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DAILY CLIPS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020

LOCAL NEWS: Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Pioneer Press

As Vikings work to facilitate change, , Anthony Barr call on NFL to do the same By Jace Frederick https://www.twincities.com/2020/06/02/as-vikings-work-to-facilitate-change-eric-kendricks-anthony-barr-call-on-nfl-to- do-the-same/

Star Tribune

Vikings' Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr speak out against NFL inaction on justice reform By Ben Goessling https://www.startribune.com/vikings-kendricks-and-barr-speak-out-against-nfl-on-justice-reform/570957502/

Ranking which Vikings rookies have best chances to contribute in 2020 By Andrew Krammer https://www.startribune.com/ranking-which-vikings-rookies-have-best-chances-to-contribute-in-2020/570950562/

Skor North

Eric Kendricks to NFL: “Your statement said nothing. … Vague answers do nothing” By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/2020/06/eric-kendricks-to-nfl-your-statement-said-nothing-vague-answers-do-nothing/

The Athletic

10 big questions for the Vikings in 2020: The annual one about By Chad Graff and Arif Hasan https://theathletic.com/1850314/2020/06/02/10-big-questions-for-the-vikings-in-2020-the-annual-one-about-kirk- cousins/

Purple Insider

An appreciation for By Matthew Coller https://purpleinsider.substack.com/p/an-appreciation-for-daunte-culpepper

NATIONAL NEWS: Wednesday, June 3, 2020

ESPN

Vikings' Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr denounce NFL statement, ask for help By Courtney Cronin https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29256396/vikings-eric-kendricks-anthony-barr-denounce-nfl-statement-ask-help

CBS Sports

Vikings Franchise Five: , among Minnesota's all-time best By Cody Benjamin https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/vikings-franchise-five-adrian-peterson-randy-moss-among-minnesotas-all-time- best/

Maven Media

Vikings' Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr Criticize NFL Statement, Call for Action By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-eric-kendricks-anthony-barr-nfl-statement-action

Vikings Coach Releases Statement on Death of George Floyd By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-coach-mike-zimmer-statement-death-george-floyd

MULTIMEDIA NEWS: Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Vikings Speak Out By KMSP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=5b8ca111-d800-4441-aeb9-0a30f82d8fa9

Robinson Explains Why Vikings Have The Best Group of Running Backs In The NFL By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/robinson-explains-why-vikings-have-the-best-group-of-running-backs-in-the-nfl

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Xs and Os: How Drafted Could Impact Vikings By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/jeff-gladney-cameron-dantzler-nfl-draft-could-impact-vikings

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 6/3/20

As Vikings work to facilitate change, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr call on NFL to do the same

By Jace Frederick

Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks tweeted out a thread, later shared on teammate Anthony Barr’s Twitter account, on Tuesday afternoon that served two purposes.

One was to let people know the team has “opened a dialogue” with players and that all involved are working toward solutions in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis Police Officers. They asked for suggestions on how to support the city.

“Our team doesn’t just want to donate — we want to work with local organizations and get out there to help facilitate change,” Kendricks tweeted.

That has long been the aim of players like Kendricks, who serves in a leadership role on the Vikings’ social justice committee. He also works with the Sheridan Story to battle childhood hunger in Minnesota. If there’s something to be done to help those in need, Kendricks will do it.

“But we want answers at the league level,” he tweeted Tuesday. “That’s where change can happen, and we’ve seen none. Because right now, it seems like nothing. And nothing is unacceptable.”

Enter point No. 2.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement Saturday that expressed condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, while adding the “NFL family is greatly saddened by the tragic events across our country. The protesters’ reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel.

“As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league. These tragedies inform the NFL’s commitment and our ongoing efforts,” the statement read. “There remains an urgent need for action. We recognize the power of our platform in communities and as part of the fabric of American society. We embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs and partners.”

That statement, Kendricks said, “said nothing.”

“What actual steps are you taking to support the fight for justice and system reform?” Kendricks tweeted. “Your league is built on black athletes. Vague answers do nothing. Let the players know what you’re ACTUALLY doing. And we know what silence means.”

The NFL doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on when it comes to issues surrounding social injustice or police brutality, and the protests of them. Not with the way the league handled the peaceful on-field protests in 2016 started by Colin Kaepernick, that eventually spread across the league.

How it approaches the issue this time around appears to be under close watch from the very players on which the league relies.

“You can’t bring in people to teach us how we should interact with police but not work towards changing the behavior of the police themselves,” Kendricks said. “Silence will not make this go away. @NFL #WeWantAnswers #BlackLivesMatter.”

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 6/3/20

Vikings' Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr speak out against NFL inaction on justice reform

By Ben Goessling

Through his leadership role on the Vikings’ social justice committee, his partnership with the Sheridan Story to fight childhood hunger and his recent efforts to help those affected by COVID-19 through sales of his artwork, linebacker Eric Kendricks has worked for several years to address systemic inequalities he’s encountered.

With a series of social media posts Tuesday morning, he called on the NFL to do the same.

Kendricks took to Twitter, asking the NFL to show its work on social justice issues, after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement Friday addressing the May 25 death of George Floyd while restrained by Minneapolis police officers.

Goodell’s statement expressed condolences to Floyd’s family, adding the reaction of protesters in Minneapolis and around the country “reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel.” On Tuesday morning, Kendricks joined the chorus of players criticizing the statement, which referred to the league’s “ongoing efforts” to address “systematic issues.” Kendrick asked the NFL to go beyond words.

“@NFL what actual steps are you taking to support the fight for justice and system reform? Your statement said nothing,” Kendricks wrote in a Twitter thread later shared by teammate Anthony Barr. “Your league is built on black athletes. Vague answers do nothing. Let the players know what you’re ACTUALLY doing. And we know what silence means.”

Kendricks then said the Vikings have “opened a dialogue with players and we’re all working toward solutions with the team,” before asking for suggestions from Twin Cities residents about ways the team can support the city.

