Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo will be back for at least the start of the 2013-14 season as Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher told Michael Russo of the Star Tribune on Saturday that Yeo “is our coach”.

The Minnesota Wild ended a four-year playoff drought when they locked in the #8 seed in the Western Conference. The postseason didn’t last long for the Wild when they were eliminated by the #1 seeded Chicago Blackhawks in five games this past Thursday night.

“I look where we were a year ago today to where we are now, there’s just been a dramatic improvement, a dramatic difference,” Fletcher told Russo, via the Star Tribune. “Clearly we’re on the right path. But you play a team like Chicago, you see where you have to get better. Their talent level, their depth is pretty impressive. You see where you need to get to, but by the same token, last year we were Mikko Koivu and a bunch of prospects.”

The Wild made a huge improvement thanks largely to offseason acquisitions in Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. Parise and Suter combined for 60 points during the 2012-13 season leading the Wild to a much anticipated and needed playoff berth.

Minnesota faced a huge challenge in the opening round of the playoffs as they faced the #1 overall Chicago Blackhawks. The troubles started early for the Wild, who were unfavored to begin with, as goaltender Nicklas Backstrom went down in pre-game warmups due to what would later be found out to be a sports hernia injury. Later in the series goaltender Josh Harding, who was replacing the injured Backstrom, went down with an injury of his own – Harding did return to start in game five.

“We’re taking steps and we’ve got to keep taking step.”

The Minnesota Wild will have a very active and busy offseason as they will be expected to build upon the playoff performance from this year. If the Wild don’t make the playoff next season you can all but guarantee drastic changes will be made in the front office. For now Mike Yeo will remain the head coach, but he will likely start the season on the hot seat.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly interested in unrestricted free agent guard O.J. Mayo. Mayo, who was drafted by the Timberwolves and promptly traded as part of the Kevin Love deal, played last season with the Dallas Mavericks averaging 15 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game.

The Timberwolves have a big need for a legitimate shooting guard to help take pressure off both Rubio and Love. Mayo might not be the best option for the Timberwolves as he struggled down the stretch – averaging 8.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in the final 8 games – but he is an immense upgrade over current starting guard Luke Ridinour.

Last season the Timberwolves finished dead last in the NBA shooting just 30.5% and averaging just 5.5 3-pointers made per game. Mayo would add the much needed presence of a 3-point threat as he ranked 26th in the NBA last season, shooting 40.7% from beyond the arc and averaging 1.7 3-point shots made per game.

Mayo was an up-and-down shooter for the Mavericks this past season and got on the nerve of head coach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle ripped into Mayo at the end of the season for his lack of heart and team effort.

“Well, the good news is there’s only an opportunity for one more [poor outing],” Carlisle said. “I just want to see him show up. I just want to see him show up and compete. He didn’t compete tonight. And I tell you, with all the time we’ve put into helping him develop and bringing him along, in the biggest game of the year – an opportunity to be a winning team – for him to show up like he did tonight, I was shocked. Look, sometimes guys have bad nights, so make sure to put that in there, too.”

Flip Saunders, the newly named President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves, will seek to improve the Timberwolves roster that hasn’t made the Playoffs since the 2005 season. The decisions won’t be easy as the Wolves will need to find a way to make the salary cap situation work with them, not against them. The Timberwolves will have to make tough decisions on G/F Chase Budinger, C Nikola Pekovic, as well as potential free agent signings.

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Gerald Hodges, a fourth-round pick from Penn State, wants to be a starting linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings entering the 2013 season. The former safety converted to linebacker after injuries to former Penn State linebackers Navarro Bowman and Sean Lee – both starting linebackers in the NFL.

At 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, Hodges has the measurables to play outside linebacker at the NFL level. Most fourth-round picks make the team based on special teams and roster depth.

“For sure,” Hodges told 1500espn.com regarding playing special teams. “I’ll do whatever I can. I’m just going to continue working hard with two of the greatest linebacker coaches.

Playing special teams usually signifies a backup role due to the high level of intensity and injury risk. Hodges wouldn’t mind playing special teams if that secures him a roster spot, but he is aiming to be a day one starter for the Vikings.

“But my mindset isn’t to come in and be a backup,” Hodges said.

Hodges went to Penn State expecting to play safety which gives him unique coverage skills for a linebacker, something the Vikings require for linebackers in their cover-2 defense. He was often lined up with receivers and tight ends in his senior season with the Nittany Lions.

“Playing safety and learning how to flip your hips, I feel I’ll be able to run with the guys who aren’t as fast as receivers or slots,” Hodges said. “I’ve got a pretty good feel for covering tight ends, I covered them all last year.”

