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On Thursday it was reported that the Minnesota Vikings were scheduled to workout former Titans and 49ers wide receiver Brandon Jones.
Following up on that report, former Pro Bowl wide receiver, Javon Walker, is also scheduled for a workout today (Friday) for the Vikings.
With the injuries to Sidney Rice (hip) and Percy Harvin (migraine) becoming somewhat of an issue, Minnesota will need depth if the two are expected to miss a certain amount of time.
Currently, Greg Lewis and Bernard Berrian are Minnesota’s two wide receiver’s. Although they are not a terrible duo together, the Vikings clearly need Rice and Harvin back as soon as possible.
Despite neither Jones or Walker being a “big deal” right now, both at one point in their careers were to signed to big contracts.
However, when Brandon signed with the 49ers, he hardly even saw the field. Recently, San Francisco’s front office admitted that they made an incredible mistake when they signed him to a 5-year, $16.5 million deal.
Jones was cut on that very day.
As for Walker, he has definitely received his fair share of ups-and-downs during his eight-year career.
His best season came with the Green Bay Packers in 2004 where he caught 89 balls for 1,382 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Walker was selected to the Pro Bowl that year.
In the first game of the 2005 season, Javon suffered an ACL injury that ended his season and career with the Green Bay Packers.
On April 29, 2006, Green Bay traded Walker to the Denver Broncos for a second-round-pick in that years draft. He signed a five-year deal worth more than $40 million, which included roster bonuses totaling $15 million in 2007 and 2008.
In his first season with the Broncos, Walker recorded 69 receptions for 1,084 yards, and eight touchdowns.
The following year, he managed only 287 yards on 26 catches. With that said, he only played in eight games that year.
On February 29, 2008, the Broncos decided to cut Walker after failing to find a trade-partner for the injury-prone receiver.
Four days later, Javon signed a ridiculous six-year, $55 million deal that included $16 million in guaranteed money with the Oakland Raiders.
Walker rarely ever saw the field with Oakland. Injuries and personal issues caused him to have some of the worst games in his entire career.
He was finally released on March 8, 2010.
Brandon Jones was taken with the 96th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2005 draft.
In his rookie season with the Titans, Jones totaled 23 catches for 299 yards, and two touchdowns in ten games played, including eight starts.
During his next three years with Tennessee, Brandon recorded 89 receptions for 1,081 yards, and seven touchdowns.
Despite these being very mediocre numbers, San Francisco thought that they had something special when they signed him to a five-year, $16.5 million deal on February 28, 2009.
In his one and only season with the 49ers, Brandon Jones caught a total of one pass.
No, you are not reading that wrong. In eight games, Jones caught just one pass for 18 yards.
It’s safe to say that this is one of the worst free agent signings in NFL history. The mystery of what San Francisco saw in Jones during the 2008 offseason still remains.
On August 18, 2010, Jones was released from the 49ers, like I mentioned earlier in the article.
With Minnesota slightly thin at wide receiver right now it’s really no surprise that they are working-out wide receiver’s.
There’s a great chance that neither Javon Walker or Brandon Jones will make the roster. If I had to guess, I would say that Jones would have the better chance of the two to make the team.
Personally, I don’t feel like either one of these guys is needed whatsoever. Bernard Berrian, Greg Lewis, Logan Payne, and Marko Mitchell should do just fine if Sidney and Percy aren’t healthy anytime soon.
You’ll likely find out how both of their workouts went later on today.
Stay tuned!
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Minnesota Vikings Percy Harvin’s migraines are once again holding him back.
A day after collapsing at practice and being rushed to the hospital, Harvin was back at the team’s facility on Friday.
It’s certainly not news, but when Harvin and headaches are involved, no news would be good news. Unfortunately, that might never be the case.
The migraines will certainly always be hanging around until doctor’s find the solution, and you have to wonder if it will hamper Harvin’s immense potential. If so, will that hamper the Vikings’ chances this season, as well?
Harvin is a rare player who can make things happen with his agility and quickness.
If you ever doubt Harvin’s ability, all you have to do it watch game tape from the Florida Gators of 2009. Then watch game tape from the Florida Gators of 2008.
World of difference.
Harvin’s talent was so rare that Florida was never able to find someone to replace the unique skills he brought to the field last season, and it showed.
Undoubtedly, Harvin’s unique talents helped the Vikings almost reach the top last season. Obviously, with Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson in tow, the Vikings will be very good. But you do need that extra edge that can make things happen at any time.
Last year, Harvin broke two kick returns for touchdowns and had six receiving touchdowns to go along with almost 800 receiving yards. And, you have to figure that those numbers will only continue to increase as he gets more acclimated to the NFL.
The question is now whether that ceiling will ever be reached with these headaches holding him back, and whether the Vikings’ ceiling is lowered as long as Harvin’s migraines are an unknown variable.
