I do not dissagree that Carlson's numbers are abyssmal.

When Carlson was signed Rudolph was yet to be a proven commodity, I'd be surprised if that wasn't part of the thought process. I still think there is more info to this that we do not yet have. Last year there were "hints" on this board of people thinking Rudolph would be a dissapointment because his numbers were low. It came out later he was battling a hamstring injury all season.

I still think it is premature to reach any long term conclusions on Carlson, aside from his current production being crap. The guy is 6' 5" and has, at least on paper, the physical tools to be a beast of a target. It isn't happenening so the question is why? Is he unwilling to fill the role Musgrave has for him? Is the mental part of his game not up to par for the Vikings? Is he hurt and that is hampering the physical aspect of his play? Are his current or prior injuries such that he is not NFL caliber any longer? All of these are potential reasons for his underperformance. Maybe there is some other reason?

Currently we just do not know enough to say what the issue mightbe. We just have to trust the coaches/front office to make the right call. Given the current on the field product I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Adrian Peterson's Ankle "Hurting Consistently" but Shouldn't Stop Him



More at the link.

Jim

Maybe Carlson is just not being used because Rudolph is Ponder's best friend? Or maybe he's just doing what is asked? Or maybe he is the secret we need in the second half of the season? It is going to be OK in my belief.

AD needs to know the game plan that's it. The guy wouldn't have to practice a day IMO. The more he's fresh the better the Vikes are.

And today there is this:



http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... ml?refer=y

Sounds good for both AD and Simpson!

WTF?



http://www.vikings.com/team/transactions.html

Not Vikings news, but could be a big deal for 1 of our division games against the packers. He'd be back for the second, but I didn't feel right for quite awhile longer than 6 weeks when I broke my collarbone. I'm no NFL player, but I don't think it'll be 100% for quite awhile.

lol.

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... f3e241a3bf

Some fun stuff from the Strib:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 67551.html



I love those quotes from Peterson and Robison.

Great stuff. Thanks for posting. I love the attitude of this team. I also saw a promising stat: the Vikings are ranked #10 in pass defense. Credit to the entire coaching staff, GM and players for one of the biggest turnarounds in a key problem area that has plagued this team for YEARS. Does anybody know the last time the Vikings fielded a top-10 pass defense? Remarkable.
---

Chris Cook - DB - Vikings
Coach Leslie Frazier believes RCB Chris Cook has "really taken a leap over the last two or three weeks."

"I think his confidence has just grown," Frazier said. "I've been very, very impressed with the progress he's made." An athletic corner with ideal size, Cook helped limit Larry Fitzgerald to 29 yards on Week 7. Although they've won without trailing in four games, the Vikings still rank 10th in the NFL in pass defense.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

[quote="dead_poet"]Great stuff. Thanks for posting. I love the attitude of this team. I also saw a promising stat: the Vikings are ranked #10 in pass defense. Credit to the entire coaching staff, GM and players for one of the biggest turnarounds in a key problem area that has plagued this team for YEARS. Does anybody know the last time the Vikings fielded a top-10 pass defense? Remarkable.

Believe it or not, it wasn't long ago. Their pass defense finished 10th in the league in 2010. That's in terms of yards allowed. They were actually 10th from the bottom in passing TDs allowed.

NFL.com has them currently ranked 12th in passing TDs allowed. Much better...

Jim

And again, today. There must be a reason for doing this.



http://www.vikings.com/team/transactions.html

It IS odd. You should write or tweet one of the Vikes beat writers and ask them about it. It would be interesting to get an explanation.

That's the strangest thing I've ever seen. I would be curious for an explaination on that as well.

I remember reading an article about a member of the Patriots going through something like this. I don't remember the details but I think it was all business not really talent or comptetion related.

That may not add any insight on anything

Probably arranged with both guys. Both guys get paid every other week and stay in town. Lets the vikings develop both a OG and DE instead of one or the other on the practice squad.

No word yet:



The only thing I can figure is that they've come to an understanding with each player that he'll get "1/2 a practice squad spot". You wouldn't think those spots are so highly valued that the Vikings absolutely need nine of them and can't release someone else if they truly want to keep those two players around.

Judd Zulgad mentioned the latest transaction at teh end of an article today so I asked him about it in the comments section but there's been no response.



Good point. I'm thinking this may have something to do with the scout team and preparations for upcoming opponents. Each of these moves was made 2-3 days before a game. Maybe, as you said, they have an agreement with these two players and they are trying to use whichever one benefits them most in practice/preparation each week. It's essentially a way to have an extra player on the practice squad over the course of the season.

It's a theory anyway...

I sent Kevin Siefert an e-mail about it. Hopefully, we'll hear from someone!

You know there are a lot of un-writen rules in the NFL, guidlines so to speak. How many other teams do this is a question I have.

Chop Scoggins wrote an article about this curious Holmes/Owusu situation but it doesn't contain any definitive answers:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 08701.html

I'm not surprised that Spielman didn't comment. I could see there being some minor rules avoidance if the Vikes really did promise each a half spot. Though I guess it's blatantly obvious if the league decided to look.

Dang.

I know it's early and one player doesn't make the team ... but this is going to be really deflating for the secondary.

Absolutely. This is bad, bad, bad news. Cook's absence was immediately felt the moment he left the game against the Bucs.

From: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... ns-week-9/

Percy Harvin - WR - Vikings

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier referred to Percy Harvin (ankle) as "day to day" Wednesday.

Per Frazier, Harvin "made a lot of progress" Tuesday. Although the sprain appears to be more than a garden-variety Grade 1 issue, we're certainly not ruling the ultra-tough Harvin out. Despite a litany of bumps and bruises, he's missed just three games in his four-year career. We'll know more after the Vikings practice Wednesday.
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter

Would be incredible if he plays. Perhaps just take some time off from KRs?

Ernest Owusu is back, but Tyler Holmes kept his job this time, given the open spot on the PS from Reisner's promition

Thanks for the info!