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Jared Allen isn’t just a vocal leader on the defensive side of the football, he is a leader in the locker room. Allen wants to win a Super Bowl just as bad as anyone in the league, and he knows it takes consistent quarterback play to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

“I tell him all the time, you have to be the guy,” Allen said in regards to third-year quarterback Christian Ponder on Jim Rome’s show. “Adrian can carry this team so far, our defense can carry this team so far. You know, you look at teams that historically win championships and they have consistent play from the quarterback position.”

Last year Ponder struggled with inconsistent play, especially in the middle of the season when the Vikings went 2-7 with wins against the Cardinals and Lions. Ponder, 25, finished last season with 2,935 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a QB rating of 81.2. He also finished three games with less than 100 total passing yards – a less than stellar stat.

In order for the Vikings to make the next step they will need Ponder to play with consistency throughout the year. Of course he will need to remain healthy as he missed the Vikings vs Packers Playoff game due to a bruised arm, which was caused by a hit during the Vikings final regular season game.

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Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is in the final year of a 6-year deal he signed with the Vikings back in 2008. There have been no reports and no talks about Jared Allen renegotiating or restructuring his current contract which hits the Vikings cap at just over $17 million – A base salary of just over $14 million. Although Jared Allen has no long term contract he is more focused on the upcoming season than figuring out his future.

“I’m a Viking this year, I’m gonna go out play my heart out and try to win a Super Bowl,” Allen said on Sirius XM NFL Radio. “I always look at chips fall where they may. My motto is if I take care of my job on the field the rest will take care of itself.”

Allen, one of the leading pass rushers in the NFL, saw a decline in production last season due to a pair of injuries which he had repaired in the offseason. According to 1500espn.com, Allen had knee surgery and shoulder surgery, both injuries he played through during the 2012 season.

At age 31 it will be interesting to see how Allen can produce coming off a pair of injuries and how effective he can be. The Vikings will have plenty of decisions this offseason as Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, and Jared Allen are on on the final year of their contract.

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The 2013 NFL draft has wrapped up and undrafted free agents are being lured by teams to add depth at training camp. Although finding immediate impact players is a rarity compared to the massive amount of undrafted players, future talent and depth can be found. Some Pro Bowl players that were undrafted include: Wes Welker, Jeff Saturday, Kurt Warner, John Randle, and Warren Moon. Vikings starting linebacker Erin Henderson was undrafted in 2008.

This post will be continuously updated as new undrafted free agents are signed – The following players have been confirmed signed. Here are the Vikings undrafted free agents of 2013.

Nicholas Edwards - WR, Eastern Washington

Brandan Bishop - FS, North Carolina State

Camden Wentz - C, North Carolina State

James Vandenberg - QB, Iowa

Darius Eubanks - FS, Georgia Southern

Erik Highsmith - WR, UNC

Nathan Williams - OLB, Ohio State

Zach Line - FB, SMU

Collins Ukwu - DE, Kentucky

Colin Anderson – TE, Furman

Jerodis Williams - RB, Furman

Rodney Smith – WR, Florida State

Bradley Randle – RB, UNLV

Marquis Jackson – DE, Portland State

Mark Jackson – T, Glenville State

Anthony McCloud – DT, Florida State

The Vikings are projected to sign roughly 18 total undrafted free agents. The Vikings have many more players coming in for tryouts. Here are some of the players that are projected to tryout based on various sources.

Robbie Rouse – RB, Fresno State

John Rabe – TE, Minnesota

Michael Carter – CB, Minnesota

Duron Carter – WR, Florida Atlantic

Rayon Simmons – RB, Winona State

Joe Bonadies – T, Penn

Adam Thielen – WR, Mankato State

Garth Heikkinen – OL, Minnesota Duluth

Lee Campbell – MLB, Minnesota

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The Minnesota Vikings went into the 2013 NFL draft with high expectations, but nobody could foresee Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, a solidified top-10 pick, drop into the Vikings lap with the 23rd pick.

“I went through a thousand scenarios at that 23rd and 25th pick and I can tell you honestly he was not in one of those scenarios,” Spielman said. “So for him to fall down to our lap, there were some conversations as he fell to potentially even move up. But as the names kept falling off the board, we had more than enough options to just sit there and let everything fall to us. And when Sharrif fell to us, it was something that was very unexpected.”

Backing up another huge need the Vikings selected Florida State corner Xavier Rhodes with the 25th pick in the draft. Rhodes is primarily an outside corner and thus is not a direct replacement for Winfield. Josh Robinson, the Vikings 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft, could potentially be moved to the inside, but don’t be surprised if the Vikings use a later round pick to select another corner.

