Brian Billick Hired as Vikings Head Coach Like prophecy, Brian Billick has been officially named as the new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings for 2009. Halfway through the season, Billick was a guest on ESPN where the topic was brought up on what to do with then head coach for Minnesota, Brad Childress. He was quoted as saying, "they should not bring back Brad Childress as head coach... Yes, you heard me right. Winning season or not, fire Childress.", as well as what many are now calling a prophetic vision of the Vikings offering him the head coaching job, "If they approached me in the offseason and offered me a head coaching position, well... I wouldn't say no, necessarily". Billick has signed with the Vikings for three years, making him the contracted head coach of Minnesota until 2011.
For Minnesota Vikings fans, the news brings major excitement, as the Super Bowl winning head coach was the Vikings offensive coordinator from 1994 until 1998. He was hired as the Baltimore Ravens' head coach in 1999 and lead them to a Super Bowl victory in 2000. He had retired as Baltimore's head coach in 2007. His return to Minnesota is one of much fanfare and it'll be interesting to see who follows in his wake and who his assistants will be. |
Dennis Green to Return to Minnesota, as Offensive Coordinator 
Dennis Green makes his triumphant return to the Minnesota Vikings as former Offensive Coordinator Brian Billick's own Offensive Coordinator. Green was formerly the Vikings head coach from 1992 until 2001, when he was unceremoniously fired in Week 16. As head coach, he led the 1998 and 2000 Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship each year. His head coaching record under Minnesota was 97-62. He is to replace Darren Bevell as Offensive Coordinator under a three year contract. |
Ron Rivera Named Minnesota's Defensive Coordinator /cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/345211/45663--nfl_large_590_unlimited.jpg)
Former San Diego Chargers Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera has been named the DC for Brian Billick's Minnesota Vikings. The former Chicago Bear Linebacker and assistant coach got his chance to shine for the Chargers in 2008, and he took it and ran with it, helping the Chargers go 12-4 and garner a Divisional Round home game. Unfortunately for the Chargers, a loophole in Rivera's contract made him solely available to the Chargers for 1 year; any team could choose to raise his contract salary and take Rivera from the Chargers, which Minnesota did. With 2 years left in his contract, Rivera will see if he can work his magic with arguably the most loaded Defensive Line in the NFL. |
Mike Priefer Named Minnesota Vikings Special Teams Coordinator 
Former Kansas City Chiefs Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer has been named the new STC for the Minnesota Vikings. Priefer was highly touted coming out of Kansas City this offseason and was sought after by several NFL teams seeking his services, but Minnesota made the best offer. Priefer looks to make Minnesota's special teams, which was rampant with problems, such as missed field goals, missed extra points, and not a single return for a touchdown. Minnesota looks excited to see what Priefer can do to help their team. |
| FB Tony Richardson (37) ROLB Derrick Brooks (36) SS Rodney Harrison (36) WR Marvin Harrison (37) K Matt Stover (41) SS John Lynch (37) C Kevin Mawae (38) ROLB Donnie Edwards (36) QB Jeff Garcia (39) K John Kasay (39) WR Joey Gallaway (37) C Tom Nalen (38) CB Walt Harris (35) CB Sam Madison (35) QB Tod Collins (37) WR Derrick Mason (35) QB Jon Kitna (35) MLB Tedy Bruschi (36) HB LenDale White (24) - [CAREER ENDING INJURY] K Morten Andersen (49) CB Ty Law (35) WR Bobby Engram (36) QB Kurt Warner (38) LT Wayne Gandy (38) P Jeff Feagles (43) K John Carney (45) WR Terry Glenn (35) LOLB Willie McGinest (37) HB Warrick Dunn (34) WR Isaac Bruce (36) WR David Patten (35) QB Damon Huard (36) WR Muhsin Muhammad (36) SS Lawyer Milloy (35) TE Mark Bruener (36) WR Eddie Kennison (36) RG Chris Gray (39) TE Kyle Brady (37) SS Jay Bellamy (37) QB Trent Green (39) P Matt Turk (41) QB Kerry Collins (36) FB Zack Crockett (36) WR Joe Horn (37) QB Trent Dilfer (37) HB Kevin Faulk (33) FS Nick Ferguson (35) TE Marcus Pollard (37) QB Gus Frerotte (38) - 3rd String Vikings Quarterback QB Mark Brunell (38) DT Jeff Zgonina (39) QB Brad Johnson (39) WR James Thrash (34) ROLB Gary Stills (35) ROLB Matt Chatham (34) MLB Larry Izzo (34) CB Allen Rossum (33) |
Vikings Release Culpepper, Wyms, Sharper, and Longwell 
(Daunte Culpepper (Top Left), Ellis Wyms (Top Right), Darren Sharper (Bottom Left), and Ryan Longwell (Bottom Right)) The Vikings' experiment with Daunte Culpepper is over, as of today. The 1999 First Round Draft Pick for Minnesota was originally let go by Minnesota in 2006, but was brought back for the 2008 season to see if he could go. He started all 16 games and was poised to become a Pro Bowl caliber player, but fell apart halfway through the season to finish 212/375 for 2,879 Yards, 17 Touchdowns, 17 Interceptions, and 4 Fumbles. His QBR in 2008 was 77.4. Culpepper was signed to a 1-year deal to gauge his abilities as a potential backup but surprised everyone in preseason as he outperformed Tavaris Jackson. Defensive Tackle Ellis Wyms was also released by Minnesota today, as his contract was up. He barely saw the field with Minnesota thanks to an incredibly talented Defensive Line that is already loaded. Wyms was rumored to have been released as surplus to the Vikings' needs. In one of the most surprising moves for Minnesota though, is the release of Darren Sharper from his 4-year contract with Minnesota, which ended this year. In his four years with Minnesota, Sharper had 22 interceptions, 4 Touchdowns, 4 Forced Fumbles, 2 Fumble Recoveries, and 2 Sacks. After a massively disappointing season, Ryan Longwell's contract was not renewed by Minnesota, who are now looking for new avenues to find kickers. Longwell's season was a disappointment as he went 22/30 on Field Goals, which the longest being 55 yards out, but perfect on extra points, 29/29. His tenure with Minnesota comes to an end with a total of 63/79 on Field Goals, 80%. On XPAs, he was 95/97, 98%. |
I look at it like this. Releasing someone is the equivalent of firing them. Someone’s contract expiring and them not returning could mean a multitude of things.