“Our team doesn’t just want to donate — we want to work with local organizations and get out there to help facilitate change,” he wrote. “But we want answers at the league level. That’s where change can happen, and we’ve seen none. Because right now, it seems like nothing. And nothing is unacceptable. You can’t bring in people to teach us how we should interact with police but not work towards changing the behavior of the police themselves. Silence will not make this go away. @NFL #WeWantAnswers #BlackLivesMatter.”

Goodell and the NFL have been taken to task in recent years for their handling of race issues, including players such as Colin Kaepernick protesting police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem and a lack of diversity in the league’s coaching ranks.

The Vikings released a statement last Wednesday afternoon offering condolences to Floyd’s family, and coach Mike Zimmer released a statement through the team Tuesday, supporting “peaceful protests.” The Vikings also retweeted Kendricks and Barr’s messages about players opening a dialogue with the team and soliciting suggestions for ways to support the Twin Cities.

After President Donald Trump said in September 2017 that NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality should be removed from the league, Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf linked arms with players on the team’s sideline before a home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They later committed $250,000 of their own money to a social justice fund that players could use at their own discretion. Kendricks and Barr assumed leadership roles on the team’s new social justice committee in 2018.

The team announced in January its social justice committee approved a $35,000 grant for All Square, a south Minneapolis grilled-cheese shop that provides jobs to those returning from prison to society.

The committee also has organized visits to the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center to talk to teenagers there. Kendricks shared stories of his father’s struggles with drug addiction and how his mother, Yvonne Thagon, kept their family together during that time.

“I just told them, ‘Hey, if you guys ever feel like giving up, use me as an example.’ ” he said in Dec. 2018. “The skills we learn, the things we do, we learn from somebody. These kids are good kids; they just happened to be in the wrong situation.”

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 6/3/20

Ranking which Vikings rookies have best chances to contribute in 2020

By Andrew Krammer

Talk of recent Vikings teams was often about a veteran-rich roster where rookies might struggle to find areas to immediately contribute.

Those times have changed. Nearly one-third of the Vikings’ offseason roster is comprised of NFL rookies (27 of 87), many positioned with opportunities to play on offense, defense and/or special teams after seven starters were cut or walked in March.

Guidelines in the newly-ratified CBA will help this rookie class, even as they’re currently locked out of team facilities due to pandemic restrictions. Teams can now suit up 48 players (up from 46) for regular season games. Practice squads increased to 12 players (up from 10), and teams can now promote two practice squad players each week for games without subjecting them to waivers when returning to the practice squad (up to twice per player).

So there will be chances for rookies from first-round receiver to the undrafted signings. Vikings coaches are just eager to get them onto the practice field.

“The rookies are behind and they’re getting a lot of extra work,” head coach Mike Zimmer said last month. “The meetings have gone great. For me, it’s been really good because I have the offense going first, then special teams and then the defense goes. I can click on a room and listen to , receivers and then listen to the offensive line and all of special teams. I’ve been really impressed with our coaches.”

Podcast: The NFL’s hurdles to return and your Vikings questions

WR Justin Jefferson

Nobody caught more passes for one of ’s most prolific offenses in history than Jefferson last season. The Vikings are confident Jefferson can play from anywhere on the field after much of his 2019 production came from the slot at LSU. He’ll have chances to prove he can win everywhere since Stefon Diggs was traded to Buffalo, vacating 783 snaps [75.6%] and a team-high 94 targets, 63 catches, 1,130 receiving yards and six .

A healthy will presumably fill much of that production, but he’s also expected to receive more attention from defenses. That’s where running back , tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr., and Jefferson could tip the scales during games.

Jefferson (listed 6-1, 202 pounds) was lauded as a run blocker and brings the physicality and receiving talent that should earn him the No. 2 job immediately. Behind him are , Tajae Sharpe, and Quartney Davis, among others.

CB

Rookie corners don’t contribute too often on defense under Mike Zimmer. Mike Hughes bucked the trend in 2018 when replacing an injured in the season opener; Hughes played well enough to earn more time before his own injury as a rookie.

Gladney (listed 5-10, 191 pounds) will also likely play right away, and may have to just because the Vikings lost three corners in free agency. The TCU product was one of a few corners in the power five conferences to shadow receivers multiple times. Gladney also has experience defending the slot, providing a broad foundation for the inevitable crash course whenever practices resume. TCU head coach Gary Patterson labeled Gladney “country tough,” evident by him choosing to run his 40-yard dash with a torn meniscus.

CB

After Hughes and Gladney, the Vikings have the third-round Dantzler, , Kris Boyd, Nate Meadors and Mark Fields returning at corner. That’s a lot of room to play considering the Vikings’ primary defense is nickel (three corners).

Dantzler projects as an outside corner after deflecting 20 passes with five in three years for Mississippi State. He’s got the length (listed 6-2, 188 pounds) to defend against taller outside receivers, but Dantzler said he’s been trying to add weight. The Vikings like his attitude in the run game and upside as a cover man, meaning Dantzler could be playing at some point in 2020.

WR K.J. Osborn

Punt returner has been a hole for the Vikings since Marcus Sherels’ incredible career faded. Ten NFL punt returners last year had more yards than the Vikings as a team. Corner Mike Hughes led the way, but the Vikings drafted Osborn — the ACC’s leading punt returner averaging 15.9 yards — with plans for him to compete for the job.

Osborn (listed 5-11, 203 pounds) isn’t expected to contribute immediately as a receiver. However, his character was highly touted by Vikings director of college scouting Jamaal Stephenson, and they believe he’s a safe bet to earn roles on special teams.

DE D.J. Wonnum

Wonnum may require more development than other rookies on this list, but he steps into a fluid depth chart at defensive end. If he’s the No. 4 end, behind , Ifeadi Odenigbo and Anthony Zettel, that’s a role that saw 33.5% playing time by Odenigbo last season.