Landing two of four needed positions, Vikings GM Rick Spielman quickly escaped a press conference to potentially move back into the first round. Moments later the Vikings had struck a deal with the New England Patriots giving the Vikings the 29th overall pick in exchange for four picks: the Vikings 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th round picks. With the 29th pick in the 2013 NFL draft the Minnesota Vikings selected Cordarelle Patterson, a highly touted yet raw receiver from Tennessee.

Day one of the draft was perfect.

Everyone – media, fans, and experts – expected the Vikings to select Manti Te’o with one of the three first round picks, but the Vikings easily passed up the catfish-riddled linebacker from Notre Dame. The Vikings have numerous options on how to address the sizable middle linebacker gap. Here is my mock for the Vikings 4th-7th round picks:

4th round (#120) – Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State

By far the biggest need is a linebacker and Mauti is one of the highest rated linebackers left on the board. Don’t be surprised if the Vikings pick the best player available with this pick. Multiple highly rated players like NT Jesse Williams and DE Alex Okafor have fallen from the projected 2nd round and could be swooped up by the Vikings if available.

Other potential picks: Barrett Jones, G/C, Alabama; Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama; Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

5th round (#155) – Quanterus Smith, DE, Western Kentucky

Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen’s contracts are all expiring at the end of the season. Quanterus Smith had 12.5 sacks before tearing his ACL in the 2012 season (likely to start 2013 season on PUP). Taking a flier on a guy like this in the 5th round makes sense as he will be able to learn from Jared Allen for a year. This would also be the perfect time to look at offensive line depth. The Vikings need help at the guard positions.

Other potential picks: Greg Reid, DB, Florida State; Alvin Bailey, G, Arkansas; Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina

6th round (#189) – Greg Reid, DB, Florida State

Reid was kicked off the Florida State team after the 2011 season due to possession of pot. He transferred to Valdosta State where he promptly tore his ACL in training camp. Reid has a top kick/punt returner in the nation while at Florida State and a hard hitting corner. At 5’8 and 190 pounds, Reid is one of the harder hitting defensive backs in college football (pound for pound). This would be a great pick to try and replace Winfield.

Other potential picks: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma; Mike Catapano, DE, Princeton; Jelani Jenkins, Florida

7th round (#213) – Levine Toiolo, TE, Stanford

It only makes sense the Vikings draft another Tight End, I mean, why not? They could potentially take a shot at the Olympic shot putter Lawrence Okoye from the United Kingdom – by all accounts he is an athletic freak, but hard pressed to think nobody takes him before the Vikings pick.

Other potential picks: Lawrence Okoye, DT/DE, United Kingdom; Edmund Kugbila, G, Valdosta State

7th round (#214) – Kerwynn Williams, RB, Utah State

Doubtful that the Vikings trade Toby Gerhart at this stage the Vikings will still need a third down back. Matt Asiata and Toby are similar in size/speed so a change in pace back could be drafted.

Other potential picks: Robbie Rouse, RB, Fresno State; Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa

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The Minnesota Vikings filled multiple needs in what, on paper, is deemed one of the best drafts in recent Vikings history. One glaring hole remaining on the Vikings roster in the middle linebacker position, formerly filled by now Arizona Cardinal Jasper Brinkley. Here are some Vikings middle linebacker options:

Erin Henderson – The move wouldn’t be overly popular amongst Vikings fans as Erin has yet to mount to anything. In five season with the Vikings, two as a starter, Erin Henderson has accounted for 176 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks, and 0 interceptions. Fitting the prototypical specs for a middle linebacker – 6’3, 240+ pounds, a sub 4.7 forty, and a leader – It shouldn’t come to a surprise that Henderson could be moved into the middle linebacking spot.

Audie Cole – It’s easy to look at his two pick 6′s during the 2012 preseason, but it would be surprising to see the Vikings move a 7th round pick into the starting middle linebacker position. Cole will more than likely get a shot to be the leader of the defense, but the soft spoken second-year player from N.C. State ran a sub 4.8 forty at the combine – not ideal for a three down linebacker.

Brian Urlacher – Yes, but no. The Bears have no interest in bringing Brian Urlacher back after contract talks failed. Urlacher would be a great guy to bring in for a year to help teach the younger linebackers like Cole and Henderson but it’s hard to see the Vikings bringing up a seasoned bet with little left in the tank.

Karlos Dansby – Another veteran and this one is interesting. Dansby, 31, has been productive in recent years and finished last season with 134 combined tackles. The Dolphins released Dansby just over a month ago and a few teams have shown some interest but Dansby is still a free agent. If all else fails Dansby would be a great pickup for a year or two.

