April 2009 - Minnesota Vikings Wiretap
Vikings Consider Reduced Role For Winfield
The Vikings are considering a reduced role for cornerback Antonie Winfield.
Minnesota doesn't expect Winfield to be at full strength until the offseason.
Winfield missed six games with a foot injury, before returning against Cincinnati three weeks ago.
Vikings, Colts Have 14 Pro Bowlers
The Vikings and Colts dominated their conference's Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday.
Brett Favre was one of eight Minnesota players on the NFC's roster, while Peyton Manning is one of six Indianapolis starters honored in the AFC.
Six teams didn't have a player, including the AFC North champion Bengals. The others were the Chiefs, Falcons, Lions, Seahawks and Buccaneers.
The Cowboys had six Pro Bowlers: wide Miles Austin, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, nose tackle Jay Ratliff, guard Leonard Davis and center Andre Gurode.
Two rookies made the AFC team, Houston linebacker Brian Cushing and Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd. Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo is the lone rookie on the NFC squad.
Former Packer Calls Favre A 'Diva'
Former Green Bay safety LeRoy Butler raised some eyebrows on Wednesday when he referred to former teammate Brett Favre as a "diva" during his appearance on the NFL Network.
"What is so harsh about the truth?" Butler asked.
Butler added that Favre wasn't a diva during their time together with the Packers (1992-2001), but said the Vikings have lost their focus on running back Adrian Peterson.
"[Peterson] is not getting opportunities," Butler said. "Adrian Peterson should be the focus, but that is hard when your head coach (Brad Childress) is riding with Brett."
Owner Wants Favre Back In 2010
Vikings owner Ziggy Wilf wants quarterback Brett Favre to return next season.
Wilf says that he'll do everything he can to get the 40-year-old to play for Minnesota in 2010.
"I think we've had a great year, and we have a lot more to prove. Our goal has been, and always will be, to get that championship game and move on to the Super Bowl. We couldn't ask for it to be in a better position than we are right now," the owner said.
Percy Harvin Visits Mayo Clinic
Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin visited the Mayo Clinic to help manage his migraine headaches.
The problem kept Harvin out of one game and limited him to one practice last week.
Childress said Wednesday Harvin recently had a "good" visit with specialists at the renowned Mayo Clinic.
Harvin has 49 catches for 691 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season.
Audibles Source Of Friction Between Favre, Childress
The tension between Vikings coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre is because of the latter's propensity to audible.
Childress has a reputation for limiting his quarterback's audibles and Favre believes that his experience and knowledge should give him the freedom to changes things when he sees fit.
"He and I talked, as we have all year," Favre said, adding that given the team's recent slump, "the frustration is gonna show."
"It's gotten blown way out of proportion," he said.
Childress Downplays Dispute With Favre
Vikings coach Brad Childress downplayed a dispute with quarterback Brett Favre on Monday.
Favre objected to the coach trying to remove him from Minnesota's loss to Carolina on Sunday night.
"It was something that was talked through. I wish I could remember how it finished. It wasn't a, 'So there.' It wasn't like that," Childress said.
Favre, Childress Have 'Heated Exchange'
Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and coach Brad Childress got into a "heated discussion" in the third quarter of Sunday night's game against the Panthers.
Childress tried to pull Favre, which led to the exchange.
"Brad wanted to go in a different (direction), and I wanted to stay in the game.
"We were up," Favre said, referring to his team's 7-6 lead in the third quarter. " 'I'm staying in the game.' "
Percy Harvin Headed To Mayo Clinic
Vikings rookie receiver Percy Harvin has disk problems in his neck in addition to migraine issues.
Harvin played against the Panthers on Sunday night despite missing most of the past two weeks because of debilitating migraines.
He also told NBC's Andrea Kremer that he has two bulging disks in his neck and is scheduled to visit the Mayo Clinic with a team doctor Tuesday.
Vikings Lose, Still Clinch NFC North
The Vikings lost to the Panthers on Sunday night, but Minnesota still clinched their second straight NFC North title.
They clinched when the Packers lost to the Steelers earlier on Sunday.
It's the first time since 1977-78 that they've won consecutive division titles.
Pat Williams Will Retire If Vikings Win Super Bowl
Pat Williams wants to retire on top.
Vikings' Henderson Gets Four-Game Suspension
Erin Henderson violated the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
RealGM's Week 14 Rundown
The Colts and Saints continued to dominate, the Vikings locked down a playoff berth and the Chargers won their eighth straight game in Week 14.
Vikings Clinch Playoff Berth With Win
The Vikings have clinched a playoff berth.
Winfield Says He's Ready To Return
The Vikings could get Antoine Winfield back this Sunday.
Harvin Sits Out With Concussion
Percy Harvin has missed practice time this week because of migraine headaches.
Football Meteorology For Week 14
Can Adrian Peterson and the Vikings recover from their loss at Arizona last week? Jeff Risdon analyzes all 16 games this week.
NFL Power Rankings For Week 14
While the Colts and Saints worry about remaining undefeated, the Chargers are a team nobody wants to play now, or in the playoffs.
Minnesota's Henderson Breaks Leg
E.J. Henderson is likely done for the season.
Speeding Peterson Thought He Was Going '85'
Adrian Peterson didn't know how fast he was going last Saturday.
Bernand Berrian Cited For Going 104 MPH
Bernard Berrian has a lead foot similar to that of Adrian Peterson.
Risdon's Football Meteorology For Week 13
With the Vikings and Colts playing formidable teams this weekend in the Cardinals and Titans, find out which superpower is more likely to be knocked off.
Peterson: I'll Be Benched If I Don't Stop Fumbling
Adrian Peterson thinks he'll be benched if he doesn't stop fumble.
Paparazzi Mistaking Longwell's Wife For Elin Woods
Ryan Longwell lives in the same community as Tiger Woods in Florida.
Peterson Clocked At 109 MPH
Adrian Peterson was driving 109 in a 55-mph zone.
Childress Already Studying Film On Saints
The Vikings and Saints appear destined to meet in the NFC Championship game.
NFL Power Rankings For Week 13
How the Saints are like the 04-05 Suns and why the Steelers are significantly better than their record indicates, while the Colts are their exact opposite.