Zimmer may get creative with or tighten up the rotation after departures of Everson Griffen and . If Wonnum (listed 6-5, 258 pounds) proves capable as a rookie, he will have room for snaps. His relentless pursuit at Florida State led to 14 sacks in four years, and Vikings coaches see Hunter-like traits in Wonnum’s unrefined game.

LB

The Vikings need jobs filled on coverage and return phases for special teams after key cogs in safety Jayron Kearse, linebacker Kentrell Brothers and Weatherly are no longer on the roster. Many rookies should compete for these roles, including Dye — the fourth-round tackling machine out of Oregon.

Dye (listed 6-3, 231 pounds) — another tough defender who played through a broken thumb and meniscus tear at times last fall — was a dominant inside linebacker who projects as an outside linebacker in the NFL with strong instincts in coverage. Dye could contribute on defense eventually, but special teams is where he’s likely to make an immediate difference.

S

The downhill wrecking ball that is Michigan’s Josh Metellus, a sixth-round pick by the Vikings, could help replace the Sendejo-style havoc on special teams. Metellus (listed 5-11 and 209 pounds) projects as an adaptable defender with traits possibly suited for a hybrid safety/linebacker role rather than a deep cover man.

He’s proven to be a strong tackler, which should translate on coverage phases for special teams and give him chances to play right away.

LT

Plans change quickly. One of the Vikings’ player comparisons for Cleveland, their own right tackle Brian O’Neill, discovered such during a rookie season in which he was No. 4 on the depth chart at times in camp but played by Week 2.

Cleveland (listed 6-6, 311 pounds) isn’t expected to be an opening day NFL starter. The Vikings’ plan, like with O’Neill, is for Cleveland to amass “good weight” without losing his superior athleticism. His strengths and weaknesses are explained well in this video by The Scouting Academy’s Dan Hatman. General manager Rick Spielman said left tackle Riley Reiff will “hold down the fort” until Cleveland is ready.

WR Quartney Davis

Follow the money. The Vikings probably would’ve drafted Texas A&M receiver Quartney Davis in the later rounds if they didn’t feel confident in the depth of the undrafted receivers this year, according to Spielman. So, they instead ponied up $100,000 guaranteed to steal him away from the .

Davis (listed 6-1, 201 pounds) was another effective slot receiver in college who will compete for a job on the back end of the 53-man roster. The Vikings’ general inexperience at receiver could open lanes for Davis if opportunities arise during the regular season.

PUBLICATION: Skor North DATE: 6/3/20

Eric Kendricks to NFL: “Your statement said nothing. … Vague answers do nothing”

By Judd Zulgad

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement Saturday that addressed “the tragic events across our country,” and offered the league’s deepest condolences to the family of George Floyd. Here’s the complete statement.

NFL @NFL View image on Twitter

Vikings linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr took to social media on Tuesday to express just how empty they felt the league’s statement had been. Here is what Kendricks put on Twitter.

@EricKendricks54 @NFL what actual steps are you taking to support the fight for justice and system reform?

Your statement said nothing. Your league is built on black athletes. Vague answers do nothing. Let the players know what you’re ACTUALLY doing.

And we know what silence means.

Kendricks didn’t end there. He continued the thread by pointing out the Vikings have opened a dialogue with players, adding “we’re all working towards solutions with the team … if anyone has suggestions for how to support the city, we’d love to hear them.

“Our team doesn’t just want to donate — we want to work with local organizations and get out there to help facilitate change. DM me or comment if you have any suggestions or info.

“But we want answers at the league level. That’s where change can happen, and we’ve seen none. Because right now, it seems like nothing. And nothing is unacceptable.

“You can’t bring in people to teach us how we should interact with police but not work towards changing the behavior of the police themselves. Silence will not make this go away. @NFL #WeWantAnswers #BlackLivesMatter”

Barr’s tweets were identical to Kendricks’. Both of them are on the Vikings’ social justice committee, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.

PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 6/3/20

10 big questions for the Vikings in 2020: The annual one about Kirk Cousins

By Chad Graff and Arif Hasan

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a 10-part series examining the biggest questions facing the Vikings with the 2020 season looming. Most recently: What should be expected of the offensive line? Up next: Are the Vikings a top-five running team?

Chad Graff: A four-game stretch in October brought to light the best we’ve seen of Kirk Cousins, certainly in a Vikings uniform and perhaps ever.

That stretch, which happened to follow one of his worst games ever in Chicago, was a dazzling performance that seemed to solidify the belief that he’s capable of guiding a Super Bowl team while, at least for a few weeks, making Cousins a legitimate MVP contender.

He put drama regarding Stefon Diggs’ absences at practice behind him with a solid performance on a blustery day in New York, torched the Eagles at home with four touchdowns, matched that performance on the road in Detroit, then was efficient in dispatching his former team.

And yet, partly because of some later falters and partly because of his reputation, there were still some questions entering the Vikings’ playoff game in New Orleans about whether Cousins had done enough to earn an extension on his initial three-year deal.

But with a playoff win now under his belt, the Vikings put such inquiries to rest with a new deal that keeps the under contract through 2022.

Yet, as sights turn to 2020, there are a few different ways to look at his return. On the one hand, Cousins delivered arguably the best season of his career and now, finally, prepares to enter the same offensive scheme for the second straight year with Gary Kubiak running the show. Kubiak’s offense that Kevin Stefanski oversaw last season brought out the best in Cousins by putting him under center more and taking advantage of his skills in play action. So perhaps another year with that familiarity would bring out additional success.

On the other hand, however, Cousins lost his top receiving target after the Vikings traded Stefon Diggs, and the offensive line in front of him didn’t dramatically improve. He’s still a quarterback who likes to throw the ball only when his receivers are clearly open — and now his top receiver at gaining space is gone.

Drew Brees and Tom Brady have shown us that the prime of a quarterback’s career can push into their 30s, so perhaps it’s not too worrisome that Cousins turns 32 in August. He’s coming off a season that included full-season career-highs in yards per attempt (8.1), adjusted yards per attempt (8.7), percentage (1.4), and percentage (5.9).

