rockn it. sister too. whew!

[JA22]

How can you say something like that without providing a picture

[JA22]

Screw the Mom and sister, his girlfriend was Miss California runner-up last year.

[Daniel0227]

^ Ya! that too.

[Coenthar]

Well we now have to be one of the younger teams in the NFL now. Antwon, and K-Wills are our only older guys now. Wow Longwell, Fat Pat, EJ, Hutch, Favre, Jimmie K, Leber, Birk, Sharp all are gone over the years. Total re-stock of a youth movement.

I dont know how old Mike Jenkins is though, or Shwartz our new G