Restricted Free Agent Ray Edwards To Return To Minnesota 
(Ray Edwards about to deflect a pass from Falcons' rookie QB Matt Ryan) Defensive End Ray Edwards is returning to Minnesota after signing a 1 year, $1.35M tender. Edwards led the Minnesota Vikings in sacks last season with 8, and was a disruptive force when it came to the pass rush. With Jared Allen having been double teamed much of the season, Ray Edwards bullrushed 1-on-1 offensive linemen and got to the quarterback 8 times for major sacks. On his accomplishments with regards to leading the team, "It's not easy getting to the quarterback first with amazing talent such as the Williams boys and of course Jared Allen, one of my best friends and in my opinion, the best D-End in the league today. To lead the team in sacks was an amazing feeling. It felt right to come back to Minnesota as they've helped me grow both as a player and person. I'm ready for next season." |
Defensive Tackle Fred Evans Returns 
(Fred Evans) Minnesota Vikings backup Defensive Tackle Fred Evans is returning to the team on a 1-year, $1.77M Contract, with $320K as a signing bonus. The DT from Texas State backed up Kevin and Pat Williams for most of the year, seeing limited play time. Minnesota apparently liked what they saw in Evans, and opted to keep him for one more year. |
Vikings Restructure Antoine Winfield, Chester Taylor's Contracts 
(Antoine Winfield (left) and Chester Tayler (right)) The Minnesota Vikings have restructured two major players for Minnesota, CB Antoine Winfield and HB Chester Taylor. Antoine Winfield's contract, which had another year, was restructured to free up cap space for Minnesota this year, and was made into a 4-year, $26.08M contract with a $5.20M Signing Bonus. Winfield's career with Minnesota has been one of a premiere shutdown corner. In 2008, Winfield had 2 Interceptions, 1 Forced Fumble, and 1 Fumble Recovery, which brings his team totals to 14 Interceptions, 4 Forced Fumbles, and 6 Fumble Recoveries. Chester Taylor played as a backup to Adrian Peterson for much of the season, only garnering 32 attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown in 2008. However, his track record as a capable backup is well regarded and thus is why Minnesota restructured his contract into a 4-year, $18.68M contract with $4M as a signing bonus. Both contract restructurings give Minnesota much needed cap relief as they work to continue building their team into "Win Now" mode for 2009. |
CB Charles Gordon Re-Signs 1-Year Contract With Minnesota 
(Charles Gordon Celebrating with Antoine Winfield) Minnesota re-signs Cornerback Charles Gordon to a 1-year, $2.29M contract with $250K Signing Bonus. In limited playing time, Gordon showed flashes of brilliance with 1 sack, and a 72-yard Pick Six on Panthers QB Jake Delhomme. Minnesota is looking to see if he can continue to grow as a player, only being 24 years old. |
Minnesota Vikings to Sign Former Jaguars QB David Garrard As the beginning days of Free Agency rolled around, David Garrard was *the* free agent everyone wanted to sign. Due to cap problems, injury questions, and age, the former Jacksonville Jaguar was let go following the 2008 season in which he went 176/305 for 1735 Yards and 16 TDs/10 INTS. Several teams were interested in buying his services, of which Minnesota won the lottery. Garrard agreed to sign with the Vikings to a 5 year contract for $29.08M, which included a $7.50M signing bonus. Garrard, 31 years old, looks to be in the prime of his career and with the weaponry the likes that Minnesota has, his arm could lead to huge things, after Minnesota's disastrous experiment with the returning Daunte Culpepper last year. |
Minnesota Vikings Land Nate Burleson on 2-year deal 
The former Minnesota Vikings third round draft pick Nate Burleson returns to Minnesota after a three year stint in Seattle. The 28-year old Wide Receiver out of Nevada was last seen in Minnesota in 2005, after having a very stellar four years both as a receiver and punt returner. Burleson's 2008 stats were 28 receptions for 380 yards and 4 touchdowns. Burleson signed a two year deal for $7.64M, including a $1.3M signing bonus. |
Vikings Sign Center Alex Stepanovich 
Former Atlanta Falcons center Alex Stepanovich has been signed by the Minnesota Vikings to back up their starting center Eric Ghiaciuc. Playing in only two games, Stepanovich allowed a sack in each game. Alex was a former fourth round draft pick out of Ohio State for the Arizona Cardinals. Minnesota hopes he can be a serviceable backup. Stepanovich signed for a 3 year, $3.30M deal including a $570K signing bonus. |