So, Arif, the latest questions for you in this continuing series are these: Was that the best season of Cousins’ career? Is there reason to believe he could top that performance as a 32-year-old? And is that caliber of a season capable of leading a Super Bowl run?

Kirk Cousins Amid an otherwise very good season, Kirk Cousins had three miserable games when teams focused on stuffing play- action, including the divisional-round loss in San Francisco. (Kirby Lee / USA Today) Arif Hasan: Statistically, he only has one other year to compare to his 2019 season — his 2016 season, where he posted similar statistics (8.1 yards per attempt, 8.0 adjusted yards per attempt, 2.0 interception percentage and 4.1 touchdown percentage with a much better sack rate). After accounting for his consistency and supporting cast it’s probably wise to say 2019 was his best season yet — while he never played as poorly in 2016 as he did in Week 16 against Green Bay in 2019, he also had more high-level performances more often, and that’s despite losing his primary receiver for most of the season with a lesser offensive line.

This is paradoxically encouraging and discouraging. A pessimist might say that this is evidence of an anomaly — how often does one post a career-high this late into a career and then repeat it?

Looking at other quarterbacks that played at a high level, but not phenomenally, we might be able to see the answer. Matt Ryan in 2012 hit his second Pro Bowl appearance in his fifth year as a starter like Cousins and posted career bests in nearly every statistic. His play dipped shortly after that but he became a high-level quarterback once more and led one of the NFL’s best offenses of the decade in 2016, continuing to play well afterwards. On the other hand, Eli Manning never repeated his statistical performance of 2011, playing as one of the most inconsistent year-to-year quarterbacks in the NFL. Primarily, the examples are not positive — Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Matt Schaub and so on. But some give hope, like Carson Palmer and Tony Romo.

What would an optimist say? While the on-paper roster for the Vikings may not look better — replacing Stefon Diggs with a rookie, even a first-rounder, seems less-than-stellar — the on-field cast may very well be. If Adam Thielen replaces Diggs’ production, Justin Jefferson can more than replace the production of the group of receivers that had to fill in while Thielen was injured. The addition of a second-round pick on the offensive line could boost the unit overall, though we discussed the issues with projecting that in our last piece. Development at tight end with Irv Smith could push things even further towards an optimistic direction, especially if the decisions made at offensive coordinator maintains continuity for a quarterback that has had precious little of that in his career.

Ultimately, the answer is likely somewhere in between. It’s tough to repeat a career-best performance, the supporting cast is still likely worse despite that spin and the offensive coordinator continuity he’s seeing here is not honestly all that different from the same-system-different-coordinator stuff he saw in Washington.

But he genuinely improved in ways that seem sustainable — his performance in high-leverage situations, particularly in the realm of situational awareness — seemed to improve dramatically. His aggressiveness served him well, and he was one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL, a trait that tends to remain with a player from season to season.

Chad: Given all you just mentioned, let’s look at why Cousins had arguably the best season of his career. Of course, the switch in offensive systems seemed to help. But the offensive line was still just OK, he was without Thielen for basically half the season, and the team lacked depth at wide receiver.

So is his success last season as simple as saying that the new scheme truly brought out the best in Cousins? And does he remain an elite quarterback at play action?

Arif: It’s always going to be difficult to tell what is scheme and what is genuine technical and mental development. I think it’s difficult for a scheme to truly make a quarterback accurate (after accounting for distance thrown) or fundamentally more aggressive, so I think those are traits that he either inherently has or developed himself.

But there’s something to suggest he’s capped without play-action. The three games where teams most aggressively took away play-action — where they dove on the quarterback instead of stopping the run — were also his three worst statistical games of the year: both games against Green Bay and the playoff game against San Francisco. I can’t imagine that the Packers will abandon that strategy after its wild success. The statistics bear that out — he threw for 3.8 yards less per attempt under play-action in those games than without. And on standard dropbacks, he only mustered 6.6 yards per attempt. With no touchdowns and two interceptions, he generated a passer rating of 25.8 in play-action.

In the other 2019 games, he did do better on standard dropbacks — 7.6 yards per attempt — but he critically improved when in play-action in those games, throwing at 10.2 yards per attempt, with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions when aided with the play fake.

The Vikings using play-action at a heavy rate was a big part of Cousins’ success but both share the blame for their inability to adapt when that’s taken away. It’s not Cousins’ fault that unblocked rushers threatened him in those three games, and his poor performance in those situations is in large part a product of that pressure. He should do better than he did under pressure, but quarterbacks are inherently limited in those situations. At the same time, he needed to do better when there wasn’t any play-action to help him out.

Cousins’ overall performance without play-action happens to be top 10 in the NFL, so he’s not completely dependent on it, but he doesn’t seem to have the full toolbox that elite quarterbacks have to take down teams when their primary strategy isn’t working.

He benefited from the scheme and demonstrated limitations when that scheme was essentially solved, but his fundamentals are solid and if he can improve just marginally in standard dropbacks, he can play well enough for the Vikings to win, though this may assume that the defense doesn’t drop off too far. The Vikings can succeed with Kirk Cousins, even if it takes just a little bit more from him than they’ve received so far. PUBLICATION: Purple Insider DATE: 6/3/20

An appreciation for Daunte Culpepper

By Matthew Coller

If you listened to the Purple Insider Podcast episode on Monday with Pro Football Focus’s Sam Monson, you would have caught a quick back-and-forth about the unfortunate circumstances with how Daunte Culpepper’s career was derailed by a knee injury.

When it comes to the all-time what-if stories, we don’t talk much about Culpepper but it’s worth wondering what would have happened had the Vikings’ first-round pick in 1999 hadn’t gotten injured in 2005. Because it ended so quickly and the team did not have a great deal of success during his time, it’s easy to forget that he was one of the most exciting players to ever wear purple.