The worst thing is that you never know when they are going to strike. Maybe even worse than that is that doctors have yet to figure out the source.
Hopefully, for Harvin’s and the Vikings’ sake, the migraine problem is solved soon. A guy with that kind of talent is supposed to be giving headaches to the opposition, not himself.
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In The News:
Tony Dungy called out Rex Ryan for the use of F-Bombs, the two have now talked and ‘cleared the air’.
In My Opinion:
Really Coach Dungy? You thought the Commissioner should get involved because a football coach used a word you don’t like? Are you new to football?
Kudos to Ryan for caring enough about what a respected coach thought to give him a call and have a talk man to man. More people should just settle this kind of thing out of the public light instead of suggesting the Commissioner get involved.
In The News:
Brett Favre showed up in Minnesota to join the Vikings. He’s apparently not going to retire.
In My Opinion:
My opinion hasn’t changed much since my post last week. Favre is under contract, and should have been in camp from day one. If he couldn’t play, he should have been on the PUP list. He should have been getting treatment from team doctors and therapists and strength coaches, and he should have been appraising the team of his status the entire off season.
Instead, we got another Favre Watch.
I’m glad he’s able to play, and I hope he means it when he says this is his last year.
In The News:
Tim Tebow scored!
In My Opinion:
No, not that scored, I think he still wears a chastity bracelet or something, doesn’t he? He scored a meaningless rushing touchdown in a meaningless preseason game. Oh, and he got hurt on the play, and has missed a couple of practices. Thus far, I am not impressed, and I think the Broncos will regret the moves they made to sign him.
In The News:
Brian Cushing’s suspension appeal was denied by the NFL
In My Opinion:
I could go on for an entire column about what I think of the NFL drug testing policy. I’ll just leave it at this: I think it’s a joke.
That said, Cushing apparently was expecting the NFL Commissioner’s office IQ to have diminished substantially.
I’ve spent 15 years in gyms, around powerlifters, bodybuilders, and strength athletes. I have been exposed to the performance enhancing drug culture, and while having never used illegal PEDs, I know a little about them.
If HGC shows up on a drug test of an NFL player, he is either under a fertility doctor’s care, or he is using anabolic/androgenic steroids. Period. The overtraining syndrome is less believable than the ‘it was in my protein shake’ story.
Here’s a little something for you to chew on: Lots of professional athletes use performance enhancing drugs. Lots of amateur athletes use performance enhancing drugs. Lots of gym rats do. It’s really easy to hide it, and if you get caught by the NFL, you have failed an intelligence test, not a drug test. That’s the way it is.
You can read more from Paul on his website: http://paulstagg.com
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A day after he collapsed on the practice field, Percy Harvin remains hospitalized for precautionary reasons in Minnesota.
Harvin’s continuous bouts with migraines have raised concerns regarding how much he will be able to contribute this season. Suddenly, one of the Super Bowl favorites might find itself without one of its biggest weapons.
Here’s a look at 10 possible effects Harvin’s absence could have on the Vikings.
The San Francisco 49ers play the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday in the second preseason game for both teams. Preseason football can be difficult to watch because the games don’t count and as the game progresses, you are watching many players that have little or no chance of making the opening day roster.
Don’t expect to see much of Frank Gore, Vernon Davis or Michael Crabtree. Nevertheless, there are a few players to focus on, who will make watching this game much more interesting. Obviously, all eyes will be on Alex Smith–when he is in there. In addition, three players to watch closely in the upcoming game are Anthony Davis, Taylor Mays and Dominique Zeigler. These three should play a lot and their progress is very important to the 49ers.
Right tackle Anthony Davis did not fare well in the first game, against the Colts. Robert Mathis, a top pass rushing defensive end beat him consistently. Davis seemed to have particular trouble blocking his man when he was left out in space. The 49ers were forced to give Davis help by leaving a back in to help block on pass plays. Sunday’s game will be a good indicator to see if Davis has progressed.
Safety Taylor Mays is another player to watch. Mays was decent in the first game, although he seemed to be feeling his way, and a half step late on many plays. Mays has the athleticism to be an impact player and it will be interesting to see if he plays more instinctively in this game.
The 49ers envision a safety tandem of Dashon Goldson and Mays, two hard-hitting play makers. Veteran Michael Lewis may begin the season as the starter, but it’s likely just a matter of time before Mays takes over the position.
Receiver Dominique Zeigler is the other player to watch. He has been impressive in training camp and if he can carry that over into the games, he will solidify his position on the team. With Kyle Williams out due to injury and Brandon Jones released, Zeigler will get plenty of chances to make some plays. He can also show his value by impressing on punt return duty. He should get that opportunity with Williams out. A good showing by Zeigler will ensure his roster spot and get him more playing time.
The 49ers are hoping for big contributions from Davis, Mays and Zeigler. Focusing on these three players will make this preseason game against the Vikings much more interesting to watch. Their development will be a key to the Niners’ success.
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