Minnesota could be a potential home for Brian Westbrook, writes ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. "Rumors linking the Minnesota Vikings and former Philadelphia tailback Brian Westbrook have some legs, especially if the Vikings lose key backup Chester Taylor in unrestricted free agency," Pasquarelli wrote. Westbrook has a history with Vikings head coach Brad Childress, who was once Philadelphia's offensive coordinator.

The Vikings are willing to give Brett Favre all the time he needs to decide on playing next season. "I'm not going to put him in any box," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said Friday. "Four weeks and change, he's still healing up from that game [the NFC championship]. He's kind of earned that latitude."

Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie must pay back the NFL for his non-participation in the Pro Bowl. The NFL said Friday it will require a $4,285 reimbursement from McKinnie for expenses incurred that week in Miami. McKinnie skipped most of the team practices and obligations, and was then dismissed from the NFC all-star squad. NFL spokesman Randall Liu also said McKinnie has forfeited his $22,500 game check.

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen isn't afraid to be featured on the cover of Madden 2011. "If I make the cover, I'm going to straighten my mullet and make it as trashy as possible," Allen joked. "You have to highlight the tools that got you there." Fan voting, between Allen, Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, will determine this year's cover athlete. "I play everything from 'FIFA' and 'Madden' to games like 'Pure' on my Xbox 360," Allen says. "I have an Xbox 360 in every house and a couple of Wiis right now, but I've been playing games since the old Nintendo days. I still remember how much I loved playing the old 'California Games.' I just met some guy from Microsoft and I was trying to convince him to come out with a new version. With all the motion technology [Project Natal has] coming out, imagine playing Hacky Sack." "I was also into 'Rock Band' for quite a while," Allen continues, "but expert is just so dang hard. So I played on hard difficulty for a bit as a drummer, but then I had to retire. I'm making a comeback now, though, because I listen to country music and I just got the country songs that came out. The other music game I play is 'American Idol.' When 'Black Velvet' comes on, I kill it."

The Vikings fully expect nose tackle Pat Williams to return for his 14th NFL season. Williams said after the season that he was "50-50" on returning. His agent, Angelo Wright, said Williams was never seriously thinking about retiring with a year left on his contract. "He was fatigued and tired and coming off an exasperating loss," Wright said. "I think anybody would say anything at that point. But he's doing good right now. He had a slow start to the season but he came back and played at a very high level. The Vikings do a very good job with the way they use him and I think he can be effective for several more seasons."

The Vikings are intent of bringing back running back Chester Taylor. Minnesota vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said it's the team's "goal and intent" to re-sign the unrestricted free agent. "Chester Taylor brings so much to this football team," Spielman said. "He's like the unsung hero of the offense."

The Vikings will give Brett Favre time to decide whether or not he'll return for the 2010 season. Minnesota vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said Saturday the franchise would "love" to have Favre back for another season, but the team is giving Favre time to make a decision, according to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune. "I think you go ahead and let Brett decide what he wants to do," Spielman said. "I know the organization, from our ownership, from our coaches and I think from our fans out there, we'd love to have Brett Favre back for another year and see if we can make another run at this."

The Vikings can keep defensive end Ray Edwards, who is expected to become a restricted free agent next month. Edwards told KFAN-AM 1130 on Friday that Minnesota coach Brad Childress indicated during their exit meeting after the loss to New Orleans in the NFC title game that the team can keep Edwards with a high tender. "He actually said, basically just to be blunt, that they were going to tender me," Edwards told KFAN. " 'I know it's not the raise you're looking for, but basically there's nothing you can do about it.' I mean, he's right because if another team doesn't value my talents and what I can do, that's basically what it is."

Behind the efforts of Ed Roski and Majestic Realty, and with their ?shovel-ready?? proposed $800 million stadium in the City of Industry, Los Angeles leaders are resolute that they are closing in on a team. ?I strongly believe an NFL franchise will play in Los Angeles for the 2011 season,?? said Majestic vice president John Semcken. ?I?ve been working on this for 14 years, and it?s been a long road. I know we?re very, very close.?? A team would play for two seasons in another stadium, either the Rose Bowl or Coliseum.

Brett Favre enjoyed his time with the Vikings this season, but he's still unsure of his future. "When I decided to return to the NFL to play my 19th season, I did so with some trepidation," Favre told OfficialBrettFavre.com. "After all, I was joining a new team in a new city, for the archrivals of the 'green and gold.' And I'm not getting any younger. "I couldn't be happier about my decision. The coaches, staff, and especially teammates who joined me in the season's journey are true professionals, and better yet, friends. I felt completely comfortable from Day One as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, and it's a tribute to the entire organization that accepted me with open arms." Favre then thanked fans that have tried to convince him to return to the Vikings with billboards.