After the conversation with Monson, I couldn’t help but go down a Pro-Football Reference rabbit hole looking back at the start of his career. I came across a bunch of crazy statistics that put in context the crazy good start to his career (and some that show why the team didn’t win more with him).

Let’s start with this one: From the time the NFL and AFL merged until 2004, only two quarterbacks had higher quarterback ratings in the first six years of their careers: Kurt Warner and Chad Pennington. Culpepper threw more touchdowns in his first six years in the NFL than everyone except Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Jim Kelly. And Daunte didn’t even play his first year.

Here’s where Culpepper ranked among all starting QBs during his five-year run:

By Pro-Football Reference’s “Approximate Value” statistic, which is somewhat of a Wins Above Replacement type number that attempts to show a player’s contribution to offensive or defensive production, Culpepper ranked only behind Manning among all players during that five-year stretch.

It’s funny how football works sometimes. Terrell Davis is in the Hall of Fame and his career Approximate Value is below Culpepper’s for just the ‘00-’04 seasons.

If there was a Hall of Fame for entertainment value players, Culpepper would be inducted first ballot. Not only was it flat-out bizarre to see someone at 260 pounds taking off and having linebackers try to take him down by the legs but his deep accuracy combined with Randy Moss resulted in more big games and big plays than anyone else of the era. Of his 68 starts from ‘00-’04, nobody had a higher percentage of games with a 120 quarterback rating than Culpepper.

And nobody had more passes that went for 40 yards or more.

Think about this: Kirk Cousins only has six more 40-plus yard plays over his entire career than Culpepper did from ‘00-’04.

Crazy, right? So why did he only go 36-37 with two playoff wins in the era?

Few combined factors. He went 3-6 against Green Bay and all six losses were by one score. Turns out the Packers had some good quarterback play at that time. Culpepper even lost a game to the Packers in which he finished with a 151.3 rating.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. Nobody lost more from ‘00-’04 than Culpepper and he had the sixth most interceptions and most times sacked. His 2000 and 2004 seasons were MVP worthy but between 2001-2002 he had a 78.1 rating, 32 touchdowns and 36 picks. The Culpepper Coaster was certainly a thing.

But his ups and downs weren’t all to blame for the .500 record. We’ve gotten used to great Vikings defenses in the Mike Zimmer era but during the Culpepper days it was far from that. Only the Arizona Cardinals allowed more touchdowns on defense than the Vikings from ‘00-’04 and the Vikings gave up the highest passer rating against of any team during that stretch.

It speaks to the unfortunate breaks of Culpepper’s career. With peak Randy Moss, they couldn’t build a defense to help him. After he gets hurt, the Vikings stack up a monster team with Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Antoine Winfield Jr., the Williams Wall etc. and Favre becomes the beneficiary in 2009. Had Culpepper remained healthy, that’s probably him going to the NFC Championship game. Ah, the never-ending Vikings what-if game.

Anyway, Culpepper is appreciated by anybody who loved Madden during those times and enjoyed wildly fun high scoring games. But in the long run he probably doesn’t get enough credit for operating one of the most explosive offenses of the last two decades and doing it in highly entertaining fashion. PUBLICATION: ESPN DATE: 6/3/20

Vikings' Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr denounce NFL statement, ask for help

By Courtney Cronin

MINNEAPOLIS -- A week after George Floyd died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department, an incident that sparked mass protests in the Twin Cities and across the nation, two linebackers are speaking out in response to a statement issued by the NFL on Saturday.

The league's statement expressed condolences to the Floyd family; Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police Department officers in March; and Ahmaud Arbery, whose February death is being investigated as a federal hate crime.

In the statement, the NFL addressed its commitment to using its platform "in communities and as part of the fabric of American society" and added "we embrace that responsibility and are committed to continuing the important work to address these systemic issues together with our players, clubs and partners."

Vikings linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, who are on the team's social justice committee, issued identical tweets denouncing the league's stance.

"Your statement said nothing," both tweets read. "Your league is built on black athletes. Vague answers do nothing. Let the players know what you're ACTUALLY doing. And we know what silence means."

Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson responded to Kendricks' tweet:

Shaq Thompson @ShaqThompson_7 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

We want answers @NFL https://twitter.com/erickendricks54/status/1267855819627847680 …

Eric Kendricks @EricKendricks54 @NFL what actual steps are you taking to support the fight for justice and system reform?

Your statement said nothing. Your league is built on black athletes. Vague answers do nothing. Let the players know what you’re ACTUALLY doing.

And we know what silence means.

The two linebackers went on to issue the same series of four tweets encouraging interaction with fans and others on social media to bring ideas to the table for how the Vikings organization can best support the Twin Cities area after last week's tragic events.

"The Vikings have opened dialogue with players and we're all working towards solutions with the team," they said. "... If anyone has suggestions for how to support the city, we'd love to hear them. Our team doesn't just want to donate -- we want to work with local organizations and get out there to help facilitate change. ... But we want answers at the league level. That's where change can happen, and we've seen none. Because right now, it seems like nothing. And nothing is unacceptable.

"You can't bring in people to teach us how we should interact with police but not work towards changing the behavior of the police themselves. Silence will not make this go away."

The Vikings are discussing methods for how to best support the Twin Cities with cleanup efforts and other charitable causes. Tight end Kyle Rudolph and a handful of other players are organizing a food drive that will take place in the Minneapolis area on Friday.

Rudolph has also been an active member of the Vikings' social justice committee, which was formed two years ago and aims to provide school supplies and scholarships in low-income communities, work with community organizations and juvenile detention centers, provide legal aid and improve relations between law enforcement officers and the areas they serve.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer issued a statement on Floyd's death Tuesday.

