Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to the
Views and Personal Photos on the Vikes from the Inaugural Hall of Fame fan.
Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to theOn 2005 roster at present (Bold indicates projected starter)
40: Jim Kleinsasser; TE; 7th season
44: Sean Berton; TE; 3rd season
45: T.J. Cottrell; TE; 1st season
48: Matt Ross; TE; R
49: Richard Owens; TE; 2nd season
60: Cory Withrow; C; 6th season
61: Shannon Snell; G; R
62: Kyle Schmitt; C; R
63: Chris Jahnke: G; R
65: Nat Dorsey; T; 2nd season
66: Brandon Newton; G; 1st season
67: Anthony Herrera; G; 2nd season
68: William Obeng; T; R
72: Marcus Johnson; G; R
73: Adam Goldberg; G; 2nd season
74: Bryant McKinnie; T; 4th season
75: Mike Rosenthal; T; 7th season
76: Chris Liwienski; G; 7th season
78: Matt Birk; C; 8th season
79: Rian Melander; T; R
Note: I'd like to take a little roll call and ask a question of the readers. By using the Comment link at the end of this blog entry, leave what city and state you are from. I'd sure love to know if there are Vikings fans in all 50 states. And leave your country if you are outside of America. Also, would you like to see me change the site to a white background with dark purple font...or leave it the way it is. Thanks for your time!
The Vikings missed two players a great deal last season. Both were responsible for protecting Daunte Culpepper in one way or another.
Both are back.
The first is a player that I hunted down as soon as practice started. I just had to see the 3-day facial hair growth, huge calves, and large arms of the North Dakota farm boy that we in Section 101 yell "JIIIIMMMMMMMMMYYYYY!" at.
Yep, Jim Kleinsasser.
Even though Kleinsasser was only practicing in a limited mode, it was still great to see him in uniform catching balls. It was especially great to see him do what he does best.....block.
It was not great to see the huge brace on the right knee, but then one must remember it is most likely precautionary. Especiallly since Kleinsasser seemed to be practicing in most every drill when he was expected to be sitting them out.
And think of the extra options Culpepper will have when both Kleinsasser and Jermaine Wiggins are on the field together. I bet Culpepper will love having his favorite backfield blocker return and still have the option of finding Wiggins down the middle of the field if he needs an outlet pass.
I still find Wiggins a hoot to watch on the football field. He does not have a football body. He does not have speed, of any kind. But he has that knack to find the open seam and soft hands to pull in pass after pass. Resigning Wiggins this past off-season was a huge move and it should pay-off in dividends this coming season.
The other face that I was glad to see back in uniform was Mike Rosenthal. It was way back in September last year that the Minnesota Vikings ended the seasons of Rosenthal and Kleinsasser.
If you'll recall, Rosenthal broke his right foot in the Monday night game at Philadelphia. Kleinsasser had surgery to repair damage to his right knee sustained in the opener against Dallas. I don't think the Vikings ever missed two blockers more. Except of course when it was Rosenthal, Kleinsasser AND Matt Birk that weren't in the line-up. And Birk still was not dressed for this particular practice.
I'm sure all three players will be introduced to the wild crowd as starters when the opening game at the Metrodome comes in September.
And the biggest cheer will come from #11. I have no doubt in that.
Other Photos
Even Daunte is hidden by his offensive line, not to mention well-protected.
Up next: Defensive Backs! (Projected to be up late Saturday or Sunday)
Previous: Kickers & Special teams, Running Back, Linebacker, Quarterback, Defensive Line, and Initial Report (just scroll down)
And be sure to leave a COMMENT below if you have a specific question you would like to ask me and I'll reply using the COMMENTS field.
And if you want to use a photo on your own personal site...I simply ask that you credit me and my Vikings Underground web blog.
Posted by maasx003 at May 1, 2005 04:37 PM | TrackBackI just found your site today and think it is great. I think you should leave the site the way it is, it might be harder on the eyes with a white background. Brandon,S.D.
Posted by: Tom R. at April 30, 2005 09:17 PMI like the site the way it is. I live near Ogden, Utah.
Posted by: Brad K. at April 30, 2005 09:24 PMBeen a Viking fan since 1972, I am 42 yrs old now and have enjoyed the internet with sites like yours immensely. I am from Charlotte, NC
Posted by: Irishman at April 30, 2005 09:40 PMNew York, New York. The site looks great - I can read it fine. Thanks for sharing your observations and pix.
Posted by: Redking at April 30, 2005 09:50 PMI had NO clue you were still around!! Purple background works for me... Winslow, AZ - wearin' the purple since January of 19and78!
Posted by: VikingGranny at April 30, 2005 10:11 PMLove the pics from minicamp. Keep 'em coming, best pics available from minicamp. Urbandale, IA is my hometown but am attending Central College in Pella, IA.
Posted by: Drew at April 30, 2005 10:27 PMI live in Middle Tennessee, about 30 minutes outside of Nashville. Been a diehard Vikes fan for over 20 years and own and operate another Vikings fan site (vikingsboard.com)
I come here daily to see what kind of up to date news and info is available, and find this site to be very informative and accurate (with the exception of your aprils fool prank!) I love it and wouldn't change a thing. I think the purple background looks great, and is a nice change from the white backgrounds on almost every other site. Obviously I endorse that opinion since I too use the purple BG for my site.
