DAVE CAMPBELL
Vikings land DT P.J. Hall in deal with Raiders for late pick

By Dave Campbell 2 hrs ago
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings acquired defensive tackle P.J. Hall

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2018, file photo, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Vikings have signed Spielman to a multi-year contract extension(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Vikings sign GM Spielman to multi-year contract extension

By Dave Campbell 7 hrs ago
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have doubled down on their reliance on

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis. The Vikings signed head coach Zimmer on Friday, July 24, 2020, to a three-year contract extension through the 2023 season. Zimmer’s record with the Vikings over six years is 57-38-1, plus 2-3 in the postseason. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
New Vikings DT Pierce, asthma sufferer, opts out of season

By Dave Campbell Jul. 28, 2020 09:38 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The COVID-19 pandemic turned life around the world upside

FILE - In this Feb, 27, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. Jefferson, the first-round draft pick from LSU, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, July 27, 2020, with three other Minnesota Vikings players. Teams may not disclose whether player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Vikings' infection control officer tests positive for COVID

By Dave Campbell Jul. 27, 2020 02:43 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The day before the scheduled arrival of returning players to

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis. The Vikings signed head coach Zimmer on Friday, July 24, 2020, to a three-year contract extension through the 2023 season. Zimmer’s record with the Vikings over six years is 57-38-1, plus 2-3 in the postseason. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikings sign Zimmer to 3-year contract extension through '23

By Dave Campbell Jul. 24, 2020 07:23 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings signed head coach Mike Zimmer to a

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2020, file photo, NFL Players Association Executive director DeMaurice Smith speaks at the annual state of the union news conference in Miami Beach, Fla. The NFL and the NFLPA haven’t come to an agreement on all protocols for training camp and the preseason as the report date for teams draws closer. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
As camp approaches, how will NFL handle players opting out?

By Dave Campbell Jul. 18, 2020 02:08 AM EDT
The 60-game mini-season Major League Baseball assembled this summer was still

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, in Detroit. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. Cook is holding out of team activities until he has a new contract.(AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Vikings, Cook present NFL's latest RB contract standoff

By Dave Campbell Jun. 18, 2020 05:31 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Dalvin Cook logged off last week from virtual team

Protesters gather outside the Minnesota Vikings football stadium Friday, May 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. Protests continued following the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Floyd death spurs action in Minn. sports for societal change

By Dave Campbell Jun. 11, 2020 04:56 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Eric Kendricks woke up distressed shortly after George

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2008, file photo, Nebraska's Cookie Miller (24) body surfs the crowd that rushed the court after Nebraska beat Kansas State 71-64 in a college basketball game in Lincoln, Neb. When the virus wanes enough to allow the games to begin again, the very essence of these events will likely be missing. Playing in empty buildings would require a significant recalibration.(AP Photo/Dave Weaver, FIle)
'Create your own excitement': Players ponder empty buildings

By Dave Campbell Jun. 08, 2020 02:10 AM EDT
The roar of the crowd has been such a staple of major sports, such an advantage

FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2016, file photo, University of Kentucky football manager Jordan Newton has his eyes scanned for the eye retina security system at the new University of Kentucky football training center in Lexington, Ky. Screening technology that scans a user’s eyes, face or fingerprint has multiplied around the world in recent years. (Charles Bertram/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP, File)
Stadium virus prevention steers spotlight toward fan privacy

By Dave Campbell Jun. 03, 2020 03:26 PM EDT
The metal detectors every sports fan has become accustomed to at the gate might

In this photo taken from video, Minnesota Vikings NFL football team defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo talks on a conference call from his home in Chicago, Thursday, May 21, 2020. Odenigbo's progression from the practice squad accelerated last season with regular playing time and made an even bigger leap forward this spring when stalwart Everson Griffen did not re-sign with the team. (Dave Campbell via Zoom)
Odenigbo's opportunity: Vikings pass rusher now in key role

By Dave Campbell May. 21, 2020 07:58 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings, like the rest of the NFL during this

In this image made from video, Minnesota Vikings NFL football team head coach Mike Zimmer speaks during an interview from the family's sprawling ranch in Walton, Ky., Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Mike Zimmer has managed to conduct some extra strategy sessions during this sequestered NFL offseason, despite being disconnected from all of his players and almost all of his staff. That's because the Vikings coach has his newly appointed co-defensive coordinator spending these homebound days with him. Adam Zimmer, of course, is his son. (Dave Campbell/Zoom via AP)
Vikes' Zimmer sequestering at ranch with assistant coach son

By Dave Campbell May. 13, 2020 07:42 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mike Zimmer has managed to conduct some extra strategy

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. General managers around the league ran their drafts virtually without a hitch last month, thanks largely to the work and ingenuity of their information technology staffs. Tech support remains a vital role in the NFL offseason as long as team facilities are closed, with coaches and officials needing to connect with players scattered about the country.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Remote control: Tech support staffers star in NFL offseason

By Dave Campbell May. 09, 2020 02:04 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Like a principal walking through a hushed hallway on the

FILE - In this March 1, 2020, file photo, TCU defensive back Jeff Gladney runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. First-round draft pick Jeff Gladney will be the latest young cornerback to be challenged by Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, whose tough-love teaching has helped develop several solid pros at his pet position. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Vikings CB Gladney a confident fit with tough-loving Zimmer

By Dave Campbell Apr. 28, 2020 07:15 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings targeted cornerback Jeff Gladney in

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2019, file photo, Utah State quarterback Jordan Love looks for a receiver during the team's NCAA college football game against Air Force at Air Force Academy, Colo. The Green Bay Packers selected Love in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Draft could bring Vikings more help now than North foes

By Dave Campbell Apr. 27, 2020 05:41 PM EDT
The Minnesota Vikings were forced by a salary-cap crunch this spring into a

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The NFL Draft is April 23-25. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Vikings prioritize defensive line on final day of draft

By Dave Campbell Apr. 25, 2020 09:49 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With a 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame, coming out of an SEC

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The NFL Draft is April 23-25. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Vikings draft OT Ezra Cleveland, CB Cameron Dantzler

By Dave Campbell Apr. 24, 2020 11:18 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings patiently filled major needs on the

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) runs against Oklahoma cornerback Woodi Washington (5) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game in Atlanta. This year’s NFL draft features a superb group of wide receivers, including Jefferson, who are expected to make immediate impacts in the NFL.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Vikings draft LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson at No. 22

By Dave Campbell Apr. 23, 2020 11:05 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings chose LSU wide receiver Justin

FILE - In this June 11, 1997 file photo, Chicago Bulls Scottie Pippen, right, embraces an exhausted Michael Jordan following their win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, in Salt Lake City. The flu-like illness Jordan fought through to lead the Bulls to a crucial victory in the 1997 NBA Finals created instant fodder for the virtue of perseverance. Pushing past boundaries, overcoming obstacles and adversity — that is part of the ethos of major competitive sports. That is how elite athletes become wired to win. (AP Photo/Jack Smith, File)
Mental stress for athletes: From 'let's play' to 'stay home'

By Dave Campbell Apr. 22, 2020 02:09 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The flu-like illness Michael Jordan fought through to lead

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss speaks after receiving his Hall of Fame ring during halftime of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Green Bay Packersin Minneapolis. The Vikings have drafted six Hall of Famers in the first round. None made more of a splash than Randy Moss in 1998.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
For Vikes, hard to find bigger 1st-round draft hit than Moss

By Dave Campbell Apr. 21, 2020 06:34 PM EDT
BEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: WR Randy Moss (1998). The Vikings drafted six Hall