"Peaceful protests can help bring change, and we definitely need change so we can all live in harmony," he said as part of his statement. "Everyone needs to respect each other's ideas and work together to strengthen, not weaken, our community. I believe our football team is an example of how people from all different backgrounds and experiences can come together for a common goal." PUBLICATION: CBS Sports DATE: 6/3/20

Vikings Franchise Five: Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss among Minnesota's all-time best

By Cody Benjamin

Beginning play in 1961, the Minnesota Vikings are among the 15 youngest franchises in the NFL. They're also one of the 12 teams that has yet to win a Super Bowl. Just because the Vikings haven't been around as long or claimed their first Lombardi Trophy, however, doesn't mean they haven't churned out some of the league's top talents over the years. Among the most successful organizations without a Super Bowl title, the Vikings already have 22 representatives in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not to mention dozens more who were -- or are -- considered among the best of their generation.

With that in mind, we decided to crown the Vikings' all-timers, digging through team history to single out the Franchise Five. CBSSports.com's Franchise Five dives into five most impactful people in each NFL's team history. Our rules here bind us to pick just one quarterback, three non-quarterback players and one head coach.

Just about every generation of Vikings football is represented in our list, with some of the best playmakers to ever suit up in the NFL among the selections:

QB Fran Tarkenton Vikings career: 1961-66, 1972-78

Daunte Culpepper (1999-2005) was briefly among his generation's top signal-callers, and (1977-89), Randall Cunningham (1997-99) and Brett Favre (2009-10) all had their time in the sun frozen tundra, but Tarkenton was literally a game-changer. A nine-time Pro Bowler who set just about every passing record while winning NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year during his second stint with the team, the slender Georgia product led Minnesota to three different Super Bowls in a span of four seasons.

While he could never bring the Lombardi Trophy to the Twin Cities, Tarkenton was one of the biggest reasons for the Vikings' 1970s surge, not to mention one of the league's first dominant dual-threat QBs. To this day, he ranks sixth in career rushing yards by a QB, behind only Michael Vick, Cunningham, Cam Newton, Steve Young and Russell Wilson.

Coach Bud Grant Vikings career: 1967-83, 1985

There is absolutely no competition for Grant in this department. A local guy who graduated from Minnesota, he went straight from a playing career to a head coaching role in 1957, with the League's , and rivaled his pristine CFL record running the Vikes for the better part of two decades.

After a 3-8-3 debut, Grant led the team to 11 NFC Central titles in 13 years, establishing the Vikings as a true conference power. Four Super Bowl appearances in his first nine seasons couldn't net him a ring, but his teams' remarkable annual consistency is comparable to what Andy Reid did in Philadelphia and Kansas City decades later, making him one of the most accomplished coaches in football history. Grant's 151 career wins still rank in the top 20 all time, and his 18 total years with the club mean he's coached almost 30 percent of the franchise's combined games since 1961.

RB Adrian Peterson Vikings career: 2007-16

Still running strong at age 35 with the Washington Redskins, Peterson embodied the term "workhorse running back," and in fact was the Vikings' offense for much of his time in Minnesota. Fumbles were an issue for the hulking ball- carrier, and nearly his entire 2014 season was wiped out due to off-field issues, but those are about the only nitpicks you can make on a Hall of Fame career.

With at least 1,200 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons, seven straight years of at least 10 touchdowns and, perhaps most notable of all, a record-breaking 2,000-yard season one year after a serious knee injury, Peterson wasn't just the best Vikings RB of all time but one of the best to ever play the game. Before departing in 2017, the Oklahoma product racked up an NFL MVP award and thrice led the league in rushing, totaling more than 11,700 yards on the ground.

WR Randy Moss Vikings career: 1998-2004, 2010

If Peterson is the thunder of all-time Vikings, then Moss is the lightning. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, the former first-round pick managed to play alongside all kinds of franchise greats (Culpepper, Cunningham, Cris Carter, etc.) and still stand out as the superstar of the bunch. Moss wasted no time carving out a career as one of the best deep threats of all time, averaging a whopping 19 yards per catch while scoring a league-leading 17 touchdowns as a rookie, then proceeded to post five more 1,200-yard seasons in the next five years.

Moss led the NFL in TD catches two more times with Minnesota, including during a 111-catch, 1,632-yard showcase in 2003, and despite a polarizing relationship with the team that extended into his short-lived 2010 reunion, saw his awe-inspiring Vikings run pave the way for even more historic success, like his record 23-TD season with the Patriots in 2007.

DT Vikings career: 1967-78

One of just 11 Vikings to appear in all four of the team's Super Bowls, Page is best known as one of the defining members of the "Purple People Eaters," the 1960-70s defensive line that helped fuel Minnesota to NFC dominance. A nine-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro honoree, he's also a two-time Defensive Player of the Year recipient and one of just two defenders to win NFL MVP since 1971.

Unofficially credited with six different double-digit sack seasons and 238 straight game appearances, Page went into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and is still regarded as one of the best interior D-linemen to ever take the field. As a bonus, he remains a staple of the Minnesota community, serving as a state Supreme Court judge from 1993-2015.

Honorable mention WR Cris Carter OG Randall McDaniel DE DT John Randle S Paul Krause PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 6/3/20

Vikings' Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr Criticize NFL Statement, Call for Action

By Will Ragatz

The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers last week sparked protests, riots, and widespread discussion about racial inequality and police brutality throughout the United States. Sports figures have gotten involved in the conversation, with numerous athletes, teams, and leagues making statements regarding the incident. Some of those statements have been worded in ways that come across as genuine and well-meaning, while others leave something to be desired.

The statement made by the NFL on Saturday falls into the latter category, given how the league famously exiled Colin Kaepernick for peacefully protesting during the national anthem.

NFL @NFL View image on Twitter

On Tuesday, Vikings All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks spoke out against the NFL's empty statement.

"What actual steps are you taking to support the fight for justice and system reform?" Kendricks asked on Twitter. "Your statement said nothing. Your league is built on black athletes. Vague answers do nothing. Let the players know what you’re ACTUALLY doing. And we know what silence means."

Kendricks continued by asking for suggestions on what concrete steps the Vikings can take towards creating change, and continued to call on the NFL to take action.