Everything is perfect!
Keep up the good work.
VM
Posted by: Viking Mike Lurie at April 30, 2005 11:03 PMFound your site right after the regular season last year and i usually visit a few times a week.
Chicago, IL.
Like the sight the way it is, easy on the eyes. White backgrounds strain my eys and are boring to boot.
Posted by: VikingDawg at April 30, 2005 11:11 PMLas Cruces, New Mexico
Keep bkgrd as is.
Posted by: Daren at April 30, 2005 11:32 PMI'm in Madison, WI. It's a pretty bad place to be a Vikes fan, but the schadenfreude is second-to-none!
Posted by: willb at April 30, 2005 11:53 PMYour site rocks. I just found it today with a link over on the purple thoughts message board. I like the way it looks now, i wouldnt change it. Your camp info is great, keep it comming. The pics are the best i have found on the net. Thanks man. Oh by the way im from Owensboro Kentucky and i have been a Vikings fan all 25 years of my life, thanks to my dad.
Posted by: KY Steve at April 30, 2005 11:59 PMSite looks great from out here in Seattle, WA.
Posted by: "Unnecessary Roughness" Reveiz at May 1, 2005 12:52 AMLos Angeles, California
Posted by: narek at May 1, 2005 01:11 AMFrom NYC. Really enjoy the site!!!!
Posted by: Jay at May 1, 2005 08:44 AMSite looks great with the purple background. Born and raised in Minnesota and currently living in Forest Lake, MN after living abroad for five years in Taiwan and Shanghai, China.
Posted by: Bill Poganski at May 1, 2005 08:57 AMWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Great minicamp review! Sure beats the FishFactory rags!
I like the purple, but if you feel white would be nice then just make a 2nd CSS stylesheet and let everyone choose -- make a link at the top which switches the stylesheet. E.g. ESPN has 3 different stylesheets to change font sizes (while keeping the formatting correct.)
Posted by: VR Guy at May 1, 2005 01:18 PMStuttgart, Germany here ;-)
LOVE all the information you're providing - keep up the good work - and the layout is good the way it is :)
Posted by: JohnnyNo89 at May 1, 2005 02:30 PMLeave it purple :) Originally from the training camp home of Mankato, but now I'm in the burbs of DC in Arlington, VA.
And by the way, Go Sioux!!!
Posted by: Nick at May 2, 2005 10:05 AMBorn and raised in New York (Long Island), living in Morris Co, New Jersey.
Posted by: Marc DeCristofaro at May 2, 2005 11:50 AMHartford, SD....I like the purple....thanks for the mini-camp info!
Posted by: Ryan at May 2, 2005 02:52 PMGreat site and a great review of mini camp. Loved the photos. I live in Olive Branch, MS.
Posted by: Bill at May 2, 2005 03:49 PMPurple background? Must be my browser settings but I've never seen anything but a white background. No matter the format I always enjoy your concise and entertaining thoughts, even those concerning The Wife and The Son.
long-time Viking fan from Chippewa Falls, WI (home of Leinenkugel's beer), and close relative to former Packer HC Dan Devine.
If you get a chance, I would LOVE to see any kind of report on the kickers, as I think that is still our weakest spot. And I haven't yet seen a response to the Commenter asking about the LB coaching - do we have a dedicated LB coach now? If yes, is it Bercich or is he on ST coaching staff? Any thoughts on how Cottrell is handling the overall D because while we have a lot of great talent it is still going to take a tremendous coach to bring it all together.
Thanks again for a GREAT blog, Brian! And for those looking for more I would recommened checking out KansasViking.com - great forum as well with links to all the local rags.
Posted by: SwoboVike at May 3, 2005 08:10 AMGreat site. Thanks for the detailed mini-camp info. Much appreciated fan in Memphis, Tn.
Posted by: Robert at May 4, 2005 11:44 AMKeep the purple background, it's distinctive and easier on the eyes. Currently in Chandler, AZ, born & raised in northern New York.
Posted by: Thingman at May 4, 2005 02:52 PMfrom southern wisconsin. been a vikes fan since the purple people eaters day. have a couple of kids that are fans too. we went to training camp for the first time last year. we will miss moss (already do) and hope to see him back some year but will cheer just as hard as the team moves on.
Posted by: Karin Rethlefsen at May 7, 2005 10:19 AMGreat site! Killer photos! Thanks for keeping us Vikes fans over here in Hawaii.
aloha and mahalo
Posted by: grpape at May 16, 2005 02:46 AMI say keep the colors how they are, they work well.
Originally from St. Paul, now reside in East Bay/Chico, Ca. Thanks for the site!
Adam
Does anyone here want Vikings vs. Jets pre-season game on 8/19/05 8:00 p.m. at Giants Stadium in Section 122 @ half price for the pair ($70)? Please email me if interested.
Posted by: City Saint at August 14, 2005 11:01 AMDiehard fan here! Originally from Sioux Falls SD and my dad grew up in northern Minnesota. I now reside in Morristown NJ. After a slow start I am ready for the Vikes to start dominating. I am getting ready to go to the sports bar to watch the Vikes beat up the Falcons. Skoal Vikings! Lets go!
Posted by: Brian Fittje at October 2, 2005 01:27 PMAre you still at it? Happy Birthday! Good win for your B-day.
Posted by: Jodie at December 6, 2005 08:32 AM