Draft Pick – A number of potential middle linebacker candidates were picked in the 2nd and 3rd round of the draft leaving little pickings for the Vikings when they pick at #120. Here are some players to watch (you have to think they pick at least one linebacker for depth reasons/special teams)

• AJ Klein, Iowa State
• Chase Thomas, Stanford
• Michael Mauti, Penn State
• Jelani Jenkins, Florida
• Kevin Reddick, North Carolina

The post Vikings options at Middle Linebacker appeared first on MinnesotaSNN.

1st round (#23) – Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

The Vikings will need to address the defensive line at some point in the draft. Kevin Williams turns 33 in August and isn’t getting any younger, plus the Vikings could use an upgrade over Letroy Guion. The Williams wall 2.0.

Other potential picks: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson; Manti Teo, MLB, Notre Dame

1st round (#25) – Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

One of the Vikings biggest needs after losing Antoine Winfield to the Seahawks is corner. Josh Robinson finished last season being benched, A.J. Jefferson is a bench/role player, and Chris Cook still hasn’t proven his ability to remain healthy.

Other potential picks: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State; Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri; Bjorn Werner, DE, Florida State

2nd round (#52) – Robert Woods, WR, USC

The Vikings traded Percy Harvin to the Seahawks, re-signed Jerome Simpson, and signed free agent Greg Jennings. That said, the Vikings will still be looking for a receiver and Robert Woods might be the best available receiver in the 2nd round. Woods can play both in the slot and split end.

Other potential picks: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State; Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech; Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State

3rd round (#83) – Jon Bostic, MLB, Florida

The Vikings lost starting MLB Jasper Brinkley in free agency and look to replace him within the first couple rounds. Bostic may go earlier in the 3rd and has potential to go in the second round, but if available and the Vikings don’t have a MLB drafted, he could be a good fit.

Other potential picks: Travis Frederick, G, Wisconsin; David Quessenberry, G, San Jose State

4th round (#102) – Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

The replacement to Antoine Winfield? Mathieu was a projected 1st round pick before getting kicked off LSU. If he is available in the 4th round the Vikings should roll the dice.

Other potential picks: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU; Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall; Tharold Simon, CB, LSU

4th round (#120) – Chris Faulk, OT/G, LSU

Charlie Johnson and Brandon Fusco both need a little competition to step their game up, respectably. The Vikings will have to look for Charlie Johnson’s replacement soon enough.

Other potential picks: Barrett Jones, G/C, Alabama; Josh Evans, S, Florida

5th round (#155) – Quanterus Smith, DE, Western Kentucky

Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen are all entering the final year of their contracts. Smith had 12.5 sacks before tearing his ACL.

Other potential picks: Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State; Alvin Bailey, G, Arkansas

6th round (#189) – John Lotulelei, OLB, UNLV

The Vikings still need linebacker help and special teams players. Might as well take a flier on a guy with lots of potential.

Other potential picks: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma; Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State

7th round (#213) – Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech.

If Marcus Davis is still available in the 7th round the Vikings have to take him. At 6’3 and a 4.5 40-yard dash, Davis is worth a shot, especially with the Vikings lack of receiving.

Other potential picks: Nickell Robey, CB, USC; Jasper Collins, WR, Mount Union

7th round (#214) – Keerwynn Williams, RB, Utah State

If the Vikings trade Toby you have to think they replace him in the draft, right?

Other potential picks: Robbie Rouse, RB, Fresno State; Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa

7th round (#229) – Levine Toiolo, TE, Stanford

It only makes sense the Vikings draft another Tight End. They could potentially take a shot at the Olympic shot putter Lawrence Okoye if available.

Other potential picks: Lawrence Okoye, DT/DE, United Kingdom; Edmund Kugbila, G, Valdosta State; Alex Carder, QB, Western Michigan

The post Vikings 2013 mock draft appeared first on MinnesotaSNN.

In what is a sure blow for the Vikings’ secondary, corner Chris Cook suffered a broken wrist during the Vikings 36-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The injury happened in the second quarter as Cook went in for a tackle on running back Doug Martin. Cook immediately grabbed his right arm/wrist area and jogged to the sideline. He later went into the locker room for X-rays.

Cook, a third-year corner out of Virginia, has struggled with injuries and a domestic dispute case through his first three seasons in the NFL, limiting him to only 20 games. Cook is quietly having his best year as a pro, recording 28 tackles, 1 sack, and 5 pass deflections on the season.

The Vikings will rely on A.J. Jefferson and Josh Robinson to help fill the absence of Cook, who is expected to miss a significant amount of time.

Frazier was unsure how long Cook will be out saying, “Sometimes you can cast it. I don’t know enough yet.”

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