"The Vikings have opened a dialogue with players and we’re all working towards solutions with the team," he said. "If anyone has suggestions for how to support the city, we’d love to hear them. Our team doesn’t just want to donate — we want to work with local organizations and get out there to help facilitate change. DM me or comment if you have any suggestions or info."

"But we want answers at the league level. That’s where change can happen, and we’ve seen none. Because right now, it seems like nothing. And nothing is unacceptable. You can’t bring in people to teach us how we should interact with police but not work towards changing the behavior of the police themselves. Silence will not make this go away."

Eric Kendricks @EricKendricks54 But we want answers at the league level. That’s where change can happen, and we’ve seen none. Because right now, it seems like nothing. And nothing is unacceptable.

@EricKendricks54 You can’t bring in people to teach us how we should interact with police but not work towards changing the behavior of the police themselves.

Silence will not make this go away. @NFL #WeWantAnswers #BlackLivesMatter

Kendricks' five-tweet thread was reposted by fellow linebacker Anthony Barr. Both men are members of the Vikings' social justice committee that was formed in 2018, and both are very active in the Twin Cities community. Barr's Raise The Barr foundation helps raise funds for single mothers, and Kendricks has worked extensively with Sheridan Story to fight childhood hunger.

Kendricks has also been selling paintings to raise money for COVID-19 relief.

Many players in the Vikings organization have also made statements calling for change after the death of Floyd, with coach Mike Zimmer the latest to do so on Tuesday. PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 6/3/20

Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer Releases Statement on Death of George Floyd

By Will Ragatz

Many Vikings players have spoken out on social media over the last week regarding the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and the ensuing protests in the city. Now head coach Mike Zimmer has also come forward with a statement.

“I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd as well as the entire community for his senseless death,” Zimmer said. “Peaceful protests can help bring change, and we definitely need change, so we can all live in harmony. Everyone needs to respect each other’s ideas and work together to strengthen, not weaken, our community. I believe our football team is an example of how people from all different backgrounds and experiences can come together for a common goal.”

Minnesota Vikings @Vikings Statement from Head Coach Mike Zimmer

View image on Twitter

Vikings players to comment on the incident include Kirk Cousins, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph, Anthony Harris, Bisi Johnson, , Josh Metellus, and many more. A running tally of their social media posts can be found here, which includes the team's official statement.

Some of the strongest words came from Vikings linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr on Tuesday. The two players called out the NFL for a statement that didn't communicate what direct steps it would be taking to enact change, and pledged to work with the Vikings organization to make a difference.

On Saturday, former NFL executive Joe Lockhart called for the Vikings to make a major commitment to the cause by signing Colin Kaepernick. PUBLICATION: VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK DATE: 6/3/20

Xs and Os: How Drafted Cornerbacks Could Impact Vikings

By Eric Smith

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings experienced significant turnover in their secondary this offseason, but they replenished the position during the 2020 NFL Draft.

Minnesota used three of its first eight draft picks on cornerbacks, beginning with TCU senior Jeff Gladney in the first round with the 31st overall selection. Cameron Dantzler of Mississippi State followed in the third round (89th overall pick), and Temple's was a fifth-round choice with the 169th selection.

The young additions at cornerback offset the losses of and Mackensie Alexander in free agency, plus the departure of , who was released in March and wound up signing with Indianapolis.

The drafted trio will now team with other youngsters such as Mike Hughes, Holton Hill, Kris Boyd and Marcus Sayles in what could be a highly-anticipated battle for starting spots and playing time.

Here's a deep dive on how each of the drafted cornerbacks could figure into Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer's defensive scheme:

Player Profile: Jeff Gladney, TCU, senior

Gladney, who measures in at 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, started 42 of the 50 games he played for the Horned Frogs. He earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2019, improving from Second-Team accolades in 2018 and Honorable Mention in 2017.

Gladney tied for second in the conference with 15 passes defended, including a conference-best 14 pass breakups, which was also the eighth-most nationally in 2019.

Gladney was rated No. 1 in the Big 12 by analytics site Pro Football Focus with an allowed passer rating of 46.9 (minimum of 200 coverage snaps) as a junior in 2018.

The cornerback displayed his toughness in 2019 when he played through a meniscus tear in his knee and even ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at the combine with the injury.

"No one really told me not to. Everybody who knew me knew I was going to participate in the combine and still do everything with my knee," he said. "I was just trying to get myself [seen] by all the teams, just let them know how much it meant to me – even though [I had] a torn meniscus. I'm tough like that, so I feel like it paid off."

View photos of TCU CB Jeff Gladney who was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Where He Could Play: TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson said Gladney primarily played on the outside in college, where he shadowed larger receivers in different types of coverage.

But with Alexander gone as the primary slot cornerback, Hughes could see playing time there. So, too, could Gladney, as Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman recently said that the first-round pick is a candidate to line up inside.

Spielman noted that while Gladney is a potential option at the moment, the team will have to see how he adapts to the on-field pace once the Vikings can practice. Teams have not been going through Organized Team Activity practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think the slot is probably the most difficult to learn because of the different combinations of the man and zone schemes that Zim' runs. Usually the outside is the easiest to learn," Spielman said. "But when you get into the nickel spot – and that's where we started to train Mike Hughes last year, playing a lot in there and expect him to play in there – I think, physically, that Gladney can definitely go in and play in the slot, as well.

"The slot part, or the nickel part of the defense, the hardest part, is the mental part. 'How quickly do you know the different combinations, the route combinations and how the coverages adjust behind you according to the route combinations where you don't have to think, where you can get into the [mindset where you can] just react and play. That's probably the most difficult part?' " Spielman added. "Now, you can do it on paper, and they're going to do it all throughout this virtual classroom. But to me, until you get out on the field and actually see it – and see it at full speed – and you actually have to physically do it, besides just doing it in your head, those [areas] are where we're going to have to get them caught up pretty quickly."

