May 2013 - Minnesota Vikings Wiretap

Be The GM: Aaron Rodgers Or Adrian Peterson

Oct 5, 2014 10:33 PM

Aaron Rodgers moved past Brandon Marshall in the first round in a matchup that was difficult to take serious, while Adrian Peterson defeated Calvin Johnson in somewhat surprisingly comfortable fashion.

In the five seasons Rodgers has been the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, he has ranked sixth, fourth, third, first and first in passer rating and now is the career-leader at 104.9. 

Rodgers was a highly accurate quarterback at Cal, but his lack of arm strength caused him to slide all the way to the Packers at 24th in the 2005 NFL Draft. Similar to Tom Brady, Rodgers significantly improved his physical profile once arriving in the NFL to make the type of throws that the way he reads the field allows possible.

Rodgers has a 52-26 record as a starter and that has come with a rotating cast of receivers and often a patchwork offensive line. Rodgers has mastered the West Coast offense in a way that would make Bill Walsh proud and he is truly a blend between Joe Montana and Steve Young given his playmaking abilities both in the pocket and in the open field with his running.

As a running back, Peterson's impact was instantaneous, rushing for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie. With opposing defenses focused on containing Peterson, his yards per carry dropped below 5.0 for the next four seasons, even with a rejuvenated Brett Favre at quarterback for two of those.

When Peterson tore his ACL toward the end of the 2011 season, many expected to see a limited version of his previous self, but he came back stronger and more dominant than ever. Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns on 348 carries, good for a remarkable 6.0 yards per attempt and 131.1 yards per game.

The concern with running backs is always longevity, but Peterson's return and comments on the condition of his knee by Dr. James Andrews suggests he can sustain 100 percent production for another three seasons and possibly 80 percent of that for another two or three years. Running backs typically fall off a cliff once they accumulate too much wear and tear, but Peterson is as likely as anyone to become the exception.

CLICK HERE to vote for Aaron Rodgers or Adrian Peterson.

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Christopher Reina/RealGM

Tags: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, IQ

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Jerome Felton Suspended Three Games

May 20, 2014 1:26 AM

Jerome Felton has been suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse program.

Felton is the Minnesota Vikings' fullback.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Suspension

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Driver: Rodgers' Call For Accountability Likely Irked Jennings

Sep 17, 2014 3:52 PM

Donald Driver attempted to shed light on why Greg Jennings has made a series of comments against Aaron Rodgers. Jennings had issues with the leadership style of Rodgers.

"Sometimes you ask Aaron to take the pressure off the guys so we won't look bad, but he didn't want to do that," said Driver. "He felt like if you did something bad, you do it. But I think that's the difference. You want that leadership, and I think sometimes you may not feel like you got it. You have to earn that respect at the end of the day, and I think that's what Greg was probably referring to."

Driver also pointed to Rodgers' slide in the draft as putting a chip on his shoulder.

"I'm not saying Aaron is a bad guy. I think he's a great guy. I'm friends with Aaron, and we have a great relationship. But outside of that, he's going to play the game the way he's always played it."

Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com

Tags: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, IQ

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Adrian Peterson Takes PED Suggestions As Compliment

Sep 27, 2014 8:31 PM

Adrian Peterson takes suggestions that he has used performance enhancing drugs as a compliment.

"Seriously. Especially with the amount of work I put in," said Peterson. "Guys say that to me, or if I hear someone saying that -- it makes me feel good.

"When you know you don't do it, and someone's saying you do, you're like, 'Wow. They think I'm on HGH? I'm doing that good? Well, hoo! Thank you, Jesus!' It's a compliment. I don't get mad about it at all."

Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards in 2012 after tearing his ACL and MCL in December of 2011.

"People are trying to get the edge," said Peterson, who has stated that he has a goal of rushing for 2,500 yards in a season.

"The reality of it is, people are trying to provide for their families. People are trying to keep their spot on the rosters. If it's something they can use that's not going to show up, they're going to use it."

ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Vikings

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Sharif Floyd's MRI Showed No Damage In Left Knee

May 18, 2014 4:45 AM

Shariff Floyd has no damage in his sore left knee after undergoing an MRI.

Floyd was a first round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in April.

Floyd is expected to be in a 50-50 rotation with Kevin Williams at the "under-tackle" position.

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Injury

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Jennings Felt 'Brainwashed' By Packers

Jun 18, 2014 9:49 PM

Greg Jennings continues to speak negatively about the Green Bay Packers, the franchise he played for over seven seasons before signing with the Minnesota Vikings.

"One of the things that drew me to coming over here was the makeup of the team," said Jennings. When I came over here, I was kind of brainwashed. There's no 'kind of' to it. Being over in Green Bay, you're brainwashed to think anyone in the division is tiers below."

Rom Demovsky/ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers

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Zygi Wilf Likely To Pay Tens Of Millions In Fraud Case

Nov 28, 2014 6:24 AM

Zygi Wilf, owner of the Minnesota Vikings, could be forced to pay tens of millions of dollars to former business partners in a two-decade old civil case.

New Jersey judge Deanne Wilson has ruled that Zygi Wilf, his brother Mark and their cousin Leonard committed fraud and breach of contract while violating the state's racketeering statute (also known as RICO).

The plaintiffs have asked for $51 million in compensation.

The Star Tribune reported that the case will have no impact on the Vikings or their plans to build a new stadium.

Josh Katzowitz/CBS Sports

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Legal

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Be The GM: Adrian Peterson Or Calvin Johnson

Sep 11, 2014 7:24 PM

One of the most intriguing match-ups in the first round of our "Be The GM" series is between the two most dominant non-quarterback skill position players in the NFL in Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson. Both were in the 2007 NFL Draft class and will play the majority of the season at the age of 28.

As a running back, Peterson's impact was instantaneous, rushing for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie. With opposing defenses focused on containing Peterson, his yards per carry dropped below 5.0 for the next four seasons, even with a rejuvenated Brett Favre at quarterback for two of those.

When Peterson tore his ACL toward the end of the 2011 season, many expected to see a limited version of his previous self, but he came back stronger and more dominant than ever. Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns on 348 carries, good for a remarkable 6.0 yards per attempt and 131.1 yards per game.

The concern with running backs is always longevity, but Peterson's return and comments on the condition of his knee by Dr. James Andrews suggests he can sustain 100 percent production for another three seasons and possibly 80 percent of that for another two or three years. Running backs typically fall off a cliff once they accumulate too much wear and tear, but Peterson is as likely as anyone to become the exception.

Johnson posted good numbers for bad teams early in his career before breaking out in 2011 with 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead the Detroit Lions to playoffs and establish himself as the NFL's most dominant receiver. Johnson doesn't have as strong of a route tree as other receivers, but he is able to use his length and physical superiority to overmatch opposing secondaries downfield. 

Like Peterson, Johnson was historically excellent in 2012 with 122 catches for 1,964 yards. Johnson only caught five touchdowns and the Lions missed the playoffs, but both the touchdowns and wins figures to increase this season.

Johnson almost certainly has more elite seasons remaining than Peterson as wide receivers can remain in their prime into their mid-thirties.

CLICK HERE to vote for Adrian Peterson or Calvin Johnson.

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Christopher Reina/RealGM

Tags: Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, IQ

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