Coachspeak: "Gladney reminds me of a lot of guys who have played similarly for me in the past. Very good acceleration … tough, competitive kid … wants to challenge receivers and good in and out of the breaks. Long arms … I know he's a shorter guy, but he makes up for it with his toughness and his length."

— Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer

"I think that the young man has the temperament that I know Coach Zimmer likes for our corners to play with. He's a competitor. He does not want you to catch the ball; he's going to compete. He'll come up and support in the running game."

— Vikings Co-Defensive Coordinator Andre Patterson

Film Breakdown: Former Vikings player and coach Pete Bercich, now a Vikings Radio Network analyst, looked at some of Gladney's tape from TCU.

"In the red zone, he understands the coverage, understands there was a blitz and what the offense was going to do … to put himself in position [to force an incompletion]," Bercich said.

"He also has a nose for the football." Bercich added.

Film Room: How Jeff Gladney Excels at Coverage With Intelligence and Toughness Player Profile: Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State, redshirt junior

Dantzler measures at 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds and was ranked as the No. 9 cornerback in this year's class by Pro Football Focus.

He allowed a passer rating of just 57.0 last season, which ranked fourth among FBS cornerbacks, and led Mississippi State with 10 passes defensed in 2019. Dantzler made 22 starts in 25 career games.

Perhaps Dantzler's best game in 2019 came against LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football. Dantzler limited Chase to five catches for 45 yards.

"Coach put me up to the challenge, and I accepted," Dantzler said. "I just studied what he likes to do – some of his strengths, some of his weaknesses – throughout the week. … He doesn't like when you're really physical with him; he just tries to bully most of the time. So I just studied that and brought that into the game and held my own, and I thought I did a great job against him."

Photos: Mississippi State CB Cameron Dantzler View images of Vikings new CB Cameron Dantzler from his days at Mississippi State.

Where He Could Play: While Gladney's frame could make him a candidate for the slot, Dantzler's body size likely projects him as an outside cornerback.

The Vikings, of course, need help there following the departures of Rhodes and Waynes.

Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said after Day 2 of the draft that Dantzler fits the athletic mold of what Zimmer likes in his cornerbacks.

"Very excited to add another corner to our mix … a big, tall corner that is very athletic for his size. The game that stuck out to us the most was the LSU game," Spielman said. "He has all the physical traits we're looking for, and his length really helps him down the field, as well.

"Just adding depth, especially at a position of need, and we're very excited to get Cameron on board," Spielman added.

Coachspeak: "The thing about him is, I watched all of these corners, even [], who went third overall, and when they played LSU, the junior, No. 1, beat every single one. But this kid, he was the one at Mississippi State to shut him down – and really, that's what got our attention. [Vikings defensive backs coach] Daronte Jones was really high on him when we were going through the draft process, and for us to be able to get both of those guys – guys we were high on as a coaching staff – is pretty exciting."

— Vikings Co-Defensive Coordinator Adam Zimmer on Dantzler's play against Chase (he did not mention Chase by name because of NCAA rules)

Film Breakdown: Bercich analyzed Dantzler's play and abilities on film.

"This is a kid who was hurt by the fact the scouts couldn't get back out to the Pro Days and give him a chance to put a good number down in the 40[-yard dash]," Bercich said. "He's able to open his hips, turn and run and stay foot-to- foot with the receiver … it's great coverage.

"He uses that long frame and long arms to force the receiver further out to the sideline … that narrows that corridor for the throw," Bercich added. "For Dantzler, outside of a lackluster 40 time [at the combine] … which maybe scared away a lot of teams, you don't see a lot of holes in his game. He's the type of corner you would think this defense would want."

Film Room: Game Tape Shows Alleged Lack of Speed Is A Non-Issue For Cameron Dantzler Player Profile: Harrison Hand, Temple, junior

The Vikings drafted their third and final corner of 2020 in the fifth round.

Hand measured 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds at the 2020 combine, where he showed off his hops. Hand's vertical leap of 41 inches tied Okudah, the first-round pick of Detroit, for the best among cornerbacks in this class.

Hand began his college career at Baylor, but transferred to Temple for his final college season. He recorded 59 tackles (4.0 for loss) and three interceptions for the Owls in 2019.

"I'm just ready to go in however they want to use me and do it to the best of my ability," Hand said. "I'm just ready to work."

Photos: Temple CB Harrison Hand View images of Vikings 5th round draft pick Temple CB Harrison Hand.

Where He Could Play: Hand could vie for playing time at either cornerback spot, and is also expected to help contribute on special teams.

He could follow a similar path of Kris Boyd, a 2019 seventh-round pick who led the Vikings in special teams tackles as a rookie.

"We need to continue to build depth in the secondary; he'll come in and compete," Spielman said. "Also, I know what he can do and contribute on special teams."

Vikings Director of College Scouting Jamaal Stephenson said Hand's combine numbers and potential intrigued the Vikings.

"He's a guy who is really smart. He's instinctive, has good size. He worked out really well at the combine," Stephenson said. "He's a guy who is really just scratching the surface of what he can be. He's a young player, and we think he has a lot of upside, particularly with where we got him in the draft."

Coachspeak: "He's got some flexibility. He can be one who can play on the outside, as a corner, but also be able to kick inside and compete for the nickel spot, too. He's athletic, he's very quick – he's got quick feet – and that's what you look for in a nickel. I think he's another one that fits what we were looking for, and I think he'll do a good job of coming in and competing for some playing time."

— Vikings Co-Defensive Coordinator Andre Patterson

Film Breakdown: Bercich also commented on Hand's tape from his time at Temple.

"One of the first things you notice … is that he loves to roll up and loves to press," Bercich said. "But even in run support, he's able to step up, play North-South and make great tackles on the outside. The kid is able to diagnose the run in front of him.

"He also has great instincts … he has a great feel for coverage," Bercich added. "He can also blitz and use that explosion to get into the backfield."